Torkoal punches above its weight class thanks to Drought. It sets sun on switch-in, which is enough to make up for stats that don't impress on their own. Only weak to Water, Ground, and Rock. Known as the Coal Pokemon.
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.
TORKOAL digs through mountains in search of coal. If it finds some, it fills hollow spaces on its shell with the coal and burns it. If it is attacked, this POKéMON spouts thick black smoke to beat a retreat.
TORKOAL generates energy by burning coal. It grows weaker as the fire dies down. When it is preparing for battle, this POKéMON burns more coal.
Torkoal Weakness
AvgTorkoal is weak to Water, Ground, and Rock-type moves. It resists 5 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Torkoal's physical bulk (base 140 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
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.
How to Evolve
Breed Torkoal easily with 102 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Endure, Eruption, Sleep Talk and 1 more to offspring.
Whitesmoke helps Torkoal stick around while dealing real damage. Leftovers for passive recovery each turn, max HP and Sp. Atk EVs for the right balance, and Flamethrower as the main threat. Not the fastest, but it doesn't need to be.
Best Build
Best Torkoal Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Explosion
- Overheat
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
Egg moves make a real difference. Torkoal gets Endure and Eruption exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Poison and Normal coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Eruption and Overheat.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
2 encounter spots for Torkoal at decent spawn rates starting from early-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Best Locations
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 C-Tier as a trick room.
Torkoal doesn't evolve and has no evolutionary line. It's a Fire-type Pokemon with a 470 base stat total.
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 mixed attacker — base 85 Attack and 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.
Torkoal appears in 15 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Torkoal first appeared in Ruby & Sapphire and has been available in 15 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through wild encounters in most titles where it appears.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRSDebut
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