____________________________
[OVERVIEW]
ORAS blessed Groudon with a Primal Reversion that turned it from a top metagame pick to possibly the best Pokemon in the Ubers tier. The added Fire typing and Water immunity courtesy of Desolate Land allow Primal Groudon to fulfill many vital roles in one: it can check top metagame threats such as Xerneas and Kyogre, it can set up Stealth Rock and spread status, and it can threaten most switch-ins with extremely powerful physical and special STAB moves. When you consider that Primal Groudon can do all of these things in one set, it is a small wonder why it manages to find a spot on most teams. If that wasn't enough, it is also a very threatening offensive sweeper with boosting options in Rock Polish and Swords Dance and a wide array of both physical and special coverage moves to threaten almost everything in the metagame. Immunity to burns and Thunder Wave also make Primal Groudon quite difficult to stop as an offensive threat.
Despite all of its positive traits, Primal Groudon is not invincible. It is quite slow without Rock Polish, and its mediocre special bulk somewhat compounds this issue by necessitating hefty bulk investment to properly check powerful special threats such as Xerneas. Primal Groudon's utter lack of recovery and weakness to common Ground-type attacks also hinder its defensive capabilities. That being said, Primal Groudon's numerous strengths make it a very common sight on most teams, and any opponent not prepared to handle Primal Groudon will not make it far.
[SET]
name: Primal Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake / Precipice Blades
move 3: Lava Plume / Stone Edge
move 4: Roar / Thunder Wave / Dragon Tail
item: Red Orb
ability: Drought
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 56 Def / 200 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Primal Groudon is one of the best users of Stealth Rock, as it can almost always find a turn to set it up. Choosing Earthquake or Precipice Blades as the STAB attack depends on whether you favor accuracy or power - both are solid options. Backed by sun, STAB, and Primal Groudon's high Special Attack, Lava Plume destroys Steel-types and does solid damage to most other targets. The high burn rate makes it very difficult to switch into, so it isn't a bad move to throw out when you don't know what's switching in next. Since Primal Groudon's choice of Ground-type STAB move is usually adequate for dealing with Steel-types, Stone Edge can be used instead for Ho-Oh insurance. The last moveslot is dedicated to halting a Xerneas sweep. Roar is the most reliable option to halt even healthy Aromatherapy Xerneas, and it also provides general phazing utility. However, Thunder Wave is usually adequate, and it is useful against many of Primal Groudon's other checks such as Lugia, Latias, and bulky Arceus formes. If Xerneas isn't a huge concern, Dragon Tail can also provide phazing utility while severely damaging Latias and pressuring other Dragon-types such as Giratina-O and Mega Salamence. Toxic is also an option, as it greatly hinders most of Primal Groudon's checks, but Primal Groudon often lacks a spare moveslot to use it.
Set Details
========
The EVs and nature are specifically tailored for Primal Groudon to survive certain attacks. Most importantly, Primal Groudon will always survive a boosted Focus Blast from Geomancy Xerneas after Stealth Rock damage and two layers of Spikes. It also avoids the 2HKO from Primal Kyogre's Ice Beam, Zekrom's Outrage, and Jolly Mega Salamence's Double-Edge after Stealth Rock damage. This all assumes Primal Groudon takes Stealth Rock damage as regular Groudon before undergoing Primal Reversion. One can also use a Careful nature and put the Defense EVs into Special Defense to allow Primal Groudon to take on Xerneas and Kyogre better at the cost of some physical bulk.
If you want a more offensive Primal Groudon, you can use an Adamant nature with an EV spread of 224 HP / 240 Atk / 32 SpD / 12 Spe. If using this spread, make sure to run Precipice Blades instead of Earthquake and Dragon Tail in the fourth moveslot. This EV spread allows Primal Groudon to outspeed Mega Diancie before it Mega Evolves, allows Primal Groudon to OHKO offensive Primal Kyogre after Stealth Rock, and still allows Primal Groudon to survive a boosted Focus Blast from Xerneas after Stealth Rock damage. The heavy Attack investment gives Primal Groudon much more offensive presence to pressure Defog users such as Latias, bulky Arceus formes, and Giratina-O. However, the lack of Special Defense investment makes Primal Groudon somewhat shaky against Xerneas and Primal Kyogre, so the bulkier spread is usually preferred even on more offensive teams, as Primal Groudon's natural offensive power and phazing capabilities usually prevent attempts to set up on it.
Usage Tips
========
Primal Groudon is capable of checking a very large number of Pokemon. In addition to Xerneas and Primal Kyogre, it is a solid option against most Electric-, Fairy-, and Steel-types, and if needed it can even act as a one-time check to Swords Dance Arceus or Mega Salamence. That being said, Primal Groudon has no way to recover HP, so don't be too reckless with it if the enemy still has something like a healthy Xerneas or Primal Kyogre in the back. Set up Stealth Rock as soon as possible, and don't be afraid to use Lava Plume a lot - the burn rate and good power make it a safe move to use on unknown switch-ins. Although Primal Groudon's Ground-type STAB move is very powerful, do not blindly use it if the opponent has Flying-types or Pokemon with Levitate - they are among the first Pokemon that usually switch into Primal Groudon. Try to catch them first with Lava Plume or another coverage option as appropriate.
Team Options
========
Primal Groudon can have some problems dealing with Ground-immune Dragon-types. Latias, Latios, Mega Salamence, and Giratina-O all resist Primal Groudon's STAB combination and can use Defog to remove the Stealth Rock Primal Groudon aims to set up, so solid checks to them are needed. Other Flying-types such as Yveltal and Lugia can be annoying as well. Klefki easily checks most of those Pokemon while providing extra hazard support in the form of Spikes. Pursuit users such as Aegislash and Mega Scizor ensure the death of Latios and Latias, giving Primal Groudon free reign to set up Stealth Rock. Dark-types such as Yveltal, Darkrai, and Dark Arceus are also solid options for dealing with Lugia, Giratina-O, Latias, and Latios. Rock Arceus and Lugia are great options for dealing with Mega Salamence. Fairy-types work well in general with Primal Groudon, checking Dragon-types while Primal Groudon comes in on the Steel-types they tend to hate. Xerneas, Mega Diancie, and Fairy Arceus are all good choices for Fairy-types. Ground Arceus and other strong Ground-types are also thorns in Primal Groudon's side, preying on its sole weakness to Ground-type attacks. Lugia, Giratina-O, and Latias are good options to deal with Ground Arceus.
If using Primal Groudon on a more defensive team, Wish support is recommended to compensate for its lack of recovery, as is Aromatherapy support to heal off Toxics that will quickly take a toll on Primal Groudon. Blissey and Clefable can provide both. Defog support from Latias or a bulky Arceus forme is also recommended, as entry hazards can quickly chip away at Primal Groudon's health.
[SET]
name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Precipice Blades
move 3: Dragon Claw / Swords Dance
move 4: Stone Edge / Fire Punch
item: Red Orb
ability: Drought
nature: Adamant
evs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 96 SpD / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rock Polish remedies Primal Groudon's poor Speed and can let it become a very powerful sweeping threat late in the match. Precipice Blades is preferred over Earthquake for maximum power, despite the somewhat shaky accuracy. Dragon Claw decimates most Dragon-types that attempt to wall Primal Groudon. Giratina-O is 2HKOed affter Stealth Rock damage, while Latios and Latias are easily OHKOed. If Dragon-types aren't a huge concern, Swords Dance allows Primal Groudon to potentially muscle past walls such as Lugia and bulky Arceus formes. Although Primal Groudon is hard-pressed to set up both Rock Polish and Swords Dance, it can very easily sweep whole teams if allowed to do so. Stone Edge takes care of Flying-types such as Lugia, Ho-Oh, Mega Salamence, and Yveltal and is the best coverage move to use with Swords Dance. Fire Punch takes care of Skarmory and Grass Arceus and is almost as strong as Precipice Blades factoring in sunlight and STAB while having better accuracy.
Set Details
========
The Speed EVs allow Primal Groudon to outrun Choice Scarf base 90 Speed Pokemon and below after a Rock Polish, while the HP and Special Defense EVs allow it to survive a boosted Focus Blast from Geomancy Xerneas after Stealth Rock damage. The rest of the EVs go into Attack to hit as hard as possible. If using Swords Dance, a bulkier EV spread of 248 HP / 152 Atk / 52 SpD / 56 Spe can give Primal Groudon more breathing room to potentially set up both boosts. More Speed EVs can also be used to outrun faster Choice Scarf users such as Xerneas and Genesect, but those are walled by Primal Groudon anyway, and Choice Scarf users that can revenge kill Primal Groudon such as Yveltal are rare.
Usage Tips
========
Set up Rock Polish on Pokemon Primal Groudon can force out such as Steel- and Fairy-types. You can also use Primal Groudon's offensive presence to force a switch or just let it take a hit to set up the Rock Polish if it will win the game. Don't waste Primal Groudon's health trying to check too many things if it is needed to sweep later; this set is not meant to be played defensively. Try to chip at Primal Groudon's checks with its coverage moves if they are not yet weakened enough to sweep past after using Rock Polish.
Team Options
========
This set appreciates offensive teammates that can weaken checks such as Lugia, defensive Primal Kyogre, bulky Mega Salamence, and Ground Arceus. Darkrai is a good option for pressuring all of these, easily coming in on Lugia and pressuring Primal Kyogre and bulky Arceus formes with Dark Void and Nasty Plot-boosted attacks. Wallbreakers such as Ho-Oh and mixed Rayquaza can weaken Lugia and other walls, paving the way for Primal Groudon later in the match. Mega Salamence can assist Primal Groudon in breaking through physical walls, and Swords Dance Arceus can easily finish the job if Primal Groudon is spent. Stealth Rock support is vital in breaking through Lugia and Mega Salamence - Deoxys formes are good Stealth Rock users for very offensive teams, while Dialga has the advantage of reliably checking Mega Salamence.
[SET]
name: Mixed Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Dragon Pulse
move 4: Precipice Blades
item: Red Orb
ability: Drought
nature: Mild
evs: 96 Atk / 252 SpA / 104 SpD / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Although more well-known for its enormous base 180 Attack stat, Primal Groudon can use its high Special Attack in conjunction with Rock Polish to surprise many of its usual checks. With maximum investment in Special Attack, sunlight, and STAB, Fire Blast actually outdamages Precipice Blades, destroying Pokemon such as Ground Arceus and physically defensive Yveltal that could otherwise check the normal Rock Polish set, and it reliably nails Lugia for a 2HKO. Dragon Pulse OHKOes Mega Salamence after Stealth Rock damage while nailing Giratina-O and Latios for solid 2HKOs. Precipice Blades is retained to deal with Primal Kyogre and Blissey, though it can also take out Water Arceus that don't invest in Defense.
Set Details
========
You may invest 56 Speed EVs allow Primal Groudon to outspeed Choice Scarf base 90 Speed Pokemon, while 104 Special Defense EVs ensure Primal Groudon will always survive Focus Blast from a boosted Geomancy Xerneas at full health. You may also invest 96 Attack EVs to allow Primal Groudon to 2HKO Water Arceus with Precipice Blades after Stealth Rock if it lacks Defense investment. The rest of the EVs go to Special Attack to maximize the power of Fire Blast. A Mild nature increases Primal Groudon's Special Attack further while not hindering its Attack or Special Defense; - its Defense is still plenty high even with the reduction.
Usage Tips
========
Use this set on a highly offensive team that appreciates having the usual Primal Groudon counters lured and KOed. This set isn't meant to act as a defensive check to any nasty sweepers such as Xerneas, so try to set it up as soon as possible once its checks are weakened. It might be prudent to use Precipice Blades liberally to bluff a physical set and surprise the opponent's physical Primal Groudon check with a well-timed Fire Blast or Dragon Pulse once it comes in. Steel-types are ideal setup targets for this set.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard support is ideal for this Primal Groudon set. Deoxys-S, Custap Berry Forretress, and Cloyster are fine leads that can get up hazards quickly. Dialga and Mega Aerodactyl are also good partners, as this set needs Stealth Rock to ensure several KOs, such as the OHKO on Mega Salamence. Mega Aerodactyl is also a fine Ho-Oh check, which this set has trouble beating due to the lack of Stone Edge. Latias and Bold Water Arceus are also troublesome, as Primal Groudon cannot 2HKO them with any move. Geomancy Xerneas, Darkrai, and Ghost Arceus are offensive partners that can take advantage of Latias by setting up on it, while Shaymin-S is a fine answer to Water Arceus. Swords Dance Arceus is also a good offensive partner to Primal Groudon, appreciating its ability to take down physical walls such as Lugia and physically defensive Yveltal.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Precipice Blades
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Dragon Tail / Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Drought
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 248 Def / 12 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Although Primal Groudon is better in most respects, regular Groudon's lack of Ground weakness and ability to hold Leftovers allow it to function as a solid physical tank that can support its team with Stealth Rock. Precipice Blades is preferred over Earthquake as the STAB move for the extra damage on opposing Primal Groudon. Stone Edge deals with Flying-types such as Ho-Oh and Mega Salamence to some degree. Dragon Tail gives Groudon the ability to phaze and can keep Defog users such as Latias, Latios, and Giratina-O at bay while getting valuable chip damage onto Mega Salamence. Roar can be used instead if you do not like Dragon Tail's imperfect accuracy, and it can also prevent Geomancy Xerneas from trying to set up on Groudon.
Set Details
========
12 Speed EVs allow Groudon to outspeed Diancie before it Mega Evolves and slay it with Precipice Blades. The rest of the EVs go to HP and Defense, with an Impish nature to maximize Groudon's physical bulk. Do not bother with any other EV spread - chances are Primal Groudon does it better.
Usage Tips
========
Groudon's lack of Ground weakness allows it to check some Pokemon its Primal counterpart cannot, such as Swords Dance Arceus with Earthquake, Excadrill, and opposing Primal Groudon. If this is not something you need, use Primal Groudon instead. Otherwise, Groudon can be sent in on most physical attackers to set up Stealth Rock. Use phazing moves liberally if entry hazards are up, especially if you think the opponent will try to bring in a Defog user. Bear in mind that Groudon's only source of recovery is Leftovers and it thus cannot take hits forever; save it if you need it to stop a sweeper on the enemy team.
Team Options
========
Unlike its Primal counterpart, Groudon cannot check Kyogre, so checks such as Latias or Palkia are necessary. Fire-types such as Ho-Oh and Mega Blaziken are solid partners to abuse Groudon's Drought and Stealth Rock support. Special attackers can prey easily on Groudon's mediocre special bulk, so Blissey and Clefable make solid teammates that can help keep Groudon alive with Wish. Klefki is also notable for checking many common special threats while setting up Spikes and further pressuring Defog users with Toxic.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Overheat is extremely powerful, but not very suitable for sweeping sets due to its Special Attack-lowering side effect. Primal Groudon can run Swords Dance in conjunction with Thunder Wave to easily break Lugia, but the inability to fit Stealth Rock or Fire-type attacks on such a set hinders its utility. Rest gives Primal Groudon a source of recovery, but it has a very difficult time fitting it onto its moveset, even moreso if it tries to run Sleep Talk, as it will then have to give up one of its STAB moves or phazing. Rock Tomb can KO Ho-Oh while messing with switch-ins that would normally be faster than Primal Groudon, such as Latios and bulky Arceus formes.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Lugia**: Lugia is bulky enough to shrug off most of Primal Groudon's attacks and Toxic stall it, also packing Reflect and phazing moves to help handle Swords Dance variants. However, Lugia hates status and will still take a fair chunk from Stone Edge is Multiscale is not active.
**Ground-immune Dragon-types**: Pokemon in this group resist Primal Groudon's STAB combination and can usually beat it down through powerful STAB attacks. Mega Salamence has high Defense and can use Refresh to shrug off status, though it still doesn't like Stone Edge or Dragon-type attacks too much. Latios and Latias prey on Primal Groudon's lower Special Defense with Draco Meteor, though Dragon Tail or Dragon Claw will severely damage them. Giratina-O has enough Defense to take Dragon-type attacks and Stone Edge fairly comfortably, but it lacks recovery and can thus be worn down. Rayquaza can notably pierce Desolate Land with Air Lock and easily OHKO Primal Groudon with Aqua Tail, though it is very vulnerable to Stone Edge, Dragon-type attacks, and status and is thus risky to use as a direct switch-in.
**Ground Arceus**: Ground Arceus cannot be OHKOed by any of Primal Groudon's attacks and can destroy it with STAB Ground-type moves. It also has Recover to heal off any incurred damage, but it needs to watch out for added damage from Lava Plume burns, especially if running a physical set.
**Water Arceus**: Water Arceus resists Fire-type attacks and has enough bulk to take Precipice Blades. It can then Toxic stall Primal Groudon to death, though it cannot easily beat Swords Dance variants.
**Yveltal**: Yveltal can take most of Primal Groudon's attacks with a physically defensive set and slay it with Foul Play. However, Lava Plume burns will cripple Yveltal if it relies only on Foul Play to damage Primal Groudon.
**Primal Kyogre**: While Primal Kyogre hates coming in directly on Precipice Blades, it can switch in on most other moves, overwrite Desolate Land with Primordial Sea, and OHKO Primal Groudon with its STAB Water-type attacks.
**Ho-Oh**: If Primal Groudon lacks Stone Edge, Ho-Oh easily switches in and KOes Primal Groudon with Earthquake. Unlike other potential checks, Ho-Oh cannot be burned by Lava Plume, so Primal Groudon has a harder time wearing it down. That being said, the sheer threat of Stone Edge makes Ho-Oh a risky switch-in unless Primal Groudon's moveset has already been scouted.
**Skarmory**: Skarmory can set up Spikes and Toxic stall Primal Groudon if it lacks a Fire-type move. Most Primal Groudon sets carry a Fire-type move, however, so sending in Skarmory is extremely risky.
**Grass Arceus**: Grass Arceus shrugs off Precipice Blades and can KO Primal Groudon with Grass Knot. Be careful though, as Grass Arceus should not switch in on Primal Groudon unless you are sure it does not have a Fire-type attack.
**Giratina**: Giratina can shrug off most hits from defensive Primal Groudon sets and phaze it with Dragon Tail. Swords Dance Primal Groudon easily defeats Giratina, however, and Dragon-type attacks will hurt.
**Toxic and Entry Hazards**: Primal Groudon can be worn down quickly due to its lack of recovery, so it needs to be wary of passive damage from sources such as Toxic and entry hazards piling up.
Overview
########
+ Primal forme buffed it so hard
+ Ground/Fire typing + 180/150 offenses + RP and SD + immunity to burns and TWave = power
+ Ability to serve as one of the best Xerneas and Kyogre checks in the game simultaneously, as well as a good soft check to a huge chunk of the metagame, and provide solid utility in SR, phazing, and TWave = balk
+ Desolate Land negates its Water weakness completely and provides its Fire STAB with even more power
+ Pretty much splashable on any team since it fulfills so many vital roles in one Pokemon
+ Objectively the best mon in the tier - very few teams would benefit from not using this thing
- Mediocre Speed without Rock Polish
- Mediocre Special Defense means it must invest a lot in bulk to properly check Xerneas/Kyogre
- Ground weakness is more annoying than one might think
Primal Support
########
name: Primal Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake / Precipice Blades
move 3: Lava Plume / Stone Edge
move 4: Roar / Thunder Wave
ability: Drought
item: Red Orb
evs: 252 HP / 56 Def / 200 SpD
nature: Relaxed
Moves
========
Set Details
========
EVs + Nature do the following (SR damages assume you take SR damage as regular Groudon):
Usage Tips
========
Team Options
========
Offensive Stealth Rock
########
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Precipice Blades
move 3: Dragon Tail / Stone Edge
move 4: Fire Punch / Stone Edge
ability: Drought
item: Red Orb
evs: 224 HP / 240 Atk / 32 SpD / 12 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
Set Details
========
Usage Tips
========
Team Options
========
Rock Polish
########
name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Precipice Blades
move 3: Dragon Claw / Swords Dance
move 4: Stone Edge / Overheat
ability: Drought
item: Red Orb
evs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 96 SpD / 56 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
Set Details
========
Usage Tips
========
Team Options
========
Paradancer
########
name: Paradancer
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Precipice Blades
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Stone Edge
ability: Drought
item: Red Orb
evs: 252 HP / 100 Atk / 144 SpD / 12 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
Set Details
========
Usage Tips
========
Team Options
========
Physically Defensive
########
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Precipice Blades
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Dragon Tail / Roar
ability: Drought
item: Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
nature: Impish
Moves
========
Set Details
========
Usage Tips
========
Team Options
========
Other Options
########
Checks & Counters
########
########
+ Primal forme buffed it so hard
+ Ground/Fire typing + 180/150 offenses + RP and SD + immunity to burns and TWave = power
+ Ability to serve as one of the best Xerneas and Kyogre checks in the game simultaneously, as well as a good soft check to a huge chunk of the metagame, and provide solid utility in SR, phazing, and TWave = balk
+ Desolate Land negates its Water weakness completely and provides its Fire STAB with even more power
+ Pretty much splashable on any team since it fulfills so many vital roles in one Pokemon
+ Objectively the best mon in the tier - very few teams would benefit from not using this thing
- Mediocre Speed without Rock Polish
- Mediocre Special Defense means it must invest a lot in bulk to properly check Xerneas/Kyogre
- Ground weakness is more annoying than one might think
Primal Support
########
name: Primal Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake / Precipice Blades
move 3: Lava Plume / Stone Edge
move 4: Roar / Thunder Wave
ability: Drought
item: Red Orb
evs: 252 HP / 56 Def / 200 SpD
nature: Relaxed
Moves
========
- Stealth Rock is because this thing is absurdly good at getting them up
- Earthquake is strong, reliable STAB
- Precipice Blades is noticeably stronger but can miss, this set isn't trying to sweep so its not really required here
- Lava Plume hits hard coming from 150 SAtk, STAB, and Sun + spreads burns
- Stone Edge whacks Ho-Oh if you really need to check it
- The last slot is dedicated to checking Xerneas. Roar phazes it out which cripples its sweeping potential once Power Herb is used up + is useful against pretty much any sweeper
- Thunder Wave also stops Xern sweeps and can mess with some of Groudon-Primal's checks, such as Latis and Lugia
- DTail can be used in slot 4 to help with Mence/rack up damage with hazards, though it cannot help check Xerneas
Set Details
========
EVs + Nature do the following (SR damages assume you take SR damage as regular Groudon):
- +2 Xern Focus Blast does not OHKO after SR + 2 Spikes
- Adamant Zekrom does not 2HKO with Outrage + SR
- Jolly Mega Salamence does not 2HKO with Double Edge + SR
- Modest Choice Specs Kyogre does not 2HKO with Ice Beam + SR
- Adamant Precipice Blades from opposing Primal Groudon does not OHKO after SR
- Can also run 252/252 Careful to max out special bulk
- Can also run 252/252 Impish to fare better against stuff like EKiller, Ho-Oh, Zekrom, and Mega Mence
Usage Tips
========
- Checks tons of stuff - Xerneas, Kyogre and most other Water-types, most Electric- and Steel-types all get bopped, and it can function as a one-time check to EKiller and Mega Salamence if needed
- That being said, it lacks recovery, so don't be too reckless with it, especially if the opponent still has a fresh Xerneas
- Set up Stealth Rock as soon as you can
- Don't blindly throw out Ground moves if your opponent has Flyers/Levitators - those tend to be the first things that switch into Groudon-Primal
Team Options
========
- Bulky Flying types and Levitators are annoying - Lugia, Ho-Oh, Yveltal, Tina-O, Lati twins, latter two especially since they Defog SR
- Latis are easily dispatched by a Pursuit user such as Mega Scizor or Aegislash. Both of them can also handle Lugia. Klefki and Ghost/Darkceus also handle it nicely
- Yveltal, Darkrai, Zekrom, Kyogre-Primal, Ghost/Darkceus all good options for dealing with Lugia. Toxic also works nice since a poisoned Lugia can't wall Groudon-Primal forever
- Arceus-Rock hard checks Ho-Oh, Mega Salamence and Zekrom can switch into it a couple times. Keeping SR up helps considerably. Rockceus also helps against Mega Salamence who can be kind of annoying if its a bulky set
- Fairies handle Yveltal and Tina-O well
- You'll want a good Groundceus check - Tina-O or Lugia for physical sets, Latias or Ho-Oh for special ones
- Dragons (Latis, Zekrom, Mega Mence, Rayquaza Tina-O) and Fairies (Xerneas, Fairyceus, Mega Diancie) work well with Groudon-Primal since it switches into most Fairy and Steel Pokemon rather easily.
- Lacks recovery so Wish support from stuff like Blissey or Sylveon is useful
Offensive Stealth Rock
########
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Precipice Blades
move 3: Dragon Tail / Stone Edge
move 4: Fire Punch / Stone Edge
ability: Drought
item: Red Orb
evs: 224 HP / 240 Atk / 32 SpD / 12 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
- Stealth Rock is because this thing is (still) absurdly good at getting them up
- Precipice Blades is way better than EQ this time since you want to hurt stuff with this set
- Dragon Tail phazes and deals hefty damage to stuff like Giratina-O, Latis, and Mega Mence that want to try to mess with you
- Stone Edge is for Ho-Oh and also does a number to Lugia
- Fire Punch is powerful sun-boosted STAB that whacks stuff like Grass-types, Skarmory, Yveltal, and flying Ground-types. It is also 100% accurate which is useful
- Lave Plume does a number to physical bulky things like Landorus-T and Gliscor, also spreads burns. Not really as necessary on this set though since you're focused on doing physical damage and Fire Punch is plenty strong
- Can also run Dragon Claw instead of Dragon Tail which OHKOes Latis and does a number to Giratina-O at the cost of phazing utility
Set Details
========
- EV spread lets you survive a Draco Meteor from Soul Dew Latios at full HP
- Also lives +2 Xerneas Focus Blast after SR with a few percent to spare
- 12 Speed EVs outspeeds Timid Diancie before its Mega Evolution, so you can try to kill it before it crushes you with Earth Power
- Rest in Attack + Adamant for killing power
- Can run more Speed at the cost of Xerneas checking ability - 84 EVs outspeed defensive Yveltal
Usage Tips
========
- Use offensive power to force switches and set up SR
- Hit things, you have 500+ Attack with 120 BP STAB so you better use it
- Try to catch Flying-types/Levitators with coverage moves on the switch
- Not quite as good at checking Xerneas due to lower bulk investment + no Roar, so conserve its HP or run a backup check (latter preferably)
Team Options
========
- C/P teammates from support set since they work well here too
- Tends to soften up physical tanks so stuff like Mega Mence, Groundceus, and EKiller are good offensive partners. EKiller in particular is nice since it can help check Xerneas
- Backup Xerneas checks are recommended - Klefki, Mega Scizor, Aegislash, Ho-Oh all do fine
Rock Polish
########
name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Precipice Blades
move 3: Dragon Claw / Swords Dance
move 4: Stone Edge / Overheat
ability: Drought
item: Red Orb
evs: 104 HP / 252 Atk / 96 SpD / 56 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
========
- Rock Polish because you just gotta go fast
- Precipice Blades is for powerful STAB
- Dragon Claw kills Latis / 2HKOes Giratina-O with SR
- Stone Edge is for Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Yveltal
- Swords Dance can let you take on a double boosting role where you can pick your boost based on the type of team you're facing
- Overheat smashes Skarmory, Landorus-T, and Gliscor
Set Details
========
- 56 Speed EVs outrun Scarf base 90's after a Rock Polish
- HP and SDef EVs live +2 Xern Focus Blast after SR + 0 Atk PDon Precipice Blades after SR
- Max Attack to hit as hard as possible + guarantees OHKO on 0 HP Primal Kyogre after SR
- Alternate spread for Swords Dance: 248 HP / 152 Atk / 52 SpD / 56 Spe with Adamant nature. Gives a lot more bulk which can help you set up both boosts.
- Can run more Speed to outrun base 99 Scarfers, but these are uncommon (Yveltal) or are walled by Groudon-Primal anyway (Xerneas, Genesect)
Usage Tips
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- Don't waste its health trying to check too much stuff if you're trying to sweep later
- Set up on stuff like Steel- or Fairy-types, or defensive mons that can't hurt you much, or just abuse your offensive presence to force a switch. You can also just tank a hit with your good bulk if the opponent doesn't have any priority left
- RP once checks are weakened, otherwise try to chip at counters if it has to come in
Team Options
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- Mostly self-sufficient, just try to beat up its checks
- Skarm/Lando-T/Gliscor are all really annoying if you lack Overheat - Yveltal smacks them, Ho-Oh can help weaken Lando-T/Gliscor with Sacred Fire
- Lugia is annoying without Swords Dance - Dark-types, Ghostceus, Toxic all good solutions
- Mixed Rayquaza is pretty efficient at smashing up checks to physical mons
- Other physical sweepers like Mega Mence or EKiller can pick up the slack if Groudon opts to use SD to do some wallbreaking
- SR support is highly recommended - Deoxys-S, Deoxys-A, and Dialga are both solid picks for this
Paradancer
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name: Paradancer
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Precipice Blades
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Stone Edge
ability: Drought
item: Red Orb
evs: 252 HP / 100 Atk / 144 SpD / 12 Spe
nature: Adamant
Moves
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- Swords Dance boosts your attack and lets you become a real sweeping threat late in the match
- Precipice Blades is your best STAB move
- Thunder Wave checks Xerneas and can cripple Groudon-Primal checks such as Lugia and Latis, priming you for a sweep later
- Stone Edge for aforementioned Lugia and Latis, gets the best 2-move coverage with Ground STAB
Set Details
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- 100 Attack lets you OHKO Lugia with Stone Edge at +2 after SR + Leftovers.
- 12 Speed beats Timid Diancie before it Mega Evolves
- HP + SDef lets you take +2 Xerneas Focus Blast after SR + 1 layer of Spikes assuming you switch into SR as regular Groudon
Usage Tips
========
- Combination of sweeper and support, reliable Xerneas check while still being able to pose a formidable threat to bulkier teams
- Early game you want to TWave stuff like Lugia and Latis. When the checks are paralyzed and late-game has arrived, you can SD, kill em, and wreak havoc
- Works best on balanced/bulky offense teams
Team Options
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- Fairly self-sufficient
- This set is designed to lure and kill Lugia and Latis, so teammates such as Mega Salamence, EKiller, and Kyogre-Primal really appreciate that
- Groundceus is a jerk since it can't be paralyzed - Giratina-O, Latis, Ho-Oh, Yveltal all help with this depending on the set
- SR support is crucial to making this set perform optimally - Dialga, Diancie, and Tyranitar are all are good setters
Physically Defensive
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name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Precipice Blades
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Dragon Tail / Roar
ability: Drought
item: Leftovers
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
nature: Impish
Moves
========
- Stealth Rock is Stealth Rock
- Blades>EQ for maximum damage vs Primal Groudon
- Stone Edge is for Ho-Oh and Mega Salamence (sort of)
- Dragon Tail damages Mence/Latis and phazes stuff like EKiller
- Roar doesn't miss and can phaze GeoXern attempting to set up
Set Details
========
- Max HP and Defense to tank physical hits as effectively as possible
- Any other EV Spread is outclassed by Primal Groudon so don't
Usage Tips
========
- Only use over Primal forme if you need Drought + Ground neutrality
- Checks stuff like EKiller, other Primal Don, Mega Salamence much better than Primal Groudon due to lack of Ground weakness
- Set up SR vs physical mons
- Use phazing moves liberally if you have hazards
Team Options
========
- Latis or Palkia to check Kyogre
- Things that abuse Drought like Ho-Oh or Mega Blaziken (also provide Wisp absorption)
- Wish/cleric support from Clefable and Blissey, also handle special attackers that really bother Groudon
- Klefki can set Spikes and check Xern/Yveltal which both bother Groudon greatly
Other Options
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- Toxic cripples a lot of Groudon-Primal's checks but it doesn't really have a moveslot for it
- Rock Polish special attacking sets with Fire Blast/Dragon Pulse/Earth Power/Solar Beam are fun but are too easily walled to consider using over physical sets
- Hidden Power Ice if you really hate Mega Salamence
- Rest gives it a form of recovery, but like Toxic, can't really afford to give up the moveslot for it
- Rock Tomb still kills Ho-Oh while letting you really annoy switch-ins that would normally be faster than you
Checks & Counters
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- Lugia is the best general check, it can throw up Reflect to cushion blows and Toxic Stall Groudon-Primal to death. It hates being paralyzed and Stone Edge still does a number if it does not have Multiscale, however
- Arceus-Ground can take any one hit and kill with Judgment/EQ or Recover off the damage. However, Primal Groudon can potentially live an unboosted hit too if its healthy enough and then fire back a potentially fatal Precipice Blades
- Giratina-O only really fears Dragon Claw and can do a lot of damage with Draco Meteor/Shadow Force or phaze with DTail
- Latis resist STAB combo and kill easily with Draco Meteor, though they cannot take Dragon Claw or an SD boosted Stone Edge
- Rayquaza is similar but just can't take Stone Edge and hates getting burned by Lava Plume more
- Mega Salamence is annoying if its running a bulky set
- Yveltal can check the RP set with a physically defensive spread and Dark Pulse the others. Hates Stone Edge/Fire Punch a ton though
- Kyogre-Primal can switch in to overwrite Desolate Land with Primordial Sea and smash with Origin Pulse, although Precipice Blades will chunk it pretty hard
- Ho-Oh checks nicely if Groudon-Primal leaves home without Stone Edge
- Entry hazards and Toxic help wear it down since it lacks recovery options
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