[SET]
name: Choice Band + Mold Breaker
move 1: V-create
move 2: Thousand Arrows
move 3: Beat Up / Precipice Blades / Knock Off / Trick
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Band
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
in-battle alt: Primal
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Band + Mold Breaker Primal Groudon is one of the most powerful Choice item attackers in the metagame due to its incredible STAB moves, great defensive typing, immunity to burns, and amazing bulk. V-create is a ludicrously powerful STAB move that threatens the entirety of the unresisted metagame, notably OHKOing physically defensive Wonder Guard Slaking, Arceus, Mega Audino, and Cresselia after Stealth Rock. In contrast, Thousand Arrows is a virtually unresisted STAB move that is more spammable than V-create thanks to having no drawbacks, freely threatening slower Pokemon, such as Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard Xerneas and Wonder Guard Mega Scizor, alongside paralyzed offensive Pokemon, like opposing Primal Groudon, chipped Mold Breaker Mega Rayquaza, slightly damaged Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Mega Gengar. Beat Up is a great coverage option to heavily damage Prankster Giratina and the rare Mega Slowbro, which would ordinarily switch in on Choice Band Primal Groudon. Alternatively, Precipice Blades still 2HKOes Giratina while also threatening non-Flying-types much more effectively than Beat Up; however, opposing Prankster Giratina has a good chance to successfully fish for a miss by repeatedly using Recover. Knock Off item removal can be useful when forcing mind games, especially against defensive Wonder Guard users running Shed Shell when running a Shadow Tag teammate, and it still threatens Magic Bounce Giratina if Giratina has an intact item and even slight chip damage. Trick is a great option to incapacitate Prankster Giratina, supporting offensive and Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard teammates by shutting down their largest counter. U-turn allows Primal Groudon to retain momentum for its team, as well as continually forcing chip damage against its main check in Giratina. Primal Groudon outspeeds most relevant threats without Speed investment at +2, and the extra HP investment helps it survive -ate Speed from users like Abomasnow.
Primal Groudon works best on bulky offense teams, which appreciate its ability to force coinflip scenarios against slower teams and create momentum for offensive teammates. Prankster Giratina benefits Primal Groudon greatly by Imposter-proofing it thanks to its massive physical bulk and V-create resistance. Since opposing Prankster Giratina is Primal Groudon's most common switch-in, Huge Power Dark-types that can remove it with Pursuit, such as Mega Gyarados, Mega Tyranitar, and Yveltal, are valuable partners for it; they can also heavily damage most Choice item + Shadow Tag users, which pick a weakened Primal Groudon off. In particular, Mega Gyarados is great, as it can also switch into an opposing Shell Smash Primal Groudon if healthy and force it out with Water Shuriken. Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard users allow Primal Groudon to come in safely with a Substitute, helping it beat offensive Pokemon like opposing Primal Groudon and Protean Mega Latios one-on-one. In particular, Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard Xerneas has great utility in forcing Prankster Giratina and most Magic Bounce users out with Moonblast, and it can run a diverse array of support options in its filler moveslot, such as Stealth Rock, Defog, Aromatherapy, paralysis support in Glare, Dark Void, Taunt, and even Wish or Shell Smash support for Primal Groudon. Special Mold Breaker users, especially more powerful ones like Mega Latios, Mega Diancie, Choice Specs Mega Rayquaza, and Dialga, can force Giratina out after Primal Groudon uses U-turn. Paralysis support from the likes of Prankster Giratina, as well as select support Wonder Guard users, can make Primal Groudon even more threatening by providing free turns. Also, Primal Groudon can force out paralyzed offensive threats like Mega Gengar, Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Mewtwo Y lacking a Choice Scarf, Mega Latios, and special Mega Rayquaza. Shadow Tag users can work well with Knock Off Primal Groudon, as the likes of Wonder Guard Primal Kyogre and bulky Gastro Acid + Wonder Guard users like Arceus are secondary switch-ins to it. Entry hazard setters, such as Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard users, defensive Wonder Guard users, and bulky Mold Breaker teammates, can bolster Primal Groudon's offensive prowess, as the additional chip damage from Stealth Rock affects Primal Groudon's KO rolls in a wide variety of instances. Defensive Wonder Guard users can provide Defog and Aromatherapy support, keeping Primal Groudon healthy over the course of a game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mold Breaker + Shell Smash Primal Groudon can use Glare, Nuzzle, or Thunder Wave as disruption, as once opposing Giratina suffers full paralysis, Primal Groudon usually grabs a KO; however, running paralysis makes proper Imposter-proofing more difficult. Sheer Cold is another option; while it is inherently luck-dependent, across a game it has a good chance of eliminating opposing Giratina, making Shell Smash Primal Groudon much more threatening for the rest of the game. Precipice Blades and Diamond Storm are fringe options on its last two moveslots. Having a stronger Ground-type STAB move allows Primal Groudon to OHKO Mega Tyranitar and Primal Groudon after Stealth Rock, and Primal Kyogre, Xerneas, and offensive Arceus after Shell Smash. However, the additional utility gained from having two support moves makes running these moves not worth it most of the time. Sacred Fire is an option over King's Shield or V-create, spreading burns against offensive switch-ins and OHKOing Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard Xerneas after a Shell Smash, but it does not synergize well with Spore or Dark Void and only slightly helps against opposing Giratina. U-turn can be used for Shell Smash Primal Groudon to force opposing Giratina in and retain momentum, taking advantage of Thousand Arrows's virtually-perfect coverage and Primal Groudon's incredible offensive prowess even when unboosted; it also 2HKOes Huge Power Mega Gyarados, a popular switch-in. However, without a teammate that can handle and punish Giratina, especially a Huge Power Dark-types like Mega Gyarados, Mega Tyranitar, or Yveltal, Primal Groudon still has trouble breaking through Giratina. Running Knock Off allows boosted Shell Smash Primal Groudon to threaten Giratina lacking Griseous Orb more, and it synergizes well with Spore by removing Safety Goggles; however, this leaves Primal Groudon exceptionally difficult to Imposter-proof. Safety Goggles allows Primal Groudon to win one-on-one against Mega Gengar, Mold Breaker Arceus, and Dialga running Spore, and it blocks Spore from Prankster Giratina, but it usually isn't worthwhile over Lum Berry. Earth Plate is a fringe option to OHKO opposing Primal Groudon not running bulk investment with Thousand Arrows; Life Orb lets Primal Groudon do the same and OHKO bulky Primal Groudon variants after Stealth Rock. However, running an item that aids Shell Smash Primal Groudon's longevity, such as Leftovers, aids its sweep, like Mental Herb, or removes status, like Lum Berry, is usually more worthwhile. Shell Smash Primal Groudon can invest more in Speed at the cost of bulk; 56 Speed EVs outspeed Choice Scarf Shadow Tag Primal Groudon after a Shell Smash, 148 Speed EVs outspeed Deoxys-S after a boost, and maximum Speed investment (with an Adamant nature) outspeeds Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Gengar, and Mega Manectric after a Shell Smash and V-create.
Choice Band + Mold Breaker Primal Groudon has nearly as much set versatility as Shell Smash + Mold Breaker Primal Groudon does. Sacred Fire can be run to provide burn support over multiple uses, which is especially important because Primal Groudon can slowly wear burned Prankster Giratina down with Thousand Arrows if it lacks Leftovers; it is also a powerful STAB move in its own right, being a near-guaranteed 2HKO against Wonder Guard Cresselia, Slaking, and Arceus while 2HKOing Mega Audino. Extreme Speed is an option to pick off frailer weakened foes such as Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Shell Smash Mega Latios lacking King's Shield, but often isn't worth it due to being unreliable against healthy foes and having the opportunity cost of forgoing coverage or support. Water Shuriken specifically targets Shell Smash Primal Groudon and Mold Breaker Mega Diancie, as well as weakened Choice Band Primal Groudon and Mold Breaker Mega Tyranitar, though it's difficult to justify using, as it's nigh-useless otherwise. Diamond Storm can OHKO standard Mega Rayquaza, Yveltal, and Ho-Oh, but Thousand Arrows usually hits hard enough with a Choice Band, especially with Stealth Rock support, that running Diamond Storm isn't necessary. Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes can be useful when forcing Giratina in, but they are momentum sinks, especially when Choice Band on Primal Groudon is revealed. Recover can also be used on the switch, greatly helping Primal Groudon's longevity, but it is much more difficult to use against a team with Shadow Tag users, and the opportunity cost of not running coverage or support is high. Glare and Nuzzle can paralyze opposing Giratina when it comes in, forcing mind games and luck gambles the next time Primal Groudon comes in. Alternative EV spreads of 232 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 20 Spe, 180 HP / 252 Atk / 76 Spe, and 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe with an Adamant nature can be run. The first spread outspeeds standard Shell Smash Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, Mega Tyranitar, and Dialga, the second outspeeds uninvested Yveltal and Xerneas, and the final one outspeeds Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Mewtwo X, and Mega Gengar after Sticky Web. However, even when running the first spread, it's quite risky to stay in against Pokemon Primal Groudon is meant to outspeed when it's weakened, and the other two spreads lose out on bulk. A Jolly nature could be run with 252 Speed EVs to outspeed all Shell Smash Primal Groudon and Dialga variants, Mold Breaker Xerneas, and slower Mega Latios spreads, but it also misses out on bulk and fails to reliably OHKO opposing Wonder Guard Slaking, Arceus, Cresselia, and Mega Audino after Stealth Rock.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Prankster Giratina**: Prankster Giratina can check Primal Groudon well in tandem with a revenge killer that threatens Primal Groudon, especially when running Safety Goggles. It can then severely diminish Primal Groudon's offensive presence with Glare, force Shell Smash sweeper variants out with Encore, or predict a switch and chip opposing switch-ins with Curse. Additionally, niche Haze sets cannot be PP stalled by Shell Smash like Encore variants, though they have a much more difficult time checking special Mold Breaker users, which threaten Giratina unboosted. However, Shell Smash Primal Groudon running Dark Void can power through Giratina, and Choice Band + Mold Breaker variants running Beat Up can gash it after a single prediction, so running Prankster Giratina as the only check isn't recommended.
**Imposter users**: Due to its general reliance on Thousand Arrows, Shell Smash + Mold Breaker Primal Groudon is notoriously difficult to Imposter-proof. Without an exceptionally powerful revenge killer such as Huge Power Mega Gyarados or a healthy Prankster Giratina, opposing Imposter users can make progress and potentially countersweep; however, teams running Dark Void Primal Groudon in particular are especially susceptible to Imposter countersweeps, even with a healthy Giratina. Eviolite Imposter users are especially difficult for Mold Breaker + Shell Smash Primal Groudon to deal with, as despite having to win a Speed tie if Primal Groudon stays in, they can force a switch into Giratina, which is very passive and drains momentum. Choice Scarf Imposter users are slightly more manageable, as they are stuck using Thousand Arrows or V-create, but are still very threatening nonetheless. However, even Choice Scarf + Imposter Chansey is 2HKOed by Choice Band Primal Groudon's Thousand Arrows, so Choice Scarf Imposter users cannot switch in reliably.
**Huge Power Mega Gyarados**: Mega Gyarados is bulky enough to come in on unboosted Primal Groudon, and it can force coinflip scenarios with Water Shuriken and a Huge Power-boosted Pursuit; however, this mind game is somewhat eased if Mold Breaker + Shell Smash Primal Groudon runs King's Shield, and Mega Gyarados is incentivized to use Water Shuriken, as Primal Groudon staying in on Pursuit would prove disastrous. Additionally, Water Shuriken requires three hits to KO healthy unboosted Primal Groudon running standard EV spreads, assuming Mega Gyarados isn't running a boosting item. Therefore, even when a correct prediction is done, Primal Groudon can maybe heavily damage Mega Gyarados, and remove heavily damaged ones, with Thousand Arrows.
**Other Revenge Killers**: Other revenge killers can also threaten Primal Groudon, though they struggle to do so to the same extent as Mega Gyarados. Although they dislike switching into Mold Breaker + Shell Smash Primal Groudon multiple times, Refrigerate Mega Abomasnow and Kyurem-B, Aerilate or Gale Wings Mega Rayquaza, and Huge Power Slaking or Regigigas running Water Shuriken can force unboosted Primal Groudon out if healthy. However, all but Mega Abomasnow and special Gale Wings Mega Rayquaza, and Slaking or Regigigas with Water Shuriken and a boosting item, will fail to reliably force out boosted Mold Breaker + Shell Smash Primal Groudon with King's Shield. Also, only Gale Wings Mega Rayquaza can reliably come in on Choice Band Primal Groudon if healthy. Some Choice Scarf + No Guard users, like Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Aerodactyl, and Deoxys-S, outspeed any Primal Groudon even after a Shell Smash, so they can reliably force Primal Groudon out after coming in on a prediction, with pivoting support, or after a teammate has fainted. However, weakened Choice Scarf + No Guard users can fall to rare Choice Band + Mold Breaker variants running Extreme Speed. Additionally, Choice Scarf + Shadow Tag users, like Mega Rayquaza and Mega Mewtwo Y, can outspeed Choice Band + Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, as well as slower Shell Smash Primal Groudon sets even after a boost, and OHKO with a special Water-type move. Choice Band + Shadow Tag Mega Mewtwo X running Precipice Blades can also remove Choice Band Primal Groudon sets, as well as revenge killling unboosted Shell Smash Primal Groudon, with minimal chip damage.
**Faster Hard Hitters**: In a one-on-one scenario, faster Pokemon that are sufficiently strong, such as Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X, Protean Mega Latios, and Choice Specs Mega Mewtwo Y or Mega Rayquaza, can force Primal Groudon out. While a healthy Mold Breaker Primal Groudon can switch into and threaten offensive Wonder Guard users, some Shell Smash + Wonder Guard users, such as Xerneas or Mega Gardevoir running Earth Power and Mega Lucario, can reliably OHKO Primal Groudon after a Shell Smash. Wonder Guard Mega Gardevoir running Grass Knot or Spooky Plate + Judgment will still OHKO even bulky Primal Groudon variants after a Shell Smash and Stealth Rock.
**Water-type Coverage**: Pokemon that Primal Groudon often switches in on, like Xerneas, Wonder Guard Mega Mewtwo Y, and Mega Manectric, can run Water-type moves to catch it off guard and OHKO it; however, they are largely circumvented by running Substitute + Baton Pass support and adequately scouting for such moves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Mbouchon, 515077]]
- Quality checked by: [[NToTheN, 569731], [Ransei, 235009], [berry, 226455], [BahamutLagoon, 506113]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]
name: Choice Band + Mold Breaker
move 1: V-create
move 2: Thousand Arrows
move 3: Beat Up / Precipice Blades / Knock Off / Trick
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Band
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
in-battle alt: Primal
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Band + Mold Breaker Primal Groudon is one of the most powerful Choice item attackers in the metagame due to its incredible STAB moves, great defensive typing, immunity to burns, and amazing bulk. V-create is a ludicrously powerful STAB move that threatens the entirety of the unresisted metagame, notably OHKOing physically defensive Wonder Guard Slaking, Arceus, Mega Audino, and Cresselia after Stealth Rock. In contrast, Thousand Arrows is a virtually unresisted STAB move that is more spammable than V-create thanks to having no drawbacks, freely threatening slower Pokemon, such as Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard Xerneas and Wonder Guard Mega Scizor, alongside paralyzed offensive Pokemon, like opposing Primal Groudon, chipped Mold Breaker Mega Rayquaza, slightly damaged Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Mega Gengar. Beat Up is a great coverage option to heavily damage Prankster Giratina and the rare Mega Slowbro, which would ordinarily switch in on Choice Band Primal Groudon. Alternatively, Precipice Blades still 2HKOes Giratina while also threatening non-Flying-types much more effectively than Beat Up; however, opposing Prankster Giratina has a good chance to successfully fish for a miss by repeatedly using Recover. Knock Off item removal can be useful when forcing mind games, especially against defensive Wonder Guard users running Shed Shell when running a Shadow Tag teammate, and it still threatens Magic Bounce Giratina if Giratina has an intact item and even slight chip damage. Trick is a great option to incapacitate Prankster Giratina, supporting offensive and Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard teammates by shutting down their largest counter. U-turn allows Primal Groudon to retain momentum for its team, as well as continually forcing chip damage against its main check in Giratina. Primal Groudon outspeeds most relevant threats without Speed investment at +2, and the extra HP investment helps it survive -ate Speed from users like Abomasnow.
Primal Groudon works best on bulky offense teams, which appreciate its ability to force coinflip scenarios against slower teams and create momentum for offensive teammates. Prankster Giratina benefits Primal Groudon greatly by Imposter-proofing it thanks to its massive physical bulk and V-create resistance. Since opposing Prankster Giratina is Primal Groudon's most common switch-in, Huge Power Dark-types that can remove it with Pursuit, such as Mega Gyarados, Mega Tyranitar, and Yveltal, are valuable partners for it; they can also heavily damage most Choice item + Shadow Tag users, which pick a weakened Primal Groudon off. In particular, Mega Gyarados is great, as it can also switch into an opposing Shell Smash Primal Groudon if healthy and force it out with Water Shuriken. Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard users allow Primal Groudon to come in safely with a Substitute, helping it beat offensive Pokemon like opposing Primal Groudon and Protean Mega Latios one-on-one. In particular, Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard Xerneas has great utility in forcing Prankster Giratina and most Magic Bounce users out with Moonblast, and it can run a diverse array of support options in its filler moveslot, such as Stealth Rock, Defog, Aromatherapy, paralysis support in Glare, Dark Void, Taunt, and even Wish or Shell Smash support for Primal Groudon. Special Mold Breaker users, especially more powerful ones like Mega Latios, Mega Diancie, Choice Specs Mega Rayquaza, and Dialga, can force Giratina out after Primal Groudon uses U-turn. Paralysis support from the likes of Prankster Giratina, as well as select support Wonder Guard users, can make Primal Groudon even more threatening by providing free turns. Also, Primal Groudon can force out paralyzed offensive threats like Mega Gengar, Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Mewtwo Y lacking a Choice Scarf, Mega Latios, and special Mega Rayquaza. Shadow Tag users can work well with Knock Off Primal Groudon, as the likes of Wonder Guard Primal Kyogre and bulky Gastro Acid + Wonder Guard users like Arceus are secondary switch-ins to it. Entry hazard setters, such as Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard users, defensive Wonder Guard users, and bulky Mold Breaker teammates, can bolster Primal Groudon's offensive prowess, as the additional chip damage from Stealth Rock affects Primal Groudon's KO rolls in a wide variety of instances. Defensive Wonder Guard users can provide Defog and Aromatherapy support, keeping Primal Groudon healthy over the course of a game.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mold Breaker + Shell Smash Primal Groudon can use Glare, Nuzzle, or Thunder Wave as disruption, as once opposing Giratina suffers full paralysis, Primal Groudon usually grabs a KO; however, running paralysis makes proper Imposter-proofing more difficult. Sheer Cold is another option; while it is inherently luck-dependent, across a game it has a good chance of eliminating opposing Giratina, making Shell Smash Primal Groudon much more threatening for the rest of the game. Precipice Blades and Diamond Storm are fringe options on its last two moveslots. Having a stronger Ground-type STAB move allows Primal Groudon to OHKO Mega Tyranitar and Primal Groudon after Stealth Rock, and Primal Kyogre, Xerneas, and offensive Arceus after Shell Smash. However, the additional utility gained from having two support moves makes running these moves not worth it most of the time. Sacred Fire is an option over King's Shield or V-create, spreading burns against offensive switch-ins and OHKOing Substitute + Baton Pass Wonder Guard Xerneas after a Shell Smash, but it does not synergize well with Spore or Dark Void and only slightly helps against opposing Giratina. U-turn can be used for Shell Smash Primal Groudon to force opposing Giratina in and retain momentum, taking advantage of Thousand Arrows's virtually-perfect coverage and Primal Groudon's incredible offensive prowess even when unboosted; it also 2HKOes Huge Power Mega Gyarados, a popular switch-in. However, without a teammate that can handle and punish Giratina, especially a Huge Power Dark-types like Mega Gyarados, Mega Tyranitar, or Yveltal, Primal Groudon still has trouble breaking through Giratina. Running Knock Off allows boosted Shell Smash Primal Groudon to threaten Giratina lacking Griseous Orb more, and it synergizes well with Spore by removing Safety Goggles; however, this leaves Primal Groudon exceptionally difficult to Imposter-proof. Safety Goggles allows Primal Groudon to win one-on-one against Mega Gengar, Mold Breaker Arceus, and Dialga running Spore, and it blocks Spore from Prankster Giratina, but it usually isn't worthwhile over Lum Berry. Earth Plate is a fringe option to OHKO opposing Primal Groudon not running bulk investment with Thousand Arrows; Life Orb lets Primal Groudon do the same and OHKO bulky Primal Groudon variants after Stealth Rock. However, running an item that aids Shell Smash Primal Groudon's longevity, such as Leftovers, aids its sweep, like Mental Herb, or removes status, like Lum Berry, is usually more worthwhile. Shell Smash Primal Groudon can invest more in Speed at the cost of bulk; 56 Speed EVs outspeed Choice Scarf Shadow Tag Primal Groudon after a Shell Smash, 148 Speed EVs outspeed Deoxys-S after a boost, and maximum Speed investment (with an Adamant nature) outspeeds Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Gengar, and Mega Manectric after a Shell Smash and V-create.
Choice Band + Mold Breaker Primal Groudon has nearly as much set versatility as Shell Smash + Mold Breaker Primal Groudon does. Sacred Fire can be run to provide burn support over multiple uses, which is especially important because Primal Groudon can slowly wear burned Prankster Giratina down with Thousand Arrows if it lacks Leftovers; it is also a powerful STAB move in its own right, being a near-guaranteed 2HKO against Wonder Guard Cresselia, Slaking, and Arceus while 2HKOing Mega Audino. Extreme Speed is an option to pick off frailer weakened foes such as Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Shell Smash Mega Latios lacking King's Shield, but often isn't worth it due to being unreliable against healthy foes and having the opportunity cost of forgoing coverage or support. Water Shuriken specifically targets Shell Smash Primal Groudon and Mold Breaker Mega Diancie, as well as weakened Choice Band Primal Groudon and Mold Breaker Mega Tyranitar, though it's difficult to justify using, as it's nigh-useless otherwise. Diamond Storm can OHKO standard Mega Rayquaza, Yveltal, and Ho-Oh, but Thousand Arrows usually hits hard enough with a Choice Band, especially with Stealth Rock support, that running Diamond Storm isn't necessary. Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes can be useful when forcing Giratina in, but they are momentum sinks, especially when Choice Band on Primal Groudon is revealed. Recover can also be used on the switch, greatly helping Primal Groudon's longevity, but it is much more difficult to use against a team with Shadow Tag users, and the opportunity cost of not running coverage or support is high. Glare and Nuzzle can paralyze opposing Giratina when it comes in, forcing mind games and luck gambles the next time Primal Groudon comes in. Alternative EV spreads of 232 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def / 20 Spe, 180 HP / 252 Atk / 76 Spe, and 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe with an Adamant nature can be run. The first spread outspeeds standard Shell Smash Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, Mega Tyranitar, and Dialga, the second outspeeds uninvested Yveltal and Xerneas, and the final one outspeeds Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Mewtwo X, and Mega Gengar after Sticky Web. However, even when running the first spread, it's quite risky to stay in against Pokemon Primal Groudon is meant to outspeed when it's weakened, and the other two spreads lose out on bulk. A Jolly nature could be run with 252 Speed EVs to outspeed all Shell Smash Primal Groudon and Dialga variants, Mold Breaker Xerneas, and slower Mega Latios spreads, but it also misses out on bulk and fails to reliably OHKO opposing Wonder Guard Slaking, Arceus, Cresselia, and Mega Audino after Stealth Rock.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Prankster Giratina**: Prankster Giratina can check Primal Groudon well in tandem with a revenge killer that threatens Primal Groudon, especially when running Safety Goggles. It can then severely diminish Primal Groudon's offensive presence with Glare, force Shell Smash sweeper variants out with Encore, or predict a switch and chip opposing switch-ins with Curse. Additionally, niche Haze sets cannot be PP stalled by Shell Smash like Encore variants, though they have a much more difficult time checking special Mold Breaker users, which threaten Giratina unboosted. However, Shell Smash Primal Groudon running Dark Void can power through Giratina, and Choice Band + Mold Breaker variants running Beat Up can gash it after a single prediction, so running Prankster Giratina as the only check isn't recommended.
**Imposter users**: Due to its general reliance on Thousand Arrows, Shell Smash + Mold Breaker Primal Groudon is notoriously difficult to Imposter-proof. Without an exceptionally powerful revenge killer such as Huge Power Mega Gyarados or a healthy Prankster Giratina, opposing Imposter users can make progress and potentially countersweep; however, teams running Dark Void Primal Groudon in particular are especially susceptible to Imposter countersweeps, even with a healthy Giratina. Eviolite Imposter users are especially difficult for Mold Breaker + Shell Smash Primal Groudon to deal with, as despite having to win a Speed tie if Primal Groudon stays in, they can force a switch into Giratina, which is very passive and drains momentum. Choice Scarf Imposter users are slightly more manageable, as they are stuck using Thousand Arrows or V-create, but are still very threatening nonetheless. However, even Choice Scarf + Imposter Chansey is 2HKOed by Choice Band Primal Groudon's Thousand Arrows, so Choice Scarf Imposter users cannot switch in reliably.
**Huge Power Mega Gyarados**: Mega Gyarados is bulky enough to come in on unboosted Primal Groudon, and it can force coinflip scenarios with Water Shuriken and a Huge Power-boosted Pursuit; however, this mind game is somewhat eased if Mold Breaker + Shell Smash Primal Groudon runs King's Shield, and Mega Gyarados is incentivized to use Water Shuriken, as Primal Groudon staying in on Pursuit would prove disastrous. Additionally, Water Shuriken requires three hits to KO healthy unboosted Primal Groudon running standard EV spreads, assuming Mega Gyarados isn't running a boosting item. Therefore, even when a correct prediction is done, Primal Groudon can maybe heavily damage Mega Gyarados, and remove heavily damaged ones, with Thousand Arrows.
**Other Revenge Killers**: Other revenge killers can also threaten Primal Groudon, though they struggle to do so to the same extent as Mega Gyarados. Although they dislike switching into Mold Breaker + Shell Smash Primal Groudon multiple times, Refrigerate Mega Abomasnow and Kyurem-B, Aerilate or Gale Wings Mega Rayquaza, and Huge Power Slaking or Regigigas running Water Shuriken can force unboosted Primal Groudon out if healthy. However, all but Mega Abomasnow and special Gale Wings Mega Rayquaza, and Slaking or Regigigas with Water Shuriken and a boosting item, will fail to reliably force out boosted Mold Breaker + Shell Smash Primal Groudon with King's Shield. Also, only Gale Wings Mega Rayquaza can reliably come in on Choice Band Primal Groudon if healthy. Some Choice Scarf + No Guard users, like Mega Mewtwo Y, Mega Aerodactyl, and Deoxys-S, outspeed any Primal Groudon even after a Shell Smash, so they can reliably force Primal Groudon out after coming in on a prediction, with pivoting support, or after a teammate has fainted. However, weakened Choice Scarf + No Guard users can fall to rare Choice Band + Mold Breaker variants running Extreme Speed. Additionally, Choice Scarf + Shadow Tag users, like Mega Rayquaza and Mega Mewtwo Y, can outspeed Choice Band + Mold Breaker Primal Groudon, as well as slower Shell Smash Primal Groudon sets even after a boost, and OHKO with a special Water-type move. Choice Band + Shadow Tag Mega Mewtwo X running Precipice Blades can also remove Choice Band Primal Groudon sets, as well as revenge killling unboosted Shell Smash Primal Groudon, with minimal chip damage.
**Faster Hard Hitters**: In a one-on-one scenario, faster Pokemon that are sufficiently strong, such as Huge Power Mega Mewtwo X, Protean Mega Latios, and Choice Specs Mega Mewtwo Y or Mega Rayquaza, can force Primal Groudon out. While a healthy Mold Breaker Primal Groudon can switch into and threaten offensive Wonder Guard users, some Shell Smash + Wonder Guard users, such as Xerneas or Mega Gardevoir running Earth Power and Mega Lucario, can reliably OHKO Primal Groudon after a Shell Smash. Wonder Guard Mega Gardevoir running Grass Knot or Spooky Plate + Judgment will still OHKO even bulky Primal Groudon variants after a Shell Smash and Stealth Rock.
**Water-type Coverage**: Pokemon that Primal Groudon often switches in on, like Xerneas, Wonder Guard Mega Mewtwo Y, and Mega Manectric, can run Water-type moves to catch it off guard and OHKO it; however, they are largely circumvented by running Substitute + Baton Pass support and adequately scouting for such moves.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Mbouchon, 515077]]
- Quality checked by: [[NToTheN, 569731], [Ransei, 235009], [berry, 226455], [BahamutLagoon, 506113]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]
Last edited by a moderator:
