Torvald has no way to prevent damage being dealt to him besides his personal shield. If you choose the Blastflower talent and buy Wrecker, he will be forced to either retreat to cover or quickly die.
Torvald is able to regenerate his shield very easily from Willo's Seedling. Dead Zone affects him the least of all the tanks due to his self-healing abilities. Protection is an incredible at saving your allies from Seedling.