Done Torkoal Rewrite (Done)

theuncultured

theuncultured

is a Contributor to Smogon
[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 5 onwards

**Price Range**: 8-9 points

**Overview**: Torkoal stands out as being one of the go-to sun setters in the format, and it is drafted exclusively to do such and enable teammates that can benefit from sun. It has great Defense, entry hazard control, and useful move options to support its teammates or, in rare cases, allow it to go on the offensive. However, Torkoal suffers from poor longevity, being weak to hazards and preferring to run Heat Rock to maximize sun turns. Torkoal's modest damage output and poor Speed makes it highly passive. Compared to Ninetales, it's slower and lacks the highly useful Healing Wish that sun teams may seek after instead.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Sun Setter**: Torkoal's main selling point is to set sun. This set looks to leverage Torkoal's wealth of utility moves and entry hazard control options to maximize its usefulness despite its mediocre damage output. The risk of burn from Lava Plume and Will-O-Wisp as well as the threat of Yawn dissuades physical attackers from setting up on it.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Lava Plume, Flamethrower, Overheat, Weather Ball

**Setup Moves**: Iron Defense, Amnesia

**Utility Moves**: Clear Smog, Rapid Spin, Stealth Rock, Will-O-Wisp, Yawn

**Coverage**: Ancient Power, Body Press, Earth Power, Earthquake, Gyro Ball, Heavy Slam, Rock Slide, Scorching Sands, Sludge Bomb, Solar Beam, Stone Edge, Zen Headbutt

Niche Moves
========
**Fire Spin**: Torkoal can trap physically weak foes with Fire Spin and whittle them down with relative ease.

**Curse**: Curse synergizes nicely with Gyro Ball and Body Press, providing Torkoal with a niche as a slow wallbreaker.

**Bulldoze**: Bulldoze should only ever be used with a predetermined plan of preventing an opposing Pokemon from setting up on Torkoal and sweeping.

**Endure**: When paired with a Custap Berry, Endure can be used as a last-ditch attempt to remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin against faster foes or surprise them with a strong STAB attack.

Common Items
========
**Heat Rock**: It provides more sun for the sun god. Torkoal trades longevity in exchange for longer sun duration.

Niche Items
========
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: At the cost of more turns of sun, Heavy-Duty Boots lets Torkoal be a stronger long-term sun setter, as it removes its crippling weakness to entry hazards and allows it to be a more effective hazard remover.

**Eject Pack**: Torkoal can use Eject Pack in combination with Overheat to allow it to function as a powerful one-time pivot.

**Healing Items**: Though outclassed by Heavy-Duty Boots most of the time, healing items like Leftovers and Sitrus Berry can have a use in matchups where opponents have poor hazard control options.

**Damage-boosting Items**: Choice Specs and Charcoal can capitalize on opponents who might be expecting a more passive Torkoal or against teams with limited defenses against Fire-types.

**Air Balloon**: Air Balloon allows Torkoal to switch in on Ground-type attacks with more safety, giving it a window to burn a foe with Will-O-Wisp or fire back with an attack.

Tera
========
Torkoal is a Pokemon that excels at enabling other Pokemon and as such should never be made a Tera Captain over teammates that benefit more from it. If you have somehow ended up with Torkoal as your Tera Captain, then Tera Fire is a good choice to increase the damage output of its STAB moves considerably. Tera Grass can remove weaknesses to Water and Ground, allowing it to survive longer and set sun more times throughout the battle.

Draft Strategy
========
Torkoal is a centerpiece on sun teams and therefore should only be drafted with strong sun users.

**Sun Beneficiaries**: Torkoal enables Protosynthesis users like Gouging Fire, Great Tusk, Roaring Moon, and Raging Bolt to forgo Booster Energy, freeing up another item slot while also dramatically raising a stat of your choice, making them significantly harder for a foe to deal with. In addition Torkoal enables Chlorophyll users such as Venusaur and Hisuian Lilligant to outspeed nearly all Choice Scarf users and potentially sweep an opposing team. Other strong Fire-type Pokemon such as Chi-Yu and Iron Moth appreciate the boost from Torkoal's sun-setting abilities to become nuclear wallbreakers and weaken opposing Water-type moves.

**Entry Hazard Control**: As it is weak to Stealth Rock, Torkoal appreciates having another Pokemon capable of hazard control like Great Tusk or Iron Treads, enabling it to hold Heat Rock more freely without the need to consistently switch in to remove hazards itself.

**Ground-resistant Pokemon**: As Torkoal is typically drafted with other Fire-types that benefit from its sun, Ground-resistant or immune Pokemon, such as Latios, Latias, and Azelf, are equally important to draft alongside it.

Checks and Counters
========
**Chip Damage**: Torkoal's limited access to healing and reliance on Heat Rock or Heavy-Duty Boots mean it is very susceptible to chip damage, especially if it finds itself without Heavy-Duty Boots.

**Opposing Weather**: Opposing weather setters like Tyranitar and Alolan Ninetales, as well as manual setters like Klefki, can highly disrupt the momentum of sun teams, forcing Torkoal to switch back in to set sun again, leaving it exposed to chip damage or inviting in opposing setup sweepers. Heavy-Duty Boots is valuable on these sets, as Torkoal will be forced to pivot into battle more consistently than desired. Opposing weather setters also make it rare that Torkoal's sun will stay up for the full Heat Rock-extended duration.

**Special Attackers**: Torkoal's below average special bulk means it can be preyed upon by strong special attackers like Latias, Kyurem, and Necrozma, all of which Torkoal has difficulty threatening in return.

**Taunt**: Foes using Taunt can prevent Torkoal from setting up entry hazards, making it even more passive when it's on the field.

**Knock Off**: Torkoal is particularly reliant on its item. Getting hit by Knock Off severely hampers Torkoal's sun-setting abilities for its teammates should it lose its Heat Rock.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia7.620359/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/theuncultured.629845/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/celestiial.613399/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nyx.564960/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/drizzle.313217/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solunar11.470115/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
 
Last edited:
green = add
red = remove
blue = comment
qc 1/2
[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 5 onwards

**Price Range**: 8-10 points

**Overview**: Torkoal stands out as being one of two of the standard sun setters in the format. It has great physical defense, entry hazard control, and useful move options to support its teammates or in rare cases, allow it to go on the offensive. Torkoal's extremely low Speed means that if leading against an opposing weather setter like Pelipper or Tyranitar, it will always set sun after them, preventing opposing weather. However, Torkoal suffers from poor longevity, being weak to entry hazards and preferring to run Heat Rock to maximize sun turns. While Torkoal has a modest damage output, it is highly passive and not worth drafting on its own. Compared to Ninetales, it lacks immediate power and the highly useful Healing Wish that sun teams may seek after instead. As such, it should only be drafted alongside other Pokemon that Torkoal can allow to reach their full potential. torkoal better attacking stats with near identical coverage, would retweak to focus on their differing bulk, speed, and utility instead.


[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Sun Setter**: Torkoal sets sun. It does this well. Torkoal's main selling point is to set sun, which it does well. This set looks to leverage Torkoal's wealth of utility moves and entry hazard control options to maximize its usefulness despite its mediocre damage output. The risk of burn from Lava Plume and Will-O-Wisp dissuades physical attackers from setting up on it.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Lava Plume, Flamethrower, Eruption, Overheat, Weather Ball too slow for this, can put in niche if youd like.

**Setup Moves**: Iron Defence, Amnesia can mention shell smash somewhere maybe? never seen a human click it but it exists.

**Utility Moves**: Clear Smog, Rapid Spin, Stealth Rock, Will-O-Wisp, Yawn

**Coverage**: Ancient Power, Body Press, Earth Power, Earthquake, Gyro Ball, Heavy Slam, Rock Slide, Scorching Sands, Sludge Bomb, Solar Beam, Stone Edge, Zen Headbutt

Niche Moves
========
**Rest**: Rest can be used alongside Iron Defense and Body Press to surprise opponents with a frighteningly strong wallbreaker. Amnesia and Shell Armor can also be used to become incredibly hard to knock out. would rewrite this section if you're going to solely focus on it being a sun setter.

**Fire Spin**: Torkoal can trap physically weak foes with Fire Spin and whittle them down with relative ease.

**Curse**: Curse synergizes nicely with Gyro Ball and Body Press, providing Torkoal with a niche as a slow wallbreaker.

**Bulldoze**: Bulldoze should only ever be used with a predetermined plan of preventing an opposing Pokemon from setting up on Torkoal and sweeping.

**Endure**: When paired with a Custap Berry, Endure can be used as a last ditch attempt to remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin against faster foes or surprise them with a strong STAB attack.

Common Items
========
**Heat Rock**: It provides more sun for the sun god. Torkoal trades longevity in exchange for longer sun duration.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: At the cost of more turns of sun, Heavy-Duty Boots lets Torkoal be a stronger long-term sun setter, as it removes its crippling weakness to entry hazards. However, this does mean that sun will be around for a shorter time, and therefore its teammates won't benefit from it as much.

**Eject Pack**: Torkoal can use Eject Pack in combination with Overheat to allow it to function as a powerful one-time pivot.

Niche Items
========
**Healing Items**: Though outclassed by Heavy-Duty Boots most of the time, healing items like Leftovers and Sitrus Berry can have a use in matchups where opponents have poor entry hazard control options.

**Damage-boosting Items**: Choice Specs and Charcoal can capitalize on opponents who might be expecting a more passive Torkoal or against teams with limited defenses against Fire-types.

**Air Balloon**: Air Balloon allows Torkoal to switch in on Ground-type attacks with more safety, giving it a window to burn a foe with Will-O-Wisp or fire back with an attack.

Tera
========
Torkoal is a Pokemon that excels at enabling other Pokemon and as such receives no benefit from Tera. If you have somehow ended up with Torkoal as your Tera Captain, then Tera Fire is a good choice to increase the damage output of its STAB moves considerably. Tera Grass can remove weaknesses to Water and Ground, allowing it to survive longer and set sun more times throughout the battle. However, these perceived positive aspects still don't make Torkoal a viable Tera Captain on any team.

Draft Strategy
========
Torkoal is a complementary centerpiece on sun teams and as such should only be drafted with strong sun users like Walking Wake and Great Tusk. Other partners to consider or things to look for in partners are:

**Entry Hazard Control**: As it is weak to Stealth Rock, Torkoal appreciates having another Pokemon capable of hazard control like Great Tusk or Iron Treads, enabling it to hold Heat Rock more freely without the need to consistently switch in to remove hazards itself.

**Protosynthesis**: Torkoal enables Protosynthesis users like Gouging Fire, Great Tusk, Roaring Moon, and Raging Bolt to forgo Booster Energy, freeing up another item slot while also dramatically raising a stat of theirs that your choose, making them significantly harder for a foe to deal with.

**Chlorophyll**: Chlorophyll allows most users to outspeed nearly all Choice Scarf users and if positioned well, sweep an opposing team. Notable Chlorophyll users include Hisuian Lilligant and Venusaur, two Pokemon that greatly enjoy having Torkoal supporting them.

**Strong Fire-type Pokemon**: Chi-Yu, Iron Moth, and Gouging Fire are all examples of Pokemon that appreciate Torkoal's sun setting capabilities, forgoing the need for setup moves, as the sun's damage boost is enough to sweep teams. can mention weakening opposing water type moves

**Ground-resistant Pokemon**: As Torkoal is typically drafted with other Fire-types that benefit from its sun, Ground-resistant or Ground-immune Pokemon are equally important to draft alongside it. Serperior, Slither Wing, and Latios all enjoy switching in on Ground-type attacks, allowing them to set up if positioned well. choose different


Checks and Counters
========
**Chip Damage**: Torkoal's limited access to healing and reliance on Heat Rock or Heavy-Duty Boots mean it is very susceptible to chip damage, especially if it finds itself without Heavy-Duty Boots.

**Bulky Water-types**: Though Torkoal can run Solar Beam as coverage, it typically doesn't want to. Its low offenses mean that Pokemon like Milotic, Manaphy, and Araquanid can shrug off hits and Flip Turn into a strong wallbreaker or set up themselves.

**Opposing Weather**: Opposing weather setters like Tyranitar and Alolan Ninetales, or manual setters like Galarian Slowking, can highly disrupt the momentum of sun teams, forcing Torkoal to switch back in to set sun again, leaving it exposed to chip damage or inviting in opposing setup sweepers. Heavy-Duty Boots is valuable on these sets, as Torkoal will be forced to pivot into battle more consistently than desired. Opposing weather setters also make it rare that Torkoal's sun will stay up for the full Heat Rock-extended duration.

**Special Attackers**: Torkoal's below average special bulk means it can be preyed upon by strong special attackers like Latias, Kyurem, and Necrozma, all of which Torkoal has difficulty threatening in return.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia7.620359/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/theuncultured.629845/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/celestiial.613399/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nyx.564960/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solunar11.470115/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
 
qc 2/2
add remove comments
[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 5 onwards

**Price Range**: 8-10 9 points

**Overview**: Torkoal stands out as being one of two of the standard one of the go-to (technically vulpix can set sun & other mons can do it manually) sun setters in the format, and it is drafted exclusively to do such and enable teammates that can benefit from sun. It has great physical defense, entry hazard control, and useful move options to support its teammates or in rare cases, allow it to go on the offensive. Torkoal's extremely low Speed means that if leading against an opposing weather setter like Pelipper or Tyranitar, it will always set sun after them, preventing opposing weather. this scenario is extremely uncommon / not really meta relevant However, Torkoal suffers from poor longevity, being weak to entry hazards and preferring to run Heat Rock to maximize sun turns. While Torkoal has a Torkoal's modest damage output, it is and poor Speed makes it highly passive and not worth drafting on its own. Compared to Ninetales, it's slower and lacks the highly useful Healing Wish that sun teams may seek after instead. As such, it should only be drafted alongside other Pokemon that Torkoal can allow to reach their full potential. filler sentence, not really needed


[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Sun Setter**: Torkoal's main selling point is to set sun, which it does well. This set looks to leverage Torkoal's wealth of utility moves and entry hazard control options to maximize its usefulness despite its mediocre damage output. The risk of burn from Lava Plume and Will-O-Wisp as well as the threat of Yawn dissuades physical attackers from setting up on it.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Lava Plume, Flamethrower, Overheat, Weather Ball

**Setup Moves**: Iron Defence, Amnesia

**Utility Moves**: Clear Smog, Rapid Spin, Stealth Rock, Will-O-Wisp, Yawn

**Coverage**: Ancient Power, Body Press, Earth Power, Earthquake, Gyro Ball, Heavy Slam, Rock Slide, Scorching Sands, Sludge Bomb, Solar Beam, Stone Edge, Zen Headbutt

Niche Moves
========
**Fire Spin**: Torkoal can trap physically weak foes with Fire Spin and whittle them down with relative ease.

**Curse**: Curse synergizes nicely with Gyro Ball and Body Press, providing Torkoal with a niche as a slow wallbreaker.

**Bulldoze**: Bulldoze should only ever be used with a predetermined plan of preventing an opposing Pokemon from setting up on Torkoal and sweeping.

**Endure**: When paired with a Custap Berry, Endure can be used as a last ditch attempt to remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin against faster foes or surprise them with a strong STAB attack.

Common Items
========
**Heat Rock**: It provides more sun for the sun god. Torkoal trades longevity in exchange for longer sun duration.

**Heavy-Duty Boots**: At the cost of more turns of sun, Heavy-Duty Boots lets Torkoal be a stronger long-term sun setter, as it removes its crippling weakness to entry hazards. However, this does mean that sun will be around for a shorter time, and therefore its teammates won't benefit from it as much. mention that this makes it more effective as a hazard remover

**Eject Pack**: Torkoal can use Eject Pack in combination with Overheat to allow it to function as a powerful one-time pivot. move this & boots to niche, heat rock should be the only common item

Niche Items
========
**Healing Items**: Though outclassed by Heavy-Duty Boots most of the time, healing items like Leftovers and Sitrus Berry can have a use in matchups where opponents have poor entry hazard control options.

**Damage-boosting Items**: Choice Specs and Charcoal can capitalize on opponents who might be expecting a more passive Torkoal or against teams with limited defenses against Fire-types.

**Air Balloon**: Air Balloon allows Torkoal to switch in on Ground-type attacks with more safety, giving it a window to burn a foe with Will-O-Wisp or fire back with an attack.

Tera
========
Torkoal is a Pokemon that excels at enabling other Pokemon and as such receives no benefit from Tera should never be made a Tera Captain over teammates that benefit more from it. it definitely receives some benefit from tera, but it realistically shouldnt be made a captain over other mons If you have somehow ended up with Torkoal as your Tera Captain, then Tera Fire is a good choice to increase the damage output of its STAB moves considerably. Tera Grass can remove weaknesses to Water and Ground, allowing it to survive longer and set sun more times throughout the battle. However, these perceived positive aspects still don't make Torkoal a viable Tera Captain on any team.

Draft Strategy
========
Torkoal is a centerpiece on sun teams and as such should only be drafted with strong sun users like Walking Wake and Great Tusk. Other partners to consider or things to look for in partners are: nothing else really needs to be said here tbh

**Entry Hazard Control**: As it is weak to Stealth Rock, Torkoal appreciates having another Pokemon capable of hazard control like Great Tusk or Iron Treads, enabling it to hold Heat Rock more freely without the need to consistently switch in to remove hazards itself.

**Protosynthesis**: Torkoal enables Protosynthesis users like Gouging Fire, Great Tusk, Roaring Moon, and Raging Bolt to forgo Booster Energy, freeing up another item slot while also dramatically raising a stat of theirs that your choose, making them significantly harder for a foe to deal with.

**Chlorophyll**: Chlorophyll allows most users to outspeed nearly all Choice Scarf users and if positioned well, sweep an opposing team. Notable Chlorophyll users include Hisuian Lilligant and Venusaur, two Pokemon that greatly enjoy having Torkoal supporting them.

**Strong Fire-type Pokemon**: Chi-Yu, Iron Moth, and Gouging Fire are all examples of Pokemon that appreciate Torkoal's sun setting capabilities, forgoing the need for setup moves, as the sun's damage boost is enough to sweep teams, as well as weakening opposing Water-type moves. combine this with proto & chloro as "Pokemon with Sun-boosted Pokemon" or smth like that. Make this the first role too

**Ground-resistant Pokemon**: As Torkoal is typically drafted with other Fire-types that benefit from its sun, Ground-resistant or Ground-immune Pokemon are equally important to draft alongside it, such as Latios, Latias and Azelf.


Checks and Counters
========
**Chip Damage**: Torkoal's limited access to healing and reliance on Heat Rock or Heavy-Duty Boots mean it is very susceptible to chip damage, especially if it finds itself without Heavy-Duty Boots.

**Bulky Water-types**: Though Torkoal can run Solar Beam as coverage, it typically doesn't want to. Its low offenses mean that Pokemon like Milotic, Manaphy, and Araquanid can shrug off hits and Flip Turn into a strong wallbreaker or set up themselves. removing cause theres a lot of things here & this doesnt feel that relevant since it can just switch into sun threats

**Opposing Weather**: Opposing weather setters like Tyranitar and Alolan Ninetales, or manual setters like Galarian Slowking Klefki, can highly disrupt the momentum of sun teams, forcing Torkoal to switch back in to set sun again, leaving it exposed to chip damage or inviting in opposing setup sweepers. Heavy-Duty Boots is valuable on these sets, as Torkoal will be forced to pivot into battle more consistently than desired. Opposing weather setters also make it rare that Torkoal's sun will stay up for the full Heat Rock-extended duration.

**Special Attackers**: Torkoal's below average special bulk means it can be preyed upon by strong special attackers like Latias, Kyurem, and Necrozma, all of which Torkoal has difficulty threatening in return.

add taunt - prevents it from getting rocks up & makes it even more passive

also add knock - losing heat rock can really screw up sun teams

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia7.620359/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/theuncultured.629845/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/celestiial.613399/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nyx.564960/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/drizzle.313217/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solunar11.470115/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
 
GP Team done

add remove comment

[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 5 onwards

**Price Range**: 8-9 points

**Overview**: Torkoal stands out as being one of the go-to sun setters in the format, and it is drafted exclusively to do such and enable teammates that can benefit from sun. It has great physical Defense, entry hazard control, and useful move options to support its teammates or, (AC) in rare cases, allow it to go on the offensive. However, Torkoal suffers from poor longevity, being weak to entry hazards and preferring to run Heat Rock to maximize sun turns. Torkoal's modest damage output and poor Speed makes it highly passive. Compared to Ninetales, it's slower and lacks the highly useful Healing Wish that sun teams may seek after instead.

[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Sun Setter**: Torkoal's main selling point is to set sun. This set looks to leverage Torkoal's wealth of utility moves and entry hazard control options to maximize its usefulness despite its mediocre damage output. The risk of burn from Lava Plume and Will-O-Wisp as well as the threat of Yawn dissuades physical attackers from setting up on it.

Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Lava Plume, Flamethrower, Overheat, Weather Ball

**Setup Moves**: Iron Defence Defense, Amnesia

**Utility Moves**: Clear Smog, Rapid Spin, Stealth Rock, Will-O-Wisp, Yawn

**Coverage**: Ancient Power, Body Press, Earth Power, Earthquake, Gyro Ball, Heavy Slam, Rock Slide, Scorching Sands, Sludge Bomb, Solar Beam, Stone Edge, Zen Headbutt

Niche Moves
========
**Fire Spin**: Torkoal can trap physically weak foes with Fire Spin and whittle them down with relative ease.

**Curse**: Curse synergizes nicely with Gyro Ball and Body Press, providing Torkoal with a niche as a slow wallbreaker.

**Bulldoze**: Bulldoze should only ever be used with a predetermined plan of preventing an opposing Pokemon from setting up on Torkoal and sweeping.

**Endure**: When paired with a Custap Berry, Endure can be used as a last ditch last-ditch attempt to remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin against faster foes or surprise them with a strong STAB attack.

Common Items
========
**Heat Rock**: It provides more sun for the sun god. Torkoal trades longevity in exchange for longer sun duration.

Niche Items
========
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: At the cost of more turns of sun, Heavy-Duty Boots lets Torkoal be a stronger long-term sun setter, as it removes its crippling weakness to entry hazards and allows it to be a more effective hazard remover.

**Eject Pack**: Torkoal can use Eject Pack in combination with Overheat to allow it to function as a powerful one-time pivot.

**Healing Items**: Though outclassed by Heavy-Duty Boots most of the time, healing items like Leftovers and Sitrus Berry can have a use in matchups where opponents have poor entry hazard control options.

**Damage-boosting Items**: Choice Specs and Charcoal can capitalize on opponents who might be expecting a more passive Torkoal or against teams with limited defenses against Fire-types.

**Air Balloon**: Air Balloon allows Torkoal to switch in on Ground-type attacks with more safety, giving it a window to burn a foe with Will-O-Wisp or fire back with an attack.

Tera
========
Torkoal is a Pokemon that excels at enabling other Pokemon and as such should never be made a Tera Captain over teammates that benefit more from it. If you have somehow ended up with Torkoal as your Tera Captain, then Tera Fire is a good choice to increase the damage output of its STAB moves considerably. Tera Grass can remove weaknesses to Water and Ground, allowing it to survive longer and set sun more times throughout the battle.

Draft Strategy
========
Torkoal is a centerpiece on sun teams and as such therefore (avoids repeating "as such" to start off a section like with the previous one) should only be drafted with strong sun users.

**Teammates that Benefit from the Sun Beneficiaries**: (more compact heading) Torkoal enables Protosynthesis users like Gouging Fire, Great Tusk, Roaring Moon, and Raging Bolt to forgo Booster Energy, freeing up another item slot while also dramatically raising a stat of theirs that your choose choice, making them significantly harder for a foe to deal with. In addition Torkoal enables Chlorophyll users such as Venusaur and Hisuian Lilligant to outspeed nearly all Choice Scarf users and potentially sweep an opposing team. Other strong Fire-type Pokemon such as Chi-Yu and Iron Moth appreciate the boost from Torkoal's sun setting sun-setting abilities to become nuclear wallbreakers and weaken opposing Water-type moves.

**Entry Hazard Control**: As it is weak to Stealth Rock, Torkoal appreciates having another Pokemon capable of hazard control like Great Tusk or Iron Treads, enabling it to hold Heat Rock more freely without the need to consistently switch in to remove hazards itself.

**Ground-resistant Pokemon**: As Torkoal is typically drafted with other Fire-types that benefit from its sun, Ground-resistant or Ground-immune -immune Pokemon, (AC) such as Latios, Latias, and Azelf, (AC) are equally important to draft alongside it (RC) such as Latios, Latias and Azelf.

Checks and Counters
========
**Chip Damage**: Torkoal's limited access to healing and reliance on Heat Rock or Heavy-Duty Boots mean it is very susceptible to chip damage, especially if it finds itself without Heavy-Duty Boots.

**Opposing Weather**: Opposing weather setters like Tyranitar and Alolan Ninetales, or as well as manual setters like Klefki, can highly disrupt the momentum of sun teams, forcing Torkoal to switch back in to set sun again, leaving it exposed to chip damage or inviting in opposing setup sweepers. Heavy-Duty Boots is valuable on these sets, as Torkoal will be forced to pivot into battle more consistently than desired. Opposing weather setters also make it rare that Torkoal's sun will stay up for the full Heat Rock-extended duration.

**Special Attackers**: Torkoal's below average special bulk means it can be preyed upon by strong special attackers like Latias, Kyurem, and Necrozma, all of which Torkoal has difficulty threatening in return.

**Taunt**: Opposing Foes ("Opposing" is redundant w/ "foes") using Taunt can prevent Torkoal from setting up entry-hazards entry hazards, making it even more passive when it's on the field.

**Knock Off**: Torkoal is particularly reliant on its item. Getting hit by Knock Off severely hampers Torkoal's sun-setting abilities for its teammates should it lose its Heat Rock.

[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/olivia7.620359/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/theuncultured.629845/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/celestiial.613399/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nyx.564960/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/drizzle.313217/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solunar11.470115/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/

GP Check 1/1

a-blue-banana-gif.645975
 
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