Stats & Training
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.
Coal is the source of Torkoal’s energy. Large amounts of coal can be found in the mountains where they live.
If the fire burning within its shell goes out, it will die. Those who wish to raise one in their home must always keep something flammable at hand.
Torkoal Weakness
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 |
 Primarina WaterFairy | A | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Popplio (Iki Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Primarina builds →Hydro Pump 2x141-166%KO Sparkling Aria 2x116-137%KO Scald 2x103-122%KO Bubble Beam 2x84-99% | ||
 Nihilego RockPoison | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Nihilego builds →Head Smash 2x56-66% Power Gem 2x103-122%KO | ||
 Feraligatr Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Feraligatr builds →Aqua Tail 2x56-66% Scald 2x70-83% Rock Slide 2x31-37% Rock Tomb 2x26-30% | ||
 Golisopod BugWater | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Wimpod (Route 8 Interact Encounter) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Golisopod builds →Liquidation 2x61-72% Scald 2x58-68% Razor Shell 2x54-64% Rock Slide 2x36-43% | ||
 Archeops Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Archen (Route 8 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Archeops builds →Rock Slide 2x61-72% Ancient Power 2x70-83% Bulldoze 2x32-39% Rock Tomb 2x49-58% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIron Barbs ItemLeftovers NatureSassy Moves View Ferrothorn builds →
| ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Kartana builds →Knock Off20-24% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Celesteela builds →Air Slash46-54% Flamethrower18-22% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityShielddust ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Ribombee builds →Moonblast24-29% | ||
Sun & Moon Evolution
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 218 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Clear Smog, Endure, Eruption and 6 more to offspring.
Sun & Moon Torkoal Best Moveset
Drought 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 Eruption as the main threat. Not the fastest, but it doesn't need to be.
Best Build
Torkoal best EVs are HP and Sp. Atk
Doubles Special Tank Moveset
- Eruption
- Earth Power
- Protect
- Heat Wave
Recommended Teammates
Wall Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Rapid Spin
- Yawn
- Lava Plume
Recommended Teammates
Moves
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
Sun & Moon Torkoal Locations
decent spawn rates for Torkoal across 4 locations in mid-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Best Locations to Catch Torkoal in Sun & Moon
Before you go hunting for Torkoal, check which of the 4 spots belong to your version. Moon and Sun each have different walking encounters at Lv. 26-29.
Torkoal Guide
In Sun & Moon, 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 B-Tier as a trick room. Eruption with Leftovers is the standard set.
In Sun & Moon, 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.
In Sun & Moon, 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.
In Sun & Moon, the best way to handle Torkoal: Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Water, Ground, and Rock-type attackers hit hardest.
Game Availability
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