Tapu Koko, The Land Spirit Pokémon. This guardian deity of Melemele is brimming with curiosity. It summons thunderclouds and stores their lightning inside its body. It confuses its enemies by flying too quickly for the eye to follow. It has a hair-trigger temper but forgets what made it angry an instant later. Although it’s called a guardian deity, if a person or Pokémon puts it in a bad mood, it will become a malevolent deity and attack. The lightning-wielding guardian deity of Melemele, Tapu Koko is brimming with curiosity and appears before people from time to time.
Overview
The new generation shift has been a big one for Tapu Koko. Thanks to its blitzing Speed and decent offensive stats along with the boost of Electric Terrain, Tapu Koko is an incredibly fast offensive pivot capable of checking Pokemon such as Corviknight, Zapdos and Tornadus-Therian. It has a solid defensive and offensive typing that pretty much gives him interesting options allowing it to perform its role as a super-fast offensive check. However, the shift to Sword & Shield has not been kind to the Alolan deity. With the removal of Hidden Power and the nerf applied to terrain boosts, Tapu Koko is not as strong as it was in Generation 7 and this massively affects its offensive potential. Tapu Koko's coverage options are now much more limited and it's STAB Thunderbolt is just not as strong as it used to be.
Furthermore, Tapu Koko doesn't have especially good bulk, which means that it'll take a lot of damage from any decently strong attack. Even resisted hits wear it down quickly and can force it to use Roost. Despite this shortcomings, it's blistering pace will make up for it as Tapu Koko can still hold its ground firm in Singles..
Positives
A super sonic base 130 Speed allows Tapu Koko to outspeed key threats such as Garchomp, Weavile and Tornadus-Therian allowing it to act as a fast offensive check for these Pokemon.
Thanks to Electric Surge, this allows Tapu Koko to summon Electric Terrain for 5 turns which grants a x1.3 boost to its Electric attacks while preventing grounded Pokemon from falling asleep. The boost from Electric Terrain boosts its Electric STAB to respectable levels.
Access to U-turn allows Tapu Koko to regain momentum in favor of its team allowing it to switch into teammates unscathed or in better match-ups against the opponent.
Negatives
Tapu Koko's defenses are below average which means that strong neutral attacks will be able to put a huge dent on its HP.
With the loss of Hidden Power, Tapu Koko cannot revenge kill Pokemon like Garchomp or Landorus-Therian anymore and it is hard walled by Ferrothorn. The loss of coverage means that Tapu Koko's options are quite limited.
It's underwhelming attacking stats along with the nerf on terrain boosts (Electric Terrain now boosts x1.3 instead of x1.5) hurts Tapu Koko's power as it will become almost impossible for it to break past bulky walls such as Galarian Slowking.
Movesets
KOKOA PUFFS
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- U-turn
- Roost / Grass Knot
Item Attached: Heavy-Duty Boots / Life Orb / Choice Specs
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs and Nature:
252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
While Thunderbolt doesn't hit neutral targets as it used to in SM, Tapu Koko is still a force to be reckoned with as Water types such as Tapu Fini, Suicune, Toxapex and Slowbro do not want to be on the other side of it. Dazzling Gleam is Tapu Koko's 2nd best STAB allowing it to hit super-effectively threats such as Dragapult, Garchomp and Dragonite. It also demolishes Hydreigon and breaks it into smithereens until kingdom comes. U-turn is the crucial move on this set as it allows Tapu Koko to scout its opponent and switch out from an unfavorable match-up while regaining momentum in favor of a different teammate. Roost allows Tapu Koko to regain its lost health allowing it to check threats such as Zapdos, Corviknight and Tornadus-Therian more consistently. On the other hand, Grass Knot is a more offensive coverage option that allows Tapu Koko to hit Swampert and Gastrodon for super-effective damage.
DYNAMAX:
Tapu Koko will hardly take advantage of Dynamax because its ability is already capable of setting up its own Electric Terrain meanwhile it would be hard to argue that Tapu Koko will gain anything from Max Starfall as it will usually prefer to keep its terrain as Electric type instead. Tapu Koko shouldn't be the Pokemon you want to use Dyanamx on and rather use it to pivot a potential sweeper that can take advantage of it much better.
EVs and Items:
Max Special Attack and Speed allows Tapu Koko to surge past offensive threats such as Tornadus-Therian while being able to hit as hard as possible. If you prefer to use Tapu Koko exclusively as an offensive pivot, Roost and Heavy-Duty Boots should be used as it will prevent Tapu Koko from taking hazard damage while allowing to threaten common Defoggers like Zapdos. If you wish to use Tapu Koko as a more offensive threat, Life Orb and Choice Specs are respectable items along with Grass Knot as the third coverage move.
Other Options:
Tapu Koko can use Brave Bird to hit Grass types like Rillaboom even harder while being able to abuse its Dynamax effect more effectively. However, Tapu Koko will barely make use of the Speed boost with how fast it already is and it doesn't really gains more coverage on using it.
Toxic is a surprise option that can allow Tapu Koko to hinder bulky Pokemon like Hippowdon, Swampert or Landorus-Therian on the switch.
Partners:
Tapu Koko will find itself at home on offensive teams that can take advantage of its pivoting abilities. Wallbreakers such as Nidoking, Volcarona and Kyurem appreciate Tapu Koko's ability to switch them safely with U-turn specially against defensive threats such as Ferrothorn. Dracovish appreciates Tapu Koko's ability to put pressure on more faster threats as this will allow it to safely spam its powerful Fishious Rend. Thanks to Dracovish's jaw dropping power, Tapu Koko will have an easier time dealing with a common check like Ferrothorn and overwhelm it. Heatran takes advantage of the Grass types that Tapu Koko usually lures and it can set up Stealth Rock against the opponent. Landorus-Therian has a good synergy with Tapu Koko thanks to its immunity to Ground and access to Intimidate while being able to form a solid U-turn core with it. Tapu Koko will easily deal with the bulky Water types Landorus-T struggles such as Slowbro and Tapu Fini.
VGC & Double Battle Options
As strong as terrains are in Singles, that cannot compare to their power and thus the Tapu’s power in Doubles. Electric Terrain’s ability to turn off Sleep moves like Yawn, Spore and Sleep Powder is invaluable given how much those moves can swing games. But perhaps even more importantly, Electric Terrain overwrites Rillaboom’s Grassy Terrain preventing it from taking advantage of Grassy Glide without switching out. Thanks to Tapu Koko’s blistering speed and access to speed control in STAB Electroweb and Thunder Wave alongside support tools like Dual Screens and Taunt, Tapu Koko can easily take control of a battle if given the chance. However, Tapu Koko’s inability to muscle past sponges and Assault Vest users like Rillaboom proves to be consistently problematic. Regieleki’s introduction does Tapu Koko no favors either, with the former being naturally much faster and stronger makes it difficult to justify using Tapu Koko.
Electric Dance Party
-Electroweb
-Taunt
-Dazzling Gleam
-Protect
Item Attached: Focus Sash
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 SAtk / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
Have Tapu Koko take control of the battle’s pace with this set. Electroweb is Electric Terrain boosted STAB speed control and thus its value cannot be understated. Combine that with Taunt and you can reliably shutdown your opponents own Speed control and setup while locking in your own speed advantage. Dazzling Gleam is an alternate STAB that wrecks Dragon types, Urshifu and Mienshao. Protect rounds out the set as the VGC stable, enabling to stall out advantageous setups, block against friendly fire, and punish double targeting.
DYNAMAX:
This set is not expected to Dynamax. This set is expected to support and disrupt the opponents, not turn gigantic and smash the opposing team. Furthermore, Electroweb and Dazzling gleam do not compliment each other well as max moves, constantly swapping the terrains.
Other Options:
Nature’s Madness can be considered for its ability to chunk Assault Vest targets that otherwise don’t mind Dazzling Gleam and Electroweb.
Thunder can be considered for extra power and synergizes well with Rain setters like Kyogre who also enjoys its own Thunders being boosted.
Grass Knot wrecks Groudon
Electric Seed users like Hawlucha and Volcarona naturally pair well with Tapu Koko, exploiting the Defense boost from Electric Terrain, while taking care of Pokémon that resist Tapu Koko’s STABs like Ferrothorn, and Excadrill.
Tsareena stands out as an excellent partner for Tapu Koko, blocking disruptive Fake Outs with Queenly Majesty and dispatching opposing Ground types with Grass STAB and Triple Axel.
Assault Vest Tapu Koko is popular, leveraging Tapu Koko’s stellar typing with few weaknesses and ability to Pivot out with Volt Switch to generate advantage.
Countering Tapu Koko
Grass types such as Tangrowth, Rillaboom and Ferrothorn are excellent answers capable of dealing with it. Thanks to its defensive typing, Ferrothorn resists Tapu Koko's dual STAB allowing it to switch safely into it and wall it. While Tangrowth takes neutral damage from Dazzling Gleam, it can easily recover its lost health thanks to Regenerator. Rillaboom is a good offensive check but it must be wary of switching into U-turn or Dazzling Gleam.
Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Garchomp are immune to Tapu Koko's strongest move and can threaten it out although they dislike taking a Dazzling Gleam or Toxic. Excadrill and Nidoking are notable, as they are immune to or resist Tapu Koko's STAB moves while being immune to Toxic; however, their poor bulk means they can be worn down over time.
Pokemon like Blissey and Assault Vest Galarian Slowking can switch into Tapu Koko by virtue of their high Special Defense. Galarian Slowking can threaten it out with a super effective STAB attack, while Blissey can use Toxic or pivot into a teammate.
Finally, faster Pokemon such as Dragapult can threaten Tapu Koko due to its higher Speed while revenge killers such as Scarf Tapu Lele or Garchomp will easily dispatch it. Strong priority users like Weavile, Mamoswine and Scizor can pick it off if Tapu Koko's HP is at low health.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game
Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Not in game
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Not in game
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Not in game
Colosseum/XD:
Not in game
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Not in game
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Not in game
Black/White:
Not in game
Black 2/White 2:
Not in game
X/Y:
Not in game
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Not in game
Sun/Moon:
Ruins of Conflict
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Ruins of Conflict
Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee!:
Not in game
Sword/Shield:
Dynamax Adventures
Anime Appearences
