[SET]
name: Wonder Guard Support
move 1: Scald / Baton Pass
move 2: Defog / Whirlwind
move 3: Aromatherapy / King's Shield
move 4: Recover / Wish
item: Shed Shell / Safety Goggles
ability: Wonder Guard
nature: Calm / Sassy
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
in-battle alt: Primal
[SET COMMENTS]
Massive special bulk, pure Water typing, a flexible Speed tier, and forcing out metagame titan Primal Groudon make Primal Kyogre one of the format's best support Wonder Guard users. Scald is an extremely useful STAB move that OHKOes all variants of Primal Groudon and Mold Breaker Mega Diancie. Additionally, Scald's burn chance makes switching in risky for threats like physical Mega Rayquaza. Alternatively, since even the threat of Scald is good at forcing out Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre can forgo its STAB attack to provide pivoting support with Baton Pass. Defog and Aromatherapy are extremely valuable support options on the majority of team structures. However, if a teammate is carrying either one, Primal Kyogre can opt to use King's Shield or Whirlwind. The former gives Primal Kyogre a scouting tool and improves its matchup against physical Mold Breaker users such as Mega Rayquaza. Whirlwind, on the other hand, exploits Primal Kyogre being notoriously difficult for many special Mold Breaker users and powerful special coverage moves, excluding Protean Mega Latios's Grass Knot, to OHKO. Primal Kyogre can also use both Baton Pass and Scald by forgoing one of its standard utility moveslots, though this type of set is usually restricted to teams with room for multiple defensive Wonder Guard users. Finally, recovery is essential for Primal Kyogre to fill its role as a support Wonder Guard user effectively. Wish synergizes well with King's Shield and can support Primal Kyogre's teammates, but Recover is usually preferred for its immediacy and greater ease of use. A Calm nature and a specially defensive EV spread allow Primal Kyogre to tank hits from specially offensive Mold Breaker users like Mega Gengar and Mega Diancie, as well as scouting powerful special coverage moves from attackers such as Wonder Guard + Shell Smash Mega Gardevoir and Protean Mega Mewtwo Y. A physically defensive EV spread with a Bold nature is an equally viable option, however, as this set checks Primal Groudon with greater ease and offers better mixed bulk for scouting Pokemon, such as Mega Rayquaza, that can run both physical and special sets. A Sassy or Relaxed nature alongside 0 Speed IVs can be run on Baton Pass variants of Primal Kyogre to better bring teammates in safely. A Shed Shell is the preferred item to make Primal Kyogre more resilient versus Shadow Tag users. However, Safety Goggles can be used to make Primal Kyogre a harder check to Spore + Mold Breaker users; special ones such as Mega Gengar and Mega Diancie for specially defensive Primal Kyogre, or Primal Groudon and Mega Tyranitar for physically defensive sets.
The vast majority of team structures appreciate the utility that Primal Kyogre can provide. Notably, Primal Kyogre works very well alongside the popular Mold Breaker Primal Groudon + Wonder Guard Xerneas + Prankster Giratina core, defensively covering most offensive threats alongside Xerneas and Giratina. Giratina is a notable partner outside of this core as well, though, as it can easily switch into Huge Power- and Protean-boosted Grass- and Electric-type attacks aimed at Primal Kyogre. In return, specially defensive Primal Kyogre can soft check powerful Ghost- and Fairy-type attackers like Mega Gengar and Mega Diancie for Giratina, particularly if running Safety Goggles and Whirlwind. Primal Kyogre's vulnerability to Protean Mega Latios and Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X means it appreciates teammates that can force them out, such Pixilate Mega Diancie, Aerilate Mega Rayquaza, offensive Shadow Tag users such as Mega Mewtwo Y, and faster No Guard users like Mega Aerodactyl. In addition, those same teammates make excellent entry hazard setters, thus synergizing especially well with Whirlwind variants of Primal Kyogre. Many Choice Specs + Mold Breaker users—such as Mega Rayquaza and Mega Mewtwo Y—appreciate specially defensive Primal Kyogre efficiently Imposter-proofing them. On bulkier balance teams, Primal Kyogre can be run alongside another defensive Wonder Guard user—such as Cresselia, Mega Scizor, or Mega Audino—for more flexibility with both their movesets. Finally, Pursuit users such as Huge Power Mega Gyarados, Yveltal, and Mega Tyranitar are excellent teammates to pressure Giratina, Primal Kyogre's most common non-Wonder Guard switch-in.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An alternate EV spread of 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD with an Adamant nature and Water Shuriken can be used to revenge kill Shell Smash + Mold Breaker Primal Groudon and Mega Diancie at -1 Defense, but this has little other utility. A Chesto Berry alongside Whirlwind, Nuzzle, or Glare can make Primal Kyogre a safer check to Dark Void variants of Mold Breaker users like Mega Gengar and Mega Diancie, albeit only once. Blue Orb makes Primal Kyogre immune to Trick, reduces damage from Mold Breaker Knock Off, and helps it Imposter-proof Trick + Choice Specs Mold Breaker and Trick + Choice Scarf No Guard teammates. Leftovers allows Primal Kyogre to use Recover less frequently, potentially maintaining momentum for its team. However, sacrificing Shed Shell's resistance to Shadow Tag users makes Primal Kyogre more difficult to use.
Though Primal Kyogre already struggles with four-moveslot syndrome, it can nevertheless viably run a myriad of other support options. Nuzzle allows Primal Kyogre to disrupt the opposing team while also making it more resilient versus Taunt users. In addition, the most relevant Pokemon immune to the move—Primal Groudon—doesn't want to switch into Primal Kyogre. However, Nuzzle + Scald Primal Kyogre sets can make Imposter-proofing more difficult, as the two moves combined can disrupt virtually every non-Wonder Guard user. Glare is another paralysis option that does affect Primal Groudon, should that be necessary, but leaves Primal Kyogre more vulnerable to Taunt and is less effective versus Magic Bounce users. Chatter is another Taunt-resistant disruption option for minimum Speed variants of Primal Kyogre to disrupt Pokemon receiving Substitute from faster Baton Pass users. Perish Song is an alternative to Whirlwind that puts Substitute + Baton Pass Magic Bounce users, which are immune to Whirlwind, on a timer. Magic Coat reflects sleep moves from Mold Breaker users, Parting Shot and Stealth Rock from -ate Speed users like Mega Abomasnow, and Sing, Gastro Acid, Taunt, and Spider Web from No Guard users. Parting Shot is an alternative to Baton Pass that fares worse against Magic Bounce users but better against Curse and Gastro Acid users. Finally, Primal Kyogre is also a decent user of Stealth Rock and other entry hazards, though its inability to threaten common Magic Bounce users means it requires greater team support.
Thanks to its sky-high Special Attack stat, Primal Kyogre can also run a decent Shell Smash + Wonder Guard set with an EV spread of 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe, a Modest nature, Judgment, and a Meadow Plate. Notably, Primal Kyogre's +2 Meadow Plate Judgment OHKOes standard Primal Groudon, allowing it to forgo its STAB move for additional coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass- and Electric-type Coverage**: Despite its impressive bulk, like any Wonder Guard user, Primal Kyogre is vulnerable to OHKOs from powerful foes carrying the right coverage, such as Petal Blizzard Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X and Grass Knot Protean Mega Latios. Additionally, Primal Kyogre's popularity as a Wonder Guard user means that most teams are prepared to face it, making such coverage moves more common. King's Shield variants of Primal Kyogre, however, can scout the aforementioned foes and somewhat mitigate the unfavorable matchup.
**Trick**: Unless it's holding Blue Orb, Trick users can saddle Primal Kyogre with a Choice item for the entirety of the match, forcing it to either use Baton Pass or relinquish momentum. Additionally, Poison-type Trick users like Mega Beedrill can Trick Primal Kyogre their Black Sludge, forcing Primal Kyogre to use Recover more often and making it easier to KO.
**Powerful Mold Breaker Users**: Despite Primal Kyogre's incredible bulk, Shell Smash + Mold Breaker users like Mega Gengar and Arceus can still break through it with decent sleep turn luck. Mold Breaker Mega Latios doesn't even need sleep or luck, as it can just power through Primal Kyogre's weaker Defense with Psystrike. In addition, if Primal Kyogre forgoes King's Shield, it's also forced out easily by Choice Band Mold Breaker users like Mega Rayquaza, and even by Shell Smash Primal Groudon if Primal Kyogre isn't fully healthy.
**Prankster Giratina**: Like is the case with most defensive Wonder Guard users, Prankster Giratina can come in on virtually every Primal Kyogre set and force it out with Encore or chip it with Will-O-Wisp. Giratina dislikes getting burned by Scald, however. Further, teammates running Huge Power + Pursuit, in particular Mega Gyarados and Mega Tyranitar, can discourage Giratina from switching in on Primal Kyogre.
**Offensive Shadow Tag Users**: If Primal Kyogre forgoes or loses its Shed Shell, it's very vulnerable to offensive Shadow Tag users. Baton Pass can mitigate this weakness to some extent, though never completely.
**Taunt**: Taunt forces out almost all variants of Primal Kyogre that forgo Scald. Even Scald variants find themselves unable to support their team versus Taunt users.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Daylight, 562267]]
- Quality checked by: [[Mbouchon, 515077], [berry, 226455]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
name: Wonder Guard Support
move 1: Scald / Baton Pass
move 2: Defog / Whirlwind
move 3: Aromatherapy / King's Shield
move 4: Recover / Wish
item: Shed Shell / Safety Goggles
ability: Wonder Guard
nature: Calm / Sassy
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Atk
in-battle alt: Primal
[SET COMMENTS]
Massive special bulk, pure Water typing, a flexible Speed tier, and forcing out metagame titan Primal Groudon make Primal Kyogre one of the format's best support Wonder Guard users. Scald is an extremely useful STAB move that OHKOes all variants of Primal Groudon and Mold Breaker Mega Diancie. Additionally, Scald's burn chance makes switching in risky for threats like physical Mega Rayquaza. Alternatively, since even the threat of Scald is good at forcing out Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre can forgo its STAB attack to provide pivoting support with Baton Pass. Defog and Aromatherapy are extremely valuable support options on the majority of team structures. However, if a teammate is carrying either one, Primal Kyogre can opt to use King's Shield or Whirlwind. The former gives Primal Kyogre a scouting tool and improves its matchup against physical Mold Breaker users such as Mega Rayquaza. Whirlwind, on the other hand, exploits Primal Kyogre being notoriously difficult for many special Mold Breaker users and powerful special coverage moves, excluding Protean Mega Latios's Grass Knot, to OHKO. Primal Kyogre can also use both Baton Pass and Scald by forgoing one of its standard utility moveslots, though this type of set is usually restricted to teams with room for multiple defensive Wonder Guard users. Finally, recovery is essential for Primal Kyogre to fill its role as a support Wonder Guard user effectively. Wish synergizes well with King's Shield and can support Primal Kyogre's teammates, but Recover is usually preferred for its immediacy and greater ease of use. A Calm nature and a specially defensive EV spread allow Primal Kyogre to tank hits from specially offensive Mold Breaker users like Mega Gengar and Mega Diancie, as well as scouting powerful special coverage moves from attackers such as Wonder Guard + Shell Smash Mega Gardevoir and Protean Mega Mewtwo Y. A physically defensive EV spread with a Bold nature is an equally viable option, however, as this set checks Primal Groudon with greater ease and offers better mixed bulk for scouting Pokemon, such as Mega Rayquaza, that can run both physical and special sets. A Sassy or Relaxed nature alongside 0 Speed IVs can be run on Baton Pass variants of Primal Kyogre to better bring teammates in safely. A Shed Shell is the preferred item to make Primal Kyogre more resilient versus Shadow Tag users. However, Safety Goggles can be used to make Primal Kyogre a harder check to Spore + Mold Breaker users; special ones such as Mega Gengar and Mega Diancie for specially defensive Primal Kyogre, or Primal Groudon and Mega Tyranitar for physically defensive sets.
The vast majority of team structures appreciate the utility that Primal Kyogre can provide. Notably, Primal Kyogre works very well alongside the popular Mold Breaker Primal Groudon + Wonder Guard Xerneas + Prankster Giratina core, defensively covering most offensive threats alongside Xerneas and Giratina. Giratina is a notable partner outside of this core as well, though, as it can easily switch into Huge Power- and Protean-boosted Grass- and Electric-type attacks aimed at Primal Kyogre. In return, specially defensive Primal Kyogre can soft check powerful Ghost- and Fairy-type attackers like Mega Gengar and Mega Diancie for Giratina, particularly if running Safety Goggles and Whirlwind. Primal Kyogre's vulnerability to Protean Mega Latios and Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X means it appreciates teammates that can force them out, such Pixilate Mega Diancie, Aerilate Mega Rayquaza, offensive Shadow Tag users such as Mega Mewtwo Y, and faster No Guard users like Mega Aerodactyl. In addition, those same teammates make excellent entry hazard setters, thus synergizing especially well with Whirlwind variants of Primal Kyogre. Many Choice Specs + Mold Breaker users—such as Mega Rayquaza and Mega Mewtwo Y—appreciate specially defensive Primal Kyogre efficiently Imposter-proofing them. On bulkier balance teams, Primal Kyogre can be run alongside another defensive Wonder Guard user—such as Cresselia, Mega Scizor, or Mega Audino—for more flexibility with both their movesets. Finally, Pursuit users such as Huge Power Mega Gyarados, Yveltal, and Mega Tyranitar are excellent teammates to pressure Giratina, Primal Kyogre's most common non-Wonder Guard switch-in.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An alternate EV spread of 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD with an Adamant nature and Water Shuriken can be used to revenge kill Shell Smash + Mold Breaker Primal Groudon and Mega Diancie at -1 Defense, but this has little other utility. A Chesto Berry alongside Whirlwind, Nuzzle, or Glare can make Primal Kyogre a safer check to Dark Void variants of Mold Breaker users like Mega Gengar and Mega Diancie, albeit only once. Blue Orb makes Primal Kyogre immune to Trick, reduces damage from Mold Breaker Knock Off, and helps it Imposter-proof Trick + Choice Specs Mold Breaker and Trick + Choice Scarf No Guard teammates. Leftovers allows Primal Kyogre to use Recover less frequently, potentially maintaining momentum for its team. However, sacrificing Shed Shell's resistance to Shadow Tag users makes Primal Kyogre more difficult to use.
Though Primal Kyogre already struggles with four-moveslot syndrome, it can nevertheless viably run a myriad of other support options. Nuzzle allows Primal Kyogre to disrupt the opposing team while also making it more resilient versus Taunt users. In addition, the most relevant Pokemon immune to the move—Primal Groudon—doesn't want to switch into Primal Kyogre. However, Nuzzle + Scald Primal Kyogre sets can make Imposter-proofing more difficult, as the two moves combined can disrupt virtually every non-Wonder Guard user. Glare is another paralysis option that does affect Primal Groudon, should that be necessary, but leaves Primal Kyogre more vulnerable to Taunt and is less effective versus Magic Bounce users. Chatter is another Taunt-resistant disruption option for minimum Speed variants of Primal Kyogre to disrupt Pokemon receiving Substitute from faster Baton Pass users. Perish Song is an alternative to Whirlwind that puts Substitute + Baton Pass Magic Bounce users, which are immune to Whirlwind, on a timer. Magic Coat reflects sleep moves from Mold Breaker users, Parting Shot and Stealth Rock from -ate Speed users like Mega Abomasnow, and Sing, Gastro Acid, Taunt, and Spider Web from No Guard users. Parting Shot is an alternative to Baton Pass that fares worse against Magic Bounce users but better against Curse and Gastro Acid users. Finally, Primal Kyogre is also a decent user of Stealth Rock and other entry hazards, though its inability to threaten common Magic Bounce users means it requires greater team support.
Thanks to its sky-high Special Attack stat, Primal Kyogre can also run a decent Shell Smash + Wonder Guard set with an EV spread of 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe, a Modest nature, Judgment, and a Meadow Plate. Notably, Primal Kyogre's +2 Meadow Plate Judgment OHKOes standard Primal Groudon, allowing it to forgo its STAB move for additional coverage.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass- and Electric-type Coverage**: Despite its impressive bulk, like any Wonder Guard user, Primal Kyogre is vulnerable to OHKOs from powerful foes carrying the right coverage, such as Petal Blizzard Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X and Grass Knot Protean Mega Latios. Additionally, Primal Kyogre's popularity as a Wonder Guard user means that most teams are prepared to face it, making such coverage moves more common. King's Shield variants of Primal Kyogre, however, can scout the aforementioned foes and somewhat mitigate the unfavorable matchup.
**Trick**: Unless it's holding Blue Orb, Trick users can saddle Primal Kyogre with a Choice item for the entirety of the match, forcing it to either use Baton Pass or relinquish momentum. Additionally, Poison-type Trick users like Mega Beedrill can Trick Primal Kyogre their Black Sludge, forcing Primal Kyogre to use Recover more often and making it easier to KO.
**Powerful Mold Breaker Users**: Despite Primal Kyogre's incredible bulk, Shell Smash + Mold Breaker users like Mega Gengar and Arceus can still break through it with decent sleep turn luck. Mold Breaker Mega Latios doesn't even need sleep or luck, as it can just power through Primal Kyogre's weaker Defense with Psystrike. In addition, if Primal Kyogre forgoes King's Shield, it's also forced out easily by Choice Band Mold Breaker users like Mega Rayquaza, and even by Shell Smash Primal Groudon if Primal Kyogre isn't fully healthy.
**Prankster Giratina**: Like is the case with most defensive Wonder Guard users, Prankster Giratina can come in on virtually every Primal Kyogre set and force it out with Encore or chip it with Will-O-Wisp. Giratina dislikes getting burned by Scald, however. Further, teammates running Huge Power + Pursuit, in particular Mega Gyarados and Mega Tyranitar, can discourage Giratina from switching in on Primal Kyogre.
**Offensive Shadow Tag Users**: If Primal Kyogre forgoes or loses its Shed Shell, it's very vulnerable to offensive Shadow Tag users. Baton Pass can mitigate this weakness to some extent, though never completely.
**Taunt**: Taunt forces out almost all variants of Primal Kyogre that forgo Scald. Even Scald variants find themselves unable to support their team versus Taunt users.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Daylight, 562267]]
- Quality checked by: [[Mbouchon, 515077], [berry, 226455]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
Last edited:
