Kyogre

Kyogre is one of the most devastating Restricted Pokemon available in VGC 2022 thanks to its high Special Attack, supported by Drizzle boosting its Water-type moves, superb natural bulk, and access to two powerful spread moves in Water Spout and Origin Pulse. It has naturally strong matchups into the majority of the metagame, with standouts including Incineroar, Zacian-C, Landorus-T, and Groudon. Its base 90 Speed also leaves it in a wonderful spot, as Kyogre can operate under almost any speed control, with faster sets working well under Tailwind and Max Airstream support from Tornadus, Thundurus, and Zapdos, while slower, bulkier sets thrive under Trick Room from Calyrex-I, Mimikyu, and Porygon2. Not all goes swimmingly for Kyogre, however; VGC 2022's abundance of viable Electric-types in Regieleki, Thundurus, and Zapdos and Kyogre's centralizing nature means it has a large target on its back at all times. Grass-types like Venusaur, Amoonguss, Rillaboom, and Ferrothorn can also sponge its Water- and Electric-type attacks and threaten it back.

For Kyogre users looking to avoid these pitfalls, pair it with Grass- and Ground- types like Amoonguss, Landorus-T, and Venusaur, which works well even when not used alongside Groudon, to help check the Electric-types. Teammates like Incineroar, Zapdos, and Tornadus can help put pressure on Grass-type foes. Kyogre's damage output is severely limited by damage reduction like Light Screen and Snarl, as well as ways to override rain like Groudon's Drought or Calyrex-I's Max Hailstorm. Kyogre can reverse these overrides with Max Geyser to reset its rain, however. Pokemon like Palkia, Lapras, and Gastrodon can completely wall Kyogre; to muscle past these, Kyogre should look to teammates like Play Rough Zacian-C, Regieleki, or Energy Ball Amoonguss.