All stat ups disappear when you get switched. His ability just means he can't get stat downs from say, intimidate or leer or screech etc.
In 2 vs. 2s, Eruption is a better option because of the higher damage output (Of course there are a bunch of factors for that, but you get what I mean).
Just like I maintain Thunderbolt is superior to Discharge except on certain Pokemon, I'll go on the record to say that Flamethrower is far superior to Lava Plume, based on the fact that Paralysis is a far better status than Burn is, and when you WANT to burn something, you have Will-o-wisp.
It should be noted that Torkoals Amnesia's cannot be hazed away thanks to his ability - meaning if played properly, he WILL be hanging around for a long time.
Was that really worth making an account just to say ¬_¬
Yeah, sup fellas who know who I am? >_>
As if Lava Plume isn't reliable enough, Torkoal's defences are massive and perhaps Rest over Hyper Beam/wtf move would be a better option combined with a Chesto Berry?
It'd allow you to get in an Amnesia or two perhaps aswell, with Torkoal the idea is to stay in for a long time - a move with 80 base power, STAB'd and a 30% chance of halving the opponents attack and dealing a little damage each turn is an excellent way to compliment Torkoals style of play.
Which is to survive a long time.
It should be noted that Torkoals Amnesia's cannot be hazed away thanks to his ability - meaning if played properly, he WILL be hanging around for a long time.
I see the reasoning in not having Rapid Spin on him though - I'll accept that, how's this:
TORKOAL@Chesto Berry/Leftovers
-Amnesia
-Lava Plume
-Rest
-Sleep Talk/Sludge Bomb
Screwed over by Flash Fires and water pokemon though.
Rest/Sleep Talk is just annoying especially if you were able to keep jacking up the defence of your choice.
Sludge Bomb on there somewhere would be nice to help out against fires and waters, not sure where it would fit in.
EDIT: TLX, Yoshi King thinks he's some kinda god here too bad I stomped him at MPH when we played and I would stomp him at pokemon anyday, lose the act Yoshi, I know you're shit.
But enough of this my topic, if you ain't gonna keep the trivial shit outta my topic, get the fuck out.
Yoga sucks and Empoleon is probably the only water Torkoal stands a chance against, what are you talking about?
He's half steel so he takes neutral damage from Lava Plume.
Yeah I guess Heatran is the best for it.
How about Magmortar? Or is he more of a "need the extra power" kinda guy?
Torkoal just looks cool, wanted to see if he had any uses really.. on a UU Fire Team he might work out. >_>
WHY was I under the impression that he was Fire/Rock? Oi.
I guess it's because that's what he looks like to me. In that case, Lava Plume should work just fine.
Anyway I don't really agree with your logic Dragontamer, or at least the basis of it. Yes, if you want a reliable burn, you're going to use Will-o-Wisp. That's the point of the move - to be the most reliable burn in the game.
However, much like you wouldn't use Body Slam when what you really want is Thunder Wave, I wouldn't use Lava Plume in situations I want Will-o-Wisp. They do different things; with Heatran's fairly massive Special Attack even resisters will take noticeable, if not impressive, damage from Plume, and with repeated switchins will probably get burned, helping Heatran wear them down. It's not really trying to compete with Will-o-Wisp because if all I want to do is burn the switch-in, then yes, obviously I would use WoW. Lava Plume is a passable primary attack and also has a beneficial added effect, which gives it a bit more strategic use and is handy in situations where you predict incorrectly or when it is too early in the battle to accurately predict how your opponent will react.
I think the main reason I like it on Heatran is that it is definitely a Pokemon that has more than 4 viable moves for each set and having both Will-o-Wisp and Flamethrower is sort of iffy. While Lava Plume is definitely not interchangeable with either of them, in ways it is a happy medium, allowing a much more reliable burn than Flamethrower with a fairly small attack power loss, freeing up a moveslot for something useful in more situations.
Yeah but you don't use Lava Plume specifically to burn them it's more of a "well, it's strong enough and the side effect is worth using on this pokemon" thing.
Or Entei?