name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Dazzling Gleam / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Roost
item: Fairium Z / Electrium Z
ability: Electric Surge
nature: Timid
evs: 20 HP / 216 SpA / 20 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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- Calm Mind sparks up Tapu Koko's power, making it a formidable threat to several archetypes.
- Thunderbolt is Tapu Koko's main STAB move and hits shockingly hard under Electric Terrain.
- Dazzling Gleam deals considerable damage to Ground-types, most notably Zygarde but it also hits hard at Landorus-T lacking a Choice Scarf and Gliscor after a Calm Mind.
- Hidden Power Fire is then picked alongside Dazzling to let Tapu Koko handle Ferrothorn.
- Hidden Power Ice enables Tapu Koko to threaten the likes of non-Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Zygarde, and Gliscor.
- Finally, Roost can be used alongside Hidden Power Ice to let Tapu Koko keep itself healthy to constantly threaten bulkier teams and soft check the likes of Hawlucha and Mega Pinsir.
- Opting for Dazzling Gleam and Hidden Power gives Tapu Koko more coverage whereas Hidden Power Ice and Roost lets it more reliably check the likes of Toxapex and Hawlucha.
Set Details
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- Fairium Z attempts to damage Ground-types like Zygarde, Landaorus-T, and Gliscor. Twinkle Tackle can OHKO all of the aforementioned Pokémon after a Calm Mind boost and Stealth Rock damage. It also targets Tapu Bulu and Mega Latias, being able to knockout the former at +1 after a layer of Spikes.
- Electrium Z on the other hand, deals stunning damage to anything that doesn't resist it, especially after a Calm Mind boost. Common foes include Heatran, Magearna, and pretty much any other neutral foe.
- The EV spread speed ties Tapu Koko while dodging an OHKO from anything Mega Latios can throw at it and investing the rest of EVs into its Special Attack.
- Electric Surge is key to Tapu Koko's success and sets up Electric Terrain, enabling it to hit extremely hard with Electric-type moves.
Usage Tips
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- Tapu Koko should use Calm Mind on Pokémon it forces out like Clefable, Tornadus-T, and Toxapex and hit neutral foes with stunning damage once Grass- and Ground-types have been weakened or removed.
- Speaking of Grass- and Ground-types, putting offensive pressure on said Pokémon with teammates is very important to help Tapu Koko pave a way for a win, either of its own or a teammate's. So pulling double switches when the likes of Ferrothorn, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Venusaur come in is recommended in order to keep offensive pressure and let them low.
- Keep an eye out for Choice Scarf Landorus-T coming in on a predicted Electric-type move to grab momentum, as most teams that feature it have it as their sole Electric-type immunity, and losing momentum with Tapu Koko can cost some of your odds of winning the game in the long run.
- Don't let Tapu Koko get too low by using Roost when needed, otherwise, it might not have enough HP to tank a weaker hit and set up with Calm Mind.
Team Options
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- Hazard setters pair very nicely with Tapu Koko, letting it wear down its checks alongside damage from teammates to potentially burst through weakened Grass- and Ground-types.
- Reliable Stealth Rock setters such as Heatran, Clefable, and Gliscor are nice fits whereas Spikes setters such as Ferrothorn and both formes of Greninja also pair well with it.
- A special mention goes to Toxic Spikes setters in Toxapex and Protean Greninja, who can reliably cripple Tangrowth as Regenerator lets it mitigate usual hazard damage.
- Strong wallbreakers that appreciate Tapu Koko's wallbreaking efforts are excellent choices, most notably those that have a great matchup with Grass-types. Kyurem-B, Mega Mawile, and Mega Medicham are all prime examples, not to mention that the former two do appreciate Electric-type coverage getting boosted.
- In a similar manner, secondary pivots that put pressure on Grass-types, such as Tornadus-T and the aforementioned Protean Greninja are solid allies for Tapu Koko.
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