Heatran

A Modest or Rash nature can be considered if you feel the extra power is more beneficial to your team, but Heatran will miss out on outpacing Adamant Gyarados, Adamant Heracross, and at least tying with opposing Choice Scarfed Heatran.

This set has trouble against Water-types and Blissey, so Pokémon who can take down both are effective options for this set. Celebi covers Heatran's weaknesses perfectly and can take down most Water-types with a STAB Grass Knot or Leaf Storm. Specifically, Celebi works best at countering Gyarados, who can set up on Heatran locked into Choice Scarf. Additionally, Heatran also covers Celebi's weaknesses. Scizor is another excellent teammate to Heatran, providing teams with extra insurance against Dragon Dance Dragonite which might have set up on Heatran; not only that, but Scizor is great at luring Fire-type attacks which activate Heatran's Flash Fire ability. Finally, Scizor can dispose of Blissey with Superpower if you are unable to KO her with Heatran.

If you decide to not use this set as a lead, players may assume that Heatran is holding a Choice Scarf. Due to this, Heatran can often net surprise kills on Dragonite and Gyarados with Explosion, especially with Shuca Berry ensuring that Heatran survives any Earthquakes coming from the two. Even Blissey can be caught off guard with a well-timed Explosion, which can easily allow other special sweepers on the team to plow through the opponent's team.

Speed and Special Attack are maximized to allow Heatran to function as a special sweeper later in the game, especially with its ability to switch in fairly easily thanks to its handy typing. Running a Timid nature is an option if you want Heatran to be guaranteed to survive Azelf's Psychic + Explosion, but even with Naive, Azelf will need to roll nearly maximum damage from Explosion and above average damage from Psychic in order to score a KO, and the 10% boost to Heatran's own Explosion is often worth the risk.

Despite its low accuracy, Magma Storm may be used over Fire Blast to bypass the ever-common Focus Sash on leads like Azelf. When combined with Taunt, Magma Storm also allows Heatran to trap opposing Pokemon and forcibly open a set up for one of its teammates. If opposing Heatran is of no concern, then Will-O-Wisp can be considered over Earth Power for catching all of the physical attackers who love to try and set up versus Heatran, such as Gyarados, Kingdra, and Dragon Dance Tyranitar and Dragonite.

This set benefits most from partners who can switch into the leads whom Heatran has trouble against, namely Aerodactyl, Infernape, Machamp, and Swampert. Gyarados is a great choice to consider pairing with this set because not only can Heatran set up on Infernape, Machamp, and Swampert with relative ease (especially if it switches in as the opponent uses Stealth Rock), but it also provides Heatran with a good Water- and Ground-type resistance and immunity, respectively. Against Aerodactyl, anything not weak to Rock or Ground will be of decent consideration to pair with this set. Suicune and her bulky defenses allow her to take on all three of the aforementioned leads relatively well and she can also dispose of other Water-types which switch into Heatran with Hidden Power Electric. However, Suicune does not provide Heatran with the same type resistances that Gyarados does.

Heatran should be sent out against something that will likely switch out, such as Celebi or a Steel-type. It is often useful to send Heatran out for the first time after your opponent KOes one of your Pokemon; most players assume it has a Choice Scarf and will switch out. This, along with Heatran's powerful offense and great resistances, allows Heatran to easily get up a Substitute. Then Heatran can stall with Toxic, using Fire Blast and Earth Power for the Poison- and Steel-type Pokemon who are immune to Toxic. Most of Heatran's switch-ins, like Dragonite, Tyranitar, and Water-types, hate being poisoned.

However, Toxic is less effective if your team is not bulky. You can use Explosion, instead, as it takes out most problem Pokemon in one hit. Few players will predict an Explosion coming from a Heatran behind a Substitute, so they are unlikely to bring in something to take it, like a Ghost-type. Alternatively, Heatran can use Hidden Power to take out Pokemon like Dragonite, Gyarados, or Swampert, if you want a more offensive alternative to Toxic. Heatran can also use Roar to help defensive teams that have Stealth Rock and Spikes. Another option is Will-O-Wisp, but it kills even slower than Toxic and has worse accuracy in exchange for weakening physical moves. If you want to use a move other than Toxic, it is helpful to pair Heatran with Toxic Spikes, but keep in mind that they won't hit Gyarados or Dragonite.

It may seem strange to use a +Speed nature without a Choice Scarf, but due to Heatran's popularity, max Speed can be a huge aid. Heatran can attack before +Speed Breloom and Metagross, neutral nature Gyarados, Dragonite, Heracross, and defensive base 100 Pokemon. These can all OHKO Heatran, so being faster is crucial.

This set partners best with Pokémon who can take advantage of a poisoned Water-type. For this reason, a Water-type of your own makes a decent partner to this set. Curse + RestTalk Swampert is one of the best partners to this set because it can take hits repeatedly, due to Rest, while Toxic wears down the opponent's Pokémon. Swords Dance Scizor, albeit not a Water-type, also pairs well with this set because other Water-types, primarily Gyarados, have no trouble walling the set otherwise. This Heatran also benefits from Wish. This is because you'll be wanting to switch into attacks often, and Heatran is losing HP due to using Substitute. Vaporeon is probably the best option for this due to Water Absorb.

Expert Belt can be used over Life Orb to bluff a Choice Scarf. Many players will attempt to set up on what they believe to be a Choiced Heatran only to be promptly KOed by a super effective attack (or Explosion). In any case, a Naive nature is recommended when running Explosion in order to deal as much damage as possible; otherwise, a Timid nature should be used. Special Attack and Speed are maxed to provide Heatran with the best sweeping potential, being able to 2HKO non-bulky Dragonite with Fire Blast after Stealth Rock and outpacing all neutral base 85's and below. It is possible to run a Modest nature along with Overheat over Fire Blast and Stealth Rock in the last slot if you are interested in using Heatran as an effective anti-lead.

This set benefits greatly from Stealth Rock support, ensuring that Heatran gets the 2HKO on 4/0 Gyarados and Dragonite with Fire Blast. Azelf and Swampert can both efficiently lay down Stealth Rock. Azelf is particularly useful because it can Taunt opposing leads who may try to set up Stealth Rock and can use Explosion to create a free switch-in for Heatran, giving it more chances to attack if it comes in unscathed. Swampert is a reliable lead that has much more durability than Azelf, and it is also great for luring out Will-O-Wisps that provide Heatran with a free Flash Fire boost. Heatran also covers Swampert's weakness to Grass.

Paralysis support is also a decent option to consider, giving Heatran a much easier time in taking down opposing Pokémon who otherwise outspeed it. Celebi is a great candidate to take this role, as it can not only use Thunder Wave effectively, but it also provides Heatran with valuable resistances to Fighting, Water, and Ground. Finally, Choice Band Scizor also pairs well with this set as Bullet Punch can take out foes Heatran has weakened. Specifically, Scizor works great at taking out weakened Gyarados and Dragonite who may attempt to set up on Heatran.

While not as much of a team supporter as the other Heatran sets, Choice Specs Heatran is worth considering as a high powered special sweeper, and will greatly benefit most teams. The Speed EVs allows Heatran to outrun Jolly Tyranitar and Adamant Metagross. Max Special Attack is a must to deal as much damage as possible. Running a +Speed nature can be considered at the risk of some crucial 2HKOes, such as those on bulkier Water-types.

This set, much like the Life Orb set, benefits from entry hazards to further weaken the opponent. Smeargle is a good choice to lay down both Spikes and Stealth Rock early in the game, also having access to Spore to cause further trouble for the opponent. At the very least, Stealth Rock should be used to guarantee a 2HKO on 4/0 Gyarados and Dragonite; Spikes, in turn, will make it easier to land KOes on Blissey and Water-types like Suicune.

Individual Pokémon who pair well with this set are Rotom-A and Scizor. Rotom-A works well at taking out Water-types with its STAB Thunderbolt and respectable 105 base Special Attack stat, while Trick can be utilized to further incapacitate Blissey. Finally, Scizor is a great Pokémon to lure out Fire-type attacks which can nab Heatran a Flash Fire boost. Additionally, Scizor makes a great check to Dragonite and Gyarados (provided Scizor packs Quick Attack), both being threats this set must watch out for.

Although this set is effective on its own, with the proper team support it can single-handedly run through a team. If Heatran's teammates manage to set up two layers of Toxic Spikes before it comes in, Heatran (especially those with Taunt) will beat Blissey, Swampert, Vaporeon, Milotic, Porygon2, and other common switch-ins lacking Rest. This brings up the bane of this set: Rest + Sleep Talk stat uppers. Pokemon such as Suicune, Snorlax, Swampert, and Tyranitar running the aforementioned strategy can walk all over this Heatran. This is why it is suggested that this Heatran is partnered with a Choiced Trick supporter or two to prevent these set up Pokemon from beating him. On top of that, remember that any Choiced Pokemon will Struggle against Torment Tran, which makes Tricking a Choice item an all around superb support option for this set.

The HP EVs allow Heatran to hit its highest Leftovers number, which is very important, considering Heatran will be seeing a lot of Leftovers recovery with this set. The Speed EVs bring Heatran to 244 Speed, beating Jolly Tyranitar at 243. Adding some Speed EVs may not be a bad idea, though, as that will let Heatran set up a Substitute up before being hit by Celebi's or Zapdos's Thunder Wave—something very important for this set. The Special Defense EVs allow Heatran to take 24% max from a neutral-natured, 0 Special Attack Rotom-A's Discharge, meaning they will never break its Substitute. This is important because Heatran really doesn't want to get randomly paralyzed from Discharge. The Special Attack EVs ensure that Heatran does a minimum of 33% to max HP Machamp, meaning that the Rest + Sleep Talk sets will be 3HKOed. Heatran also doesn't have to worry about DynamicPunch thanks to Torment. Heatran always 3HKOs bulky Rotom-A, so not even the Rest + Sleep Talk versions can stop him.

The three biggest non-Resting threats to this set are Gyarados, Swampert, and non-Choiced Heatran. The first two usually carry two moves that can break Heatran's Substitutes, while resisting Lava Plume. It is therefore recommended that Heatran be paired up with Celebi, who can handle Gyarados and Swampert. Also, the CeleTran combo is always great in terms of synergy. Tyranitar also makes a great support Pokemon for this set by providing it a reliable Heatran switch-in, while also setting up Sand Stream, which will chip away at opposing Pokemon without damaging Heatran.

The Speed EVs allow Heatran to outpace neutral-natured Scizor. Alternatively, a spread of 128 HP / 164 Def / 216 SpA may be used to guarantee that a max Attack Dragonite with Life Orb can never KO Heatran with Earthquake even after Stealth Rock damage. This spread makes for a slower Heatran but still guarantees the same KOs previously listed.

If you are not concerned about Dragonite, who takes a hefty amount of damage switching into Magma Storm anyway, then you may want to consider Wide Lens over Shuca Berry. The biggest drawback to this set is obviously Magma Storm's poor accuracy, which can be somewhat alleviated with Wide Lens, giving it an effective accuracy of 77%. Passho Berry is also an effective item choice, as it allows Heatran to withstand blows from Starmie, Suicune, and other Water-type Pokemon, and KO back with Hidden Power Grass or Explosion.

If you pack a powerful Pursuit user on your team, then you may also want to consider Taunt over Explosion. With Taunt and Magma Storm, Heatran can prevent Blissey from healing, switching, or using a status move. You can then switch in your Pursuit user to seal Blissey's fate without sacrificing Heatran. If eliminating Blissey is your main objective, then running Taunt with Explosion will guarantee a KO on Blissey, who can no longer Protect on your Explosion. Taunt also allows Heatran to beat some of its other counters, such as Vaporeon, who won't be able to heal anymore and takes a hefty hit from Hidden Power Grass. The biggest selling point of Taunt combined with Magma Storm, however, is that it allows you to switch in another sweeper and score a free boost as your Taunted opponent switches out, assuming they can't hurt your sweeper directly. Finally, if you do not pack a solid Heatran counter on your team, Earth Power is a great option for ensuring that enemy Heatran cannot come in for free. However, if you choose to use Earth Power, it is highly recommended that Shuca Berry be your item of choice, as you do not want to lose to an opposing Heatran's Earth Power.

This Heatran set should be used primarily as a support Pokemon; it works very well on teams who have Pokemon who share the same counters as Heatran. Teammates that benefit from this Heatran set include Tyranitar and Dragonite, who enjoy the absence of Swampert. Offensive Suicune, offensive Zapdos, and Sub Petaya Empoleon are also excellent team options because they have a much easier time sweeping once Blissey is gone. You should also consider teammates who can take advantage of Tyranitar, Gyarados and Vaporeon, who are the three most common Heatran counters that this set cannot reliably deal with. Gliscor serves as a great Tyranitar check who also has an easy time switching into Fighting- and Ground-type attacks aimed at Heatran, and Celebi and Vaporeon do an excellent job at covering Gyarados and Vaporeon. It is also recommended that you set Stealth Rock up before getting this Heatran out, as it nets a lot of kills with the extra damage that Stealth Rock provides. If you are looking for a purely offensive Heatran, then other sets might prove more effective. However, when it comes to taking out the threats mentioned, no Pokemon does a better job than HeaTrap.

A more offensive spin on the Rest + Sleep Talk set is achieved by changing to Timid nature, using an EV spread of 248 HP/ 36 SpA / 224 Spe, and giving Heatran a Life Orb. This outruns Adamant Heracross. This variation functions as a sweeper by giving Heatran back its monstrous Special Attack and decent Speed, and at the same time retaining the ability to shrug off status and heal itself. Note that Fire Blast should be used in this case, as the extra power is significant.

This set has trouble against Pokémon who resist the combination of Fire and Ground, which includes, but is not limited to, Flygon, Dragonite, and Gyarados. As such, Suicune makes a decent partner to this set for her ability to take on all three of the noted Pokémon, to some extent. Particularly, a Suicune with Ice Beam and Hidden Power Electric works best here, as it survives attacks from even Dragonite and Gyarados with +1 Attack while packing enough power to OHKO both.

Toxic Spikes support also works decently with this set to further make use of Heatran's durability. Mainly, Toxic Spikes should be considered to eliminate Water-types which wall this set entirely, while even allowing Heatran to outstall Blissey and cause havoc to Pokémon immune to Toxic Spikes with Lava Plume's 30% burn rate. Roserade is a good candidate for laying down Toxic Spikes which also packs a handy resist to Heatran's weakness to Water-type attacks.

Below are several damage calculations demonstrating the power Timid Heatran's Life Orb-boosted attacks have against threatening opponents hit by Metal Sound.

• Fire Blast vs 0 HP / 0 SpD Rash Dragonite: 87.3% - 103.1%
• Fire Blast vs 0 HP / 0 SpD Jolly Dragonite: 79% - 93%
• Fire Blast vs 24 HP / 232 SpD Calm Blissey: 46% - 54%
• Earth Power vs 160 HP / 0 SpD Adamant Tyranitar: 89% - 100%
• Hidden Power Grass vs 188 HP / 0 SpD Bold Vaporeon: 92% - 100%
• Hidden Power Grass vs 252 HP / 0 SpD Bold Suicune: 87% - 100%

The strategy to using this set effectively is to switch Heatran in on a Pokemon whom it can threaten instantly, such as Rotom-A or Jirachi, and use Metal Sound while your opponent switches out. Once that has been accomplished, proceed to hit the switch-in with the most appropriate attack.

Although Heatran can hit hard after using Metal Sound, it usually will not obtain the KO, as some of its common counters, such as Starmie and offensive Suicune, will outspeed and threaten him. In order to remedy this situation, Heatran can use a Passho Berry so it can withstand a Water-type attack before securing the KO. Dropping some of its Speed EVs for HP EVs gives him enough bulk to withstand these Water-type attacks; an ideal spread to use would be Modest and 88 HP / 252 SpA / 168 Spe. This spread allows Heatran to survive a Timid Life Orb Hydro Pump from Starmie and easily KO back with Hidden Power Grass off of its –2 Special Defense from Metal Sound. Heatran also withstands a Hydro Pump from offensive Suicune and OHKOes it with Hidden Power Grass after Stealth Rock damage and sandstorm in play. Heatran can also outspeed CroCune and 2HKO it. Furthermore, this spread is fast enough to outrun max Speed Adamant Scizor and most Magnezone. Although the suggested spread provides a decent amount of bulk for mid-game survivability, there are other options that can be used. You could opt to use 224 Speed EVs to outspeed defensive Zapdos, defensive Celebi, non-Choice Scarf Tyranitar, and neutral-nature 36 Speed Jirachi; however, you could opt for more bulk and simply settle for outrunning CroCune, which would require a mere investment of 80 Speed EVs.

Since Heatran appreciates the use of lures to bring in Pokemon whom it can set up on, that should be taken into account when using this. Jirachi is a great lure for Rotom-A, allowing Heatran to come in without much worry and gain a potential Flash Fire Boost from Will-O-Wisp or, in Rotom-H's case, Overheat. Another great teammate to use is Gengar, who can lure in Choice Scarf Jirachi and Choice Band Scizor. Entry hazard support is also strongly recommended as it helps Heatran score the needed KOs that it otherwise could not achieve, such as against Dragonite. Metal Sound also tends to force switches, racking up entry hazard damage on the opponent. Swampert makes a great Stealth Rock supporter with its overall bulk, and it also lures in Grass-types, such as Celebi, which Heatran can take advantage of. Skarmory is one of the most reliable Spikes users in the OU metagame, making him a prime candidate for setting them up. It also attracts Fire-type attacks and Rotom-A, whom Heatran can switch into without much fear.

Below are some damage calculations which effectively portray Heatran's amazing special bulk:

• Choice Scarf Heatran Earth Power - 70.5% - 83.9%
• Choice Scarf Shaymin Earth Power - 59.1% - 70.5%
• Life Orb Shaymin Earth Power - 76.7% - 91.2%
• Life Orb Gengar Focus Blast - 61.1% - 72%
• Life Orb Jolteon HP Fighting - 31.6% - 37.3%
• Choice Specs Jolteon Thunderbolt - 37.3% - 43.8%

An alternative EV spread of 252 HP / 156 SpD / 100 Spe is usable, and a Calm nature will still give Heatran decent defensive capabilities, while the extra Speed allows him to outrun Rotom-A who run no Speed EVs. With this spread, Heatran can take out weakened versions before they can hit him.

Heatran has a huge number of support moves it can utilize. Either Toxic or Will-O-Wisp can easily fit over Protect or Roar. Take note that if you decide to use Will-O-Wisp, Flamethrower should be your main offensive move. Stealth Rock is an option on Heatran as well if you desperately need someone to lay it down. Taunt is also useful, and can find its way into this Heatran's moveset. Taunt almost completely shuts down opposing stall teams and prevents status moves from being used on Heatran and its teammates. Rest provides Heatran with a somewhat reliable recovery move, but two turns of sleep is a letdown, and makes Heatran setup fodder for a variety of Pokemon.

Offensively, Heatran also has access to a variety of useful moves. Fire Blast or Overheat can be used if you want a more powerful STAB move, but on a defensive Pokemon like this Heatran variant, a reliable move with decent PP is preferred over sheer power. Using Dragon Pulse instead of Earth Power can help against Dragonite and Flygon who are locked into Outrage. Hidden Power Electric and Hidden Power Grass can also help against Gyarados and Swampert, respectively.

Since this is a defensive variant of Heatran, Toxic Spikes are greatly appreciated. A Rapid Spin user is also nice, as Heatran needs as much HP as possible to maintain its defensive capabilities. Forretress does both of these things while also luring Fire-type moves so that Heatran can get a safe switch-in, making Forretress a great teammate. Since Heatran lacks a reliable recovery move, Wish support is a good idea. Vaporeon and Blissey can do this, but, in Blissey's case, watch out for the shared weakness to Fighting-type moves. RestTalk Roar Gyarados also makes a great teammate as it covers Heatran's weaknesses quite well, while its Intimidate also helps in covering Heatran's weaker Defense.