Games - Torkoal

	Games - Torkoal

Torkoal (コータス Cortoise in Japan, Qurtel in Germany, and Chartor in France) is a fictional character from the Pokémon franchise. It is a Fire Pokémon having no evolutions.

Its name is a combination of tortoise and coal.

Appearance/Biology

Torkoal resembles a red tortoise. It exhales an always present cloud of smoke through its nostrils and through holes in its body and dark grey stone shell. It also consumes coal. Before the release of Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, fans speculated that Torkoal may have been a new evolution to Magcargo, but they were mistaken, as Torkoal was revealed to be a stand-alone Pokemon that is actually smaller than Magcargo.

Torkoal fills the hollows in its shell and with coal and burns it - its strength is diminished without this supply. It will search through whole mountains to find it. If attacked, this Pokémon spouts thick black smoke in order to retreat. If this is not possible, this Pokémon needs more coal for energy. It lets off a sound that is similar to a locomotive’s horn when emitting smoke from its nostrils.

In the video games

Generally, Torkoal is considered an underused Pokémon. Its defense is its best stat, but its speed is horrible, considering that is it based upon a tortoise. Many ignore it due to its inability to use the Fire-type move Will-o-wisp, a move that inflicts a burn and is found on many other fire-types.

Torkoal can be caught in the wild on the Fiery Path in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald (although it can also be caught in the Magma Hideout in Emerald).

In the animé

Flannery, the Lavaridge Town gym leader, has a Torkoal.

A few episodes later, At Steel Valley, Ash and friends help protect a Torkoal from the guardian of the place which consists of a Steelix. After saving it, Ash captures a Torkoal. His Torkoal usually starts crying at random moments since it has low self esteem and usually does everything wrong, like diving into the ocean. Upon his return to Kanto to participate in the Battle Frontier, Ash left Torkoal and Glalie with Professor Oak.

In the trading card game

Torkoal may be considered an underrepresented Pokémon in the card game because it has only appeared three times as a Basic Pokémon:

EX Dragon (Fire-type)
EX Team Magma vs. Team Aqua (as Team Magma’s Torkoal, as a Dark/Fire dual type)
EX Legend Maker (Fire-type)

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Torkoal ]

Searches on eBay

torkoal