[OVERVIEW]
Primarina has a solid niche as a powerful wallbreaker in the OU metagame, OHKOing or 2HKOing most of the tier when holding Choice Specs. Its Water / Fairy typing is extremely good offensively, and Primarina also has options to threaten the few Pokemon that resist its STAB moves. Furthermore, its special bulk and useful resistances to Dark, Water, Fighting, and Dragon allow it to act as an offensive check to a number of common threats, such as Ash-Greninja and Keldeo. However, Primarina's low physical bulk means it can't take any strong neutral physical hits, and its lackluster base 60 Speed makes it slower than most offensive threats. Primarina's typing also comes with weaknesses to Electric, Poison, and Grass, leaving it vulnerable to the likes of Tapu Koko, Gengar, and Mega Venusaur.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
item: Choice Specs
ability: Torrent
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is Primarina's most powerful move, and while it can be unreliable due to its accuracy, it is strong enough to 2HKO specially defensive Celesteela and Assault Vest Magearna. Moonblast provides good coverage along with Hydro Pump and can 2HKO Assault Vest Tangrowth, a notable threat to most offensive Water-types. The last two moves are used to hit Pokemon that resist Primarina's STAB combination. Psychic 2HKOes Poison-types such as Amoonguss, Toxapex, and Mega Venusaur, and Hidden Power Fire has a chance to OHKO Ferrothorn, which can otherwise stop Primarina completely. Scald can be used over Hidden Power Fire if Ferrothorn isn't a concern, providing a more reliable Water-type move with a good chance to burn switch-ins.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment maximizes Primarina's damage output, and a Modest nature is chosen over Timid to guarantee the 2HKO on Assault Vest Tangrowth with Moonblast after Stealth Rock. Maximum Speed allows Primarina to outspeed uninvested Mega Scizor, Rotom-W, and Mega Venusaur and also maximum Speed Mega Mawile and Alolan Marowak. Torrent is the only ability available to Primarina, powering up its Hydro Pump when it's at low HP. Choice Specs boosts Primarina's wallbreaking potential, and since its STAB moves are very spammable, being locked into moves doesn't hurt it too much.
Usage Tips
========
Primarina functions as an early- and mid-game wallbreaker, weakening the opposing team to help its teammates clean up later. Primarina should spam its STAB moves most of the time, since they can do decent damage to most switch-ins; it should only use its coverage moves if you predict a switch to a Pokemon like Toxapex or Ferrothorn. Primarina can check the likes of non-Gunk Shot Greninja, Ash-Greninja, and Keldeo, but be careful of repeatedly switching in, since it has no recovery and is easily worn down.
Team Options
========
Other Water-types such as Greninja, Mega Sharpedo, and Keldeo can form a Water-type spam core with Primarina, working together to wear down their checks. Cleaners such as Tapu Koko and Mega Alakazam also enjoy having the opposing team weakened. Primarina appreciates Pokemon that can remove Grass-types, such as Mega Charizard X and the aforementioned Mega Alakazam, while checks to Electric-types, such as Ferrothorn and Tangrowth, are good defensive partners. Ferrothorn also benefits from Primarina's resistances to Fighting and Fire while providing entry hazard support. Since Primarina can be worn down easily, U-turn support from the likes of Greninja and Mega Scizor is also appreciated.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Primarina has access to other coverage options such as Ice Beam and Energy Ball, but it usually has no room for them, and their targets are already 2HKOed by Moonblast. Its signature move, Sparkling Aria, can hit through Substitutes while having perfect accuracy, but the power of Hydro Pump is usually preferred. Defensive sets might seem viable because of Primarina's bulk, but its lack of support moves and recovery makes such sets lackluster and outclassed by Tapu Fini.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass- and Poison-types**: Toxapex, Ferrothorn, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur need to be hit on the switch with the appropriate coverage move; otherwise, they can easily take Primarina's moves and force it out. Tangrowth can be 2HKOed by Moonblast but can switch into any other move with ease. The likes of Serperior, Tapu Bulu, Nihilego, and Gengar cannot switch in safely, but they can also threaten Primarina once they are in.
**Electric-types**: Although they cannot switch in directly, Tapu Koko and Thundurus can easily OHKO Primarina with their STAB attacks. Magnezone can take a Moonblast and force Primarina out.
**Chansey**: Chansey can easily take anything Primarina throws at it, simply healing any damage it takes and wearing Primarina down with Seismic Toss.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Primarina's mediocre physical bulk means it cannot stay in on strong physical attackers such as Mega Medicham and Mega Pinsir.
Primarina has a solid niche as a powerful wallbreaker in the OU metagame, OHKOing or 2HKOing most of the tier when holding Choice Specs. Its Water / Fairy typing is extremely good offensively, and Primarina also has options to threaten the few Pokemon that resist its STAB moves. Furthermore, its special bulk and useful resistances to Dark, Water, Fighting, and Dragon allow it to act as an offensive check to a number of common threats, such as Ash-Greninja and Keldeo. However, Primarina's low physical bulk means it can't take any strong neutral physical hits, and its lackluster base 60 Speed makes it slower than most offensive threats. Primarina's typing also comes with weaknesses to Electric, Poison, and Grass, leaving it vulnerable to the likes of Tapu Koko, Gengar, and Mega Venusaur.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
item: Choice Specs
ability: Torrent
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is Primarina's most powerful move, and while it can be unreliable due to its accuracy, it is strong enough to 2HKO specially defensive Celesteela and Assault Vest Magearna. Moonblast provides good coverage along with Hydro Pump and can 2HKO Assault Vest Tangrowth, a notable threat to most offensive Water-types. The last two moves are used to hit Pokemon that resist Primarina's STAB combination. Psychic 2HKOes Poison-types such as Amoonguss, Toxapex, and Mega Venusaur, and Hidden Power Fire has a chance to OHKO Ferrothorn, which can otherwise stop Primarina completely. Scald can be used over Hidden Power Fire if Ferrothorn isn't a concern, providing a more reliable Water-type move with a good chance to burn switch-ins.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment maximizes Primarina's damage output, and a Modest nature is chosen over Timid to guarantee the 2HKO on Assault Vest Tangrowth with Moonblast after Stealth Rock. Maximum Speed allows Primarina to outspeed uninvested Mega Scizor, Rotom-W, and Mega Venusaur and also maximum Speed Mega Mawile and Alolan Marowak. Torrent is the only ability available to Primarina, powering up its Hydro Pump when it's at low HP. Choice Specs boosts Primarina's wallbreaking potential, and since its STAB moves are very spammable, being locked into moves doesn't hurt it too much.
Usage Tips
========
Primarina functions as an early- and mid-game wallbreaker, weakening the opposing team to help its teammates clean up later. Primarina should spam its STAB moves most of the time, since they can do decent damage to most switch-ins; it should only use its coverage moves if you predict a switch to a Pokemon like Toxapex or Ferrothorn. Primarina can check the likes of non-Gunk Shot Greninja, Ash-Greninja, and Keldeo, but be careful of repeatedly switching in, since it has no recovery and is easily worn down.
Team Options
========
Other Water-types such as Greninja, Mega Sharpedo, and Keldeo can form a Water-type spam core with Primarina, working together to wear down their checks. Cleaners such as Tapu Koko and Mega Alakazam also enjoy having the opposing team weakened. Primarina appreciates Pokemon that can remove Grass-types, such as Mega Charizard X and the aforementioned Mega Alakazam, while checks to Electric-types, such as Ferrothorn and Tangrowth, are good defensive partners. Ferrothorn also benefits from Primarina's resistances to Fighting and Fire while providing entry hazard support. Since Primarina can be worn down easily, U-turn support from the likes of Greninja and Mega Scizor is also appreciated.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Primarina has access to other coverage options such as Ice Beam and Energy Ball, but it usually has no room for them, and their targets are already 2HKOed by Moonblast. Its signature move, Sparkling Aria, can hit through Substitutes while having perfect accuracy, but the power of Hydro Pump is usually preferred. Defensive sets might seem viable because of Primarina's bulk, but its lack of support moves and recovery makes such sets lackluster and outclassed by Tapu Fini.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass- and Poison-types**: Toxapex, Ferrothorn, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur need to be hit on the switch with the appropriate coverage move; otherwise, they can easily take Primarina's moves and force it out. Tangrowth can be 2HKOed by Moonblast but can switch into any other move with ease. The likes of Serperior, Tapu Bulu, Nihilego, and Gengar cannot switch in safely, but they can also threaten Primarina once they are in.
**Electric-types**: Although they cannot switch in directly, Tapu Koko and Thundurus can easily OHKO Primarina with their STAB attacks. Magnezone can take a Moonblast and force Primarina out.
**Chansey**: Chansey can easily take anything Primarina throws at it, simply healing any damage it takes and wearing Primarina down with Seismic Toss.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Primarina's mediocre physical bulk means it cannot stay in on strong physical attackers such as Mega Medicham and Mega Pinsir.
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