Utility
Sweeper
580Very High
111Fast
STier

Free switch-ins on Ground moves make Tornadus useful in any team that needs that coverage. Only 3 weaknesses keeps it safe in most matchups. Prankster gives priority to its status moves. Part of the Gen 5 roster.

Everything pushes toward mixed damage here. Tornadus's Sp. Atk does the work, Defense pays the price. But you're still getting 3 Attack EVs per KO. Near-impossible to catch, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.

Base Stats
580Pseudo
HP79
C
Attack115
B
Defense70
C
Sp. Atk125
A
Sp. Def80
C
Speed111
B
Total580
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Tornadus yields +3 Atk
HPAtk+3DefSpASpDSpe
Details
Catch3LegendarySlow1.25M XP1.5m / 4'11"63kg / 138.9 lbs290Base XP
Pokedex Entries

In every direction it flies, creating winds so powerful, they blow everything away.

Black 2 / White 2

Tornadus Weakness

Good

Electric, Ice, and Rock-type moves hit Tornadus for super-effective damage. The upside? Ground-type moves can't touch it at all. With 79 HP and balanced defenses, Tornadus can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.

Gen V Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCriticali
None
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
3Weak
3Resist
1Immune
Scorei0
Stealth Rock25% on switch
Abilities
PranksterRaises non-damaging moves' priority by one stage.
DefiantHARaises Attack two stages upon having any stat lowered.

A Flying-type legendary, Tornadus doesn't evolve or breed. At 580 total stats, it's meant to stand on its own.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Tornadus
#641Tornadus
Does not evolve
Breeding
Unavailable
Undiscovered egg group

The build revolves around U-turn for safe pivoting. Prankster and Leftovers support Tornadus's hit-and-run approach, with max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs making sure each pivot actually threatens. Flying coverage adds versatility.

Best Build

Special Sweeper
Ability
Prankster
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Nature
Timid+SPE
EVs

Best Tornadus Moveset

  • HurricaneCoverage
  • TailwindUtility
  • U Turn
  • Focus Blast

Coverage runs deep. Tornadus can hit 12 types beyond STAB, including Ghost and Normal. The offense anchors on Hurricane and Fly while TMs handle everything else.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Astonish
3010015Ghost
Lv 1
Gust
4010035Flying
Lv 1
Uproar
9010010Normal
Lv 7
Swagger
9015Normal
Lv 13
Bite
6010025Dark
Lv 19
Revenge-4
6010010Fighting
Lv 25
Air Cutter
559525Flying
Lv 31
Extrasensory
8010030Psychic
Lv 37
Agility
30Psychic
Lv 43
Air Slash
759520Flying
Lv 49
Crunch
8010015Dark
Lv 55
Tailwind
30Flying
Lv 61
Rain Dance
5Water
Lv 67
Hurricane
1207010Flying
Lv 73
Dark Pulse
8010015Dark
Lv 79
Hammer Arm
1009010Fighting
Lv 85
Thrash
12010010Normal

TM Moves

Src
TM62
Acrobatics
5510015Flying
TM40
Aerial Ace
6020Flying
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM31
Brick Break
7510015Fighting
TM08
Bulk Up
20Fighting
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM63
Embargo
10015Dark
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
TM56
Fling
10010Dark
HM02
Fly
909515Flying
TM52
Focus Blast
120705Fighting
TM21
Frustration
10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
150905Normal
TM86
Grass Knot
10020Grass
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM59
Incinerate
3010015Fire
TM66
Payback
5010010Dark
TM17
Protect+4
10Normal
TM29
Psychic
9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
5Water
TM44
Rest
10Psychic
TM27
Return
10020Normal
TM94
Rock Smash
4010015Fighting
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM58
Sky Drop
6010010Flying
TM36
Sludge Bomb
9010010Poison
TM34
Sludge Wave
9510010Poison
TM23
Smack Down
5010015Rock
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM90
Substitute
10Normal
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM12
Taunt
10020Dark
TM46
Thief
6010010Dark
TM41
Torment
10015Dark
TM06
Toxic
9010Poison
TM89
U-turn
7010020Bug

Egg Moves

Tornadus doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Src
Tutor
Dark Pulse
8010015Dark
Tutor
Foul Play
9510015Dark
Tutor
Heat Wave
1009010Fire
Tutor
Icy Wind
559515Ice
Tutor
Iron Tail
1007515Steel
Tutor
Knock Off
6510020Dark
Tutor
Role Play
10Psychic
Tutor
Sleep Talk
10Normal
Tutor
Snore
4010015Normal
Tutor
Superpower
1201005Fighting
Tutor
Tailwind
30Flying
Tutor
Uproar
9010010Normal

Tornadus doesn't appear in Black 2 & White 2. Transfer it from Black, Ultra Sun, or Legends: Arceus to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.

Tornadus is not available as a wild encounter in this game.

Catch in the wild in:

Then trade to Black 2 & White 2.

Also found in:

  • At 580 BST, Tornadus is built different. We rank it S-Tier. As a Legendary Pokemon, the raw stats back up the reputation. Best used as a sweeper.

  • Watch for Raikou (Electric), Walrein (Ice), and Rhyperior (Rock) when using Tornadus. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.

  • Tornadus doesn't evolve. As a Legendary Pokemon, it stands on its own without an evolutionary line. It's a Flying type with 580 BST.

  • Tornadus gets Prankster and Defiant. But Prankster is the one that matters — it's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that. With base 111 Speed, Prankster gives Tornadus an edge before opponents can react.

  • Tornadus is leaning toward the special side (base 125 Sp. Atk). Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 111 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the sweeper role.

  • Tornadus appears in 9 games, including Black & White, Black 2 & White 2, and X & Y.

Since Black & White, Tornadus has appeared in 9 games. Legendary Pokemon like Tornadus are usually found through story events or special post-game areas rather than random encounters.