Physiology
Forretress are a large round cocoon-like species of Pokémon with no visible limbs. They have two steel pinkish plates positioned on the top and bottom of their bodies. The plates cover most of the upper and lower hemispheres of the Forretress which are shaped with uneven grooves. This forms the outermost shell of a Forretress. A gap along the equator of their bodies exposes a second red shell beneath the outer shell. The red shell also has a smaller gap along the equator through which the eyes can be seen. Along with this, four tube-like spikes protrude out the four corners of the Forretress's equator. With the exception of the eyes and possibly the spikes, it is unknown what Forretress look like beneath the armor.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
Possibly the most frequently implemented ability of Forretress is its ability to freely move without the use of limbs. This is done by spinning, bouncing and likely rolling. It’s also possible that like many Steel-type Pokémon, it aids its movements with electromagnetic waves, which would also explain its ability to float in the air for quite some time.
In order to use certain attacks such as Rollout and protect itself when in danger, it can retract its spikes and completely closes its shell, essentially concealing all of the Pokémon’s vulnerabilities.
When attacking, Forretress makes use of its exceptional spinning skills. It can spin to defend and clear hazards, employ its steel shell to achieve a powerful attack, or release jagged pieces of its shell from its four tube like spikes in order to deter foes and even lay traps to protect itself.
Behavior
Forretress are generally peaceful Pokémon and spend most of their time dormant; attached to trees, resting, sleeping or waiting for food. If forced to, they could actively pursue prey or change locations with their buoyant mobility. Being a fully evolved and all around powerful Pokémon, they could easily attack with vicious force if provoked or threatened.
Forretress are renowned for their secrecy and sternness on concealing their entrails. They almost never open their shells and when they do it lasts for no more than a fraction of a second.
Habitat
Forretress are mostly found attached to trees in large forests as they spend little time moving around while in the wild. Their location is not restricted to forests; however, they can be found in many areas provided there are plenty of trees around.
Diet
- Main article: Pokémon food
Forretress is mainly carnivorous and will wait for prey to come close to it. When within reach, Forretress will open its shell up and devour the creature whole at such a speed that it is impossible to see inside the shell if observing. Its diet would most probably consist of smaller bugs or Bug-type Pokémon, although it’s not beyond its potential to eat anything organic that will fit in its mouth.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Forretress first appeared in Volume 9, where Red had to fight two to pass his aptitude test to be Viridian City's Gym Leader.
Another Forretress was seen in Volume 11, under the ownership of Janine. She used its Spikes attack to lay traps for unsuspecting victims.
Carr has many Forretress, with which he often orders an Explosion attack to destroy the surroundings. Near the end of the FireRed & LeafGreen arc, he has 10 of them nearly detonate the Team Rocket airship after realizing that Giovanni had planned to use the Three Beasts as pawns to reunite with his son.
- Forretress could not learn any Steel-type moves until Generation IV, and could only learn one Bug-type move (and this only by breeding) up until the release of Platinum.
- In Platinum, Black 2 and White 2 it is possible to have Forretress learn Bug Bite, which would mean it would have to show its face or mouth to bite the foe. This would possibly mean the elimination of the mystery of what is inside its shell. Based on its Emerald Pokédex information however, this seems unlikely. The 'biting' motion could also simply be Forretress clamping its shell on the opponent, something Forretress is known to be able to do.
- Pineco and Forretress share the same species name with Burmy and Wormadam. They are all known as Bagworm Pokémon.
- Forretress can learn Swift by breeding in Generation III, but it can't learn it from the Move Tutor. This also happened to its pre-evolution Pineco.
- Forretress is the first original Steel Pokémon in the National Pokédex order. (Magnemite's evolutionary line, which precedes Forretress, wasn't Steel-type in Generation I).
- Forretress is one of the few Pokémon not native to Sinnoh to have its sprite changed in Platinum.
- Forretress's Crystal still sprite is different from that of Gold and Silver, making it one of few Pokémon to have three distinctly different sprites in Generation II.
- In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, its Poké Assist is shown to be Steel in the capture screen, but turns out to be Normal after the capture.
Origin
Forretress is based on a bagworm, possibly one inhabiting a discarded shell of a Horse chestnut or a Walnut. Because of its "shell", and the fact its spikes resemble cannons, it may have been based on a giant clam or other mussels and shellfish with functioning nozzles.
Name origin
Forretress and Foretos are a combination of forest and fortress. It may also contain turret, referring to the nozzles on its body that it uses to launch Spikes.