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Since Zeraora is in Showdown OU, I was wondering who to use

Zeraora @Air Balloon
Ability: Volt Absorb
Nature: Jolly
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Spd / 252 Spe
- Plasma Fists
- Close Combat
- Knock off
- Acrobatics

or

Tapu Koko @Choice Specs
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Dazzling Gleam
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Ice]

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Zeraora is un-released, how can we test him/it (I think Zeraora is male)?
Didn't you ask this already?
They are both really similar in stats, but zeraora has a total of 600 while Tapu Koko has 570, so zerora. Tell me if you want to make that answer
Use Zeraora because it has better stats and isn't fairy type.
@sumwun that is basically what I said, apart form the fairy type thing
It depends on the rest of the team. If you're building around it, just pick one.

That aside, Tapu Koko is clearly the better pokemon in general.
If the Zeraora had a careful nature and 252 Sp. Def and Bulk Up, Zeraora just might be better than Tapu Koko.
@Jar Jar Zerora has 600 base stats while Tapu Koko only has 570
Base stats can sometimes mean nothing.
Like how Zekrom will never beat Naganadel.
True mega sableye and mega mawile has less base stat then regigigas slaking and they are bettet
@The Poipole just because one Pokémon can beat another doesn’t mean it’s better.
What if the Naganadel wasn't a sweeper? What if the Zekrom didn't have 252 HP and Attack like Smogon's Zekrom? You can't just say a Pokémon is better than another Pokémon. People could use any combination of moves and EVs, not everyone is going to think the same.
@thecarnapper5, True.
Base stats aren't representative of how good a pokemon is
We know that Jar Jar, sometimes. :)
Clearly someone doesn't
And which someone would you be preferring to?
MoonlitMadness because they responded to me saying that zeraora had higher bast stats. i was responding back
Oooooooooooh.

1 Answer

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Best answer

/Slightly biased towards Koko for obvious reasons/

The neutral answer is this: They both have different roles to play. Depending on the rest of the team and the tile you need either to play should typically decide which of the two is better. That's the obvious, unbiased answer.

That said, personally I recommend Tapu Koko over Zeroara. The reasons for this are:

  • Electric Surge: This is a pretty big deal in the current meta game. Electric Terrain grabs crucial KOs that can change the tide of the battle. Underestimating the power of well used terrain effects is suicide in the more competitive battles. Even in the replay The Poipole posted, Zeraora got the upper hand because of the terrain boosted Plasma Claws. Honestly this one reason should be enough, but there's more.

  • Tapu Koko can play a variety of roles, something that I'm not sure Zeraora can pull off just as easily. While I might stand corrected once it's actually released and the more creative folks come up with sets that defy the norm, the truth is that a casual glance over of the move pool puts the Guardian Deity in a better position. With access to plenty of support moves and reliable recovery, as well as good stats, Koko can simply don on a number of sets to fit a number of purposes. Need a lead? Check. Need an all our physical attacker? Check. Need a late game special sweeper? Check. Need a support /pivot? Check. With access to Nature's Madness, Koko can potentially break deadlocks that Zeraora might have a tougher time with.

  • Zeraora's single typing might be an advantage or a disadvantage. While one need not fear M-Venusaur or Gengar as much, there's some benefits to having a Fairy typing, the most obvious being the number of resistances to Fighting (and U-turn, but that's hardly notable). Besides, the predominant threat is Earthquake/ Earth Power.

  • Zeraora doesn't learn Ice Punch, meaning, much like Koko, it relies on HP [Ice] to even think about Landorus T. Which with the Jolly nature you suggest, is pretty weak.

  • Actually, on second thoughts, Landorus T ought to be a point by itself. It is one of the most used Pokemon in the current meta and it absolutely destroys Zeraora. Intimidate, immunity to Plasma Claws, and a resistance to Close Combat? I'm actually ashamed this point isn't higher on the list.

To sum it up, individually Zeraora might have a slight advantage. However, Koko's utility to team mates in the form of Electric Surge and greater movepool, as well as Landorus T's abundant usage (which Koko doesn't like either, but at least threatens it with Specs /LO HP [Ice] ) makes it clear that Koko will stay in power for a while longer. It's simpler for newer users to use, and is of great help to M-Medicham, and anything that have an electric coverage move that grabs KOs that it might otherwise be unable to. Koko is a better team player, and in competitive battling, that matters. A lot.

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I'm on the phone right now, so I apologise for any formatting errors. Also, as the answer progressed, I realised that I think Koko is way better, but didn't want to change my entire answer until that point (a lot of typing xD) to fit that conclusion. Personally I feel the answer is fine as is, but should anyone be kind enough to edit it in a way they seem fit (like putting Lando higher up), I'd really appreciate it.