QC: Zangooser, Joshz, Hunterstorm
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack, P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Even in a metagame with Mega Rayquaza, Primal Kyogre is still an incredibly strong attacker with excellent coverage options to augment its offensive power. It's also incredibly bulky, although it relies on Rest for any recovery. Kyogre can also opt to use its base forme, running a Choice Scarf revenge killer set that can easily sweep weakened teams. However, its offensive sets have somewhat poor bulk, making it easy to pressure them with the multitudes of strong attackers in the metagame. The high number of Water-resistant Pokemon does Kyogre no favors either, as it can be pressured by common threats such as Mega Rayquaza and Primal Groudon.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Origin Pulse
move 2: Thunder
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Calm Mind / Sleep Talk
item: Blue Orb
ability: Drizzle
nature: Modest
evs: 180 HP / 252 SpA / 76 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Origin Pulse is Primal Kyogre's main attack and does massive damage to anything without a resistance and high special bulk when boosted by heavy rain. Thunder hits Lugia and opposing Water-types such as Water Arceus and helps check evasion boosters with its perfect accuracy under rain. Ice Beam is Primal Kyogre's only coverage move for Dragon-types such as Mega Rayquaza and Giratina-O. Calm Mind helps to break through stall and semi-stall teams thanks to Primal Kyogre's immense power, but Sleep Talk can also be run to check Darkrai lacking Taunt more effectively.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment and a Modest nature allow Primal Kyogre to hit with as much power as possible. 76 Speed EVs allow it to outspeed uninvested Yveltal and Xerneas, while the remaining EVs are dumped into HP to augment its natural bulk.
Usage Tips
========
Primal Kyogre is primarily used as a strong early-game wallbreaker to wear down teams for a late-game sweep by a teammate. It does not carry much late-game utility due to its poor Speed and lack of resistances, making it easy to sweep through. Kyogre should only set up Calm Minds if the extra power is needed to break through extremely bulky targets such as Lugia; the power is generally unnecessary versus offensive teams. If the power provided by Calm Mind is needed, try to set up on bulkier Pokemon that cannot do significant damage to Primal Kyogre such as Steel Arceus and defensive Dialga. Avoid setting up on potential Toxic users such as Yveltal if possible, as the status makes Kyogre far easier to stall out. If facing teams with Primal Groudon, be extremely careful about going for Origin Pulse and potentially giving it a free switch in. Kyogre should attempt to be the one switching into Primal Groudon as it goes for a Fire-type move or Stealth Rock so it can get off a free hit under the heavy rain, but it needs to be careful about taking a Precipice Blades or Earthquake. Kyogre can also switch into Ho-Oh's Sacred Fire, but it cannot easily take a STAB Brave Bird.
Team Options
========
Setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Arceus formes and Geomancy Xerneas can take advantage of Primal Kyogre's ability to demolish opposing walls to sweep late-game. Checks to Primal Groudon such as Giratina-O and Water Arceus are essential, as it can switch into Kyogre and threaten it out or KO it. Checks to Dragon-types like Mega Rayquaza and Latias are also valued, as they give Primal Kyogre a teammate to fall back on when it is forced out. Klefki is a notable partner for providing paralysis support to slow down faster threats, checking Dragon-types and even luring Primal Groudon and crippling it with Toxic. Although Electric- and Grass-types are very rare in Anything Goes, checks to them such as Ground Arceus and Primal Groudon can still be useful, both of which also appreciate Kyogre's wallbreaking capabilities. Ferrothorn can be very difficult for Kyogre to break through, so teammates that can defeat it such as Ho-Oh are useful.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Roar / Ice Beam
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Blue Orb
ability: Drizzle
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 248 Def / 12 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald gives Primal Kyogre some offensive presence and can threaten switch-ins with burns. Roar allows it to phaze foes, which works well in conjunction with entry hazards and prevents it from being setup fodder, although Ice Beam can be used to let Primal Kyogre do damage to opposing Dragon-types and Primal Groudon. Rest keeps Kyogre healthy throughout longer matches, while Sleep Talk prevents it from being totally useless while asleep.
Set Details
========
Near-maximum HP and maximum Defense investment with a Bold nature make Primal Kyogre as physically defensive as possible to better take on threats such as Swords Dance Ground Arceus and Primal Groudon. The Speed investment lets Primal Kyogre outspeed Timid Diancie before it Mega Evolves.
Usage Tips
========
Primal Kyogre is an excellent status absorber thanks to Rest and can be used as a switch-in to foes such as Klefki and Lugia. It can check many strong attackers such as Darkrai, Diancie, and Primal Groudon, but it needs to stay healthy by using Rest frequently in order to be at a high enough health to take their attacks. Additionally, be wary of the occasional Taunt Darkrai, which can use Kyogre as setup fodder. Use Scald a lot versus teams lacking Primal Groudon in order to spread burns across them.
Team Options
========
Defensive Primal Kyogre fits best on stall or semi-stall teams with teammates to handle its checks and counters, so pair it with common defensive Pokemon such as Lugia and Mega Sableye. Primal Groudon checks such as Latias and Giratina-O are essential, as it can use Kyogre as setup fodder, and Pokemon that can handle Dragon-types such as Mega Scizor and Aegislash are useful fallbacks for it. Hazard removers such as support Arceus formes prevent Kyogre from being worn down by the chip damage, while your own entry hazards help Primal Kyogre rack up extra damage with with Roar. Clerics such as Xerneas and Clefable can wake up Kyogre early, making it less reliant on Sleep Talk rolls to deal with foes.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Water Spout
move 2: Origin Pulse
move 3: Sheer Cold
move 4: Thunder / Ice Beam
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Drizzle
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Water Spout is Kyogre's strongest move when it's at high health and can let it sweep through opposing teams if Kyogre is at high enough health. Origin Pulse acts as a secondary STAB move for when Kyogre is at an amount of health where Water Spout is weaker. Sheer Cold nets KOs versus would-be counters such as Primal Groudon, but it can be unreliable, with only about a 50/50 chance to beat slower foes on the switch. Thunder hits Water-types such as Water Arceus and opposing Kyogre, while Ice Beam hits Primal Groudon and Dragon-types harder than anything else Kyogre has but is hard to fit on its set.
Set Details
========
Choice Scarf allows Kyogre to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame aside from Deoxys-A. Maximum Speed and Special Attack investment allows it to function as a cleaner and revenge killer more effectively. A Modest nature is preferred for the extra power, although Timid is a possibility to beat Choice Scarf Kyurem-W and Deoxys-A.
Usage Tips
========
Kyogre functions primarily as a revenge killer or late-game sweeper when its checks have been worn down or removed; bringing it in earlier risks it being weakened, making Water Spout a less effective cleaning tool. In particular, Primal Groudon needs to have been KOed for this set to be effective, as it is immune to Kyogre's strongest attacks. If counters such as Zekrom and Primal Groudon have not been sufficiently weakened and Kyogre lacks Ice Beam, its best chance is to attempt to hit Sheer Cold. Avoid using Water Spout when facing priority users such as Yveltal and Normal Arceus, as Kyogre can be weakened with priority prior to attacking, significantly lowering its power. Kyogre is normally better at threatening special Arceus formes and other special attackers that do not carry priority, as most of the physical attackers in the tier have priority of one kind or the other. Also avoid Choice-locking Kyogre into a Water-type attack if the opponent has a healthy Mega Rayquaza or Primal Groudon, which can use it as setup fodder.
Team Options
========
Checks to Primal Groudon and Dragon-types, such as Ground Arceus and Xerneas, are essential, as they need to be weakened or KOed for Kyogre to sweep. Entry hazard removal helps keep Kyogre healthy for Water Spout to be at maximum power, while entry hazard support of your own from Pokemon such as Primal Groudon and Scolipede helps weaken its checks more quickly. Checks to priority users such as Normal Arceus and Yveltal, such as Skarmory and Fairy Arceus, can take priority Extreme Speeds or Sucker Punches aimed at Kyogre. Although rare, Healing Wish users such as Latias and Shaymin-S can give Kyogre a second chance to sweep with Water Spout if it's been weakened.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thunder Wave or Toxic can be used as filler to catch incoming Primal Groudon and Lugia and cripple them. Hidden Power Ground can also be run on the offensive set to do more damage to Primal Groudon, but it has little utility otherwise. Physical Primal Kyogre sets, while gimmicky, can at least lure conventional switch-ins such as Primal Groudon and Blissey to KO them with Earthquake or Waterfall, respectively. Blizzard is an option over Ice Beam on the offensive set to OHKO Mega Rayquaza after Stealth Rock, but the accuracy makes this option unreliable. Substitute is a possibility thanks to Primal Kyogre's high bulk and effectiveness at forcing out slower foes, but it clashes with Kyogre's lack of recovery and already tight moveslots. Surf can be run over Origin Pulse on Choice Scarf Kyogre to trade power for accuracy, but the power loss is significant.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Primal Groudon**: Thanks to its immunity to Thunder and ability to cancel out heavy rain and negate Kyogre's Water-type attacks, Primal Groudon is the premier switch-in to Primal Kyogre, capable of doing heavy damage with Precipice Blades or setting up Stealth Rock or Rock Polish. However, as long as Primal Kyogre is brought in second so that heavy rain is in effect, it can simply OHKO Groudon with its Water-type STAB moves.
**Dragon-types**: The large number of Dragon-types in Anything Goes such as Rayquaza, Latias, Zekrom, Dialga, and Giratina-O are all capable of taking a resisted Origin Pulse or Thunder with ease and dealing back heavy damage. Zekrom is also notable, as it can pivot out of Kyogre with Volt Switch or simply OHKO it with Bolt Strike. Although none appreciate taking an Ice Beam save Palkia, they all outspeed and 2HKO Kyogre, save Giratina-O.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Although Kyogre can break through most special walls with its extremely powerful attacks, it has issues with Blissey, Chansey, and specially defensive Ferrothorn. The first two can easily recover off any damage done to them and status Kyogre, while Ferrothorn lacks recovery but can stack entry hazards while sapping Kyogre's health with Leech Seed and takes very little from Kyogre's attacks.
**Strong Attackers**: Even when heavily invested, Kyogre still can be broken through by strong attackers thanks to its lack of recovery outside of Rest and lack of useful resistances outside of Water. Strong attackers such as offensive Arceus formes, Mega Rayquaza, and Deoxys-A can all do severe damage to Kyogre, either permanently crippling it or forcing it to Rest off the damage.
**Priority Users and Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf Kyogre's reliance on Water Spout is easily exploitable by faster Pokemon or priority users such as Choice Scarf Xerneas and Arceus Normal, which can wear it down to decrease the effectiveness of Water Spout. They also threaten to revenge kill Kyogre from middling percents thanks to its mediocre bulk.
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack, P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Even in a metagame with Mega Rayquaza, Primal Kyogre is still an incredibly strong attacker with excellent coverage options to augment its offensive power. It's also incredibly bulky, although it relies on Rest for any recovery. Kyogre can also opt to use its base forme, running a Choice Scarf revenge killer set that can easily sweep weakened teams. However, its offensive sets have somewhat poor bulk, making it easy to pressure them with the multitudes of strong attackers in the metagame. The high number of Water-resistant Pokemon does Kyogre no favors either, as it can be pressured by common threats such as Mega Rayquaza and Primal Groudon.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Origin Pulse
move 2: Thunder
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Calm Mind / Sleep Talk
item: Blue Orb
ability: Drizzle
nature: Modest
evs: 180 HP / 252 SpA / 76 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Origin Pulse is Primal Kyogre's main attack and does massive damage to anything without a resistance and high special bulk when boosted by heavy rain. Thunder hits Lugia and opposing Water-types such as Water Arceus and helps check evasion boosters with its perfect accuracy under rain. Ice Beam is Primal Kyogre's only coverage move for Dragon-types such as Mega Rayquaza and Giratina-O. Calm Mind helps to break through stall and semi-stall teams thanks to Primal Kyogre's immense power, but Sleep Talk can also be run to check Darkrai lacking Taunt more effectively.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment and a Modest nature allow Primal Kyogre to hit with as much power as possible. 76 Speed EVs allow it to outspeed uninvested Yveltal and Xerneas, while the remaining EVs are dumped into HP to augment its natural bulk.
Usage Tips
========
Primal Kyogre is primarily used as a strong early-game wallbreaker to wear down teams for a late-game sweep by a teammate. It does not carry much late-game utility due to its poor Speed and lack of resistances, making it easy to sweep through. Kyogre should only set up Calm Minds if the extra power is needed to break through extremely bulky targets such as Lugia; the power is generally unnecessary versus offensive teams. If the power provided by Calm Mind is needed, try to set up on bulkier Pokemon that cannot do significant damage to Primal Kyogre such as Steel Arceus and defensive Dialga. Avoid setting up on potential Toxic users such as Yveltal if possible, as the status makes Kyogre far easier to stall out. If facing teams with Primal Groudon, be extremely careful about going for Origin Pulse and potentially giving it a free switch in. Kyogre should attempt to be the one switching into Primal Groudon as it goes for a Fire-type move or Stealth Rock so it can get off a free hit under the heavy rain, but it needs to be careful about taking a Precipice Blades or Earthquake. Kyogre can also switch into Ho-Oh's Sacred Fire, but it cannot easily take a STAB Brave Bird.
Team Options
========
Setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Arceus formes and Geomancy Xerneas can take advantage of Primal Kyogre's ability to demolish opposing walls to sweep late-game. Checks to Primal Groudon such as Giratina-O and Water Arceus are essential, as it can switch into Kyogre and threaten it out or KO it. Checks to Dragon-types like Mega Rayquaza and Latias are also valued, as they give Primal Kyogre a teammate to fall back on when it is forced out. Klefki is a notable partner for providing paralysis support to slow down faster threats, checking Dragon-types and even luring Primal Groudon and crippling it with Toxic. Although Electric- and Grass-types are very rare in Anything Goes, checks to them such as Ground Arceus and Primal Groudon can still be useful, both of which also appreciate Kyogre's wallbreaking capabilities. Ferrothorn can be very difficult for Kyogre to break through, so teammates that can defeat it such as Ho-Oh are useful.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Roar / Ice Beam
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Blue Orb
ability: Drizzle
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 248 Def / 12 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald gives Primal Kyogre some offensive presence and can threaten switch-ins with burns. Roar allows it to phaze foes, which works well in conjunction with entry hazards and prevents it from being setup fodder, although Ice Beam can be used to let Primal Kyogre do damage to opposing Dragon-types and Primal Groudon. Rest keeps Kyogre healthy throughout longer matches, while Sleep Talk prevents it from being totally useless while asleep.
Set Details
========
Near-maximum HP and maximum Defense investment with a Bold nature make Primal Kyogre as physically defensive as possible to better take on threats such as Swords Dance Ground Arceus and Primal Groudon. The Speed investment lets Primal Kyogre outspeed Timid Diancie before it Mega Evolves.
Usage Tips
========
Primal Kyogre is an excellent status absorber thanks to Rest and can be used as a switch-in to foes such as Klefki and Lugia. It can check many strong attackers such as Darkrai, Diancie, and Primal Groudon, but it needs to stay healthy by using Rest frequently in order to be at a high enough health to take their attacks. Additionally, be wary of the occasional Taunt Darkrai, which can use Kyogre as setup fodder. Use Scald a lot versus teams lacking Primal Groudon in order to spread burns across them.
Team Options
========
Defensive Primal Kyogre fits best on stall or semi-stall teams with teammates to handle its checks and counters, so pair it with common defensive Pokemon such as Lugia and Mega Sableye. Primal Groudon checks such as Latias and Giratina-O are essential, as it can use Kyogre as setup fodder, and Pokemon that can handle Dragon-types such as Mega Scizor and Aegislash are useful fallbacks for it. Hazard removers such as support Arceus formes prevent Kyogre from being worn down by the chip damage, while your own entry hazards help Primal Kyogre rack up extra damage with with Roar. Clerics such as Xerneas and Clefable can wake up Kyogre early, making it less reliant on Sleep Talk rolls to deal with foes.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Water Spout
move 2: Origin Pulse
move 3: Sheer Cold
move 4: Thunder / Ice Beam
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Drizzle
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Water Spout is Kyogre's strongest move when it's at high health and can let it sweep through opposing teams if Kyogre is at high enough health. Origin Pulse acts as a secondary STAB move for when Kyogre is at an amount of health where Water Spout is weaker. Sheer Cold nets KOs versus would-be counters such as Primal Groudon, but it can be unreliable, with only about a 50/50 chance to beat slower foes on the switch. Thunder hits Water-types such as Water Arceus and opposing Kyogre, while Ice Beam hits Primal Groudon and Dragon-types harder than anything else Kyogre has but is hard to fit on its set.
Set Details
========
Choice Scarf allows Kyogre to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame aside from Deoxys-A. Maximum Speed and Special Attack investment allows it to function as a cleaner and revenge killer more effectively. A Modest nature is preferred for the extra power, although Timid is a possibility to beat Choice Scarf Kyurem-W and Deoxys-A.
Usage Tips
========
Kyogre functions primarily as a revenge killer or late-game sweeper when its checks have been worn down or removed; bringing it in earlier risks it being weakened, making Water Spout a less effective cleaning tool. In particular, Primal Groudon needs to have been KOed for this set to be effective, as it is immune to Kyogre's strongest attacks. If counters such as Zekrom and Primal Groudon have not been sufficiently weakened and Kyogre lacks Ice Beam, its best chance is to attempt to hit Sheer Cold. Avoid using Water Spout when facing priority users such as Yveltal and Normal Arceus, as Kyogre can be weakened with priority prior to attacking, significantly lowering its power. Kyogre is normally better at threatening special Arceus formes and other special attackers that do not carry priority, as most of the physical attackers in the tier have priority of one kind or the other. Also avoid Choice-locking Kyogre into a Water-type attack if the opponent has a healthy Mega Rayquaza or Primal Groudon, which can use it as setup fodder.
Team Options
========
Checks to Primal Groudon and Dragon-types, such as Ground Arceus and Xerneas, are essential, as they need to be weakened or KOed for Kyogre to sweep. Entry hazard removal helps keep Kyogre healthy for Water Spout to be at maximum power, while entry hazard support of your own from Pokemon such as Primal Groudon and Scolipede helps weaken its checks more quickly. Checks to priority users such as Normal Arceus and Yveltal, such as Skarmory and Fairy Arceus, can take priority Extreme Speeds or Sucker Punches aimed at Kyogre. Although rare, Healing Wish users such as Latias and Shaymin-S can give Kyogre a second chance to sweep with Water Spout if it's been weakened.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thunder Wave or Toxic can be used as filler to catch incoming Primal Groudon and Lugia and cripple them. Hidden Power Ground can also be run on the offensive set to do more damage to Primal Groudon, but it has little utility otherwise. Physical Primal Kyogre sets, while gimmicky, can at least lure conventional switch-ins such as Primal Groudon and Blissey to KO them with Earthquake or Waterfall, respectively. Blizzard is an option over Ice Beam on the offensive set to OHKO Mega Rayquaza after Stealth Rock, but the accuracy makes this option unreliable. Substitute is a possibility thanks to Primal Kyogre's high bulk and effectiveness at forcing out slower foes, but it clashes with Kyogre's lack of recovery and already tight moveslots. Surf can be run over Origin Pulse on Choice Scarf Kyogre to trade power for accuracy, but the power loss is significant.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Primal Groudon**: Thanks to its immunity to Thunder and ability to cancel out heavy rain and negate Kyogre's Water-type attacks, Primal Groudon is the premier switch-in to Primal Kyogre, capable of doing heavy damage with Precipice Blades or setting up Stealth Rock or Rock Polish. However, as long as Primal Kyogre is brought in second so that heavy rain is in effect, it can simply OHKO Groudon with its Water-type STAB moves.
**Dragon-types**: The large number of Dragon-types in Anything Goes such as Rayquaza, Latias, Zekrom, Dialga, and Giratina-O are all capable of taking a resisted Origin Pulse or Thunder with ease and dealing back heavy damage. Zekrom is also notable, as it can pivot out of Kyogre with Volt Switch or simply OHKO it with Bolt Strike. Although none appreciate taking an Ice Beam save Palkia, they all outspeed and 2HKO Kyogre, save Giratina-O.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Although Kyogre can break through most special walls with its extremely powerful attacks, it has issues with Blissey, Chansey, and specially defensive Ferrothorn. The first two can easily recover off any damage done to them and status Kyogre, while Ferrothorn lacks recovery but can stack entry hazards while sapping Kyogre's health with Leech Seed and takes very little from Kyogre's attacks.
**Strong Attackers**: Even when heavily invested, Kyogre still can be broken through by strong attackers thanks to its lack of recovery outside of Rest and lack of useful resistances outside of Water. Strong attackers such as offensive Arceus formes, Mega Rayquaza, and Deoxys-A can all do severe damage to Kyogre, either permanently crippling it or forcing it to Rest off the damage.
**Priority Users and Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf Kyogre's reliance on Water Spout is easily exploitable by faster Pokemon or priority users such as Choice Scarf Xerneas and Arceus Normal, which can wear it down to decrease the effectiveness of Water Spout. They also threaten to revenge kill Kyogre from middling percents thanks to its mediocre bulk.
Last edited:
