Introduction
Primal Kyogre returns to the forefront of the Ubers metagame this generation after meandering in the depths of mediocrity during ORAS. Its great offensive stats and obscenely powerful Water-type moves boosted by Primordial Sea let Primal Kyogre hit very hard with both physical and special attacks. If it needs to, Primal Kyogre's great mixed bulk even lets it opt for a defensive set. Indeed, as a balance breaker, Primal Kyogre is second to none, able to drown defensive teams given the chance!
Kyogre @ Blue Orb
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
- Calm Mind
- Origin Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Substitute / Thunder
Primal Kyogre is most often seen running a Calm Mind set that can be extremely difficult for many bulkier teams to deal with. Calm Mind lets it hit much harder and soak up special attacks easily, whie Origin Pulse destroys most things that do not resist it thanks to Primordial Sea. Ice Beam hits uncommon Grass-types super effectively, OHKOes Mega Salamence, and lets Primal Kyogre chip away at obvious Primal Groudon switch-ins. Substitute lets Primal Kyogre avoid being hit by status conditions and can let it use some of its checks as setup fodder. For example, Chansey and Blissey that do not run Confide will lose to Substitute Primal Kyogre, as will Ferrothorn that don't run Power Whip. If you want a much more offensive Primal Kyogre, you can run Thunder over Substitute, which lets it do excellent damage to other Primal Kyogre, Arceus-Water, and Toxapex. Primal Groudon makes a great partner to this set, working well defensively with Primal Kyogre. Primal Groudon can set up entry hazards, check physical attackers, and stop Geomancy Xerneas, while Primal Kyogre can take advantage of bothersome defensive Arceus formes for Primal Groudon. Primal Kyogre isn't limited to this set, however! It can run a physically offensive set to surprise its traditional checks, a defensive RestTalk set that can take and dish out a great amount of damage, and even a Choice Specs set that can blow right through some stall teams.
Primal Kyogre has some pretty big issues that may make you think twice about using it, however. The most common Pokemon in the tier, Primal Groudon, totally neuters Primal Kyogre's Water-type moves with Desolate Land, making it a reasonable switch-in to Primal Kyogre. Primal Kyogre's Ice Beam hurts Primal Groudon, but Primal Groudon's Precipice Blades are far more threatening to Primal Kyogre, so Primal Kyogre will often find itself scurrying for cover. Primal Kyogre is also quite slow—this means that offensive teams can overwhelm it, as almost all Pokemon on these teams will outspeed Primal Kyogre and heavily damage it before it can move. A total lack of recovery outside of Rest makes Primal Kyogre somewhat easy to wear down as well, forcing it to choose when it switches in and what attacks it wants to take very carefully.
Despite these flaws, Primal Kyogre is still an excellent pick for bulky offense or balance teams that need a powerful and surprisingly bulky wallbreaker. If you use it properly, you will have a whale of a time!
Primal Kyogre returns to the forefront of the Ubers metagame this generation after meandering in the depths of mediocrity during ORAS. Its great offensive stats and obscenely powerful Water-type moves boosted by Primordial Sea let Primal Kyogre hit very hard with both physical and special attacks. If it needs to, Primal Kyogre's great mixed bulk even lets it opt for a defensive set. Indeed, as a balance breaker, Primal Kyogre is second to none, able to drown defensive teams given the chance!
Kyogre @ Blue Orb
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
- Calm Mind
- Origin Pulse
- Ice Beam
- Substitute / Thunder
Primal Kyogre is most often seen running a Calm Mind set that can be extremely difficult for many bulkier teams to deal with. Calm Mind lets it hit much harder and soak up special attacks easily, whie Origin Pulse destroys most things that do not resist it thanks to Primordial Sea. Ice Beam hits uncommon Grass-types super effectively, OHKOes Mega Salamence, and lets Primal Kyogre chip away at obvious Primal Groudon switch-ins. Substitute lets Primal Kyogre avoid being hit by status conditions and can let it use some of its checks as setup fodder. For example, Chansey and Blissey that do not run Confide will lose to Substitute Primal Kyogre, as will Ferrothorn that don't run Power Whip. If you want a much more offensive Primal Kyogre, you can run Thunder over Substitute, which lets it do excellent damage to other Primal Kyogre, Arceus-Water, and Toxapex. Primal Groudon makes a great partner to this set, working well defensively with Primal Kyogre. Primal Groudon can set up entry hazards, check physical attackers, and stop Geomancy Xerneas, while Primal Kyogre can take advantage of bothersome defensive Arceus formes for Primal Groudon. Primal Kyogre isn't limited to this set, however! It can run a physically offensive set to surprise its traditional checks, a defensive RestTalk set that can take and dish out a great amount of damage, and even a Choice Specs set that can blow right through some stall teams.
Primal Kyogre has some pretty big issues that may make you think twice about using it, however. The most common Pokemon in the tier, Primal Groudon, totally neuters Primal Kyogre's Water-type moves with Desolate Land, making it a reasonable switch-in to Primal Kyogre. Primal Kyogre's Ice Beam hurts Primal Groudon, but Primal Groudon's Precipice Blades are far more threatening to Primal Kyogre, so Primal Kyogre will often find itself scurrying for cover. Primal Kyogre is also quite slow—this means that offensive teams can overwhelm it, as almost all Pokemon on these teams will outspeed Primal Kyogre and heavily damage it before it can move. A total lack of recovery outside of Rest makes Primal Kyogre somewhat easy to wear down as well, forcing it to choose when it switches in and what attacks it wants to take very carefully.
Despite these flaws, Primal Kyogre is still an excellent pick for bulky offense or balance teams that need a powerful and surprisingly bulky wallbreaker. If you use it properly, you will have a whale of a time!
Last edited: