Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO encounters give Trainers the chance to catch the guardian deity of Ula’ula Island. This Grass and Fairy-type Legendary Pokémon has useful resistances, access to Nature’s Madness and a dangerous double weakness that makes its raid much easier with the correct counters.
This Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO guide covers shiny Tapu Bulu, its weaknesses, the best raid counters, perfect IV catch CP, strongest moveset and whether Tapu Bulu is worth powering up.
Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Pokédex number | #0787 |
| Pokémon | Tapu Bulu |
| Category | Land Spirit Pokémon |
| Generation | Generation VII |
| Type | Grass and Fairy |
| Shiny available | Yes |
| Main weaknesses | Fire, Flying, Ice, Poison and Steel |
| Double weakness | Poison |
| Weather boost | Sunny and Cloudy |
| Maximum CP | Approximately 3,865 at Level 50 |
Tapu Bulu is a dual Grass and Fairy-type Pokémon. This combination gives Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO raids several weaknesses, including a major double weakness to Poison-type attacks.
Damage taken when Tapu Bulu is hit by each type:
Very weak to
Weak to
Resists
Immune to
Based on Grass / Fairy typing. Abilities may modify these matchups.
Can Tapu Bulu Be Shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes, shiny Tapu Bulu is available in Pokémon GO.
Regular Tapu Bulu has a red shell with black, yellow and white markings. Shiny Tapu Bulu changes the red shell to black, creating a dramatic difference that is easy to recognise during the catch encounter.
A shiny encounter is not guaranteed after winning a Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO raid. Trainers may need to complete several raids before shiny Tapu Bulu appears.
Tapu Bulu will not look shiny during the raid battle itself. The shiny check takes place after the Legendary Pokémon has been defeated and the catch encounter begins.
The shiny version is mainly a collection target because shiny status does not affect Tapu Bulu’s stats, attacks or battle performance.
Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO Weaknesses
The Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO weaknesses are:
- Poison-type attacks
- Fire-type attacks
- Flying-type attacks
- Ice-type attacks
- Steel-type attacks
Tapu Bulu is double weak to Poison-type damage because both Grass and Fairy are weak to Poison. Poison attackers should therefore be prioritised over every other counter type.
Tapu Bulu resists:
- Dark-type attacks
- Dragon-type attacks
- Electric-type attacks
- Fighting-type attacks
- Grass-type attacks
- Ground-type attacks
- Water-type attacks
Dragon attacks are particularly ineffective because Fairy Pokémon have a strong resistance to Dragon damage.
Cloudy weather boosts Poison-type attacks, making a Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO raid significantly easier. Sunny and Cloudy weather boost Tapu Bulu itself and increase its catch CP after the raid.
Best Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO Raid Counters
The best Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO counters are powerful Poison-type attackers using Poison-type Fast and Charged Attacks.
| Pokémon | Recommended moves |
|---|---|
| Mega Gengar | Lick and Sludge Bomb |
| Eternatus | Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb |
| Mega Beedrill | Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb |
| Nihilego | Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb |
| Shadow Gengar | Lick and Sludge Bomb |
| Shadow Scolipede | Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb |
| Roserade | Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb |
| Overqwil | Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb |
| Toxicroak | Poison Jab and Sludge Bomb |
| Victreebel | Acid and Sludge Bomb |
Mega Gengar is one of the strongest Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO raid counters available. It deals enormous Poison-type damage and can remove the raid boss’s health quickly, although its lower durability means it may faint faster than some alternatives.
Eternatus and Nihilego provide excellent Poison-type damage with more durability. Mega Beedrill can also perform very well while boosting the Poison damage of other players.
Trainers without top-tier Mega, Shadow or Legendary Pokémon can use Roserade, Toxicroak, Scolipede, Overqwil, Victreebel or other Poison Pokémon.
Fire, Flying, Ice and Steel attackers can still deal super-effective damage, but Poison should always be prioritised because Tapu Bulu takes double super-effective damage from it.
Can Tapu Bulu Be Defeated Solo?
A Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO solo raid may be possible for a prepared Trainer using exceptional Poison-type counters.
Its double Poison weakness allows powerful attackers to deal damage very quickly, although the boss still has enough bulk to make a solo attempt demanding.
| Group size | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| One Trainer | Possible only with exceptional counters |
| Two Trainers | Achievable for prepared players |
| Three Trainers | Comfortable for experienced groups |
| Four or more | Recommended for most players |
Most Trainers should bring at least two or three players rather than relying on a solo attempt.
Cloudy weather, Mega bonuses, Party Power and high friendship levels can make the raid considerably easier.
Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO Perfect IV CP
The perfect IV Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO catch values are:
| Encounter conditions | Perfect IV CP |
|---|---|
| Level 20 without weather boost | 1,953 CP |
| Level 25 with Sunny or Cloudy weather | 2,442 CP |
The standard non-weather-boosted Tapu Bulu raid catch range is approximately 1,870 CP to 1,953 CP.
During Sunny or Cloudy weather, Tapu Bulu can be encountered between approximately 2,338 CP and 2,442 CP.
A Tapu Bulu caught at 1,953 CP or 2,442 CP under the corresponding conditions will have perfect 15/15/15 IVs.
Use Golden Razz Berries and wait for Tapu Bulu’s attack animation before attempting an Excellent Curveball Throw.
Best Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO Moveset
The best Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO moveset for Grass-type raid damage is:
- Fast Attack: Bullet Seed
- Charged Attack: Grass Knot
Tapu Bulu may have access to the following attacks:
Fast Attacks
- Bullet Seed
- Rock Smash
Charged Attacks
- Grass Knot
- Megahorn
- Dazzling Gleam
- Nature’s Madness
Bullet Seed and Grass Knot provide a complete Grass-type moveset and allow both attacks to receive the same-type attack bonus.
Nature’s Madness is Tapu Bulu’s signature Fairy-type move. However, Tapu Bulu does not have a Fairy-type Fast Attack to create a full Fairy raid moveset.
Megahorn provides Bug-type coverage, while Dazzling Gleam offers another Fairy-type option.
Nature’s Madness may require an Elite Charged TM when it is unavailable through a regular Charged TM.
Is Tapu Bulu Good in Pokémon GO Raids?
Tapu Bulu is a usable Grass-type raid attacker, although stronger options are available.
The Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO moveset of Bullet Seed and Grass Knot can deal super-effective damage against Water, Ground and Rock-type raid bosses.
Tapu Bulu can be useful against Pokémon such as:
- Kyogre
- Groudon
- Suicune
- Regirock
- Tapu Fini
- Mega Swampert
- Mega Blastoise
However, Tapu Bulu faces competition from stronger Grass attackers such as Kartana, Mega Sceptile, Mega Venusaur and powerful Shadow Pokémon.
Tapu Bulu remains a decent option for Trainers who need another Grass attacker, but it is not usually the first Legendary Pokémon that should receive large amounts of Rare Candy.
Is Tapu Bulu Good in PvP?
Tapu Bulu has limited but useful potential in the GO Battle League.
Its Grass and Fairy typing allows it to pressure Water, Ground, Dragon, Dark and Fighting-type Pokémon.
A possible Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO PvP moveset is:
- Fast Attack: Bullet Seed
- Charged Attack: Nature’s Madness
- Second Charged Attack: Grass Knot
Bullet Seed generates energy quickly, while Nature’s Madness provides Fairy-type pressure. Grass Knot gives Tapu Bulu reliable same-type damage against Water, Ground and Rock opponents.
Tapu Bulu struggles badly against Poison Pokémon because of its double weakness. Fire, Flying, Ice and Steel opponents can also create difficult matchups.
It is best treated as a specialist choice rather than a universal open-league investment.
What Is Tapu Bulu?
Tapu Bulu is a Legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation VII. It is the guardian deity of Ula’ula Island in the Alola region.
Tapu Bulu can control vegetation and make plants grow rapidly. Despite its tremendous strength, it is generally calm and prefers to avoid unnecessary conflict.
The four guardian deities of Alola are:
- Tapu Koko
- Tapu Lele
- Tapu Bulu
- Tapu Fini
Although it’s called a guardian deity, it’s violent enough to crush anyone it sees as an enemy.
Base stat total: 570
Is Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO Worth Raiding?
Tapu Bulu Pokémon GO raids are worth completing for the Pokédex entry, shiny chance, Tapu Bulu Candy and the opportunity to complete the full Alolan guardian collection.
Tapu Bulu can function as a Grass-type raid attacker, although stronger alternatives are available. Trainers with established Grass teams may not need to invest heavily in it.
Nature’s Madness gives Tapu Bulu additional value and makes it more interesting for PvP experimentation.
Collectors may also want to continue raiding for shiny Tapu Bulu, perfect IVs or additional Candy while it is available.
