What Does Kyogre’s Drizzle Do? A Comprehensive Guide
Kyogre’s Drizzle ability summons heavy rain immediately upon the Pokémon entering the battle. This heavy rain persists for five turns, unless overridden by another weather condition or extended by the Damp Rock held item. The rain boosts the power of Water-type moves by 50%, weakens Fire-type moves by 50%, and activates certain abilities and moves that rely on rain.
Understanding Drizzle in Detail
Kyogre’s signature ability, Drizzle, is one of the most impactful weather-inducing abilities in the Pokémon world. Its influence stretches far beyond simply changing the aesthetic of a battle. It has profound effects on type matchups, move power, and the activation of various strategies. The consistent five turns of rain provides a significant advantage to teams built around Water-type offense and Fire-type defense. However, it’s vital to understand the nuances of Drizzle to effectively use it and counter opposing Drizzle strategies.
The Impact of Rain on Type Effectiveness
The most direct impact of Drizzle is its effect on type effectiveness. The 50% boost to Water-type moves makes them incredibly powerful, capable of sweeping through opposing teams. Conversely, the 50% reduction in Fire-type moves significantly weakens Fire-type attackers, making them less threatening. This shift in the type landscape requires careful consideration when building your team composition. Strategies that rely heavily on Fire-type offense are generally ineffective against a Drizzle team.
Beyond Type: Abilities and Moves
Drizzle also interacts with a variety of abilities and moves, creating further strategic depth. Some Pokémon, such as Swift Swim users, double their speed in rain, allowing them to outspeed and potentially sweep opponents. Abilities like Rain Dish and Dry Skin provide passive healing in rain, improving survivability. Moves such as Hurricane and Thunder gain perfect accuracy in rain, turning them into reliable offensive options. The interplay between Drizzle and these abilities/moves is crucial for creating effective rain-based strategies.
Weather Wars: Drizzle vs. Other Weathers
It’s essential to remember that Drizzle is not permanent. It can be overwritten by other weather-inducing abilities such as Sand Stream (summons Sandstorm), Snow Warning (summons Hail), and Drought (summons Sun). Understanding the speed tiers of Pokémon with these abilities is crucial for winning “weather wars”. If a Pokémon with a different weather ability switches in after Kyogre, the new weather will take precedence, negating the effects of Drizzle. This creates a dynamic where predicting and reacting to opponent’s team composition becomes vital.
The Damp Rock and Extending Rain
The Damp Rock is a held item that extends the duration of rain summoned by Drizzle from five turns to eight turns. This longer duration provides even greater consistency for rain-based strategies, allowing for more reliable set-up and execution. However, using the Damp Rock comes at the cost of other potentially more powerful held items, so it’s a decision that needs to be carefully weighed.
Countering Drizzle Strategies
Despite its power, Drizzle is not invincible. There are several strategies to counter it. One approach is to use a Pokémon with a different weather ability to override the rain. Another is to utilize Pokémon with abilities that are unaffected or even benefit from rain, such as those with Dry Skin, Rain Dish, or Swift Swim. Finally, using Pokémon with high Special Defense and resistance to Water-type moves can help to weather the storm (pun intended!).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Kyogre’s Drizzle
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Kyogre’s Drizzle ability:
1. How long does Drizzle last?
Drizzle lasts for five turns upon Kyogre entering the battle. This duration can be extended to eight turns if Kyogre holds a Damp Rock.
2. Does Drizzle boost all Water-type moves?
Yes, Drizzle boosts the power of all Water-type moves by 50%.
3. Does Drizzle weaken all Fire-type moves?
Yes, Drizzle weakens the power of all Fire-type moves by 50%.
4. What happens if another weather ability is used after Drizzle?
If another weather ability is used after Drizzle, the new weather will override Drizzle, and its effects will cease.
5. Can Drizzle be removed by moves like Defog?
Yes, Defog will remove the effects of Drizzle (and other entry hazards and screens) from the battlefield.
6. What abilities are beneficial in rain created by Drizzle?
Abilities such as Swift Swim (doubles speed), Rain Dish (recovers HP each turn), and Dry Skin (recovers HP each turn) are beneficial in rain created by Drizzle.
7. Can Drizzle activate certain moves?
Yes, moves like Thunder and Hurricane gain perfect accuracy in rain created by Drizzle.
8. What is the Damp Rock, and how does it affect Drizzle?
The Damp Rock is a held item that extends the duration of rain summoned by Drizzle from five turns to eight turns.
9. How can I counter a team that relies on Drizzle?
You can counter a Drizzle team by using Pokémon with different weather abilities, Pokémon with abilities that benefit from rain or are unaffected by it, and Pokémon with high Special Defense and resistance to Water-type moves.
10. Does Drizzle affect the move Solar Beam?
Yes, Drizzle weakens Solar Beam, reducing its power as it would in harsh sunlight (created by Drought).
11. Does Drizzle stack with other Water-type boosting items?
Yes, Drizzle’s 50% boost to Water-type moves stacks additively with other Water-type boosting items, such as the Mystic Water or the Sea Incense.
12. Can Kyogre’s Drizzle be Skill Swapped or Traced?
Yes, Kyogre’s Drizzle can be Skill Swapped or Traced by other Pokémon, giving them the Drizzle ability.
13. Does Drizzle prevent the use of Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Sandstorm and Hail?
No, these moves can still be used, but their effects will only last for their standard duration (five turns, or eight with the appropriate held item) before Drizzle resumes. Using these moves essentially “pauses” Drizzle temporarily.
14. If Kyogre faints, does Drizzle disappear immediately?
Yes, Drizzle disappears immediately when Kyogre faints or is switched out, unless another Pokémon with Drizzle is already on the field.
15. How does Drizzle interact with Primordial Sea?
Kyogre’s Primordial Sea is an upgraded version of Drizzle found in its Primal Reversion form. Unlike Drizzle, Primordial Sea prevents the use of Fire-type moves altogether, making them unusable. It also cannot be overwritten by any other weather condition except Desolate Land (Primal Groudon’s ability) or Delta Stream (Mega Rayquaza’s ability).