Ok now that WCOP is over I can finally put this guy through the processor.
Note to Uploader: QC wants this to replace the Sunny Day set.
[SET]
name: Weather Trapper
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Sunny Day
move 3: SolarBeam
move 4: Earth Power / Hidden Power Ice
item: Air Balloon / Chople Berry / Life Orb
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Magma Storm is an underutilized option on Heatran, as a STAB move with 120 Base Power that can trap the opponent is not something to take lightly. With Sunny Day, Heatran can take advantage of its signature move to help sun teams win the weather war, giving them a large advantage overall. The premise of the set is that when Heatran can predict a slower enemy weather inducer switching in, it can hit them on the switch in with Magma Storm. From there, Heatran can Sunny Day before the opponent can attack. Politoed's STAB moves will no longer hit for super effective damage, and Tyranitar will no longer receive a Special Defense boost from its sand. This sets up Heatran to use a chargeless SolarBeam, either OHKOing or 2HKOing the opponent before Heatran can be 2HKOed in response. In this event, Ninetales can be brought in after Sunny Day wears off, guaranteeing permanent sunlight so long as the opponent does not have an alternative source of weather. It is important to note, though, that Heatran will not always win agaisnt an opposing weather inducer. Outside of a Magma Storm miss, Choice Scarf Politoed can outspeed and OHKO Heatran before it can use Sunny Day. Choice Scarf Tyranitar will similarly outspeed Heatran and 2HKO with Superpower or Stone Edge, or flat-out OHKO with Earthquake. However, these two variants are easy enough to deal with using specialized team support. Be wary of Shed Shell users as well. Fortunately, this set functions as a powerful special attacker even outside of its trapper role, allowing it to serve multiple uses and rarely become a liability. It can also trap Pokemon that operate independently of weather should sun be up, such as Jellicent and Starmie. It should be noted that while this Heatran is put to best use on sun teams, it can also be used to good effect on teams utilizing other weather or no weather at all, in order to combat certain weathers.</p>
<p>The first three moves are of course all staples, but the last moveslot is dependant on team support. Earth Power is the default move, because without it it is impossible to harm opposing Heatran. This set functions by forcing switches to opposing Pokemon that resist its powerful Fire-type STAB, so if the opponent has a Pokemon that can switch into this set with absolute impunity, then it largely ceases to function. Because of this, Earth Power is absolutely necessary, with one exception: a partnered Dugtrio. Dugtrio's unparalleled ability to easily dispose of opposing Heatran is an incredible asset for this set; it not only frees up the fourth moveslot as Earth Power is no longer a strict necessity, but it also effortlessly disposes Choice Scarf Tyanitar, one of the Pokemon that can give this set trouble. Just be wary of Air Balloon Heatran or the rare Choice Scarf Heatran, as the two of them must be carefully played around. Hidden Power Ice allows Heatran to become a trapper of Dragon-types as well. Adamant Dragonite, for example, will always have its Multiscale broken if it switches into Magma Storm, and is then outsped and easily OHKOed with Hidden Power Ice. Should sun be up, Latios can also fall victim to Heatran, being 2HKOed by either a double Magma Storm or a Magma Storm followed up by a Hidden Power Ice, while Surf fails to OHKO Heatran. Hidden Power Ice also gives Heatran a reliable way to hit Gliscor, Tornadus-T, and Breloom without relying on the shaky accuracy of Magma Storm.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>An Air Balloon gives the most utility when being used on a sun team, as sun teams can have difficulties in handling Ground-type attacks. Air Balloon allows Heatran to take on the likes of Gliscor more reliably, and also allows Heatran to act as a more effective Dragon-type trapper. For example, a Salamence switching into Magma Storm in the sun will be 2HKOed, while it is unable to OHKO Heatran with Earthquake first because of the Air Balloon. The Air Ballon also prevents Dugtrio from trapping Heatran. This, combined with Magma Storm's ability to OHKO Dugtrio through Focus Sash, makes it difficult for Dugtrio to handle Heatran. Chople Berry is another viable item, making it far easier for Heatran to deal with opposing Tyranitar, and giving it the ability to tank Breloom Mach Punches and Tornadus-T Superpowers. Life Orb is another option for Heatran's raw destructive power in the sun, and also allows Heatran to KO a 252 HP / 252 SpD Careful Tyranitar that has switched into Magma Storm after Stealth Rock with SolarBeam (Superpower will fail to OHKO Heatran even after two rounds of Life Orb recoil while it uses Sunny Day). It's an impressive feat. An alternative EV spread of 56 HP / 252 SpA / 200 Spe can be used if Heatran is running Hidden Power Ice, as it no longer needs to attempt to outspeed opposing Heatran. The bulk increase is minimal but makes Leftovers an appealing option for both greater longevity and feigning a defensive set, which can more easily lure in Politoed. Taunt is also an option in the fourth slot to shut down a trapped Blissey's recovery, allowing a partnered Dugtrio to tag-team it and take it out with little trouble. Just be sure that two Seismic Tosses will put Dugtrio in maximum Reversal range when building your team.</p>
<p>Stealth Rock support is very important for this set in order to ensure the deaths of opposing weather inducers; with it and Magma Storm's recoil the opponent will effectively be taking Heatran's hits with only 75% health, and Stealth Rock pushes the combination of Magma Storm and SolarBeam agaisnt some weather inducers into the "pseudo-OHKO" range of SolarBeam. It is especially important for dealing with Choice Specs Politoed and Choice Band Tyranitar, as Heatran does not have the time to 2HKO them with SolarBeam. This set is of course designed to support sun teams, so generally this set should be partnered with Ninetales. The support of Dugtrio or Wobbuffet can be invaluable for dealing with the few variants of weather inducers that give this set trouble. Pokemon that can easily abuse permanent sun, including Chlorophyll Pokemon such as Venusaur or Sawsbuck, or hard-hitting Fire-types, such as Volcarona and Infernape, greatly appreciate this set's support. This set can struggle with some threats, such as fast Pokemon that resist Heatran's Fire-type STAB and can outspeed and destroy Heatran. For example, Terrakion in the sand fears little from this set, so consider packing a partner such as Scizor or Dugtrio that can handle it. Though it can be very daunting to switch into this Heatran, it can also be forced out fairly easily after it has accomplished its job. Be sure to have partners that can take a Ground- or Fighting-type attack, such as Landorus-T or Latios. Additionally, be careful that the opponent does not have a Pokemon that can change the weather back before sacrificing this set or Ninetales, as a well-timed Rain Dance from Tornadus-T or Starmie can undo all of your efforts.</p>
Note to Uploader: QC wants this to replace the Sunny Day set.
[SET]
name: Weather Trapper
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Sunny Day
move 3: SolarBeam
move 4: Earth Power / Hidden Power Ice
item: Air Balloon / Chople Berry / Life Orb
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Magma Storm is an underutilized option on Heatran, as a STAB move with 120 Base Power that can trap the opponent is not something to take lightly. With Sunny Day, Heatran can take advantage of its signature move to help sun teams win the weather war, giving them a large advantage overall. The premise of the set is that when Heatran can predict a slower enemy weather inducer switching in, it can hit them on the switch in with Magma Storm. From there, Heatran can Sunny Day before the opponent can attack. Politoed's STAB moves will no longer hit for super effective damage, and Tyranitar will no longer receive a Special Defense boost from its sand. This sets up Heatran to use a chargeless SolarBeam, either OHKOing or 2HKOing the opponent before Heatran can be 2HKOed in response. In this event, Ninetales can be brought in after Sunny Day wears off, guaranteeing permanent sunlight so long as the opponent does not have an alternative source of weather. It is important to note, though, that Heatran will not always win agaisnt an opposing weather inducer. Outside of a Magma Storm miss, Choice Scarf Politoed can outspeed and OHKO Heatran before it can use Sunny Day. Choice Scarf Tyranitar will similarly outspeed Heatran and 2HKO with Superpower or Stone Edge, or flat-out OHKO with Earthquake. However, these two variants are easy enough to deal with using specialized team support. Be wary of Shed Shell users as well. Fortunately, this set functions as a powerful special attacker even outside of its trapper role, allowing it to serve multiple uses and rarely become a liability. It can also trap Pokemon that operate independently of weather should sun be up, such as Jellicent and Starmie. It should be noted that while this Heatran is put to best use on sun teams, it can also be used to good effect on teams utilizing other weather or no weather at all, in order to combat certain weathers.</p>
<p>The first three moves are of course all staples, but the last moveslot is dependant on team support. Earth Power is the default move, because without it it is impossible to harm opposing Heatran. This set functions by forcing switches to opposing Pokemon that resist its powerful Fire-type STAB, so if the opponent has a Pokemon that can switch into this set with absolute impunity, then it largely ceases to function. Because of this, Earth Power is absolutely necessary, with one exception: a partnered Dugtrio. Dugtrio's unparalleled ability to easily dispose of opposing Heatran is an incredible asset for this set; it not only frees up the fourth moveslot as Earth Power is no longer a strict necessity, but it also effortlessly disposes Choice Scarf Tyanitar, one of the Pokemon that can give this set trouble. Just be wary of Air Balloon Heatran or the rare Choice Scarf Heatran, as the two of them must be carefully played around. Hidden Power Ice allows Heatran to become a trapper of Dragon-types as well. Adamant Dragonite, for example, will always have its Multiscale broken if it switches into Magma Storm, and is then outsped and easily OHKOed with Hidden Power Ice. Should sun be up, Latios can also fall victim to Heatran, being 2HKOed by either a double Magma Storm or a Magma Storm followed up by a Hidden Power Ice, while Surf fails to OHKO Heatran. Hidden Power Ice also gives Heatran a reliable way to hit Gliscor, Tornadus-T, and Breloom without relying on the shaky accuracy of Magma Storm.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>An Air Balloon gives the most utility when being used on a sun team, as sun teams can have difficulties in handling Ground-type attacks. Air Balloon allows Heatran to take on the likes of Gliscor more reliably, and also allows Heatran to act as a more effective Dragon-type trapper. For example, a Salamence switching into Magma Storm in the sun will be 2HKOed, while it is unable to OHKO Heatran with Earthquake first because of the Air Balloon. The Air Ballon also prevents Dugtrio from trapping Heatran. This, combined with Magma Storm's ability to OHKO Dugtrio through Focus Sash, makes it difficult for Dugtrio to handle Heatran. Chople Berry is another viable item, making it far easier for Heatran to deal with opposing Tyranitar, and giving it the ability to tank Breloom Mach Punches and Tornadus-T Superpowers. Life Orb is another option for Heatran's raw destructive power in the sun, and also allows Heatran to KO a 252 HP / 252 SpD Careful Tyranitar that has switched into Magma Storm after Stealth Rock with SolarBeam (Superpower will fail to OHKO Heatran even after two rounds of Life Orb recoil while it uses Sunny Day). It's an impressive feat. An alternative EV spread of 56 HP / 252 SpA / 200 Spe can be used if Heatran is running Hidden Power Ice, as it no longer needs to attempt to outspeed opposing Heatran. The bulk increase is minimal but makes Leftovers an appealing option for both greater longevity and feigning a defensive set, which can more easily lure in Politoed. Taunt is also an option in the fourth slot to shut down a trapped Blissey's recovery, allowing a partnered Dugtrio to tag-team it and take it out with little trouble. Just be sure that two Seismic Tosses will put Dugtrio in maximum Reversal range when building your team.</p>
<p>Stealth Rock support is very important for this set in order to ensure the deaths of opposing weather inducers; with it and Magma Storm's recoil the opponent will effectively be taking Heatran's hits with only 75% health, and Stealth Rock pushes the combination of Magma Storm and SolarBeam agaisnt some weather inducers into the "pseudo-OHKO" range of SolarBeam. It is especially important for dealing with Choice Specs Politoed and Choice Band Tyranitar, as Heatran does not have the time to 2HKO them with SolarBeam. This set is of course designed to support sun teams, so generally this set should be partnered with Ninetales. The support of Dugtrio or Wobbuffet can be invaluable for dealing with the few variants of weather inducers that give this set trouble. Pokemon that can easily abuse permanent sun, including Chlorophyll Pokemon such as Venusaur or Sawsbuck, or hard-hitting Fire-types, such as Volcarona and Infernape, greatly appreciate this set's support. This set can struggle with some threats, such as fast Pokemon that resist Heatran's Fire-type STAB and can outspeed and destroy Heatran. For example, Terrakion in the sand fears little from this set, so consider packing a partner such as Scizor or Dugtrio that can handle it. Though it can be very daunting to switch into this Heatran, it can also be forced out fairly easily after it has accomplished its job. Be sure to have partners that can take a Ground- or Fighting-type attack, such as Landorus-T or Latios. Additionally, be careful that the opponent does not have a Pokemon that can change the weather back before sacrificing this set or Ninetales, as a well-timed Rain Dance from Tornadus-T or Starmie can undo all of your efforts.</p>
