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.
An example of what is known as a “form change,” though I suspect this strange avian guise to be Tornadus’s true form. Tornadus has been sighted crossing the ocean while in this form.
Tornadus Weakness
GoodElectric, 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.
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
Most things take neutral or super-effective damage from this set. Tornadus runs Flying and Normal coverage backed by Adrenalineorb for extra utility. Max Attack and Speed EVs and Prankster make the coverage actually threatening.
Best Build
Best Tornadus Moveset
- Tailwind
- Acrobatics
- Facade
- Hammer Arm
Recommended Teammates
Coverage runs deep. Tornadus can hit 11 types beyond STAB, including Ghost and Dark. The offense anchors on Hurricane and Fly while TMs handle everything else.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
No wild encounters for Tornadus in Sword & Shield. It's available in Black, Ultra Sun, or Legends: Arceus and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Tornadus is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Special encounter in:
Then trade to Sword & Shield.
Also found in:
At 580 BST, Tornadus is built different. We rank it B-Tier. As a Legendary Pokemon, the raw stats back up the reputation. Best used as a sweeper.
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.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBWDebut
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