Sturdy prevents OHKOs, and Forretress sets Spikes, spins hazards, and Explodes at S-Tier. Gen 3's best entry hazard Pokemon in Ruby & Sapphire.
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 Ruby & Sapphire Playthrough?

Bug/Steel with AbilitySturdy and only Fire as a weakness. MoveSpikes for entry hazard damage and the defensive typing absorbs most of what RS throws at you. Trade-only in RS. Skarmory fills a similar defensive Steel role natively with better physical stats.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTGEEETEGGEETERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7WallaceGym 8ForretressTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4StevenChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Tough

Roxanne's typing presses Forretress's defenses.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
TackleHardenRock ThrowRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Good

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

Even
Machop
Lv 17
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopSeismic TossBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 18
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustKnock OffSand AttackBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Forretress trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

Even
Magnemite
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomThunder ShockThunder Wave
Even
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSelf DestructSparkSonic Boom
Even
Magneton
Lv 23
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicSonic BoomShock WaveThunder Wave
Flannery
Gym 4
Even

Forretress trades roughly evenly with Flannery's team.

You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
You Win
Slugma
Lv 26
Fire
Magma Armor
FlamethrowerRock SlideLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Torkoal
Lv 28
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatBody SlamFlailAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Forretress trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

Even
Slaking
Lv 28
Normal
Truant
EncoreFacadeYawnFeint Attack
You Win
Vigoroth
Lv 30
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFeint AttackFacadeEncore
Even
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
Focus PunchSlack OffFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Tough

Winona's typing presses Forretress's defenses.

Even
Swellow
Lv 31
NormalFlying
Guts
Quick AttackAerial AceDouble TeamEndeavor
Even
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Risky
Skarmory
Lv 32
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Even
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Even

Forretress trades roughly evenly with Tate & Liza's team.

Even
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Even
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Wallace
Gym 8
Good

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

You Win
Luvdisc
Lv 40
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
You Win
Whiscash
Lv 42
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 40
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Even
Seaking
Lv 42
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseRain DanceFury AttackHorn Drill
Even
Milotic
Lv 43
Water
Marvel Scale
Water PulseTwisterRecoverIce Beam
Sidney
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarTake DownSand AttackCrunch
Even
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
Fake OutDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
You Win
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Even
Sharpedo
Lv 48
WaterDark
Rough Skin
CrunchSwaggerSurfSlash
You Win
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceSnatchSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Forretress trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

Even
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseFuture Sight
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallSpiteWill O WispFeint Attack
Even
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallPsychicAttractFeint Attack
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicToxicSkill Swap
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamConfuse RayEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Even

Forretress trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.

Even
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchHailIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamHailIce Ball
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDiveHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallCrunchHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamBlizzardSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Tough

Drake's team hits Forretress's weaknesses hard.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectCrunch
Even
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Take DownDragon BreathDragon DanceRefresh
Even
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
DigDragon BreathFlySandstorm
Risky
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathSand Attack
Risky
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawFlyCrunch
Steven
Champion
Even

Forretress trades roughly evenly with Steven's team.

Risky
Skarmory
Lv 57
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
ToxicAerial AceSpikesSteel Wing
You Win
Claydol
Lv 55
GroundPsychic
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
ReflectLight ScreenAncient PowerEarthquake
You Win
Aggron
Lv 56
SteelRock
Sturdy
ThunderEarthquakeSolar BeamDragon Claw
You Win
Cradily
Lv 56
RockGrass
Suction Cups
Giga DrainAncient PowerSludge BombConfuse Ray
Risky
Armaldo
Lv 56
RockBug
Battle Armor
Water PulseAncient PowerAerial AceSlash
Even
Metagross
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Clear Body
EarthquakePsychicMeteor MashHyper Beam

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
BugSteel
Tier
S

Forretress cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four. Alternatively, transfer the pre-evolution and level it up to Lv 31.

View Forretress locations

How to Get Forretress in Ruby & Sapphire

Forretress is the level-31 evolution of a traded Pineco, with no wild bagworm anywhere in Hoenn.

How to Obtain Forretress in RS

  1. Pineco
    Step 1Obtain Pineco
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    from Emerald
    Available
    Catch in Emerald via Walking · Safari Zone · Safari Zone: 500 entry fee, 30 Safari Balls, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Gold & Silver via Headbutt special · Route 35. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Crystal
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Crystal via Headbutt special · Route 34. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Route 210 · Dual-slot: Emerald. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Forretress
    Step 2Forretress ✓

How to Get Shiny Forretress in Ruby & Sapphire

Since its line can be caught only in other Generation III games, a shiny Forretress has to be traded into Ruby & Sapphire. See every game where Shiny Forretress can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Forretress in Ruby & SapphireNormal
Shiny Forretress in Ruby & Sapphire Shiny
Color ShiftPurpletoBrown
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Forretress Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

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 III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

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

Blaziken
Blaziken
FireFighting
B
Camerupt
Camerupt
FireGround
C
C
C
Magcargo
Magcargo
FireRock
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
290F-Tier
465S-Tier+175
ROLE
Balanced
Trick Room
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Forretress to get Pineco eggs easily using 37 partners from the Bug egg group. Notable egg moves include Counter, Flail, Pin Missile and 3 more.

Egg Groups
Bug
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
flygonmasquerainvolbeatillumiseparasectvibravaparastrapinchsurskitshucklevenomothninjask

RS Forretress Best Moveset

Steel/Bug resists nine types for safe switch-ins. AbilitySturdy blocks OHKO moves while MoveSpikes and MoveRapid Spin handle both sides of the hazard game. MoveExplosion finishes with massive damage. Held ItemLeftovers sustains. The complete hazard package with elite defensive typing.

Best Build

Experimental
Hazard Setter
Ability
Sturdy
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Forretress

Forretress best EVs are HP and Sp. Def

EVs

Hazard Setter Moveset

  • SpikesHazard
  • Rapid Spin
  • ExplosionCoverage
  • EarthquakeCoverage

Moves List

Without breeding, Forretress misses out on Counter and Flail. That's 6 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Pin Missile, with Normal and Ground coverage and more rounding things out.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Protect+4
C——10Normal
Lv 1
Self-Destruct
B2001005Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 8
Self-Destruct
B2001005Normal
Lv 15
Take Down
C908520Normal
Lv 22
Rapid Spin
B5010040Normal
Lv 29
Bide+1
———10Normal
Lv 39
Explosion
B2501005Normal
Lv 49
Spikes
B——20Ground
Lv 59
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal

TM Moves

All 21 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM28
DigRoute 114badge 3
C6010010Ground
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM26
EarthquakeSeafloor Cavernnot until badge 7
B10010010Ground
TM42C7010020Normal
TM19
Giga DrainRoute 123badge 5
D751005Grass
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper BeamLilycove Department Storebadge 5
C150905Normal
TM16
Light ScreenLilycove Department Storebadge 5
C——30Psychic
TM17C——10Normal
TM33C——20Psychic
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
HM06
Rock SmashMauville Citybadge 2
D2010015Fighting
TM37
SandstormRoute 111badge 4
D——10Rock
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
TM22
Solar BeamSafari Zonebadge 5
C12010010Grass
HM04
StrengthRusturf Tunnelbadge 3
—8010015Normal
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Counter-5
D—10020Fighting
Egg
Flail
D—10015Normal
Egg
Pin Missile
—219520Bug
Egg
Reflect
C——20Psychic
Egg
Sand Tomb
—358515Ground
Egg
Swift
—60—20Normal

Tutor Moves

Forretress can't learn any Tutor moves

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

FORRETRESS conceals itself inside its hardened steel shell. The shell is opened when the POKéMON is catching prey, but it does so at such a quick pace that the shell’s inside cannot be seen.

Pokemon Ruby / Pokemon Sapphire

Forretress Ruby & Sapphire Guide

  • Forretress isn't catchable in Ruby & Sapphire. Obtain one in Emerald, then trade it to Ruby & Sapphire.

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

Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Want to tell us more?
What was most useful?
What could be improved?
Thanks for your feedback