[OVERVIEW]
Tapu Lele is a powerhouse in Battle Spot Doubles, throwing out extremely powerful Psychic Terrain boosted STAB attacks, and supporting its team by blocking priority with its Terrain (most notably Fake Out, which is extremely useful early in the game). However, Tapu Lele isn't a particularly bulky or fast Pokemon, and it's unable to deal with every Steel-type at once.
Below are some sample sets. These sets are likely to be standard, but they will be expanded upon and updated as the metagame progresses.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Thunderbolt / Hidden Power Ground / Shadow Ball / Taunt
move 4: Protect
item: Psychium Z / Life Orb
ability: Psychic Surge
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Psychic is Tapu Lele's powerful STAB of choice, while Moonblast deals more damage when Psychic Terrain is gone and smashes through Dark-types.
* Thunderbolt deals good damage to Celesteela, while Hidden Power Ground slams Heatran. Shadow Ball deals good damage to Aegislash (though watch out for Weakness Policy) and can pick off Mega Metagross under Tailwind or Trick Room. Taunt can be good against Trick Room set up.
* Psychium Z lets Tapu Lele unleash its powerful Z-Psychic, which is powerful enough to OHKO fast Assault Vest Landorus-T. If you're especially desperate to take out Amoonguss, it also OHKOs through Payapa Berry.
* Life Orb lets Tapu Lele deal more consistent damage. Most notably, it gives Modest Tapu Lele a 75% chance to OHKO maximum HP Heatran.
* A Modest nature gives Tapu Lele more power, but a Timid nature is useful for outspeeding Landorus-T that lack a Choice Scarf, and Modest Mega Charizard Y. Bulkier spreads are viable if using Psychium Z.
* Pay attention to when Psychic Surge comes up against other Pokemon with activation abilities, as this will reveal what Pokemon is faster. This is especially handy for revealing if Landorus-T has a Choice Scarf if using Timid Tapu Lele.
* Consider pairing Tapu Lele with Pokemon that defeat Steel-types, since Tapu Lele can't cover them all with one moveset. Celesteela, Heatran, Mega Metagross, Aegislash, and Focus Sash Bisharp are important ones to consider defeating.
* Intimidate support comes in handy to help patch up Tapu Lele's mediocre Defense stat.
* Mega Metagross deserves special mention as a teammate, since Psychic Terrain gives Zen Headbutt a ton of power, and Psychic Surge reveals if Landorus-T has a Choice Scarf or not.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Hidden Power Ground / Thunderbolt
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Psychic Terrain
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Choice Scarf allows Tapu Lele to blast through fast threats with Psychic. Moonblast is great for OHKOing Mega Salamence and Hydreigon.
* Dazzling Gleam gives Tapu Lele a spread attack, which can clean up late game despite being relatively weak.
* Hidden Power Ground 2HKOs Heatran, while Thunderbolt does reasonable damage against Celesteela.
* Note that because of how activation abilities work, leading with Tapu Lele will often reveal that it has a Choice Scarf if sent out against slower Pokemon with activation abilities such as Tapu Koko or Choice Scarf Landorus-T.
* A Timid nature ensures that Tapu Lele outspeeds Jolly Choice Scarf Landorus-T, but a Modest nature does give it more power.
* Steel-types such as Celesteela, Mega Metagross, and Heatran are especially problematic since Tapu Lele locks itself into moves, so consider pairing Tapu Lele with Pokemon that give them trouble.
Tapu Lele is a powerhouse in Battle Spot Doubles, throwing out extremely powerful Psychic Terrain boosted STAB attacks, and supporting its team by blocking priority with its Terrain (most notably Fake Out, which is extremely useful early in the game). However, Tapu Lele isn't a particularly bulky or fast Pokemon, and it's unable to deal with every Steel-type at once.
Below are some sample sets. These sets are likely to be standard, but they will be expanded upon and updated as the metagame progresses.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Thunderbolt / Hidden Power Ground / Shadow Ball / Taunt
move 4: Protect
item: Psychium Z / Life Orb
ability: Psychic Surge
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Psychic is Tapu Lele's powerful STAB of choice, while Moonblast deals more damage when Psychic Terrain is gone and smashes through Dark-types.
* Thunderbolt deals good damage to Celesteela, while Hidden Power Ground slams Heatran. Shadow Ball deals good damage to Aegislash (though watch out for Weakness Policy) and can pick off Mega Metagross under Tailwind or Trick Room. Taunt can be good against Trick Room set up.
* Psychium Z lets Tapu Lele unleash its powerful Z-Psychic, which is powerful enough to OHKO fast Assault Vest Landorus-T. If you're especially desperate to take out Amoonguss, it also OHKOs through Payapa Berry.
* Life Orb lets Tapu Lele deal more consistent damage. Most notably, it gives Modest Tapu Lele a 75% chance to OHKO maximum HP Heatran.
* A Modest nature gives Tapu Lele more power, but a Timid nature is useful for outspeeding Landorus-T that lack a Choice Scarf, and Modest Mega Charizard Y. Bulkier spreads are viable if using Psychium Z.
* Pay attention to when Psychic Surge comes up against other Pokemon with activation abilities, as this will reveal what Pokemon is faster. This is especially handy for revealing if Landorus-T has a Choice Scarf if using Timid Tapu Lele.
* Consider pairing Tapu Lele with Pokemon that defeat Steel-types, since Tapu Lele can't cover them all with one moveset. Celesteela, Heatran, Mega Metagross, Aegislash, and Focus Sash Bisharp are important ones to consider defeating.
* Intimidate support comes in handy to help patch up Tapu Lele's mediocre Defense stat.
* Mega Metagross deserves special mention as a teammate, since Psychic Terrain gives Zen Headbutt a ton of power, and Psychic Surge reveals if Landorus-T has a Choice Scarf or not.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Moonblast
move 3: Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Hidden Power Ground / Thunderbolt
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Psychic Terrain
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Choice Scarf allows Tapu Lele to blast through fast threats with Psychic. Moonblast is great for OHKOing Mega Salamence and Hydreigon.
* Dazzling Gleam gives Tapu Lele a spread attack, which can clean up late game despite being relatively weak.
* Hidden Power Ground 2HKOs Heatran, while Thunderbolt does reasonable damage against Celesteela.
* Note that because of how activation abilities work, leading with Tapu Lele will often reveal that it has a Choice Scarf if sent out against slower Pokemon with activation abilities such as Tapu Koko or Choice Scarf Landorus-T.
* A Timid nature ensures that Tapu Lele outspeeds Jolly Choice Scarf Landorus-T, but a Modest nature does give it more power.
* Steel-types such as Celesteela, Mega Metagross, and Heatran are especially problematic since Tapu Lele locks itself into moves, so consider pairing Tapu Lele with Pokemon that give them trouble.
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