What is a good moveset for Kingdra?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Kingdra, post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for its pre-evolutions, if any, can also be shared on this thread.

Be sure to include full set details in your post, e.g. items, abilities, natures and EVs. Some detail, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Kingdra Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Kingdra (M) @ Scope Lens
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Focus Energy
- Draco Meteor
- Scald
- Ice Beam

Comments

Might wanna consider replacing Ice Beam with Flash Cannon to deal with Fairy types.

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I'd replace Scald for Hydro Pump and use a Modest Nature instead of a Timid Nature. Other than that, nice move set.

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Since it's designed to get constant crits, I think it'd need speed more than special attack.

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Go with whatever you want, it's just what I prefer.

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Scald is kind of a weak option and could be replaced with Hydro Pump or Surf. Even though Hydro is more of a gamble, it hits extremely hard with crits.

Answer 2

The King in Rain

J98 (Kingdra) (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 Atk / 80 Def / 176 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Outrage
- Flail
- Iron Head

The scariest Pokemon you'll ever face is Kingdra used on one of J98's Rain teams (or TorTran). This thing is just... wow. Waterfall and Outrage are all that are really needed. Iron Head and Flail are very situational. Btw, I meant the King IN Rain. Politoed and Kyogre are more the Kings OF Rain.

Comments

I feel complimented. I still use this thing in Ubers. Ah.. I slightly miss using it in OU, but then I have it used against me and... yeah.

Answer 3

Ah.. I have this thing saved in my PO box, but I think I can list it off of the top of my head.

~ 5 turns of " Screw you! " ~

Bawsin' (Kingdra) @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 160 HP / 252 SpA / 96 Spe
Modest Nature
- Rain Dance
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Dragon Pulse

To be blunt, he only needs 5 turns to wreck a team.

Rain gives doubled speed AND let's Hydro Pump get that sexy 50% boost.
Ice Beam is still great coverage overall, while Dragon Pulse offers a back up STAB.

EVs gives him enough bulk to set up Rain Dance with enough speed and attacking power to still sweep amazingly afterwards.

I use this set in UU. I'm also in a plain text mood, so no sprite. Don't edit one in either.

Answer 4

I got destroyed by this set. Now I'm off to destroy others with it, hax will prevail.

Kritz (Kingdra) @ Scope Lens

Ability: Sniper
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
- Focus Energy
- Agility
- Draco Meteor
- Surf/Ice Beam

Agility to boost speed, you're reasonably bulky with decent typing so its generally safe. Then, Focus Energy, for an almost garunteed critical hit chance combined with Scope Lens. By then, the SAtk drop from Draco Meteor won't matter, since critical hits also ignore lowered attack stats and raised defenses. Ice Beam or Surf is just extra stuffs to have around. Where Ice Beam provides more type coverage while Surf comes with STAB.

Comments

Oh god, just saw that this was similar to Mews set. Never posting at night again, sorry!

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You should note that Surf gives you STAB while Ice Beam has better coverage

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Alright, I'll fix it then. It's been a while since I've been here and Big pics used to be a thing.

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Maybe you can put Flash Cannon(TM) on it for Fairy coverage.

Answer 5

Gen V

Kingdra (M) @ Dragon Fang
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 204 Atk / 204 SpA / 100 Spe
Naive Nature
- Ice Beam
- Draco Meteor
- Waterfall
- Outrage

Answer 6

Kingdra @ Assult Vest
Ability: Sniper
Modest Nature
EVs: 6 HP / 252 SpA /252 Spe
- Dragon Pulse (STAB)
- Surf (MORE STAB)
- Ice Beam (COVERAGE)
- Flash Cannon (MORE COVERAGE)

Answer 7

Kingdra @ Razor Claw
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Focus Energy
- Surf: STAB
- Facade: Because most players use toxic or will-o-wisp
- Dragon Pulse: STAB

Your Kingdra will be hated for guaranteed crits.

Comments

I'd take out Facade and add Flash Cannon for dealing with Fairies, but still a great moveset.

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Facade is worthless.

Answer 8

Gen 8 UU
Specs Rain Dance Sweeper
Kingdra @ Choice Specs
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hurricane
- Hydro Pump
- Draco Meteor
- Flip Turn
Explanation: This set is to be used in the rain. Hurricane doesn't miss in the rain. Hydro Pump is STAB that gets boosted by the rain. Draco Meteor is a strong STAB move. Flip Turn is for pivoting and can gain momentum.

Answer 9

Doubles UU

Kingdra @ Life Orb
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump / Muddy Water
- Dragon Pulse
- Hurricane
- Protect

This is intended for rain teams. Under Politoed's rain, Kingdra outspeeds every unboosted Pokémon in the tier with the exception of +speed nature Kingdra. Hydro Pump is absurdly strong water STAB in rain, and while Muddy Water isn't as stupidly strong, it causes spread damage. I personally recommend Hydro Pump due to Muddy Water's tendency to miss both opponents. Dragon Pulse is reliable dragon STAB. Hurricane cannot miss in rain and it gives Kingdra nice coverage against grass and fire types. Protect gives Kingdra a turn of safety where it's ally can still attack and potentially take out a threat to Kingdra, and is just a great move in doubles. Life Orb is the item of choice to boost Kingdra's subpar special attack stat while not being restricted by a choice item.

Answer 10

Gen 8 NU

Kingdra @ Leftovers
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Dragon Dance
- Liquidation
- Outrage

Sub Dragon Dance set. Substitute allows you to dodge status conditions such as poisoning, paralysis, and burns. Dragon Dance boosts your attack and speed. Liquidation is strong water STAB and has a chance to lower the defense of opposing Pokemon. Outrage is dragon STAB so you can hit Pokemon who resist or are immune to water moves, such as Vaporeon, Guzzlord, and Toxicroak.

Answer 11

this is my one

Kingdra @ Scope Lens
Ability: Sniper
Modest Nature
- Surf (STAB)
- Dragon Pulse (STAB)
- Ice beam / HP [Ground/Fighting/Fire] (Classic water move or unexpected anti-steel move)
- Agility (who needs Swift Swim)

Answer 12

Kingdra @ Scope Lens
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Jolly Nature
- Outrage
- Dragon dance
- Waterfall
- Return

EV it in Atk and Spe for sweeping. Also give it the scope Lens. Scope Lens makes it have a high critical hit chance. Sniper powers up critical hits making a critical hit a one hit kill pretty much. Dragon Dance makes outrage stronger.

Comments

Add Focus Energy for 100% crit.

Answer 13

Kingdra @ Mystic Water
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 SpD
Timid Nature
- Ice Beam/Draco Meteor
- Rain Dance
- Hydro Pump
- Flash Cannon

Answer 14

This Kingdra is literally a TROLL.

Kingdra (M) @ Choice Band
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Waterfall
- Iron Head
- Bounce
- Ice Beam

Waterfall will be the savior move, while Ice Beam is optional.

Comments

Why Ice Beam with Jolly Nature, even on a Choice Band set? Bounce doesn't seem to cover anything.

Answer 15

Gen VI

Kingdra @ Mystic Water / Splash Plate / Damp Rock
Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 252 SpA / 124 Def / 124 SpD / 8 HP
Modest Nature
- Dragon Pulse: STAB, main power, deals with dragons.
- Scald: STAB, chance to burn. Gets a boost with Rain Dance.
- Flash Cannon: Deals with Fairy weakness.
- Rain Dance: Increases speed with Swift Swim, boosts Scald.

Answer 16

Focus Energy (Kingdra) @ Scope Lens
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Focus Energy
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Draco Meteor

Answer 17

Kingdra
Item : Chesto Berry
Trait : Swift Swim
Nature : Modest (+SpAtk, -Atk)
EVs : 252 SpAtk, 252 Speed, 4 HP
-Rain Dance
-Surf
-Dragon Pulse
-Rest
As a lead Pokemon I've found that this guy can be quite devastating, lead with rain dance (basically ensuring he goes first the next 4 turns), spam STAB moves until low on HP, then Rest and do it again.

Answer 18

Kingdra @ Scope Lens
Trait: Sniper
EVs: speed, special attack
Timid Nature

Dragon pulse
good stab, high accuracy, Draco meteor is a bad idea for this special set.
Scald
good stab high accuracy, good chance for a burn.
Focus energy
Making good use of the sniper ability
Flash cannon
Special coverage to fairies, good power high accuracy.

Answer 19

Ability: Swift Swim
EVs: 4HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spd
Modest Nature
- Scald
- Rain Dance/agility/focus energy
- Dragon pulse
- Ice Beam

Kingdra is mostly used in rain dance team, scald is best sweeper sp water move, dragon pulse for coverage if scald is disabled or scald not very effectif, Ice beam for shedja (we never sure) or other dragon
Rain dance is only if your using kingdra without drain dance team, if you use raindance team kingdra will just use agility, Rain dance will boost swift swim in speed so would not using agility so replace it by focus energy to boost critical rate.
Hope it helped

Answer 20

Kingdra @Leftovers
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 252 Sp. Atk, 200 Spe, 29 Sp. Def, 29 Def
Nature: Timid (+Spe, -Atk)
Moveset:
Scald
Dragon Pulse
Ice Beam
Flash Cannon

Weaknesses are covered, two STAB moves - what more could you ask for? And don't say Dragon Dance!