[OVERVIEW]
Grass
========
Tapu Bulu is the greatest offensive Pokemon available to Grass teams. Its unmatched combination of offensive wallbreaking power and a great ability makes it a crucial option for any Grass team. Grassy Surge brings massive support to itself and the entire team alike by boosting the power of Grass-type moves and providing passive recovery for all grounded Pokemon. It also weakens the power of Ground-type moves. This allows Grass's defensive core, which is entirely neutral to Ground, to have a much easier time checking wallbreakers like Choice Band Excadrill. Because of Tapu Bulu's above-average Attack stat in tandem with its strong Terrain-boosted moves like Wood Hammer, it is able to function as a fearsome wallbreaker and revenge killer for Grass teams. Additionally, Tapu Bulu's decent bulk, passive Grassy Surge recovery, and access to Horn Leech often make it hard to take down. To emphasize this, Tapu Bulu is usually supported by bulky teammates that can give it safe opportunities to come in on the field. However, while its Fairy typing gives Tapu Bulu defensive utility against Dark-, Fighting-, and Dragon-types, it stacks a common weakness to Poison that can be exploited by revenge killers such as Dugtrio. Additionally, Tapu Bulu lacks access to any physical Fairy STAB move, making it often rely on its coverage moves in order to hit threats that resist its Grass STAB moves such as Dragonite. Furthermore, Grass is a bad offensive typing, and this means that Tapu Bulu often finds itself overly reliant on coverage options like Superpower and Stone Edge in order to hit the many threats that resist its STAB attacks. Although it commonly holds a Choice Scarf, Tapu Bulu's below-average Speed and numerous weaknesses allow many of the metagame's common Choice Scarf users such as Greninja and Victini to easily revenge kill it.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf (Grass)
move 1: Wood Hammer
move 2: Horn Leech
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Grassy Surge
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Wood Hammer is insanely powerful under Grassy Terrain and is Tapu Bulu's strongest move and most reliable way to break past walls such as Mega Sableye, though it comes at the cost of being worn down due to recoil. Horn Leech, although weaker, provides Tapu Bulu with a way to recover its HP while still dealing considerably high damage. This is especially useful against weakened or frailer Pokemon that Horn Leech can KO, such as Diggersby, in order to preserve its longevity. Superpower offers useful coverage that can deal with certain Steel-types such as Heatran and Ferrothorn, which otherwise wall Tapu Bulu. Lastly, Stone Edge's main purpose is to offer coverage against Flying-, Fire-, and Bug-types that resist Tapu Bulu's other coverage moves such as Zapdos, Mega Charizard Y, and Volcarona.
Set Details
========
Maximum EVs in Speed, a Jolly nature, and Choice Scarf allow Tapu Bulu to compensate for its unimpressive Speed stat and outspeed the majority of the unboosted metagame. Maximum investment in Attack allows Tapu Bulu to hit as hard as possible. Grassy Surge grants Tapu Bulu and the entire team a boost to their Grass-type moves as well as passive recovery for all grounded Pokemon, enabling Tapu Bulu to become Grass's most threatening offensive option while offering a huge benefit to its teammates as well.
Usage Tips
========
It is quite important to be selective when deciding whether to use Wood Hammer or Horn Leech during the game. Wood Hammer should be used early-game more often, as it's Tapu Bulu's main way of effectively revenge killing and punching holes in the opposing team, while Horn Leech can serve as a serviceable option against weakened teams late-game for it to clean. Additionally, while Wood Hammer's recoil can wear Tapu Bulu down quickly, it ensures that bulkier Pokemon like Chansey and Toxapex are 2HKOed. Tapu Bulu is best utilized as a great revenge killer, coming in on fast Pokemon such as Mega Lopunny that it can KO while simultaneously serving as a solid wallbreaker. It is imperative for Tapu Bulu to avoid all kinds of status, as a potential paralysis or burn can cripple its Speed or Attack stat. Tapu Bulu also dislikes being poisoned, as it becomes easily worn down in tandem with Wood Hammer recoil. When faced against common Choice Scarf revenge killers that can KO Tapu Bulu like Greninja and Nihilego, it is important to make use of its bulkier teammates in order to check these Pokemon, such as Ferrothorn. Tapu Bulu requires Grassy Terrain being up in order to KO certain common defensive Pokemon such as Toxapex, so it is important to keep this in mind before attempting to break past these Pokemon. Do not use Superpower outside of hitting select Steel- and Normal-types, as it locks Tapu Bulu into a move that lowers its Attack and Defense and opens the door for many setup sweepers and walls such as Volcarona and Porygon2 to simply come in on it. Be wary of Protect users like Celesteela that can scout for Tapu Bulu's move, waste Grassy Terrain turns, and give teammates a potential switch in.
Team Options
========
The residual recovery offered by Tapu Bulu's Grassy Surge makes defensive Pokemon ideal partners for it. Mega Venusaur's fantastic defensive utility makes it a vital team option for Tapu Bulu. Mega Venusaur's great typing allows it to switch into physical attackers such as Mega Scizor, while Tapu Bulu can eliminate stronger wallbreakers such as Mega Diancie with ease. Ferrothorn helps Tapu Bulu by taking on many bulkier threats such as Skarmory and Porygon2. It also possesses an amazing defensive typing with a useful immunity to Poison, allowing it to check Poison-types such as Nihilego for Tapu Bulu. Ferrothorn can also provide entry hazard support in the form of Spikes to enhance Tapu Bulu's ability to wallbreak. Cradily completes a great defensive core between it, Ferrothorn, and Mega Venusaur, checks certain Fire- and Flying-types such as Volcarona and Mega Charizard Y with Rock Slide, and provides Stealth Rock support for Tapu Bulu and the rest of the team. Cradily can also cripple problematic walls for Tapu Bulu such as Porygon2 with Toxic. Celebi is a good offensive partner for Tapu Bulu, mainly taking on threatening Poison-types such as Mega Venusaur while pressuring bulkier teams thanks to its access to Nasty Plot. On the other hand, Tapu Bulu shines more against offensively oriented types such as Psychic that Celebi may struggle with. Breloom is another offensive setup threat that pairs well with Tapu Bulu, offering strong priority and access to Spore to shut down problematic Pokemon such as Toxapex. Additionally, Tapu Bulu's Grassy Surge gives Breloom an easier time preserving its Focus Sash while making its Bullet Seed an even stronger STAB move.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Grass
--------
At the expense of much-needed Speed, Tapu Bulu could run a Choice Band set to become a much deadlier wallbreaker that can break through Pokemon that its Choice Scarf set cannot. For example, Wood Hammer from Choice Band Tapu Bulu can 2HKO Porygon2 and OHKO Toxapex after minimal chip damage. This set appreciates another teammate such as Choice Scarf Rotom-C to keep faster foes in check, but Tapu Bulu generally fulfills this role better than Grass's other options. In a similar vein, Tapu Bulu can run a Swords Dance set with a Z-Move in order to lure and KO threats such as Mega Venusaur with Rockium Z and Celesteela with Fightinium Z, but this set misses out on the immediate Speed and Attack that Choice Scarf and Choice Band provide, respectively.
Checks and Counters
===================
Grass
--------
**Bulky Steel-types**: Tapu Bulu struggles to break past Pokemon such as Skarmory and Mega Scizor, as they resist its STAB moves and can beat it with their own. Other Pokemon such as Heatran can easily force out Tapu Bulu locked into a Grass-type move, but Heatran has to be wary of Superpower.
**Poison-types**: Poison-types such as Mega Venusaur and Choice Scarf Nihilego can take advantage of Tapu Bulu's quadruple Poison weakness extremely well and threaten it with their STAB moves. Mega Venusaur specifically is an amazing Tapu Bulu counter, as its quadruple resistance to Grass and excellent physical bulk help it take on Tapu Bulu.
**Revenge Killers**: Due to Tapu Bulu's low natural Speed, faster Pokemon holding a Choice Scarf such as Greninja and Victini can easily outspeed it and take advantage of its various weaknesses.
**Fire-types**: Pokemon such as Torkoal and Mega Charizard X resist Tapu Bulu's Grass-type moves and can KO it with their own STAB moves, though they must be wary of Stone Edge.
**Dragon-types**: Despite Tapu Bulu's Fairy typing, its lack of a reliable Fairy STAB move makes Pokemon such as Latios and Mega Altaria able to take on Tapu Bulu well by resisting its Grass-type moves.
**Status**: Tapu Bulu's dependence on sheer Attack and Speed makes burns and paralysis especially crippling. While poisoned, it is also easier to wear down due to its tendency to use Wood Hammer often.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Physically defensive walls such as Porygon2 can reliably wall and beat Tapu Bulu. Additionally, Grassy Terrain works against Tapu Bulu in these cases, as it gives the opposing Pokemon an additional form of passive recovery.
Grass
========
Tapu Bulu is the greatest offensive Pokemon available to Grass teams. Its unmatched combination of offensive wallbreaking power and a great ability makes it a crucial option for any Grass team. Grassy Surge brings massive support to itself and the entire team alike by boosting the power of Grass-type moves and providing passive recovery for all grounded Pokemon. It also weakens the power of Ground-type moves. This allows Grass's defensive core, which is entirely neutral to Ground, to have a much easier time checking wallbreakers like Choice Band Excadrill. Because of Tapu Bulu's above-average Attack stat in tandem with its strong Terrain-boosted moves like Wood Hammer, it is able to function as a fearsome wallbreaker and revenge killer for Grass teams. Additionally, Tapu Bulu's decent bulk, passive Grassy Surge recovery, and access to Horn Leech often make it hard to take down. To emphasize this, Tapu Bulu is usually supported by bulky teammates that can give it safe opportunities to come in on the field. However, while its Fairy typing gives Tapu Bulu defensive utility against Dark-, Fighting-, and Dragon-types, it stacks a common weakness to Poison that can be exploited by revenge killers such as Dugtrio. Additionally, Tapu Bulu lacks access to any physical Fairy STAB move, making it often rely on its coverage moves in order to hit threats that resist its Grass STAB moves such as Dragonite. Furthermore, Grass is a bad offensive typing, and this means that Tapu Bulu often finds itself overly reliant on coverage options like Superpower and Stone Edge in order to hit the many threats that resist its STAB attacks. Although it commonly holds a Choice Scarf, Tapu Bulu's below-average Speed and numerous weaknesses allow many of the metagame's common Choice Scarf users such as Greninja and Victini to easily revenge kill it.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf (Grass)
move 1: Wood Hammer
move 2: Horn Leech
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Grassy Surge
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Wood Hammer is insanely powerful under Grassy Terrain and is Tapu Bulu's strongest move and most reliable way to break past walls such as Mega Sableye, though it comes at the cost of being worn down due to recoil. Horn Leech, although weaker, provides Tapu Bulu with a way to recover its HP while still dealing considerably high damage. This is especially useful against weakened or frailer Pokemon that Horn Leech can KO, such as Diggersby, in order to preserve its longevity. Superpower offers useful coverage that can deal with certain Steel-types such as Heatran and Ferrothorn, which otherwise wall Tapu Bulu. Lastly, Stone Edge's main purpose is to offer coverage against Flying-, Fire-, and Bug-types that resist Tapu Bulu's other coverage moves such as Zapdos, Mega Charizard Y, and Volcarona.
Set Details
========
Maximum EVs in Speed, a Jolly nature, and Choice Scarf allow Tapu Bulu to compensate for its unimpressive Speed stat and outspeed the majority of the unboosted metagame. Maximum investment in Attack allows Tapu Bulu to hit as hard as possible. Grassy Surge grants Tapu Bulu and the entire team a boost to their Grass-type moves as well as passive recovery for all grounded Pokemon, enabling Tapu Bulu to become Grass's most threatening offensive option while offering a huge benefit to its teammates as well.
Usage Tips
========
It is quite important to be selective when deciding whether to use Wood Hammer or Horn Leech during the game. Wood Hammer should be used early-game more often, as it's Tapu Bulu's main way of effectively revenge killing and punching holes in the opposing team, while Horn Leech can serve as a serviceable option against weakened teams late-game for it to clean. Additionally, while Wood Hammer's recoil can wear Tapu Bulu down quickly, it ensures that bulkier Pokemon like Chansey and Toxapex are 2HKOed. Tapu Bulu is best utilized as a great revenge killer, coming in on fast Pokemon such as Mega Lopunny that it can KO while simultaneously serving as a solid wallbreaker. It is imperative for Tapu Bulu to avoid all kinds of status, as a potential paralysis or burn can cripple its Speed or Attack stat. Tapu Bulu also dislikes being poisoned, as it becomes easily worn down in tandem with Wood Hammer recoil. When faced against common Choice Scarf revenge killers that can KO Tapu Bulu like Greninja and Nihilego, it is important to make use of its bulkier teammates in order to check these Pokemon, such as Ferrothorn. Tapu Bulu requires Grassy Terrain being up in order to KO certain common defensive Pokemon such as Toxapex, so it is important to keep this in mind before attempting to break past these Pokemon. Do not use Superpower outside of hitting select Steel- and Normal-types, as it locks Tapu Bulu into a move that lowers its Attack and Defense and opens the door for many setup sweepers and walls such as Volcarona and Porygon2 to simply come in on it. Be wary of Protect users like Celesteela that can scout for Tapu Bulu's move, waste Grassy Terrain turns, and give teammates a potential switch in.
Team Options
========
The residual recovery offered by Tapu Bulu's Grassy Surge makes defensive Pokemon ideal partners for it. Mega Venusaur's fantastic defensive utility makes it a vital team option for Tapu Bulu. Mega Venusaur's great typing allows it to switch into physical attackers such as Mega Scizor, while Tapu Bulu can eliminate stronger wallbreakers such as Mega Diancie with ease. Ferrothorn helps Tapu Bulu by taking on many bulkier threats such as Skarmory and Porygon2. It also possesses an amazing defensive typing with a useful immunity to Poison, allowing it to check Poison-types such as Nihilego for Tapu Bulu. Ferrothorn can also provide entry hazard support in the form of Spikes to enhance Tapu Bulu's ability to wallbreak. Cradily completes a great defensive core between it, Ferrothorn, and Mega Venusaur, checks certain Fire- and Flying-types such as Volcarona and Mega Charizard Y with Rock Slide, and provides Stealth Rock support for Tapu Bulu and the rest of the team. Cradily can also cripple problematic walls for Tapu Bulu such as Porygon2 with Toxic. Celebi is a good offensive partner for Tapu Bulu, mainly taking on threatening Poison-types such as Mega Venusaur while pressuring bulkier teams thanks to its access to Nasty Plot. On the other hand, Tapu Bulu shines more against offensively oriented types such as Psychic that Celebi may struggle with. Breloom is another offensive setup threat that pairs well with Tapu Bulu, offering strong priority and access to Spore to shut down problematic Pokemon such as Toxapex. Additionally, Tapu Bulu's Grassy Surge gives Breloom an easier time preserving its Focus Sash while making its Bullet Seed an even stronger STAB move.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Grass
--------
At the expense of much-needed Speed, Tapu Bulu could run a Choice Band set to become a much deadlier wallbreaker that can break through Pokemon that its Choice Scarf set cannot. For example, Wood Hammer from Choice Band Tapu Bulu can 2HKO Porygon2 and OHKO Toxapex after minimal chip damage. This set appreciates another teammate such as Choice Scarf Rotom-C to keep faster foes in check, but Tapu Bulu generally fulfills this role better than Grass's other options. In a similar vein, Tapu Bulu can run a Swords Dance set with a Z-Move in order to lure and KO threats such as Mega Venusaur with Rockium Z and Celesteela with Fightinium Z, but this set misses out on the immediate Speed and Attack that Choice Scarf and Choice Band provide, respectively.
Checks and Counters
===================
Grass
--------
**Bulky Steel-types**: Tapu Bulu struggles to break past Pokemon such as Skarmory and Mega Scizor, as they resist its STAB moves and can beat it with their own. Other Pokemon such as Heatran can easily force out Tapu Bulu locked into a Grass-type move, but Heatran has to be wary of Superpower.
**Poison-types**: Poison-types such as Mega Venusaur and Choice Scarf Nihilego can take advantage of Tapu Bulu's quadruple Poison weakness extremely well and threaten it with their STAB moves. Mega Venusaur specifically is an amazing Tapu Bulu counter, as its quadruple resistance to Grass and excellent physical bulk help it take on Tapu Bulu.
**Revenge Killers**: Due to Tapu Bulu's low natural Speed, faster Pokemon holding a Choice Scarf such as Greninja and Victini can easily outspeed it and take advantage of its various weaknesses.
**Fire-types**: Pokemon such as Torkoal and Mega Charizard X resist Tapu Bulu's Grass-type moves and can KO it with their own STAB moves, though they must be wary of Stone Edge.
**Dragon-types**: Despite Tapu Bulu's Fairy typing, its lack of a reliable Fairy STAB move makes Pokemon such as Latios and Mega Altaria able to take on Tapu Bulu well by resisting its Grass-type moves.
**Status**: Tapu Bulu's dependence on sheer Attack and Speed makes burns and paralysis especially crippling. While poisoned, it is also easier to wear down due to its tendency to use Wood Hammer often.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Physically defensive walls such as Porygon2 can reliably wall and beat Tapu Bulu. Additionally, Grassy Terrain works against Tapu Bulu in these cases, as it gives the opposing Pokemon an additional form of passive recovery.
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