OU Swords Dance Tapu Bulu

[Jordy]

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Horn Leech
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Fightinium Z
ability: Grassy Surge
nature: Adamant
evs: 236 HP / 144 Atk / 32 SpD / 96 Spe

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

Swords Dance turns Tapu Bulu into a frightening wallbreaker, allowing it to beat Pokemon like Celesteela, Magearna, and Tangrowth. Although Horn Leech is held back by its low Base Power, it provides Tapu Bulu with vital recovery. Superpower provides Tapu Bulu with coverage for Steel-types like Heatran, Kartana, and Ferrothorn. Stone Edge hits Flying-types such as Tornadus-T and Zapdos, as well as Fire-types like Volcarona and Mega Charizard X. Wood Hammer is an option over Stone Edge that, together with Grassium Z, gives Tapu Bulu an extremely powerful nuke capable of KOing even Grass-resistant Pokemon such as Mega Latias, Magearna, and Assault Vest Tangrowth.

Set Details
========

The given HP and Special Defense investment allows Tapu Bulu to avoid being 2HKOed by Hydro Pump from Choice Specs Ash-Greninja. 96 Speed EVs enable Tapu Bulu to outspeed Crawdaunt and uninvested Rotom-W, while the rest of the EVs are pooled into Attack alongside an Adamant nature. This in combination with Fightinium Z notably allows Tapu Bulu to OHKO Steel-types such as Magearna, Celesteela, Mega Scizor, and Mega Mawile at +2 with All-Out Pummeling. Rockium Z is an alternative option that allows Tapu Bulu to defeat bulky Grass-resistant Pokemon such as Mega Latias and Zapdos, while still targetting Celesteela. It also helps with bulky Tornadus-T variants. Grassium Z is an option that should be run with Wood Hammer, granting Tapu Bulu a very strong move capable of KOing Pokemon such as Magearna and Tangrowth at +2. However, it doesn't help Tapu Bulu with beating Celesteela.

Usage Tips
========

You should attempt to bring Tapu Bulu in on Pokemon that it can force out, such as Ash-Greninja, Tapu Fini, and Garchomp. Be wary of Tapu Bulu's health, though, as it can quickly be worn down due to its lack of reliable recovery, especially if running Wood Hammer. Once you have brought Tapu Bulu into play, you should attempt to set up with Swords Dance, as opponents will often attempt to check Tapu Bulu with Steel-types, which it can break past at +2. However, it is worth considering using Superpower, Stone Edge, or Continental Crush instead of setting up with Swords Dance if the opponent has a Pokemon like Heatran, Kartana, Tornadus-T, or Volcarona.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that can struggle to deal with Steel-types, such as Mega Latias, appreciate Tapu Bulu's ability to lure them and take them out. Tapu Bulu struggles to take on Pokemon such as Mega Latias and Mega Latios, and even Tornadus-T can be annoying at times despite Stone Edge, so it's a good idea to pair Tapu Bulu with a Pursuit trapper such as Tyranitar or Weavile. Because of its lack of reliable recovery, Tapu Bulu can struggle to consistently check Ash-Greninja. As a result, it's very important to use another, more consistent check, such as Toxapex, Tapu Fini, or Kommo-o.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Jordy, 395754]]
- Quality checked by: [[curiosity, 443485], [Mannat, 144451], [TPP, 260369]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]

 

[Colonel M]

* Rockium Z is an alternative option that allows Tapu Bulu to defeat bulky Grass-types such as Tangrowth as well as Celesteela. It also helps with bulky Tornadus-T variants.

This statement is really weird because Fightinium is also hitting these Pokemon (other than Torn-T). I would replace Tangrowth with Amoonguss and / or Mega Venusaur since they would be the difference in running Rockium over Fightinium.

* Be wary of Tapu Bulu's health, though, as it can quickly be worn down due to its lack of reliable recovery.

I would also mention if you're running Wood Hammer over Horn Leech that Bulu being worn down is a lot easier.

* However, it is worth considering using Stone Edge instead if the opponent has a Pokemon like Tornadus-T, Volcarona, and Victini.

Maybe add CC in here too since CC gives a one time 100% accurate Rock move, so if you know they're switching in they won't come in again.

Just my 50 cents.

 

[curiosity]

looks fine

2/3

 

[TPP]

Hi, not QC, but I got bored and like SD Z move Bulu enough to bother posting here.

* However, it is worth considering using Stone Edge or Continental Crush instead if the opponent has a Pokemon like Tornadus-T, Volcarona, and Victini.

I'm assuming the "instead" refers to Swords Dance from the previous statement? Maybe reword it to something along the lines of attacking right away to lure and KO those targets? You could technically do the same with Superpower and Kartana/Heatran.

* Rockium Z is an alternative option that allows Tapu Bulu to defeat bulky Grass-types such as Celesteela, Zapdos, and Amoonguss. It also helps with bulky Tornadus-T variants.

I think you can reword it to "bulky Flying and Grass-types" since the first 2 are Flying-types.

This is just my take on it, but I would put Mega Latias under targets for Z-Rock, and Mega Scizor under targets for Z-Fighting. You SD on the switch, trade half your health to Bullet Punch (if they go for it) or Ice Beam and 1HKO back.

Calcs

+2 144+ Atk Tapu Bulu Continental Crush (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Latias-Mega: 340-400 (93.4 - 109.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
+2 144+ Atk Tapu Bulu All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 248 HP / 16+ Def Scizor-Mega: 282-332 (82.2 - 96.7%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock and Grassy Terrain recovery

* That doesn't mean that Wood Hammer isn't an option over Horn Leech, though. Together with Grassium Z, Wood Hammer gives Tapu Bulu an extremely powerful nuke capable of KOing even Grass-resistant Pokemon such as Tangrowth and Magearna.

You can add Mega Latias (and Latios) to the list given the calc below.

+2 144+ Atk Tapu Bulu Bloom Doom (190 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Latias-Mega in Grassy Terrain: 403-474 (110.7 - 130.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Finally, when mentioning Tangrowth, I think you kind of need to throw in "AV" because physically defensive sets do not get 1HKO'd (Z-Fighting does 78% max), and so it could be a little misleading by flat out saying you beat Tangrowth with this set. You can 1HKO AV variants, but physically defensive variants could still wall you unless you're able to significantly weaken them ahead of time, or if they lack Sludge Bomb and you can afford to tank 2 HP Ice/Fire's. Something to acknowledge physically defensive Tangrowth is basically all I'm asking for, as there are currently zero mentions of it.

Because of its lack of reliable recovery, Tapu Bulu can struggle to consistently check Ash-Greninja. As a result, it's very important to use another, more consistent check, such as Tapu Fini or Kommo-o.

2/3

Wanna tell me where the first qc check is

 

[MANNAT]

* That doesn't mean that Wood Hammer isn't an option over Horn Leech, though. Together with Grassium Z, Wood Hammer gives Tapu Bulu an extremely powerful nuke capable of KOing even Grass-resistant Pokemon such as Mega Latias, Magearna, and Assault Vest Tangrowth.

Reword this, Wood Hammer is used over Edge on Grassium, not over Horn Leech

* 96 Speed EVs enable Tapu Bulu to outspeed Crawdaunt and Rotom-W, while the rest of the EVs are pooled into Attack alongside an Adamant nature. This notably allows Tapu Bulu to OHKO Steel-types such as Magearna and Celesteela at +2 with All-Out Pummeling

specify that you're creeping uninvested rotom

* However, it is worth considering using Superpower, Stone Edge, or Continental Crush instead of setting up with Swords Dance if the opponent has a Pokemon like Heatran, Kartana, Tornadus-T, and Volcarona.

Axe Superpower from this mention, sd into reg sp deals w tran just as well as sp into sp does, same w/kart. If you want to hit them on the switch you really should just be hitting hard Z Superpower.

* Because of its lack of reliable recovery, Tapu Bulu can struggle to consistently check Ash-Greninja. As a result, it's very important to use another, more consistent check, such as Toxapex, Tapu Fini, or Kommo-o.

I disagree that the other check needs to necessarily be more consistent, just that you need secondary counterplay in general. I think just axing the ", more consistent" part should be fine here

Good stuff 2/3

 

[Leo]

This is ready for gp as well

 

[Lumari]

remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 1/1 just get this uploaded

check

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Horn Leech
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Fightinium Z
ability: Grassy Surge
nature: Adamant
evs: 236 HP / 144 Atk / 32 SpD / 96 Spe

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

Swords Dance turns Tapu Bulu into a frightening wallbreaker, allowing it to beat Pokemon like Celesteela, Magearna, and Tangrowth. Although it's Horn Leech is held back by its low Base Power, Horn Leech it provides Tapu Bulu with vital recovery. Superpower provides Tapu Bulu with coverage for Steel-types like Heatran, Kartana, and Ferrothorn. Stone Edge hits Flying-types such as Tornadus-T and Zapdos, as well as Fire-types like Volcarona and Mega Charizard X. Wood Hammer is an option that can be run over Stone Edge (RP) that, together with Grassium Z, Wood Hammer gives Tapu Bulu an extremely powerful nuke capable of KOing even Grass-resistant Pokemon such as Mega Latias, Magearna, and Assault Vest Tangrowth.

Set Details
========

The given HP and Special Defense investment allow allows Tapu Bulu to avoid being 2HKOed by Hydro Pump from Choice Specs Ash-Greninja. 96 Speed EVs enable Tapu Bulu to outspeed Crawdaunt and uninvested Rotom-W, while the rest of the EVs are pooled into Attack alongside an Adamant nature. This in combination with Fightinium Z notably allows Tapu Bulu to OHKO Steel-types such as Magearna, (AC) and Celesteela, Mega Scizor, and Mega Mawile at +2 with All-Out Pummeling. Fightinium Z notably allows Tapu Bulu to OHKO Steel-types like Celesteela, Magearna, Mega Scizor, and Mega Mawile at +2. Rockium Z is an alternative option that allows Tapu Bulu to defeat bulky Grass-resistant Pokemon such as Celesteela (not a unique target), Mega Latias, and Zapdos. It also helps with bulky Tornadus-T variants. Grassium Z is an option that should be run with Wood Hammer, granting Tapu Bulu a very strong move capable of KOing Pokemon such as Magearna and Tangrowth at +2. However, it doesn't help Tapu Bulu with beating Celesteela.

Usage Tips
========

You should attempt to bring Tapu Bulu in on Pokemon that it can force out, such as Ash-Greninja, Tapu Fini, and Garchomp. Be wary of Tapu Bulu's health, though, as it can quickly be worn down due to its lack of reliable recovery, especially if running Wood Hammer. Once you have brought Tapu Bulu into play, you should attempt to setup set up with Swords Dance, as they opponents will often attempt to check Tapu Bulu with Steel-types, which it can break past at +2. However, it is worth considering using Superpower, Stone Edge, or Continental Crush instead of setting up with Swords Dance if the opponent has a Pokemon like Heatran, Kartana, Tornadus-T, and or Volcarona.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that can struggle to deal with Steel-types, such as Mega Latias, (AC) appreciate Tapu Bulu's ability to lure them and take them out. Tapu Bulu struggles to deal with take on Pokemon such as Mega Latias (RC) and Mega Latios, and even Tornadus-T can be annoying at times (RC) despite Stone Edge, so it's a good idea to pair Tapu Bulu with a Pursuit trapper such as Tyranitar or Weavile. Because of its lack of reliable recovery, Tapu Bulu can struggle to consistently check Ash-Greninja. As a result, it's very important to use another, more consistent check, such as Toxapex, Tapu Fini, or Kommo-o.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Jordy, 395754]]
- Quality checked by: [[curiosity, 443485], [Mannat, 144451], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]