[OVERVIEW]
Chillingly powerful is quite the accurate description for Kyurem-B. With an Attack stat that eclipses even Calyrex-I, BoltBeam coverage, Dragon Dance, and Teravolt to boot, Kyurem-B is easily capable of ripping through bulky teams, with even Necrozma-DM struggling to stand up to its Fusion Bolt with Tera Electric and Miraidon's Electric Terrain. Its solid natural bulk also allows it to set up against passive Pokemon like Gliscor and Arceus-Water lacking Will-O-Wisp, and it threatens the specially defensive Ground-types used to stave off Miraidon like Arceus-Ground, Ting-Lu, and Clodsire. Unfortunately, Kyurem-B's part-Ice typing is a massive hindrance defensively, limiting its opportunities to set up despite its solid natural bulk. It can also be outsped by Choice Scarf Koraidon even after a boost or picked off by priority like Arceus's Extreme Speed or Kingambit's Sucker Punch. It also is not exactly the fastest Pokemon in the world, which in conjunction with its meager defensive profile limits what Kyurem-B can accomplish against offensive teams.
[SET]
Dragon Dance (Kyurem-Black) @ Loaded Dice
Ability: Teravolt
Tera Type: Electric
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Fusion Bolt
- Icicle Spear
- Scale Shot / Substitute
[SET COMMENTS]
With Dragon Dance, Kyurem-B can boost its Attack to even greater levels while also fixing its Speed issue. Icicle Spear and Fusion Bolt provide perfect coverage in Ubers, and Fusion Bolt's power can be increased further with Tera Electric and Miraidon's Electric Terrain. Tera Electric is also useful for the Steel resistance it provides, allowing Kyurem-B to set up on and threaten Zacian-C and Necrozma-DM without Earthquake, which would normally check it quite easily. Loaded Dice makes Icicle Spear and Scale Shot reliably strong STAB moves. Scale Shot is usually preferred over Substitute thanks to Kyurem-B's meager defensive profile, but Substitute can be used on dual screens hyper offense teams where its defensive problems are mitigated to set up freely on Gliscor and Arceus-Water and avoid revenge killing attempts from Choice Scarf Koraidon and Extreme Killer Arceus. Jolly is usually the preferred nature to let Kyurem-B outspeed Zacian-C with one Speed boost and Choice Scarf Koraidon with two, but Adamant is superior on Sticky Web teams where its Speed issue is mitigated.
Due to being relatively weak without Terastallization and its defensive shortcomings, Kyurem-B fits best on hyper offense teams. Grimmsnarl's dual screens aid Kyurem-B further with setting up and even allows it to run Subsitute. Ribombee's Sticky Web mitigates Kyurem-B's Speed issue and allows it to run an Adamant nature. On both styles, Miraidon is a near-mandatory partner, setting up Electric Terrain for Kyurem-B to boost its Fusion Bolt and getting it in safely with U-turn. In return, Kyurem-B threatens Ground-types used to check Miraidon, like Gliscor, Ting-Lu, and Arceus-Ground. Necrozma-DM can serve as a check to Zacian-C and Arceus before Kyurem-B is ready to sweep, making it a good partner. Despite not being very apt defensively, Kyurem-B can switch into and set up on Kyogre once, making it a solid partner for Koraidon and Arceus-Ground. Kyurem-B also appreciates these Pokemon immediately threatening Necrozma-DM, which it can struggle against even if Necrozma-DM does not carry Sunsteel Strike.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Tera Fire with Tera Blast can be used to destroy Necrozma-DM and Zacian-C at +1 while also avoiding burns from Ho-Oh. However, it is largely unnecessary given how strong +1 Tera Electric Fusion Bolt is.
Checks and Counters
====
**Arceus-Fairy**: Arceus-Fairy can easily take everything Kyurem-B throws at it, has reliable recovery, and can threaten Kyurem-B with super effective Judgment or Will-O-Wisp.
**Ho-Oh**: Ho-Oh can survive +1 Fusion Bolt and threaten to burn Kyurem-B with Sacred Fire or phaze it with Whirlwind. Tera Fairy Ho-Oh also survives everything +1 Kyurem-B can throw at it.
**Speed Control**: Choice Scarf Koraidon outspeeds Kyurem-B even after a Dragon Dance and threatens it in return. Extreme Killer Arceus and Kingambit threaten to pick off Kyurem-B with Extreme Speed or Sucker Punch.
**Residual Damage**: Kyurem-B has no recovery and is vulnerable to all forms of residual damage, even being weak to Stealth Rock.
**Steel-types**: While they're not hard counters, Necrozma-DM and Zacian-C resist Icicle Spear, can take +1 Fusion Bolt, and retaliate with super effective STAB moves, and Necrozma-DM can heal off the damage. They must, however, be wary of Kyurem-B Terastallizing into an Electric-type.
**Trick Room Pokemon**: Pokemon like Necrozma-DM, Calyrex-I, and the rare Necrozma-DW can take boosted attacks from Kyurem-B and turn the tables on it with Trick Room.
**Ditto:** While it's rare, Ditto can reliably revenge kill Kyurem-B. It must, however, watch out for Substitute on dual screens teams.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/oreospeedruns.597293/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/taka.595062/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/katerina.306317/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Last edited:
