Here are some sets I want to elaborate on for Tapu Bulu that are somewhat being ignored due to the prominence of band set discussions:
Tapu Bulu @ Leftovers
Ability: Grassy surge
EVs: 248 HP / 20 Atk / 64 Def / 176 SpD
Careful Nature
- Leech Seed
- Taunt / Horn Leech
- Wood Hammer
- Nature's Madness
Now, I know this set isn't necessarily gonna be as good as the band set, but it still has a lot of promise, and I can see it working well on balance. Leftovers + grassy terrain recovery every round is amazing, thats 24% a turn. Now, Tapu Bulu has a shit ton of resistance's, and can come in and set out a leech seed, meaning it recovers 36% health a round. What makes this so good is that with Bulu's plethora of useful resists, and its respectable bulk - setting up a leech seed really isn't that hard. Not only this, Wood Hammer in grassy terrain still does a huge amount of damage:
20 Atk Whimsicott Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Latios in Grassy Terrain: 148-175 (49.4 - 58.5%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO
(definite 2ohko after Latio's LO usage)
20 Atk Whimsicott Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Lopunny in Grassy Terrain: 259-306 (95.5 - 112.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
Now, Tapu Bulu's bulk + leftover / grassy terrain healing gives it plenty of switch in opportunities:
252 Atk Mega Lopunny Return vs. 252 HP / 64 Def Whimsicott: 144-171 (41.8 - 49.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock, Leftovers recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery
252 SpA Life Orb Latios Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 64 Def Whimsicott: 142-169 (41.2 - 49.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock, Leftovers recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery
252 SpA Mega Diancie Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 176+ SpD Whimsicott: 144-171 (41.8 - 49.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock, Leftovers recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery
This set offers
a lot of defensive utility and has sublime synergy with many OU pokemon, not only this, a more defensive set is still a major offensive threat.
Tapu Bulu @ Life Orb
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Zen Headbutt
- Superpower
- Megahorn
Now you might ask, what does a set like this have over plain band Tapu Bulu? And this is my answer; sheer capacity to deconstruct and eliminate defensive cores. Why this set can do it and not a band set? The ability to change moves and abuse coverage.
Common ORAS OU defensive pokemon:
252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Zen Headbutt vs. 248 HP / 168+ Def Amoonguss: 247-291 (57.3 - 67.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock, Black Sludge recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Wood Hammer vs. 244 HP / 8 Def Gliscor in Grassy Terrain: 343-406 (97.4 - 115.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 356-421 (92.2 - 109%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Zen Headbutt vs. 232 HP / 0 Def Mega Venusaur: 208-247 (57.9 - 68.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Megahorn vs. 244 HP / 216+ Def Tangrowth: 237-281 (58.9 - 69.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock, Leftovers recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 112 Def Mega Sableye in Grassy Terrain: 317-374 (104.2 - 123%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 172 Def Clefable in Grassy Terrain: 441-520 (111.9 - 131.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Slowbro in Grassy Terrain: 577-681 (146.4 - 172.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Wood Hammer vs. 248 HP / 176+ Def Zapdos in Grassy Terrain: 181-213 (47.2 - 55.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
The ability to be able to switch between moves is certainly enough to distinguish LO bulu with Band Bulu as a crusher of balance cores rather than a wall breaker. Even still - pokemon like skarmory and scizor are a huge problem, but, If paired with magnezone, I dont think there is a single defensive core out there that can effectively stand up to the combination of LO bulu and magnezone.