Kyurem is a powerful Frozen/Dragon legendary with high Special Attack and strong coverage, but it carries exploitable defensive constraints. This guide explains what is weak against Kyurem by analyzing its type matchups, resistances, and common counterplay patterns. You will learn which types threaten it directly, which moves and roles pressure it effectively, and how to build teams that can reliably check or revenge kill Kyurem. Content is framed for long term utility in competitive formats rather than temporary event strategies.
Kyurem at a glance
Understanding Kyurem’s stats, role, and movepool establishes a baseline for predicting how it interacts with other types and matchups. No speculation or rumored values are included.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Frozen / Dragon | Game data (official) |
| Base Stat Total | 660 | Game data (official) |
| Key offensive role | Special Attacker with wide coverage | Observed in-game behavior and published data |
| Common item archetype | Choice Specs, Life Orb, Weakness Policy | Competitive usage data |
| Typical ability | Pressure (standard), Turboblaze (B2W2), Teravolt (B2W2) | Game data |
Type effectiveness fundamentals
Type effectiveness governs how much damage Kyurem takes from attacks and how effectively its moves hit common targets. Because Kyurem is both Frozen and Dragon, it has several meaningful offensive and defensive interactions. The core type chart behavior is consistent across generations, while specific move availability and role usage may shift between titles and formats.
Kyurem’s defensive weaknesses
Kyurem takes increased damage from the following types due to its Frozen/Dragon typing:
- Dragon (4×)
- Fairy (2×)
- Ground (2×)
- Ice (2×)
Among these, Dragon is the most threatening in practice, as many teams carry at least one strong Dragon-type attacker. Fairy is consistently dangerous due to widespread coverage moves, while Ground and Ice hits are common in standard formats.
Kyurem’s resistances and immunities
Kyurem resists the following types, reducing incoming damage:
- Electric (0.5×)
- Fire (0.5×)
- Water (0.5×)
- Ice (0.5× when on Kyurem’s side)
- Grass (0.5×)
It has no full immunities, which means status and damage can always reach it if the right moves and tech are available. Resistances help Kyurem pivot into certain Fire, Water, and Electric moves, but multi-hit and chip damage can still wear it down.
What is weak against Kyurem: Kyurem’s offensive matchups
Kyurem’s Frozen/Dragon coverage hits many common types for strong or neutral damage. Knowing what Kyurem threatens helps you anticipate switches and prepare counters. The following types are on the receiving end of Kyurem’s strongest moves and frequently struggle against its range.
- Dragon (neutral to super effective depending on target)
- Grass (neutral to super effective based on move)
- Ground (hits for neutral or super effective with Earth-type moves)
- Ice (neutral or resisted depending on specific moves)
- Flying (hitable by Ice and Dragon moves)
- Others: many types take neutral damage, so Kyurem remains flexible
This offensive profile means Kyurem pressures Dragon, Grass, and Ground teams directly, but reliable counters can still exploit its defensive holes.
Top types and examples that threaten Kyurem
Certain types consistently check Kyurem because they either resist its main attacks or threaten it with strong moves of their own. These are the primary answers you will see in tournament teams and high-level play.
| Type | Why it is strong vs Kyurem | Representative examples |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon | 4× weakness to Dragon-type moves; common high-power Dragon attacks | Dialga, Palkia, Dragapult, Hydreigon |
| Fairy | 2× resistance to Dragon; strong Fairy moves deal reliable damage | Clefairy-line, Togekiss, Azumarill, Tapu Fini |
| Ground | 2× resistance to Electric; Ground moves hit for neutral or super effective | Garchomp, Landorus-Therian, Excadrill |
| Ice | 2× resistance to Ice; Ice moves can threaten or pivot safely | Weavile, Glaceon, Baxcalibur |
Dragon-type counters
Dragon is widely considered the most consistent direct counter to Kyurem because of the 4× weakness. Many Dragon-types also resist Ice and Fairy, giving them favorable durability. Choice Specs Dragapult, Life Orb Hydreigon, and physical variants like Kingdra or pseudo-legendary sets can all force Kyurem out or secure a knockout. Teammates must account for Dragon’s own weaknesses to Ice and Fairy when committing to this counter.
Fairy-type counters
Fairy resists Dragon and threatens Kyurem with strong STAB moves such as Draining Kiss, Moonblast, and Play Rough. Tapu Fini, Clefairy-line variants, and Azumarill can switch into Dragon or Ice attacks and retaliate safely. Be mindful of Fake Out users and priority from Fairy allies if you rely on Fairy checks.
Ground and other utility answers
Ground-types often resist Electric and can pivot with U-turn or roost, making them sturdy answers that also threaten Kyurem with Earth Power or Earthquake. Ice-types like Weavile bring strong priority and resistance to Ice moves, enabling safe scouting and revenge killing. Because Kyurem commonly carries coverage for these types, plan multiple layers of checks rather than relying on a single angle of attack.
Common moves and items used to pressure Kyurem
Efficient Kyurem checks typically exploit its turn potential and limited recovery rather than trying to trade directly. Understanding its common moves helps you choose the right pivot or setup opportunity.
- Ice-type coverage moves (Ice Beam, Blizzard) target Grass, Dragon, and Flying;
- Dragon moves (Dragon Pulse, Outrage, Draco Meteor) exploit the 4× weakness;
- Fire and Fighting coverage handle Steel and Ice threats around Kyurem;
- Choice Specs boosts damage but locks moves, creating prediction opportunities;
- Weakness Policy rewards predicted Dragon or Ice hits with a large stat boost.
Team building around Kyurem’s checks
Building teams that can consistently handle Kyurem means layering multiple answer types so it cannot pivot to a single safe switch. A balanced approach combines Dragon, Fairy, Ground, and utility options while preserving your own offensive pressure.
Sample core ideas
- Dragon + Fairy core: pair a strong Dragon attacker with a Fairy pivot (e.g., Tapu Fini) to cover each other’s weaknesses.
- Ground + hazard control: use Excadrill or Garchomp to pressure Kyurem while managing entry hazards that chip weakened variants.
- Speed control and revenge killing: faster Ice-types like Weavile can scout sets and clean after a Kyurem is weakened.
Use these patterns to design flexible teams rather than single hard counters, since Kyurem’s movepool and item choices can vary across formats.
Practice tips for exploiting Kyurem’s weaknesses
- Scout set possibilities before committing to aggressive plays; predict Weakness Policy or Choice Specs usage.
- Chain resistances: pivot into Dragon or Ice moves with a Fairy or Ground ally that can absorb retaliations.
- Force unfavorable switches by threatening multiple coverage angles, then bring in your strongest check.
- Avoid relying on one type of counter; prepare backups in case Kyurem carries unexpected items or abilities.
Summary
Kyurem is weak against Dragon, Fairy, Ground, and Ice types, each offering reliable pathways to exploit its defensive shortcomings. Effective counters focus on type synergy, prediction, and team support rather than isolated plays. By combining several answer types and maintaining flexibility in your team build, you can consistently pressure Kyurem and reduce its impact on match outcomes.