OU Tapu Koko (Shuca Berry)

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.
 
Last edited:
I'd mention an EV spread of 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe in Set Details. Spread outruns Weavile and makes it so Tapu Koko outslows opposing Tapu Koko to get a slow Volt Switch.
 

power

uh-oh, the game in trouble
Theres an alternative 128 hp spread running around to better deal with hawlucha - i might include it
 

power

uh-oh, the game in trouble
LL yeah but its kinda sus cause weavile outspeeds you so im not too sure about putting it in
 

Leo

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  • Electric Surge is Tapu Koko’s only ability. It is very useful, boosting the power of its Electric-type moves by 50% and protecting it from Sleep.
Minor but Electric Surge doesn't boost the power of Electric-type moves, it's the Terrain summoned by the ability that does that (yes I know you and everyone knows this just make sure to specify that)
Shuca Berry lets Tapu Koko defeat Ground-type Pokemon one-on-one without the drawback of being Choice-locked and significantly eases prediction.
Just mention Lando Zyg and ig Chomp here since there are other Ground-types in the tier that still beat Koko like Hippo Pert

  • Mention the ABR spread in Details and mention what it does (outspeeds Gren, lives cb arrows after rocks)
  • I'd like to see a bullet in Team Options about mons that appreciate Koko's ability to beat/lure Lando reliably, just something that differentiates this Team Options from other sets'

QC 1/3 good job
 

power

uh-oh, the game in trouble
Minor but Electric Surge doesn't boost the power of Electric-type moves, it's the Terrain summoned by the ability that does that (yes I know you and everyone knows this just make sure to specify that)

Just mention Lando Zyg and ig Chomp here since there are other Ground-types in the tier that still beat Koko like Hippo Pert

  • Mention the ABR spread in Details and mention what it does (outspeeds Gren, lives cb arrows after rocks)
  • I'd like to see a bullet in Team Options about mons that appreciate Koko's ability to beat/lure Lando reliably, just something that differentiates this Team Options from other sets'

QC 1/3 good job
Done except chomp is an unmon
 
i personally really like running 3 atks zard-x with this set since the most common (by far) zard-x switch-in will often eat HP ices from this koko. additionally, the most common koko switchins (bulu, ferro, av magearna, etc) are all complete zard-x food, so you can bring it in on the volt and put yourself in a great position to break

so yeah i think you could mention zard-x as a teammate since theres obvious synergy. i run t-punch on the 3-atks zard team i have w/ shuca koko but you'd need someone that actually plays sm ou to comment on tpunch zard before mentioning that eterrain boosts tpunch
 

Colonel M

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Thunderbolt is Tapu Koko's strongest STAB move and gives it the power to 2HKO common bulky Pokemon such as Clefable.
Would probably just mention "non-Calm Mind" here since Calm Mind can usually stomach the two Thunderbolts.
Hidden Power Ice 2HKOs the predominant Ground-types in OU: Landorus-T and Zygarde. Because this Tapu Koko variant holds a Shuca Berry, it can survive an attack from both of these Pokemon.
Mention unboosted at least in terms of Zygarde. +1 Tectonic Rage is a clean OHKO, and has a slim chance to OHKO with Stealth Rock (about 12.5%).

Everything else is fine.

2/3
 

power

uh-oh, the game in trouble
Would probably just mention "non-Calm Mind" here since Calm Mind can usually stomach the two Thunderbolts.

Mention unboosted at least in terms of Zygarde. +1 Tectonic Rage is a clean OHKO, and has a slim chance to OHKO with Stealth Rock (about 12.5%).

Everything else is fine.

2/3
done

axed clefable mention entirely as it sounds like im running tbolt specifically for non-calm mind clefable, which isnt common enough to justify anything on any mon
 
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[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, (AC) and when. (RP) 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 2HKOs 2HKOes (verb = #HKOes) the predominant Ground-types in OU: Landorus-T and Zygarde. Because this Tapu Koko variant holds a Shuca Berry, it can survive any unboosted attack from both of these Pokemon, including Choice Band Thousand Arrows from the latter. (belongs in set details, ill let you decide where to fit it in) 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 (first mention in paragraph) hazard removal for its team. Taunt eases the matchup against hyper offensive 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, (RC) preventing it from using Stealth Rock. Taunt allows helps Tapu Koko 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, significantly easing prediction. 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, (AC) Tapu Koko is outsped by Weavile and struggles to break through bulky Pokemon such as Mew and Clefable. Electric Surge is Tapu Koko’s only ability. It is very useful, summoning as it summons (subjective flow change) Electric Terrain to boost the power of its Tapu Koko's Electric-type moves by 50% and protects it from being put to sleep (if you want to include teammates too, reword it to "protects it and its teammates from being put to sleep instead").

Usage Tips
========

Shuca Berry Tapu Koko generally does not need to predict early-game (AH) 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 is switched comes in, (RC) because Shuca Berry allows Tapu Koko to safely stay in and 2HKO the aforementioned Ground-types them the next turn. Volt Switch also lulls the opponent into a false sense of security, tricking them into thinking believing (more clarified) 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 the Tapu Koko user's your (you can use "you(r/re)" to refer to the reader as long as you're actually referring to them and not the pokemon) 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 this Tapu Koko set can break through Landorus-T reliably. Stealth Rock users such as Landorus-T and Heatran have excellent synergy together and lay Stealth Rock to wear down checks to Tapu Koko 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 who that greatly appreciates Tapu Koko's ability to safely bring it in Hawlucha on the Bulky Grass-types that act as setup bait for Hawlucha such as Tapu Bulu, Ferrothorn, and Tangrowth that Hawlucha loves to set up on. Tapu Koko also summons Electric Terrain so that to activate Hawlucha's can activate its Electric Seed and receive an Unburden boost.
GP 1/2

pm me on discord or on ps if you have qs (obviously ps is if im on)
 

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[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 together with Tapu Kokoand lay Stealth Rock to wear down checks to Tapu Koko 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.

2/2
 

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