[OVERVIEW]
Torterra carves itself a niche in the tier by providing Stealth Rock support and acting as a solid check to top metagame threats like Zygarde-10%, Barbaracle, Tyrantrum, and Metagross thanks to its typing, reliable recovery, and solid bulk. However, although Torterra has a decent Attack stat and access to strong STAB moves, it struggles to make much headway with Flying-types such as Noivern and Mandibuzz, Grass-types like Shaymin and Virizion, and other defensive threats like Bronzong all being extremely common in the tier. Torterra's performance as a Stealth Rock setter is somewhat lackluster at times due to the fact that it's forced out by Mega Blastoise and just flat-out can't do anything to common Defoggers in Mandibuzz and Sigilyph. Though Torterra's defensive typing definitely has its boons, it leaves Torterra with crippling weaknesses to Flying, Fire, and Ice. This along with its mediocre Special Defense means it's absolute food for prominent Pokemon like Ninetales, Noivern, Arcanine, and Mega Abomasnow. Additionally, it cannot switch into Scald due to the potential of being crippled by a burn, which is a big issue for a Grass-type. Nonetheless, Torterra can provide useful role compression to a team, being a sturdy Stealth Rock setter able to check threatening Pokemon like Zygarde-10%, Metagross, and Barbaracle.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Wood Hammer
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Synthesis
item: Leftovers
ability: Overgrow
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is mandatory on every competitive team, and Torterra is a decent user of the move thanks to its durability. Wood Hammer threatens bulky Water- and Ground-types like Milotic, Seismitoad, and Flygon and notably OHKOes Zygarde-10% if boosted by Overgrow, allowing Torterra to effectively check it. Earthquake is Torterra's secondary STAB move and has good coverage alongside Wood Hammer, threatening Steel-types like Registeel and Metagross and Fire-types like Arcanine and Ninetales. Synthesis allows Torterra to continually check Pokemon like Zygarde-10%, Barbaracle, and Metagross throughout the match.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment is run to help Torterra check physical threats like Zygarde-10%, Barbaracle, and Metagross. Overgrow means Wood Hammer hits incredibly hard when Torterra is weakened, in particular allowing it to OHKO Zygarde-10%. Leftovers gives Torterra some passive recovery so it isn't forced to heal up with Synthesis as often.
Usage Tips
========
Stealth Rock should be set up early-game against Pokemon that are forced out by or fail to threaten Torterra such as Metagross, Barbaracle,(AC) and Zygarde-10% locked into Thousand Arrows in order to chip down Torterra's Flying- and Fire-type checks, namely Noivern, Mandibuzz, and Arcanine. Synthesis should be used semi-regularly against Pokemon that Torterra forces out in matchups where it needs to be healthy enough to check the aforementioned threats. Additionally, Wood Hammer shouldn't be used too liberally, as the recoil will force Torterra to waste Synthesis's already sparse PP. Avoid letting Torterra get hit with status, namely burn and poison, as they will severely hinder it by reducing its longevity and, in burn's case, significantly hurt its offensive presence.
Team Options
========
Torterra fits best on bulkier offense and balance teams that appreciate its ability to check troublesome Pokemon like Zygarde-10%, Metagross, and Barbaracle. Bulky Water-types such as Milotic and Mantine are great partners for Torterra, as they help to cover Torterra's Fire and Ice weaknesses. Torterra is worn down heavily by Spikes, so entry hazard removers like Mega Blastoise, Mandibuzz, and the aforementioned Mantine are very useful. Steel-types like Registeel and Bronzong appreciate Torterra checking Zygarde-10%, and in turn, they check Pokemon like Roserade, Gardevoir, Swellow, and, in Bronzong's case, Mega Abomasnow. Lastly, Torterra invites Flying-types like Noivern and Mandibuzz, so Pokemon that can take advantage of them like Tyrantrum and Raikou are great teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Swords Dance is a decent option if Torterra's team already has a Stealth Rock user. It allows Torterra to act as a decent breaker; however, its poor Speed means it is easily forced out by Pokemon like Mega Blastoise, Ninetales, and Noivern. 36 Speed EVs can be run on this set in order to outspeed Porygon2, which usually carries Ice Beam.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-type Pokemon**: Torterra's STAB combination is totally walled by Grass-types like Virizion and Shaymin that can comfortably switch into and take advantage of it.
**Fire-type Pokemon**: Fire-types like Ninetales and Arcanine resist Wood Hammer and threaten Torterra with their super effective STAB moves in return. Both should be wary of Earthquake, however.
**Flying-type Pokemon**: Similarly to Grass-type Pokemon, Torterra is unable to deal any significant damage to Flying-type Pokemon like Noivern and Mandibuzz, both of which can force it out and even freely remove Stealth Rock.
**Ice-type Pokemon and Ice-type Coverage**: Ice-types like Mega Abomasnow and Froslass easily OHKO Torterra with their STAB moves, with the former being able to directly switch into Torterra. Similarly, Pokemon like Mega Blastoise, Raikou, and Feraligatr that run Ice-type coverage can break through Torterra with ease.
**Residual Damage**: Residual damage from Toxic, burn, and entry hazards wears down Torterra rapidly, forcing it to use up more of its already sparse Synthesis PP and putting it in range of attacks it wouldn't be in range of otherwise, leaving it unable to do its job properly.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Mellow, 423226]]
- Quality checked by: [[zizalith, 410251], [Averardo, 409096], [roman, 396169]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Fireflame479, 231476]]
Torterra carves itself a niche in the tier by providing Stealth Rock support and acting as a solid check to top metagame threats like Zygarde-10%, Barbaracle, Tyrantrum, and Metagross thanks to its typing, reliable recovery, and solid bulk. However, although Torterra has a decent Attack stat and access to strong STAB moves, it struggles to make much headway with Flying-types such as Noivern and Mandibuzz, Grass-types like Shaymin and Virizion, and other defensive threats like Bronzong all being extremely common in the tier. Torterra's performance as a Stealth Rock setter is somewhat lackluster at times due to the fact that it's forced out by Mega Blastoise and just flat-out can't do anything to common Defoggers in Mandibuzz and Sigilyph. Though Torterra's defensive typing definitely has its boons, it leaves Torterra with crippling weaknesses to Flying, Fire, and Ice. This along with its mediocre Special Defense means it's absolute food for prominent Pokemon like Ninetales, Noivern, Arcanine, and Mega Abomasnow. Additionally, it cannot switch into Scald due to the potential of being crippled by a burn, which is a big issue for a Grass-type. Nonetheless, Torterra can provide useful role compression to a team, being a sturdy Stealth Rock setter able to check threatening Pokemon like Zygarde-10%, Metagross, and Barbaracle.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Wood Hammer
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Synthesis
item: Leftovers
ability: Overgrow
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is mandatory on every competitive team, and Torterra is a decent user of the move thanks to its durability. Wood Hammer threatens bulky Water- and Ground-types like Milotic, Seismitoad, and Flygon and notably OHKOes Zygarde-10% if boosted by Overgrow, allowing Torterra to effectively check it. Earthquake is Torterra's secondary STAB move and has good coverage alongside Wood Hammer, threatening Steel-types like Registeel and Metagross and Fire-types like Arcanine and Ninetales. Synthesis allows Torterra to continually check Pokemon like Zygarde-10%, Barbaracle, and Metagross throughout the match.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment is run to help Torterra check physical threats like Zygarde-10%, Barbaracle, and Metagross. Overgrow means Wood Hammer hits incredibly hard when Torterra is weakened, in particular allowing it to OHKO Zygarde-10%. Leftovers gives Torterra some passive recovery so it isn't forced to heal up with Synthesis as often.
Usage Tips
========
Stealth Rock should be set up early-game against Pokemon that are forced out by or fail to threaten Torterra such as Metagross, Barbaracle,(AC) and Zygarde-10% locked into Thousand Arrows in order to chip down Torterra's Flying- and Fire-type checks, namely Noivern, Mandibuzz, and Arcanine. Synthesis should be used semi-regularly against Pokemon that Torterra forces out in matchups where it needs to be healthy enough to check the aforementioned threats. Additionally, Wood Hammer shouldn't be used too liberally, as the recoil will force Torterra to waste Synthesis's already sparse PP. Avoid letting Torterra get hit with status, namely burn and poison, as they will severely hinder it by reducing its longevity and, in burn's case, significantly hurt its offensive presence.
Team Options
========
Torterra fits best on bulkier offense and balance teams that appreciate its ability to check troublesome Pokemon like Zygarde-10%, Metagross, and Barbaracle. Bulky Water-types such as Milotic and Mantine are great partners for Torterra, as they help to cover Torterra's Fire and Ice weaknesses. Torterra is worn down heavily by Spikes, so entry hazard removers like Mega Blastoise, Mandibuzz, and the aforementioned Mantine are very useful. Steel-types like Registeel and Bronzong appreciate Torterra checking Zygarde-10%, and in turn, they check Pokemon like Roserade, Gardevoir, Swellow, and, in Bronzong's case, Mega Abomasnow. Lastly, Torterra invites Flying-types like Noivern and Mandibuzz, so Pokemon that can take advantage of them like Tyrantrum and Raikou are great teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Swords Dance is a decent option if Torterra's team already has a Stealth Rock user. It allows Torterra to act as a decent breaker; however, its poor Speed means it is easily forced out by Pokemon like Mega Blastoise, Ninetales, and Noivern. 36 Speed EVs can be run on this set in order to outspeed Porygon2, which usually carries Ice Beam.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-type Pokemon**: Torterra's STAB combination is totally walled by Grass-types like Virizion and Shaymin that can comfortably switch into and take advantage of it.
**Fire-type Pokemon**: Fire-types like Ninetales and Arcanine resist Wood Hammer and threaten Torterra with their super effective STAB moves in return. Both should be wary of Earthquake, however.
**Flying-type Pokemon**: Similarly to Grass-type Pokemon, Torterra is unable to deal any significant damage to Flying-type Pokemon like Noivern and Mandibuzz, both of which can force it out and even freely remove Stealth Rock.
**Ice-type Pokemon and Ice-type Coverage**: Ice-types like Mega Abomasnow and Froslass easily OHKO Torterra with their STAB moves, with the former being able to directly switch into Torterra. Similarly, Pokemon like Mega Blastoise, Raikou, and Feraligatr that run Ice-type coverage can break through Torterra with ease.
**Residual Damage**: Residual damage from Toxic, burn, and entry hazards wears down Torterra rapidly, forcing it to use up more of its already sparse Synthesis PP and putting it in range of attacks it wouldn't be in range of otherwise, leaving it unable to do its job properly.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Mellow, 423226]]
- Quality checked by: [[zizalith, 410251], [Averardo, 409096], [roman, 396169]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Fireflame479, 231476]]
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