(VGC 2017) Tapu Lele Moveset - Special Attacker
(VGC 2017) Tapu Lele Moveset - Special Attacker
![[Image: tapu_lele_by_capitanusop-damjggl.png]](http://pre14.deviantart.net/48d3/th/pre/i/2016/301/2/f/tapu_lele_by_capitanusop-damjggl.png)
Deviant Art by captainusop
Now that we've gotten a good idea of what Pokemon is "strong" in the early VGC format, we'll discuss one of the newest Legendary who's already made an impact: Tapu Lele. Looking at its base stats, Tapu Lele seems like a moderate strong Special Attacker with a high 130 SpA and decent 95 Spe. From an offensive perspective Tapu Lele has a great typing to abuse its base 130 Special Attack in Psychic / Fairy which essentially hits everything in the format that's not a Steel-type for neutral coverage at least. There are even some decent coverage / support options Lele can run with access to Taunt, Calm Mind, Thunderbolt, and the new Fairy-type "super fang" in Nature's Madness. Now what would make this seemingly above average Psychic / Fairy special attacker even more strong? Well, how about a rather powerful ability...or terrain.
Tapu Lele is one of four Terrain summoner among the Tapu Quartet legends who can activate their respective field abilities for about five turns. Now what can this terrain be you might ask? With the new ability Psychic Surge, Tapu Lele create a "psychic terrain" where the power of all Psychic-type moves are boosted by 50% and even blocks priority for all grounded Pokemon. Now we have a strong Psychic-type user who can essentially hit most of the format relatively hard with Psychic Terrain-boosted hits for absurd damage output. In addition to this, now that Psychic Terrain blocks almost all priority based moves, this covers Lele and its teammates from any revenge killing potential from moves like Bullet Punch or Extreme Speed.
Note not all things are good for Tapu Lele as its inhibits a low physical defenses compared to its special defense. Even so the rise of Steel-, Poison-, and Ghost-types have made it difficult for Lele to operate as a offensive hitter, heck even it as to worry about random SE attack. Nevertheless, Tapu Lele is a major threat in the VGC 17 format with its powerful special attacks, as well as a meta-defining ability that forces players to work without priority hits.
![[Image: tapulele.png]](http://pokemonforever.com/images/pokeimages/gen7/tapulele.png)
Type:
Base Stats: 75 HP / 85 Attack / 75 Defense / 130 Special Attack / 115 Special Defense / 95 Speed
Weaknesses:
x2 
x2 
x2 Resistances:
x0.25 x0.5Immunities:
Abilities: Psychic Surge - Summons Psychic Terrrain which in turn is active for 5 turns. Psychic Terrain increases the power of all Psychic-type moves and block priority for all "grounded" Pokemon.
Fast Offensive Attacker
Tapu Lele @ Life Orb
Ability: Psychic Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid / Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic / Psyshock
- Moonblast
- Dazzling Gleam / Thunderbolt / HP Fire
- Protect
The following set is the standard Tapu Lele set with STABs + one coverage move. Factoring in the 50% boosts to its Psychic-type STAB attack and a high base 130 Special Attack, Tapu Lele has the potential to 2HKO most of the unresistant format with little effort. Psychic is the preferred choice for Tapu Lele for more damage output, though Psyshock can be opted to hit Pokemon on their low physical defense. Moonblast is Lele's strongest STAB Fairy-type move to hit opposing Dragon-, and Dark-types, who the latter is immune to its boosted Psychic Terrain-boosted hits.
The final "third" coverage move is entirely up to the player given their team structure, though here's some options. Dazzling Gleam lets Tapu Lele use a STAB Fairy-type spread move to hit both targets decently well. Thunderbolt can be use to hit Water- and Flying-type Pokemon like Pelipper, Celesteela, Gyarados, etc for S.E damage, or used to take advantage of the Electric Terrain boost from Tapu Koko. Lastly HP Fire can be used to hit Steel-types for moderate damage, but won't likely pickup the OHKO.
For the EV spread, a simple 4/ 252 / 252 set can suffice given the Life Orb damage will rack up and make it harder for Tapu Lele to take certain hits without proper support or investment. Timid nature is preferred so Tapu Lele can at least speed tie or outspeed those below base 95 speed. Modest nature can be used to allow Tapu Lele's Psychic attacks to hit further strong and can compromise speed for a bit of bulk.
To get a sense of just how powerful Tapu Lele hits with its Psychic Terrain boosted attack and other coverage moves, here's a list of offensive calculations. Note this is using a Life Orb 252 SpA Timid nature Lele using Psychic, Moonblast, and Dazzling Gleam.
Offensive Calcs:
Bulky Offensive Attacker
Tapu Lele @ Psychic Seed / Psychium Z
Ability: Psychic Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 36 Def / 116 SpA / 4 SpD / 100 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Taunt / Natures's Madness / Dazzling Gleam
- Protect
Milestones:
- Outspeeds neutral base 75
- Takes both LO Pheromosa's and Garchomp's Poison Jab and OHKOs back
-OHKOs 4 HP Garchomp with Moonblast
-Takes LO Nihilego's Sludge Bomb with the +1 SpD boost
-Can take a non-boosted Nihilego's Sludge Bomb with the Psychic Seed
-OHKOs Tapu Koko and Nihilego with Psychic with the Psychic Terrain boost
Ability: Psychic Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 36 Def / 116 SpA / 4 SpD / 100 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Taunt / Natures's Madness / Dazzling Gleam
- Protect
Milestones:
- Outspeeds neutral base 75
- Takes both LO Pheromosa's and Garchomp's Poison Jab and OHKOs back
-OHKOs 4 HP Garchomp with Moonblast
-Takes LO Nihilego's Sludge Bomb with the +1 SpD boost
-Can take a non-boosted Nihilego's Sludge Bomb with the Psychic Seed
-OHKOs Tapu Koko and Nihilego with Psychic with the Psychic Terrain boost
Though this set might seem experimental at best, there's has been a push for more defensive, or bulky variants of Tapu Lele. Here we have a one featuring a new item called Psychic Seed, which gives the user a +1 Special Defense boost when its Psychic Terrain. With Tapu Lele's rather high 115 Special Defense, this allows it to take on some of the stronger Special Attackers in the format, even living a LO hit from Nihilego's Sludge Bomb. Most of the EVs are diverted into HP and a bit of Defense so Tapu Lele can physical hits better, especially Super Effective hits like Poison Jab or Iron Head. In return, Tapu Lele can retaliate and get off one of its STAB options like Psychic Terrain-boosted Psychic, or use a coverage moves listed.
In terms of other options, Taunt is a great support move to block any potential setup strategies or status options the opponent tries to make. Like all the Tapus, Tapu Lele has access to a new move called Nature's Madness, which in turn is basically Super Fang. If the user is unsure about using one of its coverage move to deal heavy damage, Nature's Madness is a decent alternative to inflict vital chip for Lele's allies. Lastly Dazzling Gleam is a decently strong STAB Fairy coverage which can be used to pick off weaken foes.
Keep in mind since this Tapu Lele set is meant to be a bulky, it won't immediately OHKO things like its Life Orb / Choice Specs variants can. The goal of this Tapu Lele is to stick around the battle field as long as possible while dealing heavy damage to the opponent. To improve the set's effectiveness, Intimidate (and even Will-O-Wisp) users like Arcanine can lower the Attack stats of a target by one stage, while ensure Lele can take physical attacker better. Snarl users like Alolan Persian, Arcanine, Mandibuzz, etc can further allow Tapu Lele to tank special hits considerably even with the Psychic Seed boost.
If for some reason you want "power" from this set, well equip Tapu Lele with a Psychium Z and just everything that's not Dark or Steel insanely hard with Shattered Psyche. Remember that this move will be boosted by the Psychic Terrain as well, making this a deadly attack to almost anything. Just know like a Z-Moves, Tapu Lele can use this once in battle. Don't worry about "wasting" this Z-Move on a "Protect" user, as they'll still take some moderate damage despite the quartered effectiveness.
Offensive Calcs
Defensive Calcs
Choice Scarfer
Tapu Lele @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Psychic Surge
Level: 50
EVs: 12 HP / 4 Def / 236 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Dazzling Gleam
- Thunderbolt
The following set is a Choice Scarf set almost remeniscent of Scarf Gardevoir back in VGC 14 regarding a "fast" Fairy-type attacker. With its base 95 Speed, this doesn't a big deal for Tapu Lele, however getting a straight knockout into something like Tapu Koko with a STAB Psychic / Moonblast can surely be a suprise for the opponent. Essentially the goal of this set is to "bluff" the Scarf from Tapu Lele and ensure its not "noticed" by the opponent or hinted. If Tapu Lele can is played accordingly, it can be used to get suprised kills, or even so maintain offensive pressure against the opponent.
In terms of moveslots, Psychic and Moonblast are the main primary choice for Tapu Lele as both are relatively strong special attack which hit most of the format relatively hard. Given Tapu Lele receives a 50% boost in its Psychic attack, it should be enough to pick off an unresisted target. Moonblast can be used to hit any Dark-, Fighting-, or notable Dragon-types on the field. Dazzling Gleam can be quite effective to dealing STAB spread damage against weaken Pokemon, even helpful during late game. Finally Thunderbolt is used to hit Water-,and Flying-types like Celesteela and Gyarados hard.
In terms of speed output, not this Modest Scarf Tapu Lele can outspeed most target from up to +1 base 80, or notably a Dragon Danced boosted Jolly Gyarados. If Pheromosa is a concern for the team, note that Tapu Lele can just about 172 Speed EVs with Timid Nature. Here are some following Damge Calcs for Scarf Modest Tapu Lele.
Offensive Calcs:
Potential Teammates include, but aren't limited to:
- Intimidate users - Covers Tapu Lele's low defenses to add survivability. (Ex Arcanine, Krookodile, Salamence, Gyarados, etc).
- Ground Types - Deals with Poison- / Steel-type Pokemon. (Ex: Krookodile, Garchomp, Mudsdale, etc)
- Psychic Types - Appeciate boosted STABS ( Metagross, Starmie )
- Steel Types - Are immune to Poison hits ( Metagross, Celesteela, Magnezone)
- Trick Room / Offensive teams who appreciate the "prioirty" buffer from Psychic Terrain.
- Speed Control to allow Tapu Lele to outspeed targets around of above base 95.
Threats include, but aren't limited to:
- Steel-types- Metagross, Celesteela, Kartana, Magnezone, etc
- Poison-types - Salazzle, Gengar, Nihilego, Alolan Muk, etc
- Ghost-types Moves - Gengar, Alola Marowak, Mimikyuu, etc
- Fire-types - Arcanine, Salazzle, Torkoal, etc
- Coverage Moves consisting of Steel, Poison, and Ghost moves.
- Opposing Terrains - Tapus (Koko, Lele, Bulu) to remove Psychic Terrain.
- Strong physical attacks
Other Notable Options
- Defensive Calm Mind set (Can be made max defense)
- Kebia / Babiri / Kasib Berry to reduce the damage of any Poison-, Steel-, or Ghost-type attacks.
- Choice Specs set will nuke any non resistent target with STAB Psychic / Moonblast
Well that about does it for me for now, so cya
