Defense Utility Sun Setter
With its unique ability in Drought, solid support move pool, and gargantuan defense stat, Torkoal is the center of all Sun teams. Torkoal’s main STAB move is Lava Plume, which hits decently hard under Sun and can punish Fire resists like Kingdra with a 30% chance to burn. Its second attack can be either Solar Beam for bulky waters like Slowbro or Sludge Bomb for Dachsbun (which also comes with the benefit of having a 30% chance to Poison). Torkoal can also forego the second attack with Yawn, which can generate enormous momentum. Torkoal has the excellent combination of Stealth Rocks and Rapid Spin, which allows Torkoal massive hazard control. However, it can use Toxic over Stealth Rocks if Torkoal already has another Stealth Rocker on his team. Torkoal typically runs max HP and max defense to become as physically bulky as possible.
Trick Room Attacker
Torkoal can also go on the offensive as a Trick Room attacker. Thanks to its very low speed and access to a Sun-boosted Eruption, a Choice Specs Torkoal is great at creating big holes in the opposing team. It uses Flamethrower as an alternate Fire move, as well as Solar Beam for aforementioned bulky Waters and either Earth Power for opposing Fire types or Sludge Bomb for Dachsbun.
Flaws
Torkoal is not without its flaws, despite its amazing Physical Defense, its Special Defense isn’t good, meaning it has to be wary of Special attacks. Torkoal also hates the move Knock Off, which makes it lose its Choice Specs, or even worse, his Heat Rock, significantly hampering his team. Finally, the prominence of Goodra is particularly bad, as Goodra’s typing and excellent Special bulk can mean that Torkoal struggles with it, which is why Toxic is an option on it. However, all these issues can be solved by the rest of your team, meaning that you can use Torkoal to great effect.
Written by Oceanicgamer