[OVERVIEW]
Torchic has a relatively good niche as an offensive support Pokemon, since it is the only Pokemon with access to both Speed Boost and Baton Pass. Its access to some good boosting moves such as Swords Dance, Curse, and Flame Charge along with its relatively good support moves makes it an excellent Speed passer. Its offensive stats, both physically and specially, are also nothing to scoff at, as the offensive pressure it has can force a fair number of switches. However, its movepool isn't very wide in terms of attacking moves. If running an offensive set, Torchic's coverage is mediocre at best, and if running a dedicated Baton Pass set, it doesn't have enough offensive pressure to force switches. It also has only mediocre bulk, so it can't switch into many threats and struggles to set up more than one or two boosts before it is forced to use Baton Pass. Its weakness to Stealth Rock and Water-types, some common ones being Chinchou, Staryu, and Mareanie, can be troublesome as well, as it makes it hard to switch in. Fully supportive Baton Pass Torchic can be easily played around by Taunt users and can be hard to use effectively.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Protect
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Hidden Power Grass / Substitute
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Modest
evs: 36 Def / 200 SpA / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Protect is mainly used to get up to +1 Speed with Speed Boost or scout Choice Scarf users. Fire Blast deals heavy damage against most of the tier and 2HKOes most of what doesn't resist it, including Mienfoo and Vullaby. Hidden Power Grass hits Water- and Rock-types fairly hard, KOing Omanyte and 2HKOing Solid Rock Tirtouga. Substitute allows Torchic to safely pass to its teammates, even when faced with its checks. Baton Pass lets Torchic pass its Speed boosts to its teammates — slow, hard-hitting Pokemon in particular — and is great offensive support.
Set Details
========
Life Orb, maximum EVs in Special Attack, and a Modest nature give Torchic a lot of power and help it deal damage much more effectively. It also has near-maximum Speed, reaching 14 Speed, to help it outspeed Omanyte before Shell Smash and a fully bulky Vullaby even when it's unboosted. Its remaining EVs are put into Defense and Special Defense to raise each by one point, helping Torchic's survivability. Speed Boost allows Torchic to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame at +1 and almost every boosted sweeper at +2 or +3.
Usage Tips
========
Life Orb Torchic is most effective as a late-game cleaner and a generally good pivot. Using Protect the first turn Torchic comes in can help it outspeed every unboosted Pokemon in Little Cup and will start off a potential sweep, although it is very predictable and opposing setup sweepers often will take advantage of this. Similarly, using Substitute on a predicted switch can help Torchic accrue its Speed boosts much more easily. Fire Blast is easily Torchic's most powerful move and should be used against all non-resistant targets. If a Pokemon that can KO Torchic switches in, passing Speed boosts to a teammate that resists the predicted move is a good idea. Using Volt Switch or U-turn users to get Torchic in safely for a sweep can keep it from being KOed before it can do much, as it is rather frail. Baton Pass can be used to quickly get Torchic out of danger or pass boosts to another teammate. Torchic is fairly good at wearing its checks down by baiting them in, hitting them with a Fire Blast or Hidden Power Grass, and getting out quickly with a Baton Pass, although this should mostly be done early-game.
Team Options
========
Bulky attackers such as Timburr and Vullaby can wear down bulkier Pokemon for Torchic to clean up late-game. Entry hazard support from Dwebble or Ferroseed can help Torchic KO Onix, Magnemite, and other Sturdy users. Rapid Spin support from Staryu can help Torchic switch in more without fear of hazards, and their type synergy makes them a good core. Defog and other Rapid Spin users such as Vullaby and Sandshrew can do this job as well, but none has the synergy Staryu does. Slower, bulkier pivots such as Pancham, Mienfoo, and Berry Juice Chinchou can help Torchic get in unscathed. Slower sweepers, such as Timburr, Corphish, and even Dewpider, appreciate Torchic's boosts and can sweep more easily with them. Water-type checks such as Croagunk, Snivy, and Chinchou can be helpful, as Hidden Power Grass isn't too powerful. All of the Grass-type checks listed above appreciate Speed boosts as well. Knock Off support from Mienfoo or Pawniard can help Torchic clean up late-game by crippling bulkier Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Protect
move 2: Curse / Swords Dance
move 3: Will-O-Wisp / Substitute / Flame Charge
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Impish
evs: 36 Atk / 196 Def / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Protect lets Torchic scout out foes' moves and lets it boost its Speed. Curse lets Torchic boost its Attack and Defense, and since its Speed is passively boosted every turn, the drops from Curse don't matter. Swords Dance can be used over Curse to pass extra Attack and Speed, but the Defense gained from Curse can be hard to pass up. Will-O-Wisp can help cripple physical threats and let Torchic set up easier. Substitute helps Torchic set up on threats more easily and, if kept intact, can be passed along with stat boosts. Flame Charge can be used as an attacking move to surprise Cottonee after Torchic is boosted and to pass extra Speed. Baton Pass lets Torchic pass all these boosts to its allies.
Set Details
========
196 Defense EVs, 36 Special Defense EVs, Eviolite, and an Impish nature allow Torchic to tank powerful hits such as the likes of a Scald from Chinchou and bulky Staryu as well as avoid a 2HKO from Mienfoo most of the time. Berry Juice can be used as an alternative to Eviolite to help Torchic switch into Stealth Rock more without fainting, but it consequentially lacks the bulk it likes. The rest of its EVs are put into Speed and Attack, the former to help it set up before it gets a Speed boost and the latter to help Flame Charge hit harder if used. Speed Boost lets Torchic boost Speed passively.
Usage Tips
========
Setting up a Substitute or just plain boosting with Curse or Swords Dance when a foe switches out can help Torchic get set up without wasting a turn on Protect. Usually, Torchic should use Protect against faster foes to gain a Speed boost; however, when predicting a switch, setting up instead can surprise your opponent and greatly benefit your team. Torchic does best against passive Pokemon such as Ferroseed and Spritzee, as it can boost freely, so switching it into either is usually a good idea, although a Thunder Wave from the former can be troublesome. These Pokemon as well as other Pokemon that can't damage Torchic much, such as Larvesta and Ponyta, can be set up on easily. Leading with Torchic is generally not a good idea, as it cannot handle many other leads, namely Onix, Dwebble, and Staryu. However, if being used in large Baton Pass chains, it makes a good lead because it can passively boost its Speed. Always be wary of setup sweepers that can boost faster than Torchic, such as Omanyte, Shellder, Carvanha, and Snivy, as they can KO Torchic before it uses Baton Pass. Torchic is never a great switch-in, as it doesn't have great bulk. Also be careful of Z-Move users such as Gastly, as they can break through Protect and potentially eliminate Torchic. When setting up, make sure Torchic is still healthy enough that it can survive long enough to do so. Remember to be wary of both priority and Taunt users, as the former can eliminate Torchic before it passes and the latter can completely stop it in its tracks.
Team Options
========
Any physical Pokemon that can sweep, especially ones that can't boost their Speed such as Swords Dance Corphish and Timburr, appreciate Torchic's support greatly. Rapid Spin and Defog users, the most prominent being Staryu, Vullaby, and Drilbur, can clear hazards, letting Torchic switch in without losing too much HP. Baton Pass-chaining Pokemon such as Togepi and Mime Jr, even though they are both very niche, can together make one extremely boosted Pokemon on your team. Bulky Grass-types, such as Foongus and Ferroseed, can threaten the Water-types that threaten Torchic and are generally useful. Cottonee in particular can Encore or Taunt setup sweepers that try to set up on Torchic, and in return Torchic can pass Speed boosts to it. Rowlet as well can either participate in a Baton Pass chain or clear hazards for Torchic with Defog. Pokemon with Volt Switch or U-turn can help bring Torchic in without it losing HP. Answers to Ground-types, such as Pumpkaboo-XL, Staryu, and again, Cottonee, make good partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Certain boosting Z-Moves such as Hone Claws, Will-O-Wisp, and especially Mirror Move can give Torchic extra boosts, but the fact that they take up an item slot (with the loss of Eviolite making Torchic even frailer) and can only be used once a game make them extremely situational. Rock Slide can be used on the Life Orb set to hit Flying-types, such as Rufflet and Vullaby, and Fire-types, such as Ponyta and Larvesta. Using Flamethrower as an alternative to Fire Blast can give more reliable damage, but Torchic usually needs Fire Blast's higher power. Will-O-Wisp and Hone Claws can be used on Baton Pass chains to weaken physical attackers and to assist Rufflet, respectively, but they don't do much besides these niches.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Setup Sweepers**: Setup sweepers like Carvanha and Bulk Up Timburr can capitalize on Baton Pass Torchic's lack of attacking moves to sweep. Shell Smash users such as Shellder, Clamperl, and Omanyte in particular can win just by boosting against Torchic.
**Water-types**: Water-types can easily KO Torchic and stop anything it wants to do, and many of them can sweep as well. Many, namely Corphish and Tirtouga, also carry Aqua Jet to KO Torchic or at least force it to switch.
**Taunt**: Taunt from Cottonee, Onix, and Mienfoo can stop Baton Pass Torchic from doing anything bar Flame Charge.
**Phazers**: Mareanie's Haze, Munchlax's Roar, Onix's Roar or Dragon Tail, and Hippopotas's Whirlwind can eliminate boosts from Torchic even through Substitute.
**Entry Hazards**: Entry hazards limit the number of times Torchic can switch in to set up, but they can be dealt with easily by Rapid Spin or Defog users.
Torchic has a relatively good niche as an offensive support Pokemon, since it is the only Pokemon with access to both Speed Boost and Baton Pass. Its access to some good boosting moves such as Swords Dance, Curse, and Flame Charge along with its relatively good support moves makes it an excellent Speed passer. Its offensive stats, both physically and specially, are also nothing to scoff at, as the offensive pressure it has can force a fair number of switches. However, its movepool isn't very wide in terms of attacking moves. If running an offensive set, Torchic's coverage is mediocre at best, and if running a dedicated Baton Pass set, it doesn't have enough offensive pressure to force switches. It also has only mediocre bulk, so it can't switch into many threats and struggles to set up more than one or two boosts before it is forced to use Baton Pass. Its weakness to Stealth Rock and Water-types, some common ones being Chinchou, Staryu, and Mareanie, can be troublesome as well, as it makes it hard to switch in. Fully supportive Baton Pass Torchic can be easily played around by Taunt users and can be hard to use effectively.
[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Protect
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Hidden Power Grass / Substitute
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Modest
evs: 36 Def / 200 SpA / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Protect is mainly used to get up to +1 Speed with Speed Boost or scout Choice Scarf users. Fire Blast deals heavy damage against most of the tier and 2HKOes most of what doesn't resist it, including Mienfoo and Vullaby. Hidden Power Grass hits Water- and Rock-types fairly hard, KOing Omanyte and 2HKOing Solid Rock Tirtouga. Substitute allows Torchic to safely pass to its teammates, even when faced with its checks. Baton Pass lets Torchic pass its Speed boosts to its teammates — slow, hard-hitting Pokemon in particular — and is great offensive support.
Set Details
========
Life Orb, maximum EVs in Special Attack, and a Modest nature give Torchic a lot of power and help it deal damage much more effectively. It also has near-maximum Speed, reaching 14 Speed, to help it outspeed Omanyte before Shell Smash and a fully bulky Vullaby even when it's unboosted. Its remaining EVs are put into Defense and Special Defense to raise each by one point, helping Torchic's survivability. Speed Boost allows Torchic to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame at +1 and almost every boosted sweeper at +2 or +3.
Usage Tips
========
Life Orb Torchic is most effective as a late-game cleaner and a generally good pivot. Using Protect the first turn Torchic comes in can help it outspeed every unboosted Pokemon in Little Cup and will start off a potential sweep, although it is very predictable and opposing setup sweepers often will take advantage of this. Similarly, using Substitute on a predicted switch can help Torchic accrue its Speed boosts much more easily. Fire Blast is easily Torchic's most powerful move and should be used against all non-resistant targets. If a Pokemon that can KO Torchic switches in, passing Speed boosts to a teammate that resists the predicted move is a good idea. Using Volt Switch or U-turn users to get Torchic in safely for a sweep can keep it from being KOed before it can do much, as it is rather frail. Baton Pass can be used to quickly get Torchic out of danger or pass boosts to another teammate. Torchic is fairly good at wearing its checks down by baiting them in, hitting them with a Fire Blast or Hidden Power Grass, and getting out quickly with a Baton Pass, although this should mostly be done early-game.
Team Options
========
Bulky attackers such as Timburr and Vullaby can wear down bulkier Pokemon for Torchic to clean up late-game. Entry hazard support from Dwebble or Ferroseed can help Torchic KO Onix, Magnemite, and other Sturdy users. Rapid Spin support from Staryu can help Torchic switch in more without fear of hazards, and their type synergy makes them a good core. Defog and other Rapid Spin users such as Vullaby and Sandshrew can do this job as well, but none has the synergy Staryu does. Slower, bulkier pivots such as Pancham, Mienfoo, and Berry Juice Chinchou can help Torchic get in unscathed. Slower sweepers, such as Timburr, Corphish, and even Dewpider, appreciate Torchic's boosts and can sweep more easily with them. Water-type checks such as Croagunk, Snivy, and Chinchou can be helpful, as Hidden Power Grass isn't too powerful. All of the Grass-type checks listed above appreciate Speed boosts as well. Knock Off support from Mienfoo or Pawniard can help Torchic clean up late-game by crippling bulkier Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Protect
move 2: Curse / Swords Dance
move 3: Will-O-Wisp / Substitute / Flame Charge
move 4: Baton Pass
item: Eviolite / Berry Juice
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Impish
evs: 36 Atk / 196 Def / 36 SpD / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Protect lets Torchic scout out foes' moves and lets it boost its Speed. Curse lets Torchic boost its Attack and Defense, and since its Speed is passively boosted every turn, the drops from Curse don't matter. Swords Dance can be used over Curse to pass extra Attack and Speed, but the Defense gained from Curse can be hard to pass up. Will-O-Wisp can help cripple physical threats and let Torchic set up easier. Substitute helps Torchic set up on threats more easily and, if kept intact, can be passed along with stat boosts. Flame Charge can be used as an attacking move to surprise Cottonee after Torchic is boosted and to pass extra Speed. Baton Pass lets Torchic pass all these boosts to its allies.
Set Details
========
196 Defense EVs, 36 Special Defense EVs, Eviolite, and an Impish nature allow Torchic to tank powerful hits such as the likes of a Scald from Chinchou and bulky Staryu as well as avoid a 2HKO from Mienfoo most of the time. Berry Juice can be used as an alternative to Eviolite to help Torchic switch into Stealth Rock more without fainting, but it consequentially lacks the bulk it likes. The rest of its EVs are put into Speed and Attack, the former to help it set up before it gets a Speed boost and the latter to help Flame Charge hit harder if used. Speed Boost lets Torchic boost Speed passively.
Usage Tips
========
Setting up a Substitute or just plain boosting with Curse or Swords Dance when a foe switches out can help Torchic get set up without wasting a turn on Protect. Usually, Torchic should use Protect against faster foes to gain a Speed boost; however, when predicting a switch, setting up instead can surprise your opponent and greatly benefit your team. Torchic does best against passive Pokemon such as Ferroseed and Spritzee, as it can boost freely, so switching it into either is usually a good idea, although a Thunder Wave from the former can be troublesome. These Pokemon as well as other Pokemon that can't damage Torchic much, such as Larvesta and Ponyta, can be set up on easily. Leading with Torchic is generally not a good idea, as it cannot handle many other leads, namely Onix, Dwebble, and Staryu. However, if being used in large Baton Pass chains, it makes a good lead because it can passively boost its Speed. Always be wary of setup sweepers that can boost faster than Torchic, such as Omanyte, Shellder, Carvanha, and Snivy, as they can KO Torchic before it uses Baton Pass. Torchic is never a great switch-in, as it doesn't have great bulk. Also be careful of Z-Move users such as Gastly, as they can break through Protect and potentially eliminate Torchic. When setting up, make sure Torchic is still healthy enough that it can survive long enough to do so. Remember to be wary of both priority and Taunt users, as the former can eliminate Torchic before it passes and the latter can completely stop it in its tracks.
Team Options
========
Any physical Pokemon that can sweep, especially ones that can't boost their Speed such as Swords Dance Corphish and Timburr, appreciate Torchic's support greatly. Rapid Spin and Defog users, the most prominent being Staryu, Vullaby, and Drilbur, can clear hazards, letting Torchic switch in without losing too much HP. Baton Pass-chaining Pokemon such as Togepi and Mime Jr, even though they are both very niche, can together make one extremely boosted Pokemon on your team. Bulky Grass-types, such as Foongus and Ferroseed, can threaten the Water-types that threaten Torchic and are generally useful. Cottonee in particular can Encore or Taunt setup sweepers that try to set up on Torchic, and in return Torchic can pass Speed boosts to it. Rowlet as well can either participate in a Baton Pass chain or clear hazards for Torchic with Defog. Pokemon with Volt Switch or U-turn can help bring Torchic in without it losing HP. Answers to Ground-types, such as Pumpkaboo-XL, Staryu, and again, Cottonee, make good partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Certain boosting Z-Moves such as Hone Claws, Will-O-Wisp, and especially Mirror Move can give Torchic extra boosts, but the fact that they take up an item slot (with the loss of Eviolite making Torchic even frailer) and can only be used once a game make them extremely situational. Rock Slide can be used on the Life Orb set to hit Flying-types, such as Rufflet and Vullaby, and Fire-types, such as Ponyta and Larvesta. Using Flamethrower as an alternative to Fire Blast can give more reliable damage, but Torchic usually needs Fire Blast's higher power. Will-O-Wisp and Hone Claws can be used on Baton Pass chains to weaken physical attackers and to assist Rufflet, respectively, but they don't do much besides these niches.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Setup Sweepers**: Setup sweepers like Carvanha and Bulk Up Timburr can capitalize on Baton Pass Torchic's lack of attacking moves to sweep. Shell Smash users such as Shellder, Clamperl, and Omanyte in particular can win just by boosting against Torchic.
**Water-types**: Water-types can easily KO Torchic and stop anything it wants to do, and many of them can sweep as well. Many, namely Corphish and Tirtouga, also carry Aqua Jet to KO Torchic or at least force it to switch.
**Taunt**: Taunt from Cottonee, Onix, and Mienfoo can stop Baton Pass Torchic from doing anything bar Flame Charge.
**Phazers**: Mareanie's Haze, Munchlax's Roar, Onix's Roar or Dragon Tail, and Hippopotas's Whirlwind can eliminate boosts from Torchic even through Substitute.
**Entry Hazards**: Entry hazards limit the number of times Torchic can switch in to set up, but they can be dealt with easily by Rapid Spin or Defog users.
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