I'm currently dissatisfied using Mixed Rain Dance Kingdra and having to be stalled out with Life Orb. The reason for this thread: it's a more healthy alternative to use Rain Dance Kingdra, especially since I tested out Wave Incense and wasn't stalled out as much. Rain-boosted Waterfall is pretty much bleh, IMO.
Status: Quality Control
QC Approvals (3/3): (PK Gaming) (Bloo) (Iconic)
GP Approvals (2/2): (Omicron + V0x) (V0x)
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I could be banned! But I'm not, so I'm stuck being UU...
[SET]
name: Special Rain Dance
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 3: Dragon Pulse
move 4: Draco Meteor / Signal Beam / Hidden Power Grass
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 36 HP / 252 SpA / 220 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Kingdra's sheer power in the rain can easily be utilized specially, and although this set has the same basic premise as its mixed counterpart, forgoing physical moves offers new advantages. First of all, Kingdra does not require investment in Attack, meaning you can freely invest in its bulk and Speed, giving this set an easier time setting up. The focus on the special side also allows Kingdra to use additional special attacks, which expands its coverage and power output against certain targets that previously gave the mixed set trouble. When taking the power boost from Life Orb, rain, and a Modest nature into account, Kingdra is basically a faster Life Orb Latias with a STAB Water-type attack and the ability to stand up to Scizor, Tyranitar, and opposing weather teams.</p>
<p>Rather than rely on the one-time use of Draco Meteor, Kingdra now relies on Dragon Pulse and it's chosen Water-type attack as STAB moves. Again, the choice between Surf and Hydro Pump comes down to wallbreaking power versus reliability. The third attack depends on what targets Kingdra needs to hit. Draco Meteor may seem strange alongside the more reliable Dragon Pulse, but often, it is required to break through some threats that would otherwise survive Dragon Pulse. For instance, Jellicent can be 2HKOed by a Dragon Pulse followed by a Draco Meteor, while all variants of Rotom-W bar specially defensive ones are OHKOed by Draco Meteor alone. Signal Beam is guaranteed to OHKO Celebi, which is a common switch-in to Kingdra, and hits Abomasnow harder than its other attacks. Finally, Hidden Power Grass is reserved simply for Gastrodon, who would otherwise wall Kingdra.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Other than the Modest nature and the maximum investment into Special Attack, Kingdra's performance depends on the amount of EVs invested into Speed and HP. The listed EV spread allows Kingdra to outrun neutral base 80 Speed Pokemon before rain and +1 base 108 Pokemon (mainly Choice Scarf Terrakion), after said condition. The rest of the EVs are distributed into HP for a small amount of bulk. If Kingdra requires more bulk, you can transfer EVs from Speed to HP. Ideal benchmarks would be 196 EVs in Speed, which outruns +1 base 101 Pokemon in the rain, and 16, which does the same for unboosted positive-natured base 130 Pokemon. Finally, if +1 base 110 Speed Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Latios are a concern, simply maximize Speed.</p>
<p>As this set is very similar to the Mixed Rain Dance set, nearly all the same teammates and counters apply here. However, since Kingdra is instead oriented towards special attacking, special walls, namely Blissey, Chansey, and Politoed, will need to be eliminated first. The most straightforward way of doing so is to pair Kingdra with strong physical or mixed attackers to maintain the team's offensive presence. For instance, Conkeldurr can absorb any status aimed at Kingdra and beat most special walls, while Choice Band Terrakion can simply punch holes in the opposing team with its offensive prowess. Additionally, as opposing weather teams can sometimes be a problem for balanced or offensive teams, Kingdra fits almost perfectly as a weather buffer, should your team require one.</p>
Status: Quality Control
QC Approvals (3/3): (PK Gaming) (Bloo) (Iconic)
GP Approvals (2/2): (Omicron + V0x) (V0x)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I could be banned! But I'm not, so I'm stuck being UU...
[SET]
name: Special Rain Dance
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 3: Dragon Pulse
move 4: Draco Meteor / Signal Beam / Hidden Power Grass
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 36 HP / 252 SpA / 220 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Kingdra's sheer power in the rain can easily be utilized specially, and although this set has the same basic premise as its mixed counterpart, forgoing physical moves offers new advantages. First of all, Kingdra does not require investment in Attack, meaning you can freely invest in its bulk and Speed, giving this set an easier time setting up. The focus on the special side also allows Kingdra to use additional special attacks, which expands its coverage and power output against certain targets that previously gave the mixed set trouble. When taking the power boost from Life Orb, rain, and a Modest nature into account, Kingdra is basically a faster Life Orb Latias with a STAB Water-type attack and the ability to stand up to Scizor, Tyranitar, and opposing weather teams.</p>
<p>Rather than rely on the one-time use of Draco Meteor, Kingdra now relies on Dragon Pulse and it's chosen Water-type attack as STAB moves. Again, the choice between Surf and Hydro Pump comes down to wallbreaking power versus reliability. The third attack depends on what targets Kingdra needs to hit. Draco Meteor may seem strange alongside the more reliable Dragon Pulse, but often, it is required to break through some threats that would otherwise survive Dragon Pulse. For instance, Jellicent can be 2HKOed by a Dragon Pulse followed by a Draco Meteor, while all variants of Rotom-W bar specially defensive ones are OHKOed by Draco Meteor alone. Signal Beam is guaranteed to OHKO Celebi, which is a common switch-in to Kingdra, and hits Abomasnow harder than its other attacks. Finally, Hidden Power Grass is reserved simply for Gastrodon, who would otherwise wall Kingdra.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Other than the Modest nature and the maximum investment into Special Attack, Kingdra's performance depends on the amount of EVs invested into Speed and HP. The listed EV spread allows Kingdra to outrun neutral base 80 Speed Pokemon before rain and +1 base 108 Pokemon (mainly Choice Scarf Terrakion), after said condition. The rest of the EVs are distributed into HP for a small amount of bulk. If Kingdra requires more bulk, you can transfer EVs from Speed to HP. Ideal benchmarks would be 196 EVs in Speed, which outruns +1 base 101 Pokemon in the rain, and 16, which does the same for unboosted positive-natured base 130 Pokemon. Finally, if +1 base 110 Speed Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Latios are a concern, simply maximize Speed.</p>
<p>As this set is very similar to the Mixed Rain Dance set, nearly all the same teammates and counters apply here. However, since Kingdra is instead oriented towards special attacking, special walls, namely Blissey, Chansey, and Politoed, will need to be eliminated first. The most straightforward way of doing so is to pair Kingdra with strong physical or mixed attackers to maintain the team's offensive presence. For instance, Conkeldurr can absorb any status aimed at Kingdra and beat most special walls, while Choice Band Terrakion can simply punch holes in the opposing team with its offensive prowess. Additionally, as opposing weather teams can sometimes be a problem for balanced or offensive teams, Kingdra fits almost perfectly as a weather buffer, should your team require one.</p>
