Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes make Forretress the ultimate S-Tier hazard setter in Platinum. Sturdy survives one hit, Rapid Spin clears opposing hazards, and Explosion finishes the job.
Ability 1SturdyAbility 1Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
465HP75Attack90Defense140Speed40Sp.Def60Sp.Atk60
Pineco
Forretress
Weak to
Physical
Hazard Setter
40Speed · Very Slow

Is Forretress Good in Platinum Playthrough?

Pineco evolves at level 31 into Bug/Steel. AbilitySturdy blocks OHKO moves. Forretress takes physical hits well and contributes defensively. Steel typing struggles against Flint's all-Fire E4 though, a bigger problem in Platinum than DP.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEETTEEGEEGTGSGGEPinecoCatchRoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2FantinaGym 3MayleneGym 4ForretressEvolveCrasher WakeGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4JupiterBossMarsBossSaturnBossCynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Even

Pineco trades roughly evenly with Roark's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
Even
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
Even
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Even

Pineco trades roughly evenly with Gardenia's team.

You Win
Turtwig
Lv 20
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafSunny DayReflect
You Win
Cherrim
Lv 20
Grass
Flower Gift
Grass KnotLeech SeedMagical LeafSafeguard
Even
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Fantina
Gym 3
Tough

Fantina's typing presses Pineco's defenses.

Risky
Duskull
Lv 24
Ghost
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Will O WispPursuitShadow SneakFuture Sight
Risky
Haunter
Lv 24
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow ClawSucker PunchHypnosisConfuse Ray
Avoid
Mismagius
Lv 26
Ghost
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Maylene
Gym 4
Tough

Maylene's team hits Pineco's weaknesses hard.

Even
Meditite
Lv 28
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionRock TombFake Out
Risky
Machoke
Lv 29
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopRock TombStrengthFocus Energy
Risky
Lucario
Lv 32
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 5
Even

Forretress trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 33
WaterFlying
Intimidate
WaterfallBrineBiteTwister
You Win
Quagsire
Lv 34
WaterGround
Damp
Mud ShotRock TombWater PulseYawn
Even
Floatzel
Lv 37
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangCrunchAqua Jet
Byron
Gym 6
Even

Forretress trades roughly evenly with Byron's team.

Even
Magneton
Lv 37
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Flash CannonThunderboltTri AttackMetal Sound
Even
Steelix
Lv 38
SteelGround
Rock Head
Flash CannonIce FangEarthquakeSandstorm
You Win
Bastiodon
Lv 41
RockSteel
Sturdy
Metal BurstStone EdgeIron DefenseTaunt
Candice
Gym 7
Good

Forretress has the type edge here and should clean up Candice's team.

Easy KO
Sneasel
Lv 40
DarkIce
Inner Focus
SlashAerial AceFeint AttackIce Shard
You Win
Piloswine
Lv 40
IceGround
Oblivious
AvalancheStone EdgeEarthquakeHail
You Win
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerWater PulseFocus Blast
Even
Froslass
Lv 44
IceGhost
Snow Cloak
BlizzardDouble TeamShadow BallPsychic
Volkner
Gym 8
Even

Forretress trades roughly evenly with Volkner's team.

Even
Jolteon
Lv 46
Electric
Volt Absorb
Thunder WaveCharge BeamIron TailQuick Attack
Even
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamFocus BlastSignal BeamQuick Attack
Even
Luxray
Lv 48
Electric
Rivalry
Ice FangThunder FangCrunchFire Fang
Risky
Electivire
Lv 50
Electric
Motor Drive
Thunder PunchFire PunchQuick AttackGiga Impact
Aaron
Elite Four
Even

Forretress trades roughly evenly with Aaron's team.

You Win
Yanmega
Lv 49
BugFlying
Speed Boost
Air SlashBug BuzzU TurnDouble Team
Risky
Scizor
Lv 49
BugSteel
Swarm
Iron HeadX ScissorNight SlashQuick Attack
You Win
Vespiquen
Lv 50
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
Risky
Heracross
Lv 51
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
Even
Drapion
Lv 53
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Good

Forretress has the type edge here and should clean up Bertha's team.

You Win
Whiscash
Lv 50
WaterGround
Oblivious
Earth PowerAqua TailZen HeadbuttSandstorm
Risky
Gliscor
Lv 53
GroundFlying
Hyper Cutter
EarthquakeIce FangFire FangThunder Fang
You Win
Hippowdon
Lv 52
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchYawn
You Win
Golem
Lv 52
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeFire PunchThunder PunchSandstorm
Easy KO
Rhyperior
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
EarthquakeRock WreckerMegahornAvalanche
Flint
Elite Four
Tough

Flint's team hits Forretress's weaknesses hard.

Even
Houndoom
Lv 52
DarkFire
Early Bird
FlamethrowerSludge BombDark PulseSunny Day
Risky
Flareon
Lv 55
Fire
Flash Fire
OverheatGiga ImpactQuick AttackWill O Wisp
Risky
Rapidash
Lv 53
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
Risky
Infernape
Lv 55
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
Risky
Magmortar
Lv 57
Fire
Flame Body
FlamethrowerThunderboltSolar BeamHyper Beam
Lucian
Elite Four
Good

Forretress has the type edge here and should clean up Lucian's team.

You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 53
Psychic
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
You Win
Espeon
Lv 55
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallQuick AttackSignal Beam
Even
Bronzong
Lv 54
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 56
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Even
Gallade
Lv 59
PsychicFighting
Steadfast
Drain PunchPsycho CutLeaf BladeStone Edge
Jupiter
Commander
Strong

Forretress resists most of Jupiter's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Zubat
Lv 21
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Giga DrainWing AttackBite
Easy KO
Skuntank
Lv 23
PoisonDark
Stench
Night SlashPoison GasScreechSmokescreen
Mars
Commander
Good

Forretress has the type edge here and should clean up Mars's team.

You Win
Golbat
Lv 38
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBiteToxicSupersonic
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 38
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryIron DefenseConfuse Ray
You Win
Purugly
Lv 40
Normal
Thick Fat
SlashFeint AttackHypnosisFake Out
Saturn
Commander
Good

Forretress has the type edge here and should clean up Saturn's team.

You Win
Golbat
Lv 42
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBitePoison FangConfuse Ray
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 42
SteelPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Gyro BallExtrasensoryShadow BallConfuse Ray
You Win
Toxicroak
Lv 44
PoisonFighting
Anticipation
Poison JabBrick BreakX ScissorFeint Attack
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Forretress trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

Even
Spiritomb
Lv 58
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindShadow Ball
Even
Roserade
Lv 58
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombToxicExtrasensory
Risky
Togekiss
Lv 60
NormalFlying
Hustle
Air SlashAura SphereWater PulseShock Wave
Risky
Lucario
Lv 60
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereExtreme SpeedShadow BallStone Edge
Even
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatDragon Pulse
Risky
Garchomp
Lv 62
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeFlamethrowerGiga Impact

Catch Pineco

Available before Badge 1
Type
Bug
Tier
E

Catch Pineco on Route 203 (walking, Lv 6, rare). Pokémon Emerald in GBA slot.

View Pineco locations

Evolve Pineco to Forretress

Level 31
Type
BugSteel
Tier
S

Pineco evolves into Forretress at Level 31. Your Pineco should hit Level 31 before you reach Crasher Wake, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves

  • STARTING (Lv 31)
    • LV 31NormalSelf-DestructPower 200Accuracy 100%PP 5
  • After Fantina
    • LV 38NormalExplosionPower 250Accuracy 100%PP 5
  • After Byron
    • LV 55NormalDouble-EdgePower 120Accuracy 100%PP 15
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORBugSignal BeamPower 113Accuracy 100%PP 15Survival Area
    • TM42NormalFacadePower 70Accuracy 100%PP 20Survival Area

How to Get Forretress in Platinum

A Pineco reaches Forretress at level 31, the only path since none spawn wild. Getting there means the Emerald dual-slot trick first, which is what brings Pineco out at all.

Catch Pineco at any of these 5 spots to eventually evolve into Forretress.

Encountered via tall grass encounters

  1. 1
    Catch Pineco
  2. 2
    Evolve Forretressat Lv.31
Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8
Post-Game

How to Obtain Forretress in Pt

To get Forretress, start by catching Pineco through walking encounters at Lv. 5-48. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.

  1. Forretress
    Step 2Forretress ✓
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Pineco egg.

How to Get Shiny Forretress in Platinum

Forretress never spawns wild, so chain a Pineco in Eterna Forest to 40 for a shiny and level it up. Compare Shiny Forretress odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Forretress in PlatinumNormal
Shiny Forretress in Platinum Shiny
Color ShiftPurpletoBrown
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Forretress Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Platinum Shiny Forretress Calculator

3 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is PokeRadar Chain at full boosts, about 1 in 200 on each try. Tune it below.

Step 1 · Encounter Method3 in Platinum

PokeRadar Chain: Chain shaking-grass patches without breaking the combo. The rate peaks at a chain of 40.

Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Step 2 · Boost Your Oddstap to add
00

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 200PokeRadar Chain
Chance By Now50.2%at 139 encountersAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few22----
25%one in four58----
50%coin flip139----
90%very likely460----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

For time estimates and charm math, open the Platinum shiny odds calculator with Forretress already selected.

Forretress Weakness

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 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.

Forretress Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Fire
0.5x (Resist)Normal, Ice, Psychic, Bug, Ghost, Dragon, Dark, Steel
0.25x (Resist)Grass
0x (Immune)Poison
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Forretress Weak Against

Fortress
1Weak
9Resist
1Immune
Score+9
4xCritical
2xWeak
None
¼xResist
0xImmune

What is Forretress Strong Against

5Strong
2Resisted
0Immune
Score+3
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Forretress

Monferno
Monferno
FireFighting
C
Ponyta
Ponyta
Fire
C
C
Vulpix
Vulpix
Fire
C

Forretress Evolutions

Evolved from Pineco. Forretress is the final form in this two-stage line. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs take an average time to hatch. 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

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Forretress
BugSteel
HP
50
75+25
ATK
65
90+25
DEF
90
140+50
SP.ATK
35
60+25
SP.DEF
35
60+25
SPE
15
40+25
BST
290E-Tier
465S-Tier+175
ROLE
Balanced
Trick Room
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Forretress to get Pineco eggs easily using 48 partners from the Bug egg group. Notable egg moves include Counter, Double-Edge, Flail and 6 more.

Egg Groups
Bug
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
9moves
Breed With (best first)
flygondrapionmasquerainvolbeatillumiseparasectvibravaskorupiparastrapinchsurskitshuckle

Pt Forretress Best Moveset

Bug/Steel resists 8 types with a single weakness in Fire (4x), and 140 Defense makes the moveset nearly impossible to break on the physical side. MoveStealth Rock, MoveSpikes, and MoveToxic Spikes all on one Pokemon. 40 Speed doesn't matter when the job is setting hazards.

Best Build

Experimental
Hazard Setter
Ability
Sturdy
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Forretress
Impish+DEF

Forretress best EVs are HP and Defense

EVs

Hazard Setter Moveset

  • Rapid Spin
  • SpikesHazard
  • ExplosionCoverage
  • PaybackCoverage

Moves List

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 Flash Cannon and Signal Beam, with coverage across 7 types rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bug Bite
C9010020Bug
Lv 1
Protect+4
C——10Normal
Lv 1
Self-Destruct
B2001005Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 1
Toxic Spikes
A——20Poison
Lv 6
Self-Destruct
B2001005Normal
Lv 9
Bug Bite
C9010020Bug
Lv 12
Take Down
C908520Normal
Lv 17
Rapid Spin
B5010040Normal
Lv 20
Bide+1
———10Normal
Lv 23
Natural Gift
D—10015Normal
Lv 28
Spikes
B——20Ground
Lv 31
Mirror Shot
—978510Steel
Lv 33
Payback
B5010010Dark
Lv 38
Explosion
B2501005Normal
Lv 45
Iron Defense
C——15Steel
Lv 50
Gyro Ball
A—1005Steel
Lv 55
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Lv 62
Magnet Rise
D——10Electric
Lv 67
Zap Cannon
—120505Electric

TM Moves

34 of 36 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractAmity Squarebadge 2
——10015Normal
TM78
CaptivateRoute 204badge 2
——10020Normal
TM28
DigManiac Tunnelbadge 3
C8010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamWayward Cavebadge 2
———15Normal
TM26C10010010Ground
TM58
Endure+4Veilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
TM42
FacadeSurvival Area
C7010020Normal
TM91
Flash CannonPrize for defeating Byronbadge 6
C12010010Steel
TM21
FrustrationVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM19
Giga DrainRoute 209badge 5
D6010010Grass
TM68
Giga ImpactVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
B150905Normal
TM74
Gyro BallVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
A—1005Steel
TM10
Hidden PowerVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D6010015Normal
TM15C150905Normal
TM16
Light ScreenVeilstone Department Storebadge 3
C——30Psychic
TM83
Natural GiftVeilstone Department Storebadge 3
D—10015Normal
TM66
PaybackRoute 215badge 3
B5010010Dark
TM17C——10Normal
TM33C——20Psychic
TM44C——10Psychic
TM27D—10020Normal
TM69
Rock PolishMt. Coronetbadge 6
C——20Rock
TM80
Rock SlideMt. Coronetnot until badge 7
C759010Rock
HM06D4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock TombRavaged Pathbadge 1
D609510Rock
TM43
Secret PowerAmity Squarebadge 2
—7010020Normal
TM82
Sleep TalkEterna Forestbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM22C12010010Grass
TM76
Stealth RockPrize for defeating Roarkbadge 1
B——20Rock
HM04
StrengthIron Islandbadge 5
C8010015Normal
TM90
SubstituteVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM87
SwaggerPokémon Mansionbadge 4
——9015Normal
TM06
ToxicRoute 212badge 4
C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Counter-5
D—10020Fighting
Egg
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Egg
Flail
D—10015Normal
Egg
Pin Missile
—219520Bug
Egg
Reflect
C——20Psychic
Egg
Revenge-4
—6010010Fighting
Egg
Sand Tomb
—358515Ground
Egg
Swift
—60—20Normal
Egg
Toxic Spikes
A——20Poison

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Iron Defense
C——15Steel
Tutor
Magnet Rise
D——10Electric
Tutor
Rollout
—309020Rock
Tutor
Signal Beam
C11210015Bug
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP75
C
Attack90
B
Defense140
A
Sp. Atk60
C
Sp. Def60
C
Speed40
D
Total465
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging75 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.2 m
Weight125.8 kg
Base XP163
Abilities
Sturdy
Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+2SpASpDSpe
Defense training target
Pokedex Entry

It is encased in a steel shell. Its peering eyes are all that can be seen of its mysterious innards.

Pokemon Platinum

Forretress Platinum Guide

  • In Platinum, use Forretress as a hazard setter. Physical side carries the damage. It's slow, so Trick Room or priority moves are key.

  • For Platinum, build your team around Gyarados, Jirachi, and Latias. These have the highest co-usage rates with Forretress in competitive formats. They cover each other's weaknesses.

  • For Platinum, run Impish on Forretress. +Defense is what matters, and the -Sp. Atk cut doesn't hurt this set. Fits the hazard setter role.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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