[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Waterfall
move 4: Hydro Pump / Substitute / Yawn
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 24 SpA / 232 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Kingdra now has two physical STAB options to go with Dragon Dance in Waterfall and Outrage, so this set takes advantage of this fact. Any user of Dragon Dance and STAB Outrage is quite fearsome, and Kingdra is no different. Furthermore, Kingdra can use it's unique typing to set up on opposing Pokemon that are unable to do significant damage to it, such as Starmie, Heatran and Vaporeon.</p>
<p>Dragon / Water gives phenomenal type coverage, only resisted by Empoleon and Shedinja. When backed with STAB, Life Orb, and Dragon Dance; Kingdra can be quite the impressive physical attacker. Hydro Pump may seem redundant, but it will do significantly more damage against physical walls. For example, many Skarmory will never be 2HKO'd by a boosted Waterfall whereas Hydro Pump will 100% of the time. If used on a Rain Dance team, Skarmory will always be OHKO'd by Hydro Pump after Stealth Rock damage. However, if breaking down physical walls is of little concern, Substitute can be used to protect Kingdra from Status attacks. Kingdra can also use the oftentimes gimmicky Yawn to great effect on this set. Yawning your opponent's first switch-in can result in forcing them to go to a Pokemon less equipped to deal with Kingdra (lest they allow their best Kingdra counter to be put to sleep). If they decide to save their Pokemon from sleep, Yawn has the added benefit of racking up residual damage on both opposing Pokemon. In addition, since their second switch-in to Kingdra will more than likely be unable to handle Kingdra to the same extent as their first, you might be able to pull off an extra Dragon Dance out of the deal. Leftovers is the preferred item if you opt to use Substitute. Lum Berry is also a decent option to prevent status effects and the confusion from Outrage.</p>
<p>The given Speed EVs given Kingdra a stat of 264, enough to outrun base 130 Speed Pokemon after a Dragon Dance. The remaining EVs were placed into maximizing Attack and then into Special Attack.</p>
[SET]
name: Double Dance
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Rain Dance
move 4: Dragon Dance
item: Leftovers
nature: Adamant
evs: 180 HP / 252 Atk / 76 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs produce stats of 336/317/226/x/226/225. 225 Speed beats bulky Gyarados and Adamant Tyranitar outright, but it also means you outrun base 100s after Dragon Dance; and neutral Choice Scarf 100s after Rain Dance. Serendipitously, the remaining EVs allow you to hit 336 HP, a Leftovers threshold. 4 attack EVs can be moved to HP to allow you an extra turn of survival when the only damage is residual. This is more relevant that you think, because entry hazards and poison all deal in 8ths/16ths; and you will be surprised how often this sets up without taking any direct damage at all.</p>
<p>Usually, the strategy is to Rain Dance first (in appropriate late game situations, you can omit or delay this step). Since Waterfall is your main attack, this is the equivalent of the boost from Dragon Dance, but it immediately doubles your speed to outpace many Choice Scarf revenge killers. Rain Dance also clears Sandstorm/Hail (thereby bringing Leftovers into play), and offers temporary protection from fire attacks for the rest of your team. You can then attack or continue to set up with Dragon Dance. Note that Waterfall is 12.5% more powerful after one Dragon Dance in rain, than after two without rain. Each subsequent Dragon Dance increases this difference. Double Dance Kingdra is designed as a stand alone sweeper. It functions within a standard team without need for rain support, but will fit into rain teams as well.</p>
[SET]
name: Offensive Rest + Sleep Talk
move 1: Rest
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3: Outrage
move 4: Dragon Dance
item: Leftovers
nature: Adamant
evs: 168 HP / 188 Atk / 152 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Slightly different from the run-of-the-mill Dragon Dance set, Sleep Talk neither locks you into Outrage nor confuses you, making for a perfect collaboration of attacks. With Kingdra's bulk, you can almost be certain that you will gain a Dragon Dance or two before finally having to use Rest to restore your health. From there it gets almost elementary.</p>
<p>Although Kingdra has access to Waterfall, which could replaced Outrage it is recommended that you don't as fewer Pokemon resist Dragon-type attacks in comparison to Water-typed attacks and Outrage's additional 40 base power cements its position as the superior option. Kingdra is somewhat of an unfortunate victim having too little slots for so many moves. If you don't want the extra power provided by Dragon Dance, Waterfall can replace it. However, with this change, you may want to use Life Orb to make up for the lost power.</p>
<p>The 152 Speed EVs allow Kingdra to outspeed Jolly Tyranitar as well as Bulky Gyarados.</p>
[SET]
name: Defensive Rest + Sleep Talk
move 1: Rest
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3: Outrage / Dragon Pulse
move 4: Waterfall / Surf
item: Leftovers
nature: Careful / Calm
evs: 252 HP / 68 Def / 176 SpD / 12 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> An altered, more defensive variant of the previous set. Due to Kingdra's bulk and lack of weaknesses, it also makes an ideal defensive user of Rest and Sleep Talk. The set is rather straightforward. Rest and Sleep Talk allow Kingdra to recover away any damage it has taken throughout the course of the battle while simultaneously ridding itself of hindering statuses such as poison and burn. The attacking combination of Dragon and Water is only resisted by Empoleon and Shedinja, giving Kingdra impressive type coverage while only utilizing dual STAB. Due to Kingdra's balanced Attack and Special Attack stats, it is capable of using either a physical or a special set. Simply use Outrage, Waterfall, and a Careful Nature when using a physical set and Dragon Pulse, Surf, and a Calm Nature when using a special set. The use of Outrage on a physically oriented set allows Kingdra to hit opposing Pokemon harder than any of its other options. However, Surf allows Kingdra to hit Skarmory and Bulky Ground-types harder.</p>
<p>The set utilizes fine-tuned EVs to handle one of the metagame's top threats, Heatran. Kingdra can switch into Heatran's Fire Blast, Earth Power, Hidden Power Ice, or Hidden Power Electric with impunity due to a healthy investment in HP and Special Defense. 252 HP / 176 SpD and a Careful Nature allow Kingdra to take less than 53% from Timid Scarf Heatran Dragon Pulse, making it a relatively good counter provided Stealth Rock isn't in play. However, Kingdra should be wary of Explosion. 12 Speed EVs allow Kingdra to outspeed those appliance Rotom who forsake Speed in order to invest in defenses. A Thunderbolt from such a Rotom only manages 28% maximum damage. The remainder of EVs are placed into Defense.</p>
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance (Ubers)
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Outrage
move 4: Draco Meteor
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Lonely
evs: 208 Atk / 136 SpA / 164 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> Kingdra in Ubers is no joke, capable of breaking down the walls of the Uber metagame with much ease all with only a little Rain support. With STAB Outrage and Dragon Dance backing it up Kingdra has become a whole new breed of trouble for the Uber tier. With the aforementioned Rain support and Kingdra's EVs it easily outspeeds everything in Ubers albeit Scarf Chomp and any faster scarfed Pokemon while simultaneously scoring a possible 2HKO on relatively every Pokemon common to the metagame. </p>
<p> The use of Stealth Rock is quite beneficial to this set as it's EVs are specifically tailored to take advantage of it as much as possible. The Special Attack EVs generate enough Special Attack to OHKO 252 HP / 0 SpD Giratina after it switches into Stealth Rock twice or switches into Stealth Rock and a Waterfall. It also allows it to OHKO 252 HP / 0 SpD Groudon after it switches into Waterfall and Stealth Rock and with the Attack EVs you can 2HKO both Latios and Latias with 0 Def / 6 HP spreads provided they switch into Stealth Rock once or take at least 6% of residual damage. Keep in mind all of these scenarios are without Kingdra even bothering to Dragon Dance! With all of that in mind I'm sure you can imagine the possibilities after an additional Attack boost, while simultaneously being faster than everything in the game! </p>
[SET]
name: Rain Dance (Mixed)
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 4: Draco Meteor
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Naughty / Lonely
evs: 252 Atk / 16 Spe / 240 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is arguably Kingdra's most destructive set, capable of smashing through even the games most defensive Pokemon. It plays much like the Dragon Dancer; bring Kingdra in on a Pokemon that it can force out like Heatran, Rain Dance on the switch, and start sweeping. Waterfall is your primary STAB, and with the a rain boost it hits with the same power as a Dragon Danced Waterfall. Hydro Pump is the real selling point of the set, as it significantly outdamages Waterfall and demolishes the physically based OU metagame. Surf can be used as well, but it doesn't pack the sting that Hydro Pump does. Draco Meteor rounds out the set by allowing Kingdra to deliver a powerful hit to Grass and opposing Water Pokemon that resist your Water STAB.</p>
<p> The EVs generate enough Speed to outrun Modest Choice Scarf Porygon-Z and Timid Choice Scarf Heatran in the rain. Additional Speed can be used to beat specific Scarfed threats, but Salamence and Flygon are the only faster Scarfers capable of revenge killing a Kingdra in good health. </p>
<p> As always, this Kingdra benefits from rain support from its teammates allowing it to get an additional hit on its switch-ins. However, it is perfectly capable of operating on its own.</p>
<p>To illustrate the efficiency of Mixed Kingdra, a few damage calculations have been listed below</p>
<h3>Damage Calculations</h3>
<pre>
Waterfall vs. Max HP Bronzong: 54-64%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP / 98 SpD: Bronzong 72-85%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Celebi: 38-45%
Draco Meteor vs. Max HP Celebi: 59-69%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP / Max SpD + Forretress: 85-100%
Draco Meteor vs. 216 HP Gyarados: 62-73%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Jirachi: 76-89%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Metagross: 91-100%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Skarmory: 100%
Waterfall vs. 160 HP / 136 Def Snorlax: 60-71%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Suicune: 34-39%
Draco Meteor vs. Max HP Suicune: 52-62%
Hydro Pump vs. 240 HP Swampert: 82-98%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Scizor: 100%
</pre>
[SET]
name: Rain Dance (Special)
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Surf / Hydro Pump
move 3: Dragon Pulse
move 4: Signal Beam / Hidden Power Electric
item: Life Orb / Damp Rock
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 92 HP / 252 SpA / 164 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Purely special version of the previous set. You can't hurt Blissey much, but this has some advantage over the mixed version. You don't need Attack EVs, so you can pour more into HP to help Kingdra take hits a little better. Surf and Dragon Pulse hit eveything except Shedinja and Empoleon for at least neutral damage. Signal Beam may seem overspecific, but scores some nice KOs against Celebi and Abomasnow after Stealth Rock. Hidden Power Electric is an alternative option if you don't particularly fear the aforementioned Grass Pokemon as it hits Empoleon and does slightly more damage to other Water types in comparison to STAB Dragon Pulse (140 vs. 135) and a lot more to Gyarados. Note how Draco Meteor is no longer an option here, as the Special Attack drop will cripple Kingdra's sweeping potential.</p>
<p> The EVs generate 247 Speed, which allows you to outspeed Jolly Tyranitar before you Rain Dance, and positive natured Scarfed base 100s while its raining.</p>
<p>Life Orb is for a power boost and offers a better chance at a sweep, or you can use Damp Rock if you're building a team based around the rain. Leftovers is also an option.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Surf / Hydro Pump
move 3: Hidden Power Electric
move 4: Ice Beam / Dragon Pulse
item: Choice Specs
ability: Sniper
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set, in one word: fireworks. If Draco Meteor or Hydro Pump gets a critical hit, we're talking about enough power to bring down full health Blissey. Hidden Power Electric is nice for smacking Empoleon around, although you can use any type that is super effective on the steel penguin, such as Fighting or Ground. However, Electric is recommended as it prevents Milotic and Vaporeon from recovering off damage until Draco Meteor loses its power. Dragon Pulse gives you a more reliable Dragon-type attack for late game sweeping, but Ice Beam is good for Grass-types, Celebi in particular.</p>
<p>If you don't care to take your chances in a Speed tie with Heracross and the like you can drop Kingdra's Speed to either 263 (228 EVs) to outrun all Breloom, 260 (216 EVs) to beat Adamant Mamoswine, or 254 (192 EVs) to get the drop on Modest Heatran. Remaining EVs go in HP.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Kingdra's movepool is fairly shallow and he doesn't have much in the way of other options. Flail is decent if you can get it off, but good luck pulling it off with Tyranitar, priority-move users and Stealth Rock everywhere.</p>
[EVs]
<p> Specific EVs are given for each set. For the Choice Specs set, Kingdra can use a Timid nature to reach higher Speeds, to outrun the likes of Adamant Lucario (196 EVs) and Jolly Mamoswine(220 EVs), but the extra power of Modest is often a better choice. You can also run a few more Speed EVs on the Uber set to outpace Jolly Scarfed Garchomp with Rain support but it is discouraged as you will lose out on quite a bit of possible KOs on other Pokemon to compensate.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>In the past, Kingdra has been bashed a lot for its poor movepool. In the fourth generation, like most other Pokémon, Kingdra got a huge helping of new moves to help it out, in particular receiving the fantastic addition of Outrage. While Kingdra's movepool still isn't anything to write home about, it has a few very interesting options that do work well and Kingdra has changed from quite the mundane sweeper to a Pokemon that many teams will have significant problems with due to it's ability to run quite a few sets, bulky stats, and excellent offensive (not to mention defensive!) typing.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Empoleon easily walls most mixed and special Kingdra sets, fearing only the occasional Hidden Power but when it comes to the Dragon Dancer Empoleon has to focus it's EVs into Defense or it will be 2HKOed by boosted Outrages. Celebi and Tangrowth also do decently at stopping the Dragon Dancer, but still have to be wary of Life Orbed variants as Outrage can 2HKO both of them. Milotic, Ludicolo, Suicune, and Vaporeon are also effective at stopping the mixed and special sets as well due their Water resistance and good Special Defense, although hits from Draco Meteor will still take their toll while Blissey, Snorlax and Regice will beat the special based Rain Dance set.</p>
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Waterfall
move 4: Hydro Pump / Substitute / Yawn
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 24 SpA / 232 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Kingdra now has two physical STAB options to go with Dragon Dance in Waterfall and Outrage, so this set takes advantage of this fact. Any user of Dragon Dance and STAB Outrage is quite fearsome, and Kingdra is no different. Furthermore, Kingdra can use it's unique typing to set up on opposing Pokemon that are unable to do significant damage to it, such as Starmie, Heatran and Vaporeon.</p>
<p>Dragon / Water gives phenomenal type coverage, only resisted by Empoleon and Shedinja. When backed with STAB, Life Orb, and Dragon Dance; Kingdra can be quite the impressive physical attacker. Hydro Pump may seem redundant, but it will do significantly more damage against physical walls. For example, many Skarmory will never be 2HKO'd by a boosted Waterfall whereas Hydro Pump will 100% of the time. If used on a Rain Dance team, Skarmory will always be OHKO'd by Hydro Pump after Stealth Rock damage. However, if breaking down physical walls is of little concern, Substitute can be used to protect Kingdra from Status attacks. Kingdra can also use the oftentimes gimmicky Yawn to great effect on this set. Yawning your opponent's first switch-in can result in forcing them to go to a Pokemon less equipped to deal with Kingdra (lest they allow their best Kingdra counter to be put to sleep). If they decide to save their Pokemon from sleep, Yawn has the added benefit of racking up residual damage on both opposing Pokemon. In addition, since their second switch-in to Kingdra will more than likely be unable to handle Kingdra to the same extent as their first, you might be able to pull off an extra Dragon Dance out of the deal. Leftovers is the preferred item if you opt to use Substitute. Lum Berry is also a decent option to prevent status effects and the confusion from Outrage.</p>
<p>The given Speed EVs given Kingdra a stat of 264, enough to outrun base 130 Speed Pokemon after a Dragon Dance. The remaining EVs were placed into maximizing Attack and then into Special Attack.</p>
[SET]
name: Double Dance
move 1: Waterfall
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Rain Dance
move 4: Dragon Dance
item: Leftovers
nature: Adamant
evs: 180 HP / 252 Atk / 76 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs produce stats of 336/317/226/x/226/225. 225 Speed beats bulky Gyarados and Adamant Tyranitar outright, but it also means you outrun base 100s after Dragon Dance; and neutral Choice Scarf 100s after Rain Dance. Serendipitously, the remaining EVs allow you to hit 336 HP, a Leftovers threshold. 4 attack EVs can be moved to HP to allow you an extra turn of survival when the only damage is residual. This is more relevant that you think, because entry hazards and poison all deal in 8ths/16ths; and you will be surprised how often this sets up without taking any direct damage at all.</p>
<p>Usually, the strategy is to Rain Dance first (in appropriate late game situations, you can omit or delay this step). Since Waterfall is your main attack, this is the equivalent of the boost from Dragon Dance, but it immediately doubles your speed to outpace many Choice Scarf revenge killers. Rain Dance also clears Sandstorm/Hail (thereby bringing Leftovers into play), and offers temporary protection from fire attacks for the rest of your team. You can then attack or continue to set up with Dragon Dance. Note that Waterfall is 12.5% more powerful after one Dragon Dance in rain, than after two without rain. Each subsequent Dragon Dance increases this difference. Double Dance Kingdra is designed as a stand alone sweeper. It functions within a standard team without need for rain support, but will fit into rain teams as well.</p>
[SET]
name: Offensive Rest + Sleep Talk
move 1: Rest
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3: Outrage
move 4: Dragon Dance
item: Leftovers
nature: Adamant
evs: 168 HP / 188 Atk / 152 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Slightly different from the run-of-the-mill Dragon Dance set, Sleep Talk neither locks you into Outrage nor confuses you, making for a perfect collaboration of attacks. With Kingdra's bulk, you can almost be certain that you will gain a Dragon Dance or two before finally having to use Rest to restore your health. From there it gets almost elementary.</p>
<p>Although Kingdra has access to Waterfall, which could replaced Outrage it is recommended that you don't as fewer Pokemon resist Dragon-type attacks in comparison to Water-typed attacks and Outrage's additional 40 base power cements its position as the superior option. Kingdra is somewhat of an unfortunate victim having too little slots for so many moves. If you don't want the extra power provided by Dragon Dance, Waterfall can replace it. However, with this change, you may want to use Life Orb to make up for the lost power.</p>
<p>The 152 Speed EVs allow Kingdra to outspeed Jolly Tyranitar as well as Bulky Gyarados.</p>
[SET]
name: Defensive Rest + Sleep Talk
move 1: Rest
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3: Outrage / Dragon Pulse
move 4: Waterfall / Surf
item: Leftovers
nature: Careful / Calm
evs: 252 HP / 68 Def / 176 SpD / 12 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> An altered, more defensive variant of the previous set. Due to Kingdra's bulk and lack of weaknesses, it also makes an ideal defensive user of Rest and Sleep Talk. The set is rather straightforward. Rest and Sleep Talk allow Kingdra to recover away any damage it has taken throughout the course of the battle while simultaneously ridding itself of hindering statuses such as poison and burn. The attacking combination of Dragon and Water is only resisted by Empoleon and Shedinja, giving Kingdra impressive type coverage while only utilizing dual STAB. Due to Kingdra's balanced Attack and Special Attack stats, it is capable of using either a physical or a special set. Simply use Outrage, Waterfall, and a Careful Nature when using a physical set and Dragon Pulse, Surf, and a Calm Nature when using a special set. The use of Outrage on a physically oriented set allows Kingdra to hit opposing Pokemon harder than any of its other options. However, Surf allows Kingdra to hit Skarmory and Bulky Ground-types harder.</p>
<p>The set utilizes fine-tuned EVs to handle one of the metagame's top threats, Heatran. Kingdra can switch into Heatran's Fire Blast, Earth Power, Hidden Power Ice, or Hidden Power Electric with impunity due to a healthy investment in HP and Special Defense. 252 HP / 176 SpD and a Careful Nature allow Kingdra to take less than 53% from Timid Scarf Heatran Dragon Pulse, making it a relatively good counter provided Stealth Rock isn't in play. However, Kingdra should be wary of Explosion. 12 Speed EVs allow Kingdra to outspeed those appliance Rotom who forsake Speed in order to invest in defenses. A Thunderbolt from such a Rotom only manages 28% maximum damage. The remainder of EVs are placed into Defense.</p>
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance (Ubers)
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Outrage
move 4: Draco Meteor
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Lonely
evs: 208 Atk / 136 SpA / 164 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> Kingdra in Ubers is no joke, capable of breaking down the walls of the Uber metagame with much ease all with only a little Rain support. With STAB Outrage and Dragon Dance backing it up Kingdra has become a whole new breed of trouble for the Uber tier. With the aforementioned Rain support and Kingdra's EVs it easily outspeeds everything in Ubers albeit Scarf Chomp and any faster scarfed Pokemon while simultaneously scoring a possible 2HKO on relatively every Pokemon common to the metagame. </p>
<p> The use of Stealth Rock is quite beneficial to this set as it's EVs are specifically tailored to take advantage of it as much as possible. The Special Attack EVs generate enough Special Attack to OHKO 252 HP / 0 SpD Giratina after it switches into Stealth Rock twice or switches into Stealth Rock and a Waterfall. It also allows it to OHKO 252 HP / 0 SpD Groudon after it switches into Waterfall and Stealth Rock and with the Attack EVs you can 2HKO both Latios and Latias with 0 Def / 6 HP spreads provided they switch into Stealth Rock once or take at least 6% of residual damage. Keep in mind all of these scenarios are without Kingdra even bothering to Dragon Dance! With all of that in mind I'm sure you can imagine the possibilities after an additional Attack boost, while simultaneously being faster than everything in the game! </p>
[SET]
name: Rain Dance (Mixed)
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 4: Draco Meteor
item: Life Orb
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Naughty / Lonely
evs: 252 Atk / 16 Spe / 240 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is arguably Kingdra's most destructive set, capable of smashing through even the games most defensive Pokemon. It plays much like the Dragon Dancer; bring Kingdra in on a Pokemon that it can force out like Heatran, Rain Dance on the switch, and start sweeping. Waterfall is your primary STAB, and with the a rain boost it hits with the same power as a Dragon Danced Waterfall. Hydro Pump is the real selling point of the set, as it significantly outdamages Waterfall and demolishes the physically based OU metagame. Surf can be used as well, but it doesn't pack the sting that Hydro Pump does. Draco Meteor rounds out the set by allowing Kingdra to deliver a powerful hit to Grass and opposing Water Pokemon that resist your Water STAB.</p>
<p> The EVs generate enough Speed to outrun Modest Choice Scarf Porygon-Z and Timid Choice Scarf Heatran in the rain. Additional Speed can be used to beat specific Scarfed threats, but Salamence and Flygon are the only faster Scarfers capable of revenge killing a Kingdra in good health. </p>
<p> As always, this Kingdra benefits from rain support from its teammates allowing it to get an additional hit on its switch-ins. However, it is perfectly capable of operating on its own.</p>
<p>To illustrate the efficiency of Mixed Kingdra, a few damage calculations have been listed below</p>
<h3>Damage Calculations</h3>
<pre>
Waterfall vs. Max HP Bronzong: 54-64%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP / 98 SpD: Bronzong 72-85%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Celebi: 38-45%
Draco Meteor vs. Max HP Celebi: 59-69%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP / Max SpD + Forretress: 85-100%
Draco Meteor vs. 216 HP Gyarados: 62-73%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Jirachi: 76-89%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Metagross: 91-100%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Skarmory: 100%
Waterfall vs. 160 HP / 136 Def Snorlax: 60-71%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Suicune: 34-39%
Draco Meteor vs. Max HP Suicune: 52-62%
Hydro Pump vs. 240 HP Swampert: 82-98%
Hydro Pump vs. Max HP Scizor: 100%
</pre>
[SET]
name: Rain Dance (Special)
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Surf / Hydro Pump
move 3: Dragon Pulse
move 4: Signal Beam / Hidden Power Electric
item: Life Orb / Damp Rock
ability: Swift Swim
nature: Modest
evs: 92 HP / 252 SpA / 164 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Purely special version of the previous set. You can't hurt Blissey much, but this has some advantage over the mixed version. You don't need Attack EVs, so you can pour more into HP to help Kingdra take hits a little better. Surf and Dragon Pulse hit eveything except Shedinja and Empoleon for at least neutral damage. Signal Beam may seem overspecific, but scores some nice KOs against Celebi and Abomasnow after Stealth Rock. Hidden Power Electric is an alternative option if you don't particularly fear the aforementioned Grass Pokemon as it hits Empoleon and does slightly more damage to other Water types in comparison to STAB Dragon Pulse (140 vs. 135) and a lot more to Gyarados. Note how Draco Meteor is no longer an option here, as the Special Attack drop will cripple Kingdra's sweeping potential.</p>
<p> The EVs generate 247 Speed, which allows you to outspeed Jolly Tyranitar before you Rain Dance, and positive natured Scarfed base 100s while its raining.</p>
<p>Life Orb is for a power boost and offers a better chance at a sweep, or you can use Damp Rock if you're building a team based around the rain. Leftovers is also an option.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Surf / Hydro Pump
move 3: Hidden Power Electric
move 4: Ice Beam / Dragon Pulse
item: Choice Specs
ability: Sniper
nature: Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set, in one word: fireworks. If Draco Meteor or Hydro Pump gets a critical hit, we're talking about enough power to bring down full health Blissey. Hidden Power Electric is nice for smacking Empoleon around, although you can use any type that is super effective on the steel penguin, such as Fighting or Ground. However, Electric is recommended as it prevents Milotic and Vaporeon from recovering off damage until Draco Meteor loses its power. Dragon Pulse gives you a more reliable Dragon-type attack for late game sweeping, but Ice Beam is good for Grass-types, Celebi in particular.</p>
<p>If you don't care to take your chances in a Speed tie with Heracross and the like you can drop Kingdra's Speed to either 263 (228 EVs) to outrun all Breloom, 260 (216 EVs) to beat Adamant Mamoswine, or 254 (192 EVs) to get the drop on Modest Heatran. Remaining EVs go in HP.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Kingdra's movepool is fairly shallow and he doesn't have much in the way of other options. Flail is decent if you can get it off, but good luck pulling it off with Tyranitar, priority-move users and Stealth Rock everywhere.</p>
[EVs]
<p> Specific EVs are given for each set. For the Choice Specs set, Kingdra can use a Timid nature to reach higher Speeds, to outrun the likes of Adamant Lucario (196 EVs) and Jolly Mamoswine(220 EVs), but the extra power of Modest is often a better choice. You can also run a few more Speed EVs on the Uber set to outpace Jolly Scarfed Garchomp with Rain support but it is discouraged as you will lose out on quite a bit of possible KOs on other Pokemon to compensate.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>In the past, Kingdra has been bashed a lot for its poor movepool. In the fourth generation, like most other Pokémon, Kingdra got a huge helping of new moves to help it out, in particular receiving the fantastic addition of Outrage. While Kingdra's movepool still isn't anything to write home about, it has a few very interesting options that do work well and Kingdra has changed from quite the mundane sweeper to a Pokemon that many teams will have significant problems with due to it's ability to run quite a few sets, bulky stats, and excellent offensive (not to mention defensive!) typing.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Empoleon easily walls most mixed and special Kingdra sets, fearing only the occasional Hidden Power but when it comes to the Dragon Dancer Empoleon has to focus it's EVs into Defense or it will be 2HKOed by boosted Outrages. Celebi and Tangrowth also do decently at stopping the Dragon Dancer, but still have to be wary of Life Orbed variants as Outrage can 2HKO both of them. Milotic, Ludicolo, Suicune, and Vaporeon are also effective at stopping the mixed and special sets as well due their Water resistance and good Special Defense, although hits from Draco Meteor will still take their toll while Blissey, Snorlax and Regice will beat the special based Rain Dance set.</p>
