UU Primarina

[Amaroq]

Primarina

QC: [3/3]
GP: [1/1]

[OVERVIEW]

* Strong offensive stats, a great offensive typing, and an excellent movepool allow Primarina to serve as a dangerous wallbreaker.
* A good defensive typing and nice natural bulk enable Primarina to find opportunities to switch in or to survive a hit from faster Pokemon and retaliate.
* Primarina's typing provides it with valuable resistances and a small number of weaknesses.
* Primarina is held back by its Defense and Speed and lacks the ability to boost its stats in a meaningful way.

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Scald / Energy Ball
item: Choice Specs
ability: Torrent
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Hydro Pump is Primarina's strongest available STAB move with no significant drawbacks other than its accuracy.
* Moonblast is its secondary STAB move and balances power and accuracy.
* Psychic hits Amoonguss and Tentacruel.
* Scald is a more reliable Water-type STAB move and can also be used to fish for burns.
* Energy Ball hits Empoleon neutrally and allows Primarina to win against Slowbro and Suicune if it switches in as they use Calm Mind.

Set Details
========

* Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment and Choice Specs allow Primarina to maximize its wallbreaking potential.
* A Timid nature allows Primarina to outspeed everything up to neutral-natured base 70s like Adamant Scizor and Bisharp whereas a Modest one maximizes damage.
* Torrent boosts the power of Primarina's Water-type STAB moves when it's at 1/3 of its maximum HP or lower.
* Primarina's defensive typing and natural bulk allow it to survive a large number of attacks and retaliate with a Torrent-boosted STAB move.

Usage Tips
========

* Use Primarina as an early- or mid-game wallbreaker.
* Take advantage of slow, bulky Pokemon that are threatened by Primarina's STAB moves.
* Primarina has the bulk to take a neutral hit or two in order to remove a threat.
* Utilize Primarina's typing to create switch-in opportunities.

Team Options
========

* Pokemon that can provide entry hazard support help Primarina break walls more effectively.
* Fighting-types can pressure special walls like Blissey and Empoleon. Cobalion resists Grass-type attacks, is immune to Poison-type attacks, and can break through Empoleon and Blissey with STAB Close Combat, while Primarina can lure Tentacruel with Psychic. Infernape can threaten Blissey and Empoleon and also snatch momentum for its team with U-turn, allowing Primarina to switch in freely.
* Dragon-types have good typing synergy with Primarina, resisting Electric- and Grass-type attacks, while Primarina resists Ice-type attacks and is immune to Dragon-type ones. Hydreigon can lure Blissey and Empoleon with Superpower.
* Steel-types cover Primarina's weaknesses to Poison- and Grass-type attacks, while Primarina can handle the Fire- and Fighting-type Pokemon that threaten Steel-types. Choice Band Scizor can provide Primarina with a safe switch via U-turn, threaten Primarina's counters with the appropriate move—Superpower for Blissey and Empoleon, Knock Off for Tentacruel, and U-turn for Amoonguss—and revenge kill faster Primarina checks like Gengar and Mega Aerodactyl. Klefki can provide Spikes support and use Thunder Wave to paralyze faster threats.
* Ground-types like Hippowdon, Krookodile, and Gliscor can take on Electric-types for Primarina.
* U-turn and Volt Switch support helps Primarina switch in more safely. Scizor, Mienshao, Hydreigon, Infernape, and Raikou all make good teammates that can grab momentum and provide Primarina with free switches.
* Primarina is susceptible to all entry hazards. Teammates that can provide entry hazard control in the form of Rapid Spin or Defog can ease pressure on Primarina and improve its longevity. Latias resists Grass- and Electric-type moves and appreciates Primarina's ability to switch into Ice-type attacks. Tsareena also resists Grass- and Electric-type moves, can remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin, and can take on physical attackers, but it shares a Poison-type weakness with Primarina.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

* Ice Beam hits Grass-types harder than a neutral Moonblast and covers Amoonguss, which resists Moonblast.
* Rest + Sleep Talk and a defensive EV spread can be used to take advantage of Primarina's defensive typing and natural bulk.
* Primarina's support movepool contains moves such as Toxic, Protect, and Encore, but other bulky Water-types tend to offer more utility.
* Sparkling Aria hits through Substitutes but requires the user to give up a move that has more consistent value.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Blissey**: Blissey is the bulkiest special wall in UU and takes a maximum of 37% from a Choice Specs Hydro Pump, although Hydro Pump has a chance to 2HKO if Primarina is in Torrent range. It can then recover off of the damage and then wear Primarina down with Toxic or Seismic Toss.

**Empoleon**: Empoleon resists both of Primarina's STAB moves and takes neutral damage from Energy Ball.

**Tentacruel**: Tentacruel has high Special Defense and resists both of Primarina's STAB moves but must be careful of Psychic.

**Amoonguss**: Amoonguss resists both of Primarina's STAB moves and can threaten Primarina with its STAB moves and Spore but must be wary of Psychic and Ice Beam.

**Venusaur**: Like Amoonguss, Venusaur resists both of Primarina's STAB moves but must avoid Psychic and Ice Beam. Venusaur has more offensive presence than Amoonguss and can set up on Primarina or force it out with powerful STAB attacks.

**Volcanion**: Volcanion resists both of Primarina's STAB moves but is weak to Stealth Rock and requires Sludge Wave, Bloom Doom, or a status move to do anything meaningful back.

**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Primarina's physical bulk is unimpressive, and its Speed tier leaves it prone to revenge killing. Pokemon like Raikou, Gengar, Magneton, and Celebi can force Primarina out with the threat of their super effective STAB moves, while strong physical attackers like Mega Aerodactyl, Krookodile, and Decidueye can revenge kill it with some prior damage.

 

[Bouff]

talked about this in discord call literally right now but ya this is good. qc 1/3

 

[Ark]

This already looks pretty good so most of what I'll be doing here is borderline nitpicking, excuses.

• I don't think you should mention Energy Ball on the main set, and would put it in OO; I used to use it, and replaced it, as I never had any reason to click it.
• Mention that Ice Beam still hits Amoonguss.
• In Team Options, mention Klefki as it can provide Spike support and Thunder Wave faster Pokemon for it.
• Add Ground-types to Team Options as they take on Electrics for Primarina.
• Mention Venusaur in Checks and Counters.
• Slash Ice Beam when you say that Amoonguss must be wary of Psychic.

qc 2/3

 

[Highways]

So, I'm not QC but I'll say some things oo

• Remove Tentacruel, Amonguss and Venusaur from C&C and add a "Poison-types" section, as they're basically the only viable Poison-types in the tier.
• I think that Modest should be slashed before Timid, as hitting harder is, imo, better than outspeeding a small portion of the metagame.
• If you really want to keep Timid before Modest, mention it before Modest in Set Deatils.
• You said that Hydro Pump has no significant drawback, but it has: its Accuracy.
• I'd not say that Primarina switches in Dark-type attacks (last paragraph of team options), mostly because the most relevant Dark-types (Bisharp, Mega Shark, Hydreigon and Krook) have secondary STABs/coverage moves/U-turn to deal with Primarina.
• Mention Tsareena aside Latias in hazard removal, as it resists Grass and Electric too.

That's it :)

 

[dodmen]

So I talked with Pearl about the moves and we think it should be

Hydro Pump
Moonblast
Psychic
Scald / Energy Ball

with Ice Beam in OO. Ice Beam does hit Grass types harder than Moonblast, but it's not really worth predicting usually when Moonblast does 80+ to offensive Grasses anyway. On the other hand, Psychic is basically mandatory to hit Tentacruel, and it also hits Amoong/Tentacruel so you really don't need Ice Beam. The last move is usually Scald for an accurate move vs Scizor and whatnot, but EBall 1v1s CM Slowbro and Suicune if you switch in on CM so that could be useful if the team is weak to those.

Timid before Modest is good, Highway's thing about Dark type attacks should be changed. I'm fine with keeping the Poison types separate since there's also Crobat both Nidos and Gengar which aren't checks so yeah. 3/3 after that, good work!

 

[Hogg]

Just a quick note, it looks like you still have Ice Beam slashed instead of Energy Ball in the last moveslot. I assume this is just an oversight, since the set description references EBall. If not, I'd rather see this changed before it moves forward to GP.

EDIT: Looks like you just edited it, so this should be good to go!

 

[dhelmise]

Hide

[OVERVIEW]

* Strong offensive stats, a great offensive typing, and an excellent movepool allow Primarina to serve as a dangerous wallbreaker. (AP)
* A good defensive typing and nice natural bulk enable Primarina to find opportunities to switch in or to survive a hit from a faster Pokemon and retaliate. (AP)
* It has valuable resistances and a small number of weaknesses. (AP)
* It's held back by its Defense and Speed. (AP)
* It lacks the ability to boost its stats in a meaningful way. (AP)

[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Scald / Energy Ball
item: Choice Specs
ability: Torrent
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Hydro Pump is the Primarina's strongest available STAB move with no significant drawback, (RC) drawbacks other than its accuracy. (AP)
* Moonblast is the its secondary STAB move and balances power and accuracy. (AP)
* Scald is a more reliable Water-type STAB move and can also be used to fish for burns.
* Psychic hits Amoonguss and Tentacruel. (AP)
* Scald is a more reliable Water-type STAB move and can also be used to fish for burns. (match order of moves)
* Energy Ball hits Empoleon neutrally and allows Primarina to win against Slowbro and Suicune if it switches in as they use Calm Mind.

Set Details
========

* Full offensive Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment and Choice Specs allow Primarina to maximize its wallbreaking potential. (AP)
* A Timid nature outspeeds allows Primarina to outspeed everything up to neutral-natured base 70s like Adamant Scizor and Bisharp (ex. Adamant Scizor, Adamant Bisharp, etc.), while whereas a Modest one maximizes damage. (AP)
* Torrent boosts the power of Primarina's Water-type STAB moves when it's below at 1/3 of its maximum HP or lower.
* Primarina's defensive typing and natural bulk allow Primarina it to survive a large number of attacks and retaliate with a Torrent-boosted STAB move. (AP)

Usage Tips
========

* Use Primarina as an early- or mid-game wallbreaker. (AP)
* Take advantage of slow, bulky Pokemon that are threatened by Primarina's STABs STAB moves. (AP)
* Primarina has the bulk to take a neutral hit or two in order to remove a threat. (AP)
* Utilize Primarina's typing to create switch-in opportunities. (AP)

Team Options
========

* Pokemon that can provide entry hazard support help Primarina break walls more effectively. (AP)
* Fighting-types can pressure special walls like Blissey and Empoleon. Cobalion resists Grass-type attacks, is immune to Poison-type attacks, and can break through Empoleon and Blissey with STAB Close Combat, while Primarina can lure Tentacruel with Psychic. Infernape can threaten Blissey and Empoleon and also snatch momentum for its team with U-turn, allowing Primarina to switch in freely.
* Dragons Dragon-types have good typing synergy with Primarina, resisting Electric- and Grass-type attacks, while Primarina resists Dragon- and Ice-type attacks and is immune to Dragon-type ones. Hydreigon can lure Blissey and Empoleon with Superpower.
* Steel-types cover Primarina's weaknesses to Poison- and Grass-type attacks, while Primarina can handle the Fire-type and Fighting-type Pokemon that threaten Steel-types. Choice Band Scizor can provide Primarina with a safe switch in (RH) through via U-turn, threaten Primarina's counters with the appropriate move—(Superpower for Blissey and Empoleon, Knock Off for Tentacruel, and U-turn for Amoonguss),—and revenge kill faster Primarina checks like Gengar and Mega Aerodactyl. Klefki can provide Spikes support and use Thunder Wave to paralyze faster threats.
* Ground-types (like?) can take on Electric-types for Primarina. (AP)
* U-turn or and Volt Switch support helps Primarina switch in more safely. Scizor, Mienshao, Hydreigon, Infernape, and Raikou all make good teammates that can grab momentum and provide Primarina with free switch-ins switches.
* Primarina is susceptible to all entry hazards. Teammates that can provide entry hazard control in the form of Rapid Spin or Defog can ease pressure on Primarina and improve its longevity. Latias resists Grass- and Electric-type moves and appreciates Primarina's ability to switch into Ice-type attacks. Tsareena also resists Grass- and Electric-type moves, can remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin, and can take on physical attackers, but it shares a Poison-type weakness with Primarina.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

* Ice Beam hits Grass-types harder than a neutral Moonblast and covers Amoonguss, which resists Moonblast. (AP)
* Rest + Sleep Talk and a defensive EV spread can be used to take advantage of Primarina's defensive typing and natural bulk. (AP)
* Primarina's support movepool contains moves such as Toxic, Protect, and Encore, but other bulky Water-types tend to offer more utility. (AP)
* Sparkling Aria hits through Substitutes, (RC) but requires the user to give up a move that has more consistent value. (AP)

Checks and Counters
===================

**Blissey**: Blissey is the bulkiest special wall in UU and takes a maximum of 37% from a Choice Specs Hydro Pump, (AC) (although Hydro Pump has a chance to 2HKO if Primarina is in Torrent range). It can then recover off of the damage and then wear Primarina down with Toxic or Seismic Toss.

**Empoleon**: Empoleon resists both of Primarina's STAB moves and takes neutral damage from Energy Ball.

**Tentacruel**: Tentacruel has high Special Defense and resists both of Primarina's STABs, (RC) STAB moves but must be careful of Psychic.

**Amoonguss**: Amoonguss resists both of Primarina's STABs STAB moves and can threaten Primarina with its STAB moves and Spore, (RC) but must be wary of Psychic and Ice Beam.

**Venusaur**: Like Amoonguss, Venusaur resists both of Primarina's STABs, (RC) STAB moves but must avoid Psychic and Ice Beam. Venusaur has more offensive presence than Amoonguss and can set up on Primarina or force it out with powerful STAB attacks.

**Volcanion**: Volcanion resists both of Primarina's STABs, (RC) STAB moves but is weak to Stealth Rock and requires Sludge Wave, Bloom Doom, or a status move to do anything meaningful back.

**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Primarina's physical bulk is unimpressive, and its Speed tier leaves it prone to revenge killing. Pokemon like Raikou, Gengar, Magneton, and Celebi can force Primarina out with the threat of their super effective STAB moves, while strong physical attackers like Mega Aerodactyl, Krookodile, and Decidueye can revenge kill it with some prior damage.

GP 1/1
sorry for taking forever

 

[dhelmise]

hey jsyk Amaroq you might wanna double check everything because i see a lot of (AP)s that weren't deleted

 

[Amaroq]

Fixed. I'm competent, I promise.