[OVERVIEW]
Kyogre is one of the most devastating Restricted Pokemon available in VGC 2022 thanks to its high Special Attack, supported by Drizzle boosting its Water-type moves, superb natural bulk, and access to two powerful spread moves in Water Spout and Origin Pulse. It has naturally strong matchups into the majority of the metagame, with standouts including Incineroar, Zacian-C, Landorus-T, and Groudon. Its base 90 Speed also leaves it in a wonderful spot, as Kyogre can operate under almost any speed control, with faster sets working well under Tailwind and Max Airstream support from Tornadus, Thundurus, and Zapdos, while slower, bulkier sets thrive under Trick Room from Calyrex-I, Mimikyu, and Porygon2. Not all goes swimmingly for Kyogre, however; VGC 2022's abundance of viable Electric-types in Regieleki, Thundurus, and Zapdos and Kyogre's centralizing nature means it has a large target on its back at all times. Grass-types like Venusaur, Amoonguss, Rillaboom, and Ferrothorn can also sponge its Water- and Electric-type attacks and threaten it back.
For Kyogre users looking to avoid these pitfalls, pair it with Grass- and Ground- types like Amoonguss, Landorus-T, and Venusaur, which works well even when not used alongside Groudon, to help check the Electric-types. Teammates like Incineroar, Zapdos, and Tornadus can help put pressure on Grass-type foes. Kyogre's damage output is severely limited by damage reduction like Light Screen and Snarl, as well as ways to override rain like Groudon's Drought or Calyrex-I's Max Hailstorm. Kyogre can reverse these overrides with Max Geyser to reset its rain, however. Pokemon like Palkia, Lapras, and Gastrodon can completely wall Kyogre; to muscle past these, Kyogre should look to teammates like Play Rough Zacian-C, Regieleki, or Energy Ball Amoonguss.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Water Spout
move 2: Origin Pulse / Thunder
move 3: Thunder / Ice Beam
move 4: Protect
item: Mystic Water / Life Orb
ability: Drizzle
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* When Kyogre is at full HP, it should be using Water Spout in almost all cases, as the devastatingly strong and perfectly accurate attack is capable of OHKOing Zacian-C and Calyrex-S with ease at full power. Water Spout also serves as the base for Kyogre's Max Geyser, a powerful single target attack not reliant on its HP. Origin Pulse makes for a suitable alternate Water attack, as it also offers strong spread damage, though its shaky accuracy can be worrying.
* Thunder lets Kyogre hit opposing Water-types like Lapras, Blastoise, and other Kyogre for super effective damage. It can also use Max Lightning, which sets Electric Terrain, powering up subsequent Electric attacks and keeping it safe from Amoonguss's Spore. Ice Beam allows it to hit Grass-types for super effective damage as well as Palkia, Dialga, and Kyurem-W neutrally, though Max Hailstorm's effect of replacing rain with hail isn't nearly as useful in most cases.
* Mystic Water is Kyogre's best boosting item
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Water Spout
move 2: Origin Pulse
move 3: Thunder
move 4: Ice Beam
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Drizzle
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Water Spout is Kyogre's go-to move at full health, easily OHKOing Incineroar, Regieleki, and Calyrex-S. Should Kyogre need to Dynamax, it also provides the strongest possible Max Geyser.
* Origin Pulse is Kyogre's best backup Water move thanks to its high power and spread damage, becoming stronger than Water Spout once Kyogre is at 72% HP or less.
*Thunder and Ice Beam provide Kyogre with excellent coverage, with Thunder hitting Pokemon resistant to Water such as Lapras and opposing Kyogre, while Ice Beam can hit Grass-types like Amoonguss and Venusaur
* Choice Scarf allows Kyogre to outspeed Zacian-C and Calyrex-S without the need for any additional speed control, though a Timid nature is required to do this. Do note that Kyogre cannot outspeed Regieleki even with a Choice Scarf, so it will still need support to check it.
[OTHER OPTIONS]
Kyogre can run Assault Vest to better stand up to the likes of Regieleki, Calyrex-S, and opposing Kyogre by greatly improving its special bulk. As a result, however, it's always left vulnerable to any attack, and will have to Dynamax to avoid being stopped by Fake Out. Weakness Policy punishes Electric- and Grass-type attacks looking to beat down Kyogre by sharply raising its Special Attack, giving it the ability to OHKO the likes of Dynamax Venusaur and Thundurus in retaliation. Scald can be used in place of Origin Pulse for perfect accuracy and the chance to burn, but deals considerably less damage overall. A Calm Mind + Leftovers set can be used without Water Spout, allowing Kyogre to afford more bulk and Speed investment while still hitting hard with Origin Pulse or Max Geyser.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[zee, 510951]]
- Quality checked by: [[Namuko Pro, 426995], [Giokio, 517038]]
- Grammar checked by: [[dex, 277988]]
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