These are NOT the only 2 Koko sets. Band, Scarf, Specs, Flynium Z, Magnet, Mixed LO, Taunt etc. are all viable sets. Reducing Koko's sets run to 2 Life Orb sets is just silly.
This isn't my set, but this is the coolest Tapu Koko I've seen. Circumvents a lot of its checks and gave my stall team quite a bit of trouble, although I was able to pull through in the end.
Tapu Koko @ Fairium Z
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Bolt Strike
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Fire]
I'm just guessing at the EVs and nature, but based on the damage, it was probably something like this. Z-Fleur Cannon heavily dents or outright kills a lot of what you'd normally use HP Ice and Grass Knot for, while Bolt Strike still hits incredibly hard with less Attack investment, 2HKOing Chansey most of the time. This set serves a similar role to V-Create Zard-Y, hitting hard from both sides of the damage spectrum by relying on an ambient damage boost (Drought, Electric Surge) over full investment. Speaking of which, this set was paired with Zard-Y, allowing HP Fire to KO standard Ferrothorn after some prior damage.
On the topic of VR rankings, these are the things I've had success with, and I think they deserve ranks:
Mega Sableye: Controversial opinion, but I think M-Sab should minimum share a rank with regular Sableye, honestly rank above it. M-Sab was kind of frowned upon Gen 6 in STABmons because Prankster Dark Void was so vital to maintain, but that's no longer the case. What people need to understand is you never need to Mega if you don't need to, but having a button you can press whenever you want which doubles your bulk and gives you Magic Bounce is better than Leftovers, in my opinion. With Magic Bounce and great bulk, M-Sab is the free-est switch-in for Chansey ever, and one of the best spin-blockers, period. You also check about 80% of all Silvally sets I've encountered, especially with Spectral Thief, of which Mega Sableye might just be the best user. If you just want something that Parting Shots around all day, or your Mega slot is taken already, regular Sableye is fine, but discounting its Mega is criminal.
B to A-
Bewear: I saw someone using Circle Throw Bewear on the ladder and was proud. You can scroll back a page to see me gush about Bewear a bit, but I've seen this gain popularity and for good reason, not just on stall. With 120 Attack, 120 HP and Fluffy, Bewear can serve as a Fake-Speeder that checks opposing Fake-Speeders, or a bulky setup E-speeder with SD or BU. Recovery is a god-send, and any set offensive or defensive should run Leftovers + Recover to continue walling nearly every physical attacker in the game. The defensive set especially is legitimately one of the only safe switch-ins for all forms of Tyranitar, even DD Mega and Band. Its biggest downside is having no good answers for Ghosts outside of Shadow Claw, but I think its utility more than makes up for that. Honestly I think Bewear is a top 5 Normal type in an OM dominated by them, but I think it has a lot of unexplored potential, so I'd rank conservatively for the time being, but keep your eyes on it!
B- to B+
Chandelure: Super underrated, and badly misused (all I see are shitty Scarf sets). I'll post this team later, but I run Z-Trick or Treat Chandelure and it either sweeps or breaks enough kneecaps for something else to finish the job. Blue Flare/Moongeist Beam/HP Ground is all you need blow back most everything but Tyranitar and Chansey, especially given the bonus effect of ToT, where all targets except Normals suddenly become much weaker to Moongeist Beam. You outspeed Tapu Koko at +1, and your Ghost typing allows you to deflect most priority. Moongeist is brutal in its own right, OHKOing Sturdy Pokemon and Mimikyu through Disguise, and Ghostium-Z gives the option gives the option of a 180 bp move if you think a full sweep wouldn't be beneficial. Flash Fire is also nice in a pinch, allowing you to setup on Zard-Y even if it does a ton with Oblivion Wing. Took a hit thanks to Mega Lopunny's release, but Chandy is a complete sleeper in the tier and hopefully ranking it would give more exposure.
B- to B+
Tsareena: Ok, Tsareena might seem like a meme that I keep using for some reason, but I think it has a real niche in STABmons despite not gaining much outside of stronger STAB. Queenly Majesty + Scarf handily checks Tyranitar, Greninja, Snorlax, Diggersby, Ursaring, and more. Wood Hammer + High Jump Kick isn't the best coverage, but it's enough to OHKO all the targets I listed and quite a few more. With U-turn and Rapid Spin rounding out the set, Tsareena is an excellent asset for teams weak to priority and looking for a fool-proof way out. I've also used a defensive set with Strength Sap + Horn Leech, but I'd recommend sticking to Scarf. The greatest tragedy is that Scarf isn't enough to outpace Mega Lopunny, which is massive pain to offense and a real bummer to my Tsareena hype train. I still think its a really good mon, but it has some significant shortcomings in the current meta.
C to B-
Mega Heracross: Just started using this to better check Mega Lopunny, so I can't speak too much on it, but it's been super fun so far. First Impression + Mach Punch + filler is a great revenge killer for Greninja, Lopunny, etc. The damage output is insane unboosted, and your natural bulk is enough to take on many faster priority users with ease. Something neat is that because First Impression shares a priority bracket with Extreme Speed, you can run enough Speed to outpace whatever you need to and nab a surprise kill with your priority. Other options include Heal Order and SD, breaking through stall lacking Unaware Clefable. I'll report back as things develop, but a promising start.
Needs more testing, but my gut says B- to A-
And speaking of Mega Lopunny, it may have just been released, but it's one of the best mons in the meta, no doubt. Screw this thing.
A+