Tapu Koko Analysis



The fastest of the four Tapu Pokemon, Tapu Koko arguably takes the crown as the best Tapu. With 130 base Speed and Electric Terrain, Tapu Koko has the option of firing off an incredibly powerful Gigavolt Havoc before opponents can react. Yet because of its diverse movepool, Tapu Koko can also act as support Pokemon using Assault Vest.



Pros
*Electric Terrain both powers up Electric type moves and prevents Pokemon from falling Asleep
*Base 130 Speed allows Tapu Koko to hit 200 Speed, tying with Mega Gengar and outspeeding most non-Choice Scarf Pokemon
*Excellent movepool allowing Tapu Koko the flexibility to either provide support or deal damage
Cons
*70 / 85 / 75 Bulk is terrible; Tapu Koko is very vulnerable to KO’s by simple STAB moves
*Choice Specs Moonblast Tapu Fini can often OHKO a Tapu Koko
*Being the fastest Tapu means that Electric Terrain often will not be up; other Tapus will underspeed and set terrain
*While Tapu Koko has a decent 115 Attack stat, most of its offensive movepool is Special Attack oriented
*95 Special Attack is underwhelming when outside of  Electric Terrain or not hitting Super Effective targets
*An increase in viable Lightning Rod users (Raichu, Manectric) severely limit Tapu Koko’s offensive presence
*Speed Ties with Mega Gengar, which can easily OHKO Tapu Koko
*Landorus-T is back in the format, threatening monstrous Earthquakes that KO Tapu Koko, even at -1
Set #1 - Electrium Z
Tapu Koko @ Electrium Z  
Ability: Electric Surge  
Level: 50  
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe  
Timid Nature  
IVs: 0 Atk  
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam  
- Volt Switch / Taunt / Hidden Power Ice
- Protect
*When running Electrium Z, Tapu Koko aims to nuke an opponent with Gigavolt Havoc
*Mega Metagross, Mega Salamence, and Mega Gengar all fall to 252 SpA Tapu Koko Gigavolt Havoc in Electric Terrain
*Thunderbolt can be replaced with Thunder if on a rain team for extra damage with Z Move
*Generally, Thunderbolt is favorable even when running rain, as rain is not always guaranteed to stay up
*Dazzling Gleam provides STAB coverage against Dragon / Fighting types, as well as Lightning Rod users
*KO’s Kommo-o BEFORE +1 boost; afterwards it’s a 2HKO
*The third slot more often than not should run Volt Switch to allow Tapu Koko to reposition and reset terrain
*Taunt can be run if the team sorely needs a Trick Room answer or to stop Pokemon such as Volcarona, Whimsicott, and Snorlax dead in their tracks
*Hidden Power Ice can be run if a team is weak to Landorus, however HP Ice is a 2HKO at best; Assault Vest Variants are often a 3HKO
*Though Gigavolt Havoc is powerful, be careful not to Z Move into Lightning Rod, or when the opponent has Landorus-T possibly in the back
Set #2 - Assault Vest
Tapu Koko @ Assault Vest  
Ability: Electric Surge  
Level: 50  
EVs: 148 HP / 4 Def / 4 SpA / 164 SpD / 188 Spe  
Timid Nature  
IVs: 0 Atk  
- Volt Switch  
- Nature's Madness  
- Electroweb  
- Sky Drop
*My best guess of Ashton Cox’ Assault Vest Tapu Koko from Oceania Internats, this set aims at providing speed control with Electro Web while Sky Dropping opponents to allow partners to set up
*Volt Switch is used as a pivot, and in Electric Terrain it can deal nice amounts of Chip damage
*Nature’s Madness is the attack of choice on Assault Vest Tapu Koko for multiple reasons;
*This move is essentially a super fang, allowing Tapu Koko to deal much more damage than it otherwise might with Thunderbolt or Dazzling Gleam
*Nature’s Madness allows your ally to follow up with a Z Move or STAB move to potentially pick up quick KO’s
*Because this Tapu Koko runs little to no offensive investment, Nature’s Madness will generally do more damage than Thunderbolt or Dazzling Gleam
*Electroweb allows Tapu Koko to implement some form of Speed Control
*Essentially an Icy Wind for Electric types, does not affect Ground types like Landorus
*Sky Drop is arguably the reason why Assault Vest sets are used
*With added bulk, Tapu Koko can often Sky Drop foes that threaten its Ally multiple times, allowing the ally to set up
*Sky Drop can be used on Landorus and other Flying types to negate their moves for a turn; however, Sky Drop will not deal any damage
*148 / 164 Special Defense combined with Assault Vest allows Tapu Koko to survive
*+252 SpA Tapu Lele Z Psychic (Not in Psychic Terrain, Tapu Koko can switch into this)
*+252 SpA Ludicolo Z Hydro Pump in the Rain
*252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Overheat in the Sun
*252 SpA Life Orb Naganadel Sludge Bomb
*252 SpA Mega Gengar Sludge Bomb
*+164 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Fini is a 3HKO, Muddy Water is a 4HKO
*188 Speed allows Tapu Koko to hit 191 Speed, outspeeding Naganadel and Mega Salamence
*Allows Tapu Koko to either Volt Switch away or Sky Drop either
Using Tapu Koko
*The only Pokemon to fulfill the niche of Electric and Fairy typing, Tapu Koko naturally finds itself incorporated on man teams
*Electric Terrain is also incredibly useful to neuter the effectiveness of Amoonguss
*Char Y teams incorporate Tapu Koko to nuke pesky bulky water types
*However, having just Tapu Koko for Bulky Water / Celesteela coverage is not enough, as Tapu Koko can not reliably get its Z Move to hit the correct target
*While it may seem silly, Z Moving into opposing Tapu Koko is often a good idea
*People typically do not protect their own Tapu Koko in a mirror, and you can chunk Koko for ~80% or catch a switch in
*Assault Vest Tapu Koko is paired with the likes of Cresselia, Snorlax, Salamence, and Azumarill
*If Tapu Koko uses Sky Drop on a Pokemon and Cresselia sets up Trick Room on the same turn, said Pokemon will remain trapped until the end of the next turn
*Allows Cresselia to safely set up Trick Room and switch into a sweeper
*Snorlax, Azumarill, and Salamence can set up Dragon Dance, Belly Drum, or Tailwind to begin sweeping
*Tapu Koko obviously matches up poorly against Sand and the common Metagross Archetype
*Metagross teams have few to no targets for Gigavolt Havoc, which can be redirected by Amoonguss or switched into by Landorus

*Also matches up poorly against Hard Trick Room, as Tapu Koko is near useless if not faster than opponents

Comments

Post a Comment

Other Resources

VGC 2018 Teams

Image
A Compilation of Common VGC 2018 Teams! If you are just starting out, I recommend learning how to play CHALK -CHALK is a bulky team that helps you to learn the basic mechanics If you ever need help or pointers, don't be afraid to ask for help! I'll probably be online. CHALK http://pokepast.es/b172a04b8a32ecf9 Team Notes: -All of the Pokemon on this team are in the middle speed tier (low 100’s) -You have the option of Tailwind or Trick Room to outspeed opponents -Cresselia carries Icy wind, and after one Icy Wind, -Landorus will outspeed Timid 252 Tapu Koko and Gengar -Tapu Fini will outspeed Mega Metagross and Alolan Persian and Kartana -Zapdos will outspeed Mega Salamence -Kangaskhan will outspeed Positive Nature Base 100 Pokemon (Max Speed Kang) -Cresselia Underspeeds Heatran by One point, allowing it to move first in Trick Room -Especially useful in setting up Sunny Day and using Firi...
Read more

Naganadel Analysis

Image
One of three new Ultra Beasts introduced in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Naganadel finds its niche as a speedy and offensive Poison type in a Tapu filled format. With a decent speed stat, access to Tailwind, and the flexibility of Z Moves, Naganadel can serve as a check to major threats in the format. Pros *Poison Dragon is an excellent Offensive and Defensive typing in the current format *127 Special Attack allows Naganadel to OHKO all Tapus with the exception of Tapu Fini, and also provides 2HKOs with Super Effective attacks *121 Speed allows Naganadel to outspeed most of the format barring Tapu Koko and Mega Gengar, and is the fastest Tailwind setter available *Decent coverage and access to Tailwind allow Naganadel to fulfill multiple roles *Choice Scarf Naganadel outspeeds Ludicolo in the Rain, and KO’s with Sludge Bomb Cons *73 / 73 / 73 Defensive stats are lackluster; Naganadel requires Intimidate support to survive most STAB and Super Effective Physical ...
Read more

Salamence Analysis (Mega Croissant)

Image
Occupying a niche as a Flying Intimidator, Salamence provides a safe check to the ever common Landorus. With a powerful spread STAB move and access to Physical sets, Salamence can fulfill the role of either a Special Attacker with Tailwind or Physical Sweeper with Dragon Dance. Pros *145 Attack and 120 Special Attack allows Mega Salamence to function as both a Physical and Special Attacker *95 / 130 / 90 Defensive Bulk is very impressive; Salamence can survive a multitude of attacks *Two incredibly useful Abilities in Intimidate and Aerilate *Fulfills the niche of a Flying Intimidator, allowing Salamence to switch into Landorus *Aerilate combined with moves such as Hyper Voice and Double-Edge allow Salamence to deal wonderful, Flying type damage, something no other Pokemon can do *Access to Tailwind, allowing Salamence to also provide Speed Control *120 Speed allow Salamence the option to outspeed threats such as Metagross, Persian, and Kartana *Able to ru...
Read more

Lurantis Analysis

Image
Coming out of obscurity after the introduction of Intimidate Incineroar, Lurantis fulfills a special niche as a slow Grass Type Sweeper. Its ability Contrary allows Lurantis to deter Intimidators, while access to Superpower allows Lurantis to check Incineroar and sweep through unprepared teams. Pros *105 Attack stat is decent, considering Lurantis will almost never be below neutral Attack due to Contrary *70 / 90 / 90 Bulk allows Lurantis to survive numerous Super Effective attacks and proc its Pinch Berry *Contrary reverses stat drops such as Intimidate, giving Lurantis a +1 Attack Boost when Intimidated *Combined with Superpower, Lurantis can quickly rack up both Attack and Defense Boosts Cons *Requires both Intimidate Support and Trick Room Support to function properly *70 / 90 Defense requires Intimidate Support to survive Incineroar Flare Blitz *Common threats such as Salamence, Gengar, Incineroar, and Cresselia heavily threaten Lurantis’ longevi...
Read more

Aegislash Analysis

Image
My personal favorite Ghost Type in the format, Aegislash comes back from its VGC 2015 hiatus to once again serve as an offensive and supportive threat. With its signature ability, Stance Change, Aegislash can both provide an immense offensive threat while boasting high defenses. Pros *Stance Change allows Aegislash to effectively have 50 / 150 / 150 / 150 / 150 / 60 stats, making Aegislash a solid wall and offensive threat. *Ghost / Steel typing complements Aegislash both defensively and offensively *Aegislash has eight resistances and one immunity *The introduction of Z Moves allows Aegislash to now nuke targets without having to run Life Orb, which decreases Aegislash’ longevity *Small but efficient movepool allows Aegislash to cover many threats and targets *Premier Wide Guard user, protecting allies from Spread moves Cons *The common threats of Charizard Y and Landorus-T still heavily threaten Aegislash *Z Moves also threaten Aegisla...
Read more

Charizard Y Analysis

Image
Mega Evolutions are once again legal in VGC, allowing the fan favorite sun-setter back into the format. Everyone’s favorite Gen 1 starter boasts and incredibly high Special Attack along with the incredibly useful ability of Drought. Combined with a decent speed stat and passable bulk, Charizard Y threatens to blaze through teams with powerful Fire type attacks. Pros *159 Special Attack stat allows Charizard Y to hit very hard without much investment, KOing and 2HKOing targets with sun up *100 Base Speed allows Charizard Y to outspeed and KO the likes of Tapu Lele and non-Choice Scarf Landorus-T *Its Mega Evolution Ability, Drought, summons Sunny Day for 5 turns or until a different weather is summoned. *Sun not only disrupts other weathers but also boosts Charizard’s damage output while protecting it from Water type attacks *Access to a decent movepool allows Charizard Y to hit most of its weaknesses for super effective damage Cons *Fire / Flying typing i...
Read more

Kartana Analysis

Image
One of seven Ultra Beasts introduced in Pokemon Sun and Moon, Kartana filled the niche of a fast and incredibly powerful Grass type Attacker. With an insane Attack stat coupled with a high speed tier, Kartana continues its dominance into 2018. Pros *181 Attack stat is the highest base value in the entire VGC 2018 format; Kartana hits over 200 Attack without any investment or boosting nature. *109 Speed Allows Kartana to hit 177 Speed, outspeeding numerous most Pokemon. Its naturally high speed means that Kartana does not have to invest too much into Speed to outspeed Positive Base 100 threats. *Kartana’s ability, Beast Boost, raises Kartana’s Attack by one stage for every KO it gets. *Thus, Kartana, with its high speed and Attack stat, can quickly snowball through opposing teams if given a kill *There is a distinct lack of viable Grass types and Fighting types in VGC 2018, which Kartana fulfills with the help of Sacred Sword *Along with USUM came USUM m...
Read more

Landorus-T, the King of VGC

Image
The notorious King of VGC from 2015 is back in the format and as common as ever. With its great Attack stat, above average bulk, excellent typing, and access to Intimidate, Landorus-T looks to reclaim its throne in VGC 2018. Pros *Landorus boasts an enormous 145 Attack stat with STAB Earthquake, allowing it to deal heavy damage to multiple targets at once *Able to run immense bulk investment while retaining damage because of its Attack stat *Combined with a plethora of viable moves, Landorus can deal Super Effective damage to every single Pokemon in the format *With Intimidate and 89/90 Defensive bulk, Landorus effectively tanks Physical attacks *Ground / Flying typing is weak to only two types: Water and Ice, both of which are predominantly Special Attacks *Enormous Item flexibility; Assault Vest, Choice Scarf, Groundium Z, and Life Orb are all viable options that opponents have to watch out for *With Life Orb, Special Attacking Landorus becomes viabl...
Read more

Gengar Analysis

Image
A speedy and incredibly offensive threat, Gengar is the premiere Poison type in a Tapu filled format. While no longer carrying Levitate, Gengar is still able to function exceptionally well with its Mega Form’s ability, Shadow Tag, trapping in opponents to allow your own Pokemon to set up or cycle Intimidates. Pros *Boasts an impressive 170 SpA and 130 Spe when Mega Evolved, outspeeding most of the metagame and speed tying with Tapu Koko *After Mega Evolving, Gengar gains access to Shadow Tag, one of the most useful and annoying abilities in Pokemon *As a Poison type, Gengar is immune to Fake Out and threatens KO’s on all Tapu Pokemon with Sludge Bomb Cons *Speed Ties with Tapu Koko, which is very annoying as Tapu Koko can KO Gengar before it moves *Increase in Specially Defensive bulky Pokemon mean that Gengar often misses KO’s and is counter KO’d *Ghost / Poison is not a great offensive typing when not super effective *60/80/95 Bulk means most Z Moves an...
Read more

Snorlax Analysis

Image
With the introduction of Pinch Berries in 2017, Snorlax has risen to prominence as one of the best Pokemon in VGC. With its incredibly low base speed, access to consistent recovery, and a choice of set up moves, Snorlax is a bulky nuisance that can double as a Trick Room sweeper. Pros *160 / 60 / 110 Defenses allows Snorlax to tank Z Moves and Super Effective moves alike *Incredible bulk allows Snorlax to switch into moves in place of its allies *Normal Typing is great defensively, making Snorlax weak only to Fighting types *Fighting types are severely threatened in this format because of Tapus *Ability of Gluttony activates Snorlax’ Pinch Berry at 50% HP, allow Snorlax to abuse moves like Belly Drum and otherwise stay above 50% HP at all times *110 Attack stat is decent, and combined with set up moves (Curse / Belly Drum), Snorlax can become a terrifying sweeper *Base 30 Speed allows Snorlax to underspeed the majority of the format, becoming a threatenin...
Read more