[OVERVIEW]
Fairy
========
Primarina is a very powerful special wallbreaker for Fairy with access to Psychic, helping immensely in the Poison matchup. Its typing is great offensively, as few Pokemon can switch into the coverage its combined STAB attacks provide. Primarina's Water typing also grants it a very important Steel neutrality, allowing it to take on opposing Pokemon such as Mega Scizor and Excadrill, and its high Special Defense allows it to absorb special attacks throughout the battle, letting it take on Pokemon such as Porygon2 and Slowbro. However, its mediocre Defense leaves Primarina vulnerable to strong physical attackers such as Kyurem-B and Mega Pinsir, and its low Speed unfortunately leaves it easily revenge killed by foes such as Diggersby and Nidoking, forcing it to switch out multiple times throughout a battle. Primarina can be hard to fit onto a team, as Fairy isn't lacking in strong special attackers. It can also compete with Azumarill, which shares its same typing and is a very powerful setup Pokemon with useful priority.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker (Fairy)
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
item: Choice Specs
ability: Torrent
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is Primarina's main STAB attack, hitting opposing Pokemon very hard in combination with its high Special Attack. Moonblast is Primarina's secondary STAB attack, allowing it to hit Pokemon that resist Hydro Pump such as Dragon-types and Grass-types. Psychic is utilized on Primarina in order to hit Poison-types that take little damage from its STAB attacks, most notably Mega Venusaur and Toxapex. Hidden Power Fire is run in order to blast past Steel-types such as Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn, which are cumbersome for Fairy teams.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment with a Modest nature and Choice Specs allows Primarina to function as a wallbreaker, hitting the vast majority of Pokemon hard with its excellent coverage. Maximum Speed investment allows Primarina to outspeed opposing Pokemon such as Azumarill and Mega Venusaur. Torrent is Primarina's only useful ability, granting it a massive boost in damage from Hydro Pump when below 33% of its maximum HP.
Usage Tips
========
As a slow special wallbreaker, Primarina is best utilized to punch holes through the opposing team throughout the battle so that its teammates can clean up the remainder of its foes. Play carefully with Primarina in the Steel matchup, as it is important to keep healthy it in order to deal with Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor, which threaten to wear down the team. Similarly, due to its importance in the Poison matchup, play carefully with Primarina, only bringing it in after Alolan Muk has been severely weakened or KOed so that it can clean up the remainder of the team with Psychic. Be cautious of opposing Pokemon that can run Protect such as Ferrothorn, as they're able to scout which move Primarina locks itself into and then switch into a teammate that can handle its move. In a similar notion, be cautious of locking Primarina into a move that an opposing setup Pokemon can take advantage of. For example, in the Bug matchup, locking Primarina into Hidden Power Fire allows Volcarona to come in and get a free Quiver Dance boost. Be wary of switching Primarina in on strong physical attacks, as its mediocre Defense causes it to be quickly worn down throughout the battle. Take advantage of opposing Pokemon looking to set entry hazards onto the field like Skarmory and Jirachi by bringing Primarina in and firing off strong attacks.
Team Options
========
Mega Diancie forms a great offensive duo with Primarina, as they combined are able to blast past most defensive cores. Mega Diancie is also able to handle Alolan Muk for Primarina so that it can muscle through the remainder of Poison teams. Ribombee provides Sticky Web, patching up Primarina's low Speed and allowing it to outspeed everything up to maximum Speed base 100 Pokemon such as Victini and Mew. Tapu Koko takes care of bulky Water-types that Primarina otherwise has trouble with such as Empoleon. The combination of Tapu Koko and Primarina is also able to wonderfully take on Steel teams, as Tapu Koko handles Celesteela while Primarina handles Ferrothorn. Tapu Bulu is a great partner for Primarina, as it is able to absorb Grass- and Electric-type attacks that otherwise threaten Primarina. In return, Primarina breaks past many defensive checks to Tapu Bulu such as Mega Venusaur and Skarmory. Klefki provides screens support for Primarina, which enables it to survive Mega Scizor's +2 Bullet Punch. It is also able to provide Spikes and Thunder Wave support to slowly chip down opposing walls for Primarina to break through and slow down faster foes, respectively. Clefable is a great defensive switch-in to Primarina's threats and reduces the burden on Primarina to take care of Mega Scizor alone thanks to its access to Fire Blast. Its ability to set Stealth Rock onto the field slowly chips down foes throughout the battle, further enabling Primarina to OHKO opposing Pokemon late-game as well as 2HKO Mantine with Moonblast. Azumarill is an amazing physical wallbreaker that benefits from Primarina taking on physically defensive Pokemon such as Toxapex and Mega Venusaur, paving the way for it to clean late-game. Mimikyu is another Attack booster that acts as a great blanket check to many offensive Pokemon thanks to its ability, Disguise, and its access to priority.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fairy
--------
Primarina could use a Timid nature in order to outspeed neutral-natured base 70 Speed Pokemon such as Bisharp and Breloom as well as Pokemon such as Timid Keldeo under Sticky Web. Unfortunately, there is a large drop off in power if running a Timid nature, as Primarina would miss the OHKO on Pokemon such as bulky Mega Scizor. A bulkier EV Spread of 80 HP / 252 SpA / 176 Speed with a Modest nature can be run on Primarina to guarantee surviving attacks such as Sludge Wave from Nihilego while still outspeeding Adamant Azumarill.
Checks and Counters
===================
Fairy
--------
**Special Walls**: Pokemon with naturally high Special Defense such as Chansey are able to absorb most attacks that Primarina dishes out and heal off any damage taken.
**Electric-types**: Faster Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu are able to OHKO Primarina with their STAB attacks.
**Grass-types**: Fast Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Celebi threaten Primarina thanks to their super effective Grass-type STAB attacks.
**Revenge Killers**: Due to Primarina's low base Speed, it is vulnerable to most attackers that threaten to outspeed and OHKO it, such as Victini and Landorus.
**Protect**: As with all Choice-locked Pokemon, Primarina is very vulnerable to Protect users such as Ferrothorn and Baneful Bunker Toxapex, as they're able to scout which move Primarina is locked into and then switch into a teammate that can handle the chosen move.
Fairy
========
Primarina is a very powerful special wallbreaker for Fairy with access to Psychic, helping immensely in the Poison matchup. Its typing is great offensively, as few Pokemon can switch into the coverage its combined STAB attacks provide. Primarina's Water typing also grants it a very important Steel neutrality, allowing it to take on opposing Pokemon such as Mega Scizor and Excadrill, and its high Special Defense allows it to absorb special attacks throughout the battle, letting it take on Pokemon such as Porygon2 and Slowbro. However, its mediocre Defense leaves Primarina vulnerable to strong physical attackers such as Kyurem-B and Mega Pinsir, and its low Speed unfortunately leaves it easily revenge killed by foes such as Diggersby and Nidoking, forcing it to switch out multiple times throughout a battle. Primarina can be hard to fit onto a team, as Fairy isn't lacking in strong special attackers. It can also compete with Azumarill, which shares its same typing and is a very powerful setup Pokemon with useful priority.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker (Fairy)
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Psychic
move 4: Hidden Power Fire
item: Choice Specs
ability: Torrent
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is Primarina's main STAB attack, hitting opposing Pokemon very hard in combination with its high Special Attack. Moonblast is Primarina's secondary STAB attack, allowing it to hit Pokemon that resist Hydro Pump such as Dragon-types and Grass-types. Psychic is utilized on Primarina in order to hit Poison-types that take little damage from its STAB attacks, most notably Mega Venusaur and Toxapex. Hidden Power Fire is run in order to blast past Steel-types such as Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn, which are cumbersome for Fairy teams.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment with a Modest nature and Choice Specs allows Primarina to function as a wallbreaker, hitting the vast majority of Pokemon hard with its excellent coverage. Maximum Speed investment allows Primarina to outspeed opposing Pokemon such as Azumarill and Mega Venusaur. Torrent is Primarina's only useful ability, granting it a massive boost in damage from Hydro Pump when below 33% of its maximum HP.
Usage Tips
========
As a slow special wallbreaker, Primarina is best utilized to punch holes through the opposing team throughout the battle so that its teammates can clean up the remainder of its foes. Play carefully with Primarina in the Steel matchup, as it is important to keep healthy it in order to deal with Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor, which threaten to wear down the team. Similarly, due to its importance in the Poison matchup, play carefully with Primarina, only bringing it in after Alolan Muk has been severely weakened or KOed so that it can clean up the remainder of the team with Psychic. Be cautious of opposing Pokemon that can run Protect such as Ferrothorn, as they're able to scout which move Primarina locks itself into and then switch into a teammate that can handle its move. In a similar notion, be cautious of locking Primarina into a move that an opposing setup Pokemon can take advantage of. For example, in the Bug matchup, locking Primarina into Hidden Power Fire allows Volcarona to come in and get a free Quiver Dance boost. Be wary of switching Primarina in on strong physical attacks, as its mediocre Defense causes it to be quickly worn down throughout the battle. Take advantage of opposing Pokemon looking to set entry hazards onto the field like Skarmory and Jirachi by bringing Primarina in and firing off strong attacks.
Team Options
========
Mega Diancie forms a great offensive duo with Primarina, as they combined are able to blast past most defensive cores. Mega Diancie is also able to handle Alolan Muk for Primarina so that it can muscle through the remainder of Poison teams. Ribombee provides Sticky Web, patching up Primarina's low Speed and allowing it to outspeed everything up to maximum Speed base 100 Pokemon such as Victini and Mew. Tapu Koko takes care of bulky Water-types that Primarina otherwise has trouble with such as Empoleon. The combination of Tapu Koko and Primarina is also able to wonderfully take on Steel teams, as Tapu Koko handles Celesteela while Primarina handles Ferrothorn. Tapu Bulu is a great partner for Primarina, as it is able to absorb Grass- and Electric-type attacks that otherwise threaten Primarina. In return, Primarina breaks past many defensive checks to Tapu Bulu such as Mega Venusaur and Skarmory. Klefki provides screens support for Primarina, which enables it to survive Mega Scizor's +2 Bullet Punch. It is also able to provide Spikes and Thunder Wave support to slowly chip down opposing walls for Primarina to break through and slow down faster foes, respectively. Clefable is a great defensive switch-in to Primarina's threats and reduces the burden on Primarina to take care of Mega Scizor alone thanks to its access to Fire Blast. Its ability to set Stealth Rock onto the field slowly chips down foes throughout the battle, further enabling Primarina to OHKO opposing Pokemon late-game as well as 2HKO Mantine with Moonblast. Azumarill is an amazing physical wallbreaker that benefits from Primarina taking on physically defensive Pokemon such as Toxapex and Mega Venusaur, paving the way for it to clean late-game. Mimikyu is another Attack booster that acts as a great blanket check to many offensive Pokemon thanks to its ability, Disguise, and its access to priority.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Fairy
--------
Primarina could use a Timid nature in order to outspeed neutral-natured base 70 Speed Pokemon such as Bisharp and Breloom as well as Pokemon such as Timid Keldeo under Sticky Web. Unfortunately, there is a large drop off in power if running a Timid nature, as Primarina would miss the OHKO on Pokemon such as bulky Mega Scizor. A bulkier EV Spread of 80 HP / 252 SpA / 176 Speed with a Modest nature can be run on Primarina to guarantee surviving attacks such as Sludge Wave from Nihilego while still outspeeding Adamant Azumarill.
Checks and Counters
===================
Fairy
--------
**Special Walls**: Pokemon with naturally high Special Defense such as Chansey are able to absorb most attacks that Primarina dishes out and heal off any damage taken.
**Electric-types**: Faster Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Alolan Raichu are able to OHKO Primarina with their STAB attacks.
**Grass-types**: Fast Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Celebi threaten Primarina thanks to their super effective Grass-type STAB attacks.
**Revenge Killers**: Due to Primarina's low base Speed, it is vulnerable to most attackers that threaten to outspeed and OHKO it, such as Victini and Landorus.
**Protect**: As with all Choice-locked Pokemon, Primarina is very vulnerable to Protect users such as Ferrothorn and Baneful Bunker Toxapex, as they're able to scout which move Primarina is locked into and then switch into a teammate that can handle the chosen move.
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