power
uh-oh, the game in trouble
[SET]
name: Shuca Berry
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Roost / Defog
item: Shuca Berry
ability: Electric Surge
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt is Tapu Koko's strongest STAB move, and it receives a 50% boost from Electric Surge. Volt Switch gives Tapu Koko a strong pivoting move, and when boosted by STAB and Electric Terrain, Tapu Koko can dent Pokemon like Assault Vest Magearna and Heatran while pivoting out. Volt Switch is preferred on this set both because it is far stronger than U-turn and because Shuca Berry Tapu Koko can beat the most common Ground-types one-on-one. Hidden Power Ice 2HKOes the predominant Ground-types in OU: Landorus-T and Zygarde. Roost allows Tapu Koko to keep itself healthy throughout the course of the game, giving it the staying power to repeatedly check threats such as Mega Pinsir and Toxapex. Alternatively, Defog is a team-dependent option that allows Tapu Koko to serve as pinch entry hazard removal for its team. Taunt eases the matchup against hyper offense teams; Tapu Koko can use Taunt both to prevent suicide leads such as Focus Sash Landorus-T from setting up hazards and to help it break through bulky Pokemon like Mew more easily one-on-one.
Set Details
========
Shuca Berry lets Tapu Koko defeat Landorus-T and Zygarde one-on-one without the drawback of being Choice-locked, giving Tapu Koko the ability to survive any unboosted attack from either Pokemon, including Choice Band Thousand Arrows from the latter. The given EV spread maximizes Tapu Koko’s Special Attack and Speed. A Timid nature is used to outspeed foes such as Greninja and Tornadus-T. An alternative spread of 128 HP / 188 SpA / 192 Spe with a Timid nature always lives Choice Band Thousand Arrows from Zygarde after Stealth Rock and better handles Hawlucha while still outspeeding Greninja. However, note that with this spread, Tapu Koko is outsped by Weavile and struggles to break through bulky Pokemon such as Mew and Clefable. Electric Surge is very useful, as it summons Electric Terrain to boost the power of Tapu Koko's Electric-type moves by 50% and protects it and its teammates from being put to sleep.
Usage Tips
========
Shuca Berry Tapu Koko generally does not need to predict early-game when compared to other Tapu Koko variants such as Choice Specs. Do not try to predict when it is unnecessary; Tapu Koko can afford to click Volt Switch even if a Ground-type such as Landorus-T or Zygarde comes in because Shuca Berry allows Tapu Koko to safely stay in and 2HKO them the next turn. Volt Switch also lulls the opponent into a false sense of security, tricking them into thinking that Tapu Koko is Choice-locked. Conversely, once the first Hidden Power Ice has landed, do not be afraid to predict. If your opponent needs to preserve their Ground-type, a smart, aggressive play can keep momentum in your favor and keep up the pressure.
Team Options
========
Powerful wallbreakers such as Kyurem-B, Hoopa-U, Mega Mawile, and Kartana make excellent partners and greatly appreciate how Tapu Koko can safely bring them in with Volt Switch. Mega Mawile and Kartana also appreciate how Tapu Koko can break through Landorus-T reliably. Stealth Rock users such as Landorus-T and Heatran have excellent synergy with Tapu Koko and lay Stealth Rock to wear down checks to it such as Mega Venusaur and Assault Vest Tapu Bulu. Landorus-T also creates an excellent VoltTurn core with Tapu Koko and checks Zygarde. Hawlucha is a very notable partner that greatly appreciates Tapu Koko's ability to safely bring it in on the Bulky Grass-types that act as setup bait for Hawlucha such as Tapu Bulu, Ferrothorn, and Tangrowth. Tapu Koko also summons Electric Terrain to activate Hawlucha's Electric Seed and Unburden.
name: Shuca Berry
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Roost / Defog
item: Shuca Berry
ability: Electric Surge
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt is Tapu Koko's strongest STAB move, and it receives a 50% boost from Electric Surge. Volt Switch gives Tapu Koko a strong pivoting move, and when boosted by STAB and Electric Terrain, Tapu Koko can dent Pokemon like Assault Vest Magearna and Heatran while pivoting out. Volt Switch is preferred on this set both because it is far stronger than U-turn and because Shuca Berry Tapu Koko can beat the most common Ground-types one-on-one. Hidden Power Ice 2HKOes the predominant Ground-types in OU: Landorus-T and Zygarde. Roost allows Tapu Koko to keep itself healthy throughout the course of the game, giving it the staying power to repeatedly check threats such as Mega Pinsir and Toxapex. Alternatively, Defog is a team-dependent option that allows Tapu Koko to serve as pinch entry hazard removal for its team. Taunt eases the matchup against hyper offense teams; Tapu Koko can use Taunt both to prevent suicide leads such as Focus Sash Landorus-T from setting up hazards and to help it break through bulky Pokemon like Mew more easily one-on-one.
Set Details
========
Shuca Berry lets Tapu Koko defeat Landorus-T and Zygarde one-on-one without the drawback of being Choice-locked, giving Tapu Koko the ability to survive any unboosted attack from either Pokemon, including Choice Band Thousand Arrows from the latter. The given EV spread maximizes Tapu Koko’s Special Attack and Speed. A Timid nature is used to outspeed foes such as Greninja and Tornadus-T. An alternative spread of 128 HP / 188 SpA / 192 Spe with a Timid nature always lives Choice Band Thousand Arrows from Zygarde after Stealth Rock and better handles Hawlucha while still outspeeding Greninja. However, note that with this spread, Tapu Koko is outsped by Weavile and struggles to break through bulky Pokemon such as Mew and Clefable. Electric Surge is very useful, as it summons Electric Terrain to boost the power of Tapu Koko's Electric-type moves by 50% and protects it and its teammates from being put to sleep.
Usage Tips
========
Shuca Berry Tapu Koko generally does not need to predict early-game when compared to other Tapu Koko variants such as Choice Specs. Do not try to predict when it is unnecessary; Tapu Koko can afford to click Volt Switch even if a Ground-type such as Landorus-T or Zygarde comes in because Shuca Berry allows Tapu Koko to safely stay in and 2HKO them the next turn. Volt Switch also lulls the opponent into a false sense of security, tricking them into thinking that Tapu Koko is Choice-locked. Conversely, once the first Hidden Power Ice has landed, do not be afraid to predict. If your opponent needs to preserve their Ground-type, a smart, aggressive play can keep momentum in your favor and keep up the pressure.
Team Options
========
Powerful wallbreakers such as Kyurem-B, Hoopa-U, Mega Mawile, and Kartana make excellent partners and greatly appreciate how Tapu Koko can safely bring them in with Volt Switch. Mega Mawile and Kartana also appreciate how Tapu Koko can break through Landorus-T reliably. Stealth Rock users such as Landorus-T and Heatran have excellent synergy with Tapu Koko and lay Stealth Rock to wear down checks to it such as Mega Venusaur and Assault Vest Tapu Bulu. Landorus-T also creates an excellent VoltTurn core with Tapu Koko and checks Zygarde. Hawlucha is a very notable partner that greatly appreciates Tapu Koko's ability to safely bring it in on the Bulky Grass-types that act as setup bait for Hawlucha such as Tapu Bulu, Ferrothorn, and Tangrowth. Tapu Koko also summons Electric Terrain to activate Hawlucha's Electric Seed and Unburden.
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