[OVERVIEW]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Roost
move 4: Dazzling Gleam / Roost
item: Choice Specs
ability: Electric Surge
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Taunt
move 4: U-turn
item: Light Clay
ability: Electric Surge
nature: Jolly
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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name: Z-Wild Charge
move 1: Wild Charge
move 2: Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Taunt
move 4: U-turn
item: Electrium Z
ability: Electric Surge
nature: Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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name: Defog
move 1: Defog
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Roost
item: Shuca Berry / Leftovers
ability: Electric Surge
nature: Timid
EVs: 32 HP / 88 Def / 172 SpA / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Other Options
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**Bulky Grass-types**: Grass-types are Tapu Koko's biggest enemies. The likes of Tapu Bulu, Ferrothorn, and Amoonguss don't take much from most Tapu Koko sets and can do a quite a number of damage in return. Special mention to Tangrowth and Amoonguss as their Regenerator ability makes it so they regain back all the health from that Choice Specs Volt Switch.
**Bulky Dragon-types**: Mega Latias, Mega Latios, Mega Charizard X, Kyurem-B and Kyurem don't really mind any Tapu Koko set lacking Dazzling Gleam. Though they can get somewhat worn down by multiple Volt Switches, especially from Choice Specs variants.
**Ground-types**: The likes of Gastrodon, Hippowdon, and Excadrill put a hard stop to nearly all Tapu Koko sets, only akward coverage lets it get past them. Landorus-T, Gliscor, Garchomp, and Mega Garchomp can also switch into an Electric move with the correct prediction and take advantage of Tapu Koko from there, be it because Tapu Koko is choice locked or Landorus-T is Choice Scarf, but they despite Hidden Power Ice and can even be OHKOed depending on Tapu Koko's set.
**Faster Revenge Killers**: Tapu Koko is quite fast, but the likes of Ash-Greninja, Mega Lopunny, Mega Alakazam, and every relevant Choice Scarf user outspends it. Most can't KO in one hit, but Tapu Koko is still prone to getting weakened so they often force Tapu Koko out.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[<username1>, <userid1>]]
- Quality checked by: [[<username1>, <userid1>], [<username2>, <userid2>], [<username3>, <userid3>]]
- Grammar checked by: [[<username1>, <userid1>], [<username2>, <userid2>]]
- Thanks to its powerful Thunderbolt and Volt Switches, Tapu Koko is capable of pressuring pretty much any Pokémon that doesn't resist Electric-type moves and Volt Switch out on Grass- and Dragon-types.
- Due to the fact that most prominent Ground-types are quad weak to Hidden Power Ice, Tapu Koko can get rid of Electric-type immunities by itself most of the time with correct prediction and pose a threat to unprepared teams.
- Tapu Koko also offers a plethora of unique and viable supportive options, such as Electric Terrain itself, Reflect, Light Screen, and Defog, all of which can be very helpful to teammates. To boot, it has useful resistances such as Flying and Fighting, that makes it help on the team building department.
- Tapu Koko can also surprise and lure its usual checks with a Z-Wild Charge set.
- A lightning fast speed tier is also a strong positive as Tapu Koko, as it can pivot into and outspeed several threatening Pokémon such as Mega Medicham and Kartana.
- However, Tapu Koko can be pretty much dead-weight in certain matchups. Grass-types with Regenerator such as Tangrowth and Amoonguss don't mind anything Tapu Koko can throw at them and Ground-types that aren't quad weak to Hidden Power Ice, such as Excadrill and Hippowdon can also be extreme annoyances.
- On the other hand, Tapu Koko's more supportive sets are quite weak and pose even less of a threat to prepared teams.
- On a similar manner Z-Wild Charge sets are also vulnerable to the ever common Grass- and Dragon-types.
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Roost
move 4: Dazzling Gleam / Roost
item: Choice Specs
ability: Electric Surge
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Volt Switch allows Tapu Koko to pivot out against Grass- and Dragon-types, weakening them provided they lack Regenerator.
- Hidden Power Ice is very important as it OHKOes the likes of Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Garchomp, knocking out most Electric Immunities in one hit, which makes Volt Switch extremely spammable.
- Dazzling Gleam, hits Dragon-types such as Mega Latias and Latios, both Kyurem formes, and Hydreigon, while still hitting the aforementioned Ground-types hard enough, Garchomp is OHKOed and Gliscor (after Stealth Rock) and Landorus-T are 2HKOed.
- Roost keeps Tapu Koko healthy and lets it continuously be able to pivot into Pokémon it's supposed to, such as Toxapex and Tapu Fini, otherwise, Tapu Koko would eventually not be able to switch into these if it gets too low, strongly hindering its ability to wallbreak. But it's necessary to give up either Hidden Power Ice or Dazzling Gleam.
- Hidden Power Fire is an option alongside Dazzling Geam as it heavily damages Ferrothorn and Excadrill and Dazzling Gleam already covers most of the Ground-types, however, missing out OHKOing Gliscor and Landorus-T is very undesirable.
- Defog also works on the last slot as an emergency net on teams very weak to hazards. This set shouldn't be your sole Defogger though.
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- Choice Specs amps Tapu Koko's power to respectable levels, letting it be much more of a threat to specially defensive Pokémon that don't resist Electric, such as Mega Tyranitar and Heatran, who would otherwise be capable of stomaching hits much better.
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- Prediction is quite important as long as there's an alive Ground-type on your opponent's team.
- If possible try to get rid of Ground-types with Hidden Power Ice to make Volt Switch freer and try to Volt Switch into Grass- and Dragon-types.
- If your opponent packs a sturdier Ground-type try to use Tapu Koko as more of a defensive pivot instead, switching into the likes of Tornadus-T and Toxapex, as its virtually impossible for Tapu Koko to break past the likes of Gastrodon, Excadrill, and Hippowdon without the ideal coverage move.
- Even if Tapu Koko has a better matchup, it's still fine to pivot into threats it soft checks, just don't be too reckless, as getting it worn down could be quite detrimental, especially if it lacks Roost.
- Be careful of Protect users such as Celesteela and Mega Dancie as they can scout Tapu Koko making it a lot easier to play around.
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- Strong wallbreakers that can take advantage of Grass- and Dragon-types, such as Mega Mawile, Kyurem-B, Mega Medicham, Z-Fly Landorus-T, and Calm Mind Magearna greatly appreciate the opportunity Tapu Koko gives them with Volt Switch. All four also appreciate getting their Electric-type coverage boosted by Tapu Koko's terrain.
- While Tapu Koko often gets opportunities to switch in on a match, teammates that provide it VoltTurn support are always welcomed too, allowing it to consistently pressure Grass- and Dragon-types without Regenerator. Assault Vest Magearna and Defensive Flynium Z Landorus-T are notable examples.
- Teammates that can lure Tapu Koko's typical checks are always welcomed. Bloom Doom Heatran and Energy Ball Assault Vest Magearna take on Gastrodon and Hippowdon.
- In a similar manner, Ash-Greninja, Protean Greninja, and Ferrothorn make wonderful allies as their Spikes helps mitigate Tangrowth and Amoonguss's Regenerator recovery. Ash-Greninja is also a really notable partner in another regard as together they can overwhelm defensive Grass-types.
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Taunt
move 4: U-turn
item: Light Clay
ability: Electric Surge
nature: Jolly
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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- Taunt prevents Defoggers from removing Tapu Koko's screens and teammates' hazards as well. Can also be useful to deter setup.
- U-turn helps Tapu Koko bring teammates in.
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- Full investment in HP makes Tapu Koko sturdier and allows it to set up screens more often.
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- Tapu Koko should be sent out early in the game, preferably after your lead sets up their hazards, but if your opponent has a Fake Out user such as Mega Lopunny or Mega Medicham leading with Tapu Koko is surely reasonable.
- Another situation in which leading with Tapu Koko is clever is to block hazards with Taunt if your team lacks hazard removal.
- Try to not let Tapu Koko get too low as you'll find yourself wanting to set up screens multiple times throughout a match.
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- Set up sweepers greatly appreciate Tapu Koko's support with Dual Screens to get more opportunities to set up and all.
- Magearna, Kommo-o, Hawlucha, Thundurus, Mega Gyarados, and Manaphy are all notable picks.
- The former three also greatly appreciate Electric Terrain.
- Lead Pokémon such as Excadrill and Landorus-T also pair well with Tapu Koko, getting stealth rock up in a majority of matchups and letting teammates wreak havoc from there.
name: Z-Wild Charge
move 1: Wild Charge
move 2: Hidden Power Ice
move 3: Taunt
move 4: U-turn
item: Electrium Z
ability: Electric Surge
nature: Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Wild Charge can be upgraded to a devastatingly strong Gigavolt Havoc that hits would-be-Tapu Koko-switch-ins such as Chansey and Assault Vest Magearna for massive damage.
- Hidden Power makes it so Tapu Koko isn't completely walled by Ground-types such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Gliscor.
- Taunt enables Tapu Koko to shut down passive walls such as Zapdos and Clefable while preventing the likes of Mega Latias and Reuniclus from setting up.
- U-turn lets Tapu Koko pivot out as Grass-types that wall it switch in. It's preferred over Volt Switch because this Tapu Koko is more physically inclined and U-turn also helps against Ground-types that aren't weak to Hidden Power Ice, such as Excadrill and Hippowdon.
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- A Naive nature is preferred over Hasty so Tapu Koko can pivot into moves such as Mega Medicham's High Jump Kick and better take the likes of Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch and Hawlucha's High Jump Kick. A Jolly nature is undesirable as it makes it so Hidden Power Ice misses out the 2HKO on HP invested Landorus-T.
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- Be careful not to reveal your set. U-turn and Hidden Power Ice damage indicate your Tapu Koko is invested into physical attack, and that gives away you're Z-Wild Charge, so pulling double switches might be ideal.
- Revealing your set is especially bad here because this set's main gimmick is to lure Tapu Koko's typical checks.
- Watch out for any Ground-types before using up your Z-move, even though risky, your opponent may still pivot them into Tapu Koko.
- If Tapu Koko has a rough matchup against the opposing team, Taunt can be used on targets such as Ferrothorn to prevent it from getting up hazards and Garchomp or Magearna to prevent them from setting up, however these plays are quite risky so make sure to weight in the risk and reward.
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- Special Attackers that appreciate Tapu Koko luring Chansey and Assault Vest Magearna in general are great allies.
- This is even more notable on rain teams as Tapu Koko would be expected to run Thunder on these teams, but luring Assault Vest Magearna and Chansey opens up plety of opportunities for the likes of Ash-Greninja and Kingdra.
- Other notable Pokémon that appreciate the absense of Assault Vest Magearna and Chansey are Tapu Lele, Magearna, and Mega Alakazam.
- Flying-types such as Tornadus-T and Hawlucha can punish and take advantage of the Grass-types that annoy this Tapu Koko set.
- Same goes with Fire-types like Heatran and Mega Charizard X.
- Teammates like the aforementioned Magearna, as well as the likes of Mega Mawile, Mega Medicham, and Kyurem-B greatly appreciate their Electric-type coverage getting boosted too.
name: Defog
move 1: Defog
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Roost
item: Shuca Berry / Leftovers
ability: Electric Surge
nature: Timid
EVs: 32 HP / 88 Def / 172 SpA / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Tapu Koko is an average user of the move Defog thanks to its high Speed and ability to force switches.
- Hidden Power Ice handles the likes of Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Garchomp.
- Roost keeps Tapu Koko healthy and makes it a consistent Defogger, notably against Toxapex.
- U-turn can be used over Hidden Power Ice on Leftovers variants, but not being able to touch Stealth Rock users such as Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Garchomp is a huge downside.
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- Shuca Berry lets Tapu Koko stomach a hit from Ground-types it aims to remove hazards from.
- Leftovers gives Tapu Koko some added longevity, on the other hand.
- The EV spread makes it so Tapu Koko outspeeds Weavile, and can avoid the OHKO from Gliscor's +2 Earthquake after Stealth Rock through Shuca Berry (or unboosted Earthquake for Leftovers variants) as well as never get OHKO'd by Ash-Greninja's Water Shuriken after Stealth Rock.
- An alternative spread of 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe is an option if you want more firepower out of Tapu Koko, as well as speed tying with opposing Tapu Koko.
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- Try to often keep hazards off with Tapu Koko because it isn't the type of Pokémon that gets too many opportunities to switch in, at least compared to other Defoggers, in certain matches, "Defogging later" may not be a possible idea.
- So that means going Tapu Koko into the likes of Stealth Rock Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Garchomp can pay off if they're in range of Hidden Power Ice as you'll likely force them out that way and Defog, and even if you dont't there's always Shuca Berry that can act as a safety net.
- Don't always make aggressive plays like this though, they may become predictable.
- When facing Toxic Spikes variants of Toxapex, it's recommended to go into Tapu Koko everytime to promptly Defog the Toxic Spikes as these hazards can be very troublesome for most types of teams Tapu Koko finds itself into, that is if Tapu Koko is your sole method of removing Toxic Spikes, of course. Be weary of Toxic + Toxic Spikes variants though, and try to get Tapu Koko regularly poisoned (not Toxic) if this is your opponent's set.
- Ferrothorn is one of the main hazard setters Tapu Koko struggles with, so trapping it with Magnezone as soon as possible is preferred, especially on somewhat hazard weak teams.
- Try to often keep Tapu Koko healthy if possible too, as its bulk is fairly underwheliming.
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- Magnezone is a mandatory teammate as it can eliminate Ferrothorn, which would otherwise be an extremely problematic hazard setter for Tapu Koko. Magnezone also enjoys the Electric Terrain boost.
- Grounded Poison-types such as Toxapex and Amoonguss are also helpful teammates as they make it so Tapu Koko isn't forced to switch into Toxapex every time to Defog it's Toxic Spikes, especially against Toxic + Toxic Spikes variants of Toxapex.
- Teammates that appreciate Electric Terrain also make for great allies, examples include Mega Medicham, Mega Mawile, and Kyurem-B as their Electric-type coverage is boosted.
- Allies like Heatran and Assault Vest Magearna greatly appreciate Gliscor, Garchomp, and Landorus-T being lured by Tapu Koko.
Other Options
=============
- Choice Scarf Tapu Koko can fit on certain teams that appreciate the role compression, it checks several threatening sweepers such as Volcarona and even weakened Magearna and can surprise the likes of Mega Alakazam and other Choice Scarf users. However it doesn't do much outside of that.
- A set with Fairium Z, Calm Mind, Thunderbolt, Dazzling Gleam, and Hidden Power Fire can be a nice fit on a handful of teams allowing Tapu Koko to get past some of its would-be-checks, but usually the immediate and raw power of Choice Specs is far preferred, especially as Tapu Koko is moreso an offensive pivot as opposed to a wallbreaker.
- Thunder is an option for rain teams willing to use Tapu Koko, especially on the Choice Specs set.
- Grass Knot can be run if luring Gastrodon and Hippowdon is needed, but Tapu Koko has plenty of better options and only four moveslots.
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**Bulky Grass-types**: Grass-types are Tapu Koko's biggest enemies. The likes of Tapu Bulu, Ferrothorn, and Amoonguss don't take much from most Tapu Koko sets and can do a quite a number of damage in return. Special mention to Tangrowth and Amoonguss as their Regenerator ability makes it so they regain back all the health from that Choice Specs Volt Switch.
**Bulky Dragon-types**: Mega Latias, Mega Latios, Mega Charizard X, Kyurem-B and Kyurem don't really mind any Tapu Koko set lacking Dazzling Gleam. Though they can get somewhat worn down by multiple Volt Switches, especially from Choice Specs variants.
**Ground-types**: The likes of Gastrodon, Hippowdon, and Excadrill put a hard stop to nearly all Tapu Koko sets, only akward coverage lets it get past them. Landorus-T, Gliscor, Garchomp, and Mega Garchomp can also switch into an Electric move with the correct prediction and take advantage of Tapu Koko from there, be it because Tapu Koko is choice locked or Landorus-T is Choice Scarf, but they despite Hidden Power Ice and can even be OHKOed depending on Tapu Koko's set.
**Faster Revenge Killers**: Tapu Koko is quite fast, but the likes of Ash-Greninja, Mega Lopunny, Mega Alakazam, and every relevant Choice Scarf user outspends it. Most can't KO in one hit, but Tapu Koko is still prone to getting weakened so they often force Tapu Koko out.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[<username1>, <userid1>]]
- Quality checked by: [[<username1>, <userid1>], [<username2>, <userid2>], [<username3>, <userid3>]]
- Grammar checked by: [[<username1>, <userid1>], [<username2>, <userid2>]]
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