What's a good counter for Kingdra?

Question

Not any Kingdra, a Kingdra that has managed to set up a focus energy and keeps critting every turn. Also, the counter has to be slower than Kingdra so that it can tank a critical hit and OHKO it.

Answer 1

Discounting legendaries, there really are only a few choices.

Sylveon can handle one hit from a special Kingdra, but not physical (obv.).

>252+ SpA Sniper Kingdra Surf vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon on a critical hit: 234-276 (59.3 - 70%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

But also:

>252+ SpA Sniper Kingdra Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon on a critical hit: 285-337 (72.3 - 85.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

And then on the rebuff:

>252 SpA Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Kingdra: 356-420 (121.9 - 143.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Sylveon can't switch-in to a Kingdra, but it can tank one STAB water move and OHKO with Hyper Voice.

Comments

Is it advisable to run max SpA on sylveon?

---

If you want it to be offensive, sure.
People usually use Sylveon like Umbreon/ Vaporeon, but I find that without Heal Bell (since it's hard to get in Gen VI), it's not really worth it.

---

Is sylveon the only solution?

---

For special Kingdra, Florges would work too. You can choose to tank it out with Blissey or Chansey and Toxic stall, but Sylveon can take one water hit and OHKO with Hyper Voice.
>252+ SpA Sniper Kingdra Draco Meteor vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Eviolite Chansey on a critical hit: 270-319 (38.3 - 45.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

For physical Kingdra, I got nothing, but I assume most Kingdras are special, because Draco Meteor > Outrage (due to continuous crit and no confusion).

---

So physical Kingdra wrecks?

---

Basically. Vaporeon w/ 252 HP/252 Def can take 1 crit Outrage, but it can't really do anything back. Togekiss with 252 HP/252 Sp. Atk can take one Crit Waterfall then has about 25% chance of OHKOing with Dazzling Gleam. You might sacrifice Togekiss, then bust out something with priority to clean up.

Best revenge kill to Kingdra is Noivern. 252 Sp. Atk Dragon Pulse with OHKO without any boost.

Answer 2

Kingdra is only weak to Fairy and Dragon, so something along those lines could work, Kingdra's low HP makes it easy to take down, especially since most of them are purely offensive and have alsmost no defensive EVs.

Since Kingdra is UU, Florges can get the job done.

Florges@Leftovers
Ability: Flower Veil
Nature: Bold
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Sp Def
-Aromatherapy
-Calm Mind
-Mooblast
-Wish

---

Calcs:

Kingdra doesnt OHKO Florges with Scald on a critical hit.

252+ SpA Sniper Kingdra Scald vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Florges on a critical hit: 139-163 (38.6 - 45.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

With the boost from Calm Mind (since it won't OHKO), it's a guaranteed OHKO with Moonblast.

+1 4 SpA Florges Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kingdra: 354-416 (121.6 - 142.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Comments

Isn't it better to invest the SpA attack into its defenses as  Moonblast is the only attacking move and it'll need the bulk to set up wish

---

i changed the EVs and the calcs.

---

I think surf/hydro pump is more common than scald therefore Florges will be 2HKOed if it tried to set up because the calm mind SpD boost is useless on a critical hit

---

usage set is Scald.

---

Maybe, but if ppl who know this calc would probably run surf/hydro pump