Torkoal punches above its weight class thanks to Drought. It sets sun on switch-in, which is enough to make up for stats that don't impress on their own. Only weak to Water, Ground, and Rock. Known as the Coal Pokemon.
Torkoal's all-in on Defense at the expense of Speed. The mixed lean is obvious from the bars. Yields 2 Defense EVs and follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It burns coal inside its shell for energy. It blows out black soot if it is endangered.
Coal is the source of Torkoal’s energy. Large amounts of coal can be found in the mountains where they live.
Torkoal Weakness
AvgTorkoal is weak to Water, Ground, and Rock-type moves. 6 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that. Torkoal's physical bulk (base 140 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
What you see is what you get. Torkoal sits outside any evolution chain, so focus on the egg moves and a massive partner pool from one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time.
How to Evolve
Breed Torkoal easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
For a special attacker, Torkoal wants max HP and Sp. Atk EVs and Charcoal. The Quiet nature tilts toward slow special duty, and Drought contributes without taking a move slot.
Best Build
Best Torkoal Moveset
- Eruption
- Protect
- Heat Wave
- Earth Power
Recommended Teammates
TMs define Torkoal's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Eruption and Overheat, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 8 types. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Egg moves make a real difference. Torkoal gets Ancient Power and Clear Smog exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 7 types rounds out the picture alongside Eruption and Overheat.
Egg moves make a real difference. Torkoal gets Ancient Power and Fissure exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 7 types rounds out the picture alongside Eruption and Overheat.
Egg moves make a real difference. Torkoal gets Clear Smog and Endure exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 7 types rounds out the picture alongside Eruption and Overheat.
Torkoal sits at low spawn rates across 2 spots in mid-game routes. Pick one from the sorted list and commit to it. Jumping between areas wastes more time than waiting in the right location.
Best Locations
Torkoal starts showing up in mid-game routes at decent spawn rates across 10 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 Torkoal. 10 walking and special spots at Lv. 24-63 spread across Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and some routes only appear in one cartridge. Check the version badges below.
Torkoal appears at decent spawn rates across 48 spots in early-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Best Locations
walking encounters for Torkoal across 48 spots at Lv. 10-32. The catch is that Shield and Sword don't share every location, so compare what's available in your version.
4 encounter spots for Torkoal at decent spawn rates starting from mid-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Best Locations
You can catch Torkoal through 4 walking encounters from Lv. 29-32, but availability differs between Ultra Moon and Ultra Sun. Some spots are exclusive to one version.
Don't let Torkoal's 470 base stat total fool you. Drought is what makes it tick — it punches way above its weight class. We rate it A-Tier as a trick room.
Torkoal doesn't evolve and has no evolutionary line. It's a Fire-type Pokemon with a 470 base stat total.
Run Drought on Torkoal. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Torkoal also gets White Smoke and Shell Armor, but they don't compare.
Torkoal fills the trick room role. It's a special attacker with base 85 Sp. Atk. Base 20 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's tanky enough to absorb a few hits.
Torkoal appears in 15 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Torkoal first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 15 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters 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