Tapu Bulu Raid Guide – Best Counters, Weakness, CP & Strategy

Raid Boss Overview – Tapu Bulu

Tapu Bulu is a Legendary Pokémon from the Alola region and one of the four island guardians. In Pokémon GO raids, it stands out because of its unusual Grass/Fairy typing, giving it a mix of strong resistances, solid PvP value, and useful raid coverage.

• Type: Grass / Fairy
• Role: Defensive attacker with strong anti-Dragon utility
• Known as the guardian deity of Ula’ula Island

Why Tapu Bulu Matters

Strong PvP Potential

Tapu Bulu performs well in PvP because its typing pressures several popular meta Pokémon.

• Strong against:
  • Dragon-types
  • Dark-types
  • Water/Ground cores
• Can function as a bulky damage dealer
• Applies constant shield pressure

Useful Fairy-Type Raid Attacker

While not the absolute strongest Fairy attacker, Tapu Bulu is still valuable in raids.

• Useful against:
  • Dragon raid bosses
  • Fighting-type bosses
  • Dark-type bosses
• Benefits from strong Fairy-type charged moves

Unique Grass/Fairy Typing

This typing combination gives Tapu Bulu several useful resistances and matchup advantages.

• Resists:
  • Water
  • Electric
  • Grass
  • Dark
• Threatens both Water and Dragon cores

However, it also has major weaknesses:

• Weak to:
  • Poison
  • Steel
  • Ice
  • Flying

Collector & Pokédex Value

• Part of the Legendary Tapu quartet
• Limited-time raid availability
• Important for Pokédex completion
• Shiny version is highly desirable

Raid Difficulty

Overall Difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (Moderate)

Solo

Not realistic

• High Legendary HP pool
• Too bulky for solo clears

Duo

Very difficult

• Requires:
  • Maxed counters
  • Mega support
  • Weather advantage
  • Optimized movesets

Trio

Possible with strong preparation

• Best results with:
  • Steel-types
  • Ice-types
  • Mega Evolutions

4–6 Players

Comfortable range for most groups

• Easy clears with proper counters
• Little coordination required

Difficulty Factors

What Makes the Raid Easier

• Snow weather boosting Ice counters
• Cloudy weather boosting Fairy allies
• Mega Pokémon team boosts
• Strong Steel attackers

What Makes the Raid Harder

• Sunny weather boosting Grass moves
• Using random recommended teams
• Lack of Mega coordination
• Too many off-type attackers

Dangerous Moves

Tapu Bulu can become threatening depending on its moveset.

• Grass moves can pressure Water and Ground Pokémon
• Fairy moves punish Dragon-types heavily

Watch out especially for:

• Dazzling Gleam
• Grass Knot
• Megahorn

Tapu Bulu Moveset Guide

Tapu Bulu is a powerful Grass/Fairy-type Legendary Pokémon known for:

• Very high Attack stat
• Strong Grass-type damage
• Heavy charged move pressure
• Excellent anti-Dragon utility

Its moveset allows it to perform well in:

• Master League PvP
• Raid battles
• Gym offense

Fast Moves

Fast moves determine Tapu Bulu’s energy generation and battle pacing.

Fast Moves Table

Best Fast Move: Bullet Seed

Why It’s Best

• Extremely fast energy generation
• Allows rapid charged move usage
• Essential for PvP pressure

Best Uses

• Master League
• Raid battles
• Gym offense

Charged Moves

Charged moves define Tapu Bulu’s real offensive value.

Charged Moves Table

Best Charged Moves

Best PvP Moveset

• Bullet Seed
• Nature’s Madness
• Grass Knot

Why?

• Excellent shield pressure
• Fast energy cycling
• Strong neutral coverage
• Consistent pressure against bulky teams

Best PvE Moveset

• Bullet Seed
• Grass Knot

Why?

• Highest consistent Grass-type DPS
• Reliable energy generation
• Strong against Water, Ground, and Rock bosses

Elite & Signature Move

Some moves may require:

• Elite Charged TM
• Special raid rotation
• Event availability

Important Exclusive Move

Nature’s Madness Analysis

Why It Matters

• Lower energy cost than Dazzling Gleam
• Fast Fairy-type pressure
• Makes Tapu Bulu more flexible in PvP

PvP Impact

Before this move:

• Slower gameplay
• Less threatening pressure

After this move:

• Much stronger Master League performance
• Improved shield bait potential

Raid Boss Moves

Tapu Bulu’s raid boss moveset can heavily affect raid difficulty.

Possible Raid Boss Fast Moves

Possible Raid Boss Charged Moves

Most Dangerous Moves

Solar Beam

Why It’s Dangerous

• Huge burst damage
• Can instantly KO weak counters
• Very punishing if not dodged

Most Dangerous Against

• Water-types
• Ground-types
• Rock-types

Dazzling Gleam

Why It’s Dangerous

• Strong Fairy-type coverage
• Destroys Dragon attackers quickly

Especially Dangerous Against

• Dragon raid teams
• Dark-types
• Shadow Dragons

Megahorn

Why It’s Dangerous

• Unexpected Bug coverage
• Punishes Psychic and Dark Pokémon

Best Counters Against Dangerous Moves

Tapu Bulu in PvP, PvE, Raids, Gyms & Special Cups

Tapu Bulu is a Grass/Fairy-type Legendary Pokémon that combines strong offensive pressure with useful defensive typing. It stands out for its powerful Grass-type damage, reliable PvP performance in certain leagues, and access to strong charged moves like Nature’s Madness and Grass Knot.

Its typing gives it advantages against:

• Water-types
• Ground-types
• Dragon-types
• Dark-types
• Fighting-types

However, Tapu Bulu also has several important weaknesses:

• Poison
• Steel
• Flying
• Fire
• Ice

PvP Performance

Great League

Tapu Bulu is rarely seen in open Great League because its CP is difficult to optimize under the league cap. Still, it can work in limited formats where its typing becomes more valuable.

What works well:

• Solid overall bulk
• Useful Fairy coverage against Dark and Fighting Pokémon
• Strong shield pressure with Nature’s Madness

Main issues:

• Weakness to common Steel-types
• Struggles against Flying Pokémon
• High investment cost

Recommended moveset:

• Fast Move: Bullet Seed
• Charged Moves: Grass Knot + Nature’s Madness

Overall, it remains a niche option that depends heavily on the cup format.

Ultra League

Ultra League is where Tapu Bulu performs much better and starts to feel genuinely threatening.

Why it works:

• Strong against Water and Ground cores
• Fairy typing pressures Dragons and Fighters
• Reliable shield pressure from Nature’s Madness
• Fast energy generation with Bullet Seed

Strong matchups:

• Swampert
• Giratina
• Poliwrath
• Virizion
• Zygarde

Difficult matchups:

• Registeel
• Talonflame
• Skarmory
• Venusaur
• Most Poison-types

Recommended moveset:

• Bullet Seed
• Grass Knot
• Nature’s Madness

Main PvP roles:

• Anti-Water attacker
• Dragon pressure
• Shield pressure specialist

In Ultra League, Tapu Bulu is surprisingly solid and often underrated.

Master League

In Master League, Tapu Bulu becomes more of a specialist pick rather than a core meta Pokémon.

Strengths:

• Strong against Kyogre and Ground-types
• Can pressure Dragons effectively
• Hits hard with Grass-type damage

Weaknesses:

• Steel-types are a major problem
• Struggles against Ho-Oh
• Loses heavily to Dialga and Metagross

Good matchups:

• Kyogre
• Garchomp
• Palkia
• Groudon

Difficult matchups:

• Dialga
• Metagross
• Ho-Oh
• Solgaleo

Recommended moveset:

• Bullet Seed
• Nature’s Madness
• Megahorn or Grass Knot

With the right support, Tapu Bulu can still surprise opponents in Master League.

Performance in Special Cups

Fantasy Cup

Tapu Bulu performs well here thanks to its Fairy typing and ability to pressure Dragons and Water-types.

Sunshine Cup

Very effective in Water-heavy formats where Grass damage becomes especially valuable.

Element Cup

Not eligible.

Love Cup

Usually unavailable due to Legendary restrictions.

Limited Meta Cups

Tapu Bulu tends to improve significantly in formats with fewer Steel-types and more Water or Ground Pokémon.

PvE Performance

As a Grass-Type Raid Attacker

This is Tapu Bulu’s strongest PvE role.

Strengths:

• Excellent Grass-type damage output
• Very effective against Water, Ground, and Rock raid bosses
• Strong overall raid DPS for a non-Mega Pokémon

Best raid targets:

• Kyogre
• Groudon
• Swampert
• Rhyperior
• Gyarados

Weaknesses:

• Can struggle against Fire and Ice bosses
• Competes with Mega Evolutions and strong Shadow Pokémon

Best PvE moveset:

• Bullet Seed
• Grass Knot

Overall, Tapu Bulu ranks among the stronger non-Mega Grass attackers in Pokémon GO.

Raid Performance

As a Raid Attacker

Tapu Bulu performs especially well in raids against:

• Water-type bosses
• Ground-type bosses
• Rock-type bosses

Excellent raid targets include:

• Kyogre raids
• Groudon raids
• Mega Swampert raids
• Rock-type raid bosses

As a Raid Boss

When Tapu Bulu appears as a raid boss, its Grass/Fairy typing can make it surprisingly annoying to fight.

Best counters include:

• Mega Charizard Y
• Mega Rayquaza
• Metagross
• Nihilego
• Reshiram

Gym Performance

As a Gym Attacker

Tapu Bulu works well against:

• Water defenders
• Ground defenders
• Dark and Fighting defenders

However, it is not one of the fastest gym-clearing Pokémon, and Flying defenders can cause problems.

As a Gym Defender

Tapu Bulu cannot defend gyms because Legendary Pokémon are not allowed as gym defenders in Pokémon GO.

Tapu Bulu Raid Strategy Guide

Tapu Bulu is a Tier 5 Legendary Raid Boss with a dangerous combination of high Attack power and bulky defenses. Its Grass/Fairy typing gives it several weaknesses, but trainers who enter the raid with the wrong counters can still struggle badly.

The good news is that Tapu Bulu has one major weakness that makes this raid much easier for prepared teams:

• It takes double damage from Poison-type attacks

Raid Difficulty Overview

Why Players Raid Tapu Bulu

• Strong Fairy-type attacker potential
• Useful in Master League formats
• Part of the Tapu legendary quartet
• Popular shiny target for collectors
• Unique Grass/Fairy typing

Best Overall Raid Strategy

The safest and most effective approach is using:

• Poison-types
• Steel-types
• Strong Fire-types

Tapu Bulu’s Biggest Weakness

Tapu Bulu is double weak to Poison-type attacks, which is one of the biggest weaknesses among Legendary raid bosses.

This means strong Poison attackers can deal massive damage very quickly.

Solo Strategy

Soloing Tapu Bulu is technically possible, but only under extremely favorable conditions.

Requirements

• Level 50 counters
• Top-tier Poison attackers
• Cloudy weather boost
• Best Friend bonus
• Excellent dodging
• Optimized movesets

Best Solo Counters

• Mega Beedrill
• Nihilego
• Roserade

Important Solo Tips

• Dodge Solar Beam whenever possible
• Avoid weak neutral counters
• Focus entirely on Poison-type damage
• Prepare a second battle party in advance

Solo Difficulty Summary

Duo Strategy

A duo clear is difficult but realistic for experienced trainers using powered-up Poison attackers.

Duo Requirements

• Trainer Level 40+
• Strong Poison-type teams
• Mega Evolution support
• Good friendship bonus

Recommended Duo Setup

Trainer 1

• Mega Poison attacker for team boost

Trainer 2

• Full high-DPS Poison team

Most Dangerous Moves

Trio Strategy

A trio is the most balanced setup for experienced players. It gives enough damage output while still allowing room for mistakes.

Recommended Trio Setup

Beginner Raid Strategy

If your team is newer or underpowered, bringing more players is the safest option.

Recommended Group Size

• 5–7 trainers

Beginner Tips

• Use recommended counters instead of random Pokémon
• Prioritize staying alive
• Rejoin quickly after fainting
• Use at least one Mega Evolution if possible

Good Beginner Counters

• Roserade
• Excadrill
• Metagross
• Chandelure

Common Beginner Mistakes

Intermediate Strategy

Intermediate players should focus on balancing survivability with consistent damage output.

Strong Intermediate Team

Advanced Strategy

Advanced players usually aim for efficient duos or very fast trio clears.

Advanced Techniques

• Read Tapu Bulu’s charged moves quickly
• Dodge Solar Beam consistently
• Coordinate Mega boosts with teammates
• Pre-build relobby teams
• Optimize move timing for maximum DPS

Recommended Mega Rotation

• Mega Beedrill
• Mega Gengar

Expert-Level Strategy

Expert groups focus on speed, efficiency, and minimal downtime.

Expert Techniques

• Use Cloudy weather to boost Poison damage
• Coordinate Mega uptime between players
• Synchronize relobbies
• Use glass-cannon Poison attackers for maximum DPS

Top Expert Counters

• Nihilego
• Shadow Roserade
• Mega Beedrill

Final Raid Advice

Tapu Bulu becomes much easier once you fully take advantage of its double weakness to Poison-type attacks.

For most players:

• Trio raids are the ideal balance
• Steel-types provide reliable safety
• Poison-types deliver the highest damage
• Mega support dramatically improves raid speed

With proper counters and fast relobbying, Tapu Bulu raids become much more manageable than they first appear.

Shiny Tapu Bulu Comparison

Shiny Tapu Bulu has one of the more noticeable shiny changes among Legendary Pokémon. Instead of only slight color adjustments, its entire appearance becomes much brighter and easier to recognize.

Normal vs Shiny Tapu Bulu

Regular Tapu Bulu

• Dark red and maroon body colors
• Black horns with yellow details
• Gives off a heavy, earthy guardian look

Shiny Tapu Bulu

• Body changes to a bright mint-green shade
• Shell colors appear lighter and more vibrant
• Horn details become brighter and easier to notice

Quick Visual Comparison

Is Shiny Tapu Bulu Easy to Identify?

Yes. The bright green coloring stands out immediately during encounters and raids, making it easy to tell apart from the regular version.

• The green color is clearly visible
• You usually won’t need to inspect closely
• One of the more recognizable Legendary shinies

Does the Shiny Version Change Stats?

No. Shiny Tapu Bulu performs exactly the same as the normal version.

• Same stats
• Same moveset
• Same raid performance

Why Players Want Shiny Tapu Bulu

Many trainers hunt shiny Tapu Bulu because of its unique appearance and rarity.

• Popular among shiny collectors
• Valuable Legendary shiny
• Looks great in gyms and collections

Shiny Catch Tip

If you find a shiny Tapu Bulu after a raid:

• Use a Pinap Berry for extra candy
• Take your time with throws
• Excellent Curveball throws are still useful for bonus XP

Tapu Bulu

Images are used for informational and educational purposes only. All rights belong to their respective owners.

Shiny Tapu Bulu

Images are used for informational and educational purposes only. All rights belong to their respective owners.

Evolution & Buddy Distance – Tapu Bulu

Does Tapu Bulu Evolve?

Tapu Bulu does not evolve in Pokémon GO.

• It is one of the Legendary Guardian Pokémon from the Alola region.
• Tapu Bulu has no pre-evolution or evolved form.
• It also does not have a Mega Evolution.

Buddy Distance

You need to walk 20 km with Tapu Bulu as your buddy to earn 1 Candy.

What This Means

Tapu Bulu is one of the slower Pokémon for earning candy through walking.

• It takes a long time to collect candy naturally.
• Walking alone is usually not enough for powering it up quickly.
• Most players rely on raids and Rare Candy instead.

Best Ways to Get Tapu Bulu Candy

• Complete more Tapu Bulu raids whenever it returns.
• Use Rare Candy earned from raids or events.
• Walk long distances only if you regularly keep Tapu Bulu as your buddy.

Why Is the Buddy Distance So High?

Since Tapu Bulu is a Legendary Pokémon, Niantic gives it a higher buddy distance compared to regular Pokémon. This makes powering it up more challenging and keeps Legendary Pokémon rarer in competitive play.

Best Mega Pokémon vs Tapu Bulu

Tapu Bulu is weak to Steel, Fire, Poison, Ice, and Flying-type attacks. Steel-type Pokémon are the strongest overall choice because they also resist many of Tapu Bulu’s attacks.

Top Mega Counters

Mega Metagross (Best Overall)

Mega Metagross

• Massive Steel-type damage against Tapu Bulu
• Excellent bulk and survivability in raids
• Boosts Steel-type attacks for the whole team
• One of the fastest and safest counters available

Best Role: Main Mega evolution for raid teams

Mega Beedrill

Mega Beedrill

• Very strong Poison-type damage
• Can deal huge DPS quickly
• Boosts Poison attacks for teammates

Weakness: Low defense and faints quickly

Best Role: High-risk glass cannon attacker

Mega Charizard Y

Mega Charizard Y

• Strong Fire-type attacks against Grass typing
• Provides a powerful Fire-type team boost
• Good option when using Fire-focused teams

Limitation: Fire attacks only target the Grass typing, not Fairy

Mega Blaziken

Mega Blaziken

• Excellent Fire-type damage output
• Very high attack stat for fast clears
• Useful in aggressive raid teams

Note: Fighting-type attacks are resisted by Tapu Bulu’s Fairy typing

Mega Abomasnow

Mega Abomasnow

• Ice-type attacks hit Grass super effectively
• Can perform well in weather-boosted conditions

Limitation: Less effective than Steel or Poison Mega Pokémon overall

Best Raid Strategy

Recommended Team Setup

• 1 Mega Metagross for Steel-type team boost
• 2–4 strong Steel attackers
• 1 Poison attacker for additional Fairy-type pressure

Best Non-Mega Partners

• Metagross
• Excadrill
• Necrozma (Dusk Mane)
• Dialga
• Roserade

Fast Clear Strategy

• Use Steel-heavy teams for maximum damage
• Keep Mega Metagross active as long as possible
• Dodge powerful Grass-type charged attacks when needed
• Weather boost from Snow or Sunny weather can improve damage output

Boosted Candy Catching – Getting More Tapu Bulu Candy

Every Tapu Bulu catch is valuable because Legendary Pokémon require a huge amount of Candy for powering up, unlocking extra moves, and reaching higher levels.

Why Extra Candy Matters

Tapu Bulu is a Legendary Grass/Fairy-type Pokémon, so upgrading it can become expensive over time.

• Powering up requires large amounts of Candy
• Unlocking a second Charged Move costs extra Candy and Stardust
• Max level builds also need Candy XL

Using Pinap Berry

Pinap Berry is one of the best ways to farm Candy during Tapu Bulu raids.

• It doubles the Candy earned from a successful catch

Best Time to Use Pinap Berry

Pinap Berry works best when:

• You are landing consistent Excellent or Great throws
• The encounter feels easy to catch
• You mainly want to collect Candy quickly

Avoid using Pinap Berry when:

• The Tapu Bulu appears to have very high IV potential
• You are running low on Premier Balls
• The boss is difficult to catch

Silver Pinap Berry

Silver Pinap Berry provides two useful bonuses at once:

• Improved catch chance
• Extra Candy reward

It is a strong middle option when you want additional Candy while still keeping the catch safer.

Stacking Candy Bonuses

Candy rewards can increase even more when multiple bonuses are active together.

• Pinap Berry or Silver Pinap Berry
• Double Catch Candy events
• Mega Evolution catch bonus

During special events, Tapu Bulu catches can reward very high Candy amounts per raid.

Why Farming Tapu Bulu Candy is Worth It

Tapu Bulu has value in several parts of Pokémon GO.

Powering Up

• Requires significant Candy and Stardust investment
• Candy XL is needed for high-level builds

Battle League Usage

• Can perform well in Ultra League formats
• Useful in certain limited PvP cups

Raid Usage

• Provides strong Grass-type damage in favorable matchups
• Helpful against Water, Ground, and some Dragon-type raid bosses

Best Berry Strategy

Tapu Bulu Weaknesses in Pokémon GO

Tapu Bulu is a Grass and Fairy-type Legendary Pokémon. While it can hit hard in battle, it also has several important weaknesses that make it easier to counter in raids.

Main Weaknesses

Poison-Type Counters

• Poison-type attacks are extremely effective against Tapu Bulu
• This is one of the best ways to deal heavy raid damage quickly

Top Poison attackers:

• Gengar (Lick + Sludge Bomb)
• Roserade (Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb)
• Nihilego (Poison Jab + Sludge Bomb)

Steel-Type Counters

• Steel Pokémon are among the strongest raid choices against Tapu Bulu
• They combine high durability with powerful charged attacks

Best Steel attackers:

• Metagross (Bullet Punch + Meteor Mash)
• Dialga (Metal Claw + Iron Head)
• Excadrill (Metal Claw + Iron Head)

Fire-Type Counters

• Fire attacks are effective against Tapu Bulu’s Grass typing
• High DPS Fire Pokémon can finish raids quickly

Best Fire attackers:

• Reshiram
• Chandelure
• Darmanitan

Flying-Type Counters

• Flying-type moves also work well against Tapu Bulu
• Useful if you lack strong Steel or Poison teams

Ice-Type Attackers

• Ice Pokémon can still perform well thanks to strong damage output
• They are more of a backup option compared to Poison or Steel types

Example:

• Mamoswine remains a strong budget-friendly raid attacker

Tapu Bulu Resistance Guide

Tapu Bulu is a Grass/Fairy-type Legendary Pokémon with several useful resistances, but it also has a few dangerous weaknesses that trainers should watch out for in raids and PvP battles.

Typing

• Grass
• Fairy

Tapu Bulu Resistances

Tapu Bulu can comfortably handle several common attack types thanks to its dual typing.

Neutral Matchups

These attack types deal normal damage to Tapu Bulu:

• Fire
• Ice
• Psychic
• Flying
• Rock
• Ghost

Even though Fire and Ice are neutral overall, they are still dangerous because many strong raid attackers use high-powered moves from these types.

Tapu Bulu Weaknesses

These types deal extra damage to Tapu Bulu and are the best choices against it in raids.

Major Threats

• Poison-type attackers are the biggest danger because Tapu Bulu takes double damage from Poison moves.
• Steel-type Pokémon can hit hard while resisting many Fairy attacks.
• Strong Fire- and Ice-type raid attackers can quickly pressure Tapu Bulu despite only dealing neutral damage overall.

Raid & PvP Defensive Overview

Why Tapu Bulu performs well defensively:

• Resists popular PvP types like Dragon, Dark, Fighting, Water, and Electric.
• Has respectable bulk in Great League and Ultra League formats.
• Can absorb several neutral hits before going down.

Why it can struggle:

• Double weakness to Poison attacks is a major problem.
• Common Steel-type Pokémon counter it effectively.
• Limited resistances against Fire and Ice coverage moves.

Conclusion – Tapu Bulu

Tapu Bulu is a powerful Legendary Pokémon, but it works best in specific situations rather than being a universal top pick.

Overall Performance Summary

Where Tapu Bulu Performs Well

PvP (Situational Use)

• Performs best in limited formats and themed cups
• Can still show up in some Ultra League matchups
• Has some play against Dragon, Dark, and Fighting-type Pokémon

Key Strengths

• Solid overall bulk
• Good pressure with Charm and Grass-type damage

Raid Utility

• Works as a Grass-type attacker in raids
• Useful against:
  • Water-type raid bosses
  • Ground-type raid bosses
  • Rock-type raid bosses

Defensive Value

• Decent survivability for a Fairy-type Legendary
• Can take more hits than many glass-cannon attackers

Where Tapu Bulu Falls Short

Not a Top Grass Attacker

• Outclassed by stronger Grass-type attackers like Kartana and Mega Pokémon

Raid Performance Limitations

• Does not reach top-tier damage output in raids
• Rarely a first-choice option in the current meta

Common Weaknesses

• Steel-type attacks deal heavy damage
• Poison-type Pokémon can pressure it effectively

Tapu Bulu Catch CP (Raid Encounter)

After you defeat Tapu Bulu in a raid, its CP when you try to catch it will depend mainly on:

• Its IVs (ranging from 0% to 100%)
• Weather boost during the raid

Normal Weather (No Boost)

Weather Boosted (Cloudy ☁️ / Sunny ☀️)

Tapu Bulu is a Grass/Fairy-type Pokémon, so it gets a weather boost in:

• Cloudy weather (boosts Fairy-type moves)
• Sunny weather (boosts Grass-type moves)

How to Identify a Strong Tapu Bulu

The highest IV (100%) Tapu Bulu will always appear at these CP values:

• 1613 CP (without weather boost)
• 2017 CP (with weather boost)

Catch Tips

Here are some simple tips to help you catch Tapu Bulu more easily:

• Use Golden Razz Berries for higher catch rate
• Throw Curve Ball + Excellent throws whenever possible
• Wait for its attack animation before throwing your Poké Ball

Common Mistake

• Thinking higher CP always means higher IV
• Remember: CP depends on both level and IV, not just IV alone

Weather Boost for Tapu Bulu

What is Weather Boost?

In Pokémon GO, weather boost makes certain Pokémon and their moves stronger during specific weather conditions. In raids and wild encounters, this means:

• Higher CP for the Pokémon
• Stronger attacks during battle
• Increased CP when you catch it after a raid

Tapu Bulu Weather Boost

Best Weather: Cloudy Weather

Tapu Bulu is a Grass/Fairy-type Pokémon. It gets boosted in Cloudy weather because Fairy-type Pokémon and moves are strengthened.

• Fairy-type Pokémon are boosted
• Fairy-type moves deal more damage
• Fighting and Poison types also get a boost in this weather

What Changes in Cloudy Weather?

• Tapu Bulu has higher CP in raids
• It becomes a bit tougher to defeat
• Raid battles may take longer if your team is not prepared

Catch CP Boost

• After defeating Tapu Bulu in a raid, the encounter CP will be higher in Cloudy weather
• This can result in better IV catch chances at higher CP ranges

Strategic Impact

• Raid difficulty increases slightly due to boosted stats
• Well-prepared teams can still clear it without major issues
• Good coordination is helpful for smaller groups

Weather Boost Impact on Counters

When Weather Boost Makes It Harder for You

If you are raiding Tapu Bulu in Cloudy weather:

• The boss becomes bulkier and slightly harder to take down
• You should rely on strong Steel-type attackers
• Dodging and timing become more important in smaller teams

Does Weather Help Your Counters?

Cloudy weather does not directly benefit most top counters against Tapu Bulu. Steel-type attackers remain the most effective choice regardless of weather.

Best Counters in Cloudy Weather

Even when weather boosted, Tapu Bulu is still weak to Poison and Steel-type attacks:

Steel-types

• Metagross
• Dialga
• Excadrill

Poison-types

• Gengar
• Roserade

Ice-types

• Ice-types can help against its Grass typing, but Steel and Poison remain the most reliable options

Is it worth raiding Tapu Bulu?

PvE (Raids & Gyms Value)

Tapu Bulu is actually a pretty solid Grass-type attacker in Pokémon GO. It performs well in raids, especially when you need Grass damage against Water, Ground, and Rock-type bosses.

What it does well:

• Reliable Grass-type raid attacker
• Good matchup against Water, Ground, and Rock raid bosses

Best role:

• A strong and consistent Grass DPS option
• Can comfortably replace many mid-tier Grass attackers

Where it falls short:

• Outclassed by top Grass attackers like Kartana
• Doesn’t benefit from Mega Evolution boosts

PvP Value

In Great League and Ultra League, Tapu Bulu can actually be quite annoying to face thanks to its bulk and decent move pressure.

What it brings to PvP:

• Good overall bulk for a Grass-type
• Can pressure Water, Ground, and Fighting types effectively
• Fairy typing helps in some Dragon matchups

Weak points:

• Poison-type Pokémon are a major problem
• Flying-types can pressure it heavily
• Steel matchups can feel uncomfortable depending on moveset

How it compares to other Grass attackers

There are stronger options available if you’re purely focusing on raid damage:

• Kartana — much higher DPS and top-tier Grass attacker
• Mega Sceptile — great team utility and strong damage output
• Shadow Grass Pokémon — often outperform it in raw damage

What makes Tapu Bulu special?

Even though it’s not the absolute top damage dealer, Tapu Bulu has a few unique strengths that make it worth considering.

• Unique Grass/Fairy typing
• Decent bulk compared to most Grass attackers
• Can catch opponents off guard in PvP, especially in limited formats

It also performs nicely in situations where you need something tankier rather than just pure damage output.

So, is it worth raiding?

Yes, go for it if you want:

• A reliable Ultra League PvP option
• A solid and dependable Grass-type attacker
• A bulky Pokémon that can survive longer in battles

Skip it if you only care about:

• Top-tier raid damage meta picks
• Mega-level Grass-type performance
• Maximizing raid DPS efficiency above all else

Personal Raid Experience – Tapu Bulu

First Impression

The first time I went into a raid against Tapu Bulu, I honestly didn’t take it too seriously. It looks calm and almost harmless at first glance, like a forest-themed Pokémon that wouldn’t cause much trouble. That assumption didn’t last long.

Once the battle started, I realized pretty quickly that this raid isn’t as easy as it looks. Tapu Bulu feels surprisingly bulky and doesn’t go down fast at all. My first team was mainly made up of Dragon and Water-type attackers, and that turned out to be a big mistake.

Dragons especially struggled because of its Fairy typing, and Water-types didn’t do much either. It became clear fast that using “usual raid picks” wasn’t going to work here.

What Actually Worked in the Raid

After a couple of attempts, I switched my lineup and the difference was noticeable right away. The battle started feeling much more manageable.

• Steel-type Pokémon performed really well and made the biggest difference in damage output
• Poison attackers helped consistently thanks to Tapu Bulu’s Fairy typing
• Flying and Fire-types added steady, reliable damage over time

Once I started using proper counters like strong Steel attackers, especially Pokémon similar to Metagross, the raid became much smoother. Instead of constantly reviving fainted Pokémon, I was finally able to keep up pressure throughout the fight.

What Surprised Me

There were a couple of things that caught me off guard during this raid.

It doesn’t go down quickly

Even with decent damage-focused teams, Tapu Bulu stays on the field longer than expected. This isn’t a quick burst fight — you really need sustained damage and a properly balanced team.

Charged attacks can punish careless play

Another thing I noticed was how much its charged moves can hurt if you’re not paying attention. I lost a few Pokémon early on just because I ignored dodging when I should have been more careful.

Tapu Bulu – Practical Battle Guide

Typing Strengths (Fairy + Grass Combo)

Fairy typing helps it deal with Dragon-types like Rayquaza, while also putting pressure on Dark and Fighting Pokémon.

• Works well against Dragons such as Rayquaza
• Useful into Dark and Fighting-type matchups

Grass typing gives it solid matchups into common raid and PvP types:

• Water-types
• Ground-types
• Rock-types

PvP Playstyle

Tapu Bulu plays more like a heavy hitter than a fast-pressure Pokémon.

Unlike faster Fairy-types such as Gardevoir or Togekiss, it doesn’t rely on constant charged move spam. Instead, it builds energy and then lands strong, impactful attacks.

• Builds energy at a steady pace
• Hits hard when charged moves are used
• Best used for timing big damage rather than fast cycling

Grassy Terrain Effect

In battle conditions where it benefits from Grass support, Tapu Bulu becomes more durable and its Grass-type damage gets a noticeable boost, which helps in longer fights.

Raid Performance

Tapu Bulu is not a top-tier raid attacker compared to the meta Grass types.

Even with strong stats, its moveset doesn’t make it the fastest option for damage-focused raids.

However, it still has value in specific situations:

• When Grass-type coverage is needed in group raids
• When you want a dual Fairy/Grass option for flexibility

Defensive Value

One of Tapu Bulu’s underrated strengths is its defensive typing.

It can comfortably take hits from several common types:

• Water
• Electric
• Ground
• Dark

But it does have clear weaknesses:

• Steel-types are its biggest problem
• Poison-types can shut it down quickly
• Flying-types apply consistent pressure

Team Role

Tapu Bulu works best as a flexible support attacker rather than a main damage dealer.

• Good as an anti-Dragon backup option
• Useful against Ground-type cores
• Works as a safe switch in neutral matchups

It is not ideal for:

• Leading as your main raid attacker
• Facing Steel-heavy opponents

Tapu Bulu FAQ

What is Tapu Bulu?

Tapu Bulu is a Legendary Grass/Fairy-type Pokémon from the Alola region. It is one of the four Guardian Deities and is known for protecting forests and nature.

Is Tapu Bulu good in Pokémon GO?

Yes, but situationally strong

• Strong in Great League & Ultra League PvP
• Useful as a Fairy attacker in raids
• Not a top Grass attacker compared to meta Pokémon

What type is Tapu Bulu weak to?

Tapu Bulu is weak to:

• Ice
• Fire
• Poison
• Flying
• Steel

Steel and Poison are the most reliable counters in raids

What are the best counters for Tapu Bulu?

Top counters include:

• Metagross (Steel)
• Roserade (Poison)
• Chandelure (Fire)
• Togekiss (Fairy/Flying)

Steel-type Pokémon are the safest choice

What is the best moveset for Tapu Bulu?

PvP / Raid Moves:

• Fast Move: Bullet Seed
• Charged Moves:
  • Nature’s Madness (signature move)
  • Close Combat or Grass Knot

Nature’s Madness is its signature and most important move

Is Tapu Bulu good in raids?

• Outclassed by stronger Grass attackers like:
  • Kartana
  • Shadow Grass attackers

Best used as a Fairy-type raid attacker support option

Is Tapu Bulu good in PvP?

Strengths:

• Bulky
• Strong Fairy pressure
• Good against Dragons, Fighters, and Darks

Weaknesses:

• Steel-types dominate it
• Poison types can shut it down

Can Tapu Bulu be shiny?

Yes

• Shiny Tapu Bulu has a pinkish/red color shift
• Usually released during special events or raids

What is Tapu Bulu’s role?

• PvP bulky Fairy attacker
• Grass-type niche attacker
• Anti-Dragon / Anti-Dark specialist

Should I power up Tapu Bulu?

Yes if:

• You play PvP (Ultra League)
• You need a bulky Fairy-type

Skip if:

• You only care about raid DPS meta

Quick Summary

• Strong PvP Pokémon (especially Ultra League)
• Mid-tier raid attacker
• Weak to Steel and Poison
• Best role: bulky Fairy counter specialist

Pokédex Entry – Tapu Bulu

Tapu Bulu is a Grass/Fairy-type Legendary Pokémon from the Alola region. It is known as the Land Spirit Pokémon and serves as one of the four guardian deities that protect the islands of Alola.

What is Tapu Bulu?

Tapu Bulu is one of the four guardian deities of the Alola region, deeply connected to nature and forests. It is believed to protect sacred lands and maintain balance in the wild areas it watches over. Unlike many Fairy-types that are gentle or playful, Tapu Bulu is more grounded and physically powerful, often showing a fierce side when its territory is threatened.

It is especially associated with Ula’ula Island, where it acts as a protective force of nature rather than a peaceful observer.

Typing & Battle Strengths

Being a Grass and Fairy-type gives Tapu Bulu a mix of strong resistances and useful offensive matchups.

It resists attacks from:

• Water
• Electric
• Grass
• Dark
• Fighting

However, it is weak against:

• Poison (its biggest weakness)
• Flying
• Steel
• Fire
• Ice

Poison-type attacks are especially dangerous due to a double effectiveness against it.

Lore & Design Inspiration

Tapu Bulu’s design draws inspiration from Polynesian guardian spirits and traditional wooden totems. Its horned, bell-like appearance gives it the look of an ancient forest guardian carved from nature itself.

Everything about its design reflects its role as a protector of forests and sacred natural areas.

Personality & Behavior

Tapu Bulu is not a calm or passive guardian. It is known for being strong-willed and somewhat aggressive when provoked. While it generally avoids unnecessary conflict, it will not hesitate to defend nature with overwhelming force.

Legends describe it as a Pokémon that can control plant life, encouraging vegetation to grow rapidly or shaping the land itself when protecting its territory.

Abilities & Battle Role

In battle, Tapu Bulu is best known for its high Attack stat and strong Grass-type moves. Its signature ability helps it support itself and its team by creating a beneficial terrain effect that boosts Grass-type moves and provides healing advantages.

Because of this, it is often used as a powerful attacker in raids and also sees some use in competitive Master League battles.

Strengths

Tapu Bulu performs very well in battles where Grass-type damage is needed. Its Fairy typing also gives it useful coverage against Dragon, Dark, and Fighting-type Pokémon.

It is especially useful against raid bosses like:

• Kyogre
• Groudon
• Swampert

Weaknesses

Despite its power, Tapu Bulu is not without flaws. Its biggest issue is its vulnerability to Poison-type moves, which can deal heavy damage quickly.

It also doesn’t have the highest defensive stats compared to other Legendary Pokémon, so it can be taken down if not used carefully.

Shiny Tapu Bulu

The shiny version of Tapu Bulu changes its color scheme, replacing its usual brighter red accents with a darker, more muted black-toned appearance, giving it a more intense and mysterious look.

Summary

Tapu Bulu stands out as a powerful guardian Pokémon that blends raw strength with nature-based abilities. It represents protection, growth, and the untamed force of the natural world, making it one of the most memorable Legendary Pokémon from Alola.