Pokémon Kingdra

[Low-Key]

Kingdra

Typing:

Stat Distribution: 75 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 85
Abilities: Swift Swim / Sniper / Damp (HA)

Notable Moves:
Draco Meteor
Dragon Dance
Dragon Pulse
Flash Cannon
Flip Turn
Hurricane
Hydro Pump
Ice Beam
Liquidation
Outrage
Scald
Surf
Tera Blast
Waterfall
Wave Crash

Bold indicates a new notable move that this Pokemon got access to.

Pros

- Kingdra has an absolutely amazing Water/Dragon type, both defensively and offensively.
- Kingdra's main power comes from its versatility in Rain teams--Swift Swim allows it to increase its speed and check threats like and . In addition, Kingdra's mixed offenses allow it to run physical or special sets.
- Kingdra has a lot of coverage at its disposal--including Flash Cannon for Fairy-types and Ice Beam & Hurricane for Grass-types.

Cons

- Kingdra only has subpar bulk (75/95/95), which means it can easily be revenge killed by threats like and Tera Normal .
- In addition, Kingdra has no high-crit-rate moves, which makes Sniper sets less worthwile.
- Kingdra doesn't really have any physical coverage. Have fun running Body Slam. (/j)
- Despite its massive coverage, Kingdra is sadly outclassed by as a

special attacker. Walking Wake has better bulk, higher speed and Sp. Atk, and it can also be run on sun teams thanks to its signature move Hydro Steam.

Potential Tera Types

-

is by far the most obvious Tera Type for this Pokemon to run, it gives a MASSIVE boost to moves like Hydro Pump and Wave Crash, especially in rain teams.
-

can also be used to power up moves like Draco Meteor and Outrage.

These Tera Types have a few issues though; Tera

makes you more suspectible to Volt Switch and the like and Tera

makes you an easy target for Ice moves. However, these aren't the only types Kingdra can use.

-

can be used to power up Flash Cannon as a way to handle Fairies, and it gives you a lot of great resistances.
-

can also be run as a way to check opposing Tera users like Tera Normal .

Potential Sets

Standard Rain Sweeper
Kingdra @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Hydro Pump / Scald
- Ice Beam
- Flip Turn
This is the more standard Kingdra set, and by far the set that I expect Kingdra to use the most. Tera Water powers up Hydro Pump, or you could use the fringe Scald set (which can burn the opponent.)

Physical Rain Sweeper
Kingdra @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
Tera Type: Water
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Wave Crash
- Flip Turn
A physical version of the common rain sweeper set. Dragon coverage helps to distance Kingdra from other Swift Swim Pokemon like and .

Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, Kingdra probably won't have a good time in OU because of Pokemon like Walking Wake running around. However, I do expect it to be good on rain teams when it drops, especially considering Pelipper is in UU and Politoed is in RU. Kingdra may not be good in OU, but I believe it could have a place in the lower tiers.

 

[Magcargo]

Kingdra is probably better this gen than it was last gen. No Ferrothorn and Tapu Fini means Specs has considerably less switch-ins than before. Being only neutral to Raging Bolt's Thunder Clap is also a nice perk compared to its rain sweeping competition. Unfortunately, its speed tier under rain has take a noticable hit due to Scarf Darkrai and Booster Iron Boulder outspeeding it under rain if it runs a Modest nature.

 

[ViralN9]

I could imagine a Sniper set working well in doubles with a Scope Lens and Dragon Cheer support, allowing it to throw out 100% crit rate moves.

 

[DinkyKong91]

Kingdra will only be played on rain teams where it will always be faster than walking wake. It also has access to scale shot (nice against Dragonite) and also weather ball now which is a 100 base power stab move with 100 accuracy under rain. It almost kills anything with one hit under rain that doesn't resist it's moves like walking wake, darkrai, iron valiant or kingambit (not even the need for modest nature)