[Overview]
<p>
The transition to BW2 was not too kindy to Heatran. Actually, it has been rather harsh. This is because of the new threats introduced, which The introduction of new threats such as Keldeo that have made rain more dominant than ever
has only added to Heatran's woes.
One of them is Keldeo, an excellent counter to most variants of Heatran. In fact, there is always a Water- or Fighting-type Pokémon or attack waiting to defeat
him it (be consistent with how you refer to Pokemon. Stick to one of "it" and "he", and don't alternate between the two). This is not to speak about its 4x weakness to Ground, which
is actually not as much as problem, with so many Pokémon immune to it. The 4x weakness to Ground means that makes Heatran
is an easy prey for Dugtrio. With so many things that make Heatran's life difficult, one may question why Heatran is still one of the most used Pokémon.</p>
<p>The answer lies
in the fact that Heatran is
perhaps the best Fire-type
in OU, and the easiest to fit on teams. Thanks to its unique Fire/Steel typing, it combines the offensive characteristics of a Fire-type with the defensive prowess of a Steel-type, which in combination with its Flash Fire ability, is
peharps the reason why Heatran is so prevalent despite the ubiquitous rain teams.
Despite having crippling The aforementioned crippling weakness to Water-type attacks
, as well as Earthquake
, and Fighting-type blows
notwithstanding, the typing and ability
give Heatran important 4x resistances to Ice, Grass, Bug, and Steel, as well as an immunity to Fire-type attacks and many other resistances (including to the omnipresent Outrages and Draco Meteors)! With
this powerful Fire-type STAB, Heatran can take out most Steel- and Grass-types
easily with its powerful Fire Blasts.
It is also very versatile, having the ability to run specially defensive sets to wall special attackers lacking a super effective move, offensive support sets, and even trapping sets Heatran can also opt to run a specially defensive set to wall any special attacker that lacks a super-effective move to use against it. Most Steel-types
in OU are free
switch-ins for to Heatran, as they generally don't use moves that can
threaten it. Heatran is also the best counter to sun teams; once their Dugtrio or Terrakion is out of
the equation, sun teams are hard-pressed to do much to defeat
him it.
Heatran is also very versatile; it can run defensive sets, offensive support sets, and even trapping sets. (shifted this sentence) All these make
Heatran it one of the best
Pokémon in OU, despite a metagame that is seemingly conspiring against it.</p>
(A Pokemon is on a team. It is the best / worst in a metagame)
(Okay, there was a lot of fluff in the Overview, which is why I rewrote some parts. You might also want to merge the two paragraphs now)
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Stealth Rock / Taunt / Toxic
item: Air Balloon / Life Orb
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>It is hard to imagine something that can support teams and pose an offensive threat at
the same time, but Heatran can do this.
Heatran It has a potent STAB Fire Blast that can roast most Steel-types and Grass-types, even
in rain. This set can also deal with many Dragon-types,
can set up Stealth Rock reliably, and
can wall sun teams despite the lack of defensive investiment. All of these make Heatran one of the most versatile special attackers
from in OU, and you should always consider using this set on your non-rain teams.</p>
<p>Fire Blast is the best STAB to run on this set. As said above, it defeats most Steel- and Grass-types, as well as Bug-types, all of which are surprisingly common on OU and demand Fire-type attacks to deal with them. However, there is one Steel-type that laughs at Fire-type attacks
, and actually
loves being hit by
one them:
It is Heatran itself! That's where Earth Power comes in, as it is able to maim opposing Heatran. Be wary of Air Balloon variants, however.
Also, Earth Power
is useful because it alsohits Rock-types such as Tyranitar and Terrakion
, as they thatresist Fire Blast. Not that Heatran would dare staying in on Terrakion, of course, but
you it ("you" refers to the player) can discourage Terrakion from switching in a second time, as it is 2HKOed by Earth Power.
On In sandstorm, they can both avoid the 2HKO, however, so take care. As for Hidden Power, we have two choices. Hidden Power Ice is the recommended one: with a combination of Air Balloon, a Fire/Steel typing, and a Flash Fire ability, Heatran is able to defeat any Dragon-type that lacks a Fighting-
type or Water-type attack, as long as
you it maintains its your Air Balloon. Examples are Dragonite and Salamence, both which are
hard-pressed to do much to Heatran
with its Air Balloon intact as long as you can mantain its Balloon intact. If you feel that your team already has plenty of ways to deal with Dragon-types, or if your team has problems with bulky Water-types, Hidden Power Grass can be used. Hidden Power Ice is usually the superior choice, however, as with it, Heatran can take advantage of its resistance to Dragon-type attacks and the ability to come
in safely on
those (here, "those" refers to the Dragon-type attacks) the Dragon-types that lack a Water- or Fighting-type attack
, and defeat them.</p>
<p>The last slot is dedicated to a
support option. Stealth Rock is the main one, as Heatran is one of the best and most reliable users of it
; it forces many switches and can take out Magic Bounce users such as Espeon and Xatu with STAB Fire Blast Heatran force many switches, all which provid a perfect oportunity to setup Stealth Rock. Heatran also threathens to defeat the two Magic Bounce users, Xatu and Espeon, with its powerful STAB Fire Blasts. If something else
carries Stealth Rock on your team, it can be replaced by Taunt. Taunt shuts down common switch-ins
, like such as Chansey and Blissey, as well as things expecting to use Heatran as setup fodder, like Gyarados
, or even
Calm Mind Keldeo. Toxic is another option that can cripple bulky Water-types that would otherwise love to switch on Heatran lacking Hidden Power Grass. Toxic also lets Heatran beat Volcarona
1vs1; despite being able to wall Volcarona (unless it runs Hidden Power Ground), Heatran is not able to do much back without Toxic.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>There are
still many
other options that can be used
in the last slot.
Another status that Heatran can spread is burns
, through
the move Will-O-Wisp
; though many bulky Water-types have reliable recovery
, so that they can to heal offstall out the burn damage
with, Will-O-Wisp can cripple
common switch-ins such as Tyranitar, Gyarados, Dragonite, and Terrakion
, that would dare switching in. Flame Charge boosts Heatran's Speed, enabling
it to sweep late-game once the opposing team has been weakened and its checks and counters have been removed, and is especially useful
on sets with Life Orb if you use a Life Orb item to boost Heatran's power. It also lets Heatran beat Dugtrio, as Heatran can
hit Dugtrio on the switch, and outspeed thanks to the Speed boost, and outspeed and OHKO Dugtrio with Hidden Power or Fire Blast. Roar is yet another option
, that can save life against some Dragon-type setup sweepers,
break Baton Pass chains, and
rack up hazard damage. If you use Hidden Power Grass,
another option that can be used is Dragon Pulse
can be used, so that
you Heatran can still cover Dragon-types. The last slot is mainly filler, and you should use the option that best
fits to your team's needs.</p>
<p>Air Balloon is the primary item to avoid Ground-type attacks, Spikes, and being trapped by Dugtrio. Please be careful with
which what you
will switch in Heatran
on, as otherwise, Air Balloon will pop for nothing and
you Heatran will not be able to wall Dragon-types. Generally, Heatran should be
switching in on an expected Ground-
type or Fire-type move, or a status move. Life Orb provides a
much-needed boost to Heatran's attacks
, and is very useful if it is using options like Dragon Pulse of Flame Charge
in the last slot. However, the utility of Air Balloon is generally too good to pass up. Leftovers
provides longevity, but it is very hard to find a reason to use it over Life Orb or Air Balloon; you are better off using the Substitute set if you want to use Leftovers.</p>
<p>252
Special Attack EVs lets Heatran hit as hard as possible. 4 SpD seems trivial at first, but prevent the rare yet very annoying Porygon2 from gaining a Special Attack boost. A Timid
nature and 252 Speed EVs let Heatran outspeed Adamant Dragonite, as well as all variants of Breloom
; Then, it can
then OHKO the former with Hidden Power Ice (after Multiscale has been broken) and the latter with Fire Blast (Mach Punch will not OHKO a full-health Heatran). However, a bulky EV spread of 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe and a Modest nature is very viable, as apart from the aforementioned threats, there aren't
much many situations where Heatran will be in need of
Speed, and the extra bulk is
very really appreciated. Still, the aforementioned threats are so omnipresent that you may still find the Speed to be very useful. It is worth noting that Chople Berry is a useful item with the bulky EV spread, as it lets Heatran live the Fighting-type blows from the likes of Terrakion and Breloom.</p>
<p>As for partners, Pokémon that attract Fire-type attacks
due to their 4x weakness to it, tend to be the best. Forretress complements Heatran's Stealth Rock with Spikes
, and can check Terrakion and Haxorus, two Pokémon that are dangerous for Heatran. Scizor can dispose of Blissey and Chansey
, and
can check the Lati twins, Tyranitar, and Terrakion, all of which can
threaten Heatran in some way or another. Finally, Ferrothorn also has access to Spikes
, and can dispose of bulky Water-types. Ninetales is another good partner because its Drought will power up Fire Blast, but Tyranitar can dispose of the Lati twins and the pink blobs
, and
is thus
is an excellent partner
too. Celebi and Jellicent have amazing synergy with Heatran
; and thus are excellent partners. the former easily defeats bulky Water-types that counter Heatran, and the latter is immune to the only two weakness that Heatran
has (with Air Balloon). Both also counter Keldeo, which is capable of countering this Heatran very well, as well as Sheer Force Landorus, which can still defeat Heatran with Focus Blast. Landorus-T can counter Terrakion, and thus is a notable partner. Gengar can spinblock, preventing Heatran's Stealth Rock from being spun away, and checks most Fighting-types
, as well as andthe aforementioned Sheer Force Landorus.</p>
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Lava Plume
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Protect
move 4: Stealth Rock / Roar / Earth Power
item: Leftovers
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Although Heatran is an excellent offensive Pokémon,
it should not be forget don't forget itsthat Heatran has impressive 91/106/106 defenses, which in conjunction with its unique Fire/Steel typing and ability
, make Heatran a great special wall, even though it has no reliable recovery. Heatran is not setup bait either, as it has Roar and a huge base 130 Special Attack
, letting it rather hard for a wall.</p>
(combine these two paragraphs)
<p>Lava Plume is the best STAB option for this set, with
a chance to burn opposing Pokémon, which makes its burn chance making up for the lack of
investment in
physical Defense. Protect scouts Choice users
, and while also rackingup passive damage and Leftovers recovery. Toxic is the status move of choice because it cannot be stalled out by reliable recovery
, and affects Volcarona (which is especially useful if you don't run Roar, as Heatran is
hard-pressed to do much back otherwise). Plus, Lava Plume already
carries a 30% chance to burn the opponent.</p>
<p>The last moveslot contains a myriad of options
, and can be customized depending
on your team's needs. Stealth Rock is an excellent support move
, and this Heatran is one of
the its best users. Thanks to
investment in Special Defense, Heatran is capable of surviving even uninvested rain-boosted Scalds from bulky Water-types, letting it
set up Stealth Rock
on their front if needed. If something else
carries Stealth Rock on your team, you can use Roar, a great support option to rack up hazard damage, spread burns (alongside Lava Plume), and phaze those special setup sweepers that dare using Heatran as setup fodder. It is also useful to scout opposing Dugtrio. Earth Power can be used instead of both options, as it
allows specially defensive Heatran to take out opposing Heatran, as well as other Fire-types, Tentacruel, and Terrakion, all which would wall this set otherwise. Earth Power from offensive Heatran sets do not OHKO specially defensive Heatran, while it has
a 78% chance to OHKO back with its own Earth Power.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>A specially defensive spread is preferred over a
physical one, because most
of Heatran's resistances are specially-based. Also, most common physical attacks
(such as Earthquake and Close Combat) aimed at Heatran hit it
super effectively (e.g.: Close Combat, Earthquake) and would OHKO or 2HKO even with maximum
investment in
Heatran's physical
defense bulk. Another reason is that Heatran can already use Lava Plume to burn opponents and shrug off physical hits.</p>
<p>An EV spread with 248 HP / 16 SpA / 244 SpD with a Modest Nature is viable, and in this case, Flamethrower should be chosen as the attacking option. This lets Heatran hit a little harder, which can be useful
in some situations
; for example, it can OHKO standard
Ferrothorn in rain 60% of time,
something that the standard defensive Heatran cannot do. Another viable EV spread is a fast one, with 248 HP / 12 SpD / 248 Spe and a Calm nature. This EV spread can outrun Adamant Breloom and Jolly Scizor
, and
defeat them KO with Lava Plume. It can also outspeed
Substitute + Dragon Tail Kyurem-B
, and Roar
him it before it can phaze Heatran with Dragon Tail. If you are using Hidden Power Ice, this spread also
lets Heatran outspeed defensive Gliscor and bulky Landorus-T. Hidden Power Ice is a useful move to take out Dragon-types, especially Dragonite, which would like to use a defensive Heatran as setup fodder if they run Lum Berry. An alternative status move is Will-O-Wisp. Due to Lava Plume's high burn chance and Toxic's higher accuracy, Toxic is generally preferred, but Will-O-Wisp has
a merit in that it is a much more reliable way to spread burns. Taunt may seem like an strange option, but it stops Ferrothorn from setting up on Heatran in rain
; as absurd as it sounds, Ferrothorn can survive one Lava Plume if it's raining
, and
set up an entry hazard
; Taunt prevent this. Forretress can also survive one Lava Plume thanks to Sturdy, and thus, Taunt may prove to be very useful. Also, the combination of Taunt, Protect, and Toxic
, lets Heatran you take out
some walls, like Blissey and Chansey, two Heatran's nemesis Blissey and Chansey, two of its greatest nemeses.</p>
<p>Toxic Spikes support is appreciated, especially if Heatran plans to run Earth Power instead of a status move, but remember that Toxic Spikes is somewhat
ineffective on this metagame.
Remember that Even with Toxic Spikes, Toxic may still prove to be a great move, as it isn't always that you have the opportunity to
set up two Toxic Spikes layers
; plus, some Pokémon are immune to Toxic Spikes. Forretress is a great partner, because its high physical bulk
complements the special bulk of Heatran
; it Forretress can use Spikes to complement Stealth Rock,
it can attract Fire-type attacks that Heatran can easily absorb, and
can check some Pokémon like Terrakion
, that can defeat Heatran. Wish support is appreciated because Heatran lacks reliable recovery. Vaporeon is one of the best choices, because it can
provide this, and alsoabsorb Water-type attacks aimed at Heatran. Lastly, Jellicent also absorbs
Water-type attacks
, and is immune to
2 two of Heatran's weakness. Roserade can switch
into on bulky Water-types
, and is able to
set up Spikes and Toxic Spikes, both which can complement Heatran's Stealth Rock. RestTalk Gyarados has amazing synergy with Heatran, resisting all of its
weaknesses, while handling most Water-types, physical Dragons, as well as
Choice Terrakion with the help of Protect on Heatran.</p>
[SET]
name: Weather Trapper
move 1: Sunny Day
move 2: Magma Storm
move 3: Solarbeam
move 4: Earth Power / Hidden Power Ice
item: Air Balloon / Life Orb
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Sun teams have a natural disadvantage
over against other
non-hail weather teams, and this
Heatran's set is there to help them win the weather war. Although this Heatran is better used on sun teams, it can also be used on weatherless teams
, or even teams of other weathers
, to combat opposing weather inducers. Still, sun is the home of this set
, and is where it should be used most of
the time, and for good reason. The combination of Sunny Day and Magma Storm allows Heatran to smack weather inducers, taking out their STAB on Water-type attacks
in Politoed's case, or their increased Special Defense
in Tyranitar's case. Magma Storm has the same power as Fire Blast, but traps the opponent so that it cannot flee.</p>
<p>Solarbeam is used alongside the other two moves
, because this Heatran can use Sunny Day to prevent weather inducers
from taking advantage of a Heatran locked
into Solarbeam. Speaking of
which weather inducers, they are
all weak to this move
, and will be 2HKOed or OHKOed
in sun, while they can do little back. The combination of Sunny Day and Solarbeam also means that this set can deal with bulky Water-types better than any other Heatran. As Magma Storm will trap them, they have no choice but to be 2HKOed.</p>
<p>The first three moves are all staples
, and should not be touched. The last moveslot contains 2 options: Earth Power and Hidden Power Ice. Earth Power is the recommended option because otherwise, opposing Heatran would be able to switch in freely. This set has to lure Pokémon that
switch resist its Fire-type STAB. As such, this set becomes a liability if there is a Pokémon that can switch in with absolute impunity. Hidden Power Ice is, however, is Heatran's best way to damage Dragon-types, so it can be considered if you have other ways of removing enemy Heatran, such as Dugtrio. With Hidden Power Ice, Heatran can also trap Dragon-types
, such as Adamant Dragonite, which will always be defeated if it switches
into Magma Storm, as it will have its Multiscale broken
, and will be outsped and easily OHKOed by Hidden Power Ice.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Air Balloon is the recommended item because it will help against Dragon-types, especially if you run Hidden Power Ice. Air Balloon will also help against Dugtrio; it will not be able to trap Heatran
, and will be KOed through Focus Sash if it switches on Magma Storm, effectively making this Heatran a difficult target for Dugtrio. Hippowdon is also hard-pressed to do much against Heatran if it sports an Air Balloon; it will
be actually
be unable to touch Heatran if it uses Whirlwind instead of Ice Fang. Life Orb makes Heatran even more powerful and, in conjunction with entry hazards, can let Heatran OHKO the weather inducers instead of 2HKOing them.</p>
<p>Taunt can be used instead of both Earth Power and Hidden Power Ice. If you have effective ways to deal with both Dragon-types and opposing Heatran, Taunt will be
of very help highly useful, especially if
combined used in conjunction with a Modest nature and a Life Orb. With Taunt, Heatran can potentially 2HKO both Blissey and Chansey with Magma Storm after a little of residual damage, and preventing their recovery will actually make this feat possible. This can also be done against Hippowdon, but you will need an Air Ballon,
as otherwise Hippowdon will OHKO with Earthquake. Speaking of which, if Heatran has Taunt and Hippowdon does not have Ice Fang, it will be unable to touch Heatran at all, as long as the latter
has Air Balloon. Even with Ice Fang, Hippowdon will be outsped and 2HKOed by Magma Storm. Shuca Berry seems like it is outclassed by Air Balloon, but Shuca Berry is not consumed by any non-Ground-, Poison-, and Fire-type attack, and still lets Heatran comfortably take a Dugtrio's Earthquake and retaliate with Magma Storm.</p>
<p>This Heatran is versatile and can still function as a strong special attacker
, outside its trapping role. It should be noted that Heatran will not always win against opposing weather inducers. For example,
Tyranitar. Choice Band variants
of Tyranitar can OHKO Heatran with Superpower
, not giving it time to before the latter can set up sun and attack with Solarbeam. Choice Scarf variants also do the same; they do not OHKO
, but they outspeed and 2HKO before Heatran can hit Tyranitar with Solarbeam. For this reason, Dugtrio is an excellent partner. Although it seems to be redundant as it can also trap, it is able to dispose of Tyranitar
, no matter which set
it the latter runs. Not only that, but Dugtrio can
also dispose of opposing Heatran,
freeing up the last moveslot for Hidden Power Ice on this set letting it use Hidden Power Ice and not waste that moveslot on Earth Power just because it needs a way to not let opposing Heatran switch in with impunity. Choice Scarf Politoed, as rare as it may be, is also an annoyance, as it can outspeed and OHKO with Hydro Pump
, before Heatran can even
set up the sun. Timid Venusaur is for this reason a great partner. It can also deal with other dangerous Pokémon like Terrakion and Keldeo; Venusaur will outspeed even
Choice Scarf variants of the latter
, if the sun is shining. Wobbuffet cannot deal with Tyranitar or Heatran as effectively as Dugtrio, but
it can deal better with
Choice Scarf Politoed, as well as faster Fighting-types.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Fire Blast
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Dragon Pulse
move 4: Overheat / Flamethrower
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Heatran can also function as a good revenge killer. Although base 77 Speed is seemingly not sufficient, it still lets Heatran outrun up to base 130s, as well as +1 Adamant Dragonite and +1 Adamant Gyarados. An advantage over other revenge killers is Heatran's typing and bulk, which means that
Heatran it get much more
opportunities to switch in
, instead of having to rely on switching in after a teammate has been killed.</p>
<p>Fire Blast is the recommended STAB move because it has great sweeping potential, and Heatran is much less prone to becoming setup bait with it than Overheat. Earth Power is there to not be walled by opposing Heatran, but it is also very useful to revenge kill Rock-types such as Terrakion, as well as
revenge killing Lucario and Magnezone without relying on Fire Blast's shaky accuracy. Hidden Power Ice revenge kills Dragon-types
, and is a more reliable way to deal with Gliscor and Landorus/Landorus-T
, than
using its STAB Fire-type attacks Fire Blast. Dragon Pulse deals more damage to Dragons 2x weak to Ice, such as the Lati twins
, and Hydreigon. Those 4x weak to Ice take more damage from Hidden Power Ice, which is why it is usually the preferred
option. However, Dragon Pulse has other advantages, like hitting Kyurem-B and Kingdra, two Dragon-types neutral to Hidden Power Ice
; it Dragon Pulse is also this Heatran's best attack against Rotom-W. The last moveslot is a toss-up between Overheat and Flamethrower. Overheat dishes out the most damage possible
, and can be used if Heatran can afford to suffer from the Special Attack drop. Flamethrower is much weaker, but it is perfectly accurate and does not suffer from stat drops.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Unfortunately, this set is not as powerful as other offensive sets, and due to being locked on one attack, it is even more prone to becoming setup bait
, should you predict wrongly. However, this set can also deal with Dugtrio. The only other of Heatran's sets that can do this are those that carry Air Balloon or Flame Charge.</p>
<p>Hidden Power Electric can be used to revenge kill +1 Gyarados, but note that Heatran will only outpace those that run an Adamant nature. The loss of Hidden Power Ice is not that bad, as Heatran can still use sun-boosted Fire attacks to OHKO Gliscor and Landorus, but you must use Dragon Pulse on the last slot to not be walled by Dragon-types. It may seem like an April Fools joke to mention Stone Edge, but it is useful for the sole purpose of revenge killing Volcarona. Unless Volcarona has Hidden Power Ground (be very wary if that's the case), it will do pitful damage to Heatran even after multiple Quiver Dance boosts
, despite being able to outspeed it, while in return, Heatran hits with Stone Edge, which scores an OHKO even with a nature that hinders the Attack stat. A Modest nature can be used to provide even more power, which is especially useful if Heatran is being used as a late-game sweeper. Although it loses the ability to outpace +1 Gyarados and +1 Dragonite (if they have an Adamant nature), Choice Scarf Heatran is usually used on sun teams, where it is likely to be paired with a Chlorophyll user, which can outspeed the aforementioned Pokémon and revenge kill them.</p>
<p>Ninetales is the best partner for this set, as the sun it brings makes Fire Blast even more powerful, letting it revenge kill anything that doesn't resist it. Chlorophyll sweepers such as Venusaur can easily take out bulky Water-types that tend to wall this set. Venusaur can also defeat Blissey and Chansey in a strange, yet effective way. A partner that can deal with
Pokémon that may try to take advantage of a Choice-locked Heatran is appreciated. Scizor, Celebi, Mamoswine, Hippowdon, and Landorus-T are some examples, taking care of threats like Terrakion, Landorus,
or and Keldeo.</p>
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Earth Power / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
item: Leftovers
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>A tendency that Heatran has is to force switches. This set takes advantage of those switches to
set up free Substitutes. Behind a Substitute, Heatran can either attack or cripple the opponent with a status move. This is especially useful against
things threats that would defeat Heatran otherwise, such as Landorus, and Terrakion.</p>
<p>Fire Blast is an excellent
and powerful STAB, and Substitute means that Heatran can usually afford to miss. Earth Power is the recommended coverage move, as otherwise, opposing Heatran stop this set cold. However, Hidden Power Ice is this set's only means of quickly disposing of Dragon-types, so it can be considered over Earth Power. The last slot goes to a status move. Toxic is the recommended option because it cannot be stalled out by reliable recovery due to its damage increasing over time, and it is much more reliable. It is especially useful against the bulky Water-types that love switching-in on Heatran. Will-O-Wisp, however, has an enormous advantage: crippling physical attackers not named Conkeldurr. It is so good when the opposing Terrakion try to break Heatran's
Substitute, only to be burned and rendered useless for the rest of match
. (replace ellipses with full stop) Another option is to use both Earth
Power and Hidden Power Ice, forgoing the use of a status move. This is not recommended, however, as Heatran likes to have a way to cripple bulky Water-types while it is behind a
Substitute.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>You can use more HP EVs to make Heatran bulkier, but you have to take out EVs from Special Attack, as Heatran needs all
the Speed that it can get to preserve its Substitute whenever possible. Unlike the main offensive set, this set can afford to have less power, as Heatran can also damage the opponent with status. However, this is not to say that Heatran will necessarily like to lose power due to the lack of investiment in Special Attack. Thus, think twice before adding any EVs to HP. Taunt can be used instead of the coverage move to transform this Heatran
on into a bulky stallbreaker. It can stall out walls like Blissey and Chansey with status
, and can prevent them from recovering with Taunt. Be very wary that Heatran will hate being walled by both Dragon-types and opposing Heatran
, however.</p>
<p>Hydration Vaporeon
does not mind status while it's raining
, and can just defeat Heatran with repeated Scalds. Pokémon with Natural Cure will not mind
that much being statused
that much, as they can simply switch out to cure status. Such Pokémon include Starmie, as well as Blissey and Chansey. However,
all they will still loathe status until they switch out (Blissey and Chansey can cure themselves if they have Aromatherapy, however)
—thus, the only Pokémon truly unperturbed by this set is Hydration Vaporeon. Scizor can deal with the pink blobs, while Ferrothorn can deal with the bulky Water-types. Both also attract Fire-type attacks that Heatran can use to
switch in safely. If Heatran is not using Earth Power
, it is recommended that you pack a partner that can take out opposing Heatran. Dugtrio stands out as the best option, as it can trap them with its ability. This Heatran can usually Toxic stall Politoed and Tyranitar, so Ninetales or your own Tyranitar can take advantage of this. A Tyranitar of your own is an excellent partner, as sandstorm damage will add up with status, killing the opponent faster
; and with hazards, this
can will punish Natural Cure Pokémon
from when they switch back in after healing their status out. Anything that can take advantage of poisoned or burned opponents is a good partner. For example, setup sweepers like Latias are able to use poisoned Water-types as setup fodder, while Toxic
puts pushes them
at into KO range. Celebi is peharps the best partner for this Heatran, as it has awesome synergy in general
, and can take out the Water-types that do not mind status, such as bulky Starmie
, and Vaporeon.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Fire Blast / Overheat
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Dragon Pulse / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Flamethrower
item: Choice Specs
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Heatran can equip a Choice Specs and murder opposing Pokémon with its powerful (and possibly sun-boosted) Fire Blasts. This set is so powerful that under sun it can 2HKO even many Pokémon that resist Fire Blast. Even Chansey and Blissey can hardly whitstand
2 two sun-boosted Fire
Blasts; half
of the time, they are 2HKOed after Stealth Rock damage. However, Overheat can replace Fire Blast
. It as it dishes out the most damage possible, and is so powerful that it can OHKO even some things that resist it, such as frailer
Dragons like Haxorus
or and Salamence. However, Overheat has two drawbacks; it forces Heatran to switch out after it is used (though a -2 sun-boosted Overheat is still very powerful), and does not let
Heatran it 2HKO the pink blobs.</p>
<p>Although it is hard to find something that can tank two consecutive Fire Blasts and live to tell the tale, these sort of Pokémon exist. For example, opposing Heatran will not mind switching on Fire Blast or Overheat
, and will appreciate the boost to their own Fire Blasts thanks to Flash Fire. For this reason, Earth Power is the primary coverage move. Earth Power, when boosted by Choice Specs, also
lets Heatran 2HKO
non-specially defensive Tyranitar, which is useful because Tyranitar can normally tank Earth Power from other Heatran variants. Dragon Pulse is a
better more reliable way to deal with Dragon-types
than using Fire-type STAB, though keep in mind that many Dragons will still take heavy damage from sun-boosted Fire Blasts.
Still, Dragon Pulse is a reliable way to OHKO or 2HKO them. Hidden Power Ice can replace it, as it does more damage to Dragonite and Salamence, covers Garchomp more effectively, and is more accurate against Landorus and Gliscor. However, the latter two are easily OHKOed by Fire-type attacks anyway. Remember that using Hidden Power Ice will not let Heatran use Hidden Power Grass, which
is an option on the last slot that gives important coverage against bulky Water-types, especially Politoed, which has Drizzle to nerf Fire Blast. Flamethrower can replace Hidden Power Grass if you are using Overheat, as Flamethrower doesn't lower Heatran's stats and is more accurate. Remember that without Hidden Power Grass, bulky Water-types will usually wall this set, though many of them should be wary of taking repeated sun-boosted Fire Blasts.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>A Modest Nature is the main option to deal as much damage as possible. Timid can be used, especially if you run Hidden Power Ice, to outspeed Adamant Dragonite and OHKO
him it. It is also useful because Jolly Breloom would be able to outspeed and OHKO with Low Sweep otherwise. However, without the Modest nature, Heatran cannot guarantee the 2HKO on the pink blobs, even with Stealth Rock on
the field.</p>
<p>A spread with 248 HP / 252 SpA / 8 SpD
with and a Quiet nature is viable and makes use of
the move Eruption. Eruption, when boosted by Choice Specs and sun, is so powerful that it can even 2HKO Chansey without Stealth Rock support. However, Eruption is a move that is only legal with a Quiet nature. This means that Heatran should obviously be used with Trick Room support. In this case, physically defensive Cresselia is possibly the best partner, as it can
set up Trick Room and wall some dangerous attackers for Heatran, like Sheer Force Landorus.</p>
<p>Although this Heatran can function without sun support, it is the sun that brings to the table many of the 2HKOs and OHKOs mentioned above (such as the 2HKO on the pink blobs), so Ninetales is the best parner. Also, Chlorophyll sweepers take advantage of the holes
blown open by Heatran, so that they can take advantage later on the battle. Although Terrakion hates coming
in on Earth Power or repeated sun-boosted Fire Blasts, it will force Heatran out
, and potentially wreck the entire sun team with a SubSalac set. Timid Venusaur can revenge kill
Heatran Terrakion even after the Salac Berry boost, but Gliscor or Forretress can also deal with this Terrakion too.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>A TormentTran set can be used, but this set is heavily reliant on Toxic Spikes support, and they are unfortunately innefective
in this metagame. Also, there are
more many faster threats that pack
super effective attacks against Heatran, so this set is hard to pull off. Keldeo is also a common threat that easily deal with TormentTran, as both of Keldeo's STABs hit it
super effectively.</p>
<p>Shed Shell is another way that Heatran can use to deal with Dugtrio, not by defeating him, but by being capable of switching out even with Arena Trap. However, Heatran has more effective ways to deal with Dugtrio,
in via Choice Scarf sets, Air Balloon, or the moves Flame Charge and Magma Storm.
You It are also forced to forfeit a valuable item, like Leftovers or Life Orb. Shed Shell is much more viable on the defensive set,
which as it has absolutely no way to deal with Dugtrio otherwise. However, without Leftovers, defensive Heatran will desesperately need Wish support, as it lacks reliable recovery.</p>
<p>Flash Cannon can be used as a secondary STAB that can hit Rock-types harder, but Heatran
already has Earth Power
for this. It does not receive STAB
, but has much better coverage
, and can still hit Rock-types super-effectively. Other options like Dark Pulse and AncientPower are poor in terms of coverage, and even when
super effective, are often outdamaged by Fire Blast, except against specific targets. Metal Sound can force switches or force the opponent to take heavy damage, but it is unreliable and
gimmicky at best. As strange as it sounds, Stone Edge is an option if you desesperately need a way to take out Volcarona. Even with a negative nature, 4/0 variants of Volcarona are OHKOed. However, Stone Edge has absolutely no use apart from that specific threat. Heatran can use a RestTalk set
, since
it this is
its Heatran's only means of recovery
, but However, awful sleep mechanics hinder this set's viability.</p>
<p>Don't use Flame Body. Flash Fire is what lets Heatran counter sun teams effectively, and Heatran usually
loses to many physical attackers
, because they carry Fighting- or Ground-type coverage
anyway. Lastly, Heatran is
also able to use a Magma Storm set without Sunny Day, or vice-versa. However, both moves are more effective when used thogether.</p>
[Checks & Counters]
<p>Chansey and Blissey are Heatran's best counters. They take nothing from most attacks, even when they are boosted, and are immune to status. However, they must watch out for sun-boosted Fire Blast from the Choice Specs set, which will 2HKO. Also, with a combination of Protect, Toxic, and Taunt, the specially defensive set can handle both blobs very well. Bulky Water-types are also excellent counters and checks
as they take almost nothing from most Heatran's attacks. Those weak to Earth Power, such as Tentacruel, must watch out
though, as Heatran can effectively deal with them
, but most bulky Water-types take nothing from most Heatran's attacks. However, they hate status
, and loathe either Hidden Power Grass or Electric. Keldeo also
hates those Hidden Powers, but can usually
switch in safely and defeat Heatran with any of its STAB moves.</p>
<p>Terrakion is generally a good
switch in to Heatran
, as it can sponge a Fire Blast thanks to its resistance and force Heatran out to set up.
However, it hates coming
out in on Earth Power
early in the match, which will 2HKO if sandstorm is not up, but Heatran does not usually use Earth Power
straight away because it
wants to take the opportunity to would rather set up Stealth Rock.
Heatran does not want to stay in because it will be OHKOed by Close Combat; Terrakion can take advantage of this to setup a Swords Dance/Rock Polish/Substitute. However, Terrakion must also watch out for burns from Will-O-Wisp and Lava Plume. Other Fighting-types can also work, but they all have a drawback that makes them shaky checks. For example, Conkeldurr is 2HKOed by Fire Blast, Lucario is
hard-pressed to find an opportunity to switch
into Heatran, and Breloom cannot OHKO a full-health Heatran with Mach Punch, while it is OHKOed back by Fire Blast. All of them except Conkeldurr also loathe status.</p>
<p>Anything with Earthquake is able to easily dispose of Heatran, but it can carry Air Balloon. Also, with so many foes immune to Earthquake, one must think twice
about before using this move. Dugtrio often carry Focus Sash to
switch out safely on any attack except Magma Storm (correct me if I'm wrong, but Dugtrio isn't concerned about switching out of Heatran. All it has to do is survive a hit and then OHKO with EQ) survive any hit. It can then trap Heatran
, and
defeat him OHKO with Earthquake. Watch out
though, as Heatran has multiple ways to deal with Dugtrio, such as
via Air Balloon, Choice Scarf, Flame Charge, and the aforementioned Magma Storm. Landorus (both Therian and Incarnate), as well as Garchomp, can outspeed and
defeat KO Heatran
using with Earthquake, but they cannot switch
on into Hidden Power Ice (the former also
cannot switch on fearsboosted Fire Blast). If your own Heatran does not carry Air Balloon, opposing Heatran with Air Balloon are also good counters.</p>
<p>
Calm Mind Latias takes little damage from most attacks, even Hidden Power Ice, and
can proceed to
set up on
it Heatran with impunity. Latios also works, but it is 2HKOed by Hidden Power Ice. Tyranitar is generally a good counter
; it takes little damage from even Earth Power
on the under sandstorm. Weather
trapper sets will 2HKO with Solarbeam under sun, but the most common variant of Tyranitar, Choice Band, will OHKO with Superpower, not giving Heatran time to
set up sun or attack back. Mamoswine does not fear even Air Balloon variants, as it often
carries Superpower to deal with them. Porygon2 is rare, but it is absurdly annoying, as it traces Flash Fire, thus absorbing Fire Blasts, and takes little damage from any other move that Heatran may use
; do note, however, that but Porygon2 absolutely hates status and Taunt.</p>
<p>If Heatran lacks Earth Power, opposing Heatran have free reign, and if Heatran lacks Hidden Power Ice, Dragon-types are generally capable of coming in safely. Without Hidden Power Grass, Gastrodon
can wall Heatran forever, but it must also watch out for Toxic. Lastly, things that Heatran usually defeat can instead defeat it with the appropriate move. For example, Heatran cannot switch on Scizor's Superpower, Venusaur's Earthquake, or Celebi's Earth Power.</p>
Feb 11th, 2013, 11:23:11 PM
