Tapu Bulu is a Legendary Grass and Fairy-type Land Spirit Pokémon. It is predominantly available in Pokémon GO via Five-Star Raids. Tapu Bulu is extremely weak (2.56x) to Pokémon with Poison-type attacks/moves. It is also moderately weak (1.6x) to Pokémon with Fire-, Flying-, Ice- or Steel-type attacks/moves. It is one of the guardian deities of the Alola region.
FUN FACT: Tapu Bulu made its debut in Pokémon GO on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
It is returning to Pokémon GO as part of the May 2025’s Pokémon GO events.
Tapu Bulu Recommended Counters
The following are the recommended counters you should have in your battle party when participating in Tapu Bulu raids.
| Pokémon | Fast Attack | Charged Attack | Max CP Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Team | |||
| Mega Beedrill | Poison Jab | Sludge Bomb | 3383 |
| Naganadel | Poison Jab | Sludge Bomb | 3173 |
| Nihilego | Poison Jab | Sludge Bomb | 3949 |
| Roserade | Poison Jab | Sludge Bomb | 2971 |
| Shadow Victreebel | Acid | Sludge Bomb | 2431 |
| Shadow Metagross | Bullet Punch | Meteor Mash | 3791 |
| Second Team | |||
| Mega Gengar | Lick | Sludge Bomb | 4336 |
| Nihilego | Poison Jab | Sludge Bomb | 3949 |
| Shadow Metagross | Bullet Punch | Meteor Mash | 3791 |
| Shadow Vileplume | Acid | Sludge Bomb | 2559 |
| Dusk Mane Necrozma | Metal Claw | Sunsteel Strike | 4099 |
| Shadow Moltres | Fire Spin | Sky Attack | 3465 |
Using the above-recommended teams will make trainers 2 – 3 Trainers defeat Tapu Bulu faster. However, if you do not have these full teams, you can still win. You need to raid with at least 4 other trainers. Also, ensure you use Pokemon with Poison-type moves either as a Fast Attack or as a Charged Attack.
Other important details
- Tapu Bulu’s maximum Combat Power (CP) stat is 3865 CP (at level 50).
- Its best moves/attacks in Pokémon GO are Bullet Seed as a Fast Attack and Nature’s Madness as a Charged Attack.
- Its encounters are boosted during Sunny or Cloudy weather in-game.
- Its encounters can be Shiny.
- It requires a maximum of 20 km walking distance to earn a Candy.
- It is effective against Pokémon with either Fighting-, Ground-, Dark-, Water-, Electric-, Dragon-, or Grass-type moves/attacks.
- Any obtained from raids can be encountered as follows
- from 1870 CP to 1953 CP (if not weather-boosted i.e. level 20)
- from 2338 CP to 2442 CP (if weather-boosted i.e. level 25)
- Any obtained from a Field or Special Research can be from 1403 CP to 1465 CP (i.e. level 15).
- 1953 CP, 2442 CP, and 1465 CP are the CP for a perfect (aka, hundo) one when encountered from their respective means.
- For PokéStop Showcases, the tallest possible one is 2.95 m high (i.e. XXL). The shortest possible one is 0.93 m high (i.e. XXS).
In conclusion, defeating Tapu Bulu in raids requires a well-prepared team of strong Poison-type Pokémon. Avoid using Fighting-, Ground-, Dark-, Water-, Electric-, Dragon-, or Grass-type Pokémon, as Tapu Bulu resists their attacks. To maximize efficiency, coordinate with other trainers, and use recommended Mega Evolutions or Primal Reversions to boost Poison-type attacks.
Good luck!
