-kal-
hi guys
QC: metaphysical / boltsandbombers / Finchinator
GP: P Squared / Snobalt
[OVERVIEW]
Torterra sports a great offensive presence that is supported by its high Base Power STAB moves. Furthermore, Torterra has solid all-around bulk and a decent typing, which make it a reliable tank that can take on many pertinent threats in the tier such as Lanturn, Garbodor, Rhydon, and Klinklang. Torterra is also very versatile, being able to play the roles of tank, late-game sweeper, and wallbreaker. Sadly, Torterra is weak to common Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-type attacks from the likes of Pyroar, Archeops, and Jynx, and it is unable to reliably pressure Xatu, which greatly hinders its role as a Stealth Rock setter. Torterra's lackluster Speed also leaves it very susceptible to being KOed by revenge killers.
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Wood Hammer
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Synthesis
item: Leftovers
ability: Overgrow
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 128 Atk / 128 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Wood Hammer is an extremely strong STAB move, though it comes at the cost of recoil damage. Seed Bomb can be used over Wood Hammer if you do not want to inflict recoil damage on Torterra. Earthquake has great coverage alongside Wood Hammer, nailing Fire-, Poison-, and Steel-types such as Magmortar, Garbodor, and Mawile very hard. Stealth Rock is a great utility move, as it wears down the opposing team's Pokemon each time they come in. Toxic is an option to cripple Pokemon that Torterra has trouble against, such as Gourgeist-S and Scyther. Synthesis provides Torterra with longevity, making it a more efficient tank. Stone Edge can be used to nail Scyther and Xatu, which otherwise can set up Swords Dance or Calm Mind, respectively, on Torterra. Being able to heavily damage the latter is really important, as it can stop Torterra from setting up Stealth Rock. Another attack can be used over Stealth Rock if your team already has a Stealth Rock setter.
Set Details
========
The 252 HP EVs and 128 Defense EVs ensure that Tauros's Rock Climb and Fire Blast as well as Kangaskhan's Silk Scarf-boosted Double-Edge will not 2HKO Torterra. The remaining EVs are placed in Attack with an Adamant nature for a solid damage output. A fully physically defensive spread is an option to take on physical attackers much more reliably. Leftovers is used to provide Torterra with passive recovery. Overgrow boosts the power of Torterra's Grass-type moves when it is low on health, which can be crucial.
Usage Tips
========
You should take advantage of Torterra's great STAB combination in order to scare out or beat many common entry hazard setters, which can help prevent the foe from setting up entry hazards. You should also switch Torterra into Pokemon that it can beat one-on-one, such as Tauros, Kangaskhan, defensive Lanturn, and Rhydon, to take hits from them for the team. From there, Torterra can set up Stealth Rock or heavily damage them with its attacks. Use Synthesis whenever Torterra is low on health so that it can take hits more comfortably, but do not use it too often, as it only has 8 PP. Though Torterra can beat many bulky Water-types such as Quagsire and Lanturn, it does not appreciate a Scald burn from them, so it is highly encouraged that you do not directly switch Torterra into them unless it is needed. Use Torterra's STAB attacks accordingly depending on which Pokemon it is against and which Pokemon you expect the opponent to bring in.
Team Options
========
Garbodor makes for a great partner, as it can set up Spikes and Toxic Spikes, which work well in conjunction with Torterra's Stealth Rock; it can also deal with bulky Grass-types such as Tangela, which Torterra struggles with, while Torterra takes care of Ground-types such as Rhydon. Bulky Water-types such as Lanturn and Poliwrath work well with Torterra, as they cover its Ice- and Fire-type weaknesses. Clerics such as Mega Audino and Lanturn also make for great partners, as Torterra is very vulnerable to being crippled by status ailments. Pokemon that can take on Flying-types such as Xatu and Scyther are greatly appreciated. Malamar is able to take on Xatu, and Mawile beats Scyther with ease.
[SET]
name: Dancing Continent (Setup Sweeper)
move 1: Rock Polish / Swords Dance
move 2: Wood Hammer
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge / Swords Dance
item: Lum Berry / Life Orb
ability: Overgrow
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rock Polish is used to increase Torterra's Speed by two stages, allowing it to outspeed most of the unboosted tier. Swords Dance can be used instead so that Torterra has a better matchup against defensive teams, being able to clean up against them. Wood Hammer hits very hard when boosted but comes at the cost of taking recoil damage. Earthquake has great coverage with Wood Hammer, nailing Poison- and Fire-types such as Garbodor and Pyroar. Stone Edge forms the EdgeQuake combination with Earthquake, nailing Flying-types such as Scyther, Swellow, and Xatu, all of which otherwise can wall Torterra.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment is used for Torterra to hit as hard as possible. A Jolly nature and maximum Speed investment are used to outspeed positive-natured Choice Scarf Mesprit and Rotom after a Rock Polish boost as well as neutral-natured Aurorus, Pawniard, and Flareon before a boost. However, an Adamant nature can be used for more power. Lum Berry is used as a safety net against Will-O-Wisp and Scald users, which can hinder its sweep, so that Torterra can set up more easily. A Life Orb can be used instead to greatly increase Torterra's damage output, though it can easily wear Torterra down, especially with Wood Hammer's recoil. Overgrow gives Torterra a significant boost to its Grass-type moves when it is low on health.
Usage Tips
========
Torterra should not try to sweep unless its checks and counters are either heavily weakened or knocked out. It should be noted that Torterra can be revenge killed even after a Rock Polish boost by priority moves such as Piloswine's and Vanilluxe's Ice Shard as well as some Choice Scarf users such as Scyther and Jynx. Torterra should not repeatedly use Wood Hammer if it's not necessary, as its recoil along with Life Orb's recoil can heavily wear Torterra down. Torterra's best situations to set up a Rock Polish are on Pokemon that it forces out, such as Quagsire and Rhydon, as well as Rotom locked into an Electric-type attack. If Torterra runs Swords Dance, it should use it against more defensive teams to break them more efficiently. If Torterra is not your win condition, it can be used early- and mid-game to pressure the opposing team due to the sheer power that it possesses.
Team Options
========
Fire-types such as Pyroar and Magmortar have great defensive synergy with Torterra, dealing with Grass- and Bug-types that annoy it, while Torterra handles Water- and Rock-types that they struggle with. Rock-types such as Regirock, Archeops, and Kabutops work well with Torterra, as they can easily threaten Flying- and Ice-types with their powerful STAB moves. Wallbreakers such as Kangaskhan, Sawk, and Mawile can help wear down Torterra's checks and counters, paving the way for it to sweep. For example, Sawk is able to lure in Weezing and hit it with Zen Headbutt or Mold Breaker Earthquake, which can allow Torterra to sweep more easily. Pokemon such as Xatu and Lanturn work well with Torterra, as they can give it a safe switch in via a slow U-turn and Volt Switch, respectively.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Curse can be used to increase Torterra's Attack and Defense but comes at the cost of lowering its Speed. Substitute is an alternative for Torterra to block status moves and set up a Rock Polish or Swords Dance more easily; it also eases prediction. Yache Berry can be used for Torterra to take an Ice-type attack from the likes of Jynx and Piloswine and KO them in return. A Choice Band set lets Torterra be a fearsome wallbreaker.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Scyther, Vivillon, Swellow, Rotom-S, and Xatu have an immunity to Earthquake and resist Wood Hammer. Scyther and Vivillon can set up a Swords Dance and Quiver Dance against Torterra, respectively, and hit it hard with their STAB moves. Xatu, though it does not have a Flying-type STAB move to hit Torterra with, can either set up with Calm Mind or heavily dent it with Heat Wave. Archeops does not like taking a Wood Hammer but can easily damage Torterra with a STAB-boosted Acrobatics. It should be noted that none of these Pokemon appreciate taking a Stone Edge from Torterra.
**Weezing**: Weezing is one of the best counters to Torterra. Due to Levitate, it is immune to Torterra's Earthquake, and it also resists Torterra's Grass-type attacks. It can then either burn Torterra with Will-O-Wisp or slowly wear it down with Flamethrower.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Pyroar, Magmortar, and Combusken can easily OHKO Torterra with their Fire-type attacks, but they have to be wary of Earthquake.
**Bulky Grass-types**: Bulky Grass-types such as Tangela, Leafeon, and Gourgeist-S, and Gourgeist-XL can stomach many hits from Torterra very well. Gourgeist-S and Gourgeist-XL is able to cripple Torterra by burning it with Will-O-Wisp.
**Ice-types**: Ice-types such as Cryogonal, Articuno, Regice, Jynx, and Piloswine cannot take a hit from Torterra but can easily outspeed and OHKO Torterra with their STAB attacks. Piloswine and Vanilluxe can also easily revenge kill Torterra with Ice Shard even after it has a Rock Polish boost, and the latter can take a hit if needed, though it must watch out for Stone Edge.
Last edited: