tapu-koko #785
Type Matchups
Weak to (2x damage):
Resistant to (½x damage):
Immune to (0x damage):
tapu-koko
LegendaryGeneration VII · #0785 — Land Spirit Pokémon
Tapu Koko is a legendary Electric/Fairy-type Pokémon introduced in Generation VII, serving as the guardian deity of Melemele Island in the Alola region. As National Pokédex entry #785, this Land Spirit Pokémon stands 1.8 meters tall and weighs only 20.5 kilograms, making it remarkably light despite its divine status. With a base stat total of 570, Tapu Koko excels particularly in Speed (130) and Attack (115), positioning it as an aggressive offensive threat in competitive play. Unlike many legendary Pokémon, Tapu Koko does not evolve from or into any other species, standing alone as the singular representation of its kind in the Pokédex. Its signature ability, Electric Surge, automatically sets Electric Terrain upon entry to battle, fundamentally altering the battle landscape and demonstrating its power to reshape the environment itself.
Base Stats
Height
1.8m
Weight
20.5kg
Category
Land Spirit Pokémon
Gender
Genderless
Color
yellow
Shape
arms
Abilities
When this Pokémon enters battle, it changes the terrain to Electric Terrain.
Protects against friendly Pokémon's damaging moves.
Tapu-koko Biology & Physical Characteristics
Tapu Koko presents a striking and ornate appearance that blends rooster-like and avian characteristics with a distinctly divine aesthetic. Its head and upper torso feature black coloration adorned with white markings positioned above its eyes and across its chest, while an impressive orange plume extends from the crown of its head with bristles along its back, accented by yellow markings on the topmost bristle. The creature's lower body transitions to orange tones, from which four pointed projections extend—resembling a bird's tail feathers—with one short spine on the front and three along the back. Most distinctively, Tapu Koko's arms are encased in shell-like structures that form half of an ornate bird mask, each adorned with white triangular markings with black edges that create diamond shapes when the mask portions close together. Round yellow structures encircle each shoulder, while its clawed hands complete the mask's beak-like formation. The intricate yellow coloring of the mask features black, orange, and white accents, reinforcing Tapu Koko's status as a carefully designed celestial being rather than a natural creature.
Pokedex Numbers
Training
Breeding
Tapu-koko Breeding, Gender Ratio & Egg Groups
Tapu Koko is classified as a genderless Pokémon and belongs to the 'Undiscovered' or 'No Eggs' egg group, making it impossible to breed in any standard breeding facility. This designation is consistent with its status as a legendary Pokémon—a unique, singular entity that represents a divine force rather than a biological species capable of reproduction. The genderless classification reflects its role as an abstract guardian deity; such beings exist beyond conventional biological categories. Trainers cannot obtain Tapu Koko through breeding mechanics, meaning the only way to acquire this legendary Pokémon is through direct encounter and capture in the games where it appears as a scripted legendary encounter. With a base happiness value of 70, Tapu Koko shows moderate friendliness toward trainers who capture it, though its capricious nature suggests its affection remains conditional. The creature's slow growth rate (requiring significantly more experience points to level up compared to standard Pokémon) further emphasizes its legendary status and the investment required to fully develop one.
Sprites
TMs & HMs
tm01
ultra sun ultra moon
tm01
sun moon
tm02
lets go pikachu lets go eevee
tm04
emerald
tm04
firered leafgreen
tm04
ruby sapphire
tm04
diamond pearl
tm04
xd
tm04
heartgold soulsilver
tm04
black white
tm04
colosseum
tm04
platinum
tm04
sun moon
tm04
ultra sun ultra moon
tm04
x y
tm04
omega ruby alpha sapphire
tm04
black 2 white 2
tm05
ruby sapphire
tm05
emerald
tm05
gold silver
+679 more TMs/HMs
Tapu-koko Evolution, Mega Evolution & Special Forms
Tapu Koko does not evolve from any other Pokémon species, nor does it evolve into any subsequent form. As a legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation VII, it represents a complete and singular entity in its evolutionary line with no Mega Evolution, regional variants, or Gigantamax forms available. This unchanging nature reflects its status as an ancient guardian deity—an eternal, fully-realized being that has no need for development or transformation. The absence of evolution chains is characteristic of most legendary Pokémon in the Alola region, emphasizing their role as primordial forces of nature rather than creatures that grow through conventional means. Trainers who encounter Tapu Koko must accept and work with its existing form and capabilities, making it a fixed legendary encounter rather than a developmental journey.
Where to Find
ruins of conflict
alola
+5 more
Tapu-koko Behaviour and Natural Habitat
Described as brimming with curiosity, Tapu Koko exhibits the dual nature of a capricious deity—simultaneously benevolent and unpredictable. According to Pokédex entries, it summons thunderclouds and stores their lightning within its body, wielding electricity as both a tool and an extension of its divine authority. The creature's temperament is notably volatile; it possesses a hair-trigger temper but paradoxically forgets what angered it almost immediately, suggesting an impulsive and easily distracted personality. Ultra Sun's entry reveals that despite its guardian role, Tapu Koko will become malevolent and attack if displeased by a person or Pokémon, indicating that its protective nature is conditional and dependent on its mood. Its incredible speed—with a base Speed stat of 130—allows it to confuse enemies by flying faster than the eye can follow, making it a blur of motion in battle. Tapu Koko appears before people from time to time, driven by its curious nature to investigate those who enter its domain on Melemele Island, treating battles and interactions as opportunities for entertainment and exploration.
Pokedex Entries
Generation VII
This guardian deity of Melemele is brimming with curiosity. It summons thunderclouds and stores their lightning inside its body.
Although it’s called a guardian deity, if a person or Pokémon puts it in a bad mood, it will become a malevolent deity and attack.
It confuses its enemies by flying too quickly for the eye to follow. It has a hair-trigger temper but forgets what made it angry an instant later.
The lightning-wielding guardian deity of Melemele, Tapu Koko is brimming with curiosity and appears before people from time to time.
Tapu-koko Name Origin & Design Inspiration
The name Tapu Koko derives from Hawaiian and Polynesian cultural elements, with 'Tapu' (also spelled 'Kapu') referencing the sacred Hawaiian concept of 'kapu'—a system of taboos and sacred laws that governed Polynesian society. This linguistic choice underscores Tapu Koko's role as a divine, untouchable entity. The 'Koko' portion references the Hawaiian word for 'rooster,' directly reflected in Tapu Koko's avian design, which heavily incorporates rooster-like characteristics including its distinctive crest, tail-like spines, and overall body structure. The Japanese name, Kapu-Kokeko, maintains these cultural references while adding the onomatopoeia 'keko,' mimicking a rooster's crow. Visually, Tapu Koko synthesizes rooster imagery with mask-like facial structures inspired by traditional Polynesian ceremonial masks, creating a design that feels both grounded in specific cultural mythology and genuinely otherworldly. The Electric/Fairy typing further reinforces its dual nature as both a manifestation of natural phenomena (electricity and storms) and a supernatural, magical being. Its color palette of orange, yellow, black, and white creates visual harmony that evokes both sunrise imagery and electrical energy.
Learnable Moves
Tapu-koko can learn 74 moves:
Move | Type | Cat. | Power | Acc. | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| acrobatics | flying | Physical | 55 | 100 | 15 |
| aerial ace | flying | Physical | 60 | — | 20 |
| agility | psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| assurance | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| brave bird | flying | Physical | 120 | 100 | 15 |
| calm mind | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| charge | electric | Status | — | — | 20 |
| confide | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| dazzling gleam | fairy | Special | 80 | 100 | 10 |
| defog | flying | Status | — | — | 15 |
| discharge | electric | Special | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| double team | normal | Status | — | — | 15 |
| echoed voice | normal | Special | 40 | 100 | 15 |
| eerie impulse | electric | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| electric terrain | electric | Status | — | — | 10 |
| electro ball | electric | Special | — | 100 | 10 |
| electroweb | electric | Special | 55 | 95 | 15 |
| endure | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| facade | normal | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| fairy wind | fairy | Special | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| false swipe | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 40 |
| fly | flying | Physical | 90 | 95 | 15 |
| frustration | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| giga impact | normal | Physical | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| grass knot | grass | Special | — | 100 | 20 |
| hidden power | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| hyper beam | normal | Special | 150 | 90 | 5 |
| hyper voice | normal | Special | 90 | 100 | 10 |
| iron defense | steel | Status | — | — | 15 |
| iron head | steel | Physical | 80 | 100 | 15 |
| light screen | psychic | Status | — | — | 30 |
| mean look | normal | Status | — | — | 5 |
| mirror move | flying | Status | — | — | 20 |
| nature power | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| nature’s madness | fairy | Special | — | 90 | 10 |
| power swap | psychic | Status | — | — | 10 |
| protect | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| psych up | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| quick attack | normal | Physical | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| rain dance | water | Status | — | — | 5 |
| reflect | psychic | Status | — | — | 20 |
| rest | psychic | Status | — | — | 5 |
| return | normal | Physical | — | 100 | 20 |
| roar | normal | Status | — | — | 20 |
| roost | flying | Status | — | — | 5 |
| round | normal | Special | 60 | 100 | 15 |
| safeguard | normal | Status | — | — | 25 |
| screech | normal | Status | — | 85 | 40 |
| shock wave | electric | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| sky attack | flying | Physical | 140 | 90 | 5 |
| sky drop | flying | Physical | 60 | 100 | 10 |
| sleep talk | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| snore | normal | Special | 50 | 100 | 15 |
| spark | electric | Physical | 65 | 100 | 20 |
| steel wing | steel | Physical | 70 | 90 | 25 |
| stored power | psychic | Special | 20 | 100 | 10 |
| substitute | normal | Status | — | — | 10 |
| swagger | normal | Status | — | 85 | 15 |
| swift | normal | Special | 60 | — | 20 |
| taunt | dark | Status | — | 100 | 20 |
| telekinesis | psychic | Status | — | — | 15 |
| thief | dark | Physical | 60 | 100 | 25 |
| thunder | electric | Special | 110 | 70 | 10 |
| thunder punch | electric | Physical | 75 | 100 | 15 |
| thunder shock | electric | Special | 40 | 100 | 30 |
| thunder wave | electric | Status | — | 90 | 20 |
| thunderbolt | electric | Special | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| torment | dark | Status | — | 100 | 15 |
| toxic | poison | Status | — | 90 | 10 |
| u turn | bug | Physical | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| volt switch | electric | Special | 70 | 100 | 20 |
| wild charge | electric | Physical | 90 | 100 | 15 |
| withdraw | water | Status | — | — | 40 |
| work up | normal | Status | — | — | 30 |
Tapu-koko Competitive Battle Guide
In competitive Pokémon battling, Tapu Koko functions as an exceptional fast offensive attacker with the game-changing ability to immediately establish Electric Terrain. Its base Speed stat of 130 makes it one of the fastest non-legendary Pokémon available, allowing it to outspeed and attack first in most matchups. The Electric Surge ability grants both offensive and defensive benefits—Electric Terrain boosts Electric-type moves by 50 percent while simultaneously preventing sleep-inducing moves and grounded move damage, making Tapu Koko and its Electric-type teammates formidable. With a base Attack of 115 and Special Attack of 95, Tapu Koko can leverage both physical and special move pools effectively, though its physical Attack stat receives greater investment. Its defensive stats are modest at 85 Defense and 75 Special Defense, making it vulnerable to priority moves and strong attacks that can OHKO if not carefully managed. Competitively, Tapu Koko serves as both a sweeper capable of dealing significant damage and a terrain-setter that fundamentally shifts battle conditions, making it a popular choice in competitive formats where its unique typing and ability provide substantial team support.
Commonly Asked Questions About Tapu-koko
What type is Tapu-koko?
Tapu-koko is a electric and fairy type Pokemon.
What does Tapu-koko evolve from?
Tapu-koko does not evolve.
What are Tapu-koko's weaknesses?
Tapu-koko is weak to poison and ground type moves.
Where can I find Tapu-koko?
Tapu-koko can be found in ruins of conflict (alola).
Tapu-koko Cultural Impact & Franchise History
Tapu Koko holds significant cultural importance as the first legendary guardian deity players encounter in Pokémon Sun and Moon, serving as a narrative anchor for the Alola region's mythology. The game introduces Tapu Koko dramatically during the early story, establishing it as a powerful force that even Player and their rival must respect and acknowledge. In the anime, Tapu Koko receives major representation as a recurring character that interacts with Ash Ketchum, emphasizing its role as both a powerful ally and an unpredictable force of nature. The Pokémon's design inspired by genuine Polynesian and Hawaiian cultural elements brought Pacific Islander representation to the Pokémon franchise in meaningful ways, introducing trainers worldwide to indigenous mythology and aesthetics. Its competitive popularity in VGC (Video Game Championships) tournaments has made it a recognizable presence in the esports community, where its ability to set terrain and enable Electric-type sweeps has defined entire team strategies across multiple generations. The distinctive rooster-deity aesthetic has resonated with players seeking unique, culturally-grounded legendary Pokémon that stand apart from traditional dragon or bird-based designs.
Where to Find Tapu-koko in Every Pokémon Game
Tapu Koko is primarily available as a scripted legendary encounter in Pokémon Sun and Moon, where it appears at the end of the Melemele Island trials as the guardian deity that players must defeat and capture. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Tapu Koko similarly serves as a mandatory encounter within the postgame content. The legendary Pokémon has made subsequent appearances in later generation games, including Pokémon Sword and Shield where it can be encountered in the Crown Tundra expansion pack as part of the Dynamax Adventures feature, allowing both standard and Shiny encounters. In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Tapu Koko maintains its presence in the regional Pokédex. Players interested in obtaining Tapu Koko should note its extremely low catch rate of 3 (representing approximately 1.6 percent success with a standard Poké Ball at full health), requiring either Ultra Balls, specialized status condition applications (paralysis particularly), or weakening the creature significantly before attempting capture. With a base experience yield of 257 (reduced to 114 in Generation VII specifically), Tapu Koko provides substantial experience gains to teams that defeat it in battle. The creature's availability as a legendary makes it a one-per-game encounter in most titles, though event distributions and potential future appearances in subsequent generations may provide additional opportunities for trainers to obtain this iconic guardian deity.