A Look Into The Part Of UU’s World: Primarina
What effect did Pokemon have on the metagame?
Primarina has been shown to be a complete nuisance to handle with thanks to how amazing its stats and typing are both offensively and defensively. Primarina nearly mandated the use of Blissey, Amoonguss, Empoleon, or Tentacruel on every bulky team as defensive counterplay since any poor unfortunate soul lacking these Pokémon will have an awfully difficult time finding a switch in to Primarina without one of these Pokémon. Empoleon’s usage has risen up again due to the threat that Primarina imposes in the tier as one reason. It has stirred up the rising popularity of Roserade somewhat while Celebi is shown to be a strong offensive check as well. Even the infamous lure Z-Belch Hydreigon was formed as a lure due to Primarina and other Fairies usually completely walling it if it lacked it. But from both sides of the spectrum, Primarina poses to be a frightening mermaid who would drag the opposition under the sea. This has even brought up few but noticeable questions of suspecting Primarina due to the very few defensive countermeasures that could still fall prey to Primarina’s coverage.
In what main roles was Pokemon used?
Of course with a typing as synergized as Water/Fairy alongside its base 126 SpA and passable defensive stats means that Primarina could fulfill multiple roles with two main ones being a Specs Wallbreaker and a Defensive RestTalk set.
Primarina @ Choice Specs
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 92 HP / 252 SpA / 164 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Moonblast
- Psychic
- Sparkling Aria / Scald
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 92 HP / 252 SpA / 164 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Moonblast
- Psychic
- Sparkling Aria / Scald
This set may not be used as frequently as the one below, but Choice Specs Primarina is still a frightening wallbreaker in the metagame. Hydro Pump, Moonblast, and Psychic was all the coverage that Primarina required to nullify hard checks like Amoonguss and Tentacruel. Empoleon itself despises having to handle a Specs Hydro Pump constantly due to its lack of reliable recovery. The 4th slot is a lot more customizable though between Sparkling Aria and Scald the former bypassing Substitute in a pinch while the latter trades damage for accuracy if need be. 164 Speed EVs guarantees that Primarina outspeeds an unboosted Mega Altaria and with the extra HP investment alongside its fine bulk, Primarina can have an insanely easy time switching in on the Dragon-types in the tier but it should usually be brought in by pivots in order to reserve its health later in the game.
Primarina @ Leftovers
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Moonblast
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Ability: Torrent
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- Moonblast
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
Here is Primarina’s second role. Water/Fairy is of course amazing defensively as well and Primarina’s Defensive set can be pretty ideal for handling Krookodile and physical sets of Infernape and Lucario while still stopping Hydreigon dead in its tracks. Primarina can fulfill a lot thanks to this and can cover many Pokémon in one slot. Rest combine with Sleep Talk ensures that Primarina stays healthy throughout the match without becoming too passive. This set has shown up more often than not as a defensive tank.
What caused it to have a significant impact?
Primarina can actually be decently unpredictable at first due to the separate natures of both of these sets. Once the damage rolls are presented, the set should be nothing but obvious. But what makes Primarina so dangerous is that even its Defensive set can outlast certain defensive counterplay thanks to Rest. Of course many teams also benefit from a Pokémon showcasing such a strong duo typing so Primarina is an easy fit as a Dragon-type check and others. Once Primarina on the field, it can be insanely difficult to search for a safe switch-in and Primarina could usually net a free KO if there wasn’t an Amoonguss, Empleon, Blissey, or Tentacruel standing in its way. Of course prediction was required to make the best out of Primarina but when a Primarina guesses correctly, the consequences to the opponent’s team are the most dire in the tier, possibly ending a vital Pokémon to their success. One wrong move where the Primarina clicks Hydro Pump or Scald over Moonblast, and something will most likely be screwed over if you lack the counterplay.
How do/did you deal with this Pokemon in UU?
- Blissey is Primarina’s hardest counter. It shrugs off anything that the Specs set could possibly throw at it while winning the PP War against the RestTalk set.
- Amoonguss and Tentacruel naturally handle Primarina’s STABs, but both fall victim to the Psychic while Tentacruel can be easily taken advantage of and chipped down by Primarina.
- Mega Manectric, Celebi, Nidoking, and Roserade are all sorts of Pokémon that revenge kill Primarina. Primarina falls victim to a lot of revenge killers due to its low Speed shackling it.
- Primarina’s defenses can still be overwhelmed even when invested. Strong Z-Moves can cleanly break through Primarina such as Moltres’s Flyinium Z and Terrakion’s Rockium Z. It may not be the most ideal situation to burn up your Z-Move on Primarina however.
