Kingdra in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC Regulation H: Best build, strategies, and more

Kingdra in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC has some interesting potential after the recent release of Regulation H removed Legendary and Paradox Pokemon from competitive play. With heavy-hitting dragons like Raging Bolt and Miraidon banned from ranked formats, many players have begun to get creative with how they get their damage.

Kingdra was once one of the most potent Water-type Pocket Monsters in the competitive scene, but the franchise's infamous pwer creep eventually caught up to it, rendering it irrelevant until now.

Here is everything to know about using Kingdra in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC.

Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and reflect the writer's opinions

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Why use Kingdra in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC?

Kingdra is a great Water-type for Rain teams (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Kingdra offers a great balance of attack and special attack, allowing it to build for either damage type depending on preference or the current metagame. Its biggest draw is its Swift Swim ability, doubling its speed stat in rainy weather. With rain being a common archetype in Regulation H, the Pocket Monster fits right in.

Kingdra is the only Swift Swim user with access to Draco Meteor, which can make for a devastating combo with a proper build. Its type combination also leaves it with only two weaknesses: Dragon- and Fairy-type attacks.

With Swift Swim active, Kingdra is one of the fastest Icy Wind users in Regulation H, which grants it amazing speed control.

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Strategies for Kingdra in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC

Kingdra is most viable when used with Swift Swim on rain teams. Unlike most other Water-type critters, Kingdra is not weak to Grass-type damage. This can help it survive a couple of turns against Rillaboom with minimal defense investment.

Kingra also greatly benefits from being paired with a Ground- or Fighting-type Pokemon, as they can counter Archaludon, its biggest threat in rain. Gliscor works the best since it is a Ground- and Flying-type creature with access to High Horsepower.

With Draco Meteor being one of its biggest draws compared to other Swift Swim users, the White Herb held item can help reset Kingdra's stats, counteracting the Special Attack drop caused by using the Dragon-type attack. This also prevents it from relying on a Choice item for its stats, allowing it to use a richer diversity of attacks.

However, a Choice Specs Swift Swim Kingdra with Ice Beam, Dragon Pulse, and Weather Ball should not be underestimated. While this build prevents Kingdra from viably using utility like Icy Wind, Scald, or Clear Smog, it greatly throttles its damage capabilities.

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Best builds for Kingdra in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC

Kingdra in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC has a few different viable builds (Image via The Pokemon Company)

For players interested in trying the White Herb set for Kingdra, here are the blueprints for building it:

• Nature: Modest (+ Special Attack, - Attack)
• Item: White Herb
• Tera Type: Dragon
• Effort Values: 252 Special Attack, 252 Speed, 4 HP
• Moves: Draco Meteor, Scald, Icy Wind, Protect

This build provides potent Dragon-type damage, while also adding some general utility through Icy Wind's speed control and Scald's chance to burn.

For trainers wanting to try the Choice Specs build, here is a good option for this strategy:

• Nature: Modest (+ Special Attack, - Attack)
• Item: Choice Specs
• Tera Type: Flying
• Effort Values: 252 Special Attack, 252 Speed, 4 HP
• Moves: Dragon Pulse, Weather Ball, Hurricane, Ice Beam

This build provides great coverage options and damage potential but has the downside of locking itself into only using one move.

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Counters for Kingdra in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet VGC

Kingdra gets countered heavily by priority and status ailments. Rillaboom's Grassy Glide is the second-biggest threat to the Pocket Monster next to Archaludon's Electro Shot.

Fake Out can prevent Kingdra from generating momentum while also wasting a turn of rain.