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 is weak to Water, Ground, and Rock. 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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySupremeoverlord ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Kingambit builds →Sucker Punch29-34% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Forretress builds →Rapid Spin6-8% Volt Switch13-15% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityShielddust ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Ribombee builds →Moonblast24-29% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityShadowtag ItemSitrus Berry NatureSassy Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Gothitelle builds →Psychic36-42% | ||
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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
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
Torkoal best EVs are Sp. Atk and HP
Doubles Special Tank Moveset
- Eruption
- Protect
- Heat Wave
- Earth Power
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Wallbreaker Moveset
- Eruption
- Protect
- Earth Power
- Heat Wave
Wall Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Lava Plume
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Lava Plume
- Stealth Rock
- Body Press
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Tank Moveset
- Eruption
- Solar Beam
- Protect
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Lava Plume
- Body Press
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Tank Moveset
- Eruption
- Solar Beam
- Protect
- Flamethrower
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Stealth Rock
- Lava Plume
- Body Press
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Tank Moveset
- Eruption
- Earth Power
- Protect
- Heat Wave
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Yawn
- Lava Plume
Recommended Teammates
Moves
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 to Catch Torkoal in Scarlet & Violet
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 to Catch Torkoal in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
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 to Catch Torkoal in Sword & Shield
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 to Catch Torkoal in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
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.
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.
Best way to handle Torkoal: Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Water, Ground, and Rock-type attackers hit hardest.
Torkoal first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 15 games across 8 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RSDebut
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