RU Torkoal

[feen]

[OVERVIEW]

Torkoal is a reliable setter for sun teams, making the playstyle a very viable option. As a result, Torkoal makes Pokemon such as Venusaur, Leafeon, and Charizard viable as well. Other than that, Torkoal has the privilege of learning Stealth Rock, as well as boasting a high Defense stat, which makes it capable of checking physically offensive Pokemon such as Mega Glalie, Choice Scarf Heracross, Doublade, and Durant. It also checks strong Psyshock users such as Gardevoir. Moreover, Torkoal has access to support moves including Will-O-Wisp and Yawn, which helps its partners in breaking the opposing team. However, Torkoal lacks reliable recovery and has a poor defensive typing, being weak to Stealth Rock and having weaknesses to common types like Water, Ground, and Rock. Torkoal is also very slow, drains a lot of momentum upon switching in, and suffers from a poor Special Defense stat, which leaves it 2HKOed by most strong special attacks.

[SET]
name: Sun Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Lava Plume
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
item: Heat Rock
ability: Drought
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Stealth Rock helps Torkoal's teammates to pressure opposing Pokemon better. Lava Plume is a good spammable STAB move that gets boosted by sun and has a 30% chance to burn. Explosion is used in order to severely damage a foe, as well as providing a safe switch in for one of Torkoal's teammates. Toxic is used to cripple the bulky Water- or Rock-types that tend to switch into Torkoal, while Will-O-Wisp cripples the Rock-types, especially Gigalith, and any physically offensive wallbreakers that try to switch into Torkoal, such as Bruxish. Alternatively, Yawn is an option to deter the opponent from setting up, as well as force switches and wear down foes as they switch into entry hazards.

Set Details
========

Maximum Defense EVs ensure that Torkoal can take as many physical hits as possible, while the HP EVs minimize Stealth Rock damage. Heat Rock extends the period of Drought, which is ideal for a sun team. Leftovers can be used to give Torkoal some form of recovery, as it lacks one otherwise. Drought is the only useful ability of Torkoal, as it allows Torkoal to set up sun for its partners.

Usage Tips
========

Torkoal should be used as a lead, using Stealth Rock as soon as possible. After setting Stealth Rock, Torkoal can attempt to weaken foes by spamming Lava Plume and Toxic. It is useful to continuously spam Yawn whenever it hits a foe, as they tend to switch out to prevent falling sleep. This allows Torkoal to wear down the opposing team while entry hazards are up. Torkoal should not use Explosion early-game; Explosion should only be used late-game when the opposing team is weakened enough and when you need a free switch to one of your sweepers. Lastly, it is wise to preserve Torkoal at low health in order to set up sun late-game for its partners to attempt to sweep.

Team Options
========

Chlorophyll users such as Venusaur and Leafeon go well with Torkoal, as they appreciate Drought enabling them to perform as dangerous sweepers. They also help Torkoal defensively by switching into Water-types, as well as handling Ground- and Rock-types. Torkoal in return can handle Steel-types such as Doublade and Registeel for them. Whimsicott is also a good partner for Torkoal, as it can set up sun with Prankster, as well as provide team support with Encore. Cresselia can check most of the special attackers that threaten Torkoal, benefit from Drought by using Moonlight, and support the team by using Lunar Dance. Entry hazard removers such as Donphan and Gligar provide an Electric immunity, as well as checking Choice Band Goodra and Dragalge that are slower than them. Gligar also gives slow U-turn support to switch its teammates in safely. Rotom-H checks Flying-types for sun teams and has access to boosted Overheats thanks to Drought, while Charizard benefits from Solar Power and can be a hard Pokemon to reliably switch into.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Torkoal can utilize Rapid Spin, but coupled with its poor typing and Stealth Rock weakness, it is a poor hazard remover. Shuca Berry can be used so Torkoal can set up Stealth Rock against Nidoqueen, but it reduces the number of Drought turns, which are crucial to a sun team. An offensive set with Shell Smash can be used, but Torkoal is slow even after a boost and lacks the power to break through common RU walls.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Mantine and Slowbro can counter Torkoal and attempt to hit its teammates with Air Slash and Psyshock, respectively, which are bothersome for Chlorophyll sweepers such as Venusaur.

**Bulky Rock-types**: Rhyperior, Gigalith, and Diancie can switch into Torkoal and can take it out with their STAB moves. Gigalith is especially dangerous, as it also nullifies Drought with Sand Stream.

**Specially Offensive Pokemon**: Strong special attackers such as Nidoqueen, Choice Specs Zoroark, Yanmega, Salazzle, Swellow, Kommo-o, and Dragalge can take out Torkoal with their STAB moves. Moltres can use Substitute when facing Torkoal and beat it one-on-one

**Knock Off**: Knock Off severely hinders Torkoal, as it loses one of its main niches as a reliable sun setter due to the fewer Drought turns after its Heat Rock has been removed. If Torkoal is running Leftovers, it loses its only form of recovery.

**Residual Damage**: Torkoal hates switching into Stealth Rock and is also vulnerable to Toxic, as it lacks reliable recovery and can be worn down very easily by both.

 

[feen]

feel free to fix the team options and oo, ready for qc

 

[phantom]

remove the spin mention in the overview. I think I said this before but your overviews need to actually say what it does instead of listing out characteristics that anyone can find the information for. Like you need to say it's the most reliable sun setter and makes an entire playstyle viable because of that, which subsequently makes a good chunk of Pokémon viable, which goes to show how influential torkoal is in the ru meta etc

maybe mention moltres somewhere in checks and counters since it's pretty damn strong against sun in general. Snorlax should be mentioned too for similiar reasons

I also think bulky waters aside from air slash mantine and slowbro should be removed from checks and counters and bumped to the lower end of the list because stopping torkoal isn't about walling it, it's about limiting its ability to support its team and bulky waters that aren't slowbro or specific mantine variants just invite venu in for free

mention knock off in checks and counters since removing heat rock from torkoal is obviously a good way to limit its ability to support its team. you should also mention how it's best to avoid taking a knock off when using torkoal in the usage tips.

qc 1/3

 

[Punchshroom]

You could make a mention of the kind of hits that physically defensive Torkoal takes, such as Choice Scarf Heracross, Mega Glalie, Doublade, Durant, and Psyshock Gardevoir, which lets Torkoal survive easier while setting up sun and check some dangerous threats to the sun team.

 

[feen]

did both
49 qced on discord too

 

[HotFuzzBall]

i'd probably just say all entry hazards in general for the C&C portion since Torkoal is vulnerable to all 3 and has no recovery, which makes it difficult for it if it wants to set up sun again

 

[aVocado]

slow as fuck/momentum drain in overview

explain 248 hp as opposed to 252 in set details (less sr dmg)

mention why u wouldnt wanna use explosion at the earliest chance in usage tips, cuz u wanna save sun and its used to nab some quick momentum as u go and bring in a sweeper (u already have the 2nd part)

consider giving gigalith his own part in c&c cuz he cucks sun sooo hard but its up to u idc

combine status ailments and sr together cuz torkoal doesnt really get hurt by twave and is immune to wow. just name it residual damage and that sr and toxic are annoying

qc approved 3/3

 

[mertyville]

Why not Relaxed > Bold? It ensures that you outslow other weather setters, you wouldn't outspeed anything significant anyways and Explosion hits harder. That could also increase the option to run more viarity of moves on the last slot like Earthquake for Dragalge switch-ins or something.

another thing I remember from my experience of using Torkoal, it is way a Taunt Bait for usually frail Pokemon it still fails to OHKO or even 2HKO with Lava Plume such as Persian and Burn isn't always guarantied. Maybe adding Fire Blast for damage purposes or Sludge Bomb to get spread Poison without being Taunt Bait could be a viable option.

 

[feen]

Why not Relaxed > Bold? It ensures that you outslow other weather setters, you wouldn't outspeed anything significant anyways and Explosion hits harder. That could also increase the option to run more viarity of moves on the last slot like Earthquake for Dragalge switch-ins or something.

another thing I remember from my experience of using Torkoal, it is way a Taunt Bait for usually frail Pokemon it still fails to OHKO or even 2HKO with Lava Plume such as Persian and Burn isn't always guarantied. Maybe adding Fire Blast for damage purposes or Sludge Bomb to get spread Poison without being Taunt Bait could be a viable option.

what weather setters are there what torkoal needs to outspeed?
also earthquake doesnt do much to dragalge and idk what u meant with that line. Lava Plume is ok because you have venusaur destroying persian anytime anyways.

 

[aVocado]

what weather setters are there what torkoal needs to outspeed?
also earthquake doesnt do much to dragalge and idk what u meant with that line. Lava Plume is ok because you have venusaur destroying persian anytime anyways.

he meant outslow not outspeed, cuz in weather matchups the slowest setter has its weather 'overcome' the other weather. so a slow gigalith vs a neutral speed torkoal would make it so sand wins over sun. making torkoal slower is just to make sure that even gigalith that are intentionally slower to 'outslow' torkoal still lose the weather battle

idk if its worth tho moon2SHRUG

 

[mertyville]

what weather setters are there what torkoal needs to outspeed?
also earthquake doesnt do much to dragalge and idk what u meant with that line. Lava Plume is ok because you have venusaur destroying persian anytime anyways.

That is what I am asking. What significant situation is Bold worth over Relaxed? You are missing on more damage from Explosion (because Bold is an attack lowering nature) and, while not likely common, outslow any variant of Gigalith meaning you get your weather out for sure.

 

[Wob]

hey, GP amcheck (ADD REMOVE COMMENTS)

Hide

[OVERVIEW]

Torkoal is a reliable setter for sun teams and makes the playstyle a very viable option due to setting up sun consistently. As a result, Torkoal makes Pokemon such as Venusaur, Leafeon, and Charizard viable as well, which wouldn't be much particularly viable without Torkoal. Other than that, Torkoal has the privilege of having learning Stealth Rock as well as being a setter (every Pokemon that learns Stealth Rock is able to set it, are you trying to say that it's a good setter? if so you should add that imo), as well as boasting a high Defense stat, which makes it capable of checking physically offensive Pokemon such as Mega Glalie, Choice Scarf Heracross, Doublade, and Durant. It also checks strong Psyshock users such as Gardevoir. Moreover, Tokroal Torkoal also has access to support moves including Will-O-Wisp and Yawn, which helps Torkoal's partners in breaking the opposing team easier. However, Torkoal lacks reliable recovery and has a poor defensive typing, being weak to Stealth Rock and having a weakness to common types like Water, Ground, and Rock. Torkoal is also very slow and drains a lot of momentum upon switching in. It also suffers from a poor Special Defense stat, which makes it be leaves it 2HKOed by most strong Special Attacks special attacks (only capitalize special attack when talking about the stat itself).

[SET]
name: Sun Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Lava Plume
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
item: Heat Rock
ability: Drought
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Stealth Rock sets up hazards lets Torkoal set up hazards, which helps Torkoal's its teammates to pressure the foe opposing Pokemon better. Lava Plume is a good spammable STAB move that gets boosted by Drought and has a 30% chance to burn. Explosion is used in order to severely damage a foe, as well as provide a safe switch-in for its teammate one of Torkoal's teammates. Toxic is used to cripple any bulky Water- or Rock-types that tend to switch into Torkoal. Will-O-Wisp cripples Rock-types that try to switch into Torkoal, especially Gigalith, and limits any physically offensive wallbreakers that try to switch into Torkoal, such as Bruxish. Alternatively, Yawn can be used to deter the opponent from setting up, as well as force switches and wear the foe down foes as they switch into hazards.

Set Details
========

Maximum Defense EVs ensure that Torkoal can take as many physical hits as possible, while the HP EVs allow it to switch into Stealth Rock more times. Heat Rock extends the period of Drought, which is ideal for a sun team. Leftovers can be used to give Torkoal some form of recovery, as it lacks one otherwise. Drought is the only useful ability of Torkoal, as it can allows Torkoal to set up Sun sun for its partners.

Usage Tips
========

Torkoal should be used as a lead, using Stealth Rock as soon as possible. After setting Stealth Rock, Torkoal can attempt to weaken the a foe by spamming Lava Plume and Toxic. It is useful to continuously spam Yawn whenever it hits the a foe, as they tend to switch out to prevent sleep. This makes the foe worn down by hazards allows Torkoal to wear down the opposing team while hazards are up. Torkoal should use Explosion only when the opposing team is weakened enough, and not early game early-game. Explosion should only be used late game late-game when you need a free switch to one of your sweepers. Lastly, it is wise to preserve Torkoal at low health in order to set up Sun late game in order to sun late-game and attempt to sweep.

Team Options
========

Chlorophyll sweepers such as Venusaur and Leafeon go well with Torkoal, as they appreciate Drought, which because it (this implied that the fact they appreciated drought made them dangerous sweepers, when in fact it's just drought) makes them dangerous sweepers. They also help Torkoal defensively by switching into Water-types, as well as handling Ground- and Rock-types. Torkoal in return can handle Steel-types such as Doublade and Registeel for them. Whimsicott is also a good partner for Torkoal, as it can set Sunny Day with Prankster, as well as provide team support with Encore. Cresselia can check most of the Special Attackers special attackers that threaten Torkoal, as well as benefit from Drought by using Morning Sun. It also can support the team by using Lunar Dance. Hazard removers such as Donphan and Gligar provides provide an Electric-type immunity (unless every hazard remover is immune to electric, this should really be changed, as that's what it sounds like), as well as check Choice Band Goodra and Dragalge if they outspeed. Gligar also gives slow U-Turn U-turn support to switch its teammates in safely. Rotom-Heat Rotom-H checks Flying-types Flying types for sun teams, as well as has the and has access to boosted Overheats, while Charizard benefits from Solar Power and can be a hard Pokemon to reliably switch into.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Torkoal can utilize Rapid Spin, but coupled with its poor typing and Stealth Rock weakness, it is a poor hazard remover. Shuca Berry can be used to set Stealth Rock on Nidoqueen, but it reduces Drought turns, (AC) which are crucial to a sun team. An offensive set of Shell Smash can be used, but Torkoal is slow even after a boost and lacks the power to break through common RU walls.
(add space)
Checks and Counters
===================

**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Air Slash Mantine and Slowbro can counter Torkoal, and attempt to hit its teammates with Air Slash or Psyshock respectively, which are a bothersome for Chlorophyll sweepers such as Venusaur.

**Bulky Rock-types**: Rhyperior, Gigalith, and Diancie can switch into Torkoal and can take it out with their STAB moves. Gigalith is very dangerous, as it also nullifies Drought with Sand Stream.

**Specially Offensive Pokemon**: Strong Special Attackers special attackers such as Nidoqueen, Choice Specs Zoroark, Yanmega, Salazzle, Swellow, Kommo-o, and Dragalge can take out Torkoal with their STAB moves. Moltres can use Substitute on when facing Torkoal and beat it one on one.

**Knock Off**: Knock Off severely cripples Torkoal, as it loses one of its main niche niches as a reliable sun setter due to lesser Drought due to losing Heat Rock the fewer Drought turns after it loses Heat Rock. If it's running Leftovers, Torkoal loses the its only form of recovery.

**Residual Damage**: Torkoal hates switching into Stealth Rock, as it accelerates its weakening wears it down significantly. It is also prone to Toxic, as it lacks reliable recovery and can be worn down very easily.

 

[Lemonade]

The amcheck is fine, go ahead and implement it. Couple things I want to talk about for DeathByWobbuffet (though Arifeen can benefit as well):

• The "having learning Stealth Rock" is a good catch, I agree with your comment about it.
  
• Under Moves, you change one instance of "foe" to "opposing Pokemon", but not any others. You should explain why you didn't propose this change across the board / make it consistent. Also ideally writers aren't blindly implementing changes, so they will be wondering about inconsistency.
• When moves are slashed (ie when there are options), I think it is helpful to contrast the options. "Toxic does this. On the other hand, Wisp does this." Helps tie the parts together.
• Set Details,"while" shouldn't really be used when you aren't contrasting options, not that important though.
• Last sentence of Usage Tips, is Torkoal sweeping or something else?
  
• Team Options, when you talk about Electric immunity and talk about it a possible change, also provide an example in the comments. Although here, I'm not sure why Elec immunity is relevant?

Other than that there's some repetition and redundancy to look at but the next check can address that (maybe I will do one o.o).

 

[feen]

did the am check

 

[Eyan]

GP 1/2
add/corrections remove comments

Hide

[OVERVIEW]

Torkoal is a reliable setter for sun teams, (ac) making and makes the playstyle a very viable option due to setting up sun consistently. As a result, Torkoal makes Pokemon such as Venusaur, Leafeon, and Charizard viable as well, (rc) which wouldn't be particularly viable without Torkoal. Other than that, Torkoal has the privilege of learning Stealth Rock, as well as boasting a high Defense stat, which makes it capable of checking physically offensive Pokemon such as Mega Glalie, Choice Scarf Heracross, Doublade, and Durant. It also checks strong Psyshock users such as Gardevoir. Moreover, Torkoal also has access to support moves including Will-O-Wisp and Yawn, which helps Torkoal's partners in breaking the opposing team. However, Torkoal lacks reliable recovery and has a poor defensive typing, being weak to Stealth Rock and having a weakness to common types like Water, Ground, and Rock. Torkoal is also very slow, (ac) draining and drains a lot of momentum upon switching in., (period->comma) It also and suffers from a poor Special Defense stat, which leaves it 2HKOed by most strong special attacks.

[SET]
name: Sun Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Lava Plume
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
item: Heat Rock
ability: Drought
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Stealth Rock lets Torkoal set up hazards, which helps its Torkoal's teammates to pressure opposing Pokemon better. Lava Plume is a good spammable STAB move that gets boosted by Drought sun and has a 30% chance to burn. Explosion is used in order to severely damage a foe, as well as provide a safe switch-in (remove hyphen) for one of Torkoal's teammates. Toxic is used to cripple the bulky Water- or Rock-types that tend to switch into Torkoal., (period->comma) while Will-O-Wisp cripples the Rock-types that try to switch into Torkoal, especially Gigalith, and limits any physically offensive wallbreakers that try to switch into Torkoal, such as Bruxish. Alternatively, Yawn can be used is an option to deter the opponent from setting up, as well as force switches and wear down foes as they switch into entry hazards.

Set Details
========

Maximum Defense EVs ensure that Torkoal can take as many physical hits as possible, while the HP EVs minimize allow it to switch into Stealth Rock damage more times. Heat Rock extends the period of Drought, which is ideal for a sun team. Leftovers can be used to give Torkoal some form of recovery, as it lacks one otherwise. Drought is the only useful ability of Torkoal, as it allows Torkoal to set up sun for its partners.

Usage Tips
========

Torkoal should be used as a lead, using Stealth Rock as soon as possible. After setting Stealth Rock, Torkoal can attempt to weaken a foes by spamming Lava Plume and Toxic (feels more appropriate given the context). It is useful to continuously spam Yawn whenever it hits a foe, as they tend to switch out to prevent falling sleep. This allows Torkoal to wear down the opposing team while entry hazards are up. Torkoal should not use Explosion only when the opposing team is weakened enough, and not early-game.; (period->semicolon) Explosion should only be used late-game when the opposing team is weakened enough and when you need a free switch to one of your sweepers. Lastly, it is wise to preserve Torkoal at low health in order to set up sun late-game and for its partners to attempt to sweep.

Team Options
========

Chlorophyll sweepers users such as Venusaur and Leafeon go well with Torkoal, as they appreciate Drought, (rc) because it makes enabling them to perform as dangerous sweepers. They also help Torkoal defensively by switching into Water-types, as well as handling Ground- and Rock-types. Torkoal in return can handle Steel-types such as Doublade and Registeel for them. Whimsicott is also a good partner for Torkoal, as it can set up sun with Prankster Sunny Day with Prankster, as well as provide team support with Encore. Cresselia can check most of the special attackers that threaten Torkoal, as well as benefit from Drought by using Morning Sun (pretty sure you mean Moonlight)., (period->comma) and It also can support the team by using Lunar Dance. Entry hazard removers such as Donphan and Gligar provide an Electric-type immunity, as well as checking Choice Band Goodra and Dragalge if they outspeed that are slower than them (the original "they" was very misleading). Gligar also gives slow U-turn support to switch its teammates in safely. Rotom-H checks Flying-types (add hyphen) for sun teams and has access to boosted Overheats thanks to Drought, while Charizard benefits from Solar Power and can be a hard Pokemon to reliably switch into.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Torkoal can utilize Rapid Spin, but coupled with its poor typing and Stealth Rock weakness, it is a poor hazard remover. Shuca Berry can be used to so Torkoal can set up Stealth Rock on against Nidoqueen, but it reduces the number of Drought turns, which are crucial to a sun team. An offensive set of with Shell Smash can be used, but Torkoal is slow even after a boost and lacks the power to break through common RU walls.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Air Slash Mantine and Slowbro can counter Torkoal, (rc) (technically "Attempt to hit its teammates..." is an independent clause and would require a comma, but the context of "Bulky Water-types can attempt...." makes this dependent, so no comma needed) and attempt to hit its teammates with Air Slash or and Psyshock respectively, which are bothersome for Chlorophyll sweepers such as Venusaur.

**Bulky Rock-types**: Rhyperior, Gigalith, and Diancie can switch into Torkoal and can take it out with their STAB moves. Gigalith is very especially dangerous, as it also nullifies Drought with Sand Stream.

**Specially Offensive Pokemon**: Strong special attackers such as Nidoqueen, Choice Specs Zoroark, Yanmega, Salazzle, Swellow, Kommo-o, and Dragalge can take out Torkoal with their STAB moves. Moltres can use Substitute when facing Torkoal and beat it one-on-one (add hyphens).

**Knock Off**: Knock Off severely cripples Torkoal, as it loses ("hinders" might be more appropriate, since it still has the niche; it's just not as good) one of its main niches as a reliable sun setter due to the fewer Drought turns after its loses Heat Rock has been removed (repetition). If it's Torkoal is running Leftovers, Torkoal it loses its only form of recovery.

**Residual Damage**: Torkoal hates switching into Stealth Rock, (rc) as it wears it down significantly. It is and is also prone to Toxic, as it lacks reliable recovery and can be worn down very easily by both.

 

[P Squared]

GP 2/2

Hide

[OVERVIEW]

Torkoal is a reliable setter for sun teams, making the playstyle a very viable option. As a result, Torkoal makes Pokemon such as Venusaur, Leafeon, and Charizard viable as well. Other than that, Torkoal has the privilege of learning Stealth Rock, as well as boasting a high Defense stat, which makes it capable of checking physically offensive Pokemon such as Mega Glalie, Choice Scarf Heracross, Doublade, and Durant. It also checks strong Psyshock users such as Gardevoir. Moreover, Torkoal has access to support moves including Will-O-Wisp and Yawn, which helps its Torkoal's partners in breaking the opposing team. However, Torkoal lacks reliable recovery and has a poor defensive typing, being weak to Stealth Rock and having a weaknesses to common types like Water, Ground, and Rock. Torkoal is also very slow, draining drains a lot of momentum upon switching in, and suffers from a poor Special Defense stat, which leaves it 2HKOed by most strong special attacks.

[SET]
name: Sun Support
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Lava Plume
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
item: Heat Rock
ability: Drought
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Stealth Rock helps Torkoal's teammates to pressure opposing Pokemon better. Lava Plume is a good spammable STAB move that gets boosted by sun and has a 30% chance to burn. Explosion is used in order to severely damage a foe, as well as providing a safe switch in for one of Torkoal's teammates. Toxic is used to cripple the bulky Water- or Rock-types that tend to switch into Torkoal, while Will-O-Wisp cripples the Rock-types, especially Gigalith, and any physically offensive wallbreakers that try to switch into Torkoal, such as Bruxish. Alternatively, Yawn is an option to deter the opponent from setting up, as well as force switches and wear down foes as they switch into entry hazards.

Set Details
========

Maximum Defense EVs ensure that Torkoal can take as many physical hits as possible, while the HP EVs minimize Stealth Rock damage. Heat Rock extends the period of Drought, which is ideal for a sun team. Leftovers can be used to give Torkoal some form of recovery, as it lacks one otherwise. Drought is the only useful ability of Torkoal, as it allows Torkoal to set up sun for its partners.

Usage Tips
========

Torkoal should be used as a lead, using Stealth Rock as soon as possible. After setting Stealth Rock, Torkoal can attempt to weaken foes by spamming Lava Plume and Toxic. It is useful to continuously spam Yawn whenever it hits a foe, as they tend to switch out to prevent falling sleep. This allows Torkoal to wear down the opposing team while entry hazards are up. Torkoal should not use Explosion early-game; Explosion should only be used late-game when the opposing team is weakened enough and when you need a free switch to one of your sweepers. Lastly, it is wise to preserve Torkoal at low health in order to set up sun late-game for its partners to attempt to sweep.

Team Options
========

Chlorophyll users such as Venusaur and Leafeon go well with Torkoal, as they appreciate Drought enabling them to perform as dangerous sweepers. They also help Torkoal defensively by switching into Water-types, as well as handling Ground- and Rock-types. Torkoal in return can handle Steel-types such as Doublade and Registeel for them. Whimsicott is also a good partner for Torkoal, as it can set up sun with Prankster, as well as provide team support with Encore. Cresselia can check most of the special attackers that threaten Torkoal, benefit from Drought by using Moonlight, and support the team by using Lunar Dance. Entry hazard removers such as Donphan and Gligar provide an Electric immunity, as well as checking Choice Band Goodra and Dragalge that are slower than them. Gligar also gives slow U-turn support to switch its teammates in safely. Rotom-H checks Flying-types for sun teams and has access to boosted Overheats thanks to Drought, while Charizard benefits from Solar Power and can be a hard Pokemon to reliably switch into.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Torkoal can utilize Rapid Spin, but coupled with its poor typing and Stealth Rock weakness, it is a poor hazard remover. Shuca Berry can be used so Torkoal can set up Stealth Rock against Nidoqueen, but it reduces the number of Drought turns, which are crucial to a sun team. An offensive set with Shell Smash can be used, but Torkoal is slow even after a boost and lacks the power to break through common RU walls.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types such as Air Slash Mantine and Slowbro can counter Torkoal and attempt to hit its teammates with Air Slash and Psyshock, (add comma) respectively, which are bothersome for Chlorophyll sweepers such as Venusaur.

**Bulky Rock-types**: Rhyperior, Gigalith, and Diancie can switch into Torkoal and can take it out with their STAB moves. Gigalith is especially dangerous, as it also nullifies Drought with Sand Stream.

**Specially Offensive Pokemon**: Strong special attackers such as Nidoqueen, Choice Specs Zoroark, Yanmega, Salazzle, Swellow, Kommo-o, and Dragalge can take out Torkoal with their STAB moves. Moltres can use Substitute when facing Torkoal and beat it one-on-one (add hyphens).

**Knock Off**: Knock Off severely hinders Torkoal, as it loses one of its main niches as a reliable sun setter due to the fewer Drought turns after its Heat Rock has been removed. If Torkoal is running Leftovers, it loses its only form of recovery.

**Residual Damage**: Torkoal hates switching into Stealth Rock and is also prone vulnerable to Toxic, as it lacks reliable recovery and can be worn down very easily by both.

 

[aVocado]

uploaded