Tapu Koko Weaknesses and Raid Counters in Pokemon GO

Rather than being a single continental landmass, the Alola region is made up of a series of islands, with the four largest islands being the main centers of society and commerce. Those four islands are protected by four guardian deity Pokemon, known collectively as the “Tapus.” The guardian of Melemele Island is Tapu Koko, and while it’s not as strong as a full on Legendary Pokemon, none of the Tapus, Tapu Koko especially, should be taken lightly. To help you defeat this noble Pokemon, here are Tapu Koko’s weaknesses and Raid counters in Pokemon GO.

Tapu Koko Resistances and Weaknesses

As part of the initial rollout of the Season of Alola, Tapu Koko is currently heading up five-star Raids in Pokemon GO, and will be in that position until March 15th. It’s not clear when Tapu Koko will be appearing again after this period ends, so if you want to catch it, you’d better go pick a fight with it soon.

Tapu Koko is an Electric/Fairy type, which means its resistances break down like this:

• Resistant to: Fighting, Flying, Bug, Electric, Dark
• Double-resistant to: Dragon
• Weak against: Poison, Ground

Tapu Koko Moves

Meanwhile, these are the moves you may encounter in Tapu Koko’s kit:

Quick Moves

• Quick Attack (Normal)
• Volt Switch (Electric)

Main Moves

• Thunder (Electric)
• Thunderbolt (Electric)
• Dazzling Gleam (Fairy)
• Brave Bird (Flying)

Tapu Koko Counters

Tapu Koko’s unusual typing gives it a lot of resistances and only two weaknesses, and while its defenses aren’t anything special, its base attack is above average, so you can’t afford to get into a battle of attrition. You need a Pokemon that exploit Tapu Koko’s weaknesses to deliver quick and decisive damage.

List of Tapu Koko Counters

• Mega Gengar – Lick/Sludge Bomb
• Mega Beedrill – Poison Jab/Sludge Bomb
• Shadow Mamoswine – Mud-Slap/Bulldoze
• Rhyperior – Mud-Slap/Earthquake
• Excadrill – Mud-Slap/Drill Run
• Landorus Therian – Mud Shot/Earthquake
• Garchomp – Mud Shot/Earth Power
• Groudon – Mud Shot/Earthquake
• Mega Steelix – Iron Tail/Earthquake

Luckily, while Tapu Koko only has two weaknesses, those two type choices give us plenty to work with. Ground types in particular are some of the strongest, heartiest types of Pokemon, which make them naturally predisposed toward resisting powerful damage-dealers. For Tapu Koko in particular, your best counter would probably be Rhyperior. Rhyperior is resistant to nearly all of the types in Tapu Koko’s kit (double resistant on the Electric moves) and roughly the same stats, so it’s got a natural edge.

Employ doubled-up Ground moves, and Tapu Koko won’t be able to stop you. If you don’t mind sacrificing a little defense, Excadrill is an even stronger pick, as it resists all of Tapu Koko’s moves and has a greater variety of Ground type moves. Its base defense is a bit lower, but those resistances should make up the difference.

If you’re feeling saucy and want to use a Legendary or Mega Evolved Pokemon, your best options would be Groudon or Mega Steelix. While Groudon doesn’t have as wide-reaching resistances as Rhyperior or Excadrill, it’s got more than enough attack and defense to easily outlast Tapu Koko. Mega Steelix has the resistances like Excadrill, though it only has one Ground move, Earthquake, so you’ll have to sacrifice a bit of DPS potential. Its defense is insane, though, so no worries there.

For more related content and guides, check our website’s Pokemon GO section.