Introduced in generation two, with the Pokemon Gold and Silver games, Forretress is a dual type bug and steel Pokemon. It is the second stage evolution of its two stage evolution line and evolves from Pineco once it reaches the level threshold. Forretress is classified by the Pokedex as the “Bagworm Pokemon” which is likely a reference to its general design. This guide will showcase Forretress’s capabilities in battle, its appearances in the anime, as well as other general facts about Forretress.
About Forretress
As a generation two Pokemon, Forretress first appeared in the Original Series of the anime in the episode Entei at Your Own Risk. In this episode, Brock’s Pineco evolves into Forretress to protect a group of Pokemon from Team Rocket. The Pokedex states how Forretress keeps its shell shut unless it is hunting. However, it can open its shell, catch prey, and close it before the inside of its shell can be seen.
| First appearance in anime | Pokemon the Original Series: Entei at Your Own Risk |
| First appearance in game | Pokemon Gold and Silver |
| Region | Johto |
| Evolution | Evolves from Pineco, not known to evolve into any other Pokemon |
| 1st Evo level | 31 |
| 2nd Evo level | N/A |
| Pokedex Entry | Forretress conceals itself inside its hardened steel shell. The shell is opened when the Pokémon is catching prey, but it does so at such a quick pace that the shell's inside cannot be seen. |
Forretress Base Stats
| HP | 75 |
| ATTACK | 90 |
| DEFENCE | 140 |
| SP. ATTACK | 60 |
| SP. DEFENCE | 60 |
| SPEED | 40 |
| TOTAL | 465 |
Appearance
Forretress is a large gray and red Pokemon that resembles a rounded bagworm. Most of its body is surrounded by a gray shell. Its body is colored red and there are spikes pointing in four directions coming out of its center. Forretress has no visible limbs, but seems to use force in order to move from place to place. Between the openings of Forretress’s shell are its two eyes that are white with black pupils. Forretress is an average sized Pokemon at 3 feet and 11 inches, or 1.2 meters, tall.
Behavior
In the wild, Forretress will utilize its armored shell in battle. When Forretress is threatened it will shoot out pieces of its outer shell at them. Forretress will hunt for prey, but the movement of it opening its shell is too fast to see what is inside of its shell. The Pokedex mentions that they can be commonly found rooted to trees. It also mentions how the inside of Forretress’s shell is a mystery. Forretress can be commonly found in warm and humid forests.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Forretress has a powerful physical defense stat along with a decent health pool. Its physical attack is not bad either. Unfortunately, Forretress is slow and often goes last in turn order. It also has weak special stats leaving it with a clear weakness. Even still, it has a strong defensive type. As a dual type bug and steel Pokemon, Forretress only takes 4x damage from fire type moves. It is immune to poison type moves and resistant to normal, bug, steel, grass, psychic, ice, dragon, and fairy type moves.
Best Moveset
Forretress has been one of the most powerful Pokemon in history. While it has recently fallen from grace, it offered an incredible amount of support and set up well against common strategies in competitive play. Its powerful defensive type along with access to supportive moves makes Forretress a good answer to many Pokemon. With a Leftovers, as a held item, and Sturdy/Overcoat as its ability, Forretress has proven itself to be a resilient Pokemon. Consider running Rapid Spin, Stealth Rocks/Spikes, Volt Switch, and Gyro Ball/Toxic. This set is aimed at setting up your choice of hazards on your opponent’s side of the field. It can also remove hazards from your own side of the field. Volt Switch allows Forretress to pivot out into an aggressive Pokemon. Finally, you have a choice of damaging options between Gyro Ball and Toxic.
| Rapid Spin | Stealth Rock/Spikes |
| Volt Switch | Gyro Ball/Toxic |
How to Catch Forretress in Pokemon Go?
If you would like to obtain a Forretress in Pokemon Go, the easiest way to do so would be to first obtain a Pineco and eventually evolve it into Forretress. Like most final evolutions, the base evolution spawns more commonly in the wild which makes it easier to encounter than its evolved forms. You can find Pineco spawning in the wild, at a boosted rate, near parks, farmlands, forests, gardens, woodlands, and other grassy areas. Pineco can also be hatched from 5 and 7 km eggs. Both Pineco and Forretress have been featured as tier one and tier four raid bosses respectively. To evolve Pineco into a Forretress it will require 50 candies.
Trivia
- Forretress was originally a steel type Pokemon before Magnemite was. The introduction of steel type Pokemon came with Forretress in the National Dex.
- The inspiration for Forretress’s design is likely based on a bagworm.
- The name Forretress is a combination of the words forest and fortress.
FAQ
Is Forretress a sword?
Forretress more closely resembles an armored bunker than a weapon itself. It is meant to resemble a fortified acorn or bagworm that would be difficult to break through. In battle, Forretress can function as a defensive Pokemon and offer alternative powerful effects instead of simply damage.
What is Forretress supposed to be?
The closest real-life animal connection that Forretress has is to bagworms. A small caterpillar that can grow an armored chrysalis. While its shape makes the resemblance difficult to imagine, thinking of a bug in an armored fortress can help draw the connection.
Is Forretress any good?
Forretress has only recently fallen from high tiers of competitive play. In previous generations Forretress was one of the premier defensive Pokemon. A Pokemon with access to setting up and removing hazards, pivoting into offensive Pokemon, as well as offering incredible defensive value made Forretress stellar in competitive play.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you now know just about everything there is to know about this “Bagworm Pokemon”. Forretress’s impact in competitive play is unique as many older generation Pokemon show more weakness with newer generations. The defensive capability from Forretress cannot be understated. Since Forretress becomes more powerful in prolonged battles, you will want to gear Forretress for surviving. Reserve a slot on your team for Forretress if you want a defensive bug and steel type Pokemon.
