Tapu Koko is a strong offensive pivot that can take advantage of its great Speed tier and a Special Attack donation to supercharge its offensive output. Heavy-Duty Boots allows it to come onto the field freely without fearing chip damage from entry hazards, improving its ability to pivot effectively. Terrain-boosted Thunderbolt is Tapu Koko's strongest attack against neutral targets and deals super effective damage versus Pokemon like Tapu Fini and Corviknight. Dazzling Gleam lets Tapu Koko effectively check common offensive threats such as Zygarde-10, Rayquaza, and Weavile while also wearing down switch-ins that resist or are immune to Thunderbolt like Landorus-T, Tangrowth, and Nidoking. U-turn preserves momentum against its checks, taking advantage of switches forced by Tapu Koko's powerful attacks while also chipping down checks like Gastrodon. Roost allows it to stay healthy throughout a game, giving it more opportunities to come onto the field and deal damage, and also lets it function as a soft check to offensive Dark- and Flying-types like Galarian Moltres, Yveltal, and Tornadus-T.

Gods that can donate a high Special Attack, like Mewtwo, Yveltal, and Kyurem-W, make great teammates for Tapu Koko. It appreciates powerful wallbreakers, like Dhelmise and Victini, that can weaken teams and allow it to clean up in the late-game. Tapu Koko also helps bring them onto the field with its frequent pivoting. Tapu Koko can struggle to beat specially defensive Pokemon like Gastrodon, Assault Vest Tangrowth, and Ferrothorn, which offensive Pokemon like Kartana, Weavile, and Victini can help eliminate. Tapu Koko has mediocre bulk and enjoys having a sturdy defensive core to back it up. Its weakness to Ground- and Poison-type attacks make Landorus-T, Skarmory, and Corviknight excellent partners that can handle these attacks, in addition to providing entry hazard and pivot support. Pokemon faster than Tapu Koko like Choice Scarf Kyogre and Kartana, Pheromosa, and fast Speed receivers such as Pangoro are threats, and Pokemon like Skarmory and Ferrothorn can safely switch into them.

Choice Specs Tapu Koko is a formidable wallbreaker, thanks to its reliable STAB attacks and a Special Attack donation. Combined with Choice Specs, its attacks are very difficult to switch into, barring very specially bulky Pokemon like Tangrowth. Thunderbolt is Tapu Koko's strongest attack, dealing super effective damage to Slowbro and Corviknight, as well as offering strong neutral coverage against defensive Pokemon like Clefable. Dazzling Gleam is its secondary STAB attack, hitting Landorus-T and other Pokemon immune to Electric like Zeraora for good damage, while also dealing super effective damage to Giratina and Kyurem-B. Volt Switch lets Tapu Koko get off strong damage even when pivoting, while U-turn is more reliable and deals more damage to Grass-types like Rillaboom. Grass Knot offers super effective coverage for Ground-types like Gastrodon and Hippowdon, which otherwise wall this set.

Tapu Koko needs a god with a high Special Attack, such as Pheromosa, Mewtwo, and Rayquaza, in order to do its job. Kyogre makes an excellent teammate, as Tapu Koko can weaken shared checks like Ferrothorn and Gastrodon for Kyogre. Since it is often pivoting, especially in the early-game, partners like Weavile and Volcanion that can take advantage of common switch-ins like Landorus-T, Tangrowth, and Ferrothorn make excellent teammates. Gastrodon can deal with offensive Pokemon like Nidoking that may try to take advantage of Choice-locked Tapu Koko. Even with a bolstered Special Attack, some specially bulky Pokemon like Tangrowth, Gastrodon, and Excadrill give it issues. Powerful wallbreakers like Victini, Kartana, and Zygarde-10% can help deal with them, opening the way for Tapu Koko. Since it will often pivot in and out of the field, Pokemon that can offer entry hazard removal, like Landorus-T and Corviknight, make good teammates for Tapu Koko. These Pokemon also offer a solid defensive backbone to support Tapu Koko's frailty.