Tapu Bulu Discussion

MegaZard X comes to mind as a threat. Its a real shame that Grassy Terrain lowers your own EQ damage, because Duggy seems like an insane partner for this guy as well. Unless... I (potentially) have a solution...

*puts sunglasses on*

Air Balloon Dugtrio

On a realistic note, does that actually work? It isn't technically touching the ground, right?
I kinda think that the move Earthquake has its damage lowered, regardless of the user, in Grassy Terrain.
 
This is correct, EQ is lowered no matter what. I am curious however if Air Balloon does remove the benefits of the terrains. I'm going to assume yes.
Yes, Air Balloon does.

A Pokemon is considered "ungrounded" (doesn't benefit from Terrains) if:

- It's Flying type.
- It has Levitate.
- It's holding an Air Balloon.
- It's under the effects of Magnet Rise or Telekinesis.
 
This is correct, EQ is lowered no matter what. I am curious however if Air Balloon does remove the benefits of the terrains. I'm going to assume yes.
Terrains effect: all Pokémon that are grounded. These are all non-flying types or flying types that are holding an iron ball, are under effect of Ingrain, Smack Down, Gravity or Thousand Arrows.
Terrains don't effect: all flying types, Pokémon with the ability Levitate, holder of Air Balloon, users of Magnet Rise or Telekinesis.

So any Pokémon that is not grounded will not have any of the benefits of the terrain, but might get their moves debuffed.
 
So how is anyone supposed to beat a Bulu + Heatran + Rotom core? lol
Mega venusaur with earthquake
Manaphy if it doesn't come in on bulu
Hydreigon with fire blast
Power Herb Heatran
Charizard X with earthquake and roost (???)
Focus Blast Gengar
Sub toxic gliscor i guess
Freeze dry mamoswine i suppose
Tail glow xurkitree
Life Orb Poison Jab Keldeo if it hits bulu on the switch /s
252 SpA Choice Specs Dugtrio Sludge Wave vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Tapu Bulu: 360-428 (104.9 - 124.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO :^))))

The fact that some of those are pretty stupid sorta lets you know this is a good core. I expect more pokemon to be running random Poison coverage now, what with the influx of viable Fairy types.
 
Here are some sets I want to elaborate on for Tapu Bulu that are somewhat being ignored due to the prominence of band set discussions:







Tapu Bulu @ Leftovers
Ability: Grassy surge
EVs: 248 HP / 20 Atk / 64 Def / 176 SpD
Careful Nature
- Leech Seed
- Taunt / Horn Leech
- Wood Hammer
- Nature's Madness​
Now, I know this set isn't necessarily gonna be as good as the band set, but it still has a lot of promise, and I can see it working well on balance. Leftovers + grassy terrain recovery every round is amazing, thats 24% a turn. Now, Tapu Bulu has a shit ton of resistance's, and can come in and set out a leech seed, meaning it recovers 36% health a round. What makes this so good is that with Bulu's plethora of useful resists, and its respectable bulk - setting up a leech seed really isn't that hard. Not only this, Wood Hammer in grassy terrain still does a huge amount of damage:

20 Atk Whimsicott Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Latios in Grassy Terrain: 148-175 (49.4 - 58.5%) -- 98.8% chance to 2HKO (definite 2ohko after Latio's LO usage)

20 Atk Whimsicott Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Lopunny in Grassy Terrain: 259-306 (95.5 - 112.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

Now, Tapu Bulu's bulk + leftover / grassy terrain healing gives it plenty of switch in opportunities:

252 Atk Mega Lopunny Return vs. 252 HP / 64 Def Whimsicott: 144-171 (41.8 - 49.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock, Leftovers recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery

252 SpA Life Orb Latios Psyshock vs. 252 HP / 64 Def Whimsicott: 142-169 (41.2 - 49.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock, Leftovers recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery

252 SpA Mega Diancie Moonblast vs. 252 HP / 176+ SpD Whimsicott: 144-171 (41.8 - 49.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock, Leftovers recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery

This set offers a lot of defensive utility and has sublime synergy with many OU pokemon, not only this, a more defensive set is still a major offensive threat.



Tapu Bulu @ Life Orb
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 40 HP / 252 Atk / 216 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Zen Headbutt
- Superpower
- Megahorn
Now you might ask, what does a set like this have over plain band Tapu Bulu? And this is my answer; sheer capacity to deconstruct and eliminate defensive cores. Why this set can do it and not a band set? The ability to change moves and abuse coverage.

Common ORAS OU defensive pokemon:

252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Zen Headbutt vs. 248 HP / 168+ Def Amoonguss: 247-291 (57.3 - 67.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock, Black Sludge recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Wood Hammer vs. 244 HP / 8 Def Gliscor in Grassy Terrain: 343-406 (97.4 - 115.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 356-421 (92.2 - 109%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock

252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Zen Headbutt vs. 232 HP / 0 Def Mega Venusaur: 208-247 (57.9 - 68.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Megahorn vs. 244 HP / 216+ Def Tangrowth: 237-281 (58.9 - 69.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock, Leftovers recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery

252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 112 Def Mega Sableye in Grassy Terrain: 317-374 (104.2 - 123%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 172 Def Clefable in Grassy Terrain: 441-520 (111.9 - 131.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Slowbro in Grassy Terrain: 577-681 (146.4 - 172.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Whimsicott Wood Hammer vs. 248 HP / 176+ Def Zapdos in Grassy Terrain: 181-213 (47.2 - 55.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

The ability to be able to switch between moves is certainly enough to distinguish LO bulu with Band Bulu as a crusher of balance cores rather than a wall breaker. Even still - pokemon like skarmory and scizor are a huge problem, but, If paired with magnezone, I dont think there is a single defensive core out there that can effectively stand up to the combination of LO bulu and magnezone.
 

Punchshroom

FISHIOUS REND MEGA SHARPEDO
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Just here to drop off some stupid powerful CB Tapu Bulu calcs:

252+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable in Grassy Terrain: 424-501 (107.6 - 127.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Toxapex in Grassy Terrain: 259-306 (85.1 - 100.6%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

252+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 96 HP / 0- Def Tornadus-T in Grassy Terrain: 324-382 (100.3 - 118.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mega Charizard Y in Grassy Terrain: 148-175 (49.8 - 58.9%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252 Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Metagross in Grassy Terrain: 154-182 (51.1 - 60.4%) -- 91.4% chance to 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Wood Hammer vs. 248 HP / 172+ Def Zapdos in Grassy Terrain: 210-247 (54.8 - 64.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Superpower vs. 252 HP / 88+ Def Ferrothorn: 290-342 (82.3 - 97.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Zen Headbutt vs. 248 HP / 96+ Def Mega Venusaur: 204-240 (56.1 - 66.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Zen Headbutt vs. 248 HP / 168+ Def Amoonguss: 284-336 (65.8 - 77.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Megahorn vs. 244 HP / 216+ Def Tangrowth: 272-322 (67.6 - 80%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery and Grassy Terrain recovery
252+ Atk Choice Band Tapu Bulu Megahorn vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Tangrowth: 354-418 (87.6 - 103.4%) -- 25% chance to OHKO, guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
 
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Two-shotting physically defensive Zapdos without rocks is actually insane.

The defensive set sounds really fun, and I'm sure can be useful when people expect a Band on it. It's worth nothing that a Miracle Seed acts as a weaker Life Orb with the ability to feign a Choice Band, which I'm sure would net some surprise KO's.

EDIT: @above, if those Calc's above on the defensive set are the benchmark's for your EV's, you can probably drop some Ev's because of the Lefties and Grassy Terrain recovery and still survive the 2HKO, and dump them into Atk because why not.
 
So how is anyone supposed to beat a Bulu + Heatran + Rotom core? lol
Actually, Pyukumuku with Fightium-Z absolutely dismantles this core

Innards Out plus recoil damage from Wood Hammer KOs Tapu Bulu

Pyukumuku is easily knocked out by the OU classic fully offensive Electro Ball Rotom-W, thus KOing with Innards Out
252+ SpA Rotom-W Electro Ball (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0- SpD Remoraid: 410-486 (130.5 - 154.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Fightium-Z turns Counter into a 100-BP Fighting move (+2 and crit because you've obviously baton passed a Swords Dance and Focus Energy to this monster):
+2 252+ Atk Pyukumuku All-Out Pummeling vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Heatran on a critical hit: 208-246 (64.3 - 76.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
In which the rest of the damage will be covered when Heatran slowly but sure 3 or 4HKOs you with Earth Power

glhf gg
 
This thing is seriously amazing. Insane grass nukes aside, I think grassy surge makes this plus that 173 base sp attk monster xurkitree inseparable. tapu bulu is actually massive boon to xurkitree especially if that 20 attk boost to dugtrio is as significant to its ou usage as I think it is.
 
+



Tapu Bulu @ Terrain Extender/Choice Band
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 156 HP / 252 Atk / 100 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Wood Hammer
- Horn Leech
- Superpower/Megahorn
- Leech Seed/Megahorn

So the main idea is to provide Grassy Terrain support while dealing with Gastrodon or Quagsire that can sit in front of Raikou until the terrain goes away and not care about it, setting Leech Seed on an incoming treat to then change to Raikou, it also deal with special walls like Chansey that Raikou struggles with.

Raikou @ Leftovers/ Grass Seed
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 24 Def / 252 SpA / 232 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Substitute / Volt Switch

The classic CM Raikou, I think Tapu Bulu helps inmensely because under Grassy Terrain its most prominent checks like Scarf Lando-T and Garchomp now get trampled since on the switch you set a CM, take the EQ and then retaliate with HP, Raikou also helps to deal with Flying mons and helps with physical walls, Grassy Terrain also substitutes the necessity of Leftovers and also allows you to get a +1 in defense which lets you set up on mons that would otherwise threaten you, sub helps with prediction and against nuke moves and status, Volt Switch gets a mention since it lets pivot into Tapu Bulu again for breaking or another mon.

The Garchomp case if it begans to run Poison Jab since previously it was only useful for Togekiss, but now the metatrends are definitely going to change, anyways what do you think?
 
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Hey guys, I am looking at all these posts with sets and loving the damage coming off banded Tapu Bulu. But I'm just a bit confused and unsure about it all. Is Tapu Bulu just a bit too slow to be pulling off banded sets with speed? I know he does a lot of damage but is he bulky enough without that investment in HP which is in into speed? Is a bulky set better? I am just quite conflicted as to what his most helpful set is... I guess I just want to know what the most used nature I should get on my Tapu Bulu in game is. Cuz I'll only have the one and I want it to have a nature that covers the majority of it's possible uses. Maybe Adamant?
 
Hey guys, I am looking at all these posts with sets and loving the damage coming off banded Tapu Bulu. But I'm just a bit confused and unsure about it all. Is Tapu Bulu just a bit too slow to be pulling off banded sets with speed? I know he does a lot of damage but is he bulky enough without that investment in HP which is in into speed? Is a bulky set better? I am just quite conflicted as to what his most helpful set is... I guess I just want to know what the most used nature I should get on my Tapu Bulu in game is. Cuz I'll only have the one and I want it to have a nature that covers the majority of it's possible uses. Maybe Adamant?
Not saying that speed is not relevant, but Bulu has the typing and defensive stats to take a hit and then retaliating and killing, against walls this thing is stupidly amazing since if i am not wrong it just needs ONE move to 2OHKO basically everything, it doesnt need to predict which tends to be a very crucial thing for mantaining momentum, pair this mon with Char X to help with M-Scizor and Ferro matchups, they also synergy very well because they can overwhelm walls, because of their enormous offensive presence.

I am not saying other sets may not be ending better than CB but it certainly seems to be a very good one, especially because it works with Sun teams, some Elec mons, Grass mons, FWG cores and so on.

I can see a Leftovers set working, you are recovering a good chunk of heal which coupled with its bulk really extends its longevity.

Even a Scarf set could work, this mon remembers me a little to Darmanitan, maybe thats why I get the feeling it could work, Wood Hammer becomes basically a Grass V-Create coming of a 130 Attack, this trades power for being able to outspeed things like Latios and threaten them, but maybe it falls short on power against some matchups and ends relying more on prediction...

So in conclusion this thing will be a monster this gen.
 
Not saying that speed is not relevant, but Bulu has the typing and defensive stats to take a hit and then retaliating and killing, against walls this thing is stupidly amazing since if i am not wrong it just needs ONE move to 2OHKO basically everything, it doesnt need to predict which tends to be a very crucial thing for mantaining momentum, pair this mon with Char X to help with M-Scizor and Ferro matchups, they also synergy very well because they can overwhelm walls, because of their enormous offensive presence.

I am not saying other sets may not be ending better than CB but it certainly seems to be a very good one, especially because it works with Sun teams, some Elec mons, Grass mons, FWG cores and so on.

I can see a Leftovers set working, you are recovering a good chunk of heal which coupled with its bulk really extends its longevity.

Even a Scarf set could work, this mon remembers me a little to Darmanitan, maybe thats why I get the feeling it could work, Wood Hammer becomes basically a Grass V-Create coming of a 130 Attack, this trades power for being able to outspeed things like Latios and threaten them, but maybe it falls short on power against some matchups and ends relying more on prediction...

So in conclusion this thing will be a monster this gen.
Awesome response man. Appreciate it. I will definitely consider an attacking set. I guess its attack is its highest stat and so probably intended to be one probably. A few more questions sorry.
1. So, without the HP investment is it still a reliable pivot? Or does it take too much damage?
2. Is recoil from Wood Hammer quite detrimental? The recoil from Wood Hammer is bothering me a little too. As a slow Pokemon, recoil (especially with Life Orb) isn't particularly a nice thing to have if you're being hit first a good amount of the time as well. And although there is grassy terrain recovery, the opponent gets this recovery too, so it's also lessening the damage from Wood Hammer.

Oh and by the way, Roxachronic, why the Evs on your Tapu Bulu? 100 Spe? Any particular reason?
 
Remember when Grass was a bad type to have on an offensive Pokemon?

Good times. Now they don't even care if you resist their attack. Really, OHKOing Tornadus-T and Mega Charizard-Y after rocks (which resist and DOUBLE resist the move, respectively. How many Pokemon can claim to OHKO an opponent with a double-resisted move, even if it's a 4x Rock-weak Pokemon?) and 2HKOing defensive Zapdos is outright ridiculous. What can switch into CB Bulu?

And don't forget you can always pair it with a certain Grass-type certain attacker that looks extremely cool and can set up while using Leaf Storm. Although this is not as good as other Terrain pairings as both are meant to stay for noticeable periods of time without switching.
 
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oh yeah, Serperiors first Leaf Storm might actually have a kick under Grassy Terrain. And we all know how hard it hits when it gets going

Question, does Unaware ignore Terrain Boosts?
 

Pyritie

TAMAGO
is an Artist
Question, does Unaware ignore Terrain Boosts?
No, because terrain boosts are a field effect like weather. Unaware just ignores stat changes.

Mold breaker doesn't let you use a water move on a primal groudon in harsh sunlight, for example -- you need a different ability for that (air lock or cloud nine), and there's no ability that nullifies terrain effects.
 
No, because terrain boosts are a field effect like weather. Unaware just ignores stat changes.

Mold breaker doesn't let you use a water move on a primal groudon in harsh sunlight, for example -- you need a different ability for that (air lock or cloud nine), and there's no ability that nullifies terrain effects.


right ok, thought so, just wanted to be sure.

in that case


252 SpA Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable in Grassy Terrain: 241-285 (61.1 - 72.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

it beats Clefable with Terrain support (If Clefable doesn't have Fire Blast, or isn't a special tank)?

Thats not bad at all. Less stops to Serperiors spam is always a good thing for it

plus Bulu itself could always dent Clef.

Liking this combo
 
right ok, thought so, just wanted to be sure.

in that case


252 SpA Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Clefable in Grassy Terrain: 241-285 (61.1 - 72.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

it beats Clefable with Terrain support (If Clefable doesn't have Fire Blast, or isn't a special tank)?

Thats not bad at all. Less stops to Serperiors spam is always a good thing for it

plus Bulu itself could always dent Clef.

Liking this combo
You'd want to use Life Orb if comboing with Grassy Terrain as it compensates the recoil.

It also allows good Serpy to 2HKO Heatran if it switches in when at +4. Although... why would it switch in that late?

+4 252 SpA Life Orb Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 188+ SpD Heatran in Grassy Terrain: 156-185 (40.4 - 47.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock, Leftovers recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery

+6 252 SpA Life Orb Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 188+ SpD Heatran in Grassy Terrain: 208-246 (53.8 - 63.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock, Leftovers recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery
 
You'd want to use Life Orb if comboing with Grassy Terrain as it compensates the recoil.

It also allows good Serpy to 2HKO Heatran if it switches in when at +4.

+4 252 SpA Life Orb Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 188+ SpD Heatran in Grassy Terrain: 156-185 (40.4 - 47.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock, Leftovers recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery

+6 252 SpA Life Orb Serperior Leaf Storm vs. 252 HP / 188+ SpD Heatran in Grassy Terrain: 208-246 (53.8 - 63.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock, Leftovers recovery, and Grassy Terrain recovery
yeah was thinking that, but just decided to use the current standard set for comparisons sake, to show how powerful even the current Serperior set is with Bulu support. Life Orb is the best choice if Grassy Terrain is in play, by a fair distance. Especially because you need the power to beat down the Terrain recovery.

2HKO on Heatran if set up is really nice. Especially since Serperior will want to do its job late game and i'd imagine Heatran will have taken a bit (Possibly from trying to check Bulu) before switching in on Serps sweep.
 
Honestly speaking the most practical pairing for Tapu Bulu would be another Tapu. I don't really see too much merit of trying to use Terrain boost

The ability to re-set terrain is VERY valuable. The terrain reset is essentially one of the reason why Tyranitar and Charizard Y is such a great core in gen 6 since you can ensure one or the other to always have their optimal terrain condition from the get go
 

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