[OVERVIEW]
Torterra is valued in RU primarily for its ability to break through common balance cores, such as Registeel + Alomomola, with its high-power STAB moves in conjunction with Swords Dance. Torterra is also a decent Volt Switch stop due to its Ground typing, but it has to be wary of switching into Hidden Power Ice, a common coverage move among Electric-types. Additionally, its above average bulk provides Torterra with several opportunities to set up Swords Dances throughout the match. Torterra's typing also makes it a strong check to various Ground-types such as Rhyperior and Flygon. Compared to Virizion, another Swords Dance balance breaker, Torterra's Wood hammer is significantly stronger than the former's Leaf Blade. However, Torterra is weak to U-turn, which prevents it from being a consistent VoltTurn answer. Torterra is also unfortunately very susceptible to Ice-type attacks, which makes it easy to lure. Additionally, its mediocre Speed tier means that it often has to take a hit before firing off one of its powerful STAB moves. While its STAB move combination is effective at pressuring premier balance cores, Torterra can't pressure Flying-types well, as they resist Wood Hammer and are immune to Earthquake. Its lack of a resistance to Water and vulnerability to Scald burns really hurts Torterra as an offensive Grass-type as well; it renders it unable to switch into offensive Water-types as well as it can switch into defensive ones such as Alomomola.
[SET]
name: Bulky Swords Dance
move 1: Wood Hammer
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Synthesis
item: Leftovers
ability: Overgrow
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 180 SpD / 76 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Wood Hammer is a powerful STAB move that beats Water- and Ground-types with the unfortunate side effect of dealing recoil damage. Similarly, Earthquake is a more reliable STAB move that hits Steel- and Electric-types without the nasty recoil effect of Wood Hammer. Swords Dance allows Torterra to set up on Pokemon such as Alomomola and Registeel, allowing it to dismantle common bulky teams and apply pressure to more offensive ones. Lastly, Synthesis allows Torterra to reliably check certain threats and remain healthy throughout the match, allowing it to set up on a wider variety of Pokemon.
Set Details
========
Foremost, maximum HP EVs coupled with 180 Special Defense EVs ensure that Torterra avoids the 2HKO from Choice Specs Magneton's Flash Cannon after Leftovers recovery. Additionally, the Speed EVs allow it to outspeed Alomomola, allowing Torterra to Swords Dance before Alomomola can attempt to burn it. Lastly, Leftovers is the best item for this set, as it gives Torterra extra longevity and provides it with passive healing to somewhat mitigate Wood Hammer recoil. Additionally, an EV spread of 252 HP / 24 Atk / 156 SpD / 76 Spe can be used with an Adamant nature to guarantee the OHKO on Registeel after a Swords Dance. However, you have to be more careful when switching into Magneton because Torterra cannot take an Analytic-boosted Flash Cannon followed by a normal Flash Cannon.
Usage Tips
========
First, always try to bring in Torterra on defensive Pokemon such as Diancie and Registeel that can't really threaten it. Also, be cautious when switching into Electric-types, since many run Hidden Power Ice; Magneton also does a large amount of damage to Torterra with Flash Cannon.
Team Options
========
Torterra is traditionally featured on slow, bulky offensive teams that rely on a solid defensive backbone to function effectively. Torterra has a crippling weakness to Ice-type Pokemon and coverage moves, so Pokemon that resist Ice such as Jellicent, Houndoom, and Slowking make excellent teammates. Torterra struggles to break past Flying-types, so offensive Pokemon that can beat them, such as Jolteon, Sneasel, and Mega Glalie, are helpful team members for this role. As a wallbreaker, Torterra appreciates VoltTurn users that can get it in for free against Pokemon that it enjoys setting up on. A perfect example of this is Flygon, which lures in Alomomola and can allow you to bring in Torterra for free. Uxie is another useful U-turn user that can get Torterra in with slow U-turns. Uxie can also set up Stealth Rock to wear down Torterra's checks. Mesprit another is more offensively oriented than Uxie, but it can give Torterra a second chance at a sweep with Healing Wish. Magneton is a particularly helpful partner, as it resists Ice-type attacks and can also break past Flying-types fairly easily while providing Volt Switch support. Lastly, Heal Bell users such as Diancie and Mega Audino are good partners for Torterra because Torterra can often get burned from switching into defensive Water-types. It also despises Toxic from defensive Pokemon, especially since Torterra is usually featured on slower bulky offense teams.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band is a potentially useful item because of the more immediate power it gives Torterra; it also gives it the ability to hit Flying-type Pokemon with Stone Edge. However, being locked into one move can make it extremely difficult to break the Registeel + Alomomola core, which relies on Protect. Additionally, a bulky Stealth Rock set can be used because it sets up Stealth Rock on a common Rapid Spin user in Blastoise, but there are generally many better options for this in the tier. Torterra also doesn't have very much power if it does not boost its attack with Swords Dance. Lastly, Lum Berry can be used on teams without a Heal Bell user to set up on Alomomola more consistently, but the extra longevity from Leftovers is usually appreciated more in the long run.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ice-types**: The two main Ice-types in the RU tier, Mega Glalie and Sneasel, outspeed Torterra and OHKO it with their Ice-type STAB moves, but they cannot switch into Torterra very well. Other Pokemon with Ice-type coverage moves can usually KO Torterra as well.
**Weezing**: Weezing resists Wood Hammer and has Levitate along with a really good Defense stat, making it a solid counter. It can also cripple Torterra with Will-O-Wisp, ensuring that Torterra cannot break through the Pokemon that it's supposed to.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Sigilyph and Braviary resist Wood Hammer and are immune to Earthquake; they can also threaten Torterra with super effective Flying-type STAB moves.
**Bronzong**: Bronzong's resistance to both of Torterra's STAB moves coupled with its impressive bulk allows it to be a consistent Torterra counter. It can even Toxic Torterra to wear it down.
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