Gen 7 VGC / Battle Spot / Doubles OU Cores Thread
Celesteela + Garchomp + Tapu Koko
![[Image: celesteela.png]](http://pokemonforever.com/images/pokeimages/gen7/celesteela.png)
![[Image: garchomp.png]](http://pokemonforever.com/images/pokeimages/gen4/garchomp.png)
![[Image: tapukoko.png]](http://pokemonforever.com/images/pokeimages/gen7/tapukoko.png)
- Pokémon featured: Celesteela + Garchomp + Tapu Koko
- Metagame: S/M VGC 17
- Core type: Balance
- Sets:
As much as how far the VGC 17 format progress, the Fantasy, or Steel-Dragon-Fairy-core of the Steel/Flying-type Celesteela, the Dragon/Ground-type Garchomp, and the Electric/Fairy-type Tapu Koko. From an offensive perspective, all three Pokemon here are able to check each other's weaknesses to Poison-, Fire-, Ice-, Water-, and Fairy-type Pokemon through the combination of their respective STAB options. Celesteela provides the main defensive backbone of the core given its amazing typing with a number of resistances and two important immunities to Ground- and Poison-type, both which are hazardous to Tapu Koko. With its impressive bulk, Celesteela is able to tank Fairy- and Ice-type attacks and retaliate with STAB Steel-type moves. Garchomp appreciates Celesteela tremendously as it can handle essentially all its main weaknesses and can be uses alongside the fellow part Flying-type to spam Earthquake freely. As a strong Ground-type user, Garchomp can check most Fire-, and Electric-type Pokemon with its STAB EQ and can shrugg off some hits with is impressive above average bulk. Lastly, Tapu Koko is here mainly as the fast Electric-type Pokemon who can threaten most Water-type Pokemon who typically shrug off hits from both Garchomp and Celesteela while maintain offensive pressure for the core. Both Celesteela and Garchomp help Tapu Koko fair off against opposing Tapu Pokemon and can provide a natural switch in for the frail Electric-type if threaten. Keep in mind with Tapu Koko base 130 speed, it can outspeed most the VGC format, and threaten or pick off opposing Pokemon who Celesteela / Garchomp cannot pace.
What makes this core relatively strong is not only its fantastic type synergy with each other, rather the potential for all three Pokemon to wield different item choices and entirely flexible sets compared to others. For Celesteela, some variants can be mixed bulk investment, but with Atk EVs to increase its Attack stat with Beast Boost, while some others have Special investment to tank special hits in the endgame. For Garchomp, a good portion are either Groundium Z to be able to fire a strong STAB Ground-type attack against the opponent. Choice Scarf is the second most popular set which allows Garchomp to outspeed most of the format including Pheromosa and Tapu Koko before they can retaliate with their coverage options. Tapu Koko is perhaps the most varied Pokemon of the three given it has a possiblility of 3-5 item choices ranging from Life Orb, Choice Specs, Focus Sash, Electrium Z, or Assault Vest. For offensive sets, Tapu Koko typically have Life Orb/Choice Specs to boosts its above average 95 Special Attack, and Electrium Z capable to nuke one target with a STAB Electric Terrain Z-Attack. Finally both Focus Sash and Assault Vest allow Tapu Koko to have a defensive option to withstand one strong hit.
- Pokémon featured: Celesteela + Garchomp + Tapu Koko
- Metagame: S/M VGC 17
- Core type: Balance
- Sets:
As much as how far the VGC 17 format progress, the Fantasy, or Steel-Dragon-Fairy-core of the Steel/Flying-type Celesteela, the Dragon/Ground-type Garchomp, and the Electric/Fairy-type Tapu Koko. From an offensive perspective, all three Pokemon here are able to check each other's weaknesses to Poison-, Fire-, Ice-, Water-, and Fairy-type Pokemon through the combination of their respective STAB options. Celesteela provides the main defensive backbone of the core given its amazing typing with a number of resistances and two important immunities to Ground- and Poison-type, both which are hazardous to Tapu Koko. With its impressive bulk, Celesteela is able to tank Fairy- and Ice-type attacks and retaliate with STAB Steel-type moves. Garchomp appreciates Celesteela tremendously as it can handle essentially all its main weaknesses and can be uses alongside the fellow part Flying-type to spam Earthquake freely. As a strong Ground-type user, Garchomp can check most Fire-, and Electric-type Pokemon with its STAB EQ and can shrugg off some hits with is impressive above average bulk. Lastly, Tapu Koko is here mainly as the fast Electric-type Pokemon who can threaten most Water-type Pokemon who typically shrug off hits from both Garchomp and Celesteela while maintain offensive pressure for the core. Both Celesteela and Garchomp help Tapu Koko fair off against opposing Tapu Pokemon and can provide a natural switch in for the frail Electric-type if threaten. Keep in mind with Tapu Koko base 130 speed, it can outspeed most the VGC format, and threaten or pick off opposing Pokemon who Celesteela / Garchomp cannot pace.
What makes this core relatively strong is not only its fantastic type synergy with each other, rather the potential for all three Pokemon to wield different item choices and entirely flexible sets compared to others. For Celesteela, some variants can be mixed bulk investment, but with Atk EVs to increase its Attack stat with Beast Boost, while some others have Special investment to tank special hits in the endgame. For Garchomp, a good portion are either Groundium Z to be able to fire a strong STAB Ground-type attack against the opponent. Choice Scarf is the second most popular set which allows Garchomp to outspeed most of the format including Pheromosa and Tapu Koko before they can retaliate with their coverage options. Tapu Koko is perhaps the most varied Pokemon of the three given it has a possiblility of 3-5 item choices ranging from Life Orb, Choice Specs, Focus Sash, Electrium Z, or Assault Vest. For offensive sets, Tapu Koko typically have Life Orb/Choice Specs to boosts its above average 95 Special Attack, and Electrium Z capable to nuke one target with a STAB Electric Terrain Z-Attack. Finally both Focus Sash and Assault Vest allow Tapu Koko to have a defensive option to withstand one strong hit.
