Which Tornadus is Better? Incarnate vs. Therian
Let’s cut right to the chase: Therian Forme Tornadus is generally considered the superior choice in most competitive scenarios. Its improved Attack stat and different Ability (Regenerator) make it a far more reliable and versatile offensive threat compared to Incarnate Forme. While Incarnate Tornadus boasts a higher Speed stat, the overall benefits provided by Therian Forme’s kit and sustainability ultimately outweigh that speed advantage in the current meta. This isn’t to say Incarnate Tornadus is useless, but its niche is significantly narrower.
Deep Dive into the Two Forms
To truly understand why Therian Tornadus reigns supreme, we need to break down the specifics of each form.
Incarnate Forme Tornadus
Incarnate Forme is the original design for Tornadus. Its key characteristic is its high Speed, making it naturally suited for roles that require outspeeding opponents. Its ability, Prankster, gives priority to non-attacking moves, allowing for potent support options like Tailwind, Rain Dance, and Taunt.
- Strengths: High Speed, Prankster Ability, strong supportive moveset.
- Weaknesses: Lower Attack stat, less potent Special Attack, frailer defensively.
- Viable Roles: Speed control (Tailwind), weather setter (Rain Dance), disrupting opponents (Taunt).
Therian Forme Tornadus
Therian Forme is a dramatically different beast, both literally and figuratively. It trades some of its Speed for a significant boost in Attack and Special Attack, and most importantly, gains the Regenerator Ability. Regenerator restores 1/3 of Tornadus’s HP upon switching out, dramatically increasing its longevity and allowing it to repeatedly switch in and out to pressure the opponent.
- Strengths: High Attack stat, Regenerator Ability, excellent Special Attack stat, improved bulk.
- Weaknesses: Lower Speed than Incarnate, slightly more predictable moveset.
- Viable Roles: Offensive Pivot, powerful Hurricane user, Defog user.
Stat Comparison at a Glance
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of their base stats:
| Stat | Incarnate Forme | Therian Forme |
|---|---|---|
| ————- | —————– | ————— |
| HP | 79 | 79 |
| Attack | 115 | 100 |
| Defense | 70 | 80 |
| Sp. Atk | 125 | 110 |
| Sp. Def | 80 | 90 |
| Speed | 111 | 121 |
| Total | 580 | 580 |
While the total base stat is the same, the distribution of these stats dramatically impacts how each form functions.
Why Therian Forme Excels
The combination of Regenerator and improved offensive stats allows Therian Forme to act as a consistent offensive pivot. It can switch in, fire off a powerful Hurricane, and then safely switch out to recover HP, repeating the process throughout the match. This constant pressure makes it difficult for opponents to set up or safely switch in their own Pokémon.
- Regenerator: Provides incredible sustain, allowing Tornadus to repeatedly enter the field.
- Hurricane: A powerful Flying-type attack with a chance to confuse the target, boosted by its high Special Attack.
- U-Turn: A Bug-type move allowing for safe switching while dealing damage.
- Defog: Removes hazards from your side of the field, making it a valuable support option.
Incarnate Forme’s Niche
While Therian Forme is generally superior, Incarnate Forme can still find a niche in teams that specifically need speed control or disruption. Prankster gives priority to moves like Tailwind, guaranteeing a Speed boost for your team, or Taunt, preventing opponents from setting up entry hazards or boosting their stats.
- Prankster Tailwind: Doubles your team’s Speed for a few turns, allowing you to outspeed and sweep opponents.
- Prankster Taunt: Prevents opponents from using status moves, crippling setup sweepers and stall teams.
- Rain Dance: Supports Water-type teams by boosting their attacks and dampening Fire-type attacks.
Team Compositions and Synergy
The effectiveness of either Tornadus form heavily depends on team composition.
- Therian Forme: Thrives in offensive teams that appreciate its pivoting capabilities and consistent damage output. Pair it with Pokémon that can take advantage of its U-Turns, like strong physical attackers.
- Incarnate Forme: Fits better in teams that need speed control or disruption. It works well with setup sweepers that benefit from the Speed boost provided by Tailwind.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Therian Forme Tornadus is the more versatile and powerful choice in most competitive scenarios. Its Regenerator ability and offensive prowess make it a consistent threat. However, Incarnate Forme Tornadus has a niche in teams that specifically require speed control and disruption. Choose the form that best suits your team’s needs and playstyle.
Learning about Pokémon and the meta-game can be fun, but it also develops critical thinking skills and strategic planning abilities. The Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ studies how games can be used for educational purposes and provides resources for educators and learners alike. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to find a wealth of information about the educational power of games!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Tornadus, covering both forms and various aspects of its usage:
1. What is the best nature for Therian Forme Tornadus?
Timid is the most common and often the best nature. It maximizes Speed, which is still important for outspeeding key threats. If you’re running a purely physical set, Adamant or Jolly could be considered.
2. What is the best nature for Incarnate Forme Tornadus?
Timid is the almost universally accepted best nature for Incarnate Forme Tornadus. Its role is to be as fast as possible, and Timid maximizes that.
3. What are some good movesets for Therian Forme Tornadus?
A common moveset includes:
- Hurricane
- U-Turn
- Knock Off/Heat Wave
- Defog/Tailwind
4. What are some good movesets for Incarnate Forme Tornadus?
A common moveset includes:
- Tailwind
- Taunt
- Hurricane
- Protect/Rain Dance
5. What are the best items to hold on Therian Forme Tornadus?
- Heavy-Duty Boots (prevents entry hazard damage)
- Life Orb (boosts damage output)
- Assault Vest (boosts Special Defense)
6. What are the best items to hold on Incarnate Forme Tornadus?
- Focus Sash (guarantees survival for at least one turn)
- Sitrus Berry (provides instant healing)
- Leftovers (provides passive healing)
7. How do I effectively use Regenerator on Therian Forme Tornadus?
Switch in and out frequently! Use U-Turn to deal damage and safely return to your team, healing 1/3 of your HP each time you switch out.
8. What are some common threats to Therian Forme Tornadus?
Strong Electric-type attackers like Tapu Koko and strong Ice-type attackers can easily take it down. Rock-type moves also hit it super effectively.
9. What are some common threats to Incarnate Forme Tornadus?
Faster threats that can bypass its Prankster, like priority users, and strong Electric-type attackers are major threats. It’s also relatively frail.
10. How do I counter Tornadus effectively?
For Therian, use strong Electric, Ice, or Rock attacks. For Incarnate, prevent it from setting up Tailwind with Taunt or priority moves.
11. Can Tornadus be used in VGC (Video Game Championships)?
Yes, both forms can be used. Therian Forme is typically preferred for its offensive presence. Incarnate has limited usage, but Prankster Tailwind can be game-changing in the right situations.
12. What is Tornadus weak to?
Tornadus is weak to Electric, Ice, and Rock-type moves.
13. What is Tornadus resistant to?
Tornadus is resistant to Bug, Grass, and Fighting-type moves. It’s also immune to Ground-type moves due to its Flying typing.
14. Is Tornadus a good choice for a rain team?
Incarnate Tornadus can be a decent rain setter with Prankster Rain Dance, but there are generally better rain setters available, such as Pelipper. Therian Tornadus benefits from the boosted power of Hurricane in rain.
15. How does Tornadus fare in different tiers of competitive play?
Therian Tornadus is a consistent presence in higher tiers due to its versatility. Incarnate Tornadus sees more play in lower tiers where its speed and Prankster are more impactful against less optimized teams.