Thornback
Thornback is the cloudy Forest Valley defender for rock-bug material checks. Leaf makes it cheap to test, Protect stabilizes early hits, and Rock Blast or Spikes gives the route enough control to farm Bug Shell safely.
Updated May 26, 2026
How to Get Thornback
- Run Forest Valley during Any / Cloudy and check the first defensive branch.
- Spend Leaf when Protect can cover the opening turn.
- Use Rock Blast to confirm damage and Spikes only if the fight will last.
Skills
Rock Blast,Bug Bite,Spikes,Protect
Best Use
- Use Thornback when Stone and Bug Shell are both useful.
- Choose it over Bulbin when you need rock-bug rewards instead of starter Grass safety.
- Choose it over Skittlish when defense matters more than practice support.
- A good run should make a cloudy forest branch safer and more controlled.
Team Tips
- Pair Thornback with a teammate that handles enemies resistant to Rock or Bug.
- Let Protect absorb key hits while another teammate finishes targets.
- Keep the route material-focused and avoid long detours.
Farming Notes
- Track Bug Shell as the special drop and Stone as the shared material.
- Leaf should be spent only when the branch needs a defender.
- Stop after Bug Shell requirements are met.
- Return when cloudy Forest Valley needs a cheap defensive shell route.
Common Mistakes
- Using Thornback for general Grass farming.
- Setting Spikes in fights that end too quickly.
- Comparing it to Bulbin without checking the material target.
Thornback FAQ
Where do you find Thornback?
Thornback appears in Forest Valley during Any / Cloudy routes. Leaf is enough for the attempt.
What is Thornback best for?
It is best for Bug Shell, Stone, and cheap defensive forest routes.
When should you use Bulbin instead?
Use Bulbin when the route needs beginner Grass safety rather than rock-bug materials.
What food attracts Thornback?
This page records Leaf as Thornback's preferred food. Treat it as a route-planning note rather than a guaranteed result, and recheck the habitat conditions after any game update.
What does Thornback drop?
Thornback's listed drops are Stone and Bug Shell. It is usually more efficient to stop once the material you need is secured than to turn the run into an unfocused full clear.
What mistakes do players make with Thornback?
Players most often lose value by using Thornback for general Grass farming, setting Spikes in fights that end too quickly, and comparing it to Bulbin without checking the material target. A short route plan and a clear exit rule prevent most wasted resources.