[OVERVIEW]
Tapu Bulu's insane physical power coupled with powerful Grass-type STAB moves automatically gave it a spot as one of the metagame's most powerful physical attackers, being able to OHKO almost the entire metagame. Grassy Surge only boosts how hard Tapu Bulu can hit with Grass-type options, whilst also negating opposing terrains set by other Tapus, improving lead matchups. Tapu Bulu however is rather slow and easily pressured by offensive teams.
Below is a sample set. This set is likely to be the standard, but it will be expanded upon and updated as the metagame progresses.
[SET]
name: Choice Band All Out Attacker
move 1: Wood Hammer
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Zen Headbutt
move 4: Horn Leech / Stone Edge
item: Choice Band
ability: Grassy Surge
nature: Adamant
evs: 115 HP / 252 Atk / 140 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Wood Hammer is the primary Grass-type STAB option which only 4x resistant Pokemon can switch-in against such as Celesteela and Heatran
* Superpower provides a OHKO on Heatran, while also providing a OHKO on Excadrill and Mega-Kangaskhan without having to worry about Wood Hammer recoil
* Zen Headbutt is the main way to deal with Mega-Venusaur, Amoonguss, and Mega-Gengar if hit on the switch
* Horn Leech can be used in a situation where Tapu Bulu's longevity needs to be increased, but still hits hard under Grassy Terrain
* Stone Edge provides a guaranteed OHKO on Thundurus, Thundurus-Therian and Tornadus-Therian, while giving a 25% chance to OHKO Salamence on the switch after Intimidate
* The given spread allows Tapu Bulu to outspeed Modest Choice Specs Magnezone while the remaining EVs help to achieve maximum damage output and bulk
* Steel and Poison-type resists are a must as Mega-Gengar and Celesteela are serious problems for it, as well as offensive Flying-types, notably Mega-Salamence
[SET]
name: Assault Vest Special Sponge
move 1: Horn Leech
move 2: Zen Headbutt
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Superpower
item: Assault Vest
ability: Grassy Surge
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spd
[SET COMMENTS]
* Horn Leech is the STAB of choice over Wood Hammer, as having Wood Hammer wears down Tapu Bulu far too quickly
* Zen Headbutt helps deal with Flying and Poison-type threats, able to OHKO Mega-Gengar and Salazzle on the switch, and has a 53% chance to 2HKO Calm Mega-Venusaur
* Stone Edge OHKOs Tornadus / Thundurus whilst also providing a 2HKO on Special Defense Arcanine and Salamence
* Superpower can OHKO Excadrill on the switch and has a chance to OHKO Mega Kangaskhan, while also providing a 2HKO on Heatran
* Megahorn can be used to hit opposing Tapu Bulu and OHKO Serperior
* The given EV spread allows for maximum damage output whilst also assisting both physical and special bulk
* Despite the Assault Vest, Tapu Bulu struggles against strong Poison, Ice and Fire-types, so an answer for those is a must. Physical variants of these threats such as Mega-Salamence, Alolan-Muk and Blaziken are also threatening and need to be accounted for
[SET]
name: Subseed
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Disable
move 4: Horn Leech
item: Leftovers
ability: Grassy Surge
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Substitute gives Tapu Bulu temporary protection against status, while also abusing Leech Seed and Disable
* Method of recovery which can chip away at threats which this set otherwise cannot break, including Celesteela and Porygon2
* Disable imrpoves Tapu Bulu's chances against Pokemon that carry toxic or super effective coverage such as Porygon2, Celesteela, Mamoswine and Aegislash
* Horn Leech provides STAB and more recovery along with Grassy Terrain, Leech Seed and Leftovers
* The given EV spread allows Tapu Bulu to put pressure on slower threats with Substitute / Leech Seed, ensuring that Tapu Bulu can put out a Substitute before Bulky Rotom-W can burny, or Substitute + Disable Bulky Rotom-H's Overheat. Investment can also be be taken away from HP for some Atk
* Faster Pokemon carrying super effective coverage such as Mega-Salamence are extremely threatening, so be sure to bring Pokemon which can resist these moves
Tapu Bulu's insane physical power coupled with powerful Grass-type STAB moves automatically gave it a spot as one of the metagame's most powerful physical attackers, being able to OHKO almost the entire metagame. Grassy Surge only boosts how hard Tapu Bulu can hit with Grass-type options, whilst also negating opposing terrains set by other Tapus, improving lead matchups. Tapu Bulu however is rather slow and easily pressured by offensive teams.
Below is a sample set. This set is likely to be the standard, but it will be expanded upon and updated as the metagame progresses.
[SET]
name: Choice Band All Out Attacker
move 1: Wood Hammer
move 2: Superpower
move 3: Zen Headbutt
move 4: Horn Leech / Stone Edge
item: Choice Band
ability: Grassy Surge
nature: Adamant
evs: 115 HP / 252 Atk / 140 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Wood Hammer is the primary Grass-type STAB option which only 4x resistant Pokemon can switch-in against such as Celesteela and Heatran
* Superpower provides a OHKO on Heatran, while also providing a OHKO on Excadrill and Mega-Kangaskhan without having to worry about Wood Hammer recoil
* Zen Headbutt is the main way to deal with Mega-Venusaur, Amoonguss, and Mega-Gengar if hit on the switch
* Horn Leech can be used in a situation where Tapu Bulu's longevity needs to be increased, but still hits hard under Grassy Terrain
* Stone Edge provides a guaranteed OHKO on Thundurus, Thundurus-Therian and Tornadus-Therian, while giving a 25% chance to OHKO Salamence on the switch after Intimidate
* The given spread allows Tapu Bulu to outspeed Modest Choice Specs Magnezone while the remaining EVs help to achieve maximum damage output and bulk
* Steel and Poison-type resists are a must as Mega-Gengar and Celesteela are serious problems for it, as well as offensive Flying-types, notably Mega-Salamence
[SET]
name: Assault Vest Special Sponge
move 1: Horn Leech
move 2: Zen Headbutt
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Superpower
item: Assault Vest
ability: Grassy Surge
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spd
[SET COMMENTS]
* Horn Leech is the STAB of choice over Wood Hammer, as having Wood Hammer wears down Tapu Bulu far too quickly
* Zen Headbutt helps deal with Flying and Poison-type threats, able to OHKO Mega-Gengar and Salazzle on the switch, and has a 53% chance to 2HKO Calm Mega-Venusaur
* Stone Edge OHKOs Tornadus / Thundurus whilst also providing a 2HKO on Special Defense Arcanine and Salamence
* Superpower can OHKO Excadrill on the switch and has a chance to OHKO Mega Kangaskhan, while also providing a 2HKO on Heatran
* Megahorn can be used to hit opposing Tapu Bulu and OHKO Serperior
* The given EV spread allows for maximum damage output whilst also assisting both physical and special bulk
* Despite the Assault Vest, Tapu Bulu struggles against strong Poison, Ice and Fire-types, so an answer for those is a must. Physical variants of these threats such as Mega-Salamence, Alolan-Muk and Blaziken are also threatening and need to be accounted for
[SET]
name: Subseed
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Disable
move 4: Horn Leech
item: Leftovers
ability: Grassy Surge
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
* Substitute gives Tapu Bulu temporary protection against status, while also abusing Leech Seed and Disable
* Method of recovery which can chip away at threats which this set otherwise cannot break, including Celesteela and Porygon2
* Disable imrpoves Tapu Bulu's chances against Pokemon that carry toxic or super effective coverage such as Porygon2, Celesteela, Mamoswine and Aegislash
* Horn Leech provides STAB and more recovery along with Grassy Terrain, Leech Seed and Leftovers
* The given EV spread allows Tapu Bulu to put pressure on slower threats with Substitute / Leech Seed, ensuring that Tapu Bulu can put out a Substitute before Bulky Rotom-W can burny, or Substitute + Disable Bulky Rotom-H's Overheat. Investment can also be be taken away from HP for some Atk
* Faster Pokemon carrying super effective coverage such as Mega-Salamence are extremely threatening, so be sure to bring Pokemon which can resist these moves
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