=============
[SET]
Scarf (Tapu Lele) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 32 Def / 252 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
With a Choice Scarf, Tapu Lele's Speed is raised to the point where it can outspeed fast threats like Dragapult, non-Choice Scarf Garchomp, and Adamant Choice Scarf Haxorus and threaten them with Moonblast. Additionally, even after having its Speed dropped by a move like Assault Vest Entei's Bulldoze or Assault Vest Landorus-T's Rock Tomb it remains faster than these Pokemon, allowing it to win. Psyshock and Psychic deal with different Pokemon: Psyshock beats Assault Vest Goodra, non-Custap Berry Volcarona, and Maranga Berry Zapdos, while Psychic is the superior choice against defensive Pokemon like Volcanion or Pressure stall Entei. Because Psyshock ignores Amnesia, it is also the move to click against a potential Sap Sipper Azumarill. Focus Blast is a coverage move that deals with Porygon-Z, Heatran, offensive Tyranitar, and Choice Band or Adamant Choice Scarf Galarian Darmanitan.
EVs
=============
Tapu Lele's Speed allows it to outpace Jolly Choice Scarf Landorus-T. 252 Special Attack EVs maximize its chances of 3HKOing Choice Scarf Cresselia with Moonblast. The remaining EVs are placed in Defense to help against moves like Jolly Choice Scarf Haxorus's Poison Jab, Custap Berry Urshifu's Wicked Blow, or Jolly Choice Scarf Darmanitan-G's Icicle Crash.
Usage Tips
=============
Choice Scarf Tapu Lele is a straightforward set: click the move that deals the most damage, taking into account the opponent's (probable) weaker defensive stat as well as its typing. Azumarill is a noteworthy exception: while the stall set initially takes more damage from Psychic than Psyshock, it can stall this move out with Amnesia and Rest. Psyshock retains consistent power in this matchup, allowing it to 3HKO and making it the optimal move to use. Similarly, Psyshock allows Tapu Lele to defeat Assault Vest Azumarill.
=============
[SET]
Skill Swap (Tapu Lele) @ Psychic Seed
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 84 SpA / 176 SpD
Modest Nature
- Skill Swap
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Moonblast
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
Skill Swap is an option that greatly improves Tapu Lele's matchups against Sturdy Pokemon like Aggron, Steelix, and Avalugg that otherwise easily defeat Tapu Lele. By clicking Skill Swap in these matchups, Tapu Lele is guaranteed to survive one hit while simultaneously opening the opponent up to a Focus Blast OHKO on the next turn. Focus Blast is also helpful against Magnezone, Heatran, and offensive Tyranitar sets. Moonblast is a strong super effective click into Urshifu, Dragapult, and Kyurem. Lastly, Psyshock is a reliable STAB option against the likes of Sylveon, Naganadel, and Volcarona.
EVs
=============
The HP EVs guarantee that Tapu Lele will never faint to Curse Dragapult's uninvested Phantom Force. The Special Defense EVs guarantee that it will almost always survive two Flash Cannons from Custap Berry Magnezone (1.2% roll). The remainder has been invested in Special Attack for the best odds to OHKO offensive Garchomp, Tyranitar, and Zarude variants.
Usage Tips
=============
Against Aggron, Avalugg, and Steelix, Skill Swap should always be used on the first turn, followed by Focus Blast. Versus Magnezone, Tapu Lele should break its Sturdy with a weak Psyshock (to negate the remotest possibility of Mirror Coat OHKOing), then follow up with Focus Blast. Against Shell Smash Crustle, the optimal move requires prediction. If Crustle clicks Shell Smash, Skill Swap followed by Moonblast allows for a chance at victory (although Crustle still wins with a 4- or 5-hit Rock Blast). If Crustle attacks turn 1, Tapu Lele's optimal play is to click Moonblast twice.
Skill Swap should also be used against Aromatisse, which almost always runs Aroma Veil and which consequently will be left unable to use Encore or Disable. It should be clicked as a last-ditch effort when faced with a Zeraora, as it beats a Choice Band set that uses Plasma Fists. If the first Focus Blast against a faster Heatran clicking Eruption misses, Skill Swap may prove an 'out' against Choice Scarf sets by providing immunity to Fire-type moves. Do not click Skill Swap versus Sylveon, as it does not increase, and situationally decreases, the odds of victory. A Volcanion lacking super effective coverage is likely to click Steam Eruption into Psychic Seed Tapu Lele - a well-timed Skill Swap can be used to negate Volcanion's move and heal some of Tapu Lele's HP in the process.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Custap Berry Tapu Lele can run a Modest nature alongside Psychic to 2HKO non-Specs Volcanion and secure favorable rolls against Darmanitan-G and Kartana. The lowered Speed means that Adamant Choice Band Haxorus is no longer beatable, and the lack of Psyshock results in losses against Volcarona, Goodra, and other such specially bulky Pokemon.
Extrasensory is an option on Choice Specs Tapu Lele that can beat SubTect variants of Entei and Zapdos with its high PP. However, other sets of these Pokemon are better answered with Psyshock, so this option requires careful prediction. Note that stall Entei commonly runs HP EVs, which prevent the move from being a fully reliable answer to it.
Tapu Lele can almost always beat Zeraora with a set consisting of a Sitrus Berry, Skill Swap, Psyshock, a Modest nature, and an EV spread of 168 HP / 244 Def / 96 Spe (to maximize physical bulk while still outspeeding Adamant Dracovish) The set should click Skill Swap T1 and spam Psyshock thereafter. Moonblast beats Dragon-type Pokemon like Garchomp and Kyurem, and either Focus Blast (for Choice Scarf Darmanitan-G, Aggron, bulky Heatran, and Steelix) or Calm Mind (for Volcarona and certain Primarina sets) can be the set's last move.
A Timid Custap Berry set can instead run a Salac Berry to get around Protect variants of Naganadel, Dragapult, and Zapdos, which would ordinarily be able to simply Protect on the Custap Berry activation turn.
Sets with a Weakness Policy, Iron Defense, Calm Mind, Draining Kiss, and Stored Power can beat Glastrier, Corviknight, stall Steelix, and Assault Vest Tyranitar.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/here-comes-team-charm.501918/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nunnbetter.501592/
Grammar checked by:
[insert user link]
[SET]
Scarf (Tapu Lele) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 32 Def / 252 SpA / 224 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Psychic
- Focus Blast
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
With a Choice Scarf, Tapu Lele's Speed is raised to the point where it can outspeed fast threats like Dragapult, non-Choice Scarf Garchomp, and Adamant Choice Scarf Haxorus and threaten them with Moonblast. Additionally, even after having its Speed dropped by a move like Assault Vest Entei's Bulldoze or Assault Vest Landorus-T's Rock Tomb it remains faster than these Pokemon, allowing it to win. Psyshock and Psychic deal with different Pokemon: Psyshock beats Assault Vest Goodra, non-Custap Berry Volcarona, and Maranga Berry Zapdos, while Psychic is the superior choice against defensive Pokemon like Volcanion or Pressure stall Entei. Because Psyshock ignores Amnesia, it is also the move to click against a potential Sap Sipper Azumarill. Focus Blast is a coverage move that deals with Porygon-Z, Heatran, offensive Tyranitar, and Choice Band or Adamant Choice Scarf Galarian Darmanitan.
EVs
=============
Tapu Lele's Speed allows it to outpace Jolly Choice Scarf Landorus-T. 252 Special Attack EVs maximize its chances of 3HKOing Choice Scarf Cresselia with Moonblast. The remaining EVs are placed in Defense to help against moves like Jolly Choice Scarf Haxorus's Poison Jab, Custap Berry Urshifu's Wicked Blow, or Jolly Choice Scarf Darmanitan-G's Icicle Crash.
Usage Tips
=============
Choice Scarf Tapu Lele is a straightforward set: click the move that deals the most damage, taking into account the opponent's (probable) weaker defensive stat as well as its typing. Azumarill is a noteworthy exception: while the stall set initially takes more damage from Psychic than Psyshock, it can stall this move out with Amnesia and Rest. Psyshock retains consistent power in this matchup, allowing it to 3HKO and making it the optimal move to use. Similarly, Psyshock allows Tapu Lele to defeat Assault Vest Azumarill.
=============
[SET]
Skill Swap (Tapu Lele) @ Psychic Seed
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 248 HP / 84 SpA / 176 SpD
Modest Nature
- Skill Swap
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Moonblast
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=============
Skill Swap is an option that greatly improves Tapu Lele's matchups against Sturdy Pokemon like Aggron, Steelix, and Avalugg that otherwise easily defeat Tapu Lele. By clicking Skill Swap in these matchups, Tapu Lele is guaranteed to survive one hit while simultaneously opening the opponent up to a Focus Blast OHKO on the next turn. Focus Blast is also helpful against Magnezone, Heatran, and offensive Tyranitar sets. Moonblast is a strong super effective click into Urshifu, Dragapult, and Kyurem. Lastly, Psyshock is a reliable STAB option against the likes of Sylveon, Naganadel, and Volcarona.
EVs
=============
The HP EVs guarantee that Tapu Lele will never faint to Curse Dragapult's uninvested Phantom Force. The Special Defense EVs guarantee that it will almost always survive two Flash Cannons from Custap Berry Magnezone (1.2% roll). The remainder has been invested in Special Attack for the best odds to OHKO offensive Garchomp, Tyranitar, and Zarude variants.
Usage Tips
=============
Against Aggron, Avalugg, and Steelix, Skill Swap should always be used on the first turn, followed by Focus Blast. Versus Magnezone, Tapu Lele should break its Sturdy with a weak Psyshock (to negate the remotest possibility of Mirror Coat OHKOing), then follow up with Focus Blast. Against Shell Smash Crustle, the optimal move requires prediction. If Crustle clicks Shell Smash, Skill Swap followed by Moonblast allows for a chance at victory (although Crustle still wins with a 4- or 5-hit Rock Blast). If Crustle attacks turn 1, Tapu Lele's optimal play is to click Moonblast twice.
Skill Swap should also be used against Aromatisse, which almost always runs Aroma Veil and which consequently will be left unable to use Encore or Disable. It should be clicked as a last-ditch effort when faced with a Zeraora, as it beats a Choice Band set that uses Plasma Fists. If the first Focus Blast against a faster Heatran clicking Eruption misses, Skill Swap may prove an 'out' against Choice Scarf sets by providing immunity to Fire-type moves. Do not click Skill Swap versus Sylveon, as it does not increase, and situationally decreases, the odds of victory. A Volcanion lacking super effective coverage is likely to click Steam Eruption into Psychic Seed Tapu Lele - a well-timed Skill Swap can be used to negate Volcanion's move and heal some of Tapu Lele's HP in the process.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Custap Berry Tapu Lele can run a Modest nature alongside Psychic to 2HKO non-Specs Volcanion and secure favorable rolls against Darmanitan-G and Kartana. The lowered Speed means that Adamant Choice Band Haxorus is no longer beatable, and the lack of Psyshock results in losses against Volcarona, Goodra, and other such specially bulky Pokemon.
Extrasensory is an option on Choice Specs Tapu Lele that can beat SubTect variants of Entei and Zapdos with its high PP. However, other sets of these Pokemon are better answered with Psyshock, so this option requires careful prediction. Note that stall Entei commonly runs HP EVs, which prevent the move from being a fully reliable answer to it.
Tapu Lele can almost always beat Zeraora with a set consisting of a Sitrus Berry, Skill Swap, Psyshock, a Modest nature, and an EV spread of 168 HP / 244 Def / 96 Spe (to maximize physical bulk while still outspeeding Adamant Dracovish) The set should click Skill Swap T1 and spam Psyshock thereafter. Moonblast beats Dragon-type Pokemon like Garchomp and Kyurem, and either Focus Blast (for Choice Scarf Darmanitan-G, Aggron, bulky Heatran, and Steelix) or Calm Mind (for Volcarona and certain Primarina sets) can be the set's last move.
A Timid Custap Berry set can instead run a Salac Berry to get around Protect variants of Naganadel, Dragapult, and Zapdos, which would ordinarily be able to simply Protect on the Custap Berry activation turn.
Sets with a Weakness Policy, Iron Defense, Calm Mind, Draining Kiss, and Stored Power can beat Glastrier, Corviknight, stall Steelix, and Assault Vest Tyranitar.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/here-comes-team-charm.501918/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nunnbetter.501592/
Grammar checked by:
[insert user link]