Introduction
Kingdra fits well into January 2025's metagame as a powerful sweeper. It usually requires setup, but the payoff is significant if it succeeds. Its unique and powerful Water/Dragon typing, combined with a well-rounded stat spread, provides many opportunities to set up by forcing switches or surviving a hit during setup. Coupled with a good offensively-oriented move pool and choice of ability between Swift Swim and Sniper, Kingdra can afford significant flexibility in its sets and free-form functionality between Physical and Special. Kingdra fits on a variety of teams and archetypes, being a staple on manual rain teams and being able to mold itself to do almost anything a team could ask for. Kingdra is notably able to switch into Fire and Water moves and poses a big threat to a variety of different Pokemon depending on its set, mainly Fire types, Dragon types, Ground types and Probopass, also being able to hit neutral targets with big damage and threatening potential resists with its access to Ice Beam and Hurricane; however, Kingdra is threatened by fairy types such as Comfey and can struggle to sweep successfully if it doesn't get to set up or if it can't break through opposing bulky Pokemon such as Slowbro.
Swift Swim Sweeper (SwimDra) set
Swift Swim Kingdra is a staple of rain-oriented teams, being able to, during Rain, outspeed the entire tier outside of the extremely uncommon Scarf Wugtrio without even committing to a +Speed nature, and threaten large amounts of damage even against resists. Swift Swim Kingdra is extremely flexible, being able to play either as the Rain setter itself or with someone else to set it and then switch or pivot into Kingdra, also being able to choose between physical or special damage. Depending on who's using Rain Dance, Kingdra can go with a Lum, Roseli, or Haban Berry to help keep it healthy as it sets up or a Choice Specs or Band to amp its rain-boosted damage even further.
Sniper + Scope Lens + Focus Energy (CritDra)
CritDra is one of KIngdra's most notorious and beloved sets, being able to blow up its opposition after setting up Focus Energy thanks to the Sniper ability. It works similarly to Swimdra, setting up before delivering massive damage. CritDra is less dependent on Rain being up but is liable to getting outsped thanks to Kingdra's otherwise average speed outside of rain, and can be stopped by Type: Null thanks to its ability.
Dragon Dance (DanceDra/DDDra)
Despite both SwimDra and CritDra being able to choose between Physical or Special, Dragon Dance is strictly Physical, using DD to deal damage and become faster without relying on rain.
Written by Beposx