NationalDex
tapu-lele
#786

Tapu Lele

Land Spirit Pokémon

PsychicFairy

This guardian deity of Akala is guilelessly cruel. The fragrant aroma of flowers is the source of its energy.

Base Stats

HP 70
Attack 85
Defense 75
Sp. Atk 130
Sp. Def 115
Speed 95
Total 570

Type Effectiveness

Abilities

Evolution Chain

Moves

Details

Category Land Spirit Pokémon
Height 1.2 m
Weight 18.6 kg
Base Exp 257
Growth Rate Slow
Capture Rate 3
Base Happiness 70
Gender Genderless
Habitat
Egg Groups No Eggs
Legendary Pokémon

Sprites

tapu-lele Front Front
tapu-lele Back Back
tapu-lele Front Shiny Front Shiny
tapu-lele Back Shiny Back Shiny
tapu-lele Official Art Official Art
tapu-lele Official Art (Shiny) Official Art (Shiny)

Competitive

Choice Scarf
Item
Choice Scarf
Nature
Modest / Timid
EVs
SpA 252
SpD 4
Spe 252
Choice Specs
Moves
Psychic / Focus Blast
Focus Blast / Thunderbolt / Shadow Ball
Item
Choice Specs
Nature
Modest / Timid
EVs
SpA 252
SpD 4
Spe 252
Calm Mind
Item
Twisted Spoon
Nature
Timid
EVs
SpA 252
SpD 4
Spe 252

Strategy Overview

The combination of a monstrous Special Attack stat, a great offensive STAB combination, and a phenomenal ability makes Tapu Lele one of the most feared wallbreakers in OU. Psychic Surge makes Tapu Lele's Psychic-type STAB attacks deal mind-boggling damage with Choice Specs, 2HKOing bulky neutral targets such as Landorus-T, Tapu Fini, and Volcanion with its Psyshock, and helps it retain substantial power even on sets without Choice Specs, still OHKOing threats weak to its STAB moves like Buzzwole and 2HKOing neutral targets like Slowbro. Tapu Lele can play a late-game cleaner role with Choice Scarf or be an incredible wallbreaker with Choice Specs. Choice Scarf lets Tapu Lele also provide solid speed control, improving its otherwise average Speed. Calm Mind sets are another option for Tapu Lele that offers offer strong sweeping potential. Additionally, Psychic Terrain gives Tapu Lele extra utility by preventing priority moves from the likes of Weavile, Urshifu-R, and Scizor. This heavily benefits faster teammates and makes setting up easier for them. However, Tapu Lele's Speed often leaves a lot to be desired without a Choice Scarf, with it getting outsped and overwhelmed by common offensive threats such as Kartana, Garchomp, and Blacephalon. Even Choice Scarf variants can be outsped and overwhelmed by other Choice Scarf users like Kartana and Blacephalon. This issue becomes much more concerning when one considers Tapu Lele's middling bulk, leaving it prone to revenge killers like Weavile and Kartana. Tapu Lele also lacks a consistent way to hit Steel-types like Heatran and Melmetal due to Focus Blast's inaccuracy.

Most Used Moves

Moonblast
94.2%
Psyshock
84.9%
Psychic
49.3%

Most Used Items

Competitive data from Smogon University via data.pkmn.cc