Rabia
GP & NU Leader
[OVERVIEW]
Torterra's niche largely comes from its good coverage, access to Rock Polish, and solid natural bulk making it a functional late-game sweeper that can be difficult to take down without super effective coverage. Torterra can also support its team as a wallbreaker in matchups where sweeping is unlikely, which gives it some flexibility. Unfortunately, Torterra's low Speed makes it incredibly reliant on obtaining a Rock Polish boost to not be immediately threatened by the myriad of Pokemon faster than it, such as Aerodactyl, Sigilyph, Sneasel, and Delphox. Additionally, despite Torterra's great coverage, it struggles greatly with Pokemon like Weezing and Dhelmise that are too bulky to overwhelm without Swords Dance. Torterra is also marred by a neutrality to Water and a severe weakness to Scald, which harms its ability to be put on a wide variety of teams given the opportunity cost of using it over other, more consistent Grass-types like Whimsicott and Sceptile.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Wood Hammer
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Rock Polish
item: Rockium Z / Grassium Z
ability: Overgrow
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Wood Hammer is Torterra's best move to hit bulky Water-types like Slowking, Blastoise, and Seismitoad as well as Fighting-types like Passimian and Pangoro. Earthquake targets Fire-types like Incineroar, Delphox, and Magmortar while hitting Pokemon like Garbodor, Druddigon, and Guzzlord for good damage too. Stone Edge provides Torterra with coverage for Pokemon that resist its STAB attacks, such as Weezing, Dhelmise, Sigilyph, and Vikavolt. Rock Polish lets Torterra outspeed key threats like Heliolisk, Aerodactyl, Sceptile, and Magmortar, preventing them from revenge killing it. Swords Dance can be used to vastly improve Torterra's matchup against checks like Weezing and Dhelmise, although losing Earthquake means Torterra must rely on Stone Edge to hit Fire-types and its Z-Move to safely bypass Garbodor.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment with a Jolly nature makes Torterra as fast and strong as possible, ensuring it outspeeds Pokemon like Choice Scarf Passimian, Sceptile, and Heliolisk at +2 and can beat them. Rockium Z gives Torterra access to Continental Crush, which lets it more reliably remove Flying- and Grass-types like Sigilyph, Vivillon, and Whimsicott. Alternatively, Bloom Doom OHKOes Pangoro and takes out Passimian after minor chip damage, as well as OHKOing Pyukumuku, giving Torterra a solid stall matchup. Bloom Doom also doesn't inflict recoil, which helps improve Torterra's longevity. Overgrow provides Torterra with a great boost in power to its Grass-type moves when it is low on health.
Usage Tips
========
Although Torterra should be preserved for late-game so it has the most HP possible when attempting to set up and sweep, you can still make use of its defensive utility by switching it into attacks it's immune to or resists from Pokemon like Choice Specs Heliolisk, Choice item Rotom, and Choice Band Aerodactyl. Furthermore, you can aggressively double switch Torterra in against slower Pokemon such as defensive Garbodor, Slowking, and Rhydon that it can threaten with super effective damage, potentially letting it get a hit off against one of its checks and giving it an easier time sweeping late-game. This can also allow Torterra to outright remove a check like Xatu or Vikavolt with a well-timed use of its Z-Move. When aiming to set up and sweep, ensure that Torterra cannot be immediately threatened by its foe; otherwise, it becomes very unlikely for a successful sweep to occur. If opting for Swords Dance, Torterra becomes a bit more flexible with its role; rather than being a dedicated late-game sweeper, it can also function as an early- and mid-game wallbreaker. Use this to your advantage by removing or heavily denting troublesome Pokemon such as Dhelmise and Alolan Exeggutor that could give Torterra trouble late-game.
Team Options
========
Torterra excels on bulky offense teams that can make up for its inability to contribute much until late-game without Swords Dance. Special wallbreakers such as Rotom and Sigilyph pair great with Torterra; both can deal with Weezing very easily, and Sigilyph can also threaten Grass-types like Dhelmise, Alolan Exeggutor, and Decidueye. Pursuit trappers like Sneasel and Aerodactyl can help remove checks to Torterra such as Dhelmise and Sigilyph as well as pressure Passimian. Although Torterra is a Grass-type, it doesn't deal with Water-types as well as other Grass-types do because it fears Scald greatly. Therefore, Water-type checks like Heliolisk, Slowking, and Druddigon make excellent partners. Heliolisk and Slowking can also pressure physical walls, while Druddigon provides additional support in Stealth Rock and Glare. If running Swords Dance, Torterra is capable of supporting teammates such as Comfey and Passimian by pressuring shared checks and counters. In return, Passimian can deal with Fire-types like Incineroar, Delphox, and Magmortar.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Torterra can run a specially defensive set with a spread of 252 HP / 72 Def / 184 SpD and a Careful nature and a moveset of Wood Hammer / Earthquake / Synthesis / Stealth Rock or Swords Dance. This set lets it check Pokemon like Choice Specs Heliolisk, offensive Rotom, and Comfey. However, Torterra is unable to set Stealth Rock reliably against teams with Xatu, and it is completely walled by Pokemon like Weezing, Sigilyph, Vikavolt, and Golbat. Choice Band makes Torterra an immediately threatening wallbreaker due to its coverage helping it against typical Ground-type checks such as Vaporeon and Sigilyph. However, Torterra's low Speed and lack of defensive investment make it easy to revenge kill.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Weezing**: Weezing's typing, ability, and great physical bulk enable it to switch into Torterra's moves with impunity and cripple Torterra with Will-O-Wisp or set Toxic Spikes. Even if Torterra uses Swords Dance as Weezing switches in, it has a good chance to survive +2 Continental Crush followed by Stone Edge if Will-O-Wisp doesn't miss.
**Grass-types**: Pokemon like Dhelmise, Alolan Exeggutor, Sceptile, and Whimsicott resist Torterra's STAB attacks and threaten it with heavy damage. However, the latter two risk fainting to Continental Crush after minor chip damage, while the former two are easily removed after a Swords Dance boost.
**Flying-types**: Although they can't switch into Torterra's Rock-type coverage, Pokemon like Sigilyph, Vivillon, Braviary, and Golbat can switch into Torterra's STAB attacks and threaten to OHKO or heavily damage it in return. Aerodactyl has an even more difficult time switching in, but it can also OHKO Torterra.
**Revenge Killers**: Sneasel and Mega Glalie can easily OHKO Torterra before it boosts its Speed, while Sneasel, Piloswine, and Mega Abomasnow can threaten it with Ice Shard afterwards. Choice Scarf Delphox and Magmortar can outspeed Torterra even after a Rock Polish boost and OHKO it with Fire Blast.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[Espeonage., 395065], [Finchinator, 114198], [Eternally, 295647]]
- Grammar checked by: [[P Squared, 168392], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Torterra's niche largely comes from its good coverage, access to Rock Polish, and solid natural bulk making it a functional late-game sweeper that can be difficult to take down without super effective coverage. Torterra can also support its team as a wallbreaker in matchups where sweeping is unlikely, which gives it some flexibility. Unfortunately, Torterra's low Speed makes it incredibly reliant on obtaining a Rock Polish boost to not be immediately threatened by the myriad of Pokemon faster than it, such as Aerodactyl, Sigilyph, Sneasel, and Delphox. Additionally, despite Torterra's great coverage, it struggles greatly with Pokemon like Weezing and Dhelmise that are too bulky to overwhelm without Swords Dance. Torterra is also marred by a neutrality to Water and a severe weakness to Scald, which harms its ability to be put on a wide variety of teams given the opportunity cost of using it over other, more consistent Grass-types like Whimsicott and Sceptile.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Wood Hammer
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Rock Polish
item: Rockium Z / Grassium Z
ability: Overgrow
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Wood Hammer is Torterra's best move to hit bulky Water-types like Slowking, Blastoise, and Seismitoad as well as Fighting-types like Passimian and Pangoro. Earthquake targets Fire-types like Incineroar, Delphox, and Magmortar while hitting Pokemon like Garbodor, Druddigon, and Guzzlord for good damage too. Stone Edge provides Torterra with coverage for Pokemon that resist its STAB attacks, such as Weezing, Dhelmise, Sigilyph, and Vikavolt. Rock Polish lets Torterra outspeed key threats like Heliolisk, Aerodactyl, Sceptile, and Magmortar, preventing them from revenge killing it. Swords Dance can be used to vastly improve Torterra's matchup against checks like Weezing and Dhelmise, although losing Earthquake means Torterra must rely on Stone Edge to hit Fire-types and its Z-Move to safely bypass Garbodor.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment with a Jolly nature makes Torterra as fast and strong as possible, ensuring it outspeeds Pokemon like Choice Scarf Passimian, Sceptile, and Heliolisk at +2 and can beat them. Rockium Z gives Torterra access to Continental Crush, which lets it more reliably remove Flying- and Grass-types like Sigilyph, Vivillon, and Whimsicott. Alternatively, Bloom Doom OHKOes Pangoro and takes out Passimian after minor chip damage, as well as OHKOing Pyukumuku, giving Torterra a solid stall matchup. Bloom Doom also doesn't inflict recoil, which helps improve Torterra's longevity. Overgrow provides Torterra with a great boost in power to its Grass-type moves when it is low on health.
Usage Tips
========
Although Torterra should be preserved for late-game so it has the most HP possible when attempting to set up and sweep, you can still make use of its defensive utility by switching it into attacks it's immune to or resists from Pokemon like Choice Specs Heliolisk, Choice item Rotom, and Choice Band Aerodactyl. Furthermore, you can aggressively double switch Torterra in against slower Pokemon such as defensive Garbodor, Slowking, and Rhydon that it can threaten with super effective damage, potentially letting it get a hit off against one of its checks and giving it an easier time sweeping late-game. This can also allow Torterra to outright remove a check like Xatu or Vikavolt with a well-timed use of its Z-Move. When aiming to set up and sweep, ensure that Torterra cannot be immediately threatened by its foe; otherwise, it becomes very unlikely for a successful sweep to occur. If opting for Swords Dance, Torterra becomes a bit more flexible with its role; rather than being a dedicated late-game sweeper, it can also function as an early- and mid-game wallbreaker. Use this to your advantage by removing or heavily denting troublesome Pokemon such as Dhelmise and Alolan Exeggutor that could give Torterra trouble late-game.
Team Options
========
Torterra excels on bulky offense teams that can make up for its inability to contribute much until late-game without Swords Dance. Special wallbreakers such as Rotom and Sigilyph pair great with Torterra; both can deal with Weezing very easily, and Sigilyph can also threaten Grass-types like Dhelmise, Alolan Exeggutor, and Decidueye. Pursuit trappers like Sneasel and Aerodactyl can help remove checks to Torterra such as Dhelmise and Sigilyph as well as pressure Passimian. Although Torterra is a Grass-type, it doesn't deal with Water-types as well as other Grass-types do because it fears Scald greatly. Therefore, Water-type checks like Heliolisk, Slowking, and Druddigon make excellent partners. Heliolisk and Slowking can also pressure physical walls, while Druddigon provides additional support in Stealth Rock and Glare. If running Swords Dance, Torterra is capable of supporting teammates such as Comfey and Passimian by pressuring shared checks and counters. In return, Passimian can deal with Fire-types like Incineroar, Delphox, and Magmortar.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Torterra can run a specially defensive set with a spread of 252 HP / 72 Def / 184 SpD and a Careful nature and a moveset of Wood Hammer / Earthquake / Synthesis / Stealth Rock or Swords Dance. This set lets it check Pokemon like Choice Specs Heliolisk, offensive Rotom, and Comfey. However, Torterra is unable to set Stealth Rock reliably against teams with Xatu, and it is completely walled by Pokemon like Weezing, Sigilyph, Vikavolt, and Golbat. Choice Band makes Torterra an immediately threatening wallbreaker due to its coverage helping it against typical Ground-type checks such as Vaporeon and Sigilyph. However, Torterra's low Speed and lack of defensive investment make it easy to revenge kill.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Weezing**: Weezing's typing, ability, and great physical bulk enable it to switch into Torterra's moves with impunity and cripple Torterra with Will-O-Wisp or set Toxic Spikes. Even if Torterra uses Swords Dance as Weezing switches in, it has a good chance to survive +2 Continental Crush followed by Stone Edge if Will-O-Wisp doesn't miss.
**Grass-types**: Pokemon like Dhelmise, Alolan Exeggutor, Sceptile, and Whimsicott resist Torterra's STAB attacks and threaten it with heavy damage. However, the latter two risk fainting to Continental Crush after minor chip damage, while the former two are easily removed after a Swords Dance boost.
**Flying-types**: Although they can't switch into Torterra's Rock-type coverage, Pokemon like Sigilyph, Vivillon, Braviary, and Golbat can switch into Torterra's STAB attacks and threaten to OHKO or heavily damage it in return. Aerodactyl has an even more difficult time switching in, but it can also OHKO Torterra.
**Revenge Killers**: Sneasel and Mega Glalie can easily OHKO Torterra before it boosts its Speed, while Sneasel, Piloswine, and Mega Abomasnow can threaten it with Ice Shard afterwards. Choice Scarf Delphox and Magmortar can outspeed Torterra even after a Rock Polish boost and OHKO it with Fire Blast.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[Espeonage., 395065], [Finchinator, 114198], [Eternally, 295647]]
- Grammar checked by: [[P Squared, 168392], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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