OU Tapu Bulu (Swords Dance)

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Horn Leech
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Zen Headbutt / Stone Edge
item: Fightinium Z
ability: Grassy Surge
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly / Adamant

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Swords Dance boosts Tapu Bulu's Attack to frightening levels, allowing it to break through a large sum of bulkier Pokemon.
* Horn Leech sports great power while under Grassy Terrain and provides Tapu Bulu great sustain.
* Superpower lets Tapu Bulu deal with Ferrothorn and Heatran; combined with Fightinium Z, however, it becomes an extremely strong All-Out Pummeling, making Tapu Bulu capable of feats such as OHKOing Pphysically Ddefensive Skarmory after Stealth Rock and some additional chip damage, as well as outright OHKOing Mega Scizor and Celesteela.
* Zen Headbutt is the preferred coverage move in the last slot to break past Amoonguss and Mega Venusaur.
* Stone Edge can also be used to hit Tornadus-T, Mega Charizard Y, and Volcarona on the switch.

Set Details
========

* Fightinium Z is the main draw to this set, letting Tapu Bulu muscle past otherwise solid responses in Skarmory, Celesteela, Mega Scizor, and Tangrowth.
* The given EV spread maximizes Tapu Bulu's offensive potential, allowing it to outspeed as many threats as possible while still hitting hard, even when unboosted.
* A Jolly nature in particular is crucial, as it lets Tapu Bulu outspeed Timid Magearna and Jolly Bisharp.
* An Adamant nature is also an option for additional power should those aforementioned Pokemon already be checked by Tapu Bulu's teammates.

Usage Tips
========

* The key to this set is recognizing team matchup and what actions to take against specific archetypes. For example, against more offensive teams, Tapu Bulu won't be as effective; thus, it is typically better off attacking rather than attempting to set up. On the other hand, if the opponent has a Pokemon such as Celesteela, Mega Scizor, or Skarmory, then it's best to anticipate their switch in and use Swords Dance.
* Be sure to use All-Out Pummeling wisely, as it only gives Tapu Bulu one shot at breaking through its checks when they're healthy and this can be scouted by the opponent by pivoting into a Pokemon that can take the hit. This is especially crucial when matched up against stall.
* While Tapu Bulu makes for an effective check to bulky Water-types, note that Tapu Bulu may get neutered by Scald burns and shouldn't hard switch into them unless absolutely necessary or if the opponent is likely going for another move, such as when Tapu Fini uses Defog to clear hazards.

Team Options
========

* Fast offensive Pokemon such as Greninja and Pheromosa work well due to Tapu Bulu being able to break down bulkier Pokemon that the two struggle with, such as Keldeo for the former and Tapu Fini for the latter. Greninja also provides Spikes support, making it much more terrifying for the opponent to pivot around Tapu Bulu.
* Fast Flying- or Fire-types such as Volcarona, Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y, and Tornadus-T are very threatening for Tapu Bulu, especially if it lacks Stone Edge, as it is setup fodder for the former two. Choice Scarf Nihilego and Garchomp make for fine teammates, as both of them can effectively revenge kill all of the Pokemon previously mentioned.
* Mega Metagross is a fantastic teammate, as Tapu Bulu can do severe damage to, if not KO, the likes of Mega Scizor, Skarmory, and Celesteela, while Mega Metagross is capable of pivoting into checks such as Mega Venusaur, Tornadus-T, and Nihilego.
* Mega Scizor is a decent teammate, as it switches into Mega Metagross with impunity and also appreciates Pokemon such as Skarmory or Celesteela being weakened or outright eliminated.
* Heatran has great synergy with Tapu Bulu, particularly aiding Stone Edge variants by threatening Mega Venusaur, Amoonguss, and Tangrowth; in return, Tapu Bulu takes down bulky Water-types that Heatran may struggle with.
 
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Tapu Bulu @ Rockium Z
EVs: 252 ATK / 252 Spe / 4 Def
Adamant Nature
- Horn Leech/Wood Hammer
- Stone Edge
- Superpower
- Swords Dance

Sd Tapu Bulu with Fightium Z is already known, however i think that Rockium z is also very useful. The Bp diffrence betwen Continental Crush and All-out Pummeling is small (180 bp vs 190 bp) so it doesnt really make a diffrence when used against scizor or skarmory. However Rockium z gives you a better way of hitting Venusaur, amoonguss, Zapdos, Buzzwole while not having to risk the miss against alola marowak. Only against Magearna Fightium z is better than rockium z.
Some calcs:
+2 252+ Atk Tapu Bulu Stone Edge (180BP) vs. 248 HP / 248+ Def Venusaur-Mega: 269-317 (74.1 - 87.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Grassy Terrain recovery. with some proir damage you can kill it though i dont know if people even run max def.
+2 252+ Atk Tapu Bulu Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 96+ Def Venusaur-Mega: 302-356 (83.1 - 98%) -- 68.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 252+ Atk Tapu Bulu Stone Edge (180BP) vs. 248 HP / 176+ Def Amoonguss: 419-494 (97.2 - 114.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7pokebankou-522795114 In this replay i was able to beat his landorus because of rockium-z and then finish the game, i wouldnt have been able to do this with fightium z.
Posting this here because I think it is worth a mention and / or testing.
 

PK Gaming

Persona 5
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* Mega Metagross is a fantastic teammate, as Tapu Bulu can do severe damage if not knock out the likes of Mega Scizor, Skarmory, and Celesteela.
Probably worth mentioning that Mega Metagross is also a decent pivot into things like Mega Venusaur, Tornadus-T and Nihilego

1/3
 

Leo

after hours
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MPL Champion
I think it's worth mentioning in Team Options that this set in particular invites in Mega Metagross like nothing else so a partner that can reliably switch into Metagross during a match could help even though Offense doesn't really have that many options I've used stuff like Mega Scizor in the past who also likes having Steela and Skarm gone. Great job on the analysis :toast:
 

Colonel M

I COULD BE BORED!
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You know it's kind of weird how it's one of those struggles where you're either walled-ish by Zards, Tangrowth, or somewhat by Mega Venusaur. Well maybe not the very latter per se but Rocky Helmet Tangrowth is kind of a rocky hurdle to get by.

(Yes, that was a pun).

Nothing stands out otherwise. Solid stuff.

Edit: meh maybe Ill look at Megahorn since dk kind of pestered me on it. I know Adamant +2 All Out Pummeling KOes Tangrowth as an oddball example but I would only use it if it is impending say Bulu Gross combo.

2/3
 
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busyguy

formerly mil
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For offensive partners, Mega Pinsir is actually a good one too. Bulu usually forces in steels like Skarmory, Metagross, Celesteela which you can damage with the Z-move, that way you weaken them for Pinsir. Against stall, you usually damage the Skarmory and then there is not much that the opponent can do against Pinsir.
Mega Venusaur, Amoonguss, and Tangrowth also like to pivot into it and Pinsir can exploit that. Mega Alakazam, Scarf Exca and scarf Terrak are also good partners, especially with hazards up, for similar reasons but not that common.
 
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Gary

Can be abrasive at times (no joke)
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I'd also mention somewhere that this set helps it muscle through Growth, which otherwise walls the fuck out of Bulu and just 2HKOes with Hidden Power or bops it with Sludge Bomb.

Looks good otherwise it's a pretty straight forward set. Fuck TDK tbh

QC 3/3
 

fleurdyleurse

nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands
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hi

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Horn Leech
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Zen Headbutt / Stone Edge
item: Fightinium Z
ability: Grassy Surge
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly / Adamant

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Swords Dance boosts Tapu Bulu's Attack to frightening levels, allowing it to break through a large sum of bulkier Pokemon.
* Horn Leech is Tapu Bulu's Grass-type STAB of choice, sportingsports great power while under Grassy Terrain as well asnd providing sustaines Tapu Bulu greater longevity.
* Superpower lets Tapu Bulu deal with Ferrothorn and Heatran, but; combined with Fightinium Z, however, it becomes an extremely strong All-Out Pummeling, making Tapu Bulu capable of feats such as OHKOing Pphysically Ddefensive Skarmory after Stealth Rock and some additional chip damage, as well as outright OHKOing Mega Scizor and Celesteela.
* Zen Headbutt is the preferred coverage move in the last slot to break past Amoonguss and Mega Venusaur.
* Stone Edge can also be used to hit Tornadus-T, Mega Charizard Y, and Volcarona on the switch.

Set Details
========

* Fightinium Z is the main draw to this set, letting Tapu Bulu muscle past otherwise solid responses in Skarmory, Celesteela, Mega Scizor, and Tangrowth.
* The given EV spread given maximizes Tapu Bulu's offensive potential, allowing it to outspeed as many threats as possible while still hitting hard, even when unboosted.
* A Jolly nature in particular is crucial, as it lets Tapu Bulu outspeed Timid Magearna and Jolly Bisharp.
* An Adamant nature is also an option for additional power, should those aforementioned Pokemon have responsalready be checked by Tapu Bulu's teammates for.

Usage Tips
========

* The key thiso this set is recognizing team matchup and what actions to take against specific archetypes. For example, against more offensive teams, where Tapu Bulu won't be as effective,; thereforeus, it is typically better off attacking rather than attempting to set up. On the other hand, if the foeopponent has a Pokemon such as Celesteela, Mega Scizor, or Skarmory, then it's best to anticipate their switch in and use Swords Dance.
* Be sure to use All-Out Pummeling wisely, as it only gives Tapu Bulu only one shot at breaking through its checks when they're healthy and this can be scouted by the opponent by pivoting into a Pokemon that can take the hit. This is especially crucial when matched up against stall.
* While Tapu Bulu makes for an effective check to bulky Water-types, just note that Tapu Bulu may get neutered by Scald burns and shouldn't hard switch into them unless absolutely necessary or if the opponent is likely going for another move, such as when Tapu Fini usinges Defog to clear hazards.

Team Options
========

* Fast offensive Pokemon such as Greninja and Pheromosa work well due to Tapu Bulu being able to break down bulkier Pokemon that the two struggle with, such as Keldeo for the former and Tapu Fini for the latter. Greninja also provides Spikes support, making it much more terrifying for the opponent to be pivoting around Tapu Bulu.
* Fast Flying- or Fire-types such as Mega Charizard X/, Mega Charizard Y, Volcarona, and Tornadus-T are very threatening for Tapu Bulu, especially if it lacks Stone Edge, as it is setup fodder for the former twohree. Choice Scarf Nihilego and Garchomp make for fine teammates, as both of them can effectively revenge kill all of the Pokemon previously mentioned.
* Mega Metagross is a fantastic teammate, as Tapu Bulu can do severe damage to, if not knock outKO, the likes of Mega Scizor, Skarmory, and Celesteela, while Mega Metagross is capable of pivoting into checks such as Mega Venusaur, Tornadus-T, and Nihilego.
* Mega Scizor is a decent teammate, as it switches into Mega Metagross with impunity and also appreciates Pokemon such as Skarmory or Celesteela being weakened or outright eliminated.
* Heatran has great synergy with Tapu Bulu, particularily aiding Stone Edge variants atby threatening Mega Venusaur, Amoonguss, and Tangrowth, while; in return, Tapu Bulu in return, takes down bulky Water-types that Heatran may struggle with.



GP 1/1
 
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