RU Kingdra

QC'd by: Spirit, Rakan, EonX
GP'd by: The Dutch Plumberjack, Fireflame479

[OVERVIEW]

Among the Dragon-types in RU, Kingdra has several notable niches. When you first look at Kingdra, what jumps out immediately is its Water / Dragon typing. This has very good defensive properties, notably resistances to Fire- and Water-type attacks, and offensively, it allows Kingdra to hit every viable Pokemon in RU, outside of Whimsicott, neutrally. Kingdra's stats are also decent enough to use it as an attacker, especially when combined with two great abilities in Swift Swim and Sniper, both of which can be taken advantage of with corresponding moves, and Kingdra is bulky enough to the point where it can easily set up against slower teams. However, Kingdra's Speed stat, while not terrible, leaves it severely outpaced by many offensive staples such as Flygon, Swellow, and Sharpedo, especially when unboosted. It also struggles to set up against faster teams due to this, and while its bulk is good, Kingdra can't really take strong hits, even neutral ones, very well. Yet despite this, Kingdra can be a good pick for more offensive teams due to its multitude of ways of setting up, good typing, and its high sweeping potential.

[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Draco Meteor
move 4: Ice Beam
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Kingdra has enough bulk and a good defensive typing to be able to set rain on its own via Rain Dance. Hydro Pump hits insanely hard in rain. Draco Meteor is Kingdra's strongest secondary STAB option. Ice Beam can hit Whimsicott, the only viable Pokemon in RU that resists Kingdra's attacks, super effectively as well as being a catch-all move against Grass-types.

Set Details
========

Swift Swim is the ability of choice to make the most of Rain Dance. With maximum Speed EVs and Swift Swim in the rain, Kingdra outspeeds the majority of the unboosted RU metagame, and a Modest nature lets it keep a lot of power. Timid, on the other hand, while mostly outclassed by Modest, can be used to beat Choice Specs Gardevoir if your team is weak to it. Life Orb allows Kingdra to switch moves while still dishing out huge damage.

Usage Tips
========

It's best to only set up on defensive Pokemon that can't do much to Kingdra such as Slowbro and Gligar. Use Rain Dance as soon as possible, as Kingdra, even with a Life Orb, doesn't hit hard enough, and it isn't nearly fast enough when not under rain. It's better to avoid setting up until faster threats like Whimsicott and Choice Scarf Gardevoir are eliminated. Due to the fact that Draco Meteor lowers Kingdra's stats, it's best not to rely on it; however, rain-boosted Water-type attacks still do decent enough damage at -2 to justify staying in after using Draco Meteor.

Team Options
========

Pokemon like Salazzle and Toxicroak that beat Fairy-types such as Comfey are necessary, as Fairy-types can typically tank even a rain-boosted Hydro Pump and hit back hard with their STAB moves. Salazzle, in addition to spreading Taunt, can reliably take out Roserade and Venusaur, both of which are problems for Kingdra because they can tank an Ice Beam or Draco Meteor, while Toxicroak can benefit from the rain that Kingdra sets up thanks to Dry Skin. A wallbreaker such as Choice Band Escavalier can beat Pokemon like Snorlax and Umbreon with ease; Escavalier in particular also beats Fairy- and Grass-type Pokemon reliably and can utilize Pursuit to chip many threats to Kingdra down to a range where it can KO them easily. Spikes support from Pokemon such as Chesnaught and Roserade is good when it comes to wearing down a lot of Kingdra's defensive checks, notably chipping down the likes of Snorlax and Registeel and pressuring Florges and Umbreon into switching out of Kingdra's teammates more often. An additional weather setter such as Uxie can be a good option if going for a full-on or semi-weather team; if that is the case, a backup rain sweeper such as Kabutops is a decent option as well.

[SET]
name: CritDra
move 1: Focus Energy
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Hydro Pump
move 4: Agility
item: Scope Lens
ability: Sniper
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Focus Energy, when combined with Scope Lens, allows Kingdra to get a critical hit every time it uses a move. Draco Meteor is Kingdra's main STAB move and, on a critical hit, allows it to deal with pretty much any Pokemon that doesn't resist Dragon. Hydro Pump is a very strong secondary STAB attack. Agility can be used to outspeed a lot of Pokemon such as Heracross and Kommo-o after use, allowing Kingdra to handle offensive teams better.

Set Details
========

A Timid nature can better help Kingdra more against more offensive teams, notably allowing it to outspeed the likes of non-Choice Scarf Gardevoir and Flame Orb Heracross, but a Modest nature is preferred for a better chance against special walls like Umbreon, especially when you consider the low PP of Kingdra's STAB moves. Sniper allows Kingdra's moves to hit even harder than they normally would with a critical hit. Scope Lens increases the chance for critical hits to occur; this combined with Focus Energy guarantees Kingdra a critical hit. The EV spread is quite standard, with maximum Special Attack and Speed to get the most power and Speed possible for Kingdra.

Usage Tips
========

Avoid Pokemon that can hit Kingdra hard, even neutrally, at all costs. Although Kingdra has decent bulk and defensive typing, it is best left out of this type of situation. It's best to set up on bulky Pokemon that can't do much to Kingdra, particularly bulky Water-types such as Slowbro and Milotic. Boosting early also helps, as Kingdra's Special Attack and Speed stats are modest at best when unboosted; however, the move you use earlier on in the match depends a lot on the archetype of the team you face. Agility in general should be prioritized if going against an offensive team due to Kingdra's middling Speed tier and the fact that not many Pokemon resist Kingdra's STAB options; Focus Energy is better to use first if going against more defensive teams. Finally, critical hits ignore Special Attack drops from Draco Meteor, which can be used to your advantage.

Team Options
========

Steel- and Fire-type Pokemon such as Escavalier and Salazzle beat the Fairy-types this set often struggles with. Escavalier counters Whimsicott nicely thanks to its Overcoat ability making it immune to Powder moves. Doublade can destroy the likes of Cresselia in addition to beating Fairy-types. Fairy-type Pokemon such as Comfey and Florges help to beat other Dragon-types such as Flygon and Kommo-o. Spikes support from the likes of Roserade and Chesnaught is quite useful, as Spikes can wear down Kingdra's checks well. Roserade can utilize Hidden Power Fire to beat every viable Steel-type, and it also has Poison-type STAB moves to take out Fairy-types; Chesnaught, on the other hand, handles Snorlax, Umbreon, and Registeel, all of which are a thorn in Kingdra's side. Both of these Pokemon are also useful in luring in Fire-type Pokemon to help Kingdra set up. Finally, as this set likes having bulky Water-types worn down, a lure for such Pokemon, such as Bloom Doom Moltres or Choice Band Rhyperior, is a fine option.

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Electric / Scald
item: Choice Specs
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

This set allows Kingdra's Water-type attacks to hit nearly as hard as they would in rain while giving far more power to Kingdra's other moves. Hydro Pump is a nice STAB move that hits immensely hard. Draco Meteor is Kingdra's strongest secondary STAB attack. Ice Beam hits Whimsicott, which resists Kingdra's STAB moves, as well as being a catch-all move against Grass-types. Finally, Hidden Power Electric hits Mantine super effectively. If your team is well equipped to face Mantine, however, Scald is a good alternative that gives Kingdra a far more reliable Water-type STAB attack with a chance to burn the opposing Pokemon.

Set Details
========

Choice Specs is used on this set for its instant power without having to set up rain. The nature depends. A Timid nature is useful against foes such as Choice Specs Kommo-o in addition to most Flame Orb Heracross variants and non-Choice Scarf Gardevoir. Modest, however, gives Kingdra much more power. While the ability doesn't really affect this set too much, Swift Swim is used to take advantage of rain support if provided, which allows Kingdra to outspeed the majority of the unboosted metagame.

Usage Tips
========

Compared to other Kingdra sets, this one doesn't require much setup, but it's better to start utilizing it by going against slower Pokemon that Kingdra can easily beat. Don't switch Kingdra in on a Dragon-type, as outside of rain it gets outsped a lot of the time. Switch out immediately after a Draco Meteor, as using it makes Kingdra far more vulnerable than the other sets, as this set can't switch moves. Team Preview can influence the way you play with this set; for instance, whether you more commonly use Hydro Pump or Draco Meteor. Prediction is very much key here, especially against the likes of Mantine and Whimsicott.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that beat Fairy-types, such as Doublade, are a necessity, as they can generally take a hit and hit back hard with their STAB moves. Doublade, in particular, can set up on Florges with ease. This set also doesn't fare well against the likes of Slowking and Milotic; to combat this, a Grass- or Electric-type such as Shaymin, Roserade, or Rotom-C can be used to severely chip them down. Roserade can also set up Spikes to help Kingdra pressure its common switch-ins. Sticky Web support from Pokemon such as Shuckle and Galvantula is a very good option, as Kingdra's Speed tier makes it perfect for such a playstyle. While this set can function very well outside of rain, it becomes a bigger threat with it due to the severe Speed increase, and as such fits wonderfully on teams of that playstyle. A Pokemon that can reliably set up Rain Dance, such as Uxie or Bronzong, makes a great fit in this case. If that is the playstyle you're using, additional Pokemon that can benefit from rain such as Kabutops, Toxicroak, and even Pokemon such as Omastar and Heliolisk, would work well. Entry hazard removal from the likes of Gligar works wonders, as this set can get worn down by hazards quite easily.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Dragon Dance with Lum Berry or a Z-Crystal seems quite useful at first glance due to Kingdra's bulk making it easy to set up and Kingdra having a good STAB combination, but it ends up being inferior to Flygon, which has a better Speed tier, is stronger, has a better offensive typing in Ground over Water, and has access to Levitate to make it less vulnerable to entry hazards. There's also Feraligatr, which keeps the Water typing but is much stronger due to Sheer Force and Life Orb and has better coverage and overall bulk. Chesto Berry and Rest can be an option on Dragon Dance sets, but Kingdra generally lacks the space for it. Damp Rock can be used on rain sweeper sets for longer rain time, but Kingdra generally won't stay in long enough, and it prefers the extra power boost brought by Life Orb, making it a poor weather setter because it can't safely pivot out like Pokemon such as Uxie can.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types hit Kingdra for pretty good super effective damage. Whimsicott resists all moves from Kingdra's arsenal other than Ice Beam, and it can utilize Encore to lock Kingdra into an undesirable move. Florges is a very safe switch-in most of the time, though it can get 2HKOed by a critical hit from Hydro Pump and rain-boosted Hydro Pump after Stealth Rock, and the likes of Choice Scarf Gardevoir and Comfey can revenge kill Kingdra via Trace copying Swift Swim and through priority Draining Kiss, respectively.

**Special Walls**: Pokemon like Snorlax, Mantine, Cresselia, and Umbreon can tank all of Kingdra's attacks and stall it out via Toxic and / or a recovery move. Mantine also walls sets that don't carry Hidden Power Electric.

**Offensive Pressure**: While Kingdra's bulk is generally pretty good, Kingdra's Speed tier when unboosted isn't the greatest, so Kingdra generally has to take a hit before setting up, and most offensive Pokemon can take advantage of this by outspeeding it and generally hitting it hard enough to make it drop down to relatively low health. This results in it being very vulnerable to priority moves excluding Aqua Jet.
 
Last edited:

aVocado

@ Everstone
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Melons-N-Soda are you gonna finish this? If you don't reply by tomorrow I'll reassign

also the sets should be the following, in order: CritDra, Rain Dance, and possibly Specs. I'll have to talk with other QC members about whether specs is worth it or not. DD should be limited to OO with a brief explanation about why it shouldn't be used over Flygon (weaker, slower, flygon does it better thanks to better typing)
 
Wouldn't Modest be better on Rain Dance Kingdra? It hits 538 Speed in rain, enough to outrun Scarf Espeon. Off the top of my head I can't think of any pokemon that are faster that commonly run a Scarf, and with Kingdra's average Special Attack it needs all the power it can get.
 
Added the suggestions added so far. I also removed Iron Head, but it could be brought back if asked for. Its been a while since I wrote an analysis, but would right now be too early to start converting the non-C&C bullet points to paragraphs? Either way, this is ready for QC checks.
 

Xayah

San Bwanna
is a Community Contributoris a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnus
Added the suggestions added so far. I also removed Iron Head, but it could be brought back if asked for. Its been a while since I wrote an analysis, but would right now be too early to start converting the non-C&C bullet points to paragraphs? Either way, this is ready for QC checks.
You need to get 2 QC checks before moving to paragraphs
 

phantom

Banned deucer.
choice specs should get a set and look something like this:

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Electric / Scald
item: Choice Specs
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

it can work on and off rain and is pretty nice because of its water-stab and great nuking potential vs nidoqueen builds and the like.
 

phantom

Banned deucer.
mention in the overview what it actually does, i.e. special wallbreaker and rain sweeper

fairys aren't that huge of a con against kingdra because of its water stab, and whimsicott obv gets shredded by ice beam

not even florges is that safe against it: 252+ SpA Choice Specs Kingdra Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Florges: 163-193 (45.2 - 53.6%) -- 93.4% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

kingdra usually has difficulty setting up either rain dance or focus energy without sustaining a lot of dmg, and specs or just lo without boosting is still pretty slow, making it easy to revenge kill. those are the flaws that should be emphasized on.

make rain dance the first set and leave ice beam as the only main slash because it really needs it for shaymin, whimsicott, roserade, etc

be more specific in team options. generally mons like nidoqueen and salazzle help cover fairys for kingdra and can offer support to each other. you really need to beef up that section with specific examples.

checks and counters should be organized in the following:

**fairy-types**: whimsicott, gardevoir, florges, comfey

**specially bulky pokemon**: snorlax, umbreon, cresselia, etc

when you update with all these changes, tag me
 
Spirit, I think its ready.

On a side note, since Gatr got unbanned, can I also add it as something that outclasses DD Kingdra, or should I wait for the usage stats (if they ever come)?
 
Focus Energy is the main crux of this set which, when combined with Scope Lens and the Sniper ability, allows Kingdra to get a critical hit every time.
REJECTED

Jk, looks good. Maybe mention on CritDra that Focus Energy ignores the SpA drop from Draco Meteor. Dunno if priority is worth a mention in C&C since it has decent bulk, feel free to add a section or not. Also don't just regurgitate the same Team Options for RD and Specs set, give more detail since they function a somewhat differently.

But seriously delete that omg

QC 2/3
 

EonX

Battle Soul
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Showtime!

[Rain Sweeper]

- Make a small mention of Timid nature in Set Details. It should not be slashed, but it is notable for outspeeding Timid non-Scarf Gardevoir (basically Specs variants) and allows you to stay in and beat it when rain is up. Should only be used if your team is ass weak to Specs Garde though as Modest is better in every other scenario.
- In Usage Tips, note that Kingdra shouldn't be setting up if specific Pokemon are still around on the opposing team: priority users (outside of Aqua Jet of course) Scarf Gardevoir (Trace turns the tables on Kingdra and can result in a possible counter-sweep) or Whimsicott (best to Ice Beam since it may try to come in and Encore a Rain Dance)
- Also note Escavalier's strong matchup against non-HP Fire Roserade and Venusaur and how Pursuit will easily drop them in range of Kingdra later in Team Options
- Spikes from Roserade, Chesnaught, etc. can cut into the longevity of special walls to help Kingdra sweep more easily (most notably cuts into Snorlax and Registeel while making Umbreon and Florges easier for Kingdra's teammates to pressure back out)

[CritDra]

- In most scenarios against offensive teams, Kingdra should be prioritizing Agility anyway I feel like since they're less likely to have good resistances to its STABs. If anything, you're using Timid to ensure you outspeed some slower offensive threats (Flame Orb Heracross, non-Scarf Gardevoir, and the rare Timid Nidoqueen) if Kingdra hasn't been able to get an Agility off before they come in.
- In Usage Tips, be sure to mention prioritizing Agility against offensive teams in general due to their tendency to lack reliable resistances to Kingdra's attacks
- Make sure to stress using Team Preview to determine which setup move needs to be prioritized and try to identify Pokemon that Kingdra has a chance to get both boosts under its belt against
- Team Options feels super bare here, so here goes: Spikes helps against teams with fat Steels, general special walls, and Fairies. Roserade and Chesnaught work well. Roserade is esepcially notable for being capable of running HP Fire for Steels and wiping out Fairies. Chesnaught does well against Snorlax, Umbreon, and Registeel. Both lure Fire-types for Kingdra to set up on
- Stuff that can lure Water-types in as those are the best Pokemon for Kingdra to set up on. Moltres and Rhyperior are solid for this
- Escavalier is super good because it doesn't care about anything Whimsicott commonly carries and this Kingdra struggles mightily with it as it has no immediate way to get rid of it and discourage Encore or Stun Spore
- Doublade destroys Cresselia and beats non-EQ CurseLax handily. It also fares well against most Fairy-types

[Choice Specs]

- Note Scald's nifty 30% burn chance which can make it easier to keep up offensive pressure on Kingdra's checks and counters
- Also note that Timid outspeeds most Flame Orb Heracross sets and non-Scarf Gardevoir
- In Usage Tips, note how helpful prediction can be against Whimsicott and Mantine teams and how catching them with the proper move early relieves a lot of stress on Kingdra later when it attempts to open up holes
- Also stress the use of Team Preview to determine the easier path to spamming a STAB move (i.e. more Water resists or more Dragon resists and how easily your team or Kingdra itself can get rid of them)
- Make a special note of Roserade's ability to set Spikes to pressure all of Kingdra's common switch-ins.
- Sticky Web support is another way to improve Kingdra's performance against offensive teams. Galvantula and Shuckle work for this
- Entry hazard control from stuff like Gligar isn't the worst idea since, like most Choiced attackers, Kingdra will switch a lot and it is vulnerable to all entry hazards

[Checks & Counters]

- Note that Gardevoir needs to be Choice Scarf to ensure the revenge kill against Kingdra in rain since Kingdra can outspeed it if it's using a Timid nature (which is super rare on the rain set, but this scenario would crop up more against the Specs set)
- Make a special note of Whimsicott's ability to completely shut down the CritDra set due to its lack of Ice Beam and priority Encore locking Kingdra into a setup move if Cott comes in on one (also stops the rain set if it comes in on Rain Dance, but that's much riskier due to the threat of Ice Beam)
- Mention how offensive teams can limit Kingdra's effectiveness through offensive pressure. Kingdra's Speed tier means that it will often have to take a hit from offensive teams if it's trying to setup. While it has the bulk to handle most neutral unboosted attacks, most offensive Pokemon will drop Kingdra into priority range at worst if they can hit it for neutral damage.

Be sure to implement most / all of this and I'll double back to make sure I got to everything and to (likely) approve this.
 

EonX

Battle Soul
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Final touch up:

Timid on the rain set is for specs gardevoir, not scarf. Scarf still beats you.

Looks good now. QC Approved 3/3
 
AMCHECK
remove add (comments) change capitalization

[OVERVIEW]

Amongst the Dragon-types in RU, the regal Kingdra has several notable niches. When you first look at Kingdra, what jumps out immediately is its Water/Dragon typing. This typing has very good defensive properties, notably having a resistance to Fire- and Water-type attacks, and offensively canallows Kingdra to hit every viable Pokemon in RU,(AC) outside of Whimsicott,(AC) neutrally. ItsKingdra's stats are also decent enough to use it as an attacker, especially when combined with two great abilities in Swift Swim and Sniper, both of which can be compounded with corresponding moves, and itsit's bulky enough to the point where it can easily set up against slower teams. However, not all is good for Kingdra.(RP);(SC) its speed stat, while not terrible, leaves it severely outpaced by many offensive staples such as Flygon, Swellow, and Sharpedo, especially when unboosted. It also struggles to set up against faster teams due to this, and whilst its bulk is good enough as previously mentioned, it can't really take strong hits, even neutral ones, very well. Yet despite this, Kingdra can be a good pick for more offensive teams due to its multitude of ways of setting up, good typing, and its high sweeping potential.

[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Draco Meteor
move 4: Ice Beam
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Kingdra has enough bulk and a good defensive typing to be able to set Rain on its own via Rain Dance. Hydro Pump is a nice STAB that hits insanely hard to cooperate with this. Draco Meteor is yourKingdra's strongest secondary STAB. Ice Beam can hit Whimsicott, the only viable Pokemon in RU whothat resists Kingdra's attacks, super effectively, as well as being a catch all move against Grass-types.

Set Details
========

Swift Swim is the ability of choice to cooperate with Rain Dance. Under Rain and the given Speed EVs/NatureWith maximum Speed EVs and Swift Swim in the rain, Kingdra outspeeds the majority of the RU metagame, whilst keeping a lot of power thanks to its Modest nature. Timid, on the other hand, while mostly outclassed by Modest, can be used to beat Choice Specs Gardevoir if your team is weak to it. Life Orb is the preferred item, as it allows Kingdra to switch moves while still dishing out huge damage.

Usage Tips
========

It isIt's best to only set up only on defensive Pokemon that can't do much to youKingdra(you is the player). Use Rain Dance as soon as possible, as Kingdra, even with a Life Orb, doesn't hit hard enough, and it isn't nearly fast enough when not under Rain. However,It's better to avoid setting up when priority users,(RC) until faster threats like Whimsicott,(RC) and Choice Scarf Gardevoir are on the opponent's fieldeliminated. Due to the fact that Draco Meteor lowers your stats, it isit's best not to rely on it. It is to be noted that Rain-boosted Water-type attacks still do decent enough damage even with at -2, to justify staying in after using Draco Meteor.however, so that is something to keep in mind.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that beat Fairy-types,(RC) such as Salazzle and Toxicroak,(RC) are necessary, as they can typically tank a hit and hit hard back with their STAB moves, even when Kingdra's in the rain(if this isn't what you meant then remove it, as Kingdra's rain won't make any difference). Salazzle can reliably take out Roserade and Venusaur, both of which are problems for Kingdra as they can tank an Ice Beam or Draco Meteor, in addition to spreading Taunt, andwhile Toxicroak can benefit from the Rain Kingdra sets up thanks to Dry Skin. A wallbreaker such as Choice Band Escavalier can beat Pokemon like Snorlax and Umbreon with ease. Escavalier in particular also beats Fairy-type Pokemon and Grass-type Pokemon,(AC) without Fire-type coverage,(AC) reliably and can utilize Pursuit to chip many threats to this set down to a range where Kingdra can KO them easily. Spikes support from the likes ofPokemon such as Chesnaught and Roserade are good when it comes to wearing down a lot of Kingdra's defensive checks, notably chipping down the likes of Snorlax and Registeel, and pressuring Florges and Umbreon into switching out of Kingdra's teammates more often. An additional weather startersetter such as Uxie can be a neatgood(neat is too casual) option if going for a full-on or semi-weather team. If that is the case, a backup Rain sweeper such as Kabutops is a decent option as well.

[SET]
name: CritDra
move 1: Focus Energy
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Hydro Pump
move 4: Agility
item: Scope Lens
ability: Sniper
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Focus Energy is the main move of the set which, when combined with Scope Lens and the Sniper ability, allows Kingdra to get a critical hit every time. Draco Meteor is Kingdra's main STAB move, that when boosted, allows it to deal with pretty much any Pokemon that doesn't resist Dragon. Hydro Pump is a very strong secondary STAB move that doesn't lower your stats after use, making it more spammable than Draco Meteor. Agility can be used to outspeed a lot of Pokemon after use. This allows Kingdra to handle offensive teams better.

Set Details
========

A Timid nature can help you bettermore against more offensive teams, notablenotably allowing you to outspeed the likes of non-Choice Scarf Gardevoir,(RC) and Flame Orb Heracross. A Modest nature is preferred for a better chance against special walls like Umbreon, especially when you consider the low PP of its STAB moves. Sniper allows Kingdra's critical hit moves the chance to hit even harder than itthey normally would normally do. Scope Lens increases the chance for critical hits to occur. This combined with Sniper and Focus Energy guarantees Kingdra a critical hit. The spread is quite standard, with maxed out Special Attack and Speed to get the most power and speed possibly.

Usage Tips
========

Stay out ofAvoid Pokemon that can hit Kingdra hard, even neutrally, at all costs. Although its bulk and typing are decent defensively, Kingdra is best left out of these type of situations. It isIt's best to set up on bulky Pokemon that can't do much to Kingdra, particularly bulky Water-types such as Slowbro and Milotic. Boosting early also helps as Kingdra's Special Attack and Speed stats are modest at best when unboosted. However, the move you use earlier on in the match depends a lot on the archetype of the team you face. Agility in general should be prioritized if going against an offensive team due to Kingdra's middling speed tier,(RC) and the fact that not many Pokemon resist Kingdra's STAB options. Focus Energy is better to use first if going against more defensive teams. Finally, critical hits ignore Special Attack drops from Draco Meteor. This,(AC) which can be used to your advantage.

Team Options
========

Steel- and Fire-type Pokemon such as Salazzle beat the Fairy-types that this set often struggles with. Escavalier laughs atcounters anything Whimsicott can throw at it, particularly throughnicely thanks to its Overcoat ability, making it immune to Powder moves. Doublade can destroy the likes of Cresselia, in addition to beating Fairy-types. Ironically enough,(fluff) Fairy-type Pokemon such as Comfey and Florges help to beat other Dragon-types such as Flygon and Kommo-o. Spikes support from the likes of Roserade and Chesnaught is quite useful, as Spikes can wear down Kingdra's checks well. Roserade can utilize Hidden Power Fire to beat every viable Steel-type, and also has Poison-type STAB to take out Fairy-types. Chesnaught, on the other hand, handles Snorlax, Umbreon, and Registeel, all of which are a thorn in Kingdra's side. Both of these Pokemon are also useful in luring in Fire-type Pokemon to help Kingdra setup. Finally, as this set likes having bulky Water-types worn down, a lure for such Pokemon can be a neatvalid option. Bloom Doom Moltres and Choice Band Rhyperior are a few examples of this. These Pokemon can also be used as bait for bulky Water-types to help Kingdra set up easier.

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Electric / Scald
item: Choice Specs
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

This set allows Kingdra's Water-type attacks to hit nearly as hard as it would in Rain, whilst giving far more power to its other moves. Hydro Pump is a nice STAB that hits immensely hard,(RC).(period) Draco Meteor is yourKingdra's strongest secondary STAB,(RC) and.(period) Ice Beam can hit Whimsicott, who resists Kingdra's STAB moves, as well as being a catch all move against Grass-types. Finally, Hidden Power Electric hits Mantine super effectively. If your team is well equipped to face Mantine, however, Scald is a good alternative which gives you a far more reliable Water-type STAB that can get a good enoughalso gives you a chance to burn the opposing Pokemon.

Set Details
========

Choice Specs is used on this set for instant power, without having to set up rain.its great nuking power, even outside of Rain. The nature depends. A Timid gives youKingdra more speed, which is niftyuseful in cases such as versing Specs Kommo-O, who you outspeed if it is Modest, in addition to most Flame Orb Heracross variants and non-Choice Scarf Gardevoir. Modest,(AC) however,(AC) gives you far much more power. Whilst the ability doesn't really affect this set all too much, Swift Swim is used to cooperate with Rain support if need be, which allows Kingdra to outspeed the majority of the unboosted metagame.

Usage Tips
========

Compared to other Kingdra sets, this one doesn't require much setup, but its better to start utilizing it by going against slower Pokemon that you can easily beat 1 on 1. Don't switch thisKingdra in on a Dragon-type, as outside of Rain, it gets outsped a lot of the time. Switch out immediately after a Draco Meteor, as using it making Kingdra far more vulnerable than the other sets, as this set can't switch moves. Team Preview is very notable, as it can influence the way you play with this set, for instance, whether you more commonly use Hydro Pump or Draco Meteor. Prediction is very much key here, especially against the likes of Mantine and Whimsicott.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that beat Fairy-types are a necessity, as they can generally take a hit and hit back hard with their STAB moves. Doublade is a notable example that can set up on Florges with ease. This set also doesn't fare the bestwell againstwhen it comes to the likes of Slowking and Milotic. To combat this, a Grass- or Electric-type such as Shaymin, Roserade, and Rotom-Cut can be used to severely chip them down at most. Roserade can also set up Spikes to help Kingdra pressure its common switch-ins. Sticky Web support is a very neatgood option, as Kingdra's speed tier makes it perfect for such a playstyle. Shuckle and Galvantula can easily set up Sticky Web in this regard. Whilst this set can function very well outside of rain, it becomes monstrousa bigger threat with it due to athe severe speed increase, and as such fits wonderfully on teams of that playstyle. A Pokemon that can reliably set up Rain Dance, such as Uxie or Bronzong, makes a great fit in this case. If that is the playstyle you're using, additional Pokemon that can benefit from rain such as Kabutops, Toxicroak, and even oddballsPokemon such as Omastar and Heliolisk, would work well. Entry hazard removal from the likes of Gligar work wonders, as this set can get worn down by hazards quite easily.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Dragon Dance with Lum Berry or a Z-Crystal seems quite useful at first glance, due to Kingdra's bulk making it easy to set up, and having a good STAB combination, but it ends up being inferior to Flygon, who has a better speed tier, is stronger, has a better offensive typing in Ground over Water, and has access to Levitate making it less prone to entry hazards. There's also Feraligatr, who keeps the Water typing, but is much stronger due to Sheer Force and Life Orb, hasaswell as better coverage,(RC) and hasits better overall bulk. Chesto Berry and Rest can be an option on these sets, but Kingdra generally lacks the space for it. Damp Rock can be used on Rain Sweeper sets for longer rain time, but Kingdra generally won't stay in long enough, and it prefers the extra power boost brought by Life Orb, and it makesmaking it a poor weather setter,(AC) as it can't safely pivot out like Pokemon such as Uxie can.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types hit Kingdra super effectively, and for pretty good damage too. Whimsicott resists all moves from Kingdra's arsenal other than Ice Beam, and it can utilize Encore to lock Kingdra into an undesirable move. Florges is a very safe switch-in most of the time, though it can get 2HKO'ed by (what boost? Rain / Focus Energy / Specs.) boosted Hydro Pump, and the likes of Choice Scarf Gardevoir and Comfey can revenge-kill it via the Trace ability or priority Draining Kiss respectively.

**Special Walls**: Pokemon like Snorlax, Cresselia, and Umbreon can tank all of Kingdra's attacks and stall it out. Mantine also walls sets that don't carry Hidden Power Electric.

**Offensive Pressure**: While Kingdra's bulk is generally pretty good, its speed tier when unboosted isn't the greatest, so it has to take a hit before setting up, and most offensive Pokemon can take advantage of this. They do this by outspeeding it and generally hitting it hard enough, making it drop down to decentlyrelatively low health. This results in it being very vulnerable to priority moves,(AC) excluding Aqua Jet.

This does not count as one of your GP stamps, unless it is stamped by a GP member.
 
Note: I've been having trouble formatting this, so it isn't fully formatted and some of the existing formatting is a little screwy, but I'll continue working on the formatting a little later.
[OVERVIEW]

Amongst the Dragon-types in RU, the regal (fluff) Kingdra has several notable niches. When you first look at Kingdra, what jumps out immediately is its Water_/_Dragon typing. This typing has very good defensive properties, notably having a resistance to Fire- and Water-type attacks, and allows Kingdra to hit every viable Pokemon in RU, outside of Whimsicott, neutrally. Kingdra's stats are also decent enough to use it as an attacker, especially when combined with two great abilities in Swift Swim and Sniper, both of which can be compounded with corresponding moves, and it's Kingdra is bulky enough to the point where it can easily set up against slower teams. However, not all is good for Kingdra; its Speed stat, while not terrible, leaves it severely outpaced by many offensive staples such as Flygon, Swellow, and Sharpedo, (RC) especially when unboosted. It also struggles to set up against faster teams due to this, and whilst while its bulk is good enough, (AC) as previously mentioned, it Kingdra (talking about Kingdra itself now) can't really take strong hits, even neutral ones, very well. Yet despite this, Kingdra can be a good pick for more offensive teams due to its multitude of ways of setting up, good typing, and its high sweeping potential.

[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Draco Meteor
move 4: Ice Beam
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Kingdra has enough bulk and a good defensive typing to be able to set rain on its own via Rain Dance. Hydro Pump is a nice STAB that hits insanely hard to cooperate with this in rain (Is this what you meant?). Draco Meteor is Kingdra's strongest secondary STAB option. Ice Beam can hit Whimsicott, the only viable Pokemon in RU that resists Kingdra's attacks, super effectively, (RC) as well as being a catch-all (AH) move against Grass-types.

Set Details
========

Swift Swim is the ability of choice to cooperate with make the most of (you make that sound like a bad thing) Rain Dance. With maximum Speed EVs and Swift Swim in the rain, Kingdra outspeeds the majority of the RU metagame, whilst while keeping a lot of power with a thanks to its Modest nature. Timid, on the other hand, while mostly outclassed by Modest, can be used to beat Choice Specs Gardevoir if your team is weak to it. Life Orb is the preferred item, as it (if you are only suggesting one item on the set, that is fluff) allows Kingdra to switch moves while still dishing out huge damage.

Usage Tips
========

It's best to only set up on defensive Pokemon that can't do much to Kingdra (such as...). Use Rain Dance as soon as possible, as Kingdra, even with a Life Orb, doesn't hit hard enough, and it isn't nearly fast enough when not under rain. It's better to avoid setting up until faster threats like, (RC) Whimsicott, (RC) and Choice Scarf Gardevoir are eliminated. Due to the fact that Draco Meteor lowers your Kingdra's stats, it's best not to rely on it. (RP); (ASC) however, (AC) rain-boosted Water-type attacks still do decent enough damage at -2, (RC) to justify staying in after using Draco Meteor.

Team Options
========

Pokemon such as Salazzle and Toxicroak (this makes it clear that they are not Fairy-types) that beat Fairy-types such as Salazzle and Toxicroak (which Fairy-types in particular?) are necessary, as they Fairy-types (clarity) can typically tank a hit even a rained-boost Hydro Pump (clarity) and hit hard back with their STAB moves, even in the rain. Salazzle, (AC) in addition to spreading Taunt, (AC) (trying to make things clearer) can reliably take out Roserade and Venusaur, both of which are problems for Kingdra as because they can tank an Ice Beam or Draco Meteor, in addition to spreading Taunt while Toxicroak can benefit from the rain that Kingdra sets up thanks to Dry Skin. A wallbreaker such as Choice Band Escavalier can beat Pokemon like Snorlax and Umbreon with ease. (RP); (ASC) Escavalier in particular also beats Fairy-type Pokemon and Grass-type Pokemon without reliably, (AC) doesn't need to run coverage for Fire-types coverage (I hope this is what you meant. if it is, you don't have to implement this word-by-word. if it isn't, just ignore the relevant changes and clarify this sentence), and can utilize Pursuit to chip many threats to this set Kingdra down to a range where Kingdra it can later KO them easily. Spikes support from Pokemon such as Chesnaught and Roserade are is (talking about the support, which is singular) good when it comes to wearing down a lot of Kingdra's defensive checks, notably chipping down the likes of Snorlax and Registeel, and pressuring Florges and Umbreon into switching out of Kingdra's teammates more often. An additional weather setter such as Uxie can be a good option if going for a full-on or semi-weather team. (RP); (ASC) if that is the case, a backup rain sweeper such as Kabutops is a decent option as well.

[SET]
name: CritDra
move 1: Focus Energy
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Hydro Pump
move 4: Agility
item: Scope Lens
ability: Sniper
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
======

Focus Energy is the main move of the set which (not needed), when combined with Scope Lens and the Sniper ability, allows Kingdra to get a critical hit every time it uses a move. Draco Meteor is Kingdra's main STAB move, thatwhich, (AC) when boosted, allows it Kingdra (talking about Kingdra, not Draco Meteor) to deal with pretty much any Pokemon that doesn't resist Dragon. Hydro Pump is a very strong secondary STAB move that doesn't lower your stats after use, making it more spammable than Draco Meteor. (does that even matter if you always crit?) Agility can be used to outspeed a lot of Pokemon (please be more specific) after use. This allows, (AC) allowing Kingdra to handle offensive teams better.

Set Details
========

A Timid nature can help you more Kingdra against more offensive teams, notably allowing you it to outspeed the likes of non-Choice Scarf Gardevoir and Flame Orb Heracross. (RP), (AC) but a Modest nature is preferred for a better chance against special walls like Umbreon, especially when you consider the low PP of it's Kingdra's STAB moves. Sniper allows Kingdra's critical hit moves to hit even harder than they normally would. Scope Lens increases the chance for critical hits to occur. (RP); (ASC) this, (AC) combined with Sniper (Sniper doesn't raise critical hit rate...) and Focus Energy, (AC) guarantees Kingdra a critical hit. The spread is quite standard, with maxed out maximum Special Attack and Speed investment to get the most power and Speed possibly possible for Kingdra.

Usage Tips
========

Avoid Pokemon that can hit Kingdra hard, even neutrally, at all costs. Although its Kingdra's bulk and typing are decent defensively, Kingdra is best left out of these this type of situations. It's best to set up on bulky Pokemon that can't do much to Kingdra, particularly bulky Water-types such as Slowbro and Milotic. Boosting early also helps, (AC) as Kingdra's Special Attack and Speed stats are modest at best when unboosted. (RP); (ASC) however, the move you use earlier on in the match depends a lot on the archetype of the team you face. Agility in general should be prioritized if going against an offensive team due to Kingdra's middling Speed tier and the fact that not many Pokemon resist Kingdra's STAB options. (RP); (ASC) Focus Energy is better to use first if going against more defensive teams. Finally, critical hits ignore Special Attack drops from Draco Meteor, which can be used to your advantage.

Team Options
========

Steel- and Fire-type Pokemon such as Escavalier and Salazzle respectively beat the Fairy-types this set often struggles with. (there are only three mentioned in this paragraph, might as well mention one more; optional) Escavalier counters Whimsicott nicely thanks to its Overcoat ability, making it immune to Powder moves. Doublade can destroy the likes of Cresselia, (RC) in addition to beating Fairy-types. Fairy-type Pokemon such as Comfey and Florges help to beat other Dragon-types such as Flygon and Kommo-o. Spikes support from the likes of Roserade and Chesnaught is quite useful, as Spikes can wear down Kingdra's checks well. Roserade can utilize Hidden Power Fire to beat every viable Steel-type, and also has Poison-type STAB to take out Fairy-types. (RP); (AC) Chesnaught, on the other hand, handles Snorlax, Umbreon, and Registeel, all of which are a thorn in Kingdra's side. Both of these Pokemon are also useful in luring in Fire-type Pokemon to help Kingdra set_up. Finally, as this set likes having bulky Water-types worn down, a lure for such Pokemon, (AC) such as Bloom Doom Moltres and or Choice Band Rhyperior are a few examples of this. These Pokemon, (AC) can be a valid option and can also be used as bait for bulky Water-types to help Kingdra set up easier. (so do you want Water-types removed or can they be used a setup bait? you seem to be telling me both)

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Electric / Scald
item: Choice Specs
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

This set allows Kingdra's Water-type attacks to hit nearly as hard as it they would in rain, whilst while giving far more power to its Kingdra's other moves. Hydro Pump is a nice STAB move that hits immensely hard. Draco Meteor is Kingdra's strongest secondary STAB. Ice Beam can hit Whimsicott, who which resists Kingdra's STAB moves, as well as being a catch-all (AH) move against Grass-types. Finally, Hidden Power Electric hits Mantine super effectively. If your team is well equipped to face Mantine, however, Scald is a good alternative which gives you Kingdra a far more reliable Water-type STAB that which also gives you a chance chance to burn the opposing Pokemon.

Set Details
========
Choice Specs is used on this set for its instant power, without having to set up rain. The nature depends. A Timid nature gives Kingdra more speed, which is useful in cases such as versing when against (is that even proper usage of that word?) Specs Kommo-o, who you which Kingdra outspeeds if it Kommo-o is Modest, in addition to most Flame Orb Heracross variants and non-Choice Scarf Gardevoir. Modest, however, gives you Kingdra much more power. Whilst the ability doesn't really affect this set too much, Swift Swim is used to cooperate with take advantage of ('cooperate with' sounds like that is a negative thing) rain support if need be provided (see previous comment; it also applies to this), which allows Kingdra to outspeed the majority of the unboosted metagame.

Usage Tips
========
Compared to other Kingdra sets, this one doesn't require much setup, but it's (AA) better to start utilizing it by going against slower Pokemon that you Kingdra can easily beat. Don't switch Kingdra in on a Dragon-type, as outside of rain, it gets outsped a lot of the time. Switch out immediately after a Draco Meteor, as using it makinges Kingdra far more vulnerable than the other sets, as this set can't switch moves. Team Preview is very notable, as it can influence the way you play with this set, (RC); (ASC) for instance, whether you more commonly use Hydro Pump or Draco Meteor. Prediction is very much key here, especially against the likes of Mantine and Whimsicott.

Team Options
========
Pokemon that beat Fairy-types, (AC) such as Doublade, (AC) are a necessity, as they can generally take a hit and hit back hard with their STAB moves. (RP); (ASC) Doublade is a notable example that, (AC) in particular, (AC) can set up on Florges with ease. This set also doesn't fare well against the likes of Slowking and Milotic. (RP); (ASC) to combat this, a Grass- or Electric-type such as Shaymin, Roserade, and or Rotom-Cut can be used to severely chip them down (at most?? I'm pretty sure they can at least beat those things sometimes). Roserade can also set up Spikes to help Kingdra pressure its common switch-ins. Sticky Web support from Pokemon such as Shuckle and Galvantula is a very good option, as Kingdra's Speed tier makes it perfect for such a playstyle. Shuckle and Galvantula can easily set up Sticky Web in this regard. Whilst While this set can function very well outside of rain, it becomes a bigger threat with it due to the severe Speed increase, and as such fits wonderfully on teams of that playstyle. (RP); (ASC) A Pokemon that can reliably set up Rain Dance, such as Uxie or Bronzong, makes a great fit in this case. If that is the playstyle you're using, additional Pokemon that can benefit from rain such as Kabutops, Toxicroak, and even Pokemon such as Omastar and Heliolisk, would work well. Entry hazard removal from the likes of Gligar work wonders, as this set can get worn down by hazards quite easily.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Dragon Dance with Lum Berry or a Z- Crystal (RH) seems quite useful at first glance, due to Kingdra's bulk making it easy to set up, (RC) and Kingdra having a good STAB combination, but it ends up being inferior to Flygon, who which has a better Speed tier, is stronger, has a better offensive typing in Ground over Water, and has access to Levitate, (AC) making it Flygon less prone to entry hazards. There's also Feraligatr, who keeps the Water typing, but is much stronger due to Sheer Force and Life Orb, as_well as better coverage and its better overall bulk. Chesto Berry and Rest can be an option on these sets (what sets?), but Kingdra generally lacks the space for it. Damp Rock can be used on Rain Sweeper sets for longer rain time, but Kingdra generally won't stay in long enough, (RC) and it_prefers the extra power boost brought by Life Orb, making it a poor weather setter as because (there are too many commas in this sentence to justify adding another one) it can't safely pivot out like Pokemon such as Uxie can.

Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types hit Kingdra super effectively, and for pretty good damage too. Whimsicott resists all of the moves from Kingdra's arsenal other than Ice Beam, and it can utilize Encore to lock Kingdra into an undesirable move. Florges is a very safe switch-in most of the time, though it can get 2HKO'ed (RA) by Focus Energy (Focus Energy doesn't do damage. maybe you meant a critical Hydro Pump?) and rain-boosted (AH) Hydro Pump after Stealth Rock, (RC) and the likes of Choice Scarf Gardevoir and Comfey can revenge- kill (RH) it via the Trace ability (please elaborate; Trace cannot revenge kill by itself unless it copies something like Aftermath or Innards Out, which is not relevant in this case) or priority Draining Kiss respectively.
**Special Walls**: Pokemon like Snorlax, Cresselia, and Umbreon can tank all of Kingdra's attacks and stall it out (how? Toxic? PP? time?). Mantine also (it wasn't mentioned before...) walls sets that don't carry Hidden Power Electric.
**Offensive Pressure**: While Kingdra's bulk is generally pretty good, its Kingdra's (bulk doesn't have a Speed tier) Speed tier when unboosted isn't the greatest, so it Kingdra (I assume you mean the Pokemon itself, not its bulk) (how often?) has to take a hit before setting up, and most offensive Pokemon can take advantage of this. They do this by outspeeding it and generally hitting it hard enough, making to make it drop down to relatively low health. This results in it being very vulnerable to priority moves, (RC) excluding Aqua Jet.

Edit: Done! It may be a good idea to check that you implemented my amcheck correctly.
 
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