Although Heatran is much easier to switch in and significantly more sturdy, Magmortar has some notable advantages over his fellow Fire-type. Focus Blast and Thunderbolt mean that Magmortar has a much easier time taking on some of Heatran's common switch-ins. Magmortar is also slightly faster, giving him the option to outrun several threats that Heatran cannot. Overheat is the more powerful and accurate for STAB, but Fire Blast does more over two turns, and therefore a better option for late game sweeping. Thunderbolt tears into Water-types, and if Swampert makes an appearance, it can be 2HKOed with Focus Blast. The powerful Fighting attack easily OHKOs Tyranitar and Heatran, and 2HKOs Snorlax. 688 HP / 306 SpD Blissey can be 2HKOed with the help of Stealth Rock. However, the increasingly more common EV spread with plenty of Special Defense investment will survive comfortably, although Focus Blast will still deal upwards of 40%. Focus Blast is preferred over Cross Chop here as it will generally do more damage with Choice Specs, even to Blissey. This set packs a lot of power, and has great type coverage to back it up. The only real drawback is Magmortar's rather below average Speed, which can be remedied by using the set listed below.
Magmortar has excellent Special Attack and a varied movepool but only mediocre Speed, which makes it a prime candidate for a Choice Scarf. Unfortunately, with a base Speed of 83, Magmortar falls just short of the 404 needed to outrun Adamant Choice Scarf Heracross. However, it still manages to outspeed and KO many fast opponents such as Aerodactyl, Starmie, and Weavile. The combination of Fire, Electric, Ice, and Fighting attacking types gives Magmortar great coverage, which helps it function as an excellent lead. It can take out many other common leads such as Bronzong, Azelf, Gyarados, and non-Scarf Gengar. Once this is done Magmortar can be saved until the late game to attempt a sweep once the opponent's team is sufficiently weakened. A STAB Fire Blast will put a dent in almost everything it hits, but the 85% accuracy can spell doom for something as frail as Magmortar. Flamethrower has a much better hit rate but the sacrifice in power is very notable - Fire Blast is guaranteed the KO against a 4 HP / 0 SpD Gengar if it hits, whereas Flamethrower will never KO without a critical hit (doing 95% at best). Because of this one reason, Fire Blast is recommended as your STAB move, if only to get rid of enemy Gengar. Overheat is slightly more accurate and more powerful than Fire Blast, but has the unfortunate side effect of lowering Special Attack. Magmortar will be switching often, though, so the drop isn't hugely significant. Thunderbolt is the move that distinguishes it from many other Fire-type Pokemon and deals with Water-types trying to soak up a Fire Blast. HP Ice will take out any Dragons you may encounter, and Focus Blast is a likely OHKO on max HP Tyranitar (93 - 100% damage), who shrugs off the other attacks on this set. It will also allow you to better deal with opposing Heatran which might come in to steal a Flash Fire boost. Although Magmortar has a decent 95 base Attack and access to Cross Chop, it is not worth running on this set for the simple reason that without a Life Orb and a decent amount of EV investment, he will come nowhere near 2HKOing Blissey. Focus Blast still does forgettable damage to her, but is more effective at taking out other Fighting-weak threats mentioned. The 4 "extra" EVs are not placed in HP because they would give Magmortar even HP, which means that it would die on the fourth switch into Stealth Rock.
With prediction, almost nothing switches into this safely—Water-types eat a Thunderbolt, Dragons fear HP Ice or a burn from Lava Plume, and Rock-types and Blissey are taken care of by Cross Chop. Although there is a massive difference in base power between Lava Plume and Fire Blast, the former is recommended as your STAB move, as it helps Magmortar to differentiate himself from Infernape and Blaziken. As for the item choice, Life Orb provides more power at the expense of HP. If you choose Life Orb, don't expect Magmortar to last long, as Sandstorm, Stealth Rock and "recoil" damage will wear him down very quickly. Expert Belt makes him a little sturdier, since he won't incur "recoil" as is the case with Life Orb, and still gives your attacks a boost. Leftovers at least negates Sandstorm damage, although it makes it that much harder to 2HKO Blissey. The Speed EVs are enough to hit 244 (accounting for HP Ice IVs), thus outrunning the likes of Adamant Breloom, max Speed Abomasnow and finally, Jolly Tyranitar. The given spread means that Cross Chop plus Life Orb will 2HKO a 688 HP/130 Def Blissey. Expert Belt has a good chance of scoring a 2HKO, although you will need Stealth Rock support to ensure this. Other OptionsFlamethrower is obviously a good option if you want more power than Lava Plume, but dislike Fire Blast's accuracy. Like most Fire-types, Magmortar can use the Sunny Day/SolarBeam combination, but the rather low Speed make it an unappealing option. However, it does have the advantage of being able to use Cross Chop to fend off Tyranitar and Blissey. If you desire a Grass attack that does not require set up, then Hidden Power Grass can be used to maim Swampert and Rhyperior. Psychic hits Infernape and Blaziken, but has little use outside of that. Earthquake can be used to cover Fire-types more effectively, although Heatran already takes a big hit from Focus Blast and Cross Chop and Infernape doesn't have the defenses to take repeated hits from any boosted attacks, barring Hidden Power. Magmortar learns a variety of other physical moves including Flare Blitz, Mach Punch and Focus Punch, opening up the potential for a novelty Choice Band set. However, you are better off with Infernape or Blaziken for that kind of set. Counter and Focus Sash can net a surprise kill against a leading physical attacker. Confuse Ray is an option, but is not recommended. Toxic can wear down a counter, and Will-O-Wisp is also on offer if you want a more reliable way to burn your enemies than Lava Plume. Taunt can stop Blissey from using Softboiled, Thunder Wave, Toxic, etc. and also prevents the likes of Infernape and Garchomp setting up after they force Magmortar to switch out. EVsFor the Choice Specs set, max out Special Attack and Speed. Your only real decision is whether to use Modest or Timid. Modest only allows for 265 Speed (264 with HP Ice IVs), so if you want anything higher you have to switch to a Timid nature. Timid allows Magmortar to outrun Adamant Heracross and Lucario, Jolly Mamoswine and neutral natured Electivire. OpinionMagmortar has good stats and a good movepool—certainly a respectable combination. Unfortunately, it is cursed with being a Fire-type, and without a useful secondary type to lessen the damage of Stealth Rock, Magmortar must be played with extreme care. Further, the Speed is a bit lacking. However, if you can work around his flaws, Magmortar is a very powerful Pokemon with the potential to hand out a lot of damage. CountersWithout Choice Specs, Cresselia can wall Magmortar quite effectively. Blissey and Snorlax both do well if they avoid Cross Chop or boosted Focus Blasts. Blissey is the better option as she can survive three Specs Focus Blasts if EVed correctly. If Swampert or Rhyperior can get in without being burned, then they can beat Magmortar with little trouble, although a hit from Focus Blast will hurt. Cross Chop and Earthquake do them no favors, but Infernape, Blaziken and Heatran all make good switch-ins. Magmortar may have the ability to hurt almost anything in the game, but his rather low Speed really lets him down. Provided you get them in unharmed, most of the top tier sweepers will force him out. Residual damage also wears him down very quickly. |
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