BattleArenaVGC blog

Kyogre & ludicolo have seemingly asserted dominance as the most potent duo of the sun series thus far.Keep in mind the format is still relatively new and development is sure to come in the next few weeks.

Kyogre opts in to the choice scarf item and seems to tear through anything, even if it resists it, making it a great Pokemon to build your team around.

Ludicolo has shown to be a great partner for Kyogre. It's fast fake out relieves pressure from Kyogre, allowing it to fire off water spouts freely. Additionally, it helps check opposing Kyogre's by resisting its attacks (x4), outspeeding Kyogre in the rain and allowing it to strike back with grass knot.

I expected Xerneas to dominate right from the start, but it looks like the lack of harsh sunlight provided by Primal Groudon makes it rather difficult for it to setup Geomancy and evidently, fall to steel types to easily.

Players are already coming up with creative teams to counteract Kyogre & Ludicolo. Aaron Zheng has already come up with a great way to do so, namely via a slower Groudon paired with a Cresselia with the move Gravity. Not only does slow Groudon ensure your weather stays on the field, it also ensures you move before Kyogre does in trick room. 

Additionally, you can pair slower Groudon with Venusaur/Victreebel to ensure your poison type can outspeed and OHKO Ludicolo. Victreebel is mentioned because of it's physical prominence over its special side, which might lose out on a OHKO on Ludicolo (due to Assault Vest). Not only that, but the grass typing is great for resisting water moves, which are further weakened due to the sunlight. 

Other pokemon that might be on Kyogre's supporting cast are Crobat, Tapu lele, Tapu Bulu & Ferrothorn. 

Crobat can assist kyogre with speed control by preventing trick room with taunt or setting up tailwind to match the opponents tailwind. Quick guard is usually seen to protect Kyogre from Priority moves (looking at you, Yveltal) like sucker punch and allow it to dish out full power water spouts unscathed. Plus, Crobat doesn't flinch (don't fake out Crobat pls). 

Tapu lele is mainly there for its psychic terrain, thats all it needs to do to help out Kyogre. Watch for opposing Tapus switching in to remove the psychic terrain.

Tsareena in a very similar way will support Kyogre with its ability Queenly Majesty, preventing priority moves from hurting Kyogre. It will also have the option to punish safe or defensive plays by breaking through protects with feint.

Tapu Bulu can support Kyogre with grassy terrain and allowing it to regenerate to continue dealing powerful water spouts and generally checking other pokemon it struggles with.

Ferrothorn is mainly your Xerneas check and also opposing Kyogres. Consider some special defense investment to deal with Kyogre's water spouts.



I definitely expect the core of Primal Groudon and Xerneas to resurge in the Ultra series, but for now, the forecast seems to be Drizzle for a couple months.

Thanks for reading and catch ya next time!

-Sam