uploaded -zard
[OVERVIEW]
Torterra's great bulk and reliable recovery in Synthesis allow it to be a reliable and sustainable Stealth Rock setter. In addition to this, it has a solid STAB combination, decent coverage moves like Stone Edge, and a high Attack stat, meaning it can play offensively as well. To add to its offensive potential, Torterra also has a variety of boosting moves, notably Swords Dance and Rock Polish, allowing it to potentially become a strong and fast sweeper. However, while its STAB combination is fairly good, Torterra finds itself walled by common Pokemon like Gourgeist-XL, Weezing, and Alolan Exeggutor. Low unboosted Speed and exploitable weaknesses to types like Ice, Flying, and Fire leave Torterra prey to common Pokemon like Jynx, Oricorio-G, and Pyroar. Torterra also faces huge competition from Palossand and Gourgeist-XL as a defensive Ground- and Grass-type, respecyively. While Torterra has better mixed bulk than both of these Pokemon, Palossand also has Stealth Rock and boasts a better defensive typing that allows it to check Pokemon like Archeops, and Gourgeist-XL has better physical bulk to check wallbreakers like Stoutland more easily. Torterra also struggles due to being a Grass-type vulnerable to Water-type moves and a Ground-type that fails to deal with Fire-types. These negative factors make it difficult to justify Torterra on a team.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Wood Hammer
move 4: Synthesis
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Overgrow
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 60 Atk / 196 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock allows Torterra to set up entry hazards and slowly whittle down foes. Earthquake is a reliable STAB attack that hits neutral targets like Drampa, Stoutland, and Primeape quite hard. Wood Hammer is Torterra's strongest STAB move and hits Ground-immune Pokemon like Swanna and Mesprit, though it inflicts recoil. Synthesis gives Torterra reliable recovery that helps it sustain itself throughout the match and consistently set up Stealth Rock as well as check Pokemon like Kangaskhan.
Set Details
========
The HP and Defense EVs allow Torterra to avoid the 2HKO from Kangaskhan's Double-Edge after Stealth Rock. The remaining EVs are dumped into Attack with an Adamant nature, letting Torterra to 2HKO Pokemon such as Drampa. Leftovers gives Torterra passive recovery, allowing it to sustain itself better. Rocky Helmet can be used to punish VoltTurn cores, as Torterra is immune to Volt Switch and U-Turn users like Primeape will take chip damage when they hit Torterra. It also punishes Pokemon that use contact moves in general.
Usage Tips
========
Torterra can be used as a lead to set up Stealth Rock immediately, or it can be saved for later during the game to set up Stealth Rock multiple times thanks to its ability to sustain itself. It also has a fairly good matchup versus other defensive Stealth Rock users like Regirock. However, Torterra can opt to attack opposing Pokemon first, such as using Earthquake to wear down Pokemon like Ferroseed. Use Synthesis when Torterra is in against a Pokemon it forces out like Gastrodon or more passive defensive Pokemon like Throh. It should also be used when Torterra can avoid the 2HKO from Pokemon like Aggron, Kangaskhan, and Lycanroc. This Torterra set can freely switch into Pokemon whose attacks it resists or are just weaker in general, such as Aggron and Skuntank. Once it is able to come into battle safely, Torterra's first priority should be to use Stealth Rock.
Team Options
========
Spinblockers like Oricorio-G and Defog punishers like Primeape are useful partners, as they pressure the opponent from getting rid of the Stealth Rock it sets up. Wallbreakers and sweepers such as Zangoose and Lilligant appreciate Torterra's ability to set up Stealth Rock and whittle down walls like Musharna and Weezing. These wallbreakers and sweepers can help Torterra's matchup against defensive Pokemon in return. Pokemon that can sponge Fire- and Ice-type hits like Assault Vest Magmortar have good defensive synergy with Torterra. Magmortar also appreciates Torterra's ability to set up Stealth Rock while helping break Torterra's defensive checks like Gourgeist-XL, Miltank, and Weezing in return. Checks to Flying-types like Lanturn help cover one of Torterra's major weaknesses, and Torterra can take Ground-type moves for them in return. Skuntank is a fairly good defensive partner as well, since it is able to pressure Jynx and absorb Toxic Spikes for Torterra, while Torterra is able to cover Ground-type attacks for Skuntank. Assault Vest Hitmonchan is a pretty good partner as well, since it can be a decent soft check to Fire- and Ice-type attackers as well as offering hazard removal.
[SET]
name: Dancing Turtle (Double Dance)
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Rockium Z
ability: Shell Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rock Polish boosts Torterra's low Speed and allows it to outspeed the unboosted metagame bar the uncommon maximum Speed Electrode and Ninjask. Swords Dance boosts Torterra's already high Attack and gives it a higher chance to OHKO and 2HKO offensive Pokemon and bulky walls like Musharna and Miltank, further increasing its sweeping potential. Earthquake is a strong and reliable STAB move that can break through walls like Palossand after a Swords Dance. Stone Edge with Earthquake allows Torterra to create the unresisted EdgeQuake combo, hitting nearly the whole tier for at least neutral damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment allows Torterra to hit as hard as possible and outspeed Pokemon like Zebstrika and Floatzel after a Rock Polish. An Adamant nature is used over Jolly, as it gives Torterra significantly higher Attack after a Swords Dance. Torterra also doesn't hit the very common base 95 Speed Choice Scarf benchmark even with a Jolly nature, allowing Pokemon like Jynx to revenge kill it regardless. However, Jolly is still usable, as it allows Torterra to outspeed Choice Scarf Mesprit. Rockium Z gives Torterra a one-time-nuke, hitting Pokemon that would otherwise wall it, such as Weezing and Gourgeist-XL, very hard after a Swords Dance.
Usage Tips
========
Torterra requires quite a bit of team support to sweep, so careful play is required. For example, if the opponent has a bulky Grass-type like Alolan Exeggutor or Gourgeist-XL, it should be weakened by teammates before attempting a sweep with Torterra. Eliminate potential Choice Scarf users like Jynx and Pyroar that can revenge kill Torterra even after Rock Polish. Use Rock Polish or Swords Dance on Pokemon Torterra forces out or checks, such as Lycanroc, Golem, Golurk, and Aggron. Golurk and Aggron can run a Jolly nature and usually carry a super effective elemental punch in Ice Punch and Fire Punch, respectively, so scout ahead in case of this. Torterra can also set up on more passive Pokemon like Ferroseed and Miltank, though it should watch out for Toxic. Setting up both Rock Polish and Swords Dance may be difficult, so analyze the situation and see which boost would help the most. Rock Polish should be used against frailer offensive teams, as Torterra can usually hit them hard regardless of an Attack boost, but it lacks the Speed to prevent being revenge killed. Swords Dance should be used when facing bulkier and slower teams such as stall, as while Torterra can outspeed most Pokemon on these teams, it lacks the power to 2HKO them, making an Attack boost more desirable in these situations.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can set up entry hazards like Mesprit and Miltank make it easier for Torterra to sweep, as it potentially doesn't need to use Swords Dance after enough hazard damage has racked up. Thick Fat Miltank can even deal with Torterra's Fire- and Ice-type weaknesses, while Mesprit can offer Healing Wish support to give Torterra a second chance to sweep. Pokemon that can check Flying-types, such as Probopass and Lanturn, are decent defensive partners. Clerics like Granbull and Miltank are able to prevent status conditions from hindering Torterra's sweep. Hazard removal is also important, as Torterra wants to preserve as much health as possible to boost, so Defog and Rapid Spin users like Swanna and Hitmonchan are quite important. Volt Switch and U-turn users can bring Torterra in safely without risking damage, so Primeape, Eelektross, and Lanturn are good partners. Since Gourgeist-XL is almost a complete stop to Torterra, Pokemon that can break through it like Jynx and Magmortar are great partners. Sweepers and fast offensive Pokemon appreciate the wallbreaking power Swords Dance Torterra provides, so Pokemon like Floatzel, Kabutops, and Lycanroc are good partners to finish off a weakened team. Wallbreakers like Choice Band Stoutland help Torterra sweep the opposition with only a Rock Polish boost, as they can weaken the opposing team to the point where a boost isn't required.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band turns Torterra into an extremely powerful wallbreaker that is capable of 2HKOing bulky Pokemon like Musharna with Wood Hammer. However, Torterra's STAB combination is easily walled by Pokemon like Weezing, making such a set difficult to use the majority of the time. Soft Sand is another option to boost Earthquake's power decently, though it still doesn't hit too hard without a boost and sacrifices the ability to potentially beat counters with Continental Crush. Lum Berry is another option to give Torterra safe setup opportunities against status inducers like Weezing, but it shares the same problem with Soft Sand of losing the ability to break through counters. Darkinium Z with Crunch can be used with Swords Dance to break through Gourgeist-XL, though Gourgeist-XL commonly uses Colbur Berry and it overall does not provide as much power or coverage as Rockium Z. A set utilizing Subsitute and Leech Seed can be used to act as a major annoyance to the opponents team, though Torterra's low Speed can make using this set effectively difficult. An offensive Stealth Rock set using 252 Atk / 252 Spe alongside an Adamant nature can be used, though it sacrifices Torterra's sustainability.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ice-types and Ice-type coverage**: Torterra's major Ice weakness leaves it prey to common Ice-types like Abomasnow, Pilowswine, and Jynx. It is also vulnerable to Ice-type coverage moves such as Ice Beam from Mesprit and Poliwrath as well as Ice Punch from Aggron, Hitmonchan, and Golurk.
**Weezing**: Weezing is an effective counter to Torterra due to its immunity to Earthquake, resistance to Wood Hammer, and ability to burn Torterra with Will-O-Wisp. It is, however, very heavily damaged by a +2 Continental Crush.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types resist Torterra's STAB combination and can KO it in return with a super effective STAB attack, such as Hurricane from Oricorio-G or Acrobatics from Archeops. However, Archeops can't OHKO the defensive Torterra, and most Flying-types are hit hard by Stone Edge. Not all Flying-types resist Wood Hammer either, such as Swanna and the aformentioned Archeops.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types like Pyroar and Magmortar outspeed Torterra without a Rock Polish boost and can threaten to OHKO it with a powerful STAB move. However, they cannot switch directly into Torterra due to the threat of Earthquake. Choice Scarf Pyroar can even revenge kill Torterra after a boost from Rock Polish.
**Grass-types**: Pokemon like Alolan Exeggutor and Gourgeist-XL resist Torterra's STAB combination and are not vulnerable to coverage moves Torterra carries. However, they are very heavily damaged by +2 Continental Crush. Gourgeist-XL can still potentially beat Torterra if its healthy as well, either by using Synthesis after being hit by the Z-Move or by using Will-O-Wisp to avoid the KO in the following turn.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Torterra usually lacks the power to break through physically bulky Pokemon like Miltank and Musharna without a boost from Swords Dance, allowing them to check it pretty easily.
[OVERVIEW]
Torterra's great bulk and reliable recovery in Synthesis allow it to be a reliable and sustainable Stealth Rock setter. In addition to this, it has a solid STAB combination, decent coverage moves like Stone Edge, and a high Attack stat, meaning it can play offensively as well. To add to its offensive potential, Torterra also has a variety of boosting moves, notably Swords Dance and Rock Polish, allowing it to potentially become a strong and fast sweeper. However, while its STAB combination is fairly good, Torterra finds itself walled by common Pokemon like Gourgeist-XL, Weezing, and Alolan Exeggutor. Low unboosted Speed and exploitable weaknesses to types like Ice, Flying, and Fire leave Torterra prey to common Pokemon like Jynx, Oricorio-G, and Pyroar. Torterra also faces huge competition from Palossand and Gourgeist-XL as a defensive Ground- and Grass-type, respecyively. While Torterra has better mixed bulk than both of these Pokemon, Palossand also has Stealth Rock and boasts a better defensive typing that allows it to check Pokemon like Archeops, and Gourgeist-XL has better physical bulk to check wallbreakers like Stoutland more easily. Torterra also struggles due to being a Grass-type vulnerable to Water-type moves and a Ground-type that fails to deal with Fire-types. These negative factors make it difficult to justify Torterra on a team.
[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Wood Hammer
move 4: Synthesis
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Overgrow
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 60 Atk / 196 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock allows Torterra to set up entry hazards and slowly whittle down foes. Earthquake is a reliable STAB attack that hits neutral targets like Drampa, Stoutland, and Primeape quite hard. Wood Hammer is Torterra's strongest STAB move and hits Ground-immune Pokemon like Swanna and Mesprit, though it inflicts recoil. Synthesis gives Torterra reliable recovery that helps it sustain itself throughout the match and consistently set up Stealth Rock as well as check Pokemon like Kangaskhan.
Set Details
========
The HP and Defense EVs allow Torterra to avoid the 2HKO from Kangaskhan's Double-Edge after Stealth Rock. The remaining EVs are dumped into Attack with an Adamant nature, letting Torterra to 2HKO Pokemon such as Drampa. Leftovers gives Torterra passive recovery, allowing it to sustain itself better. Rocky Helmet can be used to punish VoltTurn cores, as Torterra is immune to Volt Switch and U-Turn users like Primeape will take chip damage when they hit Torterra. It also punishes Pokemon that use contact moves in general.
Usage Tips
========
Torterra can be used as a lead to set up Stealth Rock immediately, or it can be saved for later during the game to set up Stealth Rock multiple times thanks to its ability to sustain itself. It also has a fairly good matchup versus other defensive Stealth Rock users like Regirock. However, Torterra can opt to attack opposing Pokemon first, such as using Earthquake to wear down Pokemon like Ferroseed. Use Synthesis when Torterra is in against a Pokemon it forces out like Gastrodon or more passive defensive Pokemon like Throh. It should also be used when Torterra can avoid the 2HKO from Pokemon like Aggron, Kangaskhan, and Lycanroc. This Torterra set can freely switch into Pokemon whose attacks it resists or are just weaker in general, such as Aggron and Skuntank. Once it is able to come into battle safely, Torterra's first priority should be to use Stealth Rock.
Team Options
========
Spinblockers like Oricorio-G and Defog punishers like Primeape are useful partners, as they pressure the opponent from getting rid of the Stealth Rock it sets up. Wallbreakers and sweepers such as Zangoose and Lilligant appreciate Torterra's ability to set up Stealth Rock and whittle down walls like Musharna and Weezing. These wallbreakers and sweepers can help Torterra's matchup against defensive Pokemon in return. Pokemon that can sponge Fire- and Ice-type hits like Assault Vest Magmortar have good defensive synergy with Torterra. Magmortar also appreciates Torterra's ability to set up Stealth Rock while helping break Torterra's defensive checks like Gourgeist-XL, Miltank, and Weezing in return. Checks to Flying-types like Lanturn help cover one of Torterra's major weaknesses, and Torterra can take Ground-type moves for them in return. Skuntank is a fairly good defensive partner as well, since it is able to pressure Jynx and absorb Toxic Spikes for Torterra, while Torterra is able to cover Ground-type attacks for Skuntank. Assault Vest Hitmonchan is a pretty good partner as well, since it can be a decent soft check to Fire- and Ice-type attackers as well as offering hazard removal.
[SET]
name: Dancing Turtle (Double Dance)
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Rockium Z
ability: Shell Armor
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rock Polish boosts Torterra's low Speed and allows it to outspeed the unboosted metagame bar the uncommon maximum Speed Electrode and Ninjask. Swords Dance boosts Torterra's already high Attack and gives it a higher chance to OHKO and 2HKO offensive Pokemon and bulky walls like Musharna and Miltank, further increasing its sweeping potential. Earthquake is a strong and reliable STAB move that can break through walls like Palossand after a Swords Dance. Stone Edge with Earthquake allows Torterra to create the unresisted EdgeQuake combo, hitting nearly the whole tier for at least neutral damage.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment allows Torterra to hit as hard as possible and outspeed Pokemon like Zebstrika and Floatzel after a Rock Polish. An Adamant nature is used over Jolly, as it gives Torterra significantly higher Attack after a Swords Dance. Torterra also doesn't hit the very common base 95 Speed Choice Scarf benchmark even with a Jolly nature, allowing Pokemon like Jynx to revenge kill it regardless. However, Jolly is still usable, as it allows Torterra to outspeed Choice Scarf Mesprit. Rockium Z gives Torterra a one-time-nuke, hitting Pokemon that would otherwise wall it, such as Weezing and Gourgeist-XL, very hard after a Swords Dance.
Usage Tips
========
Torterra requires quite a bit of team support to sweep, so careful play is required. For example, if the opponent has a bulky Grass-type like Alolan Exeggutor or Gourgeist-XL, it should be weakened by teammates before attempting a sweep with Torterra. Eliminate potential Choice Scarf users like Jynx and Pyroar that can revenge kill Torterra even after Rock Polish. Use Rock Polish or Swords Dance on Pokemon Torterra forces out or checks, such as Lycanroc, Golem, Golurk, and Aggron. Golurk and Aggron can run a Jolly nature and usually carry a super effective elemental punch in Ice Punch and Fire Punch, respectively, so scout ahead in case of this. Torterra can also set up on more passive Pokemon like Ferroseed and Miltank, though it should watch out for Toxic. Setting up both Rock Polish and Swords Dance may be difficult, so analyze the situation and see which boost would help the most. Rock Polish should be used against frailer offensive teams, as Torterra can usually hit them hard regardless of an Attack boost, but it lacks the Speed to prevent being revenge killed. Swords Dance should be used when facing bulkier and slower teams such as stall, as while Torterra can outspeed most Pokemon on these teams, it lacks the power to 2HKO them, making an Attack boost more desirable in these situations.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can set up entry hazards like Mesprit and Miltank make it easier for Torterra to sweep, as it potentially doesn't need to use Swords Dance after enough hazard damage has racked up. Thick Fat Miltank can even deal with Torterra's Fire- and Ice-type weaknesses, while Mesprit can offer Healing Wish support to give Torterra a second chance to sweep. Pokemon that can check Flying-types, such as Probopass and Lanturn, are decent defensive partners. Clerics like Granbull and Miltank are able to prevent status conditions from hindering Torterra's sweep. Hazard removal is also important, as Torterra wants to preserve as much health as possible to boost, so Defog and Rapid Spin users like Swanna and Hitmonchan are quite important. Volt Switch and U-turn users can bring Torterra in safely without risking damage, so Primeape, Eelektross, and Lanturn are good partners. Since Gourgeist-XL is almost a complete stop to Torterra, Pokemon that can break through it like Jynx and Magmortar are great partners. Sweepers and fast offensive Pokemon appreciate the wallbreaking power Swords Dance Torterra provides, so Pokemon like Floatzel, Kabutops, and Lycanroc are good partners to finish off a weakened team. Wallbreakers like Choice Band Stoutland help Torterra sweep the opposition with only a Rock Polish boost, as they can weaken the opposing team to the point where a boost isn't required.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band turns Torterra into an extremely powerful wallbreaker that is capable of 2HKOing bulky Pokemon like Musharna with Wood Hammer. However, Torterra's STAB combination is easily walled by Pokemon like Weezing, making such a set difficult to use the majority of the time. Soft Sand is another option to boost Earthquake's power decently, though it still doesn't hit too hard without a boost and sacrifices the ability to potentially beat counters with Continental Crush. Lum Berry is another option to give Torterra safe setup opportunities against status inducers like Weezing, but it shares the same problem with Soft Sand of losing the ability to break through counters. Darkinium Z with Crunch can be used with Swords Dance to break through Gourgeist-XL, though Gourgeist-XL commonly uses Colbur Berry and it overall does not provide as much power or coverage as Rockium Z. A set utilizing Subsitute and Leech Seed can be used to act as a major annoyance to the opponents team, though Torterra's low Speed can make using this set effectively difficult. An offensive Stealth Rock set using 252 Atk / 252 Spe alongside an Adamant nature can be used, though it sacrifices Torterra's sustainability.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ice-types and Ice-type coverage**: Torterra's major Ice weakness leaves it prey to common Ice-types like Abomasnow, Pilowswine, and Jynx. It is also vulnerable to Ice-type coverage moves such as Ice Beam from Mesprit and Poliwrath as well as Ice Punch from Aggron, Hitmonchan, and Golurk.
**Weezing**: Weezing is an effective counter to Torterra due to its immunity to Earthquake, resistance to Wood Hammer, and ability to burn Torterra with Will-O-Wisp. It is, however, very heavily damaged by a +2 Continental Crush.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types resist Torterra's STAB combination and can KO it in return with a super effective STAB attack, such as Hurricane from Oricorio-G or Acrobatics from Archeops. However, Archeops can't OHKO the defensive Torterra, and most Flying-types are hit hard by Stone Edge. Not all Flying-types resist Wood Hammer either, such as Swanna and the aformentioned Archeops.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types like Pyroar and Magmortar outspeed Torterra without a Rock Polish boost and can threaten to OHKO it with a powerful STAB move. However, they cannot switch directly into Torterra due to the threat of Earthquake. Choice Scarf Pyroar can even revenge kill Torterra after a boost from Rock Polish.
**Grass-types**: Pokemon like Alolan Exeggutor and Gourgeist-XL resist Torterra's STAB combination and are not vulnerable to coverage moves Torterra carries. However, they are very heavily damaged by +2 Continental Crush. Gourgeist-XL can still potentially beat Torterra if its healthy as well, either by using Synthesis after being hit by the Z-Move or by using Will-O-Wisp to avoid the KO in the following turn.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Torterra usually lacks the power to break through physically bulky Pokemon like Miltank and Musharna without a boost from Swords Dance, allowing them to check it pretty easily.
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