Forretress was practically built for Trick Room teams. 140 base Defense provides real offensive pressure once it's 'fastest' on the field. Introduced in Gen 2. Poison moves can't touch it, and only a single type hits it super-effectively.
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.
Its entire body is shielded by a steel-hard shell. What lurks inside this shell is a total mystery.
It remains immovably rooted to its tree. It scatters pieces of its hard shell to drive its enemies away.
Forretress Weakness
FortressFire-type 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 9 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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
Evolved from Pineco. Forretress is the final form in this two-stage line. A decent partner pool 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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Forretress to get Pineco eggs easily using 47 partners from the Bug egg group. Notable egg moves include Counter, Double-Edge, Flail and 7 more.
Lead with Forretress, set Spikes, and keep pressure on. Sturdy and Leftovers buy the time it needs, with max HP and Defense EVs letting it take hits while controlling the hazard game.
Best Build
Best Forretress Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Spikes
- Explosion
- Payback
Recommended Teammates
Without breeding, Forretress misses out on Counter and Double-Edge. That's 10 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Flash Cannon and Signal Beam, with coverage across 7 types rounding things out.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
No wild encounters for Forretress. The 2-stage line runs through Pineco, which you can catch at decent rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 31 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Forretress in HeartGold & SoulSilver
To get Forretress, start by catching Pineco through headbutt encounters at Lv. 2-29. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PinecoMODERATESafari Zone GateHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.15-16UncommonEarlyFacilityMODERATESafari Zone GateSoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.15-16UncommonEarlyFacilityLEGENDARYCherrygrove CitySoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYCherrygrove CityHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYEcruteak CitySoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYEcruteak CityHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYIlex ForestSoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyForestLEGENDARYIlex ForestHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyForestLEGENDARYLake of RageSoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyWaterLEGENDARYLake of RageHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyWaterLEGENDARYNational ParkSoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyFacilityLEGENDARYNational ParkHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyFacilityLEGENDARYNew Bark TownSoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYNew Bark TownHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYRoute 29HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 29SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 30HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 30SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 31HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 31SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 32SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 32HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 34SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 34HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 35SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 35HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 36SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 36HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 37SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 37HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 38SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 38HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 39SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 39HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 43SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 43HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 47HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 47SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 48HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 48SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYViolet CitySoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYViolet CityHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYCerulean CityHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYCerulean CitySoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYPallet TownHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYPallet TownSoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYPewter CitySoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYPewter CityHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYRoute 1SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 1HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 2 - NorthSoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 2 - NorthHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 2 - SouthSoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 2 - SouthHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 22SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 22HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 3HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 3SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 5HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 5SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 6HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 6SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 8SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYRoute 8HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyRouteLEGENDARYViridian CitySoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYViridian CityHeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-17LimitedEarlyCityLEGENDARYRoute 26SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.28-29LimitedMidRouteLEGENDARYRoute 26HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.28-29LimitedMidRouteLEGENDARYRoute 27SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.28-29LimitedMidRouteLEGENDARYRoute 27HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.28-29LimitedMidRoute
Step 2Forretress ✓
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.
Pineco evolves into Forretress at level 31. Forretress is the fully evolved form. It sits at 465 BST in its evolved form.
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.
Forretress appears in 16 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Available in 16 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Forretress spans 8 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in most mainline games.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
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