OU Spotlight: Tapu Koko

By Nuked.
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Art

Art by aXl.

Introduction

Since its introduction in Sun and Moon OU, Tapu Koko has been one of the top offensive threats of the tier. Sporting solid mixed 115 / 95 attacking stats, a lightning fast base 130 Speed (notably outspeeding Greninja and Weavile), a decent movepool, and its signature ability Electric Surge, Tapu Koko is capable of hitting extremely hard very quickly. Tapu Koko is a very effective user of Electrium Z, as its Z-Wild Charge hits incredibly hard, OHKOing almost every offensive threat it hits and 2HKOing every wall in the tier that doesn't resist it. One of Tapu Koko's best traits is its ability to easily generate momentum because of its high Speed stat and access to U-turn and a strong Volt Switch, making it the tier's premier offensive pivot. Additionally, Electric Surge is able to boost the power of Tapu Koko's teammates' Electric-type moves too and turns Nature Power into Thunderbolt. Tapu Koko has several sets to choose from, such as Choice Specs, Z-Wild Charge, and Special Z-Move, which are all capable of tearing through even the best prepared teams.

Hot Sets

Tapu Koko

Choice Specs is Tapu Koko's most popular set, and for good reason; its spammable STAB moves and adequate coverage allow it to be terrifying in any match. Volt Switch is pretty powerful in its own right and gains momentum on Tapu Koko checks like Tangrowth and Ferrothorn. With the boosts from Choice Specs and Electric Terrain, Thunderbolt becomes frighteningly powerful, dealing massive damage to offensive threats such as Volcarona, Heatran, and Mega Mawile. Dazzling Gleam is a rather risk-free move that 2HKOes Landorus-T and OHKOes Zygarde and Garchomp. Hidden Power Ice OHKOes every Ground-type 4x weak to it, including Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Zygarde. Hidden Power Fire is mainly used for Ferrothorn, which otherwise checks this set very well.

Tapu Koko

On the alternative, Tapu Koko can use its great base 115 Attack and a Z-Move to absolutely nuke anything that doesn't resist Electric. Z-Wild Charge, coming off a solid Attack stat, combined with the boost from Electric Surge, hits everything non-resistant or -immune for incredible amounts of damage, OHKOing almost every neutral offensive threat and 2HKOing every wall in the tier bar ones that are immune to or resist it. Z-Wild Charge is great at letting Tapu Koko lure specially defensive threats and take them out, such as Chansey, Assault Vest Magearna, and Stealth Rock Mega Tyranitar, paving the way for another team member to sweep. When the opponent has an Electric-immune or -resistant Pokémon such as Garchomp, Tangrowth, or Landorus-T, Tapu Koko can fall back on its U-turn to gain momentum, as well as Hidden Power Ice, which 2HKOes Landorus-T, Zygarde, and Garchomp. Taunt is a valuable utility move in the last slot to prevent Pokémon such as Ferrothorn from laying up hazards on Tapu Koko for free and to prevent the use of Soft-Boiled from the likes of Clefable and Chansey. Alternatively, Roost can be used instead to consistently switch into Celesteela and Mega Pinsir, which Tapu Koko cannot do otherwise, and just generally keep it healthy.

Tapu Koko

Tapu Koko can also use a special Z-Move set with Calm Mind to OHKO most offensive bulky threats at +1 with an incredibly powerful Gigavolt Havoc. These include, but are not limited to, Heatran, Shift Gear Magearna, Mega Scizor, and Tyranitar. Alternatively, Fairium Z is a viable option because it provides good, consistent damage with decent neutral coverage, OHKOing Landorus-T at +1. Roost can be used in place of Calm Mind to switch into threats such as Celesteela and Mega Pinsir more reliably. Hidden Power Ice 2HKOes Zygarde, Landorus-T, and Garchomp. Alternatively, Hidden Power Fire can be used to heavily damage Ferrothorn. U-turn provides momentum against common Tapu Koko switch-ins like Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu.

Good Cores

Tapu Koko Greninja-Ash

In particular, this core works very well on rain teams. Ash-Greninja loves Tapu Koko's ability to lure in and eliminate common Ash-Greninja checks like Chansey, while Tapu Koko appreciates Ash-Greninja's ability to check Pokémon such as Landorus-T, Hippowdon, and Zygarde, OHKOing all 3 under rain. Ash-Greninja also appreciates Tapu Koko's amazing ability to generate momentum to bring it in. Ash-Greninja is able to set up Spikes to wear down Pokémon such as Tangrowth and Ferrothorn, which check Tapu Koko, while Tapu Koko is able to Taunt Pokémon such as Ferrothorn that would otherwise be able to lay up hazards to wear down Ash-Greninja.

Tapu Koko Diancie

Tapu Koko's ability, Electric Surge, summons Electric Terrain, which turns Nature Power into Thunderbolt; Mega Diancie is able to take full advantage of this, as Nature Power significantly damages common Mega Diancie checks like Toxapex and Celesteela. Tapu Koko also appreciates Mega Diancie's ability to pressure common Tapu Koko checks like Ferrothorn, Landorus-T, and Tangrowth, while Mega Diancie appreciates Tapu Koko's ability to lure in and do heavy damage to common Mega Diancie checks like Chansey and Magearna. It also appreciates Tapu Koko's ability to bring it in with U-turn.

Final Thoughts

Tapu Koko has been a great and metagame-defining Pokémon since its introduction in SM OU. Its wide array of sets, its typing, its great utility moves, and its solid ability have made it a staple on several offensive playstyles. Tapu Koko is usually a good Pokémon to start with and to end with on any offensive team and will not leave you disappointed. At this point, time will only tell what Tapu Koko's influence on the USUM metagame will be.

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