Everything pushes toward mixed damage here. Tapu Koko's Speed does the work, HP pays the price. But you're still getting 3 Speed EVs per KO. Near-impossible to catch, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.
Poison and Ground moves hit Tapu Koko for super-effective damage. The upside? Dragon-type moves can't touch it at all. The Electric/Fairy typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. With 70 HP and balanced defenses, Tapu Koko can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Poison, Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Electric, Fighting, Flying, Bug, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Dragon |
Excadrill can KO Tapu Koko with Earthquake (138-162%). Landorus threatens a KO with Sludge Bomb (96-113%). Foongus deals 55-65% with Sludge Bomb.
 Excadrill GroundSteel | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityMold Breaker ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Tapu Koko View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x138-162%KO Rapid Spin23-27% | ||
 Landorus Ground | S | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Tapu Koko View Landorus builds →Sludge Bomb 2x96-113%KO | ||
 Foongus GrassPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Tapu Koko View Foongus builds →Sludge Bomb 2x55-65% Giga Drain23-27% | ||
 Salazzle PoisonFire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityCorrosion ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Tapu Koko View Salazzle builds →Flamethrower59-70% Sludge Bomb 2x119-140%KO | ||
A Electric/Fairy-type legendary, Tapu Koko doesn't evolve or breed. At 570 total stats, it's meant to stand on its own. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Tapu Koko's locked into one move per switch-in with Choice Specs, trading flexibility for boosted special damage with move lock. Thunderbolt is the go-to spam option, with the remaining moves keeping switch-ins honest.
Best Build
Tapu Koko best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Dazzling Gleam
- Thunderbolt
- Roost
- Volt Switch
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Dazzling Gleam
- Thunderbolt
- Taunt
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Volt Switch
- Dazzling Gleam
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Dazzling Gleam
- Volt Switch
- Protect
- Thunderbolt
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Volt Switch
- Dazzling Gleam
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Dazzling Gleam
- Volt Switch
- Protect
- Thunderbolt
Recommended Teammates
Moves
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Tapu Koko's coverage across 7 types all comes from technical machines, built on top of Thunder and Wild Charge for same-type damage. Wild Charge and Brave Bird are the payoff moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Tapu Koko's Flying and Normal coverage and more all comes from technical machines, built on top of Thunder and Wild Charge for same-type damage. Brave Bird and Wild Charge are the payoff moves.
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Tapu Koko's Flying and Normal coverage and more all comes from technical machines, built on top of Thunder and Wild Charge for same-type damage. Brave Bird and Wild Charge are the payoff moves.
Tapu Koko doesn't appear in Sword & Shield. Transfer it from Sun or Ultra Sun to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
Tapu Koko waits at a fixed spot in this game. Head to Ruins of Conflict for a one-time encounter. No random spawns or encounter rates involved — it's a set battle at a known location.
Best Locations to Catch Tapu Koko in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Tapu Koko is a fixed encounter, not a random spawn. Walk up to it, interact, and the battle starts immediately. Head to Ruins of Conflict when your team is ready for the fight.
Best Locations to Catch Tapu Koko in Sun & Moon
At 570 BST, Tapu Koko is built different. We rank it A-Tier. As a Legendary Pokemon, the raw stats back up the reputation. Best used as a sweeper.
Electric Surge when this Pokémon enters battle, it changes the terrain to Electric Terrain. That's the one you want on Tapu Koko. Telepathy is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Tapu Koko is a special attacker with base 95 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 130 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the sweeper role.
Tapu Koko has answers, but so do you. Priority moves (Mach Punch, Aqua Jet, Ice Shard) bypass its speed. Bulky walls that resist its STAB also shut it down.
Since Sun & Moon, Tapu Koko has appeared in 3 games. Legendary Pokemon like Tapu Koko are usually found through story events or special post-game areas rather than random encounters.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SMDebut
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves