With its access to Drought and good utility options, Torkoal acts as an enabler for dedicated sun teams while also functioning as an entry hazard setter and remover. Lava Plume's relatively high burn chance lets Torkoal cripple foes that could set up on it, such as Raging Bolt and Mega Latios. Body Press enables Torkoal to hit Heatran, with it otherwise being able to switch in reliably on Torkoal's Fire-type moves; it also hits Mega Tyranitar that could otherwise come in and remove Torkoal's sun. Stealth Rock's chip damage allows its sun-boosted teammates to sweep more easily, while Toxic is also an option in order to punish Water-types such as Alomomola and Slowbro that could otherwise come in relatively risk-free; however, it should only be used if your team has another Stealth Rock setter. Rapid Spin's hazard removal helps its team greatly due to the fact that Torkoal runs Heat Rock over Heavy-Duty Boots, but it is advised to run other hazard removal options as well due to Torkoal's vulnerability to hazards. Maximum Defense investment is used in order to boost the power of Torkoal's Body Press, letting it hit Mega Tyranitar and Heatran harder while also letting it function as an emergency check to foes such as Cinderace.

Torkoal only fits on designated sun teams, where its ability to set sun while also setting and removing entry hazards is greatly appreciated. A Pokemon that benefits greatly from this sun is Great Tusk, with its activated Protosynthesis letting it do increased damage to foes such as Ferrothorn and Alomomola. In return, Great Tusk can set and remove Stealth Rock and other hazards, letting Torkoal come in to set sun more time; it is also a much-needed Rock-resistant teammate and Knock Off absorber against foes such as Mega Tyranitar and Kingambit, which could otherwise threaten to remove Torkoal's Heat Rock. Other teammates that benefit from Torkoal's sun include Raging Bolt and Venusaur. Protosynthesis boosts the former's Special Attack, allowing it to do greater damage to would-be switch-ins such as Ting Lu; in addition, sun making its Weather Ball a Fire-type move lets it hit foes such as Ferrothorn. Sun doubles Venusaur's Speed stat, courtesy of Chlorophyll, and boosts the effects of Growth, allowing it to become a dangerous setup sweeper. In return, Raging Bolt can threaten Pelipper, which would otherwise be able to remove Torkoal's sun via Drizzle. Torkoal finds itself vulnerable to Ground-type attacks from foes such as opposing Great Tusk and Landorus-T, meaning Flying-types such as Corviknight and Mega Charizard Y are appreciated. In exchange, Torkoal can, to some extent, sponge physical hits from foes such as Cinderace that could otherwise be threatening underneath sun. Torkoal especially struggles with Mega-Tyranitar, meaning that teammates such as the aforementioned Great Tusk and Landorus-T are enjoyed. Pivots to bring in Torkoal and its sun-enjoying teammates are also appreciated, with Eject Button Hatterene and Landorus-T being excellent choices due to their ability to deny hazards via Magic Bounce and Defog, respectively.