Defense leads and Speed gets almost nothing. That's Forretress's stat line in a nutshell. 2 stats sit in respectable range, but the spread is brutal. Moderately hard to find and yields 2 Defense EVs.
It’s usually found hanging on to a fat tree trunk. It shoots out bits of its shell when it sees action.
Its entire body is shielded by a steel-hard shell. What lurks inside this shell is a total mystery.
Fire moves hit Forretress for super-effective damage. Fire hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. The upside? Poison-type moves can't touch it at all. With 8 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Forretress's physical bulk (base 140 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Fire |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Ice, Psychic, Bug, Dragon, Steel, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass |
| 0x (Immune) | Poison |
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves View Amoonguss builds →
| ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemAssault Vest NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Forretress View Cyclizar builds →Rapid Spin4-5% U Turn3-4% Knock Off6-8% Draco Meteor26-31% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityNatural Cure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves View Blissey builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityProtean ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Forretress View Meowscarada builds →Knock Off23-27% U Turn8-10% Play Rough10-12% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityShielddust ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Forretress View Ribombee builds →Moonblast27-31% | ||
Evolved from Pineco. Forretress is the final form in this two-stage line. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Defense grew the most through evolution (+50 over Pineco), and Forretress peaks at 465 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Forretress to get Pineco eggs easily using 91 partners from the Bug egg group.
Lead with Forretress, set Stealth Rock, and keep pressure on. Sturdy and Rocky Helmet buy the time it needs, with max HP and Defense EVs letting it take hits while controlling the hazard game.
Best Build
Forretress best EVs are HP and Defense
Pivot Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Body Press
- Volt Switch
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic Spikes
- Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Hazard Setter Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Gyro Ball
- Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Tank Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Toxic Spikes
- Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Explosion
- Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Hazard Setter Moveset
- Toxic Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Spikes
- Light Screen
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Toxic Spikes
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Hazard Setter Moveset
- Toxic Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Spikes
- Light Screen
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Forretress. TMs unlock coverage across 9 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Steel Beam and Bug Buzz into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Without breeding, Forretress misses out on Counter and Double-Edge. That's 9 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Bug Buzz and Flash Cannon, with coverage across 7 types rounding things out.
Without breeding, Forretress misses out on Counter and Double-Edge. That's 11 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Flash Cannon and Signal Beam, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.
Without breeding, Forretress misses out on Counter and Double-Edge. That's 11 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Flash Cannon and Mirror Shot, with coverage across 8 types rounding things out.
A few locations for Forretress with moderate rates across late-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Forretress in Scarlet & Violet
To get Forretress, start by catching Pineco through walking encounters at Lv. 17-56. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PinecoCasseroya Lake - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.17-35 Water36%MidCasseroya Lake - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.17-35 Water36%MidEast Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.17-35 Route36%MidEast Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.17-35 Route36%MidEast Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.17-35 Route36%MidEast Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.17-35 Route36%MidNorth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.17-35 Route36%MidNorth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.17-35 Route36%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.17-35 Route36%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.17-35 Route36%MidSouth Province (Area Four) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.17-35 Route36%MidSouth Province (Area Four) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.17-35 Route36%MidSouth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.17-35 Route36%MidSouth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.17-35 Route36%MidSouth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.17-35 Route36%MidSouth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.17-35 Route36%MidTagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.17-35 Forest36%MidTagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.17-35 Forest36%MidWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.17-35 Route36%MidWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.17-35 Route36%Mid
Step 2Forretress ✓Casseroya Lake - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.45-56 Water8%LateCasseroya Lake - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.45-56 Water8%Lateor evolve from Pineco (Step 1)
No wild encounters for Forretress. The 2-stage line runs through Pineco, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 31 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Forretress in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Pineco is your first catch on the way to Forretress. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 58-63 across 8 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PinecoBogsunk CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 SwampPostPost-gameBogsunk CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 SwampPostPost-gameGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameGrassland CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSunlit CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameSwampy CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 SwampPostPost-gameSwampy CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 SwampPostPost-game
Step 2Forretress ✓
Forretress doesn't appear wild. Catch Pineco instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it at level 31 to get Forretress. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Forretress in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Step 1Catch PinecoRoute 10Ultra SunGrass Lv.26-29 Route30%MidShaking spotRoute 10Ultra MoonGrass Lv.26-29 Route30%MidShaking spot
Step 2Forretress ✓
Forretress isn't available in the wild in Sun & Moon. Start by transferring Pineco from Gold, Crystal, or Diamond. The evolution path from Pineco to Forretress is covered in the steps below.
We rate Forretress B-Tier: a solid choice for the right team. At 465 BST, it fits the trick room role. Base 140 Defense stands out.
Watch for Arcanine (Fire) when using Forretress. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Arcanine is the most dangerous since Fire moves deal 4x damage. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. At base 40 Speed, Forretress won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
Sturdy prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. That's the one you want on Forretress. Overcoat is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Base 40 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. On offense, Forretress is a physical attacker with base 90 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a trick room.
Run Rapid Spin, Stealth Rock, Bodypress, and Volt Switch on Forretress. Rapid Spin is the most common pick at 22% usage. This set covers the trick room role with a mix of damage and utility.
Available in 16 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Forretress spans 9 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in most mainline games.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves