Primarina Movesets & Competitive Sets

This spread allows Primarina to beat Pokemon that it usually can't, such as Timid Weakness Policy Iron Crown and non-Agility Corviknight. Generally, the sequence against Iron Crown is to use Encore on the first turn to lock it into using Calm Mind, then use Icy Wind twice to lower its Speed so Primarina can lock it with Encore back into Calm Mind in the following turn, then use Moonblast once and use Encore once again, then alternate between Hydro Cannon and Encore, keeping the recharge turn and Life Orb damage in mind. In case Iron Crown uses Tachyon Cutter on the first turn, it activates Torrent on turn two, which allows Primarina to OHKO it with Hydro Cannon. This spread allows Primarina to survive a Poison Jab or Sludge Wave from Adamant Choice Band Urshifu formes and Timid Life Orb Landorus and then OHKO them with Moonblast or Icy Wind, respectively. An alternative EV spread of 56 HP / 192 Def / 8 SpA / 252 Spe lets Primarina bulk Jolly Choice Band Urshifu formes' attacks but not Adamant Choice Band variants, dropping that matchup in order to gain a more consistent Iron Crown matchup, since Primarina's higher Speed stat means it can outspeed Iron Crown after a single Icy Wind and threaten Special Attack Booster Energy variants with a Torrent-boosted Hydro Cannon if Iron Crown decides to go for an attack. This spread also allows Primarina to outspeed Ursaluna and OHKO it with Hydro Cannon. Against Spectrier, use Encore on turn one. If Spectrier attacks on turn one, use Hydro Cannon on turn two. If Spectrier uses a status move, use Icy Wind thrice with the main spread or twice with the alternative spread, then use Encore to lock Spectrier into a status move while dealing damage with Moonblast and Hydro Cannon. Moonblast allows Primarina to beat commonly used Dragon- and Fighting-type Pokemon, such as Roaring Moon, Dragapult, the Urshifu formes, and Iron Valiant. Since Primarina is weak to Poison-type or STAB attacks from foes such as Sneasler, Pecharunt, Volcanion, Hoopa, Raging Bolt, and Ogerpon-Wellspring, it is suggested to pair Primarina with Dragon- and Steel-type Pokemon such as Roaring Moon, Iron Crown, and Metagross to form the well-known Dragon / Fairy / Steel core.

Hydro Cannon is Primarina's strongest attack and should be used against both Landorus formes, non-Custap Berry Skeledirge, and non-Substitute Volcarona. Moonblast defeats Haxorus and Garchomp. Energy Ball should be used against Rhyperior and is Primarina's best way to deal with non-Sap Sipper Azumarill. Liquid Voice + Uproar makes Primarina defeat Registeel and gives it an option to defeat Custap Berry Skeledirge and Substitute Volcarona, while Psychic Noise + Torrent allows it to beat Whimsicott reliably. Torrent Primarina is also more consistent agaisnt bulkier Choice Specs Hoopa sets, as Moonblast does not always OHKO them. The HP and Defense EVs allow Primarina to survive Earthquake from Choice Band Landorus-T, while the Special Defense EVs allow it to survive Sludge Wave from Timid Choice Specs Landorus. Choice Specs Primarina, unlike other Primarina sets, loses to Encore + Disable Iron Valiant sets, so it is important to use a teammate that can defeat the aforementioned sets.

Primarina is one of the strongest Pokemon in 1v1 thanks to its unique typing, important role compression, and variety of sets. The combination of Weakness Policy and Charm or Reflect allows Primarina to take care of slower threats that aim to defeat it with their super effective moves, such as Iron Hands with Supercell Slam and Donphan and Ursaluna with Gunk Shot. Charm can work multiple times, which can help if Primarina is trying to stall a foe or to get to Torrent range to fire off an extremely strong Hydro Cannon, while Reflect can take care of Clear Amulet Pokemon, an item these Pokemon can run to be a hard counter to the Charm variant. Hydro Cannon can KO Ursaluna and Donphan after a boost from Weakness Policy on the former and a Draining Kiss on the latter. Draining Kiss and Moonblast can threaten both Urshifu formes, and while Draining Kiss is especially helpful for the Donphan matchup, Moonblast can also be utilized for overall damage against Haxorus. Calm Mind lets it set up in front of potential threats like Clear Amulet Cresselia. Thanks to its huge investment in Speed, Primarina can outrun Ursaluna, Iron Hands, and Donphan while threatening KOs in return, with its Defense and HP maximized for the best rolls against Choice Band Haxorus. Primarina should be used in teams where its weaknesses to Grass, Electric, and Poison are patched up, so it really likes pairing with Dragon-types like Raging Bolt, Steel-types like Corviknight and Hisuian Goodra, or Psychic-types like Hoopa-U and Iron Crown.

Primarina excels at dealing consistent damage and wearing down opposing Pokemon. Its strong offensive typing, high Special Attack, and ability to take advantage of STAB Hyper Voice with Liquid Voice make it a formidable threat. Additionally, it puts pressure on common metagame Pokemon like Incineroar and Garchomp. Haze prevents setup Pokémon from exploiting Primarina's slower offensive pace. More importantly, it's often used to counter the Dondozo and Tatsugiri matchup. While Throat Spray provides a power boost after using Hyper Voice, Life Orb offers more immediate damage, making it better suited for more aggressive teams. For example, Life Orb guarantees an OHKO on Hisuian Typhlosion with Hyper Voice while allowing Primarina to 2HKO Sneasler and Choice Specs Gholdengo with Hyper Voice. Sitrus Berry, on the other hand, enables Primarina to take on a more passive role, consistently enhancing its survivability. For instance, Sitrus Berry's recovery enables it to live two Stomping Tantrums from Life Orb Garchomp. Tera Poison allows Primarina to resist both of Sneasler's STAB moves and, unlike the other two recommended Tera types, doesn't introduce many common weaknesses. Tera Steel gives Primarina an immunity to Poison-type moves like Sneasler's Dire Claw and a resistance to Steel-type attacks, making it particularly effective against Gholdengo's Make it Rain. Tera Grass, like Tera Poison and Tera Steel, offers a resistance to Grass-type moves from Pokemon like Rillaboom. It also provides a resistance to Electric-type attacks like Electro Shot from Archaludon, and an immunity to Spore, preventing Amoonguss from shutting it down. With the given Defense and HP investment, Primarina is guaranteed to survive Grassy Glide from maximum Attack Rillaboom and a 100-Base Power Last Respects from non-Adaptability Choice Band Basculegion. The Special Defense investment ensures it can withstand Tera Steel Make it Rain from Choice Specs Gholdengo, Blood Moon from Life Orb Ursaluna-B, and two Freeze-Dry hits from Alolan Ninetales. The Special Attack investment gives Primarina a good chance to OHKO Garchomp with Moonblast and non-bulky Talonflame with Hyper Voice, while the Speed investment is designed to outspeed maximum Speed Maushold in Tailwind.

With an excellent typing and serviceable Speed and bulk, Primarina is one of the better users of Calm Mind for Fairy teams, as it deals with common roadblocks for Fairy like Corviknight, Clodsire, and Choice Scarf Urshifu-R. Psychic Noise prevents all forms of recovery, making it harder for walls like the aforementioned Clodsire and Articuno to keep up with Primarina. Coincidentally, Psychic Noise also helps Primarina muscle past other bulky setup sweepers like Dragonite and Clefable. Draining Kiss improves Primarina's longevity and threatens Dragon- and Dark-types like Roaring Moon and Weavile. Surf sweeps away Heatran, Skarmory, and Choice Scarf Landorus, all of which are nuisances for Fairy teams. 60 Speed EVs let Primarina outspeed Corviknight and prevent it from recovering with Psychic Noise, making it easier to wear down, while the rest of the EVs are invested in Defense and HP to improve Primarina's matchup against Steel teams. Due to Primarina's relatively low Defense stat, dual screens support from Klefki is vital for its success, as it lets Primarina check Swords Dance Ceruledge and Bisharp. In return, Primarina deals with Clodsire and Corviknight, which all take advantage of Klefki. Iron Valiant deals with Ogerpon formes, Kyurem, and Landorus, which overwhelm Primarina, and also deals with bulky Steel-types like Bisharp and Hisuian Goodra with Close Combat and Ice Punch. In return, Primarina checks Volcarona, which can take advantage of Choice-locked Iron Valiant. Choice Specs Flutter Mane outspeeds and vaporizes Choice Specs Greninja, Choice Specs Latios, Spectrier, and Ogerpon-H; in return, Primarina breaks down defensive Pokemon such as Articuno, Corviknight, Clodsire, and Skarmory for it. Entry hazards, especially Toxic Spikes, greatly hinder Primarina's ability to set up, so Primarina greatly appreciates Hatterene's ability to bounce back entry hazards with Magic Bounce. Hatterene also has a wide array of supportive moves like Nuzzle and Healing Wish which help circumvent Primarina's low Speed and give it a second chance to sweep. For instance, being able to slow down Articuno and Tornadus and subject Corviknight and Toxapex to the prospect of getting fully paralyzed makes Primarina's job easier. Belly Drum Azumarill is a secondary sweeper that deals with Hisuian Goodra and Alolan Muk, which Primarina struggles to beat, and it's also able to threaten Bisharp and Gliscor more. Choice Scarf Enamorus deals with fast threats like Dragapult and Choice Specs Greninja with Moonblast and loves Primarina being able to soften up opposing teams. Enamorus also provides Healing Wish, which gives Primarina a second chance to threaten opposing teams. Clefable can form a Calm Mind core with Primarina to overload special walls like Articuno and Alolan Muk, or it can set Stealth Rock and slow down the opposing team for Primarina with Thunder Wave. Mimikyu provides a failsafe against sweepers like Ceruledge due to Disguise, and it can use a Swords Dance set to clean up opposing teams late-game.

With Calm Mind, Primarina turns into a great option for Water teams against Fighting and Dragon teams, being able to threaten the likes of Scrafty and Hydreigon. When running Liquid Voice, Psychic Noise turns into Primarina's main Water-type STAB move, while running Torrent makes it great coverage against Clodsire. Draining Kiss is Primarina's main source of longevity, being especially effective against the aforementioned Fighting- and Dragon-types. When running Liquid Voice, Primarina can run Ice Beam to threaten Garchomp, Gliscor, and both Landorus formes. Surf is the better option for Primarina when it chooses to run Torrent so it has a stronger Water-type STAB attack. Alternatively, Encore can be used to take advantage of slower walls like Ting-Lu by locking them into an undesirable move. 60 Speed EVs allow Primarina to outspeed Corviknight. Primarina struggles against Poison-types such as Alolan Muk and Sneasler; therefore, it appreciates teammates such as Swampert and Gastrodon to check them. The two of them also provide an Electric immunity and entry hazard support. Toxapex absorbs Toxic Spikes while dealing with Grass-types that Primarina struggles with such as Meowscarada and the Ogerpon formes. In return, Primarina deals with some of Toxapex's checks like Great Tusk and Mamoswine. Keldeo and Urshifu-R are great offensive teammates that can muscle through Steel-types such as Archaludon, Hisuian Goodra, and Bisharp. Primarina deals with Iron Valiant in return. Choice Scarf Hisuian Samurott handles Ghost-types like Gholdengo, Dragapult, and Spectrier, and in return, Primarina threatens Fighting-types like Urshifu-R and Keldeo. Choice Specs Greninja handles threats that Primarina struggles against, such as the Ogerpon formes, opposing Primarina, Amoonguss, and Okidogi. Ogerpon-W pairs well offensively with Primarina, handling Landorus, Ursaluna, and Iron Treads, while Primarina deals with various Fighting-, Dragon-, and Dark-types like Urshifu-R, Roaring Moon, and Sableye.

With an Assault Vest, Primarina leverages its natural special bulk to serve an incredible role on Fairy teams as a special tank, being able to take hits from the likes of Gholdengo, Iron Moth, and Landorus. Surf hits problematic Fire-types for Fairy such as Heatran and Iron Moth while also being able to force out Gholdengo and Spectrier before it uses Calm Mind. Moonblast hits Water-resistant foes like Hydrapple and Kyurem. Flip Turn gives Primarina a solid pivoting tool to switch out on threats it cannot handle, such as Alolan Muk, Articuno, and Hisuian Goodra. Finally, Psychic Noise allows Primarina to hit Poison-types like Amoonguss, Toxapex, and Okidogi. The EV spread used lets Primarina outspeed threats like Adamant Azumaril. The alternative EV spread is a bulkier set that outspeeds Corviknight and makes it more reliable against threats like Choice Specs Latios and Flutter Mane. With Primarina's limited recovery options, Hatterene provides excellent support, being able to keep entry hazards off the field and allowing Primarina to come in safely. Hatterene can also spread paralysis against threats like Gholdengo, Tornadus-T, and Gallade using Nuzzle. Klefki can provide hazard and dual screens support, allowing Primarina to combat special walls like Alolan Muk and Hisuian Goodra. Clefable can provide hazard support in Stealth Rock, along with Wish support to heal Primarina. Flutter Mane appreciates Primarina's neutrality to Steel-type attacks from the likes of Choice Scarf Gholdengo, while Primarina appreciates Flutter Mane's strong movepool that can hinder problematic threats like Articuno, Ogerpon-H, and Raging Bolt. Flutter Mane also enjoys Primarina's Flip Turn to grant it safe entry. Primarina values physical Iron Valiant's ability to remove special walls like Blissey, Galarian Slowking, and Clodsire. In return, Iron Valiant takes advantage of Primarina's ability to take on threats like Choice Scarf Latios, Choice Specs Dragapult, and Choice Scarf Enamorus. Mimikyu appreciates Primarina's pivoting to grant it safe entry and setup opportunities. In exchange, Primarina welcomes Mimikyu's ability to remove threats like Flutter Mane and Iron Hands. Choice Scarf Enamorus can remove fasters threats like Sneasler and Iron Valiant and provide Healing Wish support.

Assault Vest Primarina is a solid offensive pivot for Water teams capable of taking hits from threats like Darkrai and Dragapult comfortably. Moonblast nails Fighting-, Dark-, and Dragon-types such as Kommo-o, Darkrai, and Archaludon. Surf handles Steel-types like Gholdengo and Heatran. Psychic Noise catches would-be checks like Toxapex and Water Absorb Clodsire. Finally, Flip Turn can safely pivot in teammates such as Urshifu-R and Hisuian Samurott on walls that check Primarina like Hisuian Goodra and Galarian Slowking. The EV spread enables Primarina to outspeed Corviknight while preventing it from being 2HKOed from Choice Scarf Archaludon's Thunderbolt after Stealth Rock. Assault Vest Primarina fits best onto more offensive-leaning teamstyles such as rain, making teammates like Barraskewda and Kingdra great partners. While rain is up, they are able to outspeed and check faster threats such as Meowscarada and Kyurem. Barraskewda also uses its strong coverage to break through special walls Primarina struggles with like Hisuian Goodra and Water Absorb Clodsire with Close Combat and Psychic Fangs, respectively. Pelipper enables rain through Drizzle, and its Ground immunity helps against threats like Landorus-T and Great Tusk while being able to pivot Primarina in with U-turn. Hisuian Samurott provides Spikes support with Ceaseless Edge to wear down foes like Alolan Muk and Flutter Mane while using Sucker Punch to catch faster threats like Latios and Spectrier. Choice Scarf Urshifu-R can outspeed and handle threats like Choice Specs Flutter Mane and the Ogerpon formes for Primarina. Swampert provides a strong defensive support, being able to take on Poison- and Electric-types such as Galarian Slowking, Sandy Shocks, and Raging Bolt. Toxapex can handle Grass-types such as Meowscarada and the Ogerpon formes for Primarina, as well as use Toxic to wear down bulky targets like Iron Hands. Alomomola can support Primarina by being able to take hits from physical attackers such as Mamoswine and Kleavor and use Wish to keep Primarina healthy.

Packing tremendous power with its high Special Attack and excellent STAB moves, Choice Specs Primarina is one of Fairy's deadliest wallbreakers. Hydro Pump is Primarina's most powerful STAB move, threatening Fairy-resistant foes such as Gholdengo and Alolan Muk and OHKOing Flutter Mane when Primarina is in Torrent range. Alternatively, Surf can be used for more accuracy at the cost of power. Moonblast tears through Dragon-, Dark-, and Fighting-type Pokemon such as Dragapult, Garchomp, Hoopa-U, and Iron Valiant while wearing down its supposed checks in Hisuian Goodra and Ting-Lu thanks to its raw power. Psychic Noise lets Primarina damage Amoonguss, Toxapex, and Water Absorb Clodsire, which would otherwise shrug off its STAB moves. Flip Turn lets Primarina maintain momentum, pivoting out of bad matchups like Blissey and Empoleon while sending in a teammate. The 88 Speed EVs allow Primarina to outpace Skarmory and Corviknight, while the rest are invested in Special Attack and bulk. Its bulk in particular can stand out because Primarina takes moderately strong attacks from the likes of Dragapult, Flutter Mane, and Gholdengo while trading with them. Klefki is an excellent teammate for Primarina, providing dual screens and entry hazard support in one; the former lets Primarina check Swords Dance Ceruledge and Choice Band Scizor, while the latter allows Primarina to get the KOs it wouldn't otherwise get. Klefki can also switch in on Grass- and Poison-types like Ogerpon-C, Meowscarada, and Sneasler that otherwise pressure Primarina. Choice Specs Flutter Mane can also form a great offensive core with Primarina, as it can outspeed and pressure Choice Specs Greninja and Ogerpon-H with options like Thunderbolt and Power Gem and eventually overwhelm shared checks in Articuno, Hisuian Goodra, and Ting-Lu. Choice Scarf Flutter Mane can also provide excellent speed control, outspeeding Choice Scarf Meowscarada and Sneasler. In return, Primarina threatens Corviknight and Choice Scarf Gholdengo, both of which pose a threat to Flutter Mane. Swords Dance Iron Valiant benefits from Primarina luring in Steel-types, while Iron Valiant helps break past special walls including Blissey, Empoleon, and Hisuian Goodra with Close Combat. Hatterene can provide important entry hazard control with Magic Bounce, allowing Primarina to avoid being worn down by entry hazards. Hatterene can also provide paralysis support via Nuzzle to slow down foes such as the Ogerpon formes and Cinderace. Primarina also appreciates Trick Room support from Hatterene, letting Primarina act as a more potent wallbreaker, while Hatterene can act as a potent cleaner with Calm Mind once Primarina has broken past its checks. Azumarill can stand out as a physically offensive counterpart to Primarina; its Belly Drum set ensures that it is able to break through Articuno and Assault Vest Hisuian Goodra, while Primarina can overwhelm physical walls such as Archaludon and Skarmory, both of which Azumarill struggles against. Tinkaton is also a great partner for Primarina, providing Stealth Rock and paralysis support via Thunder Wave, as well as Pickpocket support that takes away Leftovers or Assault Vest from Hisuian Goodra and Alolan Muk; Tinkaton can also use Encore on Raging Bolt, which Primarina otherwise struggles with. Enamorus shines as a partner, as it is able to lure in Rock-types like Hisuian Arcanine, Coalossal, and Garganacl that Primarina can threaten while also providing Healing Wish support to give Primarina more chances at wallbreaking. In return, Primarina removes Steel-types like Iron Treads, Gholdengo, and Tinkaton.

Thanks to its good special bulk and defensive typing, Primarina with an Assault Vest can function as a defensive pivot capable of checking powerful special attackers like Mega Latios, Tapu Lele lacking Psyshock, and Volcarona. It can also check some physical attackers like Urshifu-R and Zamazenta. It performs a crucial offensive role alongside its vital defensive role, being able to exert pressure on common defensive backbones like Gliscor, Ting-Lu, and Moltres. Despite Primarina's excellent special bulk, it often competes with less entry hazard-prone pivots with good longevity like Alomomola and Pecharunt, although it can exert more offensive pressure. Scald is preferred over other Water-type attacks like Surf and Hydro Pump, as it can burn physical attackers like Melmetal, Kingambit, and Mega Scizor, hindering their offensive presence. Flip Turn lets Primarina generate momentum for its teammates and pivot out of healthy checks like Galarian Slowking and Ferrothorn. Psychic Noise is a coverage move that allows Primarina to super effectively target and deny recovery for Poison-types like Pecharunt, Toxapex, and Mega Venusaur on the switch in as well as being able to prevent Alomomola from Wish passing. Torrent is the preferred ability, as it further increases Primarina's damage output and trading capabilities, allowing it to score a guaranteed OHKO on Tapu Koko and Tornadus-T after Stealth Rock. A Modest nature increases Primarina's damage output, allowing it to OHKO maximum HP Landorus-T after Stealth Rock. 176 Speed EVs ensure that Primarina outspeeds Adamant Kingambit. Primarina fits best on offense and bulky offense teams that appreciate its ability to serve as a specially defensive blanket and pressurize the likes of Gliscor and Heatran. Potent wallbreakers like Mega Diancie and Tapu Lele appreciate Primarina's ability to muscle through the aforementioned defensive Pokemon. In return, they break common defensive backbones in Zapdos and Toxapex that Primarina struggles to force progress against. Powerful wallbreakers and sweepers such as Volcarona, Ogerpon-W, and Urshifu-R benefit from Primarina's ability to threaten Dragon-types, including Dragonite and Mega Latios. Primarina appreciates their ability to threaten Steel-types such as Melmetal and Ferrothorn in return. Primarina's glaring weakness to entry hazards means it appreciates excellent hazard removal options like Great Tusk, Terapagos, and Defog Landorus-T. Additionally, Great Tusk can switch into common physical attackers such as Kingambit and Mega Tyranitar, while Landorus-T can switch into Electric-type Pokemon like Tapu Koko lacking Hidden Power Ice and Raging Bolt, which Primarina struggles against defensively. In return, Primarina can comfortably switch into wallbreakers like Iron Valiant and Mega Latios, which the aforementioned hazard removal options in Great Tusk and Landorus-T struggle against. Viable revenge killers such as Zamazenta, Mega Lopunny, and Weavile are also appreciated, as they threaten defensive staples that Primarina cannot consistently pressurize like Ferrothorn and Galarian Slowking. As a teammate, Primarina can prevent defensive pieces that check the aforementioned revenge killers like Mega Venusaur and Pecharunt from remaining healthy. Primarina struggles against Grass-types such as Ogerpon-W and Serperior, which means that Grass-type answers such as Dragonite and Melmetal are appreciated. In return, Primarina acts as a check to certain foes that can revenge kill Dragonite, such as Urshifu-R and Tapu Lele, and Fire-types like Volcarona and Heatran, which Melmetal cannot defensively answer.

Possessing decent bulk and a stellar typing, Calm Mind Primarina can sweep teams with its near-perfect offensive coverage. With valuable resistances to offensive typings like Dark and Fighting, Primarina can check common Pokemon such as Urshifu-R and Hisuian Samurott and even set up on them. Although Primarina competes with Tapu Fini for the same role, it has useful traits that separates it. Scald is a consistent damaging move that works well alongside Calm Mind, giving it chances to burn switch-ins such as Ferrothorn, Galarian Slowking, and Toxapex. Scald should be paired with Torrent for an extra damage boost at low health, guaranteeing the OHKO on Mega Diancie and, when Calm Mind-boosted, breaking through Galarian Slowking and Z-Move Gholdengo. Psychic Noise combined with Liquid Voice is slightly weaker than Scald but lets Primarina stop healing from Pokemon like Alomomola, Toxapex, and Zapdos; it also allows Primarina to beat other setup Pokemon like Substitute Volcarona in a one-on-one. Draining Kiss helps Primarina stay healthy and gives it more chances to sweep through teams, while Moonblast has a much better damage output, keeping Pokemon like Ogerpon-W and Tapu Lele from coming in as freely. Leftovers offsets damage taken from Substitute. 124 Speed EVs allow Primarina to outspeed 0 Speed Mega Scizor and Raging Bolt and other Pokemon around its Speed tier, like Clefable and Corviknight, which Primarina can boost up on behind a Substitute. Primarina provides good value for bulky offense teams; it checks Dark-type Pokemon such as Hisuian Samurott and Weavile and Fighting-types like Urshifu-R and Zamazenta while also threatening sweeps of its own. Weavile itself and Kingambit make nice teammates, as they appreciate Primarina's help against Urshifu-R and annoying Fire-types like Moltres and Volcarona, and in return, they Pursuit trap threats to Primarina's sweep like Galarian Slowking. Dragonite defends against Ogerpon-W and Kartana in exchange for Primarina weakening and potentially burning Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Melmetal and chipping Fairy-types such as Hatterene, Iron Valiant, and Tapu Fini. Primarina has a hard time breaking through Grass-types like Ogerpon-W and Ferrothorn, so teammates such as Rillaboom and Volcarona can be paired with Primarina to give it better odds of breaking through or finishing off weakened teams. Rillaboom notably provides Grassy Terrain, which provides additional healing and makes Primarina better defensively against Ground-types like Garchomp and Landorus-T. Rillaboom is also good at baiting in Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Toxapex and weakening them for Primarina, which switches well into threats to Rillaboom like Cinderace and Dragonite. Poison-types like Toxapex and Galarian Slowking can be tough for Primarina, so it can pair with Heatran and Gholdengo while pressuring their checks such as Hisuian Samurott and Ting-Lu. Primarina can struggle with entry hazards due to its lack of immediate recovery, so it appreciates hazard removers like Great Tusk and Landorus-T. These Pokemon can scare out Galarian Slowking, Raging Bolt, and bulky Steel-types like Melmetal, while Primarina can beat Urshifu-R and Alomomola and pressure Flying-types like Corviknight and Moltres for them.

An excellent type combination, good natural bulk and access to Flip Turn allow Primarina to function as a solid RegenVest user . Psychic Noise hits Desolate Land Iron Moth and Moltres for a good chunk of damage and denies recovery as well. Energy Ball is useful against Swampert, Manaphy, and opposing Primarina. This moveslot may also be swapped for Surf or Hydro Pump to provide a second powerful STAB option for more reliable neutral damage against Corviknight and Skarmory. This set runs a Speed-reducing nature and 0 Speed IVs to ensure that Primarina is the slowest Pokemon on the field and can safely pivot to bring in teammates using Flip Turn. RegenVest Primarina performs well as a bulky pivot on offensive archetypes due to its excellent mixed defensive profile, checking tier staples both on the physical and special side. Although it cannot learn Knock Off, unlike other RegenVest Water types, Primarina is able to counter the likes of Roaring Moon, Chien-Pao, Great Tusk, and Zamazenta with its Fairy typing, as well as handling specially offensive threats such as Gholdengo and Latios quite well. This set must be wary of potential Knock Off users as its ability to take special hits is crippled if it loses its Assault Vest. Therefore, Primarina appreciates support from teammates like Great Tusk and Corviknight to absorb Knock Off; they can also aid Primarina with entry hazard removal. Strong Electric-type attackers like offensive Iron Hands, Zapdos, and Sandy Shocks can pressure and break through Primarina, so it could use Electric-immune teammates like Great Tusk, Iron Treads and Volt Absorb Corviknight. Desolate Land users such as Heatran or Moltres can deny Primarina Flip Turn pivots and immediately threaten it with Solar Beam. Primordial Sea Zapdos or Well-Baked Body Gholdengo can switch into these threats and give Primarina safe entry.

Primarina is one of the strongest special wallbreakers in the tier, with an excellent typing that gives it opportunities to switch in and spam its powerful and reliable STAB moves. Primordial Sea boosts Weather Ball and lets Primarina check Desolate Land users such as Moltres, non-Discharge Iron Moth, and non-Gunk Shot Cinderace. However, these same threats are also great checks to Primarina if they negate Primordial Sea, so Psychic is helpful as the strongest option against them, particularly Iron Moth, while Psychic Noise is a weaker alternative that prevents recovery moves from Moltres and Iron Moth. Flip Turn lets Primarina pivot on special walls such as Manaphy and Bulletproof Iron Treads, generating momentum for its team. Primarina fits well on balance and bulky offense teams, where its mix of defensive utility and offensive pressure is put to good use. It resists the STAB moves of many common Choice item wallbreakers such as Chien-Pao and Zamazenta, though it still needs backup from physical walls like Corviknight and Pecharunt, especially against the Ogerpon formes. Great Tusk and Corviknight can also provide entry hazard removal, letting Primarina stay healthy so it can threaten out the aforementioned Choice Band wallbreakers. Faster special attackers such as Zapdos, Latios, and Deoxys-S are also problematic, so special walls such as Iron Treads and Swampert are good teammates. In exchange, Primarina can deter Fire-type moves that threaten Corviknight and Iron Treads. Primarina struggles against special walls like Manaphy and the aforementioned Desolate Land users, especially specially defensive Moltres, so it appreciates physical attackers like the Ogerpon formes and Roaring Moon.

This set's write-up has not started yet, but here's some basic info to get you started! Psychic Noise and Liquid Voice: Liquid Voice turns Psychic Noise into a Water-type attack, giving up Sparkling Aria's power under Torrent in exchange for better match-ups against defensive Pokemon like Toxapex.

Using a Focus Sash on Primarina may seem like a waste, but Primarina's high Special Attack, Sparkling Aria ignoring Substitute, and Torrent make it very tricky for offensive teams to check. Aqua Jet: Despite it being weak, Aqua Jet's ability to pick off faster Focus Sash foes like Iron Bundle makes it essential. Encore: Thanks to the Speed investment, this Primarina is especially good at catching normally faster, bulky Pokemon like Calm Mind Raging Bolt and Stamina Archaludon off guard. Psychic Noise: Psychic Noise is Primarina's best option for shutting down Toxapex, Porygon2, and defensive Dragonite's walling capabilities, and it even punishes Horn Leech Ogerpon-H. Energy Ball: Energy Ball improves Primarina's odds of winning mirror matches, and it deals more damage than anything else to Alomomola and Swampert. Calm Mind: Calm Mind's boost lets Primarina potentially OHKO bulkier Assault Vest Ursaluna-B variants. Speed EVs: Maximizing Primarina's Speed lets variants with a Modest nature outspeed up to Landorus-T with no Speed investment. While the power drop from Timid loses a guaranteed OHKO on offensive Ursaluna-B, it does let Primarina outspeed the rare but very dangerous Adamant Breloom. Other Options Icy Wind: Icy Wind's speed control comes in handy against defensive Dragon Dance Dragonite, but Primarina's low Speed makes it a lesser option. Tera Types Tera Dependency - Low: Primarina will usually only Terastallize to improve its power or gain certain immunities, since Focus Sash makes this Pokemon rather disposable. Otherwise, it's best to leave Terastallization for other teammates. Water: Tera Water's boost to Sparkling Aria makes it the easiest choice to recommend. Stellar: Since Primarina rarely terastallizes anyways, Tera Stellar's flexibility can make sense for late-game sweeping scenarios. Ground: Tera Ground saves Primarina from Electric-type attacks, with Raging Bolt and Tera Electric Chien-Pao being particularly good foes to flip. Ghost: Despite Primarina's low Speed, most Extreme Speed Dragonite sets are slower than this set, letting Tera Ghost potentially ruin a revenge kill attempt.

With its great bulk, power, and typing, Primarina is a fantastic offensive and defensive presence in the BSS metagame. Sparkling Aria: Sparkling Aria allows Primarina to get around Substitute attempts from foes like Garganacl that might try to stall out Moonblast. Psychic Noise: Psychic Noise can allow Primarina to potentially muscle through walls such as Toxapex by preventing them from healing off its attacks. Additionally, it allows Primarina to better stand up to Ogerpon formes running Horn Leech as their Grass-type STAB move. Energy Ball: Energy Ball provides Primarina with coverage to hit other Water-types, being particularly useful against Ogerpon-W and other Primarina. Aqua Jet: Aqua Jet can allow Primarina to finish off weakened foes that might otherwise outspeed it, notably allowing Assault Vest variants to more consistently win the Flutter Mane matchup. Flip Turn: Flip Turn allows Primarina to scout switches and provide safe entry for its teammates. Other Options Perish Song: If utilizing Choice Specs, Perish Song can allow Primarina to pressure foes that might otherwise wall it and disrupt attempts at Baton Pass use. Tera Blast: If using Tera Fire, Tera Blast grants Primarina coverage to hit opposing Grass-types such as Serperior. Items Assault Vest: Assault Vest accentuates Primarina’s excellent special bulk, allowing it to more effectively trade hits with threats such as Flutter Mane. Choice Specs: Choice Specs allows Primarina to more effectively leverage its fantastic STAB combination, turning it into a shockingly powerful wallbreaker. EV Spreads 180 HP / 252 SpA / 76 Spe with Modest: This spread maximizes power and bulk while allowing Primarina to keep pace with uninvested base 70 Pokemon like Wo-Chien. Tera Types Tera Dependancy - Low: Primarina’s incredible base typing allows it to go head to head with many prominent metagame threats without needing to Terastallize. Fire: Tera Fire grants Primarina important Grass, Fairy, and Steel resistances while maintaining its all important Ice resistance. Poison: Tera Poison allows Primarina to deny Toxic attempts from the likes of Toxapex and Gliscor while still granting it a Fairy resistance. Water: Tera Water grants an extra boost to Sparkling Aria while remaining a good defensive typing.