[SET]
name: Defog Pivot
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Defog
move 3: Roost
move 4: U-turn / Hidden Power Ice
item: Electrium Z / Leftovers
ability: Electric Surge
nature: Timid
evs: 20 HP / 252 SpA / 20 SpD / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Thunderbolt provides Tapu Koko with a reliable Electric Terrain-boosted STAB move that is the main method for it to deal damage. Defog clears away entry hazards for Tapu Koko's teammates and allows it to keep Spikes Greninja at bay. Roost is a necessary recovery move that keeps Tapu Koko healthy throughout the game, allowing it to more reliably check Pokemon such as Mega Pinsir, Celesteela, and Hawlucha. U-turn allows Tapu Koko to regain some of the momentum that it loses when removing entry hazards and also eases prediction throughout the game, but it comes with the downside of making Tapu Koko a sitting duck against Ground-type Pokemon. Alternatively, Hidden Power Ice allows Tapu Koko to heavily damage Ground-types such as Landorus-T, Zygarde, and Gliscor but sacrifices the momentum provided by U-turn.
Set Details
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Electrium Z in conjunction with Thunderbolt allows Tapu Koko to heavily cripple or outright KO some Stealth Rock users such as Clefable and Heatran that are otherwise somewhat troublesome to deal with. Leftovers can also be used over Electrium Z because the increased longevity allows Tapu Koko to remove hazards more consistently. Alternatively, Shuca Berry can be used in conjunction with Hidden Power Ice to allow Tapu Koko to more consistently remove Stealth Rock against Landorus-T as well as offensively check Zygarde if need be. 20 HP and 20 Special Defense EVs ensure that Mega Latios cannot OHKO Tapu Koko after Stealth Rock damage. 216 Speed EVs with a Timid nature allow Tapu Koko to outspeed Weavile and Greninja, and 252 Special Attack EVs ensure that Gigavolt Havoc will KO offensive Heatran and Thunderbolt will always 2HKO defensive Clefable.
Usage Tips
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This Tapu Koko set is best used to proactively remove entry hazards in the early stages of the game, as it can still be quickly worn down in spite of its access to Roost due to its underwhelming bulk. However, if you're facing an entry hazard setter that Tapu Koko cannot Defog against, such as Ferrothorn, then it's best to remove the entry hazard setter before attempting to remove the hazards. This set is largely useful due to its ability to be a durable answer to Toxic Spikes, as Tapu Koko can consistently switch into and threaten Toxapex out while using Defog to remove Toxic Spikes. Be careful to not waste Tapu Koko's Z-Move too early on in the match because it can potentially be more useful when it's easier to guarantee a KO late-game. Finally, when facing a threat that Tapu Koko is necessary to check, such as Hawlucha or Mega Pinsir, ensure that Tapu Koko uses Roost often against targets that it threatens out such as Celesteela to guarantee that it will be able to survive boosted attacks from either target.
Team Options
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This Tapu Koko set tends to fit onto more offensive teams that require role compression to remove entry hazards while checking key threats like Mega Pinsir and Hawlucha. Pokemon weak to Stealth Rock, such as Volcarona and Mega Pinsir, appreciate Tapu Koko's ability to remove punishing entry hazards that would otherwise be problematic to deal with. Pokemon that can remove or lure the bulky Grass-types that plague Tapu Koko, such as Gunk Shot Greninja or Choice Band Zygarde, make excellent teammates for this set. Magnezone is also a good partner due to its ability to trap Ferrothorn, which is arguably the most annoying entry hazard setter for this set to deal with.
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