Toot toot motherfucker
[OVERVIEW]
* New gift of Drought give Torkoal a great niche of defensive sun setter, being much bulkier than Ninetales.
* Torkoal can also set Stealth Rock and remove hazard when Ninetales cannot do either of these.
* Very high physical bulk makes it a great check to many physical attackers such as Scizor, Decidueye, and Arcanine.
* Decent defensive typing gives it many opportunities to switch in.
* Extremely low speed means it will always take a hit before doing anything, also complete drain on momentum.
* Weak to common offensive types in Ground-, Water-, and Rock-types.
* Stealth Rock takes 25% of its HP every time it switches in, and is vulnerable to all other hazards, making it difficult for Torkoal to switch in constantly.
* Under-average special bulk can make it easy to overwhelm.
* No reliable recovery means it will be quickly worn down without support.
[SET]
name: Physically defensive
move 1: Lava Plume
move 2: Explosion / Rapid Spin
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp / Yawn
item: Heat Rock
ability: Drought
nature: Relaxed
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Lava Plume is preferred due to its 30% chance of burning the foe.
* Fire Blast is a more powerful option that does great damage to anything that doesn't resist fire.
* Rapid Spin clears hazards from your side of the field, but Torkoal's vulnerability to entry hazards makes it hard to use constantly.
* Explosion is useful when Torkoal is no longer necessary and deals heavy damage to most foes while also giving a team mate a free switch.
* Torkoal's bulk makes it easy for it to get Stealth Rock on the field.
* Toxic is used for anything that is very bulky and takes minimal damage from Torkoal's attacks like Mantine, Suicune, or Slowbro.
* Will-O-Wisp is a good option if you want more opportunities to burn foes.
* Yawn can force switches and stop setup sweepers by threatening to put them to sleep.
* Body slam is also an option in the last slot for paralyzing foes.
Set Details
========
* HP EVs minimize damage taken from Stealth Rock and other hazards.
* Maximum defense for taking on physical attackers.
* The rest of the EVs goes into Special Defense to maximise Torkoal's bulk.
* Heat Rock is used for extending sun's effect from 5 turns to 8 turns.
* Leftovers gives Torkoal the ability to slowly recover its HP, but the reduced sun makes it harder for its team mates to take advantage of it.
Usage Tips
========
* While leading with Stealth Rock followed by Explosion may seem like a good way to lead with Torkoal, Explosion should not be used until you are sure that you won't need the sun anymore after that point, as losing your source of sun too early can spell doom for whatever sun sweepers are on your team.
* Try to bring it in on any physical attacker that typically does not carry super effective coverage like Scizor or Arcanine.
* Avoid strong special attackers unless it is absolutely necessary, as they can do massive damage to Torkoal or even deny the sun for the rest of the game by knocking it out.
* It can also be switched into many leads and force them to switch like Forretress, Froslass, or Klefki.
Team Options
========
* Grass-types take care of almost anything that can threaten Torkoal, and Torkoal can take on many Pokemon that threaten them back.
* Clorophyll sweepers, such as Venusaur and Shiftry, need the sun to use their ability.
* Anything with Wish, such as Blissey or Clefable can help overcome the lack of reliable recovery.
* Clerics are also very helpful to prevent Torkoal from being worn down by Toxic through Heal Bell or Aromatherapy.
* Strong special walls such as Mantine or Blissey complement Torkoal's great physical bulk well.
[SET]
name: Offensive Utility
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Solar Beam
move 4: Earth Power
item: Life Orb / Heat Rock
ability: Drought
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Fire blast does massive damage to anything that doesn't resist fire
* Rapid Spin clears hazards and Torkoal can often do it because of how often this set can force switches.
* Solar Beam does a lot of damage to any Water-, Rock-, and Ground-types looking to tank a Fire Blast.
* Do note however that a neutral Fire Blast does more damage than a super effective Solar Beam under the sun.
* Earth Power deals with opposing Fire-types, and also hits Tentacruel for super effective damage.
* Yawn can force opponents to switch out as Torkoal could easily KO them while they are asleep.
* Hidden Power Electric can be used for Mantine.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Special Attack and Speed is a given to maximize power.
* Remaining EVs put into HP for a Life Orb and Stealth Rock number
* Life Orb makes Torkoal very powerful, giving it the ability to muscle through many bulky Pokemon.
* Heat Rock is useful to make sun last as long as possible, but the power drop from Life Orb is very noticeable. In particular it becomes vulnerable to bulkier Pokemon such as Suicune and Hippowdon.
Usage Tips
========
* Torkoal's sub par special bulk is much more noticeable with little investment, so try to weaken the opponent's special attackers before bringing this in.
* Torkoal loses a lot of power when it's sun is taken away from it, so weakening or knocking out opposing weather setter really helps Torkoal.
* Against a lead, switch Torkoal in before hazards come in to either scare them off or knock them out to prevent further stacking, as it can beat most leads aside from Aerodactyl.
* Overriding sandstorm while Hippowdon or Gigalith is out can be risky, but can also pay off as Torkoal can cleanly 2HKO both and deny sandstorm for the rest of the game.
* Torkoal does not like the presence of strong Rock- or Ground-types such as Mega Aerodactyl, Zygarde-10%, and Nidoking. Try to ensure that they will not be able to threaten Torkoal before bringing it in.
Team Options
========
* Torkoal enjoys having hazards on the opponent's side of the field to make many 2HKOs or OHKOs guaranteed, so leads like Aerodactyl, Azelf, and Forretress pair well with it.
* Sticky Web support from Galvantula or Shuckle is nice as well because it can make Torkoal more difficult to outspeed for slower, defensive Pokemon.
* Shiftry is a great sweeper to pair with this Torkoal as it can deal with anything that can beat Torkoal and Torkoal in return beats a lot of its common switch-ins.
* Having another Pokemon to help clear hazards is a great deal for Torkoal because Life Orb + hazard damage will whittle down it's HP very fast.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Clear Smog can be used to reset the foe's stats, however Torkoal's low speed means it will take the boosted hit before this goes off.
* Torkoal has access to the extremely powerful Eruption, but this is best used on teams that take advantage of Trick Room as Torkoal outslows the entirety of UU.
* A Shell Smash offense set is usable, but even at +2 Speed Torkoal gets outsped by a lot of Pokemon, and the reduced defenses make it much more vulnerable than it already is.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Entry Hazards**: Torkoal is vulnerable to all entry hazards, making it hard for Torkoal to do its job efficiently, especially against hazard stacking teams.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Strong Special Attackers like Hydreigon, Swellow, and Nidoking can overwhelm it easily with their STAB moves.
**Sandstorm Setters**: Hippowdon and Gigalith can take on Torkoal easily provided they switched in and replaced Torkoal's sun with sandstorm, although neither enjoy being statused by Torkoal.
**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon such as Slowbro, Suicune, and Mantine can ignore any defensive Torkoal not running Toxic, stall out its sun, then beat it. Tentacruel and Empoleon deserve a special mention as they are immune to Toxic and can very easily keep Torkoal's Stealth Rock off the field.
[OVERVIEW]
* New gift of Drought give Torkoal a great niche of defensive sun setter, being much bulkier than Ninetales.
* Torkoal can also set Stealth Rock and remove hazard when Ninetales cannot do either of these.
* Very high physical bulk makes it a great check to many physical attackers such as Scizor, Decidueye, and Arcanine.
* Decent defensive typing gives it many opportunities to switch in.
* Extremely low speed means it will always take a hit before doing anything, also complete drain on momentum.
* Weak to common offensive types in Ground-, Water-, and Rock-types.
* Stealth Rock takes 25% of its HP every time it switches in, and is vulnerable to all other hazards, making it difficult for Torkoal to switch in constantly.
* Under-average special bulk can make it easy to overwhelm.
* No reliable recovery means it will be quickly worn down without support.
[SET]
name: Physically defensive
move 1: Lava Plume
move 2: Explosion / Rapid Spin
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp / Yawn
item: Heat Rock
ability: Drought
nature: Relaxed
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Lava Plume is preferred due to its 30% chance of burning the foe.
* Fire Blast is a more powerful option that does great damage to anything that doesn't resist fire.
* Rapid Spin clears hazards from your side of the field, but Torkoal's vulnerability to entry hazards makes it hard to use constantly.
* Explosion is useful when Torkoal is no longer necessary and deals heavy damage to most foes while also giving a team mate a free switch.
* Torkoal's bulk makes it easy for it to get Stealth Rock on the field.
* Toxic is used for anything that is very bulky and takes minimal damage from Torkoal's attacks like Mantine, Suicune, or Slowbro.
* Will-O-Wisp is a good option if you want more opportunities to burn foes.
* Yawn can force switches and stop setup sweepers by threatening to put them to sleep.
* Body slam is also an option in the last slot for paralyzing foes.
Set Details
========
* HP EVs minimize damage taken from Stealth Rock and other hazards.
* Maximum defense for taking on physical attackers.
* The rest of the EVs goes into Special Defense to maximise Torkoal's bulk.
* Heat Rock is used for extending sun's effect from 5 turns to 8 turns.
* Leftovers gives Torkoal the ability to slowly recover its HP, but the reduced sun makes it harder for its team mates to take advantage of it.
Usage Tips
========
* While leading with Stealth Rock followed by Explosion may seem like a good way to lead with Torkoal, Explosion should not be used until you are sure that you won't need the sun anymore after that point, as losing your source of sun too early can spell doom for whatever sun sweepers are on your team.
* Try to bring it in on any physical attacker that typically does not carry super effective coverage like Scizor or Arcanine.
* Avoid strong special attackers unless it is absolutely necessary, as they can do massive damage to Torkoal or even deny the sun for the rest of the game by knocking it out.
* It can also be switched into many leads and force them to switch like Forretress, Froslass, or Klefki.
Team Options
========
* Grass-types take care of almost anything that can threaten Torkoal, and Torkoal can take on many Pokemon that threaten them back.
* Clorophyll sweepers, such as Venusaur and Shiftry, need the sun to use their ability.
* Anything with Wish, such as Blissey or Clefable can help overcome the lack of reliable recovery.
* Clerics are also very helpful to prevent Torkoal from being worn down by Toxic through Heal Bell or Aromatherapy.
* Strong special walls such as Mantine or Blissey complement Torkoal's great physical bulk well.
[SET]
name: Offensive Utility
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Rapid Spin
move 3: Solar Beam
move 4: Earth Power
item: Life Orb / Heat Rock
ability: Drought
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Fire blast does massive damage to anything that doesn't resist fire
* Rapid Spin clears hazards and Torkoal can often do it because of how often this set can force switches.
* Solar Beam does a lot of damage to any Water-, Rock-, and Ground-types looking to tank a Fire Blast.
* Do note however that a neutral Fire Blast does more damage than a super effective Solar Beam under the sun.
* Earth Power deals with opposing Fire-types, and also hits Tentacruel for super effective damage.
* Yawn can force opponents to switch out as Torkoal could easily KO them while they are asleep.
* Hidden Power Electric can be used for Mantine.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Special Attack and Speed is a given to maximize power.
* Remaining EVs put into HP for a Life Orb and Stealth Rock number
* Life Orb makes Torkoal very powerful, giving it the ability to muscle through many bulky Pokemon.
* Heat Rock is useful to make sun last as long as possible, but the power drop from Life Orb is very noticeable. In particular it becomes vulnerable to bulkier Pokemon such as Suicune and Hippowdon.
Usage Tips
========
* Torkoal's sub par special bulk is much more noticeable with little investment, so try to weaken the opponent's special attackers before bringing this in.
* Torkoal loses a lot of power when it's sun is taken away from it, so weakening or knocking out opposing weather setter really helps Torkoal.
* Against a lead, switch Torkoal in before hazards come in to either scare them off or knock them out to prevent further stacking, as it can beat most leads aside from Aerodactyl.
* Overriding sandstorm while Hippowdon or Gigalith is out can be risky, but can also pay off as Torkoal can cleanly 2HKO both and deny sandstorm for the rest of the game.
* Torkoal does not like the presence of strong Rock- or Ground-types such as Mega Aerodactyl, Zygarde-10%, and Nidoking. Try to ensure that they will not be able to threaten Torkoal before bringing it in.
Team Options
========
* Torkoal enjoys having hazards on the opponent's side of the field to make many 2HKOs or OHKOs guaranteed, so leads like Aerodactyl, Azelf, and Forretress pair well with it.
* Sticky Web support from Galvantula or Shuckle is nice as well because it can make Torkoal more difficult to outspeed for slower, defensive Pokemon.
* Shiftry is a great sweeper to pair with this Torkoal as it can deal with anything that can beat Torkoal and Torkoal in return beats a lot of its common switch-ins.
* Having another Pokemon to help clear hazards is a great deal for Torkoal because Life Orb + hazard damage will whittle down it's HP very fast.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Clear Smog can be used to reset the foe's stats, however Torkoal's low speed means it will take the boosted hit before this goes off.
* Torkoal has access to the extremely powerful Eruption, but this is best used on teams that take advantage of Trick Room as Torkoal outslows the entirety of UU.
* A Shell Smash offense set is usable, but even at +2 Speed Torkoal gets outsped by a lot of Pokemon, and the reduced defenses make it much more vulnerable than it already is.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Entry Hazards**: Torkoal is vulnerable to all entry hazards, making it hard for Torkoal to do its job efficiently, especially against hazard stacking teams.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Strong Special Attackers like Hydreigon, Swellow, and Nidoking can overwhelm it easily with their STAB moves.
**Sandstorm Setters**: Hippowdon and Gigalith can take on Torkoal easily provided they switched in and replaced Torkoal's sun with sandstorm, although neither enjoy being statused by Torkoal.
**Bulky Water-types**: Pokemon such as Slowbro, Suicune, and Mantine can ignore any defensive Torkoal not running Toxic, stall out its sun, then beat it. Tentacruel and Empoleon deserve a special mention as they are immune to Toxic and can very easily keep Torkoal's Stealth Rock off the field.
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