Mid-stage Pokemon like Torchic rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Blaziken, which is where the real potential kicks in. Can go either physical or special depending on the set. Been around since Gen 3.
Torchic's spread isn't flashy. Sp. Atk leads, Defense trails, 0 stats clear the bar. Tough to catch and worth 1 Sp. Atk EV, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
A fire burns inside it, so it feels very warm to hug. It launches fireballs of 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.
Torchic Weakness
AvgTorchic's Fire typing leaves it vulnerable to Water, Ground, and Rock moves. 6 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that.
Torchic is the start of a three-stage chain. It evolves into Combusken first, then eventually reaches Blaziken. For breeding, average hatch time with a massive partner pool via one egg group. The evolved forms gain up to 220 total stats over Torchic.
How to Evolve
Breed Torchic with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
Protect is the main STAB option after a Swords Dance boost. Focus Sash gives Torchic a guaranteed survive from full HP to survive the setup turn, and max Attack and Speed EVs make the boosted hits count. The remaining moves catches resists.
Best Build
Best Torchic Moveset
- Protect
- Swords Dance
- Baton Pass
- Flame Charge
Recommended Teammates
Without TMs, Torchic's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Normal and Flying coverage and more on top of Overheat and Flare Blitz for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Torchic develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Flamethrower and Flare Blitz show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.
The natural movepool does the job, but Agility and Baton Pass from the egg pool give Torchic something extra. Pair those with Overheat and Flare Blitz for STAB and coverage across 7 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
The natural movepool does the job, but Counter and Crush Claw from the egg pool give Torchic something extra. Pair those with Overheat and Flare Blitz for STAB and coverage across 7 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
No wild encounters for Torchic in Scarlet & Violet. It's available in Ruby, Emerald, or Brilliant Diamond and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Torchic is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also found in:
No wild encounters for Torchic in Legends: Z-A. It's available in Ruby, Emerald, or Brilliant Diamond and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Torchic is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also found in:
Torchic starts showing up in endgame routes at moderate rates across 6 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Best Locations
Which version you're playing matters for Torchic. 6 walking spots at Lv. 58-63 spread across Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.
No wild encounters for Torchic in Sword & Shield. It's available in Ruby, Emerald, or Brilliant Diamond and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Torchic is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Catch in the wild in:
Then trade to Sword & Shield.
Also found in:
Torchic isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Combusken to unlock its full potential. At 310 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Torchic evolves into Combusken at level 16. Torchic is the base form in a 3-stage evolutionary line.
Run Speed Boost on Torchic. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Torchic also gets Blaze, but they don't compare.
Torchic fills the balanced role. It's a mixed attacker — base 60 Attack and 70 Sp. Atk. Base 45 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Torchic appears in 16 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Torchic first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 16 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A