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.
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 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 |
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Garchomp builds →Earth Power 2x81-95% Surf 2x54-63% Liquidation 2x43-51% Dig 2x61-72% | ||
 Gyarados Water | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Gyarados builds →Hydro Pump 2x79-93% Aqua Tail 2x65-77% Surf 2x65-77% Waterfall 2x58-68% | ||
 Quaquaval WaterFighting | B | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Quaxly (Cabo Poco Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Quaquaval builds →Wave Crash 2x84-99% Surf 2x84-99% Liquidation 2x59-70% Water Pledge 2x75-89% | ||
 Cloyster WaterIce | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Cloyster builds →Hydro Pump 2x101-120%KO Surf 2x84-99% Liquidation 2x49-58% Razor Shell 2x43-52% | ||
 Vaporeon Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Torkoal View Vaporeon builds →Hydro Pump 2x125-147%KO Muddy Water 2x103-122%KO Surf 2x103-122%KO Liquidation 2x37-43% | ||
 | 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% | ||
Scarlet & Violet 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 206 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Ancient Power, Fissure, Flail and 1 more to offspring.
Scarlet & Violet Torkoal Best Moveset
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
Moves
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 8 types rounds out the picture alongside Eruption and Overheat.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Scarlet & Violet Torkoal Locations
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 Guide
In Scarlet & Violet, 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. Eruption with Charcoal is the standard set.
In Scarlet & Violet, 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 Scarlet & Violet, 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 Scarlet & Violet, 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