Unicorns
Banned deucer.
Tapu Lele
Psychic Terrain Support
Tapu Lele @ Terrain Extender
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Nature’s Madness
- Taunt
Set Comments
Moves
Set Details
Usage Tips
Team Options
Strategy Comments
Other Options
Checks and Counters
Steel-types: While it can threaten some Steel-type Pokemon, depending on the coverage, Tapu Lele is unable to beat all of them simultaneously. Arceus-Steel can easily switch into any attack not named Focus Blast, Recover off any damage that may have been dealt, and set up or OHKO Tapu Lele with super-effective Judgment. Ferrothorn can beat any set not running Hidden Power Fire, threaten Tapu Lele with Gyro Ball, and can set up entry hazards or Leech Seed on the switch-in.
Specially Defensive Tanks: Tapu Lele’s good, but not fantastic special attack cannot break most special walls in the format without large amounts of prior damage. Lugia can wall any Tapu Lele set not running Taunt, and can easily poison Tapu Lele and Roost off any damage that Tapu Lele might deal. Ho-Oh can switch into any Tapu Lele attack, outside of Psyshock, and can threaten the OHKO with Brave Bird or Sacred Fire. A healthy Chansey can come in on any set lacking Taunt, and can use Soft-Boiled to recover any damage while using Toxic or Thunder Wave to wear down or cripple Tapu Lele, respectively.
- Psychic Surge, paired with great offensive typing, good special attack, and decent speed allow Tapu Lele to threaten many offensive Pokemon in the format.
- Psychic Terrain increases the offensive power of psychic-type attacks for Tapu Lele and others as well as blocks priority attacks, like Extremespeed from Rayquaza-Mega and Arceus forms, Sucker Punch from Yveltal, and Pokemon with the ability Prankster, like Klefki and Whimsicott.
- Holding a Choice Scarf allows Tapu Lele to become a fantastic revenge killer against offensive teams and late-game cleaner against weakened teams.
- Low physical bulk and mediocre special bulk prevent Tapu Lele from coming in on most attacks.
- While Tapu Lele has great offensive prowess, it relies on switch-ins to pick up most of its KOs.
Psychic Terrain Support
Tapu Lele @ Terrain Extender
Ability: Psychic Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Psychic
- Moonblast
- Nature’s Madness
- Taunt
Set Comments
- Use Tapu Lele to support fast and frail Pokemon that are otherwise weak to priority attacks and appreciate the boost provided by Psychic Surge, like Pheromosa, Deoxys-Attack, and Mewtwo.
Moves
- Psychic and Moonblast are Tapu Lele's strongest STAB moves and Nature's Madness can be used to weaken opponents so that Tapu Lele's teammates can sweep much easier.
- Taunt is used to prevent opposing entry hazards from the likes of Groudon-Primal and support Arceus forms that would otherwise break Focus Sashes on teammates.
Set Details
- A Timid Nature with 252 EVs allows Tapu Lele to outspeed more defensive pokemon and prevent hazards, while the 252 EVs in special attack allow Tapu Lele to cause as much damage as possible.
- Tapu Lele is relatively frail, so putting EV's into it's defenses is not typically worth the investment.
Usage Tips
- Tapu Lele should be brought in after entry hazards have already been set up so that you are able to maximize the number of turns that Psychic Terrain is up for Tapu Lele's teammates.
Team Options
- Pokemon that appreciate Psychic Terrain blocking priority attacks, like Pheromosa, Deoxys-Attack, and Mewtwo. Deoxys-Attack and Mewtwo can both take advantage of the boost to Psychic-type attacks that Psychic Surge provides by heavily damaging any Pokemon that don’t resist Psychic-type attacks.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
- A Choice Scarf set utilizing Moonblast, Psychic, and coverage can clean weakened teams late-game and can act as a lure to Gengar-Mega and Yveltal who would otherwise OHKO Tapu Lele.
- Aromatherapy or Safeguard could potentially be used to support the team outside of providing Psychic Terrain-support, but this is not advised as Tapu Lele is normally better off just using one of its STAB attacks.
Checks and Counters
Steel-types: While it can threaten some Steel-type Pokemon, depending on the coverage, Tapu Lele is unable to beat all of them simultaneously. Arceus-Steel can easily switch into any attack not named Focus Blast, Recover off any damage that may have been dealt, and set up or OHKO Tapu Lele with super-effective Judgment. Ferrothorn can beat any set not running Hidden Power Fire, threaten Tapu Lele with Gyro Ball, and can set up entry hazards or Leech Seed on the switch-in.
Specially Defensive Tanks: Tapu Lele’s good, but not fantastic special attack cannot break most special walls in the format without large amounts of prior damage. Lugia can wall any Tapu Lele set not running Taunt, and can easily poison Tapu Lele and Roost off any damage that Tapu Lele might deal. Ho-Oh can switch into any Tapu Lele attack, outside of Psyshock, and can threaten the OHKO with Brave Bird or Sacred Fire. A healthy Chansey can come in on any set lacking Taunt, and can use Soft-Boiled to recover any damage while using Toxic or Thunder Wave to wear down or cripple Tapu Lele, respectively.
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