[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to its excellent typing, useful stats, and diverse movepool, Torterra is a highly versatile Pokemon that is able to run multiple sets successfully. Its access to multiple boosting moves in Rock Polish and Swords Dance, as well as powerful STAB moves in Wood Hammer and Earthquake, allows it to heavily pressure offensive and defensive teams alike. Meanwhile, it differentiates itself from other defensive Stealth Rock setters like Mudsdale and Regirock thanks to its access to reliable recovery, while its unique typing gives it a better matchup against common wallbreakers such as Eelektross. Its excellent coverage allows Torterra to be more immediately threatening than most defensive Pokemon, as it takes on numerous top-tier Pokemon from Jellicent to Regirock simply with its dual STAB combination. This gives Torterra the freedom to dip into its support movepool more freely and better utilize options such as Swords Dance and Stealth Rock. Torterra's excellent bulk allows it to tank numerous super effective coverage moves, such as Eelektross's Flamethrower and Lanturn's Ice Beam, as long as it has defensive investment. However, numerous weaknesses, including ones to very common Ice-, Fire-, Flying-, and Bug-type coverage moves, still leave Torterra prone to being chipped. Many Pokemon such as Primeape and Ferroseed can easily lure Torterra and take it out by finding space for Ice-type coverage or Toxic, which significantly cripples it. Torterra's mediocre Speed means that many strong wallbreakers such as Stoutland will still have a bit of an edge over it. Torterra also faces defensive competition from Mudsdale and Regirock, which are capable of walling certain threats that can break through Torterra such as Kangaskhan.
[SET]
name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Wood Hammer
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge / Swords Dance
item: Grassium Z / Rockium Z
ability: Overgrow
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Wood Hammer is Torterra's strongest STAB move and can reach ludicrous levels of damage output in conjunction with Grassium Z and Overgrow, capable of KOing Oricorio-E after Stealth Rock. However, this can be situational, and it does cause heavy recoil to Torterra. Stone Edge threatens Flying-types that can otherwise easily check Torterra, OHKOing Dodrio and Articuno from full health as well as Oricorio-G after Stealth Rock damage. Alternatively, Swords Dance can allow Torterra to achieve OHKOs on Pokemon that might otherwise survive a hit from full HP and retaliate, such as Drampa, as well as allowing it to better break a few defensive checks such as Sableye and Bronzor. Synthesis is another option for Torterra's final moveslot, as it gives Torterra more defensive utility early-game and allows it to spam Wood Hammer more freely.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Speed allows Torterra to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame as well as slow Choice Scarf users like Aurorus and Sandslash after a Rock Polish boost. An Adamant nature allows Torterra to hit sufficient Speed levels while maximizing damage output. However, a Jolly nature can be used to outspeed various threats such as Golurk and Assault Vest Lanturn before a Rock Polish, as well as Choice Scarf Skuntank and Kabutops after a boost. Grassium Z allows Torterra to OHKO Pokemon like Mudsdale, Kangaskhan, Stoutland, and Jellicent from full health as well as Eelektross, Regirock, and Crabominable after Stealth Rock damage, as well as avoid recoil from Wood Hammer. Alternatively, Rockium Z can be used with Stone Edge to guarantee a OHKO on Oricorio-E and Oricorio-G without Torterra being in Overgrow range, as well as avoiding accuracy issues when attempting to KO Pokemon such as Articuno and Altaria.
Usage Tips
========
Rock Polish Torterra is best used as a late-game sweeper, as it requires slight chip on many Pokemon to achieve KOs before boosting. Try to avoid needing to set up a Swords Dance, as the damage from taking an extra turn to set up can be significant when combined with entry hazards and Wood Hammer recoil. However, Swords Dance can also allow Torterra to function as an early-game wallbreaker, albeit at the cost of sacrificing its late-game utility if not paired with a Healing Wish user or Z-Parting Shot Alolan Persian. This secondary role may be more useful in some matchups, particularly when facing Choice Scarf users capable of outspeeding Torterra after a Rock Polish, such as Dodrio. Be careful about when to use Torterra's Z-Move, as it can gain significantly from breaking a check with Bloom Doom or Continental Crush when it isn't wasted. However, Wood Hammer's recoil can also be beneficial, as Torterra can use the recoil to strategically put itself into Overgrow range and boost the power of Bloom Doom to better break through Pokemon such as Lurantis. Be sure to scout for Ice-type coverage from Pokemon that might be looking to lure Torterra, such as Ice Beam Silvally-Water and Hidden Power Ice Eelektross.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard removers such as Cryogonal can be vital, as Torterra does not want to take unnecessary damage from Spikes. Torterra also benefits a lot from entry hazards to chip the opposing team, although it pairs well with very few Stealth Rock users. Regirock and Alolan Sandslash are notable though for taking on most of the Flying-types that check Torterra. Due to its lack of recovery and tendency to get worn down by Wood Hammer recoil, Torterra highly appreciates VoltTurn partners such as Lanturn, Eelektross, Primeape, and Rotom-F that can bring it in safely against targets it can threaten like Clefairy. Lanturn in particular fits exceptionally well with Torterra, as it is able to switch in on Pokemon like Oricorio-E and Rotom-F that can revenge kill Torterra as well as heal it from status with Heal Bell. In return, Torterra can check threats that Lanturn struggles with like Eelektross and Mudsdale. Healing Wish users such as Musharna, as well as Z-Parting Shot Alolan Persian, can allow Torterra to come in multiple times and act as both a wallbreaker and a sweeper, significantly enhancing its threat level in many cases. Pursuit from teammates such as Choice Band Skuntank and Absol can help to take out a few of Torterra's checks and counters, such as Cryogonal and Bronzor. These Pokemon also form a strong wallbreaking core with Torterra, breaking down physically defensive Pokemon such as Lurantis. Strong special wallbreakers such as Drampa are also notable for being able to pressure Tangela, Torterra's biggest counter. Jellicent is another notable defensive partner, as it can check many Fire- and Ice-types that give Torterra problems, while Torterra puts pressure on Lanturn and Eelektross.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Wood Hammer
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Synthesis
item: Leftovers
ability: Shell Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 44 Def / 212 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake and Wood Hammer allow Torterra to hit most of the metagame, save Flying- and Grass-types, for at least neutral damage, and give it good damage output despite no investment.
Set Details
========
The special defense investment and a Careful nature allows Torterra to survive two Flamethrowers from Eelektross after Stealth Rock, an uninvested Supersonic Skystrike from Oricorio-E before Stealth Rock, and a Freeze-Dry from a fully invested Cryogonal, as well as various other hits such as Assault Vest Lanturn's Ice Beam. The Defense investment avoids the OHKO from Choice Scarf Dodrio's Brave Bird from full health. Shell Armor is preferred over Overgrow, as Torterra would rather avoid critical hits than get situational damage boosts.
Usage Tips
========
As with most Stealth Rock users, prioritize setting entry hazards early to get as much chip on the opposing team as possible. Due to its many weaknesses, Torterra is particularly prone to being taken advantage of by smart double switches into threats such as Simisear or Aurorus. Be careful to avoid getting predictable. Particularly attempt to minimize free switches from Abomasnow and Aurorus, as their hail can reduce Synthesis's healing ability even several turns later. Keep in mind that Wood Hammer recoil can put Torterra at problematically low health, and it may be better to recover with Synthesis rather than incurring extra chip damage. Avoid Toxic whenever possible, as it massively cuts into Torterra's longevity and effectiveness. Be careful using Synthesis too much, as while Torterra likes to stay healthy, Synthesis has only 8 PP and can be stalled out quite quickly.
Team Options
========
Ice-type checks such as Alolan Sandslash, Clefairy, and Gurdurr are vital for defensive synergy. Flying- and Fire-type answers such as Eelektross, Regirock, and Jellicent are also important, as Torterra can be a magnet for particular type-advantaged wallbreakers. For its part, Torterra is a strong check to Eelektross, making it a good partner for Flying-types such as Swanna and Oricorio-G, as well as many of the aforementioned defensive partners. Torterra can stack entry hazards fairly well with Qwilfish, as they have a decent early-game defensive presence and can try to overwhelm the opposing team with Stealth Rock and Spikes. Clerics such as Altaria and Audino can keep Torterra Toxic free; however, most clerics do not pair especially well with Torterra outside of stall save for Lanturn and Musharna.
[SET]
name: Bulky Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Wood Hammer
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Synthesis
item: Grassium Z / Leftovers
ability: Shell Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 160 SpD / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Wood Hammer and Earthquake are a strong STAB combination that allows Torterra to hit most of the metagame extremely hard after a Swords Dance.
Set Details
========
96 Speed EVs allow Torterra to beat out uninvested Lanturn and maximum Speed Drampa. The rest are put into HP and Special Defense to make Torterra as bulky as possible and better check Pokemon such as Victreebel and Alolan Raichu. An alternate spread with 124 Speed EVs can be used to outpace specially defensive Alolan Sandslash, although it does cut into Torterra's bulk more heavily.
Usage Tips
========
This Torterra set finds most of its utility in early-game wallbreaking, although if the opponent has a hard counter such as Tangela, Torterra may need to perform more of a defensive role until its counter is removed. Carefully mixing it up between using Swords Dance and attacking is fairly important, as Torterra can often force mind games versus weakened foes between boosting to take them out next turn and predicting a switch to an offensive threat capable of revenge killing Torterra. Torterra should avoid status at all costs, as burn makes it fairly non-threatening while Toxic can severely limit its wallbreaking and defensive potential in conjunction with the many other sources of chip damage that plague Torterra. Most teams lacking a very hard counter will find it fairly difficult to switch into Torterra, meaning that in some matchups it won't be necessary to set up a Swords Dance at all. Be careful about using Earthquake too freely, as giving free switches to Pokemon with Levitate or Flying-types can result in a massive loss of momentum. Wood Hammer is far more spammable, as it does good damage even to many Pokemon that resist it such as Oricorio-E.
Team Options
========
Stealth Rock users such as Metang can help chip away at Torterra's many Flying-type checks. Metang also can function as an Ice-type answer for Torterra. Other Pokemon that resist Ice are also beneficial, with Cryogonal being notable as an interesting offensive partner as well, as it can check Tangela and Sableye and wear down Bronzor in conjunction with Torterra. Many sweepers and cleaners such as Silvally-Fairy, Lycanroc, and Dodrio benefit significantly from Torterra's wallbreaking support and ability to pressure defensive behemoths like Regirock and Mudsdale. Primeape is a notable offensive partner, as Torterra is a solid check to many of Primeape's checks such as Musharna and Jellicent. Simisear is another good wallbreaker to use with Torterra, as it can use bulky Grass-types that counter Torterra, such as Tangela and Lurantis, as setup fodder. As Tangela is a major defensive problem for Torterra, luring it and crippling it with Toxic or Knock Off from Pokemon such as Primeape and Alolan Persian can be extremely valuable. Pursuit users such as Absol can also help trap checks to Torterra like Cryogonal and Bronzor.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Seed Bomb is a far weaker alternative to Wood Hammer that makes Torterra fare far worse versus Mudsdale but does come without the drawback of recoil. A more physically defensive spread could be used to better take on physical wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Kangaskhan, but Torterra simply gains less from this avenue compared to its specially defensive spread, which enhances its survivability against more threats. It is also fairly outclassed by Mudsdale in that role. A Choice Band set is an extremely strong wallbreaker capable of OHKOing much of the tier, but it is beaten by most of the same Pokemon that beat Torterra's other sets and lacks the Speed of counterparts such as Stoutland. Crunch hits Bronzor but does little else for Torterra. It is optimal on Choice Band sets but otherwise an outclassed use of a moveslot. Toxic allows Torterra to lure and cripple a few Pokemon that otherwise give it difficulties, most notably Tangela, which it cannot threaten otherwise. Yache Berry can allow Torterra to take Ice attacks from Pokemon such as offensive Cryogonal, but Torterra can still be OHKOed by particularly strong attackers such as Choice Specs Aurorus. Torterra can set up a Substitute on some status-reliant Pokemon such as Mudsdale or Regirock, which allows it to set up a Swords Dance more effectively. Torterra can even run Substitute + Toxic to lure bulky Grass-types such as Tangela.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ice-type Coverage**: Due to Torterra's 4x weakness, Ice-type coverage can allow both Ice-types such as Cryogonal and non-Ice-types like Lanturn and Omastar to OHKO or 2HKO it. However, Stealth Rock Torterra can take many Ice-type coverage moves from full health and OHKO the user in response, although it will likely remain useless for the rest of the game.
**Grass-types**: Torterra has no good way to break through bulky Grass-types such as Tangela, Lurantis, and Shiinotic. Even more offensive Grass-types such as Simisage and Leafeon can still adequately check Torterra, in particular making it more difficult for Rock Polish Torterra to sweep. They can also use Torterra as setup fodder.
**Flying-Types**: Torterra cannot hit Flying-types such as Oricorio-G and Altaria with an unresisted move unless it opts to run Stone Edge, allowing them to check Torterra fairly effectively. However, Wood Hammer still does decent damage to most Flying-types save Altaria, and it can at least force a Roost frequently.
**Bronzor**: Bronzor completely walls any Torterra variant lacking Swords Dance. While Swords Dance Torterra is capable of breaking through Bronzor, this usually comes at the cost of being crippled with Toxic and using its Z-Move.
**Status and Residual Damage**: Torterra is prone to being worn down by Toxic or burn, Spikes, and recoil from Wood Hammer, as well as repeated chip damage from Pokemon such as Primeape. Hail can also reduce Torterra's healing ability if it runs Synthesis. This chip damage cuts into Torterra's great bulk and can make it fairly easy to revenge kill even for weaker Choice Scarf users such as Skuntank.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[royesk, 474994], [Megazard, 202117]]
- Quality checked by: [[Tone, 213583], [2xTheTap, 11407], [gum, 434150]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Mafeking, 122460]]
Thanks to its excellent typing, useful stats, and diverse movepool, Torterra is a highly versatile Pokemon that is able to run multiple sets successfully. Its access to multiple boosting moves in Rock Polish and Swords Dance, as well as powerful STAB moves in Wood Hammer and Earthquake, allows it to heavily pressure offensive and defensive teams alike. Meanwhile, it differentiates itself from other defensive Stealth Rock setters like Mudsdale and Regirock thanks to its access to reliable recovery, while its unique typing gives it a better matchup against common wallbreakers such as Eelektross. Its excellent coverage allows Torterra to be more immediately threatening than most defensive Pokemon, as it takes on numerous top-tier Pokemon from Jellicent to Regirock simply with its dual STAB combination. This gives Torterra the freedom to dip into its support movepool more freely and better utilize options such as Swords Dance and Stealth Rock. Torterra's excellent bulk allows it to tank numerous super effective coverage moves, such as Eelektross's Flamethrower and Lanturn's Ice Beam, as long as it has defensive investment. However, numerous weaknesses, including ones to very common Ice-, Fire-, Flying-, and Bug-type coverage moves, still leave Torterra prone to being chipped. Many Pokemon such as Primeape and Ferroseed can easily lure Torterra and take it out by finding space for Ice-type coverage or Toxic, which significantly cripples it. Torterra's mediocre Speed means that many strong wallbreakers such as Stoutland will still have a bit of an edge over it. Torterra also faces defensive competition from Mudsdale and Regirock, which are capable of walling certain threats that can break through Torterra such as Kangaskhan.
[SET]
name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Wood Hammer
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge / Swords Dance
item: Grassium Z / Rockium Z
ability: Overgrow
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Wood Hammer is Torterra's strongest STAB move and can reach ludicrous levels of damage output in conjunction with Grassium Z and Overgrow, capable of KOing Oricorio-E after Stealth Rock. However, this can be situational, and it does cause heavy recoil to Torterra. Stone Edge threatens Flying-types that can otherwise easily check Torterra, OHKOing Dodrio and Articuno from full health as well as Oricorio-G after Stealth Rock damage. Alternatively, Swords Dance can allow Torterra to achieve OHKOs on Pokemon that might otherwise survive a hit from full HP and retaliate, such as Drampa, as well as allowing it to better break a few defensive checks such as Sableye and Bronzor. Synthesis is another option for Torterra's final moveslot, as it gives Torterra more defensive utility early-game and allows it to spam Wood Hammer more freely.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Speed allows Torterra to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame as well as slow Choice Scarf users like Aurorus and Sandslash after a Rock Polish boost. An Adamant nature allows Torterra to hit sufficient Speed levels while maximizing damage output. However, a Jolly nature can be used to outspeed various threats such as Golurk and Assault Vest Lanturn before a Rock Polish, as well as Choice Scarf Skuntank and Kabutops after a boost. Grassium Z allows Torterra to OHKO Pokemon like Mudsdale, Kangaskhan, Stoutland, and Jellicent from full health as well as Eelektross, Regirock, and Crabominable after Stealth Rock damage, as well as avoid recoil from Wood Hammer. Alternatively, Rockium Z can be used with Stone Edge to guarantee a OHKO on Oricorio-E and Oricorio-G without Torterra being in Overgrow range, as well as avoiding accuracy issues when attempting to KO Pokemon such as Articuno and Altaria.
Usage Tips
========
Rock Polish Torterra is best used as a late-game sweeper, as it requires slight chip on many Pokemon to achieve KOs before boosting. Try to avoid needing to set up a Swords Dance, as the damage from taking an extra turn to set up can be significant when combined with entry hazards and Wood Hammer recoil. However, Swords Dance can also allow Torterra to function as an early-game wallbreaker, albeit at the cost of sacrificing its late-game utility if not paired with a Healing Wish user or Z-Parting Shot Alolan Persian. This secondary role may be more useful in some matchups, particularly when facing Choice Scarf users capable of outspeeding Torterra after a Rock Polish, such as Dodrio. Be careful about when to use Torterra's Z-Move, as it can gain significantly from breaking a check with Bloom Doom or Continental Crush when it isn't wasted. However, Wood Hammer's recoil can also be beneficial, as Torterra can use the recoil to strategically put itself into Overgrow range and boost the power of Bloom Doom to better break through Pokemon such as Lurantis. Be sure to scout for Ice-type coverage from Pokemon that might be looking to lure Torterra, such as Ice Beam Silvally-Water and Hidden Power Ice Eelektross.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard removers such as Cryogonal can be vital, as Torterra does not want to take unnecessary damage from Spikes. Torterra also benefits a lot from entry hazards to chip the opposing team, although it pairs well with very few Stealth Rock users. Regirock and Alolan Sandslash are notable though for taking on most of the Flying-types that check Torterra. Due to its lack of recovery and tendency to get worn down by Wood Hammer recoil, Torterra highly appreciates VoltTurn partners such as Lanturn, Eelektross, Primeape, and Rotom-F that can bring it in safely against targets it can threaten like Clefairy. Lanturn in particular fits exceptionally well with Torterra, as it is able to switch in on Pokemon like Oricorio-E and Rotom-F that can revenge kill Torterra as well as heal it from status with Heal Bell. In return, Torterra can check threats that Lanturn struggles with like Eelektross and Mudsdale. Healing Wish users such as Musharna, as well as Z-Parting Shot Alolan Persian, can allow Torterra to come in multiple times and act as both a wallbreaker and a sweeper, significantly enhancing its threat level in many cases. Pursuit from teammates such as Choice Band Skuntank and Absol can help to take out a few of Torterra's checks and counters, such as Cryogonal and Bronzor. These Pokemon also form a strong wallbreaking core with Torterra, breaking down physically defensive Pokemon such as Lurantis. Strong special wallbreakers such as Drampa are also notable for being able to pressure Tangela, Torterra's biggest counter. Jellicent is another notable defensive partner, as it can check many Fire- and Ice-types that give Torterra problems, while Torterra puts pressure on Lanturn and Eelektross.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Wood Hammer
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Synthesis
item: Leftovers
ability: Shell Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 44 Def / 212 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake and Wood Hammer allow Torterra to hit most of the metagame, save Flying- and Grass-types, for at least neutral damage, and give it good damage output despite no investment.
Set Details
========
The special defense investment and a Careful nature allows Torterra to survive two Flamethrowers from Eelektross after Stealth Rock, an uninvested Supersonic Skystrike from Oricorio-E before Stealth Rock, and a Freeze-Dry from a fully invested Cryogonal, as well as various other hits such as Assault Vest Lanturn's Ice Beam. The Defense investment avoids the OHKO from Choice Scarf Dodrio's Brave Bird from full health. Shell Armor is preferred over Overgrow, as Torterra would rather avoid critical hits than get situational damage boosts.
Usage Tips
========
As with most Stealth Rock users, prioritize setting entry hazards early to get as much chip on the opposing team as possible. Due to its many weaknesses, Torterra is particularly prone to being taken advantage of by smart double switches into threats such as Simisear or Aurorus. Be careful to avoid getting predictable. Particularly attempt to minimize free switches from Abomasnow and Aurorus, as their hail can reduce Synthesis's healing ability even several turns later. Keep in mind that Wood Hammer recoil can put Torterra at problematically low health, and it may be better to recover with Synthesis rather than incurring extra chip damage. Avoid Toxic whenever possible, as it massively cuts into Torterra's longevity and effectiveness. Be careful using Synthesis too much, as while Torterra likes to stay healthy, Synthesis has only 8 PP and can be stalled out quite quickly.
Team Options
========
Ice-type checks such as Alolan Sandslash, Clefairy, and Gurdurr are vital for defensive synergy. Flying- and Fire-type answers such as Eelektross, Regirock, and Jellicent are also important, as Torterra can be a magnet for particular type-advantaged wallbreakers. For its part, Torterra is a strong check to Eelektross, making it a good partner for Flying-types such as Swanna and Oricorio-G, as well as many of the aforementioned defensive partners. Torterra can stack entry hazards fairly well with Qwilfish, as they have a decent early-game defensive presence and can try to overwhelm the opposing team with Stealth Rock and Spikes. Clerics such as Altaria and Audino can keep Torterra Toxic free; however, most clerics do not pair especially well with Torterra outside of stall save for Lanturn and Musharna.
[SET]
name: Bulky Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Wood Hammer
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Synthesis
item: Grassium Z / Leftovers
ability: Shell Armor
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 160 SpD / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Wood Hammer and Earthquake are a strong STAB combination that allows Torterra to hit most of the metagame extremely hard after a Swords Dance.
Set Details
========
96 Speed EVs allow Torterra to beat out uninvested Lanturn and maximum Speed Drampa. The rest are put into HP and Special Defense to make Torterra as bulky as possible and better check Pokemon such as Victreebel and Alolan Raichu. An alternate spread with 124 Speed EVs can be used to outpace specially defensive Alolan Sandslash, although it does cut into Torterra's bulk more heavily.
Usage Tips
========
This Torterra set finds most of its utility in early-game wallbreaking, although if the opponent has a hard counter such as Tangela, Torterra may need to perform more of a defensive role until its counter is removed. Carefully mixing it up between using Swords Dance and attacking is fairly important, as Torterra can often force mind games versus weakened foes between boosting to take them out next turn and predicting a switch to an offensive threat capable of revenge killing Torterra. Torterra should avoid status at all costs, as burn makes it fairly non-threatening while Toxic can severely limit its wallbreaking and defensive potential in conjunction with the many other sources of chip damage that plague Torterra. Most teams lacking a very hard counter will find it fairly difficult to switch into Torterra, meaning that in some matchups it won't be necessary to set up a Swords Dance at all. Be careful about using Earthquake too freely, as giving free switches to Pokemon with Levitate or Flying-types can result in a massive loss of momentum. Wood Hammer is far more spammable, as it does good damage even to many Pokemon that resist it such as Oricorio-E.
Team Options
========
Stealth Rock users such as Metang can help chip away at Torterra's many Flying-type checks. Metang also can function as an Ice-type answer for Torterra. Other Pokemon that resist Ice are also beneficial, with Cryogonal being notable as an interesting offensive partner as well, as it can check Tangela and Sableye and wear down Bronzor in conjunction with Torterra. Many sweepers and cleaners such as Silvally-Fairy, Lycanroc, and Dodrio benefit significantly from Torterra's wallbreaking support and ability to pressure defensive behemoths like Regirock and Mudsdale. Primeape is a notable offensive partner, as Torterra is a solid check to many of Primeape's checks such as Musharna and Jellicent. Simisear is another good wallbreaker to use with Torterra, as it can use bulky Grass-types that counter Torterra, such as Tangela and Lurantis, as setup fodder. As Tangela is a major defensive problem for Torterra, luring it and crippling it with Toxic or Knock Off from Pokemon such as Primeape and Alolan Persian can be extremely valuable. Pursuit users such as Absol can also help trap checks to Torterra like Cryogonal and Bronzor.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Seed Bomb is a far weaker alternative to Wood Hammer that makes Torterra fare far worse versus Mudsdale but does come without the drawback of recoil. A more physically defensive spread could be used to better take on physical wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Kangaskhan, but Torterra simply gains less from this avenue compared to its specially defensive spread, which enhances its survivability against more threats. It is also fairly outclassed by Mudsdale in that role. A Choice Band set is an extremely strong wallbreaker capable of OHKOing much of the tier, but it is beaten by most of the same Pokemon that beat Torterra's other sets and lacks the Speed of counterparts such as Stoutland. Crunch hits Bronzor but does little else for Torterra. It is optimal on Choice Band sets but otherwise an outclassed use of a moveslot. Toxic allows Torterra to lure and cripple a few Pokemon that otherwise give it difficulties, most notably Tangela, which it cannot threaten otherwise. Yache Berry can allow Torterra to take Ice attacks from Pokemon such as offensive Cryogonal, but Torterra can still be OHKOed by particularly strong attackers such as Choice Specs Aurorus. Torterra can set up a Substitute on some status-reliant Pokemon such as Mudsdale or Regirock, which allows it to set up a Swords Dance more effectively. Torterra can even run Substitute + Toxic to lure bulky Grass-types such as Tangela.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ice-type Coverage**: Due to Torterra's 4x weakness, Ice-type coverage can allow both Ice-types such as Cryogonal and non-Ice-types like Lanturn and Omastar to OHKO or 2HKO it. However, Stealth Rock Torterra can take many Ice-type coverage moves from full health and OHKO the user in response, although it will likely remain useless for the rest of the game.
**Grass-types**: Torterra has no good way to break through bulky Grass-types such as Tangela, Lurantis, and Shiinotic. Even more offensive Grass-types such as Simisage and Leafeon can still adequately check Torterra, in particular making it more difficult for Rock Polish Torterra to sweep. They can also use Torterra as setup fodder.
**Flying-Types**: Torterra cannot hit Flying-types such as Oricorio-G and Altaria with an unresisted move unless it opts to run Stone Edge, allowing them to check Torterra fairly effectively. However, Wood Hammer still does decent damage to most Flying-types save Altaria, and it can at least force a Roost frequently.
**Bronzor**: Bronzor completely walls any Torterra variant lacking Swords Dance. While Swords Dance Torterra is capable of breaking through Bronzor, this usually comes at the cost of being crippled with Toxic and using its Z-Move.
**Status and Residual Damage**: Torterra is prone to being worn down by Toxic or burn, Spikes, and recoil from Wood Hammer, as well as repeated chip damage from Pokemon such as Primeape. Hail can also reduce Torterra's healing ability if it runs Synthesis. This chip damage cuts into Torterra's great bulk and can make it fairly easy to revenge kill even for weaker Choice Scarf users such as Skuntank.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[royesk, 474994], [Megazard, 202117]]
- Quality checked by: [[Tone, 213583], [2xTheTap, 11407], [gum, 434150]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Mafeking, 122460]]
Last edited:
