[SET]
name: Sheer Force
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Psychic / Psyshock
move 4: Thunderbolt / Energy Ball
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Sheer Force Tapu Lele is one of the most powerful wallbreakers in the metagame and can break through many of the common specially defensive switch-ins, including Blissey and Heatran. Sheer Force and Life Orb boost its already high power without taking recoil. Tapu Lele does not have many reliable switch-ins and can often attack without predicting, as the switch-in will still be KOed by the appropriate coverage move on the next turn. Moonblast is its strongest STAB move and deals significant damage to neutral targets like Mew and Zapdos. Focus Blast hits Steel-types like Heatran and Ferrothorn for super effective damage and 2HKOes Blissey after minor chip damage. A secondary STAB move in Psychic is useful to hit Pokemon like Volcarona and Volt Absorb Moltres that can wall other variants of this set; with Psyshock, Tapu Lele is able to 2HKO RegenVest Landorus-T and more reliably hit Blissey. Thunderbolt provides better coverage against Pokemon like Corviknight and Tapu Fini, while Energy Ball threatens to OHKO RegenVest Swampert after minor chip damage. A Modest nature is necessary to improve damage rolls against the likes of Blissey, Heatran, and Ferrothorn.
Tapu Lele pairs well with strong physical attackers such as Galarian Zapdos and Talonflame, as they help break through dedicated special switch-ins that Tapu Lele invites in, such as RegenVest Jirachi. In return, Tapu Lele capitalizes on their physically defensive checks like Mew and Toxapex. Tapu Lele has no way of recovering HP and is prone to chip damage from entry hazards, so it appreciates reliable Defoggers such as Corviknight, Mandibuzz, and Tapu Fini on its team. These Pokemon double as sturdy defensive checks to revenge killers like Zarude and Barraskewda that threaten to outspeed and OHKO Tapu Lele. Wandering Spirit Corviknight is an especially helpful partner, as it can potentially take away Jirachi's Regenerator, allowing Tapu Lele to break through the next time it comes in. Tapu Lele also cannot come in on any attacks due to its frailty, so it appreciates slow pivots like Landorus-T, Blissey, and the aforementioned Corviknight to bring it in safely.
[SET]
name: Tinted Lens
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Nature's Madness
move 4: Taunt
item: Pixie Plate
ability: Tinted Lens
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moonblast is Tapu Lele's strongest and most reliable STAB move, notably threatening a 2HKO on physically defensive Ferrothorn, Corviknight, and Mew, as well as an OHKO on Mandibuzz, thanks to the boosts from Tinted Lens and Pixie Plate. Psyshock is a great secondary STAB move that hits Blissey and Assault Vest Pokemon like Swampert on their weaker Defense stat and is the best option against Heatran. With its Tinted Lens-boosted attacks already hitting every Pokemon in the metagame at least naturally, Tapu Lele is able to utilize Nature's Madness and Taunt, which together can cause huge disruption to slower teams: Nature's Madness guarantees damage even on the sturdiest checks such as RegenVest Jirachi, while Taunt targets Pokemon like Chansey and Blissey to deny their recovery.
Tapu Lele thrives on balance and bulky offense teams in need of a way to break down bulky defensive cores. It pairs well with strong wallbreakers like Zygarde-10%, Cinderace, and Pixilate Tapu Koko that can clean up after Tapu Lele punches holes in the opposing team. The former two also OHKO Tapu Lele's checks like Jirachi and Heatran, while inviting in physically defensive Pokemon like Dauntless Shield Mandibuzz and Kommo-o, which Tapu Lele can capitalize on; the latter greatly appreciates Tapu Lele weakening Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Heatran. Moreover, these Pokemon can cover up Tapu Lele's mediocre Speed that leaves it vulnerable to faster Pokemon like Terrakion. Tapu Lele also requires a strong defensive core to back up its frailty, so Pokemon like Mew and Blissey are largely necessary teammates. These Pokemon are also great slow pivots that can bring in Tapu Lele to wallbreak safely. Vaporeon deserves special mention as a defensive pivot, as its ability to safely pass gargantuan Wishes allows Tapu Lele to be played more aggressively against Pokemon like Swampert and Blissey, where it can come in on them to trade damage and heal later in the game. With no recovery options on its own, Tapu Lele also appreciates Defoggers like Corviknight and Mandibuzz to reliably remove entry hazards and bring it in via U-turn.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Sheer Force Tapu Lele can utilize Taunt to deny recovery against checks like Blissey or Substitute to let it fire off attacks risk-free, but it is usually better off solely attacking due to its unparalleled power. Its Tinted Lens variant can utilize Choice Specs to fire off even stronger attacks, but this gives up the ability to disrupt teams using Nature's Madness and Taunt as it is locked into one move.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Tapu Lele is susceptible to revenge killing due to its mediocre speed. Certain Pokemon, such as Cinderace and Entei, cannot be OHKOed by +1 Draining Kiss, and reliably OHKO back. Psychic Surge Azelf also frustrate Triage Tapu Lele by shutting down its priority.
**Steel-types**: Jirachi, Chople Berry Ferrothorn, and Bulletproof Heatran are capable of switching into all of Tapu Lele's attacks and threatening it out with super effective STAB attacks or pivoting into a revenge killer. However, it is possible to overwhelm both physically defensive Ferrothorn and Heatran as their recovery often cannot match Tapu Lele's sheer damage output.
**Blissey and Chansey**: Blissey and Chansey are capable of surviving any single hit from Tapu Lele and are able to cripple it with status or pivot into a revenge killer, but must be aware of Taunt and Psyshock.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[iapt, 539897], [avyrie, 476520]]
- Quality checked by: [[UT, 523866], [Osake, 524664], [Isaiah, 375662]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
name: Sheer Force
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Psychic / Psyshock
move 4: Thunderbolt / Energy Ball
item: Life Orb
ability: Sheer Force
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Sheer Force Tapu Lele is one of the most powerful wallbreakers in the metagame and can break through many of the common specially defensive switch-ins, including Blissey and Heatran. Sheer Force and Life Orb boost its already high power without taking recoil. Tapu Lele does not have many reliable switch-ins and can often attack without predicting, as the switch-in will still be KOed by the appropriate coverage move on the next turn. Moonblast is its strongest STAB move and deals significant damage to neutral targets like Mew and Zapdos. Focus Blast hits Steel-types like Heatran and Ferrothorn for super effective damage and 2HKOes Blissey after minor chip damage. A secondary STAB move in Psychic is useful to hit Pokemon like Volcarona and Volt Absorb Moltres that can wall other variants of this set; with Psyshock, Tapu Lele is able to 2HKO RegenVest Landorus-T and more reliably hit Blissey. Thunderbolt provides better coverage against Pokemon like Corviknight and Tapu Fini, while Energy Ball threatens to OHKO RegenVest Swampert after minor chip damage. A Modest nature is necessary to improve damage rolls against the likes of Blissey, Heatran, and Ferrothorn.
Tapu Lele pairs well with strong physical attackers such as Galarian Zapdos and Talonflame, as they help break through dedicated special switch-ins that Tapu Lele invites in, such as RegenVest Jirachi. In return, Tapu Lele capitalizes on their physically defensive checks like Mew and Toxapex. Tapu Lele has no way of recovering HP and is prone to chip damage from entry hazards, so it appreciates reliable Defoggers such as Corviknight, Mandibuzz, and Tapu Fini on its team. These Pokemon double as sturdy defensive checks to revenge killers like Zarude and Barraskewda that threaten to outspeed and OHKO Tapu Lele. Wandering Spirit Corviknight is an especially helpful partner, as it can potentially take away Jirachi's Regenerator, allowing Tapu Lele to break through the next time it comes in. Tapu Lele also cannot come in on any attacks due to its frailty, so it appreciates slow pivots like Landorus-T, Blissey, and the aforementioned Corviknight to bring it in safely.
[SET]
name: Tinted Lens
move 1: Moonblast
move 2: Psyshock
move 3: Nature's Madness
move 4: Taunt
item: Pixie Plate
ability: Tinted Lens
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moonblast is Tapu Lele's strongest and most reliable STAB move, notably threatening a 2HKO on physically defensive Ferrothorn, Corviknight, and Mew, as well as an OHKO on Mandibuzz, thanks to the boosts from Tinted Lens and Pixie Plate. Psyshock is a great secondary STAB move that hits Blissey and Assault Vest Pokemon like Swampert on their weaker Defense stat and is the best option against Heatran. With its Tinted Lens-boosted attacks already hitting every Pokemon in the metagame at least naturally, Tapu Lele is able to utilize Nature's Madness and Taunt, which together can cause huge disruption to slower teams: Nature's Madness guarantees damage even on the sturdiest checks such as RegenVest Jirachi, while Taunt targets Pokemon like Chansey and Blissey to deny their recovery.
Tapu Lele thrives on balance and bulky offense teams in need of a way to break down bulky defensive cores. It pairs well with strong wallbreakers like Zygarde-10%, Cinderace, and Pixilate Tapu Koko that can clean up after Tapu Lele punches holes in the opposing team. The former two also OHKO Tapu Lele's checks like Jirachi and Heatran, while inviting in physically defensive Pokemon like Dauntless Shield Mandibuzz and Kommo-o, which Tapu Lele can capitalize on; the latter greatly appreciates Tapu Lele weakening Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Heatran. Moreover, these Pokemon can cover up Tapu Lele's mediocre Speed that leaves it vulnerable to faster Pokemon like Terrakion. Tapu Lele also requires a strong defensive core to back up its frailty, so Pokemon like Mew and Blissey are largely necessary teammates. These Pokemon are also great slow pivots that can bring in Tapu Lele to wallbreak safely. Vaporeon deserves special mention as a defensive pivot, as its ability to safely pass gargantuan Wishes allows Tapu Lele to be played more aggressively against Pokemon like Swampert and Blissey, where it can come in on them to trade damage and heal later in the game. With no recovery options on its own, Tapu Lele also appreciates Defoggers like Corviknight and Mandibuzz to reliably remove entry hazards and bring it in via U-turn.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Sheer Force Tapu Lele can utilize Taunt to deny recovery against checks like Blissey or Substitute to let it fire off attacks risk-free, but it is usually better off solely attacking due to its unparalleled power. Its Tinted Lens variant can utilize Choice Specs to fire off even stronger attacks, but this gives up the ability to disrupt teams using Nature's Madness and Taunt as it is locked into one move.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Tapu Lele is susceptible to revenge killing due to its mediocre speed. Certain Pokemon, such as Cinderace and Entei, cannot be OHKOed by +1 Draining Kiss, and reliably OHKO back. Psychic Surge Azelf also frustrate Triage Tapu Lele by shutting down its priority.
**Steel-types**: Jirachi, Chople Berry Ferrothorn, and Bulletproof Heatran are capable of switching into all of Tapu Lele's attacks and threatening it out with super effective STAB attacks or pivoting into a revenge killer. However, it is possible to overwhelm both physically defensive Ferrothorn and Heatran as their recovery often cannot match Tapu Lele's sheer damage output.
**Blissey and Chansey**: Blissey and Chansey are capable of surviving any single hit from Tapu Lele and are able to cripple it with status or pivot into a revenge killer, but must be aware of Taunt and Psyshock.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[iapt, 539897], [avyrie, 476520]]
- Quality checked by: [[UT, 523866], [Osake, 524664], [Isaiah, 375662]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
Last edited:
