[OVERVIEW]
Fairy
========
Tapu Bulu can utilize Fightinium Z or Rockium Z in conjunction with Swords Dance to break certain Pokemon that would normally check it, such as Ferrothorn for the former and Mandibuzz for the latter.
[SET]
name: Z-Move Wallbreaker (Fairy)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Horn Leech
move 3: Superpower / Stone Edge
move 4: Substitute
item: Fightinium Z / Rockium Z
ability: Grassy Surge
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Swords Dance allows Tapu Bulu to raise its Attack stat and become a fearsome wallbreaker. Horn Leech is Tapu Bulu's main wallbreaking STAB attack that heals it, letting it beat walls such as Clefable and Toxapex along with even faster Pokemon like Mega Gallade. Superpower alongside Fightinium Z allows Tapu Bulu to hit Ferrothorn, Celesteela, and Heatran, which would otherwise wall it. Stone Edge alongside Rockium Z is another option to hit Mega Charizard X and Y, Tornadus-T, Mandibuzz, and Torkoal. Substitute allows Tapu Bulu to avoid status, take advantage of switches, and safely set up a Swords Dance
Set Details
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Maximum Speed and Attack investment with an Adamant nature ensures Tapu Bulu hits as hard and as fast as possible. Fightinium Z allows Tapu Bulu to OHKO Ferrothorn and Chansey with All-Out Pummeling after Stealth Rock Damage even without a Swords Dance, as well as OHKO Celesteela at +2. Rockium Z allows Tapu Bulu to OHKO Zapdos with Continental Crush and even Torkoal after a Swords Dance. Grassy Surge immediately sets Grassy Terrain for Tapu Bulu, allowing it to wallbreak with Horn Leech and offset Substitute damage, alongside supporting its teammates by giving them passive recovery and halving the damage from Earthquake.
Usage Tips
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Tapu Bulu should be used as a physical wallbreaker and should take advantage of a passive Pokemon looking to spread status by setting up a Substitute or when forcing a switch. When under a Substitute, Tapu Bulu can look to boost with Swords Dance for free. This allows Tapu Bulu to be a very troublesome wallbreaker to slower teams. Switch in Tapu Bulu on predicted Ground-, Water-, and Electric- type attacks, allowing it to then force the opposing Pokemon out and gain a chance to set up. If Fightinium Z is used, go for All-Out Pummelling against faster threats like Heatran, Excadrill, and Kyurem-B when behind a Substitute to immediately eliminate them; the same goes for Continential Crush against Mega Charizard X and Y, Zapdos, and Tornadus-T if Rockium Z is used, as Tapu Bulu usually lures these Pokemon in expecting to wall it. Tapu Bulu should also preserve its Z-Move for certain Pokemon such as Celesteela and Mandibuzz, as it can OHKO them after a Swords Dance boost. Tapu Bulu can always play around Protect by going for an additional Swords Dance, as there is a possibility that they will scout for the Z-Move. Tapu Bulu cannot afford to take any status, as they all hinder Tapu Bulu's ability to set up effectively. Tapu Bulu can avoid status ailments by setting up a Substitute on an incoming Will-O-Wisp from Mega Sableye, Toxic from Chansey, or Scald from Mantine and begin to pressure them. In addition, Tapu Bulu should be wary switching into Scald, as that has a chance to burn it permanently.
Team Options
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Almost all Fairy-types, such as Mega Diancie and Klefki, can appreciate Tapu Bulu halving the damage the damage of Earthquake and giving passive recovery to them. Mega Diancie gets rid of Fire- and Flying-types that prevent Tapu Bulu from sweeping and can bounce back Toxic Spikes and status so that they do not hit Tapu Bulu. Mega Diancie can also set Stealth Rock for Tapu Bulu. Tapu Koko can eliminate Pokemon like Skarmory and Celesteela that can give Tapu Bulu a hard time. Tapu Koko can also pivot on Pokemon such as Gastrodon, Hippowdon, and Swampert, allowing Tapu Bulu to get in safely with U-Turn as they switch into Tapu Koko. Klefki provides dual screen support, Spikes to wear down the opposing team, Foul Play to check Mega Scizor, and Thunder Wave to cripple the Speed of faster Pokemon like Kyurem-B so that Tapu Bulu can outspeed them. Klefki is also a Steel-type that can switch into Poison-type moves such as Gunk Shot and Sludge Bomb, which are huge threats to Tapu Bulu. Clefable sets up Stealth Rock to chip away at the opposing team and can absorb a Toxic or Scald burn thanks to Magic Guard. Azumarill thrives as a teammate, being able to pressure Fire-types and appreciating Tapu Bulu's ability to switch into Electric- type attacks and get rid of its checks such as Seismitoad, Mantine, and Rotom-W. Both Azumarill and Tapu Bulu weaken each others checks, as they are both physical setup sweepers. Mimikyu can get rid of Celebi, Victini, Latios, and Jirachi so that Tapu Bulu can pressure Psychic teams, or Tapu Bulu can weaken the entire team so Mimikyu can clean up at the end.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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* remove sd + fight z from oo in current analysis
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Splashbrutha, 437289]]
- Fairy analysis by: [[Splashbrutha, 437289]]
- Quality checked by: [[Maroon, 305839] , [Decem, 362454], [Kev, 314540]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Eien, 100418], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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