Hello students! My name is Professor Noctowl, and today, I wish to draw attention to Tapu Koko. As one of the four guardians of the Alola region, Tapu Koko stands out because of the Nature’s Madness charge move, a fairy type move that reduces defense. Grab your notebooks, class is in session. For those who wish to do their research independently, our raw data can be found here. And for those who wish for a simple visual guide, go ahead and take a look at the below visual guide by CaptGoldfish.

Course Schedule

This raid will be taking place from April 22nd to April 28th. This raid will be preceded by Groudon and Mega Alakazam, coincides with Mega Sharpedo, and will be followed by Mega Bannett and Tapu Lele.

As an Electric Fairy type, Tapu Koko is only weak to Poison and Ground. However, note how it double resists Dragon types. Even if your counter has a Poison or Ground typing, if it is a Dragon dual type, it would be safest to leave it at home.

Effectiveness	Types
Double Resist (0.4x)	Dragon
Resist (0.6x)	Fighting Flying Bug Electric Dark
Neutral	Normal Rock Ghost Steel Fire Water Grass Psychic Ice Fairy
Super Effective (1.6x)	Poison Ground
Double Super Effective (2.6x)	—

Tapu Koko’s moveset includes the following charge moves:

• Thunder
• Thunderbolt
• Dazzling Gleam
• Brave Bird
• Nature’s Madness

The Dean’s List consists of the top 5 counters to Tapu Koko. As always, the Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and the Third Ranked will have their best moveset alternatives in a table with their rankings and a table detailing their defensive prowess against the charge moves listed above.

Primal Groudon A

Best Moveset: Mud Shot / Precipice Blades

DPS★★★★★

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★★★☆☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Quick Move	Charge Move	Efficacy
Mud Shot	Precipice Blades	100%
Mud Shot	Earthquake	90%
Mud Shot	Fire Blast	65%
Mud Shot	Solar Beam	63%
Mud Shot	Fire Punch	61%
Mud Shot	Return	60%

Shadow Groudon A

Best Moveset: Mud Shot / Precipice Blades

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★☆☆

Reliability★★☆☆☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Quick Move	Charge Move	Efficacy
Mud Shot	Precipice Blades	100%
Mud Shot	Earthquake	89%
Mud Shot	Solar Beam	61%
Dragon Tail	Precipice Blades	59%
Mud Shot	Fire Blast	58%
Dragon Tail	Earthquake	56%

Mega Garchomp A

Best Moveset: Mud Shot / Earth Power

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★★★

Reliability★☆☆☆☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Quick Move	Charge Move	Efficacy
Mud Shot	Earth Power	100%
Mud Shot	Earthquake	95%
Dragon Tail	Earth Power	74%
Mud Shot	Sand Tomb	68%
Dragon Tail	Earthquake	64%
Mud Shot	Return	63%

Defensive Grades for Top 3

Boss Move
Brave Bird	—	—	—
Dazzling Gleam	🛡	—	⚔
Thunder	🛡🛡	🛡🛡	🛡🛡
Thunderbolt	🛡🛡	🛡🛡	🛡🛡

Shadow Excadrill A

Best Moveset: Mud-Slap / Scorching Sands

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★★☆☆

Reliability★★★★☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Eternatus A

Best Moveset: Poison Jab / Sludge Bomb

DPS★★★★☆

Tank★★☆☆☆

Reliability★★★★★

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Also Noteworthy: A: Shadow Regigigas

We here at Pokebattler Pokémon Research Institute can’t expect you to have the best counters every time. So, here are some of our other best options, most of which will be easier to find than the members of the Dean’s List.

Shadow Garchomp A

Best Moveset: Mud Shot / Earth Power

DPS★★★☆☆

Tank★★★☆☆

Reliability★☆☆☆☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Mega Gengar A

Best Moveset: Lick / Sludge Bomb

DPS★★★☆☆

Tank★★☆☆☆

Reliability★★★☆☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Shadow Mamoswine A

Best Moveset: Mud-Slap / High Horsepower

DPS★★★☆☆

Tank★★☆☆☆

Reliability★★★☆☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Shadow Rhyperior A

Best Moveset: Mud-Slap / Earthquake

DPS★★★☆☆

Tank★★☆☆☆

Reliability★★★☆☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Landorus Therian A

Best Moveset: Mud Shot / Sandsear Storm

DPS★★★☆☆

Tank★★☆☆☆

Reliability★★★☆☆

2

Trainers
(Lvl 40)

Of course, besides our 10 best counters, there are plenty of Pokémon that also work against Tapu Koko. Here are a few star choices, worthy of praise.

A	Shadow LandorusGroudonShadow OverqwilNihilegoMega BeedrillNaganadelExcadrillRegigigasShadow RhydonNecrozma - Dusk ManeMega SwampertZacian - Crowned SwordShadow GolurkGarchompZamazenta - Crowned ShieldNecrozma - Dawn WingsMamoswineShadow GolemRhyperior

Sometimes, the weather can be your most powerful ally. In certain weather conditions, certain Pokémon on our list excel. The most transformative cases are noted below.

Sunny/Clear

Landorus Therian (1.5)Shadow Mamoswine (1.6)Shadow Rhyperior (1.6)

Partly Cloudy

Shadow Regigigas (1.6)

Cloudy

Mega Gengar (1.6)Nihilego (1.7)Shadow Regigigas (1.7)

Overall, Tapu Koko is unique in its niche. Nature’s Madness makes it interesting enough to be worth a catch, even for prosperity. As for countering it, any Poison or Ground type (a dual typing is bonus points, but besides my point) should do the trick. Of course, if you wish to do more research on your box’s best Pokémon for the job, Pokebattler.com itself can be a great help! Remember, the best counter is the one you have powered up and ready to go. I grant extra credit to those who use their best friend bonus and the weather to their advantage. Class dismissed!