Overview
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Ever since the start of this generation, Heatran has been a dominating force in the metagame. The reason behind this is that Heatran is one of the best checks to top threats such as Talonflame, Aegislash, and Clefable. Due to it's typing it's also one of the best switch ins to the ever popular Fairy types. Apart from it's ability to check several threats with it's solid typing and bulk, it also has solid offensive potential with it's stellar base 130 SpAtk stat, however, it's base 77 Speed often lets it down. It's typing also leaves it weak to common Fighting, Ground, and Water type attacks. Unfortunately, Heatran doesn't have any form of reliable recovery, meaning it can be easy to wear down. However, play to Heatran's strong points, and you won't be disappointed.
Specially Defensive
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name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Lava Plume
move 2: Protect
move 3: Taunt / Roar / Stealth Rock
move 4: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
ability: Flash Fire
item: Leftovers
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 40 Spd / 220 SDef
Moves
========
This is the standard Heatran that you'll commonly see on most teams. Lava Plume is solid consistent STAB with 30% chance of burn. Protect gains crucial Leftovers recovery and scouts the opponent's moves and works great in conjunction with Toxic. Taunt is a very interesting option for Heatran, as it really helps against more defensive teams, as well as stopping Pokemon the Bulk Up Talonflame from setting up on you (if you choose to run Will-O-Wisp). It also does really well against walls like Clefable, Mandibuzz, Chansey and Blissey. Finally, Toxic is the best last move slot for it's ability to nail bulky Water types on the switch like Jellicent, Keldeo, and Rotom-W.
Apart from these moves, Heatran has a few other options which are perfectly viable. Will-O-Wisp can be used to allow Heatran to deal with Mega Mawlie a lot easier, and softens physical blows aimed at Heatran. Physical attackers like Terrakion and Garchomp often switch in on Heatran, making Will-O-Wisp a more reliable way to deal with these switch ins. Roar is an option to rack up nice hazards damage, and allows you to phaze certain threats like Swords Dance Mawlie and Bulky Up Talonflame. Finally, Stealth Rock can be used on Heatran if you can't find room anywhere else on your team, and Heatran faces very well with most Defogers, like Latios, Zapdos, and Mandibuzz.
Set Details
========
248 EVs are used for HP number. 40 Speed EVs are used to out speed Adamant Mawile. Lava Plume is preferred STAB of choice, for it's 30% burn rate. Stealth Rock should only be an option if you can't find room anywhere else. Roar allows Heatran to rack up nice entry hazards damage nicely, as this set is generally seem on more balanced and defensive teams. Roar also phazers certain dangerous threats, such as Swords Dance Mawlie, Bulk Up Talonflame, and Quiver Dance Volcarona. Taunt is a viable option to stop Talonflame and Volcarona setting up in front of you, as well as stopping Chansey and Blissey nicely. 36 Speed EVs can be used to out speed Mandibuzz and Toxic it before it can Taunt you.
Usage Tips
========
This set is generally aimed at defensive and balanced teams. Heatran can easily tank weak Water type attacks from Jellicent and other bulky Water types, so even if you can't predict their switch in, it might be best to Toxic them regardless (as with the combination of Protect and Roar, you easily gain back health via Leftovers). Be careful when using Protect, as it can often be used as set up fodder for sweepers like Garchomp and Terrakion. Heatran can phaze Dragon Dance users, but it shouldn't be your main check, as it still does take quite a lot from boosted Outrages and it's often hit for SE damage by Dragon types coverage moves.
Team Options
========
Bulky Grass types are incredible partners for Heatran for their great synergy and their ability to deal with Ground and Water type attacks. Mega Venusaur, Celebi, Gouregiest, Amoonguss, and Trevenent are all options. Speaking of which, bulky Water types are also very good partners, making Rotom-W, Quagsire, and Keldeo optimal choices. Having a solid physical wall to take on Garchomp and Terrakion is generally a good option since they often force Heatran out. This makes Gliscor, Skarmory, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon all good team mates. Clefable is a great partner for Heatran, as it can easily take on Fighting type attacks aimed at Heatran, while also providing Wish support, while Heatran easily takes on Steel types that annoy Clefable.
Choice Scarf
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name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Overheat / Fire Blast
move 2: Flash Cannon
move 3: Stone Edge / Earth Power
move 4: Flamethrower / Fire Blast / Hidden Power Ice
ability: Flash Fire
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moves
========
Overheat is the main STAB option for Choice Scarf Heatran for it's great power, and Scarf Heatran needs as much power as possible. Fire Blast is a more consistent STAB for it's ability to clean up late game. Flash Cannon is STAB and has solid base power. Stone Edge allows Heatran to revenge kill key threats, like Volcarona, Talonflame, and Charizard Y. Earth Power offers nice general coverage and allows Heatran to nail opposing Fire types like Heatran and Infernape. Flamethower is an option on the Scarf set for a weaker, yet more reliable STAB option. Fire Blast can be used here if you're not already using it in the first move-slot. Finally, Hidden Power Ice is an option for more coverage, allowing Heatran to hit Dragon types for nice damage, although it's main use is just to revenge kill Landorus-T and Gliscor.
Set Details
========
EVs are used for max power and speed. Modest is the main nature of choice for the Scarf set since it needs as much power as possible to clean up late game. The Scarf set is more suited to cleaning up late game, while also revenge killing a few threats. Heatran still reaches 378 speed, allowing it to out speed the fastest un-boosted Pokemon it can possibly out speed (Greninja) while gaining a lot of fire power. Missing out on a few things sucks, which is why Timid shouldn't be completely neglected as an option, but the extra power is more useful than the extra speed, especially when "cleaning up", which is what Heatran should aim to do. Stone Edge is an option for it's ability to easily beat Volcarona and Talonflame.
Usage Tips
========
The Scarf set is aimed more towards balanced teams. The Choice Scarf set isn't nearly as effective as it used to be, as the metagame just gets faster and faster, so keep this in mind when using Choice Scarf Heatran. Try to keep Heatran around as a late game cleaner, as that's where it's best used.
Team Options
========
Rotom-W is probably the best partner for Heatran, and this set is no exception. and other bulky Water types make for good partners. Grass types too are great partners, since this set is generally aimed more at balanced teams. The Scarf set is more suited to balanced teams and is more of a glue to a team that needs to revenge kill certain threats.
Choice Specs
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name: Choice Specs
move 1: Fire Blast / Overheat
move 2: Flash Cannon
move 3: Earth Power
move 4: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
ability: Flash Fire
item: Choice Specs
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moves
========
This set is all about Fire power. Literally. Choice Specs Heatran is a great wall breaker, opening up holes in the opposing team. Fire Blast allows Choice Specs Heatran to easily wall break, allowing another sweeper on your team to easily plow through the rest of the team. Overheat is a second option for it's god like power, but the reason Fire Blast is the main move is to stop sweepers from setting up on you at -2. Flash Cannon is STAB and has solid base power, allowing you to hit Azumarill and Terrakion for solid damage (both common switch ins). Earth Power offers nice general coverage and allows Heatran to nail opposing Fire types like Heatran and Infernape. Finally, Flamethrower can be used for a more consistent STAB, although Fire Blast is an alternative for more power. It really comes down to if you prefer accuracy over power.
Set Details
========
The EVs are used for max power and speed. A Modest nature is the main nature for it's incredible power. The Choice Specs set is generally aimed at wall breaking, so pairing it up with sweepers that can take advantage of the weakened team is a good idea. Ancient Power is an option for it's ability to easily beat Volcarona and Talonflame.
Usage Tips
========
The Specs set is generally aimed at more offensive teams, for Heatran's ability to wall break nicely. For the Choice Specs set, you're generally going to want to just spam Fire Bast most of the time. If you can predict the Terrakion or Azumarill switch, it's advisable to go for Flash Cannon, since it's still very powerful.
Team Options
========
Because of Specs Heatran's ability to wall break, sweepers that can clean up late game are good team mates. This includes Thundurus, Landorus, Lucario, and Keldeo. Of course it can fit onto more balanced team as well, so again Rotom-W, and other bulky Water types also make for good partners. Grass types again are great partners.
Other Options
########
Heatran has a few options that aren't listed in the main sets. A Sunny Day set with Magma Storm is a possibility, but weather teams aren't nearly as common as they used to be, making this set less effective. Torment is a cool option to use on Heatran, as it was very effective back in generation 4, but generally the first defensive set fits more easier onto more teams. Power Herb Solarbeam is a neat idea to nail Water types for solid damage, but there's only one use per game. Air Balloon can be used to allow Heatran to check most Ground types nicely, but it's very easily popped.
Checks & Counters
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**Special Walls**: Chansey and Blissey can take anything Heatran throws at it due to their immense special bulk.
**Bulky Water types**: Bulky Water types are great switch ins to most sets, but they must be wary of Toxic. Rotom-W, Jellicent, Keldeo, and Politoed are all common Water types. Starmie gets a special mention for it's ability to spin away SR and has Natural Cure.
**Rock types**: Rock types like Tyranitar and Terrakion can check Heatran nicely, but they must be wary of Flash Cannon. However, with Sand up, their SpDef stat is increased by 50%, allowing them to easily tank a hit or two if need be.
**Fighting types**: Fighting types like Keldeo and Conkeldurr can easily take a hit and force Heatran out with their STAB attacks. Conkeldurr can easily switch in as well due to it not fearing Toxic due to Guts.
**Dugtrio**: Finally, Dugtrio can revenge kill Heatran thanks to it's ability Arena Trap and Ground STAB.
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Ever since the start of this generation, Heatran has been a dominating force in the metagame. The reason behind this is that Heatran is one of the best checks to top threats such as Talonflame, Aegislash, and Clefable. Due to it's typing it's also one of the best switch ins to the ever popular Fairy types. Apart from it's ability to check several threats with it's solid typing and bulk, it also has solid offensive potential with it's stellar base 130 SpAtk stat, however, it's base 77 Speed often lets it down. It's typing also leaves it weak to common Fighting, Ground, and Water type attacks. Unfortunately, Heatran doesn't have any form of reliable recovery, meaning it can be easy to wear down. However, play to Heatran's strong points, and you won't be disappointed.
Specially Defensive
########
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Lava Plume
move 2: Protect
move 3: Taunt / Roar / Stealth Rock
move 4: Toxic / Will-O-Wisp
ability: Flash Fire
item: Leftovers
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 40 Spd / 220 SDef
Moves
========
This is the standard Heatran that you'll commonly see on most teams. Lava Plume is solid consistent STAB with 30% chance of burn. Protect gains crucial Leftovers recovery and scouts the opponent's moves and works great in conjunction with Toxic. Taunt is a very interesting option for Heatran, as it really helps against more defensive teams, as well as stopping Pokemon the Bulk Up Talonflame from setting up on you (if you choose to run Will-O-Wisp). It also does really well against walls like Clefable, Mandibuzz, Chansey and Blissey. Finally, Toxic is the best last move slot for it's ability to nail bulky Water types on the switch like Jellicent, Keldeo, and Rotom-W.
Apart from these moves, Heatran has a few other options which are perfectly viable. Will-O-Wisp can be used to allow Heatran to deal with Mega Mawlie a lot easier, and softens physical blows aimed at Heatran. Physical attackers like Terrakion and Garchomp often switch in on Heatran, making Will-O-Wisp a more reliable way to deal with these switch ins. Roar is an option to rack up nice hazards damage, and allows you to phaze certain threats like Swords Dance Mawlie and Bulky Up Talonflame. Finally, Stealth Rock can be used on Heatran if you can't find room anywhere else on your team, and Heatran faces very well with most Defogers, like Latios, Zapdos, and Mandibuzz.
Set Details
========
248 EVs are used for HP number. 40 Speed EVs are used to out speed Adamant Mawile. Lava Plume is preferred STAB of choice, for it's 30% burn rate. Stealth Rock should only be an option if you can't find room anywhere else. Roar allows Heatran to rack up nice entry hazards damage nicely, as this set is generally seem on more balanced and defensive teams. Roar also phazers certain dangerous threats, such as Swords Dance Mawlie, Bulk Up Talonflame, and Quiver Dance Volcarona. Taunt is a viable option to stop Talonflame and Volcarona setting up in front of you, as well as stopping Chansey and Blissey nicely. 36 Speed EVs can be used to out speed Mandibuzz and Toxic it before it can Taunt you.
Usage Tips
========
This set is generally aimed at defensive and balanced teams. Heatran can easily tank weak Water type attacks from Jellicent and other bulky Water types, so even if you can't predict their switch in, it might be best to Toxic them regardless (as with the combination of Protect and Roar, you easily gain back health via Leftovers). Be careful when using Protect, as it can often be used as set up fodder for sweepers like Garchomp and Terrakion. Heatran can phaze Dragon Dance users, but it shouldn't be your main check, as it still does take quite a lot from boosted Outrages and it's often hit for SE damage by Dragon types coverage moves.
Team Options
========
Bulky Grass types are incredible partners for Heatran for their great synergy and their ability to deal with Ground and Water type attacks. Mega Venusaur, Celebi, Gouregiest, Amoonguss, and Trevenent are all options. Speaking of which, bulky Water types are also very good partners, making Rotom-W, Quagsire, and Keldeo optimal choices. Having a solid physical wall to take on Garchomp and Terrakion is generally a good option since they often force Heatran out. This makes Gliscor, Skarmory, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon all good team mates. Clefable is a great partner for Heatran, as it can easily take on Fighting type attacks aimed at Heatran, while also providing Wish support, while Heatran easily takes on Steel types that annoy Clefable.
Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Overheat / Fire Blast
move 2: Flash Cannon
move 3: Stone Edge / Earth Power
move 4: Flamethrower / Fire Blast / Hidden Power Ice
ability: Flash Fire
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moves
========
Overheat is the main STAB option for Choice Scarf Heatran for it's great power, and Scarf Heatran needs as much power as possible. Fire Blast is a more consistent STAB for it's ability to clean up late game. Flash Cannon is STAB and has solid base power. Stone Edge allows Heatran to revenge kill key threats, like Volcarona, Talonflame, and Charizard Y. Earth Power offers nice general coverage and allows Heatran to nail opposing Fire types like Heatran and Infernape. Flamethower is an option on the Scarf set for a weaker, yet more reliable STAB option. Fire Blast can be used here if you're not already using it in the first move-slot. Finally, Hidden Power Ice is an option for more coverage, allowing Heatran to hit Dragon types for nice damage, although it's main use is just to revenge kill Landorus-T and Gliscor.
Set Details
========
EVs are used for max power and speed. Modest is the main nature of choice for the Scarf set since it needs as much power as possible to clean up late game. The Scarf set is more suited to cleaning up late game, while also revenge killing a few threats. Heatran still reaches 378 speed, allowing it to out speed the fastest un-boosted Pokemon it can possibly out speed (Greninja) while gaining a lot of fire power. Missing out on a few things sucks, which is why Timid shouldn't be completely neglected as an option, but the extra power is more useful than the extra speed, especially when "cleaning up", which is what Heatran should aim to do. Stone Edge is an option for it's ability to easily beat Volcarona and Talonflame.
Usage Tips
========
The Scarf set is aimed more towards balanced teams. The Choice Scarf set isn't nearly as effective as it used to be, as the metagame just gets faster and faster, so keep this in mind when using Choice Scarf Heatran. Try to keep Heatran around as a late game cleaner, as that's where it's best used.
Team Options
========
Rotom-W is probably the best partner for Heatran, and this set is no exception. and other bulky Water types make for good partners. Grass types too are great partners, since this set is generally aimed more at balanced teams. The Scarf set is more suited to balanced teams and is more of a glue to a team that needs to revenge kill certain threats.
Choice Specs
########
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Fire Blast / Overheat
move 2: Flash Cannon
move 3: Earth Power
move 4: Flamethrower / Fire Blast
ability: Flash Fire
item: Choice Specs
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moves
========
This set is all about Fire power. Literally. Choice Specs Heatran is a great wall breaker, opening up holes in the opposing team. Fire Blast allows Choice Specs Heatran to easily wall break, allowing another sweeper on your team to easily plow through the rest of the team. Overheat is a second option for it's god like power, but the reason Fire Blast is the main move is to stop sweepers from setting up on you at -2. Flash Cannon is STAB and has solid base power, allowing you to hit Azumarill and Terrakion for solid damage (both common switch ins). Earth Power offers nice general coverage and allows Heatran to nail opposing Fire types like Heatran and Infernape. Finally, Flamethrower can be used for a more consistent STAB, although Fire Blast is an alternative for more power. It really comes down to if you prefer accuracy over power.
Set Details
========
The EVs are used for max power and speed. A Modest nature is the main nature for it's incredible power. The Choice Specs set is generally aimed at wall breaking, so pairing it up with sweepers that can take advantage of the weakened team is a good idea. Ancient Power is an option for it's ability to easily beat Volcarona and Talonflame.
Usage Tips
========
The Specs set is generally aimed at more offensive teams, for Heatran's ability to wall break nicely. For the Choice Specs set, you're generally going to want to just spam Fire Bast most of the time. If you can predict the Terrakion or Azumarill switch, it's advisable to go for Flash Cannon, since it's still very powerful.
Team Options
========
Because of Specs Heatran's ability to wall break, sweepers that can clean up late game are good team mates. This includes Thundurus, Landorus, Lucario, and Keldeo. Of course it can fit onto more balanced team as well, so again Rotom-W, and other bulky Water types also make for good partners. Grass types again are great partners.
Other Options
########
Heatran has a few options that aren't listed in the main sets. A Sunny Day set with Magma Storm is a possibility, but weather teams aren't nearly as common as they used to be, making this set less effective. Torment is a cool option to use on Heatran, as it was very effective back in generation 4, but generally the first defensive set fits more easier onto more teams. Power Herb Solarbeam is a neat idea to nail Water types for solid damage, but there's only one use per game. Air Balloon can be used to allow Heatran to check most Ground types nicely, but it's very easily popped.
Checks & Counters
########
**Special Walls**: Chansey and Blissey can take anything Heatran throws at it due to their immense special bulk.
**Bulky Water types**: Bulky Water types are great switch ins to most sets, but they must be wary of Toxic. Rotom-W, Jellicent, Keldeo, and Politoed are all common Water types. Starmie gets a special mention for it's ability to spin away SR and has Natural Cure.
**Rock types**: Rock types like Tyranitar and Terrakion can check Heatran nicely, but they must be wary of Flash Cannon. However, with Sand up, their SpDef stat is increased by 50%, allowing them to easily tank a hit or two if need be.
**Fighting types**: Fighting types like Keldeo and Conkeldurr can easily take a hit and force Heatran out with their STAB attacks. Conkeldurr can easily switch in as well due to it not fearing Toxic due to Guts.
**Dugtrio**: Finally, Dugtrio can revenge kill Heatran thanks to it's ability Arena Trap and Ground STAB.
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