[OVERVIEW]
Primarina is one of the best Pokemon in the modern Sword and Shield metagame. Its Fairy typing is critical in handling Dragon-types like Garchomp, Dragapult, Regidrago, and Haxorus, as well as dealing with both Urshifu forms. Primarina's Water typing helps it defeat Fire-types like Entei and Volcarona, as well as prominent Ground-types like Landorus-T. Primarina's set diversity and role compression as a Water / Fairy type all make it a great fit on many solid teams. Primarina's access to Encore and Hydro Cannon, along with a higher Special Attack stat sets itself apart from Tapu Fini, another strong Water / Fairy type, giving it consistency into Pokemon such as Garchomp, Entei, and Spectrier.
[SET]
Custap Berry (Primarina) @ Custap Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 208 HP / 184 Def / 116 SpA
Modest Nature
- Hydro Cannon
- Moonblast
- Endure
- Encore / Calm Mind / Aqua Jet
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
The combination of Endure + Custap Berry allows Primarina to use Endure on strong attacks from Pokemon such as Hyper Beam from Porygon-Z and Giga Impact from Choice Band Galarian Darmanitan. Endure allows Primarina to safely drop to below 25% HP with relative ease, activating its Custap Berry on the next turn, allowing Primarina to move first in its priority bracket for one turn. This has good synergy with Primarina's Hydro Cannon, as it is a high base power damaging move with a recharge turn, allowing Primarina to frontload a lot of damage in a single turn. Encore helps Primarina gain reliability and win versus Pokemon like Entei and Garchomp, while Calm Mind gives Primarina reliability versus Volcarona, as well as bulkier Pressure Stall Entei. Aqua Jet is a niche option that gives Primarina reliability into non-White Herb Shell Smash Crustle, Custap Berry Sawk, and Carracosta, though the matchups that Primarina gains with Aqua Jet are niche.
EVs
=============
Primarina's bulk allows it to survive a non-boosted Hyper Beam from Timid Porygon-Z and Earthquake from Adamant Choice Band Landorus-T. The remaining EVs are put in Special Attack for maximum damage output, crucially allowing Primarina to break stall Entei's Substitute, winning the matchup with use of Encore on Turn 1.
Usage Tips
=============
Against Landorus-T, Primarina should use Encore on turn 1, as even Adamant Choice Band variants of Landorus-T do not OHKO Primarina, and Encore is useful to prevent combos like Swords Dance + Earthquake or Earthquake + Knock Off from Landorus-T. Primarina should time the use of its Hydro Cannon versus Landorus-T to boost the move's damage with its Torrent ability. This helps Primarina secure the matchup versus Assault Vest Landorus-T.
Similarly, Encore should also be used on turn 1 versus opposing Garchomp, then OHKO back with the use of Custap Berry and a Torrent boosted Hydro Cannon. However, versus Haban Berry Garchomp, which is bulkier than its Life Orb variant, Primarina should time the use of its Endure and Moonblast to avoid losing, as Poison Jab can sometimes 2HKO Primarina, and a Torrent boosted Hydro Cannon can not reliably OHKO Haban Berry Garchomp.
When facing opponents that both have the option of OHKOing Primarina or not, such as Darmanitan-G and Porygon-Z, Primarina can either use Endure against a predicted move that would otherwise OHKO, or predict that the foe will play around it and use an attacking move or a setup move to save Endure for the next turn, since the chance of Endure failing increases each time it is used consecutively.
[SET]
Sitrus Berry (Primarina) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP / 164 Def / 12 SpA / 76 SpD / 16 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Cannon
- Moonblast
- Encore
- Calm Mind
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
Sitrus Berry Primarina uses the additional healing that its item provides to get free turns to set up moves like Calm Mind versus Pokemon like Registeel. Sitrus Berry also allows Primarina to survive two Earthquakes from Assault Vest Landorus-T, which survives an unboosted Hydro Cannon.
EVs
=============
Sitrus Berry Primarina's bulk allows it to survive Earthquake from Adamant Choice Band Landorus-T and Sludge Wave from Timid Choice Specs Landorus. 16 EVs are put in Speed to outspeed Adamant Steelix, and the remaining EVs are put in Special Attack. An alternate spread of 160 HP / 216 Def / 116 SpA / 16 Spe with a Modest nature can also be used, allowing Primarina to survive Timid Life Orb Landorus's Sludge Wave instead of its Choice Specs counterpart. This EV spread, with an increased Special Attack, can be used to improve Primarina's matchup against Pokemon like physically defensive Chansey, as well as crucially allowing Primarina to break Stall Entei's Substitute, defeating it through a series of Encore and Moonblast.
Usage Tips
=============
Garchomp can threaten to KO Primarina with its strong Earthquake or Poison Jab, as Primarina does not have enough firepower to OHKO Garchomp.
Against Landorus-T without a boosting item like Assault Vest or Lum Berry Landorus-T, Primarina should use Encore on turn 1, then time its usage of Hydro Cannon so that it OHKOs Landorus-T with its Torrent boost. However, versus threatening sets like Choice Band Landorus-T, Primarina should use Hydro Cannon on turn 1.
Versus Assault Vest Registeel, Primarina should aim to use as many Calm Minds as Possible to then OHKO Registeel with a Torrent boosted Hydro Cannon. However, versus Stall Registeel, Primarina should use a combination of Encore and Calm Mind to boost its Special Attack, then use Hydro Cannon and Encore repeatidly to outheal Registeel's Leftovers and secure the win.
Versus Dragapult, Primarina should use Moonblast on turn 1. If Dragapult uses Substitute on turn 1, Primarina should proceed to use Encore on turn 2, as a Disable is likely to follow.
Versus Chansey, when using the alternate EV spread, Primarina should follow the sequence of Calm Mind, then Encore, then Calm Mind again, then Moonblast, followed by Encore, then finally Hydro Cannon for the best chance to KO Chansey (about a 50% chance).
[SET]
Mental Herb (Primarina) @ Mental Herb
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 208 HP / 184 Def / 116 SpA
Modest Nature
- Moonblast
- Hydro Cannon
- Icy Wind
- Encore
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
The Combination of Mental Herb + Icy Wind + Encore allows Primarina to defeat Spectrier. Mental Herb is a one time prevention of Spectrier's Taunt, allowing Primarina to safely use Encore on turn 1. Icy Wind lowers Spectrier's speed, allowing Primarina to outspeed Spectrier and continuously lock it into a move. This combination is also helpful versus non-Leftovers Stall Cresselia.
EVs
=============
Primarina's EVs allow it to survive Hyper Beam from Timid Porygon-Z, and Earthquake from Adamant Choice Band Landorus-T. The remaining EVs are put in Special Attack for maximum damage output.
Usage Tips
=============
Against Spectrier, Primarina should use Encore Turn 1, then Icy Wind three times. Primarina should then use Encore when Encore runs out of turns, and attack with Moonblast in the free turns this generates. However, if Spectrier uses Hex Turn 1, wait for the appropriate turn to use a Torrent boosted Hydro Cannon in order to OHKO Spectrier.
Beware of Garchomp, as Mental Herb Primarina does not have the firepower to OHKO Garchomp's deceptively bulky profile, while Garchomp threatens back with powerful Life Orb boosted Earthquakes and Poison Jabs.
Primarina should use Encore turn 1 versus Entei, then, through a combination of Moonblast breaking Entei's Substitute and Primarina using Encore, eventually lower Entei's HP low enough to finish it off with an attack.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/glitched.579035/
Quality checked by:
[insert user link]
Grammar checked by:
[insert user link]
Primarina is one of the best Pokemon in the modern Sword and Shield metagame. Its Fairy typing is critical in handling Dragon-types like Garchomp, Dragapult, Regidrago, and Haxorus, as well as dealing with both Urshifu forms. Primarina's Water typing helps it defeat Fire-types like Entei and Volcarona, as well as prominent Ground-types like Landorus-T. Primarina's set diversity and role compression as a Water / Fairy type all make it a great fit on many solid teams. Primarina's access to Encore and Hydro Cannon, along with a higher Special Attack stat sets itself apart from Tapu Fini, another strong Water / Fairy type, giving it consistency into Pokemon such as Garchomp, Entei, and Spectrier.
[SET]
Custap Berry (Primarina) @ Custap Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 208 HP / 184 Def / 116 SpA
Modest Nature
- Hydro Cannon
- Moonblast
- Endure
- Encore / Calm Mind / Aqua Jet
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
The combination of Endure + Custap Berry allows Primarina to use Endure on strong attacks from Pokemon such as Hyper Beam from Porygon-Z and Giga Impact from Choice Band Galarian Darmanitan. Endure allows Primarina to safely drop to below 25% HP with relative ease, activating its Custap Berry on the next turn, allowing Primarina to move first in its priority bracket for one turn. This has good synergy with Primarina's Hydro Cannon, as it is a high base power damaging move with a recharge turn, allowing Primarina to frontload a lot of damage in a single turn. Encore helps Primarina gain reliability and win versus Pokemon like Entei and Garchomp, while Calm Mind gives Primarina reliability versus Volcarona, as well as bulkier Pressure Stall Entei. Aqua Jet is a niche option that gives Primarina reliability into non-White Herb Shell Smash Crustle, Custap Berry Sawk, and Carracosta, though the matchups that Primarina gains with Aqua Jet are niche.
EVs
=============
Primarina's bulk allows it to survive a non-boosted Hyper Beam from Timid Porygon-Z and Earthquake from Adamant Choice Band Landorus-T. The remaining EVs are put in Special Attack for maximum damage output, crucially allowing Primarina to break stall Entei's Substitute, winning the matchup with use of Encore on Turn 1.
Usage Tips
=============
Against Landorus-T, Primarina should use Encore on turn 1, as even Adamant Choice Band variants of Landorus-T do not OHKO Primarina, and Encore is useful to prevent combos like Swords Dance + Earthquake or Earthquake + Knock Off from Landorus-T. Primarina should time the use of its Hydro Cannon versus Landorus-T to boost the move's damage with its Torrent ability. This helps Primarina secure the matchup versus Assault Vest Landorus-T.
Similarly, Encore should also be used on turn 1 versus opposing Garchomp, then OHKO back with the use of Custap Berry and a Torrent boosted Hydro Cannon. However, versus Haban Berry Garchomp, which is bulkier than its Life Orb variant, Primarina should time the use of its Endure and Moonblast to avoid losing, as Poison Jab can sometimes 2HKO Primarina, and a Torrent boosted Hydro Cannon can not reliably OHKO Haban Berry Garchomp.
When facing opponents that both have the option of OHKOing Primarina or not, such as Darmanitan-G and Porygon-Z, Primarina can either use Endure against a predicted move that would otherwise OHKO, or predict that the foe will play around it and use an attacking move or a setup move to save Endure for the next turn, since the chance of Endure failing increases each time it is used consecutively.
[SET]
Sitrus Berry (Primarina) @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 240 HP / 164 Def / 12 SpA / 76 SpD / 16 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Cannon
- Moonblast
- Encore
- Calm Mind
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
Sitrus Berry Primarina uses the additional healing that its item provides to get free turns to set up moves like Calm Mind versus Pokemon like Registeel. Sitrus Berry also allows Primarina to survive two Earthquakes from Assault Vest Landorus-T, which survives an unboosted Hydro Cannon.
EVs
=============
Sitrus Berry Primarina's bulk allows it to survive Earthquake from Adamant Choice Band Landorus-T and Sludge Wave from Timid Choice Specs Landorus. 16 EVs are put in Speed to outspeed Adamant Steelix, and the remaining EVs are put in Special Attack. An alternate spread of 160 HP / 216 Def / 116 SpA / 16 Spe with a Modest nature can also be used, allowing Primarina to survive Timid Life Orb Landorus's Sludge Wave instead of its Choice Specs counterpart. This EV spread, with an increased Special Attack, can be used to improve Primarina's matchup against Pokemon like physically defensive Chansey, as well as crucially allowing Primarina to break Stall Entei's Substitute, defeating it through a series of Encore and Moonblast.
Usage Tips
=============
Garchomp can threaten to KO Primarina with its strong Earthquake or Poison Jab, as Primarina does not have enough firepower to OHKO Garchomp.
Against Landorus-T without a boosting item like Assault Vest or Lum Berry Landorus-T, Primarina should use Encore on turn 1, then time its usage of Hydro Cannon so that it OHKOs Landorus-T with its Torrent boost. However, versus threatening sets like Choice Band Landorus-T, Primarina should use Hydro Cannon on turn 1.
Versus Assault Vest Registeel, Primarina should aim to use as many Calm Minds as Possible to then OHKO Registeel with a Torrent boosted Hydro Cannon. However, versus Stall Registeel, Primarina should use a combination of Encore and Calm Mind to boost its Special Attack, then use Hydro Cannon and Encore repeatidly to outheal Registeel's Leftovers and secure the win.
Versus Dragapult, Primarina should use Moonblast on turn 1. If Dragapult uses Substitute on turn 1, Primarina should proceed to use Encore on turn 2, as a Disable is likely to follow.
Versus Chansey, when using the alternate EV spread, Primarina should follow the sequence of Calm Mind, then Encore, then Calm Mind again, then Moonblast, followed by Encore, then finally Hydro Cannon for the best chance to KO Chansey (about a 50% chance).
[SET]
Mental Herb (Primarina) @ Mental Herb
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 208 HP / 184 Def / 116 SpA
Modest Nature
- Moonblast
- Hydro Cannon
- Icy Wind
- Encore
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
The Combination of Mental Herb + Icy Wind + Encore allows Primarina to defeat Spectrier. Mental Herb is a one time prevention of Spectrier's Taunt, allowing Primarina to safely use Encore on turn 1. Icy Wind lowers Spectrier's speed, allowing Primarina to outspeed Spectrier and continuously lock it into a move. This combination is also helpful versus non-Leftovers Stall Cresselia.
EVs
=============
Primarina's EVs allow it to survive Hyper Beam from Timid Porygon-Z, and Earthquake from Adamant Choice Band Landorus-T. The remaining EVs are put in Special Attack for maximum damage output.
Usage Tips
=============
Against Spectrier, Primarina should use Encore Turn 1, then Icy Wind three times. Primarina should then use Encore when Encore runs out of turns, and attack with Moonblast in the free turns this generates. However, if Spectrier uses Hex Turn 1, wait for the appropriate turn to use a Torrent boosted Hydro Cannon in order to OHKO Spectrier.
Beware of Garchomp, as Mental Herb Primarina does not have the firepower to OHKO Garchomp's deceptively bulky profile, while Garchomp threatens back with powerful Life Orb boosted Earthquakes and Poison Jabs.
Primarina should use Encore turn 1 versus Entei, then, through a combination of Moonblast breaking Entei's Substitute and Primarina using Encore, eventually lower Entei's HP low enough to finish it off with an attack.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/glitched.579035/
Quality checked by:
[insert user link]
Grammar checked by:
[insert user link]
Last edited:
