Torkoal, the Coal Pokémon. It burns coal inside its shell for energy. It blows out black soot if it is endangered. Coal is the source of Torkoal's energy. Large amounts of coal can be found in the mountains where they live.
Overview
Upon its introduction in the third generation, Torkoal was completely forgettable. Abysmal speed, an all but mono type attacking movepool, lackluster offenses and poor Special Defense left Torkoal lost among numerous better Fire types that offered more offensively than it. Common weaknesses and exposure to entry hazards with no reliable recovery gave little reason to use Torkoal as a defensive Pokémon, let alone a defensive Fire type.
The passing generations have been kind to Torkoal, giving it a plethora of new tools including the game warping Drought. Now Torkoal is the best non-Legendary Sun setter in the game, becoming the lynchpin of such teams, while being able to use its frankly absurd Defense to come in and set Sun repeatedly, greatly increasing the threat level of Torkoal’s teammates. It’s not just ability that has Torkoal excelling; it has gained potent coverage options in Scorching Sands and Solar Beam, alongside hazard control in Stealth Rocks and Rapid Spin and even potent disruption in Yawn. The ninth generation has been incredibly generous to Torkoal as well, introducing a whole bevy of beneficiaries to the Sun in the Scarlet Paradox Pokémon as well as Hisuian Lilligant, making it far easier to build robust Sun teams than in previous generations. Make no mistake, the bulk of Torkoal’s current worth is tied to Drought, so Torkoal rises and falls with the popularity of such teams, and the ubiquity of the Scarlet Paradox Pokémon means that Torkoal’s own Drought can easily backfire. While Torkoal may have a specific niche, it is living proof that every turtle can have their day in the sun.
Positives
Drought is an absurd ability that can decide the course of entire battles.
Absurd base 140 Defense allows Torkoal to take a few knocks and facilitates setting up Drought multiple times.
Fantastic support movepool, with Rapid Spin, Stealth Rock, Lava Plume, and Yawn.
Negatives
Base 20 Speed is abysmal. Torkoal is getting attacked before striking back, though it does help Torkoal win the weather war.
Exposure to all hazards and no reliable recovery is undesirable in a Pokémon that wants to switch regularly.
Unimpressive offenses outside of Sun Boosted Fire STAB.
Viability tied to Drought.
Movesets
Sun Spin
-Rapid Spin
-Stealth Rock
-Lava Plume
-Scorching Sands
Ability: Drought
Item: Heat Rock
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SDef
Calm Nature
This Torkoal is a support/lead set, using its bulk to repeatedly setup Sun and Rocks while threatening the opponent with its boosted and crippling offense. Torkoal is reliable at setting up sun at the word go thanks to its low speed outslowing other weather setters like Alolan Ninetales, Tyrannitar and Pelipper, allowing Torkoal's weather to supersede the opposing conditions. Rapid Spin and Stealth Rock pair well with Drought, Rapid Spin warding off the hazards that eat many Sun Sweepers alive, while Stealth Rock makes it easier for Sun Sweepers to pick up knockouts. It helps that some of the most popular hazard clearers and Rapid Spin blockers like Corviknight, Gholdengo, Iron Treads, Excadrill, and Sinistcha don't relish switching into Torkoal's Sun boosted Fire STAB. Speaking of Sun boosted Fire STAB, Torkoal greatly prefers Lava Plume over more damaging options like Flamethrower for its high Burn chance, crippling would be switch-ins like Great Tusk, Roaring Moon, Ting-Lu and physical Dragapult, making it easier for Torkoal's teammates to switch in. Scorching Sands is coverage that shares the same brutal burn chance as Lava Plume, while boasting great neutral coverage into most Fire-resistant targets on top of chipping Raging Bolt, Gargancl, Glimmora and Hisuian Arcanine on the switch.
Torkoal is the centerpiece for Sun teams and is vital for the team's functioning. Open with it, or come in after checks have been removed to light a fire under Torkoal's teammates and burn away the opponent..
Tera Types:
You rarely want to Terastalize Torkoal, as it is a defensive Pokémon that enables teammates, you would rather save the Terastalize so that said teammates can close out the game. Rarely is not never, and there are merits in keeping Torkoal up and healthy to reestablish Sun and hazards. Tera Flying is especially popular on Torkoal running Rapid Spin; in addition to providing a Ground immunity, it provides immunity to all hazards save Stealth Rock, greatly reducing the damage Torkoal takes when switching in, improving its survivability. Tera Water is an old standby, being a good defensive type that providing a resistance to Water that opposing Water types rarely carry coverage for.
EVs and Items:
The given EV spread is to shore up Torkoal's lacking special bulk, relying on its insane base Defense to do the heavy lifting on the physical side. The special bulk allows Torkoal to survive Power Gem from Glimmora, more reliably tank an Earth Power from Sandy Shocks, Psycho Boost from Deoxys Speed, etc. Alternatively, one can sacrifice Special bulk for more physical defense, allowing Torkoal to survive brutal blows at max investment with Bold Nature, like Landorus-Therian's Earthquake, as well as Dragonite's boosted one, unbanded Hisuian Arcanine's Head Smash, as well as survive Ogerpon Cornerstone's Ivy Cudgel post Stealth Rock damage. Heat Rock is preferred for the item, allowing for the maximum turns of Sun, so Torkoal can support and pivot out without its teammates having to worry about Sun expiring prematurely. If wanting to lean more in the hazard control role, one can opt for Heavy Duty Boots, making it easier for Torkoal to reestablish sun repeatedly, though that does come at a loss in momentum.
Partners:
Torkoal enables Sun teams, so the sun abusing Pokémon on them make for natural picks for Torkoal. Walking Wake is irreplaceable on Sun teams, given it fills a Fire Water core otherwise impossible due to the Sun's Water reducing effect, while covering opposing Fire types that would otherwise prey on Torkoal. Great Tusk is another Sun abuser that greatly appreciates Torkoal for taking over Stealth Rock duties, allowing Great Tusk to fit more coverage into its set. Great Tusk in turn is a natural answer to special sponges like Blissey and Heatran, that prove troublesome for Torkoal and other Fire types, as well as the terrifying Raging Bolt that also flourishes in the Sun, preventing that from getting out of hand due to Torkoal's own antics.
Chllorophyll sweepers fit in nicely with Torkoal, forming a Grass Fire core (or completing a Grass Fire Water core), while being able to outspeed even most revenge killers thanks to the boost from the Sun. Venusaur is a key example, using Growth in the Sun for a pseudo Shell Smash before devastating the opposing team, its Poison STAB invaluable in covering for the many Fairy weak Scarlet Paradox Pokémon and its speedy Sleep Powders are great in shutting down checks and sapping momentum from the opposing team.
Other Options:
Yawn forces your opponent into a difficult decision, switch or be put to sleep, either way becoming fodder for Torkoal's teammate though has anti Synergy with Lava Plume.
Will-O-Wisp skips looking for a burn by chance and outright cripples an opponent.
Clear Smog helps Torkoal counter opposing setup sweepers like Curse Dondozo or Iron Defense Zamazenta, wiping away their boosts and making them more manageable for Torkoal and its team to handle.
Body Press bashes Heatran, a normally safe switch in for Lava Plume and Will-O-Wisp hard as well as Blissey.
Spirit of Turtle Mountain
-Eruption
-Flamethrower
-Solar Beam
-Earth Power
Ability: Drought
Item: Choice Specs
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Modest Nature
This Torkoal is a dedicated attacker on Trick Room teams, using its Sun Boosted Eruptions to cut a swath through the opposing team. Eruption does a lot of heavy lifting for this set, doing absurd damage to even Fire-resistant Pokémon like Latios, Keldeo, Roaring Moon, Quaquaval, Skeledirge etc. Flamethrower is backup stab for when Torkoal’s HP runs low or doesn’t want to waste Eruption PP. Solar Beam provides invaluable coverage, allowing Torkoal to get the OHKO on Pokémon like Primarina, Azumarill, Dondozo, Rotom Wash, all targets who can tank an Eruption just fine and fire back, blunting its damage. Earth Power hits opposing Fire types like Skeledirge, Iron Moth, Hisuian Arcanine, Cinderace and especially Flash Fire users like Heatran.
Tera Types:
As an offensive Torkoal set, offensive Teras are recommended when pushing for damage. Tera Fire is highly advised, given the stacking damage boosts between Sun, STAB and Terastalization push Eruption’s power to that of a natural disaster. When you are 2HKOing Blissey and Toxapex through damage they are supposed to tank, it speaks to the sheer power Tera Fire Torkoal wields. Tera Grass and Ground are popular alternatives for boosting Torkoal’s coverage closer to its Fire STABs, with the former also providing valuable Water and Ground resistances while the latter ensures that Raging Bolt’s Thunderclap can’t stop Torkoal’s Eruption short..
EVs and Items:
As with most Trick Room attackers, you want Max Special Attack and Max HP for offense and bulk respectively. Torkoal’s low Special Attack needs every bit of help it can get, and it is hard to argue investing in defenses given the strict timer Trick Room has in Singles. Choice Specs is the namesake of the set and Torkoal needs every inch of power available to reach for knock outs.
Partners:
Hatterene is a must for this set, between setting up Trick Room to enable Torkoal to use Eruption at all, while its Magic Guard wards against Stealth Rock cutting Torkoal short are reasons alone to recommended Hatterene. The fact it can use Healing Wish to both pivot after Trick Room and reenable Eruption is just a bonus. Cresselia lacks the Stealth Rock warding of Hatterene, but its Lunar Dance is highly coveted, given that it restores Eruption’s PP as well, allowing for a second round of devastation for the opponent.
Other Options:
Body Press punishes Heatran and Blissey switch ins, allowing Torkoal to conserve Eruption PP.
Doubles and VGC Options
Torkoal’s strength as a weather setter in singles is nothing compared to the blazing path Torkoal has carved in doubles. This is largely thanks to Torkoal being able to weaponize its speed more effectively, despite opposing weather being more prevalent as well. Torkoal’s poor speed allows it to win opening turn weather wars, because abilities resolve in the order of speed, so the slowest Weather setter will have their weather remain once everything resolves. Torkoal’s abysmal speed also makes it a natural candidate for Trick Room teams, becoming one of the fastest Pokémon around. With this and Torkoal’s good coverage and numerous tricks in its shell, Torkoal singlehandedly enables Sun Trick room teams keeping opponents guessing on what Torkoal will do until it acts. The popularity of other weather setters, especially Pelipper’s Drizzle does put a damper on Torkoal’s sunny ambitions. Likewise with more powerful Sun setters in restricted formats like Groudon and Koraidon make it difficult in justifying Torkoal, especially when Sun lacks the defensive merits of Rain due to Torkoal’s shared Water weakness.
Sun Baked Turtle
-Eruption
-Heat Wave
-Earth Power
-Helping Hand
Ability: Drought
Item: Charcoal
Tera Type: Fire
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 252 SAtk / 4 SDef
Quiet Nature
This offensive Torkoal set naturally slots in on Trick Room teams as both attacker and Sun setter. While Torkoal’s offense is normally nothing to write about, Sun boosted STAB Charcoal Eruption cuts through such concerns, dealing horrific spread damage, especially in conjunction with Tera Fire that is more akin to a legendary than Torkoal, immediately knocking out anything that doesn’t have a resist, Assault Vest or considerable Special bulk. Heat Wave is for when Torkoal has taken some damage, allowing it to still provide offense irrespective of its HP, though the imperfect accuracy can be maddening. Earth Power is primarily for Incineroar, the most popular Fire type, though its capabilities in handling opposing Torkoal, Tyranitar, and Hisuian Arcanine aren’t to be discounted either. Helping Hand is fantastic if Torkoal is caught outside of Trick Room, or is in a position where it can’t deal meaningful damage, allowing it to bolster its partner in turn.
EVs maximize HP and Special Attack, as usual for most offensive Trick Room users. Tera Fire’s benefits have already been espoused above, but the power boost from Tera Fire is terrifying and can close games once Torkoal is in position.
Preferred Partners:
Sun abusing allies love Torkoal for enabling them and their offenses. Whether it is the blistering Speeds of Hisuian Lilligant and Venusaur, Charizard's nuclear Solar Power offense, or the slightly tamer, but still brutal Armarouge and Hisuian Typhlosion, if a Pokémon excels in the Sun, Torkoal is there to enable it.
Conversely, Torkoal itself finds itself a staple on Trick Room teams, the speed reversing Trick Room enabling Torkoal's own offense. Whether it be Hatterene or Armarouge in Reg H, Calyrex Ice Rider in Reg G or Indeedee-F and Farigiraf in both, Torkoal loves these Trick Room setters. As for fellow Trick Room abusers, Ursaluna is notable for being a reliable answer into opposing Fire types while liking Sun for reducing its Water weakness.
Other Options:
Weather Ball is Torkoal's strongest single target Fire STAB in the sun, great for getting around Wide Guard, though leaves Torkoal more exposed to disruption. Flamethrower is more reliable, but noticeably weaker.
Solarbeam has natural synergy in the Sun, but there are many excellent Grass types in Doubles, you are rarely wont for extra Grass offense.
Body Press hits Incineroar and cannot be weakened by Parting Shot.
Protect is invaluable in Doubles, and can allow Torkoal to stall for Trick Room setup while not being damaged, blunting Eruption’s power.
Overheat and Eject Pack allows Torkoal a one time super charged pivot move, getting an ally in safely while saving Torkoal in the back to reestablish Weather helping Torkoal win the weather war.
Clear Smog is niche, but punishes Commander Dondozo
Countering Torkoal
Like most weather setters, Torkoal suffers if its favorite weather is taken away, greatly reducing its offense and setting it back on the support it provides its team. However, disrupting Torkoal’s sun is difficult given its molasses speed means it wins weather wars with other setters, necessitating them to switch in after the fact. Pelipper is by far the best counter weather setter, given it resists or is immune to all of Torkoal’s coverage, and doesn’t mind being burned. Tyranitar hates getting burned and needs to avoid Body Press, but otherwise is unbothered by Torkoal’s offense and strikes back with super effective STAB. Hippowdon is similar, but can only 2HKO Torkoal with Earthquake after Sandstorm damage.
As Torkoal likes to switch often and struggles to afford Heavy Duty Boots in its item slot, Stealth Rocks does wonders in wearing Torkoal down quickly, even when taking in account Torkoal’s own role as a hazard removal and is vital for placing Torkoal into OHKO range.
Given Torkoal’s absurd defense and proclivity to spread Burns, special offense is recommended in taking it out. Assault Vest Primarina and Raging Bolt excel at this role, their massive bulk and natural resistance to Fire allowing them to switch into Torkoal’s Sun Boosted STAB with ease, while naturally 2HKOing with their STABs, the latter capable of oneshotting after Stealth Rocks. Iron Moth does better against supporting sets, where even a surprise Scorching Sands won’t KO after Stealth Rock, but is unable of 2 shotting specially defensive Torkoal without Terastalizing. Latios and Latias resist everything Torkoal can throw at them and can respond with their own Special offense for an easy knock out. Specs Greninja and Keldeo can’t switch into Solar Beam, but otherwise cinches a one shot after Stealth Rocks with Sludge Wave and Hydro Pump in Sun respectively.
Hisuian Arcanine is the only exception to the no physical attackers, given its immunity to Burns and Head Smash massively favored to one hit KO even max Defense Torkoal after Stealth Rock. .
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game
Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Not in game
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Fiery Path
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Trade from Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald
Colosseum/XD:
Trade from Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Route 227 & Stark Mountain
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Safari Zone
Black/White:
Not in game
Black 2/White 2:
Not in game
X/Y:
Route 18
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Fiery Path
Sun/Moon:
Route 12, Blush Mountain
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Route 12, Blush Mountain
Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee!:
Not in game
Sword/Shield:
Route 6, Giant's Cap, Giant's Mirror, Motostoke Riverbank, Warm-Up Tunnel, Potbottom Desert
Max Raid Battles: Dusty Bowl, Giant's Cap, Hammerlocke Hills, Lake of Outrage, Stony Wilderness, Fields of Honor, Challenge Beach, Loop Lagoon, Potbottom Desert
Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl:
Route 227, Stark Mountain, Grand Underground
Legends: Arceus:
Not in game
Scarlet/Violet:
East Province Area Three, Coastal Biome, Torchlit Labyrinth
Fixed: West Province Area One
Tera Raid Battles: 4 Star Raid Battles, 6 Star Raid Battles
Anime Appearences
