[OVERVIEW]
Kyurem is one of SV OU's strongest offensive Pokemon, utilizing its powerful mixed offensive stats and solid overall bulk to run a wide variety of sets, each requiring different counterplay. Choice Specs strengthens Kyurem's already powerful Freeze-Dry and Draco Meteor, OHKOing much of the tier and chunking even the bulkiest Kyurem answers, like Gholdengo and specially defensive Moltres. Kyurem can run Dragon Dance, using Loaded Dice to enhance its Icicle Spear and Scale Shot alongside Tera Blast Fire, Electric, or Ground to hit common checks, like Scizor, Dondozo, and Iron Crown, super effectively. Kyurem's natural bulk and ability Pressure enable it to run Leftovers Substitute + Protect sets to PP stall foes and take advantage of the switches Kyurem forces. Using Loaded Dice or Never-Melt Ice, Kyurem can run mixed sets, aiming to break through particularly bulky Pokemon like Dondozo and Blissey. Unfortunately, Kyurem's mediocre Speed and lackluster defensive typing can make it challenging to position. Faster Pokemon like Zamazenta, Iron Valiant, and Dragapult can threaten Kyurem with an OHKO and force it out. Kyurem is weak to Stealth Rock and depends on its item slot for damage, meaning it usually cannot afford to run Heavy-Duty Boots and is forced to rely on entry hazard removal. Moreover, some of Kyurem's sets heavily rely on Tera to boost its damage or provide it with necessary coverage, forcing it to compete with the many Tera-reliant offensive Pokemon in the tier like Enamorus and Garganacl. Additionally, bulky Steel-types like Kingambit, Gholdengo, Scizor, and Iron Crown can soft check most Kyurem sets or possibly force a Tera.
Other Options
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Assault Vest Kyurem is primarily used on bulky offensive teams to trade attacks against common special attackers like Darkrai while tanking super effective hits from Enamorus and Iron Moth and OHKOing them in return. Assault Vest Kyurem can afford to run a more niche option, such as Body Press to hit Blissey, Tyranitar, and Kingambit; Ancient Power for Moltres; or Dragon Tail for phazing. Choice Scarf Kyurem is occasionally used to snipe Pokemon like Dragapult and Ogerpon-W, with the downside of being very prediction-reliant, easy to exploit, and pretty weak without a damage-boosting item. Due to Kyurem's entry hazard weakness, Heavy-Duty Boots can be run to give it more opportunities to switch in, but this comes at the cost of its item slot and, as such, a lot of its damage. Choice Specs sets can run Focus Blast to KO opposing Kyurem and Kingambit as well as hit Air Balloon Heatran and Tera Steel Levitate Pokemon like Latios. Flash Cannon is nice on Substitute + Protect sets alongside Tera Steel to hit opposing Kyurem, Assault Vest Hatterene, and Clefable while not crumbling to Ogerpon-W post-Tera, like with Tera Ground. A set with Substitute, Protect, Dragon Dance, and Icicle Spear is run with Leftovers, using Tera Steel to set up on Pokemon like Iron Crown and Hatterene or Tera Ghost to set up on Zamazenta and Body Press Corviknight. Icicle Spear and Dragon Dance’s high PP lets Kyurem PP stall more effectively, but without Loaded Dice, its damage becomes unreliable.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/cala_aa.629105/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/setsu.548068/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/heatranator.647728/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/autumn.384270/
Kyurem is one of SV OU's strongest offensive Pokemon, utilizing its powerful mixed offensive stats and solid overall bulk to run a wide variety of sets, each requiring different counterplay. Choice Specs strengthens Kyurem's already powerful Freeze-Dry and Draco Meteor, OHKOing much of the tier and chunking even the bulkiest Kyurem answers, like Gholdengo and specially defensive Moltres. Kyurem can run Dragon Dance, using Loaded Dice to enhance its Icicle Spear and Scale Shot alongside Tera Blast Fire, Electric, or Ground to hit common checks, like Scizor, Dondozo, and Iron Crown, super effectively. Kyurem's natural bulk and ability Pressure enable it to run Leftovers Substitute + Protect sets to PP stall foes and take advantage of the switches Kyurem forces. Using Loaded Dice or Never-Melt Ice, Kyurem can run mixed sets, aiming to break through particularly bulky Pokemon like Dondozo and Blissey. Unfortunately, Kyurem's mediocre Speed and lackluster defensive typing can make it challenging to position. Faster Pokemon like Zamazenta, Iron Valiant, and Dragapult can threaten Kyurem with an OHKO and force it out. Kyurem is weak to Stealth Rock and depends on its item slot for damage, meaning it usually cannot afford to run Heavy-Duty Boots and is forced to rely on entry hazard removal. Moreover, some of Kyurem's sets heavily rely on Tera to boost its damage or provide it with necessary coverage, forcing it to compete with the many Tera-reliant offensive Pokemon in the tier like Enamorus and Garganacl. Additionally, bulky Steel-types like Kingambit, Gholdengo, Scizor, and Iron Crown can soft check most Kyurem sets or possibly force a Tera.
Other Options
=============
Assault Vest Kyurem is primarily used on bulky offensive teams to trade attacks against common special attackers like Darkrai while tanking super effective hits from Enamorus and Iron Moth and OHKOing them in return. Assault Vest Kyurem can afford to run a more niche option, such as Body Press to hit Blissey, Tyranitar, and Kingambit; Ancient Power for Moltres; or Dragon Tail for phazing. Choice Scarf Kyurem is occasionally used to snipe Pokemon like Dragapult and Ogerpon-W, with the downside of being very prediction-reliant, easy to exploit, and pretty weak without a damage-boosting item. Due to Kyurem's entry hazard weakness, Heavy-Duty Boots can be run to give it more opportunities to switch in, but this comes at the cost of its item slot and, as such, a lot of its damage. Choice Specs sets can run Focus Blast to KO opposing Kyurem and Kingambit as well as hit Air Balloon Heatran and Tera Steel Levitate Pokemon like Latios. Flash Cannon is nice on Substitute + Protect sets alongside Tera Steel to hit opposing Kyurem, Assault Vest Hatterene, and Clefable while not crumbling to Ogerpon-W post-Tera, like with Tera Ground. A set with Substitute, Protect, Dragon Dance, and Icicle Spear is run with Leftovers, using Tera Steel to set up on Pokemon like Iron Crown and Hatterene or Tera Ghost to set up on Zamazenta and Body Press Corviknight. Icicle Spear and Dragon Dance’s high PP lets Kyurem PP stall more effectively, but without Loaded Dice, its damage becomes unreliable.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/cala_aa.629105/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/setsu.548068/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/heatranator.647728/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/autumn.384270/
Last edited:
