www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/Kingdra
Couple updates for Kingdra in OU. For starters.. Double Dance should probably be removed simply because if you should EVER go Rain Dance you should go special or mix due to EV concerns and higher base power of special moves. But I think this deserves its own set or should probably replace Double Dance.
[SET]
name: Bulky Swimmer
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Surf / Hydro Pump
move 3: Dragon Pulse
move 4: Substitute
item: Leftovers
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 244 SpA / 12 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is your standard Kingdra set. Kingdra gets the most of its high base stats by utilizing its incredible ability in Swift Swim. With Rain Dance acting as an Agility and Growth in one (for Surf), Kingdra can turn into solid bulky stand-alone sweeper with just a single turn of set up. This trait is further amplified by Kingdra only sporting a single weakness in Dragon, which is not easy to exploit. Summoning the Rain also has a few team benefits including buffering Fire weaknesses and clearing the skies of potential Sandstorm or Hail conditions, thus re-stablishing Leftovers recovery on non-immune pokemon.</p>
<p>Surf and Dragon Pulse are the main attacks, and are only resisted by Empoleon in OU. Hydro Pump can be used over Surf for extra kick, as Kingdra is bulky enough to survive a hit or two, though it does not grant any KOs already achieved by Surf. Dragon Pulse doesn't get the benefit of double STAB in the Rain, but 2HKO's Starmie and most frail water resists. Substitute rounds out the set by blocking status and Explosion, two common methods of dealing with Kingdra. However, several other options are available for the last slot. Toxic lets Kingdra outlast its greatest nemesis, Vaporeon, provided Vaporeon does not carry Toxic itself. Signal Beam can put a large dent in Celebi and do decent damge to Abomasnow. Hidden Power Electric can do more to Empoleon and OHKO Gyarados with Stealth Rock, though neither pose an immediate threat to Kingdra. Ice Beam can also be used to 2HKO Celebi and has a shot at OHKOing Breloom, though this is best used in conjuction with Hidden Power Electric for the psuedo Bolt-beam combo.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>While other Kingdra sets that utilize Rain Dance normally find a home on Rain Dance teams (or in Ubers), this set uses Kingdra's solid base 95 defenses and maximum HP investment to act as a stand alone sweeper. With just 12 EVs, Kingdra reaches a speed of 209 allowing it to outpace Choice Scarf Heatran in the Rain and minimum speed Rotom before the Rain. A Damp Rock can be used for a longer Rain Dance if you aren't satisfied with Leftovers recovery and would like more turns on the offensive. Although this does not necessitate a full Rain Dance team, 8 turn Rain Dances must be considered if it hinders any other members, such as pokemon that utilize Fire moves.</p>
<p>Team Options</p>
<p>Kingdra will be looking to switch into Fire and Steel attacks, as his bulky water counterparts are usually tough to defeat. Therefore, Kingdra makes a good teammate to any pokemon that baits these attacks. Scizor is an excellent partner, as he lures in Fire attacks like honey attracts bees, and the Rain may allow him to take a fire attack if he has to quickly switch in on Celebi. Speaking of Celebi, U-turners such as Flygon will do a good job of pressuring Celebi and giving Kingdra a free switch against a favorable matchup. Kingdra's only weakness can be exploited by faster Dragon pokemon, which is only Scarfed Flygon or Scarfed Salamence under rainy conditions. Therefore, strong steel pokemon like Scizor or Metagross, can absorb the attacks if need be.</p>
Couple updates for Kingdra in OU. For starters.. Double Dance should probably be removed simply because if you should EVER go Rain Dance you should go special or mix due to EV concerns and higher base power of special moves. But I think this deserves its own set or should probably replace Double Dance.
[SET]
name: Bulky Swimmer
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Surf / Hydro Pump
move 3: Dragon Pulse
move 4: Substitute
item: Leftovers
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 244 SpA / 12 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is your standard Kingdra set. Kingdra gets the most of its high base stats by utilizing its incredible ability in Swift Swim. With Rain Dance acting as an Agility and Growth in one (for Surf), Kingdra can turn into solid bulky stand-alone sweeper with just a single turn of set up. This trait is further amplified by Kingdra only sporting a single weakness in Dragon, which is not easy to exploit. Summoning the Rain also has a few team benefits including buffering Fire weaknesses and clearing the skies of potential Sandstorm or Hail conditions, thus re-stablishing Leftovers recovery on non-immune pokemon.</p>
<p>Surf and Dragon Pulse are the main attacks, and are only resisted by Empoleon in OU. Hydro Pump can be used over Surf for extra kick, as Kingdra is bulky enough to survive a hit or two, though it does not grant any KOs already achieved by Surf. Dragon Pulse doesn't get the benefit of double STAB in the Rain, but 2HKO's Starmie and most frail water resists. Substitute rounds out the set by blocking status and Explosion, two common methods of dealing with Kingdra. However, several other options are available for the last slot. Toxic lets Kingdra outlast its greatest nemesis, Vaporeon, provided Vaporeon does not carry Toxic itself. Signal Beam can put a large dent in Celebi and do decent damge to Abomasnow. Hidden Power Electric can do more to Empoleon and OHKO Gyarados with Stealth Rock, though neither pose an immediate threat to Kingdra. Ice Beam can also be used to 2HKO Celebi and has a shot at OHKOing Breloom, though this is best used in conjuction with Hidden Power Electric for the psuedo Bolt-beam combo.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>While other Kingdra sets that utilize Rain Dance normally find a home on Rain Dance teams (or in Ubers), this set uses Kingdra's solid base 95 defenses and maximum HP investment to act as a stand alone sweeper. With just 12 EVs, Kingdra reaches a speed of 209 allowing it to outpace Choice Scarf Heatran in the Rain and minimum speed Rotom before the Rain. A Damp Rock can be used for a longer Rain Dance if you aren't satisfied with Leftovers recovery and would like more turns on the offensive. Although this does not necessitate a full Rain Dance team, 8 turn Rain Dances must be considered if it hinders any other members, such as pokemon that utilize Fire moves.</p>
<p>Team Options</p>
<p>Kingdra will be looking to switch into Fire and Steel attacks, as his bulky water counterparts are usually tough to defeat. Therefore, Kingdra makes a good teammate to any pokemon that baits these attacks. Scizor is an excellent partner, as he lures in Fire attacks like honey attracts bees, and the Rain may allow him to take a fire attack if he has to quickly switch in on Celebi. Speaking of Celebi, U-turners such as Flygon will do a good job of pressuring Celebi and giving Kingdra a free switch against a favorable matchup. Kingdra's only weakness can be exploited by faster Dragon pokemon, which is only Scarfed Flygon or Scarfed Salamence under rainy conditions. Therefore, strong steel pokemon like Scizor or Metagross, can absorb the attacks if need be.</p>
