Endorfins
Your Worst Nightmare
Heatmor
[Overview]
<p>BW is synonymous with sheer power; more specifically, the release of insanely powerful Fire-types with huge offensive stats topping base 140. However, not all Fire-types were gifted with such great stats, and with that in mind, the people at Game Freak came up with Heatmor. Even in the languid depths of the NU tier, Heatmor struggles to make itself stand out in any way. Its mediocre offensive stats are only compounded by its terrible Speed and almost non-existent defenses. Heatmor takes hits about as well as a matchstick, not to mention that due to its poor typing, entry hazards will strip away up to half of its health. On the other hand, Heatmor does have a couple of redeeming characteristics: it has a decent movepool, which includes priority, as well as an ability that provides it with a much-needed immunity and a possible power boost. However, if you're looking for an offensive Fire-type, there will almost always be better options to choose from.</p>
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hone Claws / Hidden Power Grass
item: Life Orb
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Rash
evs: 132 Atk / 252 SpA / 124 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is really the best Heatmor can muster from its mediocre stats and movepool, and truth be told, it isn't that great. Fire Blast is Heatmor's strongest move coming off Heatmor's best stat, so it's only natural that it should take the first slot. With full Special Attack investment and a Life Orb, it can hit quite hard. Heatmor's best specially based coverage move is Focus Blast, which in addition to excellent Base Power, has decent coverage in NU. Thankfully, Game Freak blessed Heatmor with a way to bypass its terrible Speed, namely Sucker Punch, which also becomes quite powerful after a couple of Attack boosts. Hone Claws is Heatmor's best boosting move and synchronizes well with its other moves: the accuracy boost remedies the main flaw of Fire Blast and Focus Blast, while the Attack boost raises the power of Sucker Punch. However, Heatmor's poor defenses often prevent it from setting up, so Hidden Power Grass can be used in the last slot to surprise Water-types hoping to switch in on Fire Blast.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The Attack and Special Attack EVs maximize Heatmor's mixed attacking potential, while the Speed EVs let Heatmor get the jump on uninvested base 80 Speed foes, such as Mesprit. A Rash nature also helps Heatmor to hit harder off its higher attacking stat. The loss in defensive potential is negligible as most attacks are likely to OHKO or 2HKO regardless of the stat drop. The choice of item also follows this principle: a Life Orb gives Heatmor more power, while the drop in bulk is inconsequential. Heatmor's ability, Flash Fire, is its saving grace; it gives Heatmor a single immunity and a potential power boost from switching into the common Fire-type attacks in NU.</p>
<p>Attempting to make Heatmor succeed is a huge task for its teammates. Firstly, Rapid Spin support is very useful in helping Heatmor to set up, as entry hazards, such as Stealth Rock, severely cripple it. Heatmor also appreciates any method of extending its life span; dual screens, Wish, and Baton Pass support all help in preventing Heatmor from being dead weight. Teammates that can switch into Heatmor's weaknesses are also required: Cacturne can switch into Water- and Ground-type moves and set up Spikes to help wear down the opposition, while Torterra can take on the EdgeQuake combo that threatens Heatmor. Additionally, both of these teammates attract Fire-type moves for Heatmor to switch in on.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Heatmor has access to another boosting move in Curse, but unfortunately, the only advantage it has over Hone Claws—a Defense boost—is one that Heatmor can rarely take advantage of. Other options to improve Heatmor's longevity include Will-O-Wisp and Inferno to cripple physical attackers; both can take advantage of the Accuracy boost provided by Hone Claws. To improve Heatmor's chances of outspeeding its opponents, Heatmor can either utilize a Choice Scarf, or try to paralyze the opponent with Body Slam. However, Heatmor already has a powerful priority move, so any Speed-boosting attempts are often of little use. Finally, Heatmor can attempt to further boost its attacking power. Sunny Day is a well-distributed move that Heatmor can use to decent effect; intense sunlight boosts Fire Blast's power and allows Heatmor to use SolarBeam effectively. If equipped with Heat Rock, Heatmor can support Chlorophyll abusers and possibly set up for a sweep.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>The NU tier is no stranger to offensive Fire-types, and as a result, there are plenty of commonly used Pokemon in the tier that can easily defeat Heatmor. Camerupt stands out as one of the best counters to Heatmor, as it resists Heatmor's STAB moves and can wipe Heatmor out with Earth Power or Roar it out as it attempts to Sucker Punch. Most of the Dragon-types in the tier can comfortably take on Heatmor as well. In particular, Altaria's enormous Special Defense lets it sponge hits from Heatmor and either start setting up or just KO Heatmor. Bulky Water-type Pokemon also resist Heatmor's STAB attacks and can retaliate with their own super effective STAB attacks. Samurott and Floatzel have Aqua Jet to bypass Sucker Punch so they can KO Heatmor without being forced into prediction mind games. If for some reason, nothing on your team can safely switch into Heatmor, then there are always methods to revenge kill it. Most healthy Choice Scarf users can survive a Sucker Punch and eliminate Heatmor, while priority, such as Absol's own Sucker Punch, can remove the anteater.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>White Smoke is Heatmor's Dream World ability. Aside from the fact that stat lowering moves are rarely used, Heatmor is much better off with Flash Fire.</p>
[Overview]
<p>BW is synonymous with sheer power; more specifically, the release of insanely powerful Fire-types with huge offensive stats topping base 140. However, not all Fire-types were gifted with such great stats, and with that in mind, the people at Game Freak came up with Heatmor. Even in the languid depths of the NU tier, Heatmor struggles to make itself stand out in any way. Its mediocre offensive stats are only compounded by its terrible Speed and almost non-existent defenses. Heatmor takes hits about as well as a matchstick, not to mention that due to its poor typing, entry hazards will strip away up to half of its health. On the other hand, Heatmor does have a couple of redeeming characteristics: it has a decent movepool, which includes priority, as well as an ability that provides it with a much-needed immunity and a possible power boost. However, if you're looking for an offensive Fire-type, there will almost always be better options to choose from.</p>
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Sucker Punch
move 3: Focus Blast
move 4: Hone Claws / Hidden Power Grass
item: Life Orb
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Rash
evs: 132 Atk / 252 SpA / 124 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set is really the best Heatmor can muster from its mediocre stats and movepool, and truth be told, it isn't that great. Fire Blast is Heatmor's strongest move coming off Heatmor's best stat, so it's only natural that it should take the first slot. With full Special Attack investment and a Life Orb, it can hit quite hard. Heatmor's best specially based coverage move is Focus Blast, which in addition to excellent Base Power, has decent coverage in NU. Thankfully, Game Freak blessed Heatmor with a way to bypass its terrible Speed, namely Sucker Punch, which also becomes quite powerful after a couple of Attack boosts. Hone Claws is Heatmor's best boosting move and synchronizes well with its other moves: the accuracy boost remedies the main flaw of Fire Blast and Focus Blast, while the Attack boost raises the power of Sucker Punch. However, Heatmor's poor defenses often prevent it from setting up, so Hidden Power Grass can be used in the last slot to surprise Water-types hoping to switch in on Fire Blast.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The Attack and Special Attack EVs maximize Heatmor's mixed attacking potential, while the Speed EVs let Heatmor get the jump on uninvested base 80 Speed foes, such as Mesprit. A Rash nature also helps Heatmor to hit harder off its higher attacking stat. The loss in defensive potential is negligible as most attacks are likely to OHKO or 2HKO regardless of the stat drop. The choice of item also follows this principle: a Life Orb gives Heatmor more power, while the drop in bulk is inconsequential. Heatmor's ability, Flash Fire, is its saving grace; it gives Heatmor a single immunity and a potential power boost from switching into the common Fire-type attacks in NU.</p>
<p>Attempting to make Heatmor succeed is a huge task for its teammates. Firstly, Rapid Spin support is very useful in helping Heatmor to set up, as entry hazards, such as Stealth Rock, severely cripple it. Heatmor also appreciates any method of extending its life span; dual screens, Wish, and Baton Pass support all help in preventing Heatmor from being dead weight. Teammates that can switch into Heatmor's weaknesses are also required: Cacturne can switch into Water- and Ground-type moves and set up Spikes to help wear down the opposition, while Torterra can take on the EdgeQuake combo that threatens Heatmor. Additionally, both of these teammates attract Fire-type moves for Heatmor to switch in on.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Heatmor has access to another boosting move in Curse, but unfortunately, the only advantage it has over Hone Claws—a Defense boost—is one that Heatmor can rarely take advantage of. Other options to improve Heatmor's longevity include Will-O-Wisp and Inferno to cripple physical attackers; both can take advantage of the Accuracy boost provided by Hone Claws. To improve Heatmor's chances of outspeeding its opponents, Heatmor can either utilize a Choice Scarf, or try to paralyze the opponent with Body Slam. However, Heatmor already has a powerful priority move, so any Speed-boosting attempts are often of little use. Finally, Heatmor can attempt to further boost its attacking power. Sunny Day is a well-distributed move that Heatmor can use to decent effect; intense sunlight boosts Fire Blast's power and allows Heatmor to use SolarBeam effectively. If equipped with Heat Rock, Heatmor can support Chlorophyll abusers and possibly set up for a sweep.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>The NU tier is no stranger to offensive Fire-types, and as a result, there are plenty of commonly used Pokemon in the tier that can easily defeat Heatmor. Camerupt stands out as one of the best counters to Heatmor, as it resists Heatmor's STAB moves and can wipe Heatmor out with Earth Power or Roar it out as it attempts to Sucker Punch. Most of the Dragon-types in the tier can comfortably take on Heatmor as well. In particular, Altaria's enormous Special Defense lets it sponge hits from Heatmor and either start setting up or just KO Heatmor. Bulky Water-type Pokemon also resist Heatmor's STAB attacks and can retaliate with their own super effective STAB attacks. Samurott and Floatzel have Aqua Jet to bypass Sucker Punch so they can KO Heatmor without being forced into prediction mind games. If for some reason, nothing on your team can safely switch into Heatmor, then there are always methods to revenge kill it. Most healthy Choice Scarf users can survive a Sucker Punch and eliminate Heatmor, while priority, such as Absol's own Sucker Punch, can remove the anteater.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>White Smoke is Heatmor's Dream World ability. Aside from the fact that stat lowering moves are rarely used, Heatmor is much better off with Flash Fire.</p>