Draft Kyurem

[Deranged_Lime]

**Draft Order**: Round 3 onwards

**Price Range**: 16-17 points

**Overview**: Kyurem is a powerhouse of a Pokemon, boasting high mixed attacking stats, great bulk, and a respectable Speed tier to back them up. It uses these traits to perform a variety of roles, such as sweeping and wallbreaking, as either a physical, special, or mixed attacker thanks to a versatile offensive movepool. However, while its typing offers some nice resistances, it comes with plenty of weaknesses to common types. Combined with a lack of reliable recovery and a vulnerability to entry hazards, Kyurem's bulk can easily be compromised, leaving it easily worn down.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Setup Sweeper**: Dragon Dance turns Kyurem into a deadly sweeper, especially when it uses Loaded Dice alongside its multi-hitting STAB moves. This can make for a powerful win condition but requires support, since its physical coverage outside of STAB moves is relatively poor.

**All-out Attacker**: This set aims to spread lots of damage reliably and finish off weakened targets. Several items can be used on this set, such as Heavy-Duty Boots to increase longevity and ease switching in as well as damage-boosting items, from Expert Belt utilizing Kyurem's super effective coverage to Choice Specs, to allow Kyurem to assume the role of a wallbreaker.

**Choice Scarf Revenge Killer**: Kyurem makes for an excellent revenge killer and potential cleaner when it fixes its mediocre Speed with a Choice Scarf. This set takes advantage of teams left weakened by its teammates, though it must take note to scout out potentially faster Choice Scarf Pokemon.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Scale Shot, Outrage, Dragon Claw, Ice Beam, Freeze-Dry, Icicle Spear

**Setup Moves**: Dragon Dance, Substitute

**Utility Moves**: Dragon Tail, Roar

**Coverage**: Earth Power, Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, Flash Cannon, Psychic, Iron Head, Zen Headbutt, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Shadow Claw, Dual Wingbeat

Niche Moves
========
**Protect**: Since Leftovers is Kyurem's sole source of recovery outside of Rest, Protect can be used to get as much use out of it as possible. Protect also pairs well with Kyurem's ability Pressure, allowing Kyurem to more easily PP stall foes, especially if they use attacks with low PP.

**Endeavor**: This move can be paired with Endure or Substitute to reliably get Kyurem to low HP, where it will then do massive damage. This can be useful against targets that reliably sponge hits from Kyurem, bypassing their bulk and typing.

**Blizzard**: Blizzard is a more powerful special Ice-type STAB move than Ice Beam that can be used when Kyurem is paired with snow, allowing it to never miss.

**Fling**: Fling is Kyurem's only Dark-type attack, which reaches 130 Base Power with Big Nugget as the held item. This attack is used for very specific targets, such as Gholdengo, that otherwise resist Kyurem's other physical moves.

**Endure**: Endure is an alternative to Protect that can attempt to be used to PP stall opposing attacks. However, this is mainly used to activate pinch Berries such as Custap and Salac Berries, as well as to allow Endeavor to reach maximum power.

Common Items
========
**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs greatly increases Kyurem's wallbreaking potential, boosting its powerful special moves such as Draco Meteor and Ice Beam and allowing it to break opposing walls and bulky cores.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Being vulnerable to entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, makes Heavy-Duty Boots a great item choice for Kyurem. This increases its longevity and allows it to function without relying on teammates to clear hazards for it.

**Loaded Dice**: This item is used on physical sets to ensure Icicle Spear and Scale Shot hit four to five times. This greatly increases their effective Base Power, easing Kyurem's ability to sweep while also bypassing effects such as Sturdy and Focus Sash.

**Choice Scarf**: Kyurem has decent Speed but is still outsped by many Pokemon, making it a good candidate for Choice Scarf. This increases the amount of Pokemon it can offensively check and gives it cleaning potential.

Niche Items
========
**Damage-boosting Items**: Damage-boosting items offer a less potent boost compared to Choice Specs, each having their own benefits while also allowing Kyurem to switch moves. Life Orb provides a more potent boost across all moves but leaves Kyurem worn down quickly, while other choices such as Never-Melt Ice provide more specific boosts but allow Kyurem to not KO itself so quickly.

**Leftovers**: When paired with reliable entry hazard removal, Kyurem benefits from Leftovers, giving it even greater longevity and allowing it to use its great bulk in combination with moves such as Substitute and Protect to stay healthy.

**Assault Vest**: Kyurem has a few crucial resistances alongside high natural HP. These combine well with Assault Vest, allowing Kyurem to assume the role of a tank, sponging special hits while using its natural power to dish out powerful attacks. This should be paired with entry hazard removal to be used effectively.

Tera
========
Kyurem makes for an exceptionally strong Tera Captain, leading to it usually being Tera banned. If allowed, it can use Tera to power up its highly spammable Dragon- and Ice-type moves by becoming one of those types. Setup sets can use Tera Fairy or Water to allow Kyurem to obtain Dragon Dance boosts more easily. On the flip side, an offensive type such as Tera Ground can be used to give Kyurem a powerful physical coverage move with Tera Blast to break through a potential check.

Draft Strategy
========
Kyurem has a lot of highly valuable traits for an offensive Pokemon, leveraging its bulk to switch in reliably and set up. Its strong mixed offenses allow it a lot of flexibility and can leave foes struggling to handle it. These traits make it a highly customizable Pokemon, making it perfect for Draft. Regardless, each of its sets, especially ones lacking Heavy-Duty Boots, require support from different kinds of teammates to work effectively.

**Entry Hazard Control**: Kyurem's typing leaves it vulnerable to entry hazards, which greatly decreases its bulk and effectiveness when it enters the field unless it uses Heavy-Duty Boots. As such, Kyurem appreciates teammates such as Great Tusk and Terapagos that can reliably use Rapid Spin to clear the field for it, freeing up its reliance on Heavy-Duty Boots to stay healthy. On the flip side, entry hazards on the opponent's side of the field help to weaken switch-ins to Kyurem, whether it is wallbreaking or sweeping. Entry hazard setters such as Hisuian Samurott and Landorus-T can reliably set hazards to support Kyurem and weaken all of its checks.

**Steel-type Counters**: Steel-types give Kyurem the most trouble, especially its physical sets, resisting its STAB combination and making it rely on coverage to hit them. Fire-types such as Chi-Yu and Fighting-types such as both Urshifu forms boast STAB moves that can hit these Pokemon super effectively and allow Kyurem to hit the rest of the opposing team.

**Speed Control**: Kyurem has a decent Speed stat, but it requires setup or a Choice Scarf to not be easily outsped. Even so, there are many faster Pokemon that can viably run a Choice Scarf to outpace it further. Speed control options should be considered to slow down the opposing team and allow Kyurem to excel. Examples include Thunder Wave users such as Scream Tail and Gholdengo, naturally faster Pokemon such as Darkrai and Iron Valiant, and Sticky Web users such as Ribombee.

**Snow Setters**: Being an Ice-type with great natural bulk, Kyurem can be potent when snow is on the field, boosting its Defense and allowing it to slot the usually unreliable Blizzard into its moveset. Alolan Ninetales and Abomasnow can automatically set snow, but they offer little in terms of type synergy. Alternatively, Slowking and Galarian Slowking are more synergistic with Kyurem and can use Chilly Reception to set snow and pivot into it, allowing it to immediately start benefitting from the snow.

Checks and Counters
========
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Gholdengo and Metagross naturally resist Kyurem's STAB moves, allowing them to switch in and force Kyurem out by threatening it with super effective STAB attacks in return. These Pokemon can shut down most physical variants, which usually lack powerful coverage to hit them, but they must watch out for Earth Power on special sets.

**Faster Pokemon**: Kyurem's Speed leaves it outsped by a myriad of faster offensive threats such as both Urshfu forms, Garchomp, and Iron Valiant, which can threaten Kyurem offensively in return. Faster Pokemon that can use a Choice Scarf or boost their own Speed, such as the examples above, can potentially also shut down Kyurem sets that boost Speed.

**Entry Hazards**: Without Heavy-Duty Boots or reliable hazard removal, Kyurem is at the mercy of entry hazards, being vulnerable to all of them and having a weakness to Stealth Rock to boot. Constant switching will wear Kyurem down very quickly, reducing its effectiveness, especially if it is a bulky variant.

**Phazing**: Phazing can disrupt Kyurem sets that rely on setting up. It also poses a great danger to all Kyurem variants that lack Heavy-Duty Boots, since phazing forces Kyurem to take even more entry hazard damage if hazards are up whenever it re-enters the field, greatly reducing its longevity.

**Status**: All Kyurem sets are vulnerable to at least one form of status that can reduce their effectiveness. Physical variants can be shut down by burn from moves like Will-O-Wisp, spread by Fire-types that can also resist Ice-type attacks. Paralysis slows down Kyurem and makes it even easier to outspeed. Finally, poison can combo with how easily non-Heavy Duty Boots Kyurem sets wear themselves down to put them on an even faster timer.

**Priority**: Despite great natural bulk, Kyurem's typing leaves it weak to several priority moves, which can threaten even its Speed-boosting sets. Bullet Punch from the likes of Scizor and Metagross, which are also troublesome Steel-types, and Mach Punch from Pokemon such as Breloom and Infernape threaten Kyurem greatly and should be scouted accordingly before attempting to clean or sweep.

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Written by:
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Grammar checked by:
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[Deranged_Lime]

Oh boy we're QC ready

 

[Techno]

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bax at home

**Draft order**: Round 2-3 3-4 onwards

**Price range**: 16-17 points

**Overview**: Kyurem is a powerhouse of a Pokemon, boasting high attacking stats on both sides, great bulk and a respectable speed tier to back them up. It uses these traits to perform a variety of roles, such as sweeping and wallbreaking, as either a Physical, Special or mixed attacker thanks to a versatile offensive movepool. As a Dragon and Ice type Pokemon, it has access to high power and spammable STAB attacks, making it difficult to switch into. Feels repetitive - basically what's said the sentence prior, and the beginning is direct dex info However, whilst it's typing also offers some nice resistances, it comes with plenty of weaknesses to common types. Combined with a lack of reliable recovery and a vulnerability to entry hazards, including a weakness to Stealth Rock, basically implied from beginning of sentence Kyurem's bulk can easily be compromised, leaving it easily worn down. This often leaves Kyurem reliant on Heavy-Duty Boots to survive when it would prefer to run other items to boost it's offensive potential. again implied + talked about later

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: Kyurem's powerful STAB moves combined with high Special Attack and wide coverage make it an exceptional wallbreaker. Choice Specs are used for as much damage as possible, breaking holes in defensive cores to pave the way for its teammates.

**Setup sweeper**: Dragon Dance turns Kyurem into a deadly sweeper, especially when it can use Loaded Dice alongside it's multi-hitting STAB moves. This can make for a powerful win condition, but requires support since its physical coverage outside of STAB moves is relatively poor.

**All out attacker**: Though not as powerful as the wallbreaking set, all out attacking sets can still reliably spread damage and finish off weakened targets. Alternate damage boosting items can be used to maintain the ability to switch moves and increase its damage output, or it can increase its longevity with Heavy-Duty Boots. feels way too similar to wallbreaker tbh - might be worth removing wallbreaker and mentioning here that specs can be used for additional wallbreaking power

**Choice scarfer Scarf Revenge Killer**: Kyurem makes for an excellent revenge killer and potential cleaner when it fixes it's Speed with a Choice Scarf. This set takes advantage of teams left weakened by its teammates, though it must take note to scout out potentially faster scarfed Pokemon.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Scale Shot, Outrage, Dragon Claw, Ice Beam, Freeze-Dry, Blizzard, Icicle Spear not sure if blizzard should be mentioned, too risky / ice beam usually does enough damage, but its up to you

**Setup moves**: Dragon Dance, Substitute move sub to utility (it's also in niche, don't mention it in both, but imo it should be common utility)

**Utility moves**: Dragon Tail, Roar, Endeavor make endeavor niche

**Coverage**: Earth Power, Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, Flash Cannon, Psychic, Iron Head, Zen Headbutt, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Shadow Claw, Dual Wingbeat

Niche Moves
========
**Protect**: Since Leftovers is Kyurem's sole source of recovery outside of Rest, Protect can be used to get as much use out of it as possible. It also pairs well with Kyurem's ability Pressure, allowing Kyurem to more easily PP stall their opponent, especially if they use attacks with low PP.

**Substitute**: Kyurem often forces switches, allowing a well timed Substitute to ease prediction and more accurately attack its intended targets. This can also be used on setup sets in order to attain boosts safely.

**Fling**: Fling is Kyurem's only Dark-type attack, which reaches 130 Base Power with Big Nugget as the held item. This attack is used for very specific targets, such as Gholdengo, which otherwise resists Kyurem's other physical moves.

**Light Screen / Reflect**: Kyurem can support its team with screens, which can also pair with its already impressive bulk to make itself harder to take down.

**Endure**: An alternative to Protect that can attempt to be used to PP stall opposing attacks. However, this is mainly used to activate pinch berries such as Custap and Salac Berries, as well as allowing Endeavor to reach max power.

Common Items
========
**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs greatly increase Kyurem's wallbreaking potential, boosting its powerful Special moves such as Draco Meteor and Ice Beam, allowing them and allowing it to break opposing walls and bulky cores.

**Loaded Dice**: This item is used on physical sets, mainly the Dragon Dance set, to ensure Icicle Spear and Scale Shot hit 4-5 times. This greatly increases their effective base power, easing the ability to sweep whilst also bypassing effects such as Sturdy and Focus Sash.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Being vulnerable to entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, make Heavy-Duty Boots a great item choice for Kyurem. This increases its longevity and allows it to function without relying on teammates to clear hazards for it.

**Choice Scarf**: Kyurem has decent speed, but is still outsped by many Pokemon, making it a good candidate for Choice Scarf. This increases the pool of Pokemon it can offensively check and gives it cleaning potential.

Niche Items
========
**Life Orb**: An alternative to Choice Specs, Life Orb allows Kyurem to switch moves whilst boosting power. However, this set is more easily worn down, especially with hazards on the field.

**Never-Melt Ice / Dragon Fang / Expert Belt**: Damage boosting items offer a more specific and less potent boost compared to Life Orb but prevent Kyurem from wearing itself down so quickly.

**Leftovers**: When paired with reliable hazard removal, Kyurem benefits from Leftovers, giving it even greater longevity and allowing it to use its great bulk in combination with moves such as Substitute and Protect to stay healthy.

**Assault Vest**: Kyurem has a few but crucial resistances alongside high natural HP. These combine well with Assault Vest, allowing Kyurem to assume the role of a tank, sponging Special hits whilst using its natural power to dish out powerful attacks. This should be paired with hazard removal in order to be used effectively.

**Metronome**: Freeze-Dry and Dragon Pulse are spammable moves Kyurem can find itself clicking repeatedly, giving a niche to Metronome, which boosts the power of moves used in succession. This allows Kyurem to slowly break down bulky targets that attempt to recover on it. probably too niche

Tera
========
Kyurem makes for an exceptionally strong Tera abuser, leading to it usually being banned from using the mechanic tera banned. When this is not the case If allowed, it can use Tera to power up its highly spammable Dragon-type and Ice-type moves by becoming one of those types. Alternatively, setup sets can turn into a defensive type such as Fairy or Water to allow Kyurem to obtain Dragon Dance boosts more easily. On the flip side, an offensive type such as Ground can be used to give Kyurem a powerful physical coverage move with Tera Blast to break through a potential check.

Draft Strategy
========
Kyurem should be drafted primarily as an offensive Pokemon, but one that not only can attack with both Physical and Special moves but also offers great natural bulk to either switch in reliably or allow itself to setup. As a Dragon-type, it comes with high stats, powerful moves and lots of coverage that make it a highly customizable Pokemon, making it perfect for the draft format. Regardless, each of its sets, especially ones lacking boots, require support from different kinds of teammates in order to work effectively.

**Entry hazards control**: All of Kyurems lacking Heavy-Duty Boots leave Kyurem's typing leaves it vulnerable to entry hazards, which greatly decreases its bulk and effectiveness when it enters the field unless it uses Heavy-Duty Boots. As such, Kyurem appreciates teammates such as Great Tusk and Terapagos who can reliably used Rapid Spin to clear the field for it, freeing up its reliance on boots to stay healthy. On the flip side, entry hazards on the opponents side of the field help to weaken switch ins to Kyurem, whether it be breaking or sweeping. Entry hazard setters such as Hisuian Samurott and Landorus-Therian can reliably set hazards to support Kyurem and weaken all of its checks.

**Alternate wallbreakers / sweepers**: Kyurem can sometimes find it hard to fit all the moves it wants onto one set. As a result, Kyurem appreciates teammates that can either take over from it in sweeping/breaking or allow it to take over from them instead. Water-type sweepers or breakers like Palafin can lure Water-type resists for Kyurem to take advantage of. This whole section feels broad, & mentioning water types specifically feels kinda random. Since steel counters & speed control are mentioned below I think this could just be removed.

**Reliable Steel-type counters**: Steel-types give Kyurem the most trouble, especially the its physical sets, resisting both of it's STABs and needing to rely on coverage to hit them. Teammates that can reliably KO Steel-types work very well with Kyurem. basically repeated in the next sentence Fire-types such as Chi-Yu and Fighting-types such as Urshifu boat STAB moves that can hit these Pokemon super effectively and allow Kyurem to hit the rest of the opposing team.

**Speed control**: Kyurem has a decent Speed stat, but requires setup or a Choice Scarf in order to not be easily outsped. Even so, there are many faster Pokemon that can viably run a Choice Scarf to outpace it further. Speed control options should be considered to slow down the opposing team and allow Kyurem to excel. Examples include Thunder Wave users such as Scream Tail and Gholdengo or Sticky Web users such as Ribombee. The latter strategy is more niche and should be combined with item removal to get rid of opposing Heavy-Duty Boots and make webs more effective.

**Snow setters**: Being an Ice-type with great natural bulk, Kyurem can be potent when Snow is on the field, boosting its Defense and allowing it to slot the usually unreliable Blizzard into its moveset. Alolan Ninetales and Abomasnow can automatically set Snow, but offer little in terms of type synergy. Alternatively, Slowking and Galarian Slowking are more synergistic and can use Chilly Reception to set Snow and pivot into Kyurem, allowing it to immediately start abusing it.

Checks and Counters
========
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Gholdengo and Metagross naturally resist Kyurems STABs, allowing them to switch in and force Kyurem out by threatening it with super effective STAB attacks in return. These Pokemon can shut down most Physical variants which usually lack powerful coverage to hit them, but must watch out for coverage moves such as Earth Power on Special sets.

**Faster Pokemon**: Kyurem's Speed leaves it outsped by a myriad of faster offensive threats such as Urshifu, Garchomp and Iron Valiant which can threaten Kyurem offensively in return. Faster Pokemon that can use a Choice Scarf or boost their own speed such as the examples above can potentially also shut down Kyurem sets that boost Speed.

**Entry hazards**: Without Heavy-Duty Boots or reliable hazard removal, Kyurem is at the mercy of entry hazards, being vulnerable to all of them and having a weakness to Stealth Rock to boot. Constant switching will wear Kyurem down very quickly, reducing its effectiveness, especially if it is a bulky variant.

**Phazing**: Phazing can disrupt Kyurem sets that rely on setting up, but also poses a great danger to all Kyurem variants that lack Heavy-Duty Boots. This is because since phazing forces it to take even more entry hazard damage if hazards are up whenever it re-enters the field, greatly reducing its longevity.

**Status**: All Kyurem sets are vulnerable to at least one form of status that can reduce its effectiveness. Physical variants can be shut down by Burns from moves such as Will-O-Wisp, spread by Fire-types that can also resist Ice-type attacks. Paralysis slows down Kyurem and makes it even easier to outspeed. Finally, Poison can combo with how easily non-boots Kyurem sets wear themselves down to put them on an even faster timer.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/deranged_lime.272077/
Quality checked by:
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https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.300000
Grammar checked by:
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qc 1/2 - mainly lots of rewording sentences. you know where to find me if you have any questions :)

 

[Deranged_Lime]

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**Draft order**: Round 2-3 3-4 onwards

**Price range**: 16-17 points

**Overview**: Kyurem is a powerhouse of a Pokemon, boasting high attacking stats on both sides, great bulk and a respectable speed tier to back them up. It uses these traits to perform a variety of roles, such as sweeping and wallbreaking, as either a Physical, Special or mixed attacker thanks to a versatile offensive movepool. As a Dragon and Ice type Pokemon, it has access to high power and spammable STAB attacks, making it difficult to switch into. Feels repetitive - basically what's said the sentence prior, and the beginning is direct dex info However, whilst it's typing also offers some nice resistances, it comes with plenty of weaknesses to common types. Combined with a lack of reliable recovery and a vulnerability to entry hazards, including a weakness to Stealth Rock, basically implied from beginning of sentence Kyurem's bulk can easily be compromised, leaving it easily worn down. This often leaves Kyurem reliant on Heavy-Duty Boots to survive when it would prefer to run other items to boost it's offensive potential. again implied + talked about later

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: Kyurem's powerful STAB moves combined with high Special Attack and wide coverage make it an exceptional wallbreaker. Choice Specs are used for as much damage as possible, breaking holes in defensive cores to pave the way for its teammates.

**Setup sweeper**: Dragon Dance turns Kyurem into a deadly sweeper, especially when it can use Loaded Dice alongside it's multi-hitting STAB moves. This can make for a powerful win condition, but requires support since its physical coverage outside of STAB moves is relatively poor.

**All out attacker**: Though not as powerful as the wallbreaking set, all out attacking sets can still reliably spread damage and finish off weakened targets. Alternate damage boosting items can be used to maintain the ability to switch moves and increase its damage output, or it can increase its longevity with Heavy-Duty Boots. feels way too similar to wallbreaker tbh - might be worth removing wallbreaker and mentioning here that specs can be used for additional wallbreaking power

**Choice scarfer Scarf Revenge Killer**: Kyurem makes for an excellent revenge killer and potential cleaner when it fixes it's Speed with a Choice Scarf. This set takes advantage of teams left weakened by its teammates, though it must take note to scout out potentially faster scarfed Pokemon.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Scale Shot, Outrage, Dragon Claw, Ice Beam, Freeze-Dry, Blizzard, Icicle Spear not sure if blizzard should be mentioned, too risky / ice beam usually does enough damage, but its up to you

**Setup moves**: Dragon Dance, Substitute move sub to utility (it's also in niche, don't mention it in both, but imo it should be common utility)

**Utility moves**: Dragon Tail, Roar, Endeavor make endeavor niche

**Coverage**: Earth Power, Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, Flash Cannon, Psychic, Iron Head, Zen Headbutt, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Shadow Claw, Dual Wingbeat

Niche Moves
========
**Protect**: Since Leftovers is Kyurem's sole source of recovery outside of Rest, Protect can be used to get as much use out of it as possible. It also pairs well with Kyurem's ability Pressure, allowing Kyurem to more easily PP stall their opponent, especially if they use attacks with low PP.

**Substitute**: Kyurem often forces switches, allowing a well timed Substitute to ease prediction and more accurately attack its intended targets. This can also be used on setup sets in order to attain boosts safely.

**Fling**: Fling is Kyurem's only Dark-type attack, which reaches 130 Base Power with Big Nugget as the held item. This attack is used for very specific targets, such as Gholdengo, which otherwise resists Kyurem's other physical moves.

**Light Screen / Reflect**: Kyurem can support its team with screens, which can also pair with its already impressive bulk to make itself harder to take down.

**Endure**: An alternative to Protect that can attempt to be used to PP stall opposing attacks. However, this is mainly used to activate pinch berries such as Custap and Salac Berries, as well as allowing Endeavor to reach max power.

Common Items
========
**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs greatly increase Kyurem's wallbreaking potential, boosting its powerful Special moves such as Draco Meteor and Ice Beam, allowing them and allowing it to break opposing walls and bulky cores.

**Loaded Dice**: This item is used on physical sets, mainly the Dragon Dance set, to ensure Icicle Spear and Scale Shot hit 4-5 times. This greatly increases their effective base power, easing the ability to sweep whilst also bypassing effects such as Sturdy and Focus Sash.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Being vulnerable to entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, make Heavy-Duty Boots a great item choice for Kyurem. This increases its longevity and allows it to function without relying on teammates to clear hazards for it.

**Choice Scarf**: Kyurem has decent speed, but is still outsped by many Pokemon, making it a good candidate for Choice Scarf. This increases the pool of Pokemon it can offensively check and gives it cleaning potential.

Niche Items
========
**Life Orb**: An alternative to Choice Specs, Life Orb allows Kyurem to switch moves whilst boosting power. However, this set is more easily worn down, especially with hazards on the field.

**Never-Melt Ice / Dragon Fang / Expert Belt**: Damage boosting items offer a more specific and less potent boost compared to Life Orb but prevent Kyurem from wearing itself down so quickly.

**Leftovers**: When paired with reliable hazard removal, Kyurem benefits from Leftovers, giving it even greater longevity and allowing it to use its great bulk in combination with moves such as Substitute and Protect to stay healthy.

**Assault Vest**: Kyurem has a few but crucial resistances alongside high natural HP. These combine well with Assault Vest, allowing Kyurem to assume the role of a tank, sponging Special hits whilst using its natural power to dish out powerful attacks. This should be paired with hazard removal in order to be used effectively.

**Metronome**: Freeze-Dry and Dragon Pulse are spammable moves Kyurem can find itself clicking repeatedly, giving a niche to Metronome, which boosts the power of moves used in succession. This allows Kyurem to slowly break down bulky targets that attempt to recover on it. probably too niche

Tera
========
Kyurem makes for an exceptionally strong Tera abuser, leading to it usually being banned from using the mechanic tera banned. When this is not the case If allowed, it can use Tera to power up its highly spammable Dragon-type and Ice-type moves by becoming one of those types. Alternatively, setup sets can turn into a defensive type such as Fairy or Water to allow Kyurem to obtain Dragon Dance boosts more easily. On the flip side, an offensive type such as Ground can be used to give Kyurem a powerful physical coverage move with Tera Blast to break through a potential check.

Draft Strategy
========
Kyurem should be drafted primarily as an offensive Pokemon, but one that not only can attack with both Physical and Special moves but also offers great natural bulk to either switch in reliably or allow itself to setup. As a Dragon-type, it comes with high stats, powerful moves and lots of coverage that make it a highly customizable Pokemon, making it perfect for the draft format. Regardless, each of its sets, especially ones lacking boots, require support from different kinds of teammates in order to work effectively.

**Entry hazards control**: All of Kyurems lacking Heavy-Duty Boots leave Kyurem's typing leaves it vulnerable to entry hazards, which greatly decreases its bulk and effectiveness when it enters the field unless it uses Heavy-Duty Boots. As such, Kyurem appreciates teammates such as Great Tusk and Terapagos who can reliably used Rapid Spin to clear the field for it, freeing up its reliance on boots to stay healthy. On the flip side, entry hazards on the opponents side of the field help to weaken switch ins to Kyurem, whether it be breaking or sweeping. Entry hazard setters such as Hisuian Samurott and Landorus-Therian can reliably set hazards to support Kyurem and weaken all of its checks.

**Alternate wallbreakers / sweepers**: Kyurem can sometimes find it hard to fit all the moves it wants onto one set. As a result, Kyurem appreciates teammates that can either take over from it in sweeping/breaking or allow it to take over from them instead. Water-type sweepers or breakers like Palafin can lure Water-type resists for Kyurem to take advantage of. This whole section feels broad, & mentioning water types specifically feels kinda random. Since steel counters & speed control are mentioned below I think this could just be removed.

**Reliable Steel-type counters**: Steel-types give Kyurem the most trouble, especially the its physical sets, resisting both of it's STABs and needing to rely on coverage to hit them. Teammates that can reliably KO Steel-types work very well with Kyurem. basically repeated in the next sentence Fire-types such as Chi-Yu and Fighting-types such as Urshifu boat STAB moves that can hit these Pokemon super effectively and allow Kyurem to hit the rest of the opposing team.

**Speed control**: Kyurem has a decent Speed stat, but requires setup or a Choice Scarf in order to not be easily outsped. Even so, there are many faster Pokemon that can viably run a Choice Scarf to outpace it further. Speed control options should be considered to slow down the opposing team and allow Kyurem to excel. Examples include Thunder Wave users such as Scream Tail and Gholdengo or Sticky Web users such as Ribombee. The latter strategy is more niche and should be combined with item removal to get rid of opposing Heavy-Duty Boots and make webs more effective.

**Snow setters**: Being an Ice-type with great natural bulk, Kyurem can be potent when Snow is on the field, boosting its Defense and allowing it to slot the usually unreliable Blizzard into its moveset. Alolan Ninetales and Abomasnow can automatically set Snow, but offer little in terms of type synergy. Alternatively, Slowking and Galarian Slowking are more synergistic and can use Chilly Reception to set Snow and pivot into Kyurem, allowing it to immediately start abusing it.

Checks and Counters
========
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Gholdengo and Metagross naturally resist Kyurems STABs, allowing them to switch in and force Kyurem out by threatening it with super effective STAB attacks in return. These Pokemon can shut down most Physical variants which usually lack powerful coverage to hit them, but must watch out for coverage moves such as Earth Power on Special sets.

**Faster Pokemon**: Kyurem's Speed leaves it outsped by a myriad of faster offensive threats such as Urshifu, Garchomp and Iron Valiant which can threaten Kyurem offensively in return. Faster Pokemon that can use a Choice Scarf or boost their own speed such as the examples above can potentially also shut down Kyurem sets that boost Speed.

**Entry hazards**: Without Heavy-Duty Boots or reliable hazard removal, Kyurem is at the mercy of entry hazards, being vulnerable to all of them and having a weakness to Stealth Rock to boot. Constant switching will wear Kyurem down very quickly, reducing its effectiveness, especially if it is a bulky variant.

**Phazing**: Phazing can disrupt Kyurem sets that rely on setting up, but also poses a great danger to all Kyurem variants that lack Heavy-Duty Boots. This is because since phazing forces it to take even more entry hazard damage if hazards are up whenever it re-enters the field, greatly reducing its longevity.

**Status**: All Kyurem sets are vulnerable to at least one form of status that can reduce its effectiveness. Physical variants can be shut down by Burns from moves such as Will-O-Wisp, spread by Fire-types that can also resist Ice-type attacks. Paralysis slows down Kyurem and makes it even easier to outspeed. Finally, Poison can combo with how easily non-boots Kyurem sets wear themselves down to put them on an even faster timer.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/deranged_lime.272077/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user2.200000
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.300000
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000

qc 1/2 - mainly lots of rewording sentences. you know where to find me if you have any questions :)

Thank you and implemented. Made some additional changes based on feedback such as moving Endeavor and Blizzard to niche moves.
Ready for QC 2

 

[olivia]

add remove comment
amqc :D implement what u want
or don't im not ur mum

if a kyurem falls down in the forest and no pokemon is there to hear it did it happen?

**Draft order**: Round 3-4 onwards

**Price range**: 16-17 points

**Overview**: Kyurem is a powerhouse of a Pokemon, boasting high mixed attacking stats on both sides, great bulk and a respectable speed tier to back them up. It uses these traits to perform a variety of roles, such as sweeping and wallbreaking, as either a Physical, Special or mixed attacker thanks to a versatile offensive movepool. However, whilst it's typing also offers some nice resistances, it comes with plenty of weaknesses to common types. Combined with a lack of reliable recovery and a vulnerability to entry hazards, Kyurem's bulk can easily be compromised, leaving it easily worn down.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Setup sweeper**: Dragon Dance turns Kyurem into a deadly sweeper, especially when it can use Loaded Dice alongside it's multi-hitting STAB moves. This can make for a powerful win condition, but requires support since its physical coverage outside of STAB moves is relatively poor.

**All out attacker**: This set aims to spread lots of damage reliably and finish off weakened targets. Several items can be used on this set, such as boots to increase longevity and ease switching in as well as damage boosting items, from Expert Belt utilizing abusing Kyurem's super effective coverage to Choice Specs, allowing Kyurem to assume the role of a wallbreaker.

**Scarf Revenge Killer**: Kyurem makes for an excellent revenge killer and potential cleaner when it fixes it's Speed with a Choice Scarf. This set takes advantage of teams left weakened by its teammates, though it must take note to scout out potentially faster scarfed Pokemon.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Scale Shot, Outrage, Dragon Claw, Ice Beam, Freeze-Dry, Icicle Spear

**Setup moves**: Dragon Dance, Substitute

**Utility moves**: Dragon Tail, Roar

**Coverage**: Earth Power, Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, Flash Cannon, Psychic, Iron Head, Zen Headbutt, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Shadow Claw, Dual Wingbeat,
u could mention body press but idk if that's qc friendly do at ur own peril

Niche Moves
========
**Protect**: Since Leftovers is Kyurem's sole source of recovery outside of Rest, Protect can be used to get as much use out of it as possible. It also pairs well with Kyurem's ability Pressure, allowing Kyurem to more easily PP stall their opponent, especially if they use attacks with low PP.

**Endeavor**: This move can be paired with Endure or Substitute to reliably get Kyurem to low HP, where it will then do massive damage. This can be useful against targets that reliably sponge hits from Kyurem, bypassing their bulk and/or typing.

**Blizzard**: A more powerful special Ice-type STAB than Ice Beam that can be used when Kyurem is paired with Snow, allowing the move to never miss.

**Fling**: Fling is Kyurem's only Dark-type attack, which reaches 130 Base Power with Big Nugget as the held item. This attack is used for very specific targets, such as Gholdengo, which otherwise resists Kyurem's other physical moves.
Might be too niche but i understand the appeal, kyurem does have tools to hit gholdengo with earthpower/quake but i understand that air balloon is used sometimes ur call

**Light Screen / Reflect**: Kyurem can support its team with screens, which can also pair with its already impressive bulk to make itself harder to take down.

**Endure**: An alternative to Protect that can attempt to be used to PP stall opposing attacks. However, this is mainly used to activate pinch berries such as Custap and Salac Berries, as well as allowing Endeavor to reach max power.

Common Items
========
**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs greatly increase Kyurem's wallbreaking potential, boosting its powerful Special moves such as Draco Meteor and Ice Beam and allowing it to break opposing walls and bulky cores.

**Loaded Dice**: This item is used on physical sets to ensure Icicle Spear and Scale Shot hit 4-5 times. This greatly increases their effective base power, easing the ability to sweep whilst also bypassing effects such as Sturdy and Focus Sash.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Being vulnerable to entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, make Heavy-Duty Boots a great item choice for Kyurem. This increases its longevity and allows it to function without relying on teammates to clear hazards for it.
i'd move this above loaded dice methinks

**Choice Scarf**: Kyurem has decent speed, but is still outsped by many Pokemon, making it a good candidate for Choice Scarf. This increases the amount pool of Pokemon it can offensively check and gives it cleaning potential.

Niche Items
========
**Life Orb**: An alternative to Choice Specs, Life Orb allows Kyurem to switch moves whilst boosting power. However, this set is more easily worn down, especially with hazards on the field.

**Never-Melt Ice / Dragon Fang / Expert Belt**: Damage boosting items offer a more specific and less potent boost compared to Life Orb but prevent Kyurem from wearing itself down so quickly.

**Leftovers**: When paired with reliable hazard removal, Kyurem benefits from Leftovers, giving it even greater longevity and allowing it to use its great bulk in combination with moves such as Substitute and Protect to stay healthy.

**Assault Vest**: Kyurem has a few but crucial resistances alongside high natural HP. These combine well with Assault Vest, allowing Kyurem to assume the role of a tank, sponging Special hits whilst using its natural power to dish out powerful attacks. This should be paired with hazard removal in order to be used effectively.
reorganise these to put damage boosting items at top then leftovers second imo, life orb feels kinda like the worst of all worlds being weak to rocks and limiting your effective bulk

Tera
========
Kyurem makes for an exceptionally strong Tera Captain abuser, leading to it usually being tera banned. If allowed, it can use Tera to power up its highly spammable Dragon and Ice-type moves by becoming one of those types. Setup sets can use Fairy- or Water-type turn into a defensive type such as Fairy or Water to allow Kyurem to obtain Dragon Dance boosts more easily. On the flip side, an offensive type such as Ground can be used to give Kyurem a powerful physical coverage move with Tera Blast to break through a potential check.
could mention steel type, to resist dragon/steel/ice, here also but its always tera banned so optional.

Draft Strategy
========
Kyurem should be drafted primarily as an offensive Pokemon, but one that not only can attack with both Physical and Special moves but also offers great natural bulk to either switch in reliably or allow itself to setup. sentence reads kinda awkwardly and i think it being a mixed headache in prep should have more focus on it, could try "Kyurem has a lot of highly valuable traits for an offensive Pokemon, leveraging its large bulk to switch in reliably and set up. It's strong mixed offenses allow it a lot of flexibility and can leave foes struggling to handle it." or something As a Dragon-type, it comes with Kyurem has high stats, powerful moves and lots of coverage making that make it a highly customizable Pokemon, making it perfect for the draft format. Regardless, each of its sets, especially ones lacking Heavy-Duty Boots boots, require support from different kinds of teammates in order to work effectively.

**Entry hazard control**: Kyurem's typing leaves it vulnerable to entry hazards, which greatly decreases its bulk and effectiveness when it enters the field unless it uses Heavy-Duty Boots. As such, Kyurem appreciates teammates such as Great Tusk and Terapagos who can reliably used Rapid Spin to clear the field for it, freeing up its reliance on boots to stay healthy. On the flip side, entry hazards on the opponents side of the field help to weaken switch ins to Kyurem, whether it be breaking or sweeping. Entry hazard setters such as Hisuian Samurott and Landorus-Therian can reliably set hazards to support Kyurem and weaken all of its checks.
could mention iron treads here, resists the dragon moves kyurem is weak to and is one of the best spinners in the format

**Reliable Steel-type counters**: Steel-types give Kyurem the most trouble, especially its physical sets, resisting both of it's STABs and needing to rely on coverage to hit them. Fire-types such as Chi-Yu and Fighting-types such as Urshifu boat STAB moves that can hit these Pokemon super effectively and allow Kyurem to hit the rest of the opposing team.

**Speed control**: Kyurem has a decent Speed stat, but requires setup or a Choice Scarf in order to not be easily outsped. Even so, there are many faster Pokemon that can viably run a Choice Scarf to outpace it further. Speed control options should be considered to slow down the opposing team and allow Kyurem to excel. Examples include Thunder Wave users such as Scream Tail and Gholdengo or Sticky Web users such as Ribombee.
i think mentioning a few latently faster pokemon i.e. greninja, iron val, darkrai, is good here as thunder wave/sticky web are not guaranteed speed control, i dont mind them being mentioned though :D

**Snow setters**: Being an Ice-type with great natural bulk, Kyurem can be potent when Snow is on the field, boosting its Defense and allowing it to slot the usually unreliable Blizzard into its moveset. Alolan Ninetales and Abomasnow can automatically set Snow, but offer little in terms of type synergy. Alternatively, Slowking and Galarian Slowking are more synergistic and can use Chilly Reception to set Snow and pivot into Kyurem, allowing it to immediately start abusing benefitting from it.
we love pokemon here >:)

Checks and Counters
========
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Gholdengo and Metagross naturally resist Kyurems STABs, allowing them to switch in and force Kyurem out by threatening it with super effective STAB attacks in return. These Pokemon can shut down most Physical variants which usually lack powerful coverage to hit them, but must watch out for Earth Power on Special sets.

**Faster Pokemon**: Kyurem's Speed leaves it outsped by a myriad of faster offensive threats such as Urshifu, Garchomp and Iron Valiant which can threaten Kyurem offensively in return. Faster Pokemon that can use a Choice Scarf or boost their own speed such as the examples above can potentially also shut down Kyurem sets that boost Speed.

**Entry hazards**: Without Heavy-Duty Boots or reliable hazard removal, Kyurem is at the mercy of entry hazards, being vulnerable to all of them and having a weakness to Stealth Rock to boot. Constant switching will wear Kyurem down very quickly, reducing its effectiveness, especially if it is a bulky variant.

**Phazing**: Phazing can disrupt Kyurem sets that rely on setting up, but also poses a great danger to all Kyurem variants that lack Heavy-Duty Boots since phazing forces it to take even more entry hazard damage if hazards are up whenever it re-enters the field, greatly reducing its longevity.

**Status**: All Kyurem sets are vulnerable to at least one form of status that can reduce its effectiveness. Physical variants can be shut down by burn Burns from moves like such as Will-O-Wisp, spread by Fire-types that can also resist Ice-type attacks. Paralysis slows down Kyurem and makes it even easier to outspeed. Finally, poison Poison can combo with how easily non-boots Kyurem sets wear themselves down to put them on an even faster timer.

could mention priority in general here, it really does not enjoy mach punch/bullet punch/vacuum wave, scizor is a big meanie that resists both stabs and isnt weak to earth power either

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/deranged_lime.272077/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno6377.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user3.300000
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user4.400000

 

[Hacker]

qc 2/2, credit olivia asw

[overview]
**Draft order**: Round 3-4 onwards

**Price range**: 16-17 points

**Overview**: Kyurem is a powerhouse of a Pokemon, boasting high attacking stats on both sides, great bulk and a respectable speed tier to back them up. It uses these traits to perform a variety of roles, such as sweeping and wallbreaking, as either a Physical, Special or mixed attacker thanks to a versatile offensive movepool. However, whilst it's typing also offers some nice resistances, it comes with plenty of weaknesses to common types. Combined with a lack of reliable recovery and a vulnerability to entry hazards, Kyurem's bulk can easily be compromised, leaving it easily worn down.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Setup sweeper**: Dragon Dance turns Kyurem into a deadly sweeper, especially when it can use Loaded Dice alongside it's multi-hitting STAB moves. This can make for a powerful win condition, but requires support since its physical coverage outside of STAB moves is relatively poor.

**All out attacker**: This set aims to spread lots of damage reliably and finish off weakened targets. Several items can be used on this set, such as boots to increase longevity and ease switching in as well as damage boosting items, from Expert Belt abusing Kyurem's super effective coverage to Choice Specs, allowing Kyurem to assume the role of a wallbreaker.

**Scarf Revenge Killer**: Kyurem makes for an excellent revenge killer and potential cleaner when it fixes it's Speed with a Choice Scarf. This set takes advantage of teams left weakened by its teammates, though it must take note to scout out potentially faster scarfed Pokemon.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Scale Shot, Outrage, Dragon Claw, Ice Beam, Freeze-Dry, Icicle Spear

**Setup moves**: Dragon Dance, Substitute

**Utility moves**: Dragon Tail, Roar

**Coverage**: Earth Power, Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, Flash Cannon, Psychic, Iron Head, Zen Headbutt, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Shadow Claw, Dual Wingbeat

Niche Moves
========
**Protect**: Since Leftovers is Kyurem's sole source of recovery outside of Rest, Protect can be used to get as much use out of it as possible. It also pairs well with Kyurem's ability Pressure, allowing Kyurem to more easily PP stall their opponent, especially if they use attacks with low PP.

**Endeavor**: This move can be paired with Endure or Substitute to reliably get Kyurem to low HP, where it will then do massive damage. This can be useful against targets that reliably sponge hits from Kyurem, bypassing their bulk and/or typing.

**Blizzard**: A more powerful special Ice-type STAB than Ice Beam that can be used when Kyurem is paired with Snow, allowing the move to never miss. (could just move to stab but im ok with it here)

**Fling**: Fling is Kyurem's only Dark-type attack, which reaches 130 Base Power with Big Nugget as the held item. This attack is used for very specific targets, such as Gholdengo, which otherwise resists Kyurem's other physical moves. (noting here just bc olivia said it in her amqc, but you should keep it here)

**Light Screen / Reflect**: Kyurem can support its team with screens, which can also pair with its already impressive bulk to make itself harder to take down. (im ngl im not buying into the screens kyurem agenda)

**Endure**: An alternative to Protect that can attempt to be used to PP stall opposing attacks. However, this is mainly used to activate pinch berries such as Custap and Salac Berries, as well as allowing Endeavor to reach max power.

Common Items
========
**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs greatly increase Kyurem's wallbreaking potential, boosting its powerful Special moves such as Draco Meteor and Ice Beam and allowing it to break opposing walls and bulky cores.

**Loaded Dice**: This item is used on physical sets to ensure Icicle Spear and Scale Shot hit 4-5 times. This greatly increases their effective base power, easing the ability to sweep whilst also bypassing effects such as Sturdy and Focus Sash.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Being vulnerable to entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, make Heavy-Duty Boots a great item choice for Kyurem. This increases its longevity and allows it to function without relying on teammates to clear hazards for it.

**Choice Scarf**: Kyurem has decent speed, but is still outsped by many Pokemon, making it a good candidate for Choice Scarf. This increases the pool of Pokemon it can offensively check and gives it cleaning potential.

Niche Items
========
**Life Orb**: An alternative to Choice Specs, Life Orb allows Kyurem to switch moves whilst boosting power. However, this set is more easily worn down, especially with hazards on the field.

**Never-Melt Ice / Dragon Fang / Expert Belt**: Damage boosting items offer a more specific and less potent boost compared to Life Orb but prevent Kyurem from wearing itself down so quickly. (combine lorb and this to damage boosting items)

**Leftovers**: When paired with reliable hazard removal, Kyurem benefits from Leftovers, giving it even greater longevity and allowing it to use its great bulk in combination with moves such as Substitute and Protect to stay healthy.

**Assault Vest**: Kyurem has a few but crucial resistances alongside high natural HP. These combine well with Assault Vest, allowing Kyurem to assume the role of a tank, sponging Special hits whilst using its natural power to dish out powerful attacks. This should be paired with hazard removal in order to be used effectively.

Tera
========
Kyurem makes for an exceptionally strong Tera abuser Captain, leading to it usually being tera banned. If allowed, it can use Tera to power up its highly spammable Dragon and Ice-type moves by becoming one of those types. Setup sets can turn into a defensive type such as Fairy or Water to allow Kyurem to obtain Dragon Dance boosts more easily. On the flip side, an offensive type such as Ground can be used to give Kyurem a powerful physical coverage move with Tera Blast to break through a potential check.

Draft Strategy
========
Kyurem should be drafted primarily as an offensive Pokemon, but one that not only can attack with both Physical and Special moves but also offers great natural bulk to either switch in reliably or allow itself to setup. As a Dragon-type, it comes with high stats, powerful moves and lots of coverage that make it a highly customizable Pokemon, making it perfect for the draft format. Regardless, each of its sets, especially ones lacking Heavy-Duty Boots, require support from different kinds of teammates in order to work effectively.

**Entry hazard control**: Kyurem's typing leaves it vulnerable to entry hazards, which greatly decreases its bulk and effectiveness when it enters the field unless it uses Heavy-Duty Boots. As such, Kyurem appreciates teammates such as Great Tusk and Terapagos who can reliably used Rapid Spin to clear the field for it, freeing up its reliance on boots to stay healthy. On the flip side, entry hazards on the opponents side of the field help to weaken switch ins to Kyurem, whether it be breaking or sweeping. Entry hazard setters such as Hisuian Samurott and Landorus-Therian can reliably set hazards to support Kyurem and weaken all of its checks.

**Reliable Steel-type counters**: Steel-types give Kyurem the most trouble, especially its physical sets, resisting both of it's STABs and needing to rely on coverage to hit them. Fire-types such as Chi-Yu and Fighting-types such as Urshifu boat STAB moves that can hit these Pokemon super effectively and allow Kyurem to hit the rest of the opposing team.

**Speed control**: Kyurem has a decent Speed stat, but requires setup or a Choice Scarf in order to not be easily outsped. Even so, there are many faster Pokemon that can viably run a Choice Scarf to outpace it further. Speed control options should be considered to slow down the opposing team and allow Kyurem to excel. Examples include Thunder Wave users such as Scream Tail and Gholdengo or Sticky Web users such as Ribombee.

**Snow setters**: Being an Ice-type with great natural bulk, Kyurem can be potent when Snow is on the field, boosting its Defense and allowing it to slot the usually unreliable Blizzard into its moveset. Alolan Ninetales and Abomasnow can automatically set Snow, but offer little in terms of type synergy. Alternatively, Slowking and Galarian Slowking are more synergistic and can use Chilly Reception to set Snow and pivot into Kyurem, allowing it to immediately start abusing it. (feels too niche to mention it here, tho gking has good synergy so i wont force you to remove it)

Checks and Counters
========
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Gholdengo and Metagross naturally resist Kyurems STABs, allowing them to switch in and force Kyurem out by threatening it with super effective STAB attacks in return. These Pokemon can shut down most Physical variants which usually lack powerful coverage to hit them, but must watch out for Earth Power on Special sets.

**Faster Pokemon**: Kyurem's Speed leaves it outsped by a myriad of faster offensive threats such as Urshifu, Garchomp and Iron Valiant which can threaten Kyurem offensively in return. Faster Pokemon that can use a Choice Scarf or boost their own speed such as the examples above can potentially also shut down Kyurem sets that boost Speed.

**Entry hazards**: Without Heavy-Duty Boots or reliable hazard removal, Kyurem is at the mercy of entry hazards, being vulnerable to all of them and having a weakness to Stealth Rock to boot. Constant switching will wear Kyurem down very quickly, reducing its effectiveness, especially if it is a bulky variant.

**Phazing**: Phazing can disrupt Kyurem sets that rely on setting up, but also poses a great danger to all Kyurem variants that lack Heavy-Duty Boots since phazing forces it to take even more entry hazard damage if hazards are up whenever it re-enters the field, greatly reducing its longevity.

**Status**: All Kyurem sets are vulnerable to at least one form of status that can reduce its effectiveness. Physical variants can be shut down by Burns from moves such as Will-O-Wisp, spread by Fire-types that can also resist Ice-type attacks. Paralysis slows down Kyurem and makes it even easier to outspeed. Finally, Poison can combo with how easily non-boots Kyurem sets wear themselves down to put them on an even faster timer.

 

[Deranged_Lime]

qc 2/2, credit olivia asw

[overview]
**Draft order**: Round 3-4 onwards

**Price range**: 16-17 points

**Overview**: Kyurem is a powerhouse of a Pokemon, boasting high attacking stats on both sides, great bulk and a respectable speed tier to back them up. It uses these traits to perform a variety of roles, such as sweeping and wallbreaking, as either a Physical, Special or mixed attacker thanks to a versatile offensive movepool. However, whilst it's typing also offers some nice resistances, it comes with plenty of weaknesses to common types. Combined with a lack of reliable recovery and a vulnerability to entry hazards, Kyurem's bulk can easily be compromised, leaving it easily worn down.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Setup sweeper**: Dragon Dance turns Kyurem into a deadly sweeper, especially when it can use Loaded Dice alongside it's multi-hitting STAB moves. This can make for a powerful win condition, but requires support since its physical coverage outside of STAB moves is relatively poor.

**All out attacker**: This set aims to spread lots of damage reliably and finish off weakened targets. Several items can be used on this set, such as boots to increase longevity and ease switching in as well as damage boosting items, from Expert Belt abusing Kyurem's super effective coverage to Choice Specs, allowing Kyurem to assume the role of a wallbreaker.

**Scarf Revenge Killer**: Kyurem makes for an excellent revenge killer and potential cleaner when it fixes it's Speed with a Choice Scarf. This set takes advantage of teams left weakened by its teammates, though it must take note to scout out potentially faster scarfed Pokemon.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves**: Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Scale Shot, Outrage, Dragon Claw, Ice Beam, Freeze-Dry, Icicle Spear

**Setup moves**: Dragon Dance, Substitute

**Utility moves**: Dragon Tail, Roar

**Coverage**: Earth Power, Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, Flash Cannon, Psychic, Iron Head, Zen Headbutt, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Shadow Claw, Dual Wingbeat

Niche Moves
========
**Protect**: Since Leftovers is Kyurem's sole source of recovery outside of Rest, Protect can be used to get as much use out of it as possible. It also pairs well with Kyurem's ability Pressure, allowing Kyurem to more easily PP stall their opponent, especially if they use attacks with low PP.

**Endeavor**: This move can be paired with Endure or Substitute to reliably get Kyurem to low HP, where it will then do massive damage. This can be useful against targets that reliably sponge hits from Kyurem, bypassing their bulk and/or typing.

**Blizzard**: A more powerful special Ice-type STAB than Ice Beam that can be used when Kyurem is paired with Snow, allowing the move to never miss. (could just move to stab but im ok with it here)

**Fling**: Fling is Kyurem's only Dark-type attack, which reaches 130 Base Power with Big Nugget as the held item. This attack is used for very specific targets, such as Gholdengo, which otherwise resists Kyurem's other physical moves. (noting here just bc olivia said it in her amqc, but you should keep it here)

**Light Screen / Reflect**: Kyurem can support its team with screens, which can also pair with its already impressive bulk to make itself harder to take down. (im ngl im not buying into the screens kyurem agenda)

**Endure**: An alternative to Protect that can attempt to be used to PP stall opposing attacks. However, this is mainly used to activate pinch berries such as Custap and Salac Berries, as well as allowing Endeavor to reach max power.

Common Items
========
**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs greatly increase Kyurem's wallbreaking potential, boosting its powerful Special moves such as Draco Meteor and Ice Beam and allowing it to break opposing walls and bulky cores.

**Loaded Dice**: This item is used on physical sets to ensure Icicle Spear and Scale Shot hit 4-5 times. This greatly increases their effective base power, easing the ability to sweep whilst also bypassing effects such as Sturdy and Focus Sash.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Being vulnerable to entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, make Heavy-Duty Boots a great item choice for Kyurem. This increases its longevity and allows it to function without relying on teammates to clear hazards for it.

**Choice Scarf**: Kyurem has decent speed, but is still outsped by many Pokemon, making it a good candidate for Choice Scarf. This increases the pool of Pokemon it can offensively check and gives it cleaning potential.

Niche Items
========
**Life Orb**: An alternative to Choice Specs, Life Orb allows Kyurem to switch moves whilst boosting power. However, this set is more easily worn down, especially with hazards on the field.

**Never-Melt Ice / Dragon Fang / Expert Belt**: Damage boosting items offer a more specific and less potent boost compared to Life Orb but prevent Kyurem from wearing itself down so quickly. (combine lorb and this to damage boosting items)

**Leftovers**: When paired with reliable hazard removal, Kyurem benefits from Leftovers, giving it even greater longevity and allowing it to use its great bulk in combination with moves such as Substitute and Protect to stay healthy.

**Assault Vest**: Kyurem has a few but crucial resistances alongside high natural HP. These combine well with Assault Vest, allowing Kyurem to assume the role of a tank, sponging Special hits whilst using its natural power to dish out powerful attacks. This should be paired with hazard removal in order to be used effectively.

Tera
========
Kyurem makes for an exceptionally strong Tera abuser Captain, leading to it usually being tera banned. If allowed, it can use Tera to power up its highly spammable Dragon and Ice-type moves by becoming one of those types. Setup sets can turn into a defensive type such as Fairy or Water to allow Kyurem to obtain Dragon Dance boosts more easily. On the flip side, an offensive type such as Ground can be used to give Kyurem a powerful physical coverage move with Tera Blast to break through a potential check.

Draft Strategy
========
Kyurem should be drafted primarily as an offensive Pokemon, but one that not only can attack with both Physical and Special moves but also offers great natural bulk to either switch in reliably or allow itself to setup. As a Dragon-type, it comes with high stats, powerful moves and lots of coverage that make it a highly customizable Pokemon, making it perfect for the draft format. Regardless, each of its sets, especially ones lacking Heavy-Duty Boots, require support from different kinds of teammates in order to work effectively.

**Entry hazard control**: Kyurem's typing leaves it vulnerable to entry hazards, which greatly decreases its bulk and effectiveness when it enters the field unless it uses Heavy-Duty Boots. As such, Kyurem appreciates teammates such as Great Tusk and Terapagos who can reliably used Rapid Spin to clear the field for it, freeing up its reliance on boots to stay healthy. On the flip side, entry hazards on the opponents side of the field help to weaken switch ins to Kyurem, whether it be breaking or sweeping. Entry hazard setters such as Hisuian Samurott and Landorus-Therian can reliably set hazards to support Kyurem and weaken all of its checks.

**Reliable Steel-type counters**: Steel-types give Kyurem the most trouble, especially its physical sets, resisting both of it's STABs and needing to rely on coverage to hit them. Fire-types such as Chi-Yu and Fighting-types such as Urshifu boat STAB moves that can hit these Pokemon super effectively and allow Kyurem to hit the rest of the opposing team.

**Speed control**: Kyurem has a decent Speed stat, but requires setup or a Choice Scarf in order to not be easily outsped. Even so, there are many faster Pokemon that can viably run a Choice Scarf to outpace it further. Speed control options should be considered to slow down the opposing team and allow Kyurem to excel. Examples include Thunder Wave users such as Scream Tail and Gholdengo or Sticky Web users such as Ribombee.

**Snow setters**: Being an Ice-type with great natural bulk, Kyurem can be potent when Snow is on the field, boosting its Defense and allowing it to slot the usually unreliable Blizzard into its moveset. Alolan Ninetales and Abomasnow can automatically set Snow, but offer little in terms of type synergy. Alternatively, Slowking and Galarian Slowking are more synergistic and can use Chilly Reception to set Snow and pivot into Kyurem, allowing it to immediately start abusing it. (feels too niche to mention it here, tho gking has good synergy so i wont force you to remove it)

Checks and Counters
========
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Gholdengo and Metagross naturally resist Kyurems STABs, allowing them to switch in and force Kyurem out by threatening it with super effective STAB attacks in return. These Pokemon can shut down most Physical variants which usually lack powerful coverage to hit them, but must watch out for Earth Power on Special sets.

**Faster Pokemon**: Kyurem's Speed leaves it outsped by a myriad of faster offensive threats such as Urshifu, Garchomp and Iron Valiant which can threaten Kyurem offensively in return. Faster Pokemon that can use a Choice Scarf or boost their own speed such as the examples above can potentially also shut down Kyurem sets that boost Speed.

**Entry hazards**: Without Heavy-Duty Boots or reliable hazard removal, Kyurem is at the mercy of entry hazards, being vulnerable to all of them and having a weakness to Stealth Rock to boot. Constant switching will wear Kyurem down very quickly, reducing its effectiveness, especially if it is a bulky variant.

**Phazing**: Phazing can disrupt Kyurem sets that rely on setting up, but also poses a great danger to all Kyurem variants that lack Heavy-Duty Boots since phazing forces it to take even more entry hazard damage if hazards are up whenever it re-enters the field, greatly reducing its longevity.

**Status**: All Kyurem sets are vulnerable to at least one form of status that can reduce its effectiveness. Physical variants can be shut down by Burns from moves such as Will-O-Wisp, spread by Fire-types that can also resist Ice-type attacks. Paralysis slows down Kyurem and makes it even easier to outspeed. Finally, Poison can combo with how easily non-boots Kyurem sets wear themselves down to put them on an even faster timer.

Thanks for the feedback
Implemented all the necessary changes from both of you and made my own decisions regarding the optional ones. Also reworded the draft strategy paragraph so it's more matching Olivia's suggestion.
Credited both of you so now there's 3 credits, if this needs to be changed lmk
Ready for GP Team

 

[SolarBeam]

1/1, GP Team done

1/3 of a dragon

blue = add
red = remove
(orange) = comment

**Draft order Order**: Round 3 onwards

**Price range Range**: 16-17 points

**Overview**: Kyurem is a powerhouse of a Pokemon, boasting high mixed attacking stats, great bulk, (AC) and a respectable speed Speed tier to back them up. It uses these traits to perform a variety of roles, such as sweeping and wallbreaking, as either a Physical, Special physical, special, (AC) or mixed attacker thanks to a versatile offensive movepool. However, whilst it's while its (don't use whilst, it's British) typing also offers some nice resistances, it comes with plenty of weaknesses to common types. Combined with a lack of reliable recovery and a vulnerability to entry hazards, Kyurem's bulk can easily be compromised, leaving it easily worn down.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Setup sweeper Sweeper**: Dragon Dance turns Kyurem into a deadly sweeper, especially when it can use uses Loaded Dice alongside it's its multi-hitting STAB moves. This can make for a powerful win condition (RC) but requires support, (AC) since its physical coverage outside of STAB moves is relatively poor.

**All out attacker All-out (AH) Attacker**: This set aims to spread lots of damage reliably and finish off weakened targets. Several items can be used on this set, such as boots Heavy-Duty Boots to increase longevity and ease switching in as well as damage-boosting (AH) items, from Expert Belt utilizing Kyurem's super effective coverage to Choice Specs, allowing to allow (parallelism) Kyurem to assume the role of a wallbreaker.

**Choice Scarf Revenge Killer**: Kyurem makes for an excellent revenge killer and potential cleaner when it fixes it's its mediocre (need a negative thing to fix, Speed isn't negative on its own) Speed with a Choice Scarf. This set takes advantage of teams left weakened by its teammates, though it must take note to scout out potentially faster scarfed Choice Scarf Pokemon.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves Moves**: Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Scale Shot, Outrage, Dragon Claw, Ice Beam, Freeze-Dry, Icicle Spear

**Setup moves Moves**: Dragon Dance, Substitute

**Utility moves Moves**: Dragon Tail, Roar

**Coverage**: Earth Power, Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, Flash Cannon, Psychic, Iron Head, Zen Headbutt, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Shadow Claw, Dual Wingbeat

Niche Moves
========
**Protect**: Since Leftovers is Kyurem's sole source of recovery outside of Rest, Protect can be used to get as much use out of it as possible. It Protect also pairs well with Kyurem's ability Pressure, allowing Kyurem to more easily PP stall their opponent foes, especially if they use attacks with low PP.

**Endeavor**: This move can be paired with Endure or Substitute to reliably get Kyurem to low HP, where it will then do massive damage. This can be useful against targets that reliably sponge hits from Kyurem, bypassing their bulk and/or and typing.

**Blizzard**: A Blizzard is a more powerful special Ice-type STAB move than Ice Beam that can be used when Kyurem is paired with Snow snow, allowing the move it to never miss.

**Fling**: Fling is Kyurem's only Dark-type attack, which reaches 130 Base Power with Big Nugget as the held item. This attack is used for very specific targets, such as Gholdengo, which that otherwise resists resist Kyurem's other physical moves (talking about the targets, not specifically Gholdengo).

**Endure**: An Endure is an alternative to Protect that can attempt to be used to PP stall opposing attacks. However, this is mainly used to activate pinch berries Berries such as Custap and Salac Berries, as well as allowing to allow (parallelism) Endeavor to reach max maximum power.

Common Items
========
**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs greatly increase increases (even plural items like Specs are treated as singular) Kyurem's wallbreaking potential, boosting its powerful Special special moves such as Draco Meteor and Ice Beam and allowing it to break opposing walls and bulky cores.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Being vulnerable to entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, make makes Heavy-Duty Boots a great item choice for Kyurem. This increases its longevity and allows it to function without relying on teammates to clear hazards for it.

**Loaded Dice**: This item is used on physical sets to ensure Icicle Spear and Scale Shot hit 4-5 four to five times. This greatly increases their effective base power Base Power, easing the Kyurem's ability to sweep whilst while also bypassing effects such as Sturdy and Focus Sash.

**Choice Scarf**: Kyurem has decent speed Speed (RC) but is still outsped by many Pokemon, making it a good candidate for Choice Scarf. This increases the amount of Pokemon it can offensively check and gives it cleaning potential.

Niche Items
========
**Never-Melt Ice / Dragon Fang / Life Orb Damage-boosting Items**: Damage-boosting (AH) items offer a less potent boost compared to Choice Specs, each having their own benefits whilst while also allowing Kyurem to switch moves. Life Orb provides a more potent boost across all moves but leaves it Kyurem worn down quickly, whilst while other choices such as Never-Melt Ice provide more specific boosts but allows allow Kyurem to not KO itself so quickly.

**Leftovers**: When paired with reliable entry hazard removal, Kyurem benefits from Leftovers, giving it even greater longevity and allowing it to use its great bulk in combination with moves such as Substitute and Protect to stay healthy.

**Assault Vest**: Kyurem has a few but crucial resistances alongside high natural HP. These combine well with Assault Vest, allowing Kyurem to assume the role of a tank, sponging Special special hits whilst while using its natural power to dish out powerful attacks. This should be paired with entry hazard removal in order to be used effectively.

Tera
========
Kyurem makes for an exceptionally strong Tera Captain, leading to it usually being tera Tera banned. If allowed, it can use Tera to power up its highly spammable Dragon- (AH) and Ice-type moves by becoming one of those types. Setup sets can use Fairy- or Water-type Tera Fairy or Water to allow Kyurem to obtain Dragon Dance boosts more easily. On the flip side, an offensive type such as Tera Ground can be used to give Kyurem a powerful physical coverage move with Tera Blast to break through a potential check.

Draft Strategy
========
Kyurem has a lot of highly valuable traits for an offensive Pokemon, leveraging its bulk to switch in reliably and set up. It's Its strong mixed offenses allow it a lot of flexibility and can leave foes struggling to handle it. These traits make it a highly customizable Pokemon, making it perfect for the draft format Draft. Regardless, each of its sets, especially ones lacking Heavy-Duty Boots, require support from different kinds of teammates in order to work effectively.

**Entry hazard control Hazard Control**: Kyurem's typing leaves it vulnerable to entry hazards, which greatly decreases its bulk and effectiveness when it enters the field unless it uses Heavy-Duty Boots. As such, Kyurem appreciates teammates such as Great Tusk and Terapagos who that can reliably use Rapid Spin to clear the field for it, freeing up its reliance on boots Heavy-Duty Boots to stay healthy. On the flip side, entry hazards on the opponent's (AA) side of the field help to weaken switch-ins (AH) to Kyurem, whether it be is wallbreaking or sweeping. Entry hazard setters such as Hisuian Samurott and Landorus-Therian Landorus-T can reliably set hazards to support Kyurem and weaken all of its checks.

**Steel-type counters Counters**: Steel-types give Kyurem the most trouble, especially its physical sets, resisting both of it's STABs its STAB combination and needing to making it rely on coverage to hit them. Fire-types such as Chi-Yu and Fighting-types such as Urshifu (use Urshifu-R or Urshifu-S if you're talking about one of them, "both Urshifu formes" if both) boat boast STAB moves that can hit these Pokemon super effectively and allow Kyurem to hit the rest of the opposing team.

**Speed control Control**: Kyurem has a decent Speed stat, but it requires setup or a Choice Scarf in order to not be easily outsped. Even so, there are many faster Pokemon that can viably run a Choice Scarf to outpace it further. Speed control options should be considered to slow down the opposing team and allow Kyurem to excel. Examples include Thunder Wave users such as Scream Tail and Gholdengo, naturally faster Pokemon such as Darkrai or and Iron Valiant, or and Sticky Web users such as Ribombee.

**Snow setters Setters**: Being an Ice-type with great natural bulk, Kyurem can be potent when Snow snow is on the field, boosting its Defense and allowing it to slot the usually unreliable Blizzard into its moveset. Alolan Ninetales and Abomasnow can automatically set Snow snow, but they offer little in terms of type synergy. Alternatively, Slowking and Galarian Slowking are more synergistic with Kyurem and can use Chilly Reception to set Snow snow and pivot into Kyurem it, allowing it to immediately start benefitting from it the snow.

Checks and Counters
========
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Gholdengo and Metagross naturally resist Kyurem's (AA) STABs STAB moves, allowing them to switch in and force Kyurem out by threatening it with super effective STAB attacks in return. These Pokemon can shut down most Physical physical variants, (AC) which usually lack powerful coverage to hit them, but they must watch out for Earth Power on Special special sets.

**Faster Pokemon**: Kyurem's Speed leaves it outsped by a myriad of faster offensive threats such as Urshifu (use Urshifu-R or Urshifu-S if you're talking about one of them, "both Urshifu formes" if both), Garchomp, (AC) and Iron Valiant, (AC) which can threaten Kyurem offensively in return. Faster Pokemon that can use a Choice Scarf or boost their own speed Speed, (AC) such as the examples above, (AC) can potentially also shut down Kyurem sets that boost Speed.

**Entry hazards Hazards**: Without Heavy-Duty Boots or reliable hazard removal, Kyurem is at the mercy of entry hazards, being vulnerable to all of them and having a weakness to Stealth Rock to boot. Constant switching will wear Kyurem down very quickly, reducing its effectiveness, especially if it is a bulky variant.

**Phazing**: Phazing can disrupt Kyurem sets that rely on setting up, but. (AP) It (splitting up sentences since they express mostly separate ideas and are awkward together) also poses a great danger to all Kyurem variants that lack Heavy-Duty Boots, (AC) since phazing forces it Kyurem to take even more entry hazard damage if hazards are up whenever it re-enters the field, greatly reducing its longevity.

**Status**: All Kyurem sets are vulnerable to at least one form of status that can reduce its their effectiveness. Physical variants can be shut down by burn from moves like Will-O-Wisp, spread by Fire-types that can also resist Ice-type attacks. Paralysis slows down Kyurem and makes it even easier to outspeed. Finally, poison can combo with how easily non-boots non-Heavy Duty Boots Kyurem sets wear themselves down to put them on an even faster timer.

**Priority**: Despite great natural bulk, Kyurem's typing leaves it weak to several priority moves, which can threaten even its speed Speed-boosting (AH) sets. Bullet Punch from the likes of Scizor and Metagross, which are also troublesome Steel-types, and Mach Punch from Pokemon such as Breloom and Infernape (RC) threaten Kyurem greatly and should be scouted accordingly before attempting to clean or sweep.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/deranged_lime.272077/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno6377.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia.620359/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hacker.387847/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/

 

[Deranged_Lime]

1/1, GP Team done

1/3 of a dragon

blue = add
red = remove
(orange) = comment

**Draft order Order**: Round 3 onwards

**Price range Range**: 16-17 points

**Overview**: Kyurem is a powerhouse of a Pokemon, boasting high mixed attacking stats, great bulk, (AC) and a respectable speed Speed tier to back them up. It uses these traits to perform a variety of roles, such as sweeping and wallbreaking, as either a Physical, Special physical, special, (AC) or mixed attacker thanks to a versatile offensive movepool. However, whilst it's while its (don't use whilst, it's British) typing also offers some nice resistances, it comes with plenty of weaknesses to common types. Combined with a lack of reliable recovery and a vulnerability to entry hazards, Kyurem's bulk can easily be compromised, leaving it easily worn down.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Setup sweeper Sweeper**: Dragon Dance turns Kyurem into a deadly sweeper, especially when it can use uses Loaded Dice alongside it's its multi-hitting STAB moves. This can make for a powerful win condition (RC) but requires support, (AC) since its physical coverage outside of STAB moves is relatively poor.

**All out attacker All-out (AH) Attacker**: This set aims to spread lots of damage reliably and finish off weakened targets. Several items can be used on this set, such as boots Heavy-Duty Boots to increase longevity and ease switching in as well as damage-boosting (AH) items, from Expert Belt utilizing Kyurem's super effective coverage to Choice Specs, allowing to allow (parallelism) Kyurem to assume the role of a wallbreaker.

**Choice Scarf Revenge Killer**: Kyurem makes for an excellent revenge killer and potential cleaner when it fixes it's its mediocre (need a negative thing to fix, Speed isn't negative on its own) Speed with a Choice Scarf. This set takes advantage of teams left weakened by its teammates, though it must take note to scout out potentially faster scarfed Choice Scarf Pokemon.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB moves Moves**: Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Scale Shot, Outrage, Dragon Claw, Ice Beam, Freeze-Dry, Icicle Spear

**Setup moves Moves**: Dragon Dance, Substitute

**Utility moves Moves**: Dragon Tail, Roar

**Coverage**: Earth Power, Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, Flash Cannon, Psychic, Iron Head, Zen Headbutt, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Shadow Claw, Dual Wingbeat

Niche Moves
========
**Protect**: Since Leftovers is Kyurem's sole source of recovery outside of Rest, Protect can be used to get as much use out of it as possible. It Protect also pairs well with Kyurem's ability Pressure, allowing Kyurem to more easily PP stall their opponent foes, especially if they use attacks with low PP.

**Endeavor**: This move can be paired with Endure or Substitute to reliably get Kyurem to low HP, where it will then do massive damage. This can be useful against targets that reliably sponge hits from Kyurem, bypassing their bulk and/or and typing.

**Blizzard**: A Blizzard is a more powerful special Ice-type STAB move than Ice Beam that can be used when Kyurem is paired with Snow snow, allowing the move it to never miss.

**Fling**: Fling is Kyurem's only Dark-type attack, which reaches 130 Base Power with Big Nugget as the held item. This attack is used for very specific targets, such as Gholdengo, which that otherwise resists resist Kyurem's other physical moves (talking about the targets, not specifically Gholdengo).

**Endure**: An Endure is an alternative to Protect that can attempt to be used to PP stall opposing attacks. However, this is mainly used to activate pinch berries Berries such as Custap and Salac Berries, as well as allowing to allow (parallelism) Endeavor to reach max maximum power.

Common Items
========
**Choice Specs**: Choice Specs greatly increase increases (even plural items like Specs are treated as singular) Kyurem's wallbreaking potential, boosting its powerful Special special moves such as Draco Meteor and Ice Beam and allowing it to break opposing walls and bulky cores.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: Being vulnerable to entry hazards, especially Stealth Rock, make makes Heavy-Duty Boots a great item choice for Kyurem. This increases its longevity and allows it to function without relying on teammates to clear hazards for it.

**Loaded Dice**: This item is used on physical sets to ensure Icicle Spear and Scale Shot hit 4-5 four to five times. This greatly increases their effective base power Base Power, easing the Kyurem's ability to sweep whilst while also bypassing effects such as Sturdy and Focus Sash.

**Choice Scarf**: Kyurem has decent speed Speed (RC) but is still outsped by many Pokemon, making it a good candidate for Choice Scarf. This increases the amount of Pokemon it can offensively check and gives it cleaning potential.

Niche Items
========
**Never-Melt Ice / Dragon Fang / Life Orb Damage-boosting Items**: Damage-boosting (AH) items offer a less potent boost compared to Choice Specs, each having their own benefits whilst while also allowing Kyurem to switch moves. Life Orb provides a more potent boost across all moves but leaves it Kyurem worn down quickly, whilst while other choices such as Never-Melt Ice provide more specific boosts but allows allow Kyurem to not KO itself so quickly.

**Leftovers**: When paired with reliable entry hazard removal, Kyurem benefits from Leftovers, giving it even greater longevity and allowing it to use its great bulk in combination with moves such as Substitute and Protect to stay healthy.

**Assault Vest**: Kyurem has a few but crucial resistances alongside high natural HP. These combine well with Assault Vest, allowing Kyurem to assume the role of a tank, sponging Special special hits whilst while using its natural power to dish out powerful attacks. This should be paired with entry hazard removal in order to be used effectively.

Tera
========
Kyurem makes for an exceptionally strong Tera Captain, leading to it usually being tera Tera banned. If allowed, it can use Tera to power up its highly spammable Dragon- (AH) and Ice-type moves by becoming one of those types. Setup sets can use Fairy- or Water-type Tera Fairy or Water to allow Kyurem to obtain Dragon Dance boosts more easily. On the flip side, an offensive type such as Tera Ground can be used to give Kyurem a powerful physical coverage move with Tera Blast to break through a potential check.

Draft Strategy
========
Kyurem has a lot of highly valuable traits for an offensive Pokemon, leveraging its bulk to switch in reliably and set up. It's Its strong mixed offenses allow it a lot of flexibility and can leave foes struggling to handle it. These traits make it a highly customizable Pokemon, making it perfect for the draft format Draft. Regardless, each of its sets, especially ones lacking Heavy-Duty Boots, require support from different kinds of teammates in order to work effectively.

**Entry hazard control Hazard Control**: Kyurem's typing leaves it vulnerable to entry hazards, which greatly decreases its bulk and effectiveness when it enters the field unless it uses Heavy-Duty Boots. As such, Kyurem appreciates teammates such as Great Tusk and Terapagos who that can reliably use Rapid Spin to clear the field for it, freeing up its reliance on boots Heavy-Duty Boots to stay healthy. On the flip side, entry hazards on the opponent's (AA) side of the field help to weaken switch-ins (AH) to Kyurem, whether it be is wallbreaking or sweeping. Entry hazard setters such as Hisuian Samurott and Landorus-Therian Landorus-T can reliably set hazards to support Kyurem and weaken all of its checks.

**Steel-type counters Counters**: Steel-types give Kyurem the most trouble, especially its physical sets, resisting both of it's STABs its STAB combination and needing to making it rely on coverage to hit them. Fire-types such as Chi-Yu and Fighting-types such as Urshifu (use Urshifu-R or Urshifu-S if you're talking about one of them, "both Urshifu formes" if both) boat boast STAB moves that can hit these Pokemon super effectively and allow Kyurem to hit the rest of the opposing team.

**Speed control Control**: Kyurem has a decent Speed stat, but it requires setup or a Choice Scarf in order to not be easily outsped. Even so, there are many faster Pokemon that can viably run a Choice Scarf to outpace it further. Speed control options should be considered to slow down the opposing team and allow Kyurem to excel. Examples include Thunder Wave users such as Scream Tail and Gholdengo, naturally faster Pokemon such as Darkrai or and Iron Valiant, or and Sticky Web users such as Ribombee.

**Snow setters Setters**: Being an Ice-type with great natural bulk, Kyurem can be potent when Snow snow is on the field, boosting its Defense and allowing it to slot the usually unreliable Blizzard into its moveset. Alolan Ninetales and Abomasnow can automatically set Snow snow, but they offer little in terms of type synergy. Alternatively, Slowking and Galarian Slowking are more synergistic with Kyurem and can use Chilly Reception to set Snow snow and pivot into Kyurem it, allowing it to immediately start benefitting from it the snow.

Checks and Counters
========
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Gholdengo and Metagross naturally resist Kyurem's (AA) STABs STAB moves, allowing them to switch in and force Kyurem out by threatening it with super effective STAB attacks in return. These Pokemon can shut down most Physical physical variants, (AC) which usually lack powerful coverage to hit them, but they must watch out for Earth Power on Special special sets.

**Faster Pokemon**: Kyurem's Speed leaves it outsped by a myriad of faster offensive threats such as Urshifu (use Urshifu-R or Urshifu-S if you're talking about one of them, "both Urshifu formes" if both), Garchomp, (AC) and Iron Valiant, (AC) which can threaten Kyurem offensively in return. Faster Pokemon that can use a Choice Scarf or boost their own speed Speed, (AC) such as the examples above, (AC) can potentially also shut down Kyurem sets that boost Speed.

**Entry hazards Hazards**: Without Heavy-Duty Boots or reliable hazard removal, Kyurem is at the mercy of entry hazards, being vulnerable to all of them and having a weakness to Stealth Rock to boot. Constant switching will wear Kyurem down very quickly, reducing its effectiveness, especially if it is a bulky variant.

**Phazing**: Phazing can disrupt Kyurem sets that rely on setting up, but. (AP) It (splitting up sentences since they express mostly separate ideas and are awkward together) also poses a great danger to all Kyurem variants that lack Heavy-Duty Boots, (AC) since phazing forces it Kyurem to take even more entry hazard damage if hazards are up whenever it re-enters the field, greatly reducing its longevity.

**Status**: All Kyurem sets are vulnerable to at least one form of status that can reduce its their effectiveness. Physical variants can be shut down by burn from moves like Will-O-Wisp, spread by Fire-types that can also resist Ice-type attacks. Paralysis slows down Kyurem and makes it even easier to outspeed. Finally, poison can combo with how easily non-boots non-Heavy Duty Boots Kyurem sets wear themselves down to put them on an even faster timer.

**Priority**: Despite great natural bulk, Kyurem's typing leaves it weak to several priority moves, which can threaten even its speed Speed-boosting (AH) sets. Bullet Punch from the likes of Scizor and Metagross, which are also troublesome Steel-types, and Mach Punch from Pokemon such as Breloom and Infernape (RC) threaten Kyurem greatly and should be scouted accordingly before attempting to clean or sweep.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/deranged_lime.272077/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno6377.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia.620359/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hacker.387847/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/

Thank you for the feedback.

All implemented and ready to go

 

[Hacker]

https://www.smogon.com/dex/sv/pokemon/kyurem/draft/