[OVERVIEW]
Tapu Koko's offensive typing allows it to check powerful threats like Yveltal, Primal Kyogre, and Ho-Oh. A high base Speed stat, as well as having access to moves like Nature's Madness and Electric Terrain-boosted Gigavolt Havoc, make Tapu Koko a great utility Pokemon in the tier. It also has access to Taunt, which prevents bulkier threats like Arceus formes from healing up, and U-turn, which provides valuable momentum for its team. Electric Terrain stops bulky Pokemon such as Zygarde-C, Giratina, Z-Geomancy Xerneas, and Primal Groudon from using Rest, as well as stopping offensive threats like Z-Hypnosis Lunala and Xurkitree from inducing sleep, preventing them from getting free boosts from Calm Mind and Tail Glow, respectively. However, Tapu Koko faces difficulties breaking through Ground-types by itself, since they stop it from going for Gigavolt Havoc, making Nature's Madness the best move to hit them with. Tapu Koko's mediocre Special Attack means it has to rely on its Z-Move to KO foes, which becomes an issue of prediction, especially since Ground-types and other Electric-resistant Pokemon are all over the tier. Tapu Koko is only great when proper predictions are made, since one mispredict might even lead to its KO, making it somewhat unreliable to use. Despite Tapu Koko's decent defensive typing, the lack of natural bulk makes it rather difficult to switch in safely.
[SET]
name: Utility Attacker
move 1: Thunder
move 2: Nature's Madness
move 3: Taunt
move 4: U-turn
item: Electrium Z
ability: Electric Surge
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Electric Terrain-boosted Thunder 2HKOes Primal Kyogre, Ho-Oh, and Lugia and OHKOes Yveltal while dealing heavy damage to any Pokemon neutral to it. Nature's Madness removes 50% health from switch-ins like Primal Groudon and Arceus-Ground, which helps out teammates for a potential sweep. Taunt cripples bulky threats such as Giratina, Blissey, and Clefable, preventing them from going for support moves like Toxic, Heal Bell, and Soft-Boiled. U-turn is the last move for the prime purpose of keeping momentum and pivoting out of Ground-types like Primal Groudon and Arceus-Ground.
Set Details
========
252 EVs in Special Attack make sure Tapu Koko hits as hard as possible with Thunder and Gigavolt Havoc, and maximum investment in Speed allows it to Speed tie with other base 130 Speed threats such as Mega Gengar and Mega Mewtwo X. Electrium Z boosts Thunder to a 185-Base Power Gigavolt Havoc that is accurate and also boosted by Electric Terrain. This is an option that grants Tapu Koko an accurate move for one turn that can OHKO Primal Kyogre, Ho-Oh, and Lugia after Stealth Rock damage.
Usage Tips
========
Use Nature's Madness to remove 50% health from switch-ins like Primal Groudon, Ferrothorn, and Arceus formes, making it easy for setup sweepers to clean late-game. In the case of an Electric-immune Pokemon like Arceus-Ground, Nature's Madness also allows Tapu Koko to use U-turn the following turn while Arceus-Ground goes for Recover to heal up lost HP. Since the tier is filled with Ground-types like Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Zygarde-C, Gigavolt Havoc should be used after properly factoring in the risks and rewards of the scenario in the battle. The combination of Taunt and Nature's Madness can pressure Defog users like Giratina-O and Arceus formes, giving them a hard time removing entry hazards. Predicting switches into already weakened threats like Ferrothorn and Primal Groudon and going for U-turn is a great play, as it keeps up offensive momentum.
Team Options
========
Primal Kyogre appreciates U-turn momentum from Tapu Koko, since it allows Primal Kyogre to be brought in safely on a predicted switch into Primal Groudon, allowing it to hit something very hard with Origin Pulse. Entry hazard setters like Deoxys-S, Cloyster, and Dialga appreciate Tapu Koko's ability to pressure Defog users, making them great teammates. Dual dance Primal Groudon appreciates Tapu Koko weakening its checks such as Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Water, Giratina-O, and Zygarde-C. Dugtrio is also a potential teammate, as it appreciates Tapu Koko's U-turn support that lets it safely switch into , trap, and OHKO Primal Groudon with Tectonic Rage. The removal of Primal Groudon allows Tapu Koko to freely use its Gigavolt Havoc against most teams. Extreme Killer Arceus makes for a great teammate as well, since it can sweep late-game after Tapu Koko has weakened the opposing team with Nature's Madness and Gigavolt Havoc. Geomancy Xerneas appreciates Tapu Koko weakening its checks like Primal Groudon, Magearna, and Ho-Oh, making it easier for a late-game sweep. Mega Salamence is also greatly aided by Tapu Koko weakening its checks such as Arceus formes, Celesteela, Skarmory, and Bronzong with Nature's Madness and Thunder. Using U-turn to pivot into Mega Salamence predicting an opposing switch to Primal Groudon can even provide an easy setup opportunity, making these two Pokemon great teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Terrain Extender increases the number of turns Electric Terrain is active for, improving matchups against RestTalk users such as Zygarde-C and Primal Kyogre. Calm Mind is also an option that allows Tapu Koko to deal with Dark-types such as Arceus-Dark and Yveltal but doesn't provide much utility in a tier where Primal Groudon is greatly used. Volt Switch can be used over U-turn but isn't that viable in a metagame where Primal Groudon stops the momentum. Dazzling Gleam is another option that can be run over Nature's Madness to deal heavy damage to Dragon-types such as Mega Salamence, but Nature's Madness is better because it has more utility. Tapu Koko could also try Roost to recover up lost health, increasing its longevity.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Primal Groudon, Zygarde, and Arceus-Ground stop Tapu Koko from using its Z-Move, while it gets easily OHKOed by their respective Ground-type STAB moves; however, none of these Pokemon appreciate getting hit by Nature's Madness.
**Fast Attackers**: Mega Mewtwo Y, Deoxys-A, and common Choice Scarf users such as Lunala, Landorus-T, and Xerneas are able to outspeed Tapu Koko and OHKO it with their strongest moves. It also Speed ties with Mega Gengar and Mega Mewtwo X, which are able to OHKO Tapu Koko if they win.
**Priority Attackers**: Due to Tapu Koko's mediocre bulk, Pokemon with Extreme Speed such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Rayquaza, and Swords Dance Arceus formes as well as Bullet Punch users such as Mega Lucario and Mega Scizor are able to outspeed Tapu Koko thanks to priority and deal heavy damage.
**Electric-resistant Pokemon**: Ferrothorn, Dialga, and Giratina-O are able to easily sponge a Gigavolt Havoc from Tapu Koko. Ferrothorn can proceed to set up Spikes after taking a hit, Dialga can set up Stealth Rock, and Giratina-O can deal heavy damage with Shadow Force or Earthquake.
Tapu Koko's offensive typing allows it to check powerful threats like Yveltal, Primal Kyogre, and Ho-Oh. A high base Speed stat, as well as having access to moves like Nature's Madness and Electric Terrain-boosted Gigavolt Havoc, make Tapu Koko a great utility Pokemon in the tier. It also has access to Taunt, which prevents bulkier threats like Arceus formes from healing up, and U-turn, which provides valuable momentum for its team. Electric Terrain stops bulky Pokemon such as Zygarde-C, Giratina, Z-Geomancy Xerneas, and Primal Groudon from using Rest, as well as stopping offensive threats like Z-Hypnosis Lunala and Xurkitree from inducing sleep, preventing them from getting free boosts from Calm Mind and Tail Glow, respectively. However, Tapu Koko faces difficulties breaking through Ground-types by itself, since they stop it from going for Gigavolt Havoc, making Nature's Madness the best move to hit them with. Tapu Koko's mediocre Special Attack means it has to rely on its Z-Move to KO foes, which becomes an issue of prediction, especially since Ground-types and other Electric-resistant Pokemon are all over the tier. Tapu Koko is only great when proper predictions are made, since one mispredict might even lead to its KO, making it somewhat unreliable to use. Despite Tapu Koko's decent defensive typing, the lack of natural bulk makes it rather difficult to switch in safely.
[SET]
name: Utility Attacker
move 1: Thunder
move 2: Nature's Madness
move 3: Taunt
move 4: U-turn
item: Electrium Z
ability: Electric Surge
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Electric Terrain-boosted Thunder 2HKOes Primal Kyogre, Ho-Oh, and Lugia and OHKOes Yveltal while dealing heavy damage to any Pokemon neutral to it. Nature's Madness removes 50% health from switch-ins like Primal Groudon and Arceus-Ground, which helps out teammates for a potential sweep. Taunt cripples bulky threats such as Giratina, Blissey, and Clefable, preventing them from going for support moves like Toxic, Heal Bell, and Soft-Boiled. U-turn is the last move for the prime purpose of keeping momentum and pivoting out of Ground-types like Primal Groudon and Arceus-Ground.
Set Details
========
252 EVs in Special Attack make sure Tapu Koko hits as hard as possible with Thunder and Gigavolt Havoc, and maximum investment in Speed allows it to Speed tie with other base 130 Speed threats such as Mega Gengar and Mega Mewtwo X. Electrium Z boosts Thunder to a 185-Base Power Gigavolt Havoc that is accurate and also boosted by Electric Terrain. This is an option that grants Tapu Koko an accurate move for one turn that can OHKO Primal Kyogre, Ho-Oh, and Lugia after Stealth Rock damage.
Usage Tips
========
Use Nature's Madness to remove 50% health from switch-ins like Primal Groudon, Ferrothorn, and Arceus formes, making it easy for setup sweepers to clean late-game. In the case of an Electric-immune Pokemon like Arceus-Ground, Nature's Madness also allows Tapu Koko to use U-turn the following turn while Arceus-Ground goes for Recover to heal up lost HP. Since the tier is filled with Ground-types like Primal Groudon, Arceus-Ground, and Zygarde-C, Gigavolt Havoc should be used after properly factoring in the risks and rewards of the scenario in the battle. The combination of Taunt and Nature's Madness can pressure Defog users like Giratina-O and Arceus formes, giving them a hard time removing entry hazards. Predicting switches into already weakened threats like Ferrothorn and Primal Groudon and going for U-turn is a great play, as it keeps up offensive momentum.
Team Options
========
Primal Kyogre appreciates U-turn momentum from Tapu Koko, since it allows Primal Kyogre to be brought in safely on a predicted switch into Primal Groudon, allowing it to hit something very hard with Origin Pulse. Entry hazard setters like Deoxys-S, Cloyster, and Dialga appreciate Tapu Koko's ability to pressure Defog users, making them great teammates. Dual dance Primal Groudon appreciates Tapu Koko weakening its checks such as Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Water, Giratina-O, and Zygarde-C. Dugtrio is also a potential teammate, as it appreciates Tapu Koko's U-turn support that lets it safely switch into , trap, and OHKO Primal Groudon with Tectonic Rage. The removal of Primal Groudon allows Tapu Koko to freely use its Gigavolt Havoc against most teams. Extreme Killer Arceus makes for a great teammate as well, since it can sweep late-game after Tapu Koko has weakened the opposing team with Nature's Madness and Gigavolt Havoc. Geomancy Xerneas appreciates Tapu Koko weakening its checks like Primal Groudon, Magearna, and Ho-Oh, making it easier for a late-game sweep. Mega Salamence is also greatly aided by Tapu Koko weakening its checks such as Arceus formes, Celesteela, Skarmory, and Bronzong with Nature's Madness and Thunder. Using U-turn to pivot into Mega Salamence predicting an opposing switch to Primal Groudon can even provide an easy setup opportunity, making these two Pokemon great teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Terrain Extender increases the number of turns Electric Terrain is active for, improving matchups against RestTalk users such as Zygarde-C and Primal Kyogre. Calm Mind is also an option that allows Tapu Koko to deal with Dark-types such as Arceus-Dark and Yveltal but doesn't provide much utility in a tier where Primal Groudon is greatly used. Volt Switch can be used over U-turn but isn't that viable in a metagame where Primal Groudon stops the momentum. Dazzling Gleam is another option that can be run over Nature's Madness to deal heavy damage to Dragon-types such as Mega Salamence, but Nature's Madness is better because it has more utility. Tapu Koko could also try Roost to recover up lost health, increasing its longevity.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Ground-types such as Primal Groudon, Zygarde, and Arceus-Ground stop Tapu Koko from using its Z-Move, while it gets easily OHKOed by their respective Ground-type STAB moves; however, none of these Pokemon appreciate getting hit by Nature's Madness.
**Fast Attackers**: Mega Mewtwo Y, Deoxys-A, and common Choice Scarf users such as Lunala, Landorus-T, and Xerneas are able to outspeed Tapu Koko and OHKO it with their strongest moves. It also Speed ties with Mega Gengar and Mega Mewtwo X, which are able to OHKO Tapu Koko if they win.
**Priority Attackers**: Due to Tapu Koko's mediocre bulk, Pokemon with Extreme Speed such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Rayquaza, and Swords Dance Arceus formes as well as Bullet Punch users such as Mega Lucario and Mega Scizor are able to outspeed Tapu Koko thanks to priority and deal heavy damage.
**Electric-resistant Pokemon**: Ferrothorn, Dialga, and Giratina-O are able to easily sponge a Gigavolt Havoc from Tapu Koko. Ferrothorn can proceed to set up Spikes after taking a hit, Dialga can set up Stealth Rock, and Giratina-O can deal heavy damage with Shadow Force or Earthquake.
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