[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Roost
item: Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
With blazing speed, strong STAB move combination, access to Roost, and a useful set of resistances, Tapu Koko is one of the best offensive pivots in the tier. Its Speed tier allows it to revenge kill key threats such as Talonflame, Terrakion, and Latios. Dazzling Gleam is a good secondary STAB move that reliably hits Pokemon that resist Thunderbolt such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, Kommo-o, and Zarude. Magic Guard and Roost give Tapu Koko decent longevity to offensively check threats like Talonflame and Zapdos throughout a game. Life Orb also pairs well with Magic Guard and gives Tapu Koko a free boost to make up for its mediocre attacking stats. U-turn allows it to pivot out of bad matchups such as the aforementioned Ground-types, as well as Heatran and Blissey.
Tapu Koko easily fits on bulky offense and balance teams in need of a revenge killer or a pivot. Wallbreakers like Terrakion and Dhelmise are great offensive partners: the former capitalizes on the special walls Tapu Koko forces in, such as Heatran, and is extremely difficult to switch into; the latter covers Tapu Koko's weakness against Ground-types and turns them into setup fodder while also providing Grassy Terrain support. In return, Tapu Koko threatens their checks like Tapu Fini, Corviknight, and Kommo-o. Heatran also deserves special mention, as it is one of the best Stealth Rock setters in the tier and is able to chip down special walls like Landorus-T and Blissey. Furthermore, it lures in and poisons Zapdos, which lets Tapu Koko beat non-Weather Ball variants more reliably. Tapu Koko struggles with Ground-types in general, especially Choice Scarf Landorus-T, so it is necessary to pair it with Flying-types like your own Landorus-T and Corviknight. Wandering Spirit variants are especially helpful, as they can remove Regenerator from Swampert's and Landorus-T, eventually chipping them into KO range of Dazzling Gleam. Both Landorus-T and Corviknight also form potent VoltTurn cores with Tapu Koko and can switch into faster threats like Choice Scarf Azelf and Zarude.
[SET]
name: Pixilate
move 1: Facade
move 2: Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
move 3: Roost
move 4: Taunt / Work Up
item: Flame Orb
ability: Pixilate
nature: Jolly / Hasty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
With very few physically defensive walls that resist Fairy-type in the tier, and many of the relevant ones being weak to Electric, Pixilate Facade Tapu Koko excels in putting tremendous pressure onto defensive builds. Facade, when boosted by Flame Orb and Pixilate, is very strong and can 2HKO many neutral foes like Landorus-T, Zapdos, and Swampert. Volt Switch allows Tapu Koko to pivot out of unfavorable matchups like Heatran while hitting Corviknight and Toxapex super effectively; Thunderbolt allows it to actually beat the aforementioned Corviknight and Toxapex, as they can otherwise use a recovery move as Tapu Koko uses Volt Switch. Roost is mandatory to offset burn and entry hazard damage. Taunt prevents its switch-ins like Volt Absorb Corviknight from healing and pairs very well with Volt Switch to weaken foes. Work Up is usable to boost both of Tapu Koko's attacking stats, allowing it to function as a cleaner, though Facade is already strong enough to pick off weakened foes, and boosted Thunderbolt is still weak. A Jolly nature is preferred to preserve bulk; Hasty nature is also an option on Work Up variants, notably being able to 2HKO Toxapex.
Tapu Koko fits on most balance and offense teams thanks to its top-notch Speed tier and its ability to keep opposing walls at low health. As such, it pairs well with entry hazards setters like Swampert and Heatran to chip down foes. Tapu Koko pairs well with strong attackers in general, as it is able to either wallbreak early-game or clean up late-game. Zygarde-10% is a prime partner to form a core with Tapu Koko where they both can either wallbreak or clean up; Tapu Koko can Taunt shared checks like Dauntless Shield Mew and keep them at low health, while using Volt Switch against checks like Heatran and Jirachi to bring in Zygarde-10%. Tapu Koko is frail, especially considering burn damage, so it appreciates a defensive pivot to safely bring it in. Vaporeon is remarkably a good partner as it can use Wish + Flip Turn to reliably heal Tapu Koko. A Flying-type like Landorus-T or Zapdos is also essential to alleviate Tapu Koko's glaring weakness to Ground-types; they are also helpful in checking Heatran, which is the single largest roadblock to Tapu Koko given its 4x Fairy resistance.
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Taunt
move 4: U-turn
item: Light Clay
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Tapu Koko is one of the best screens setters in the tier thanks to a great Speed tier and access to Taunt, which is able to prevent Defoggers like Corviknight from removing its screens and setup sweepers like Genesect and Volcarona from boosting. U-turn brings in teammates while preserving Tapu Koko to set up screens later in the game. Magic Bounce prevents entry hazards which is particularly useful for hyper offense teams; with Taunt, it is also able to shut down Mold Breaker leads like Heatran and Shuckle. Light Clay allows dual screens to last for an extra 3 turns, giving additional protection for its teammates. Maximum HP and Speed investment allow Tapu Koko to be as bulky as possible while outspeeding every Pokemon up to Talonflame to set up screens before the opponent attacks. 248 Speed EVs is also an option to move after opposing Tapu Koko, allowing it to bring in teammates safely.
Tapu Koko is a great asset on hyper offensive teams, as dangerous sweepers like Kommo-o, Genesect, and Togekiss can take full advantage of dual screens to set up Belly Drum, Shift Gear, and Nasty Plot, respectively, and become much harder to revenge kill. However, Tapu Koko might not be able to get both screens up against common Ground-type leads like Swampert, so switch-ins like Dhelmise are necessary to prevent the opponent from freely using Earthquake. Dhelmise also provides useful priority and good wallbreaking potential. Teammates that can pressure Corviknight and Tapu Fini, like Cinderace, are essential to prevent the opponent from bringing in their Defogger once Tapu Koko is switched out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Calm Mind is a great alternative over U-turn, changing Tapu Koko's role from an offensive pivot to a formidable setup sweeper. It can also run Grass Knot to 2HKO specially defensive Swampert, or OHKO physically defensive variants, though forgoing one of its STAB moves limits its power. It can run a physical Magic Guard set with Wild Charge, Brave Bird, U-turn, and Roost or Toxic; this set can beat special walls like Heatran, but is otherwise outclassed by the listed sets. Primordial Sea has a good niche in checking Fire-types, mainly Talonflame, and a perfectly accurate Thunder, while still offering decent power and revenge killing ability; however, it is unable to check other key Fire-types like Cinderace and Entei and is largely outclassed by Zapdos, which offers better bulk, higher power, and amazing coverage. Levitate is a decent alternative on Calm Mind sets, as it beats Tapu Koko's biggest check in Landorus-T, and turns other Ground-types into setup fodder. Refrigerate Hyper Voice is another niche to beat Ground-types that is able to swiftly eliminate the likes of Landorus-T and Garchomp, though Ice-type coverage sees limited use otherwise. Additionally, both lets forgo Magic Guard, making them more susceptible to being worn down.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Common Ground-types such as Landorus-T can switch into any move other than Facade and force out Tapu Koko with a Ground-type move. Specially defensive Garchomp can tank a Dazzling Gleam and KO back.
**Volt Absorb**: Volt Absorb users like Corviknight and Toxapex can also switch into any attack, but have to watch out for Taunt denying their recovery.
**Revenge Killers**: Tapu Koko crumbles to any faster Pokemon, such as Azelf, Barraskewda, Choice Scarf Landorus-T, and Choice Scarf Genesect, given its middling bulk. The latter two can also switch into Electric- and Fairy-type attacks, respectively. Priority users, namely Zarude and Dhelmise, threaten to OHKO Tapu Koko with Grassy Glide.
**Specially Defensive Steel-types**: Ferrothorn resists Tapu Koko's dual STAB move combination and threatens to 2HKO or set up Spikes. RegenVest Jirachi can soak up any attack and bring in a revenge killer via U-turn; Heatran take little from any of Tapu Koko's attacks and threatens to trap it using Magma Storm; however, non-Regenerator Heatran has to be careful not to take too much chip as its only source of recovery is Leftovers.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[avyrie, 476520]]
- Quality checked by: [[Osake, 524664], [UT, 523866]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Dazzling Gleam
move 4: Roost
item: Life Orb
ability: Magic Guard
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
With blazing speed, strong STAB move combination, access to Roost, and a useful set of resistances, Tapu Koko is one of the best offensive pivots in the tier. Its Speed tier allows it to revenge kill key threats such as Talonflame, Terrakion, and Latios. Dazzling Gleam is a good secondary STAB move that reliably hits Pokemon that resist Thunderbolt such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, Kommo-o, and Zarude. Magic Guard and Roost give Tapu Koko decent longevity to offensively check threats like Talonflame and Zapdos throughout a game. Life Orb also pairs well with Magic Guard and gives Tapu Koko a free boost to make up for its mediocre attacking stats. U-turn allows it to pivot out of bad matchups such as the aforementioned Ground-types, as well as Heatran and Blissey.
Tapu Koko easily fits on bulky offense and balance teams in need of a revenge killer or a pivot. Wallbreakers like Terrakion and Dhelmise are great offensive partners: the former capitalizes on the special walls Tapu Koko forces in, such as Heatran, and is extremely difficult to switch into; the latter covers Tapu Koko's weakness against Ground-types and turns them into setup fodder while also providing Grassy Terrain support. In return, Tapu Koko threatens their checks like Tapu Fini, Corviknight, and Kommo-o. Heatran also deserves special mention, as it is one of the best Stealth Rock setters in the tier and is able to chip down special walls like Landorus-T and Blissey. Furthermore, it lures in and poisons Zapdos, which lets Tapu Koko beat non-Weather Ball variants more reliably. Tapu Koko struggles with Ground-types in general, especially Choice Scarf Landorus-T, so it is necessary to pair it with Flying-types like your own Landorus-T and Corviknight. Wandering Spirit variants are especially helpful, as they can remove Regenerator from Swampert's and Landorus-T, eventually chipping them into KO range of Dazzling Gleam. Both Landorus-T and Corviknight also form potent VoltTurn cores with Tapu Koko and can switch into faster threats like Choice Scarf Azelf and Zarude.
[SET]
name: Pixilate
move 1: Facade
move 2: Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
move 3: Roost
move 4: Taunt / Work Up
item: Flame Orb
ability: Pixilate
nature: Jolly / Hasty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
With very few physically defensive walls that resist Fairy-type in the tier, and many of the relevant ones being weak to Electric, Pixilate Facade Tapu Koko excels in putting tremendous pressure onto defensive builds. Facade, when boosted by Flame Orb and Pixilate, is very strong and can 2HKO many neutral foes like Landorus-T, Zapdos, and Swampert. Volt Switch allows Tapu Koko to pivot out of unfavorable matchups like Heatran while hitting Corviknight and Toxapex super effectively; Thunderbolt allows it to actually beat the aforementioned Corviknight and Toxapex, as they can otherwise use a recovery move as Tapu Koko uses Volt Switch. Roost is mandatory to offset burn and entry hazard damage. Taunt prevents its switch-ins like Volt Absorb Corviknight from healing and pairs very well with Volt Switch to weaken foes. Work Up is usable to boost both of Tapu Koko's attacking stats, allowing it to function as a cleaner, though Facade is already strong enough to pick off weakened foes, and boosted Thunderbolt is still weak. A Jolly nature is preferred to preserve bulk; Hasty nature is also an option on Work Up variants, notably being able to 2HKO Toxapex.
Tapu Koko fits on most balance and offense teams thanks to its top-notch Speed tier and its ability to keep opposing walls at low health. As such, it pairs well with entry hazards setters like Swampert and Heatran to chip down foes. Tapu Koko pairs well with strong attackers in general, as it is able to either wallbreak early-game or clean up late-game. Zygarde-10% is a prime partner to form a core with Tapu Koko where they both can either wallbreak or clean up; Tapu Koko can Taunt shared checks like Dauntless Shield Mew and keep them at low health, while using Volt Switch against checks like Heatran and Jirachi to bring in Zygarde-10%. Tapu Koko is frail, especially considering burn damage, so it appreciates a defensive pivot to safely bring it in. Vaporeon is remarkably a good partner as it can use Wish + Flip Turn to reliably heal Tapu Koko. A Flying-type like Landorus-T or Zapdos is also essential to alleviate Tapu Koko's glaring weakness to Ground-types; they are also helpful in checking Heatran, which is the single largest roadblock to Tapu Koko given its 4x Fairy resistance.
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Taunt
move 4: U-turn
item: Light Clay
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Tapu Koko is one of the best screens setters in the tier thanks to a great Speed tier and access to Taunt, which is able to prevent Defoggers like Corviknight from removing its screens and setup sweepers like Genesect and Volcarona from boosting. U-turn brings in teammates while preserving Tapu Koko to set up screens later in the game. Magic Bounce prevents entry hazards which is particularly useful for hyper offense teams; with Taunt, it is also able to shut down Mold Breaker leads like Heatran and Shuckle. Light Clay allows dual screens to last for an extra 3 turns, giving additional protection for its teammates. Maximum HP and Speed investment allow Tapu Koko to be as bulky as possible while outspeeding every Pokemon up to Talonflame to set up screens before the opponent attacks. 248 Speed EVs is also an option to move after opposing Tapu Koko, allowing it to bring in teammates safely.
Tapu Koko is a great asset on hyper offensive teams, as dangerous sweepers like Kommo-o, Genesect, and Togekiss can take full advantage of dual screens to set up Belly Drum, Shift Gear, and Nasty Plot, respectively, and become much harder to revenge kill. However, Tapu Koko might not be able to get both screens up against common Ground-type leads like Swampert, so switch-ins like Dhelmise are necessary to prevent the opponent from freely using Earthquake. Dhelmise also provides useful priority and good wallbreaking potential. Teammates that can pressure Corviknight and Tapu Fini, like Cinderace, are essential to prevent the opponent from bringing in their Defogger once Tapu Koko is switched out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Calm Mind is a great alternative over U-turn, changing Tapu Koko's role from an offensive pivot to a formidable setup sweeper. It can also run Grass Knot to 2HKO specially defensive Swampert, or OHKO physically defensive variants, though forgoing one of its STAB moves limits its power. It can run a physical Magic Guard set with Wild Charge, Brave Bird, U-turn, and Roost or Toxic; this set can beat special walls like Heatran, but is otherwise outclassed by the listed sets. Primordial Sea has a good niche in checking Fire-types, mainly Talonflame, and a perfectly accurate Thunder, while still offering decent power and revenge killing ability; however, it is unable to check other key Fire-types like Cinderace and Entei and is largely outclassed by Zapdos, which offers better bulk, higher power, and amazing coverage. Levitate is a decent alternative on Calm Mind sets, as it beats Tapu Koko's biggest check in Landorus-T, and turns other Ground-types into setup fodder. Refrigerate Hyper Voice is another niche to beat Ground-types that is able to swiftly eliminate the likes of Landorus-T and Garchomp, though Ice-type coverage sees limited use otherwise. Additionally, both lets forgo Magic Guard, making them more susceptible to being worn down.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Common Ground-types such as Landorus-T can switch into any move other than Facade and force out Tapu Koko with a Ground-type move. Specially defensive Garchomp can tank a Dazzling Gleam and KO back.
**Volt Absorb**: Volt Absorb users like Corviknight and Toxapex can also switch into any attack, but have to watch out for Taunt denying their recovery.
**Revenge Killers**: Tapu Koko crumbles to any faster Pokemon, such as Azelf, Barraskewda, Choice Scarf Landorus-T, and Choice Scarf Genesect, given its middling bulk. The latter two can also switch into Electric- and Fairy-type attacks, respectively. Priority users, namely Zarude and Dhelmise, threaten to OHKO Tapu Koko with Grassy Glide.
**Specially Defensive Steel-types**: Ferrothorn resists Tapu Koko's dual STAB move combination and threatens to 2HKO or set up Spikes. RegenVest Jirachi can soak up any attack and bring in a revenge killer via U-turn; Heatran take little from any of Tapu Koko's attacks and threatens to trap it using Magma Storm; however, non-Regenerator Heatran has to be careful not to take too much chip as its only source of recovery is Leftovers.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[avyrie, 476520]]
- Quality checked by: [[Osake, 524664], [UT, 523866]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
Last edited:
