¶ Basic Info
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| Type: Bug / Dragon | HP: 80 | SPA: 50 |
| Abilities: Immunity | Tinted Lens | ATK: 125 | SPD: 95 |
| Hidden Ability: Swarm | DEF: 100 | SPE: 75 |
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ND/NDUU
¶ Hazards
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Move 1: Spikes / Toxic Spikes |
Item: Leftovers / Heavy-Duty Boots |
Lukadra is an effective hazard lead, distinguished by its ability to force switch-outs with Dragon Tail or Roar, while also utilizing Sticky Web to support offensive sweepers and wallbreakers on its team, depending on the situation. It is one of the bulkiest Sticky Web users, boasting solid mixed bulk and a decent defensive typing. The specific EV spread is designed to tank hits from physical Dragapult sets without boosts, Kingambit (even with a Supreme Overlord boost after five allies faint), Moonblast from Scarf Timid Tapu Lele, unboosted Acrobatics from Jolly Roaring Moon, and more. 120 Spe EVs allows it to outspeed most defensive hazard setters, such as Skarmory and Clodsire, and Corviknight. This allows it to taunt them before attempts to set hazards or use recovery moves.
Whether to use Spikes versus Toxic Spikes, or Dragon Tail versus Roar, depends on the player's preference. Spikes are harder to clear, especially when paired with Gholdengo, but take longer to set up. Toxic Spikes, on the other hand, are easier to clear, with three types being immune to them but can be much more devastating in prolonged battles. Dragon Tail allows Lukadra to chip away at targets before they are forced to switch, though it can't hit Fairy-types, whereas Roar can affect Fairy-types but doesn't chip away at targets or hit Gholdengo.
It’s also important to consider that two major Fairy-types in OU (Hatterene and Diancie-Mega) have Magic Bounce, which reduces the value of Roar as an option.
Lukadra excels at countering offensive setup sweepers. It can force them to switch into a Sticky Web or hit them with a STAB Dragon Tail the same turn they try to set up. However, it performs better as a lead due to its lackluster switch-in potential. With five resistances, five weaknesses, and eight neutralities (excluding Stellar), Lukadra can struggle when attempting to switch in. Its weaknesses are common STABs and coverage moves in the National Dex metagame. Fortunately, its Immunity ability lets it safely switch into Toxic Spikes, preventing it from being affected by other status conditions, though it remains vulnerable to Stealth Rock and is not immune to Spikes.
Lukadra benefits greatly from support in the form of hazard removal, particularly from spinners like Iron Treads. Iron Treads resists all of the types that Lukadra is weak to, and vice versa, making them a perfect pairing. Additionally, Lukadra appreciates offensive wallbreakers and sweepers that can exploit its weaknesses while benefiting from Sticky Web, hazards, and forced switch-outs. Effective partners include Diancie-Mega, Heatran, Kingambit, Melmetal, Greninja, Blaziken, and Volcarona. Lastly, Lukadra also values spinblockers, especially Gholdengo, to prevent hazard clearance and ensure that all its work stays in play.
This set is heavily countered by Hatterene and Diancie-Mega due to Magic Bounce and their defensive typing. It is easily walled by other Magic Bounce Pokemon, such as Sableye-Mega. It dislikes facing Special Attacking Dragon types as Draco Meteors are nigh untankeable for it. More specifically, it has to watch out for Modest Raging Bolt sets, who can even OHKO it off of a Protosynthesis-boosted Dragon Pulse, and Specs/White Herb Hydreigon or Latios.
¶ Physical Set-Up Sweeper
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Move 1: Scale Shot |
Item: Loaded Dice / White Herb |
Lukadra has immense potential as a set-up sweeper, boasting the highest base Attack stat of any Tinted Lens user to date. While it lacks access to First Impression like its cousins Lokix and Slither Wing, it compensates with powerful set-up options. Its solid bulk allows it to take a hit or two after a single defense drop from Scale Shot, and it also has the added benefit of a potent STAB move in Pin Missile, which works especially well with Loaded Dice.
Thanks to Tinted Lens, Lukadra can run both of its STABs without worrying about resistances—aside from the Fairy-type immunity. It handles Fairy-types in two ways: first, by using Scale Shot to hit a Fairy switch-in and following up with the boosted Stomping Tantrum (which still hits hard if they don’t switch), or second, by simply going for Poison Jab. Earthquake is also a viable option, as it provides the best offensive coverage in most situations. To counteract priority users, Lukadra can run Sucker Punch in the fourth move slot, giving it a way to strike first—especially if you’ve already boosted speed with Scale Shot.
After just a single Swords Dance into Scale Shot, Lukadra can leave opponents in shambles. Its offensive prowess allows it to turn most neutrally defensive or resistant Pokémon into 2HKO targets.
Lukadra benefits from powerful Special Attacking Fire- or Electric-types, like Mega Charizard Y, Raging Bolt, and Volcarona, which can break through Corviknight, Skarmory, and Celesteela. Hazard setters like Gliscor, Ting-Lu, Iron Treads, and Forretress can also help bring foes into range of Lukadra’s devastating STAB moves. Additionally, support from spinners or slow pivots, such as Slowking-G, Corviknight, and Iron Treads, can make Lukadra’s switch-ins much safer. An alternative fast lategame sweeper, should Lukadra go down, would also be appreciated.
¶ Wallbreaker
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Move 1: Outrage |
Item: Choice Band / Life Orb |
Lukadra boasts the highest Attack stat of any Tinted Lens Pokémon to date, making it a formidable offensive threat capable of breaking through even the toughest walls in National Dex OverUsed. Few Pokémon can withstand two hits from its Outrage and Megahorn (with X-Scissor being a viable alternative for those seeking more accuracy at the cost of power). While its speed is somewhat lacking, Lukadra compensates with a powerful Sucker Punch. Earthquake and Poison Jab are also excellent options to hit its type weaknesses with super-effective damage.
An Adamant nature ensures Lukadra can reliably 2HKO physically bulky threats like Toxapex, Ferrothorn, and Corviknight—even after Leftovers recovery—and provides a strong chance to 2HKO bulky Alomomola. It can also 3HKO +1 Def Zamazenta. This nature also gives Earthquake a chance to OHKO Kingambit. On the other hand, a Jolly nature allows Lukadra to outspeed and tie with Adamant Great Tusk (which it 2HKOs, though it remains evenly matched with Ice Spinner) and outspeed Heatran to score a guaranteed OHKO with Earthquake.
However, Lukadra faces significant pressure to switch out when encountering a Landorus-Therian pivot or a full-health Great Tusk switch-in. It can also be easily hindered by status conditions like paralysis or burn, particularly when facing fast or Prankster utility Pokémon.
Lukadra greatly appreciates defensive pivots that can absorb status conditions, such as Mega Sableye or Natural Cure Blissey. In return, it can hit Fairy-types for Mega Sableye with Poison Jab (or hit Mawile-Mega with Earthquake) and threaten Blissey’s checks with powerful STAB moves like Outrage and Megahorn. It also values teammates that can cover its weaknesses, such as Corviknight, Toxapex, and Ferrothorn. Hazard setters that can turn potential 2HKOs or chance OHKOs into guaranteed OHKOs, like Gliscor, Ting-Lu, Excadrill, Iron Treads, and Sandy Shocks, or Sticky Web setters, such as Ribombee or Araquanid, make for excellent partners.
In regards to all the above sets, a standout synergy comes from Empoleon, which, while not a powerhouse on its own, boasts perfect defensive typing synergy with Lukadra. Empoleon resists all of Lukadra's weaknesses, while Lukadra covers Empoleon's, allowing them to support each other defensively. Empoleon also sets hazards and can spread status conditions, while Lukadra can eliminate opposing threats with its offensive power.