Kyogre, The Sea Basin Pokémon. Kyogre is said to be the personification of the sea itself. Legends tell of its many clashes against Groudon, as each sought to gain the power of nature. It is said to have widened the seas by causing downpours. It had been asleep in a marine trench.
Overview
The titan of the sea, Kyogre has had a staggering legacy in the scene of competitive Pokemon with its lore battle with Groudon being a factor carried over into the fields of Ubers. The first of three Pokemon to introduce permanent weather along side its fellow weather titan Groudon and the pseudo legendary Tyranitar, Kyogre's Drizzle was by far the strongest of the three, though Tyranitar's probably shaped the general metagame more. In conjunction with Kyogre's high base stats of 90 Defense and Speed, 100 HP and Attack, and a monstrous 150 Special Attack and 140 Special Defense, Kyogre became the face of Ubers until Drizzle was nerfed in XY and finally had its title usurped with ORAS, as Primal Groudon's hold on the Ubers meta shifted the dynamic in the other direction. However Kyogre, mostly Primal Kyogre, is still a very threatening Pokemon that shreds teams if given the chance to do so. Don't let Primal Groudon's presence mislead you, because rain boosted Water moves coming from this thing hurts just as much as always.
Positives
Offensive Pressure - Choice Specs Drizzle boosted Water Spout, that's all that really needs to be said. In seriousness, Kyogre can blow holes in teams and check some common threats with ease due to its solid bulk and access to Water Spout, Hydro Pump, 100% accuracy Thunder, and Ice Beam. These alone can threaten the daylights out of most Pokemon but Kyogre is an unpredictable beast, switch in Blissey to sponge a Thunder and get meet instead with a Substitute Calm Mind set and it's going to be a rough day. This made it very important to have a Kyogre answer much in the way teams now need ways to answer Xerneas and Primal Groudon in multiple ways.
Flexibility - Kyogre has had a history of being very flexible. With its STAB and boost from its from its ability, Kyogre finds itself often as an offensive monster spamming Water Spout to cripple everything, but it can run many variants of offensive sets such as Substitute Calm Mind, Choice Specs, Choice Scarf, and Mono Attacker. However, Kyoger's Special Defense lets it tank some of the most powerful threats in Ubers such as Dialga, Palkia, and Reshiram and it can even find a home on Stall teams with Rain to support Pokemon such as Rain Dish Tentacruel and Ferrothorn.
Negatives
Outclassed - Kyogre really lacks downsides outside for on major one, there's no reason to use it. With Primals not taking a Mega slot and there being only two options, why run normal Kyogre when Primal Kyogre is just the same beast but jacked up to 11? Kyogre itself only shines on an Ubers Rain team similar to Groudon with Drizzle, but the bigger difference is Primal Groudon will render those teams mute due to Desolate Land, and Rain has other good setters unlike Sun teams.
Abilities
Drizzle - Induces rain on entry - Drizzle as anyone who has played Ubers or BW OU can tell you is the best of the 4 weather options, and having it on a Pokemon that can threaten other weather setters is huge.
Movesets
RestTalk
-Scald
-Toxic / Ice Beam
-Rest
-Sleep Talk
Item Attached: Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs and Nature:
248 HP/ 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
With great bulk, Kyogre can gain a leg up as a rain setter against Pelipper who is weak to Stealth Rock. Scald is the only move really needed as not much wants to deal with a burn and it gets a boost from Drizzle. Toxic helps best some common switch-ins such as Palkia and Giratina who don't want to eat that, but Ice Beam can be run over Toxic so Mega Salamence doesn't get off scot-free as it actually wants the burn for Facade sets. Rest and Sleep Talk form a nice utility core to keep Kyogre alive, refresh status such as Toxic, and importantly be a sponge for Spores and Darkrai. However it should be noted Primal Kyogre can run this set but better due to higher base stats, but if you run Uber Rain this is the best rain setter.
Other Options& Partners
Swift Swim Users - Due to Kyogre being focused on Rain support, Swift Swim users are the best option to run with it. Mega Swampert is by far the best having solid bulk to tank a hit and high Attack in combination with its good STAB options. This along with Swampert's good coverage allows for good options against a lot of Uber threats with moves such as Ice Punch and Superpower. Kingdra is also a nice option with Choice Specs due to its high bulk of base 95 across the board and nice typing in Dragon/Water. Along with Ice Beam, this allows Kingdra to handle most Uber threats quite well. Finally Kabutops with its 115 base Attack and Aqua Jet allow it to function quite well outside of Rain as a cleaner, while its Rock typing is nice in Ubers with plenty of Flying Pokemon around such as Mega Salamence and Ho-Oh.
Countering Kyogre
Primal Groudon - Honestly this is one of the two reasons you won't find Kyogre too often anymore without a Blue Orb. Primal Groudon's Desolate Lands negates Kyogre's Water-type attacks and then just gets ripped by Precipice Blades. While Kyogre can Toxic Primal Groudon, if it runs Rest it overall won't matter and Kyogre has a low chance of winning the match up. And let's be honest, basically every team you see is going to have Primal Groudon.
Kyogre, The Sea Basin Pokémon. Through Primal Reversion and with nature's full power, it will take back its true form. It can summon storms that cause the sea levels to rise.
Overview
With a Blue Orb in its hand (flipper?) Kyogre reverts to its original form, gaining 100 more to its base stats, namely its Attack gaining a massive 50. This with its new ability Primordial Sea allows Primal Kyogre to act as an anti meta Pokemon, preying on people being unaware of its plethora of options as well as its 150 base Attack combined with 180 Special Attack, hitting multiple Ubers threats on their softer defensive side. This feels like a more subdued boost compared to the monstrosities that are Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza, but Primal Kyogre is just as ridiculous of a monster in its own right. Permanent weather is one thing, but permanent weather that can only be overwritten by the other permanent weathers is an insane tool alone.
Positives
Utility - Much like its original form in prior generations, Primal Kyogre is a very versatile Pokemon. Primal Kyogre can fit a lot of teams, but not as flexibly as Primal Groudon can. Regardless, it can still fit many niches for a team such as tank, offensive pivot, and lure due to its nice stat spread and typing.
Negatives
Competition with Groudon - While Kyogre is great the issue has to be brought up about how strong Primal Groudon overall is compared to Primal Kyogre. 90 base Defense is really rough in Ubers, especially with how common Necrozma Dusk Mane is and Solgaleo was, and while Kyogre resists their Steel STABs, Primal Groudon's new found Fire typing allows it to handle them plus Xerneas while being a reliable supportwith Stealth Rock. That being said nothing is stopping you from running both Primals, just know that Primal Groudon will always be able to switch into its otherwise deadly Water-type STABs and that this will make things awkward for Primal Kyogre.
Abilities
Primordial Sea - Induces Heavy Rain upon entry. Fire moves are negated and weather can't be changed without Desolate Land or Delta Stream - Kyogre's version of Desolate Land but overall not as insane of a boost, as Kyogre already resisted Fire unlike Groudon's previous Water weakness. This is still a great ability overall though, the weather control is always powerful.
Movesets
Calm Mind
-Calm Mind
-Water Spout
-Origin Pulse
-Ice Beam
Item Attached: Blue Orb
Ability: Primordial Sea
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
One of Kyogre's oldest sets, Calm Mind and Kyogre go hand in hand. Water Spout provides tremendous power at full to 75% health passing Kyogres secondary STAB Origin Pulse which in itself is a great tool as its 5% more accurate and double the PP of Hydro Pump. Ice Beam rounds out the set with both solid coverage, it loses out on other Water types but it gives a way to threaten Mega Salamence and Giratina.
The offensive stat spread allows Primal Kyogre to outspeed as many threats as possible since speed tiers are generally lower with increased power levels, though a defensive spread with Rest is also possible. Note that this is gives up a lot of offensive potential though.
Mixed Attacker
--Liquidation
-Earthquake
-Thunder
-Ice Beam
Item Attached: Blue Orb
Ability: Primordial Sea
EVs and Nature:
252 Atk / 4 Def /252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
Physically based Mixed Kyogre is terrifying for a lot of Ubers teams as it's something Kyogre has never done in the past. Liquidation is a great STAB option but Waterfall can be used if favoring a flinch is better, but Kyogre isn't that fast and the defense drop from Liquidation is nicer. Earthquake is the killer of the set as Primal Groudon normally counters Primal Kyogre on other sets. Earthquake here is a clean 2HKO and hits other threats such as Solgaleo, Necrozma Dusk Mane, and Zekrom for the same 2HKO. Thunder beats Flying types such as Lugia, Lunala, and beats other Kyogre. Finally Ice Beam is just great coverage for the plethora of Dragons in Ubers and hits Ferrothorn hard.
All Out Attacker
-Origin Pulse
-Thunder / Water Spout
-Earthquake
-Ice Beam / Thunder
Item Attached: Blue Orb
Ability: Primordial Sea
EVs and Nature:
4 Atk / 252 SpA /252 Spe
Hasty / Naive Nature
Basically the opposite side of the last set, this set aims to make use of Kyogres great 180 Special Attack combined with the boost from Primordial Sea. Origin Pulse is the overall more used STAB due to its 110 base power no matter Kyogre's health, but Water Spout can be used in place of Thunder for a more powerful STAB in the early to mid game. Earthquake takes the third slot for baits on Primal Groudon who is a strong answer for Primal Kyogre otherwise, and it helps to chip down a key piece of the opponent's team. Final slot is open to preferably Ice Beam to handle Mega Salamence and Zygarde, while Thunder can be used for more damage on Lugia. As such Toxic is also an option to cripple Lugia or put Ho-Oh and Giratina on a timer.
Other Options
Bulky - A RestTalk set like the one for normal Kyogre works just as well on Primal Kyogre, arguably better due to its increased bulk from primal regression. The downside is that it doesn't have leftovers for more passive healing, though it does have much better special offense.
Partners
Ho-Oh - Good bulk, good typing, and Regenerator makes Ho-Oh an excellent member of any Ubers team, but it notably makes an excellent partner to Kyogre. Firstly, Ho-Oh gets plenty of chances to get in with common answers to Kyogre, namely Ferrothorn but other Pokemon Kyogre can struggle with such as Necrozma Dusk Mane and some Arceus forms are nice entry points. Ho-Oh's second point is that its type flexibility matches Kyogre. Stall, Balance, Offensive Ho-Oh can fit well with its blend of support in Toxic and Defog while applying pressure with Sacred Fire, Brave Bird, and Earthquake. Finally Kyogre smokes Zygarde Complete who is Ho-Oh's biggest check but gives Kyogre, especially bulky Calm Mind, a way in.
Necrozma Dusk Mane - Similar to Ho-Oh, Necrozma Dusk Mane is a very flexible Pokemon that capitalizes on what Kyogre does, especially physical Kyogre. Double Dance Necrozma loves Kyogre for this reason as with Primal Groudon removed or weakened and Ferrothorn weakened, it only has to worry about Lugia and Zygarde Complete, which Kyogre can beat or Necrozma can push through with a +2 Sunsteel Strike, especially with a Solganium Z. Necrozma Dusk Mane pairs well with Defensive Kyogre to check threats such as Water Arceus and Dragon types that threaten to break Kyogre.
VGC & Double Battles
If you thought Kyogre was scary in Singles, it's several times scarier in Doubles with the help of a good teammate. Unlike in Singles where Primal Groudon essentially keeps Kyogre in check, Primal Groudon in Doubles sometimes feels like it's there to prevent Primal Kyogre from effortlessly mowing down teams. Rain boosted spread moves from Kyogre are so dangerous that even Choice Scarf Kyogre has a place if you know what you're doing. With proper team setups Primal Kyogre can be even scarier than Primal Groudon since rain boosted Origin Pulse is a lot more powerful than Precipice Blades. In a VGC setting Primal Kyogre sits as one of the biggest and most threatening choices for a restricted legendary, and it's sheer power is both simple and devastating.
All Out Attacker
-Origin Pulse
-Thunder / Water Spout
-Earthquake
-Ice Beam / Thunder
Item Attached: Blue Orb
Ability: Primordial Sea
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold / Modest Nature
Primal Kyogre is always going to be the way to go in Doubles as well, Primordial Sea is just too powerful of an ability not to take advantage of it when Delta Steam and Desolate Land exist. Origin Pulse may let you down with its accuracy at times but it's otherwise the most consistently powerful STAB option. Water Pulse provides a more accurate and conditionally more powerful alternative, though it demands a bit more careful play with Kyogre to utilize optimally. Ice Beam is necessary so that Primal Kyogre isn't so easily checked by Mega Rayquaza and Mega Salamence, though Thunder provides a strong option for nuking an opposing Primal Kyogre as well. Any combination of Water Spout, Ice Beam, and Thunder is valid though, and depends solely on your team's needs. Protect.
The EV spread chooses to opt for boosting Primal Kyogre's somewhat lacking physical bulk so that it can stand up against Primal Groudon and Mega Rayquaza better. The boost from Primordial Sea makes Primal Kyogre strong enough even without investment so Bold nature is a strong pick to optimize physical bulk, though Modest is still valid to boost its offensive capabilities. Dropping more physical bulk and going a more offensive route is also valid though giving up too much physical bulk makes it difficult to tank hits reliably.
Other Options
- Choice Scarf Kyogre is still a valid approach if you have very reliable teammates to help keep Primal Groudon from being an annoyance, and basically mandates pairing Kyogre with Rayquaza. It's typically not recommended to use this over Primal Kyogre though.
- In general Rayquaza is the most effective teammate for Kyogre since it enables a lot of deadly options for Kyogre to blow things up with Water-type moves. The presence of Rayquaza alone is enough to make an opponent think twice about switching Primal Groudon in freely.
- Mega Gengar is a dangerous teammate that also attempts to take advantage of Kyogre's insane firepower by locking the foe in and preventing the option of being able to switch into Groudon altogether.
- Tapu Koko appreciates having Kyogre's rain to make use of Thunder more reliably, and it also serves as a decent check to Mega Rayquaza and Mega Salamence due to its higher Speed.
- Trick Room support from the likes of Bronzong or Cresselia makes Primal Kyogre even more dangerous as many of Primal Kyogre's checks rely on being faster than it to prevent it from blowing them back.
- As with any of the top threats, Kyogre pairs well with most any of the other big legendaries. Magearna, Xerneas, Yveltal, even Primal Groudon, any of them make for worthwhile teammates.
Countering Primal Kyogre
Ferrothorn - There has been few match ups as rough as Kyogre and Ferrothorn. Ferrothorn just laughs at all Kyogres attempts and heals, sets up hazards, then KOes Kyogre. The Calm Mind match up without Roar or Rest is rough as Power Whip hits Kyogres lower defense stat as well. Even physical Kyogre struggles still with Ferrothorn but is slightly easier due to it often being specially defensive.
Giratina - Defensive Giratina can stall out all Primal Kyogre sets only fearing the Calm Mind after a boost. Toxic and the always present option of Dragon Tail combined with Rest and great bulk make it a solid option for Stall teams looking for a backbone against the great whale, especially one that isn't weak to Primal Groudon.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in Game
Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Not in Game
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Cave of Origin (Sapphire)
Marine Cave (Emerald)
Trade from Sapphire/Emerald (Ruby)
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Trade from Sapphire/Emerald
Colosseum/XD:
Trade from Sapphire/Emerald
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Trade from HeartGold
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Embedded Tower (HeartGold)
Trade from HeartGold (SoulSilver)
Black/White:
Transfer from Generation IV
Black 2/White 2:
Transfer from Generation IV
X/Y:
Trade from Omega Ruby
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Cave of Origin (Alpha Sapphire)
Trade from Alpha Sapphire (Omega Ruby)
Sun/Moon:
Trade from Ultra Moon
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Ultra Space Wilds (Ultra Moon)
Trade from Ultra Moon (Ultra Sun)
Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee!:
Not in Game
Animé Appearences
