Monotype Heatran (Steel)

[OVERVIEW]

Steel
========
Heatran is one of the most important Pokemon for Steel teams because of Flash Fire, which gives it a unique immunity to Fire, meaning every team is required to use it. It also has a unique role in using Magma Storm to trap and remove many walls that Steel may otherwise struggle to get past, such as Mega Venusaur, Toxapex, and Slowbro. Heatran's offensive and defensive base stats are mostly respectable, allowing it to have great power and bulk even without investment in those stats. As a result, it has great versatility, being able to use both offensive and defensive sets that can provide a wide range of different utility with its amazing movepool that includes Stealth Rock, Taunt, and Toxic. Unfortunately, Heatran's Fire typing is terrible defensively, exacerbating its weakness to Ground, bringing with it an annoying weakness to Water as well, and failing to even be useful because Flash Fire provides an immunity to Fire anyway. Its Speed is also quite poor, as it's forced to run a Timid nature for a usable Speed stat and still gets outsped by even neutral-natured base 90s like Meloetta. Uninvested Heatran is even outsped by Mega Venusaur, which it is supposed to check. Worst of all, Heatran lacks proper recovery, leaving it very vulnerable to being worn down and taken out over time.

[SET]
name: Trapper (Steel)
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Stealth Rock / Stone Edge / Toxic
item: Air Balloon
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Magma Storm allows Heatran to trap and remove walls such as Toxapex and Mega Venusaur that often pose threats to Steel teams. Earth Power is used to hit opposing Heatran and Fire-resistant Pokemon like Toxapex and Slowbro, enabling Heatran to defeat them after trapping them with Magma Storm. To make it even easier, Taunt prevents walls from healing or using other utility options like Thunder Wave and Roar, allowing Heatran to ensure the KOs. Because of Heatran's ability to force switches, it can reliably set Stealth Rock for the team. Stone Edge can be used to OHKO Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona if a teammate covers the need for Stealth Rock. Just as importantly, Stone Edge is also the only way Heatran can pop an opposing Heatran's Air Balloon. Toxic allows Heatran to cripple switch-ins and even beat Chansey and Porygon2, which are unlikely to otherwise be threatened by Heatran. Toxic can also cripple Volcarona but is much less reliable than Stone Edge for checking it after it sets up.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment and a Timid nature let Heatran function as a stallbreaker most effectively while still at least Speed tying with opposing Heatran. 4 Special Defense EVs are used to give Download Porygon-Z and Porygon2 a boost in Attack instead of a more useful Special Attack boost. If Heatran chooses to use Stone Edge, it should use a 28 Atk / 224 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe spread to guarantee the OHKO on Mega Charizard Y. Air Balloon makes Heatran a reliable check to Volcarona and opposing Heatran without Air Balloon. The temporary Ground immunity is also useful against Ground teams, allowing Heatran one turn to cripple Mega Garchomp safely. Leftovers recovery allows Heatran to beat walls more easily, but the utility of Air Balloon is often more important. If Heatran uses Leftovers, it should move 8 EVs into HP to avoid the OHKO from Mega Venusaur's Earthquake.

Usage Tips
========

Heatran should almost always fire off a Magma Storm whenever it comes in to trap whatever it hits and reduce the need for prediction. Its great Base Power means it can do significant chip damage to even Pokemon that resist Fire, so it's a relatively safe, though inaccurate, move. Against faster Pokemon that Heatran cannot stay in on, the trapping effect means you can freely bring in a check without fear of a double switch. If Heatran manages to trap a wall successfully, it should often use Taunt next to prevent recovery before returning to damaging attacks. While Taunt is predictable, recovery is too potent to risk not using Taunt in most cases. Against walls such as Clefable that aren't a threat to it at all, Heatran can set Stealth Rock after trapping them, but it can also use Stealth Rock whenever the enemy is forced to switch out. Take advantage of Heatran's great natural bulk, wide range of resistances, and multiple immunities to switch it in safely. The lack of recovery means Heatran should be careful not to take too much damage. If the opponent has certain threats such as their own Heatran or Volcarona, preserve Heatran's Air Balloon at all costs. It is crucial to making sure you can check these otherwise devastating attackers, as without Air Balloon, Volcarona cannot be stopped, and opposing Heatran can fire off super effective attacks without needing to predict. While Magma Storm 2HKOes Mega Sableye, it can spam Recover to PP stall Heatran, and Protect sets are even more difficult to take out. Be very aware of how much PP Magma Storm has left and how much you need to take Mega Sableye out.

Team Options
========

As the only Fire-immune Pokemon available to Steel teams, Heatran is needed on every viable team as a switch-in and check to Fire-types. Having either Skarmory or Celesteela is an absolute must for Heatran, as they check the many Ground- and Fighting-types that threaten it. Assault Vest Celesteela can take out many of Heatran's checks including Landorus, Mega Swampert, and opposing Heatran. Skarmory forms a powerful hazard stacking core with Heatran and appreciates having Taunt Heatran's help in keeping entry hazards on the field. On hyper offense teams, Skarmory will carry Stealth Rock, allowing Heatran to choose a more useful utility move. Mega Scizor and Magnezone are fantastic pivots that can bring Heatran into Fire-types that often switch into them. Choice Scarf Magnezone and Pursuit Bisharp are great tech options that can trap opposing Air Balloon Heatran and guarantee that they lose their item, allowing your Heatran to wreak havoc on the opponent's team.

[SET]
name: Defensive (Steel)
move 1: Lava Plume
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Stone Edge / Toxic
move 4: Stealth Rock / Taunt
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 28 Atk / 184 SpD / 44 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Lava Plume has a 30% chance to burn the foe, which makes it a spammable attack and the best STAB move for Heatran when combined with its respectable damage output. Earth Power prevents Heatran from being walled by opposing Heatran and almost always OHKOes offensive Heatran. Stone Edge lets Heatran check Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona while also popping the Air Balloon of an opposing Heatran. Toxic can be used to cripple walls that switch into Heatran frequently like Slowbro and Porygon2, but it prevents Heatran from checking Mega Charizard Y. Heatran's great bulk and many immunities make it one of the best Stealth Rock setters, as it forces switches easily. However, Taunt may be used with Toxic to stallbreak if a teammate carries Stealth Rock instead.

Set Details
========

The EV spread and Calm nature allow Heatran to always OHKO Mega Charizard Y with Stone Edge, outspeed Mega Venusaur, and be as specially bulky as possible. Leftovers gives Heatran recovery and improves its longevity to allow it to freely switch into attacks throughout the battle.

Usage Tips
========

While this set has great bulk and can pivot into most Fire-type attackers with ease, be careful of coverage, as Heatran is still too vulnerable to Ground-type attacks to take them lightly. In general, while Heatran should be pivoting into attacks often, be very careful not to let it get too damaged, as it lacks recovery and is often its team's only switch-in to Fire-type attacks. Stealth Rock can be relatively freely set when Heatran forces a switch or on other walls. If you choose to run Taunt, make sure to use it to prevent walls from paralyzing Heatran or setting their own hazards. As it has no Air Balloon of its own, Heatran should try to catch opposing Heatran switching in with Stone Edge, if applicable, to KO them with Earth Power after. Be aware of Lava Plume's burn chance, as you do not want to burn most walls such as Slowbro if Heatran carries Toxic. Heatran's low Speed means stallbreakers such as Zapdos and Mew are capable of stopping it with either Substitute or Taunt if they get in safely, so it is even more important than with faster sets to be on top of prediction and hit them with Toxic on the switch.

Team Options
========

Because of Flash Fire, Heatran is needed for every Steel team. Skarmory is the preferred Ground-immune teammate for this Heatran set, as its amazing physical bulk and recovery in Roost make it an optimal defensive partner for checking Fighting- and Ground-types. With Spikes on Skarmory and Stealth Rock on Heatran, they can put huge entry hazard pressure on almost any team. Defensive Celesteela is a valuable teammate that can use Leech Seed to restore Heatran's health. It is also a great check to non-Gravity Landorus. However, its poor longevity compared to Skarmory makes it a lesser option. To complete the defensive core, Ferrothorn is one of the best checks to Water-types for Steel teams and should almost always be used along with Heatran for their amazing type synergy. Ferrothorn also appreciates having Heatran carry Stealth Rock so that it can use other utility moves such as Knock Off. Defensive Mega Scizor is an amazing pivot that many Fire-types switch into, which Mega Scizor can then U-turn out to bring in Heatran. It can also run options such as Defog and Pursuit, which support Heatran by either removing annoying Spikes or trapping Pokemon like Latios. Excadrill is another good hazard remover that can also check opposing Heatran if you choose not to use Stone Edge. Since this set cannot take on Mega Sableye, Excadrill's Mold Breaker Toxic is also very useful and can also cripple Pokemon such as Mew and Porygon2 if Heatran doesn't pack it.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Steel
--------
Substitute can be used on a trapper set to improve its stallbreaking ability. However, Heatran is already more than capable of breaking most walls anyway, and it cannot afford to lose its other moves in most cases. Protect is an option on more defensive Leftovers sets to scout and gain more recovery. The loss of an important utility move makes this a less appealing choice, though. Outside of its main roles, Heatran can take be a more traditional attacker with either Choice Specs or Choice Scarf to surprise opponents. However, these sets are often still underwhelming due to Heatran's mediocre Speed and can pose problems when in the Steel mirror matchup, as Heatran will be locked in to a move, leaving it as a free switch for the opposing Heatran almost all of the time.


Checks and Counters
===================

Steel
--------
**Water-types**: Water-types are generally great checks to Heatran, as faster attackers can OHKO it and bulkier Pokemon can take multiple attacks. However, walls such as Swampert hate taking Toxic, and Toxapex runs the risk of being trapped and KOed by Earth Power.

**Ground-types**: Ground-types are usually naturally bulky enough to take one or two hits from Heatran and can OHKO it in return. Garchomp is an especially good check to Heatran, as Garchomp outspeeds it and resists Fire-type moves, which it can switch into. However, being poisoned by Toxic is crippling for most Ground-types, and Magma Storm can 2HKO even walls like Hippowdon.

**Ground-type Coverage**: Due to Heatran's 4x weakness to Ground, it is vulnerable to almost any Ground-type coverage carried by attackers. Most importantly, if Heatran's Air Balloon has been popped, +1 Volcarona's Hidden Power Ground OHKOes offensive sets and can OHKO defensive sets too after minor chip damage.

**Revenge Killers**: Pokemon faster than Heatran, such as Terrakion and Mega Charizard Y, can easily revenge kill it with their super effective attacks.

**Walls**: While Heatran often carries stallbreaking tools, many walls are very capable against sets without Toxic or Taunt. In particular, Chansey and Porygon2 are great counters to Heatran that do not use both along with Magma Storm.

**Heatran**: Opposing Air Balloon Heatran counters any Heatran set without Stone Edge, and if your own Heatran's Air Balloon is popped, it is very easily forced out.
 
Last edited:
[OVERVIEW]

- Lack of recovery?

[SET 1]

Moves

* Stone Edge can be used to OHKO Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona if a teammate covers the need for Stealth Rock.
- Probably worth mentioning that its the only way to break an opposing Heatran's Air Balloon.

QC 1/3
 
Removed Magearna. Also, added a comment about Magma Storm vs Mega Sableye and being careful of PP in the Trapper set.
 

frenzyplant

Inertia is a property of matter.
is a Top Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
1/2 Eien :)

add remove (comments)

[OVERVIEW]

Steel
========
Heatran is one of the most important Pokemon for Steel teams because of Flash Fire, which gives it a unique and necessary (optional, but this is a little repetitive with "meaning every team is required to use it") immunity to Fire, meaning every team is required to use it. It also has a unique role in using Magma Storm to trap and remove many walls that Steel may otherwise struggle to get past, such as Mega Venusaur, Toxapex, and Slowbro. Heatran's offensive and defensive base stats are mostly respectable, allowing it to have great power and bulk even when those stats are not investing invested into those stats. (the subject here is its stats) As a result, it has great versatility, (comma, because the following phrase is quite long) in being able to use both offensive and defensive sets that can provide a wide range of different utility thanks to its amazing movepool that includes Stealth Rock, Taunt, and Toxic. (having the "as a result" and "thanks to..." in the same sentence is a little confusing. are you attributing its versatility to its good stats or its good movepool?) Unfortunately, Heatran's Fire typing is terrible defensively, exacerbating its weakness to Ground, bringing with it an annoying weakness to Water as well, and failing to even be useful because Flash Fire provides an immunity to Fire. Its Speed is also quite poor, as it's forced to run a Timid nature when it wants to have for (the nature/pokemon don't really want anything) a usable Speed stat and still gets outsped by even neutral-natured base 90s like Meloetta. Uninvested Heatran is even outsped by Mega Venusaur, which it is supposed to check. Worst of all, Heatran lacks proper recovery, leaving it very vulnerable to being worn down and taken out over time.

[SET]
name: Trapper (Steel)
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Stealth Rock / Stone Edge / Toxic
item: Air Balloon
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Magma Storm traps walls and allows Heatran to remove Pokemon such as Toxapex and Mega Venusaur (if these Pokemon are examples of the walls you mention earlier, consider changing the underlined section to "allows Heatran to trap and remove walls such as ...") that often pose as threats ("pose as" makes it sound as though they are pretending to be threats) to Steel teams. Earth Power is used to hit opposing Heatran and Fire-resistant Pokemon like Toxapex and Slowbro, enabling Heatran to defeat them after trapping them with Magma Storm. To make it even easier, Taunt prevents walls from healing or using other utility options like Thunder Wave and Roar, allowing Heatran to ensure the KOs. Because of Heatran's ability to force switches, it can reliably set Stealth Rock for the team. Stone Edge can be used to OHKO Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona if a teammate covers the need for Stealth Rock. Just as importantly, Stone Edge is also the only way Heatran can pop an opposing Heatran's Air Balloon. Toxic allows Heatran to cripple switch-ins and even beat Chansey and Porygon2, which are unlikely to otherwise be threatened by Heatran. Toxic can also cripple Volcarona but is much less reliable than Stone Edge for checking it after it sets up.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment and a Timid nature let Heatran function as a stallbreaker most effectively while still at least Speed tying with opposing Heatran. 4 Special Defense EVs are used to give Download Porygon-Z and Porygon2 a boost in Attack instead of a more useful Special Attack boost. If Heatran chooses to use Stone Edge, it should use a 28 Atk / 224 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe spread to guarantee the OHKO on Mega Charizard Y. (maybe clarify the effect of the spread on how much damage Stone Edge does to Volcarona. does the listed spread let Stone Edge OHKO Volcarona?) Air Balloon makes Heatran a reliable check to Volcarona and opposing Heatran without Air Balloon. The temporary Ground immunity is also useful against Ground teams, allowing Heatran one turn to cripple Mega Garchomp safely. Leftovers recovery allows Heatran to beat walls more easily, but the utility of Air Balloon is often more important. If Heatran uses Leftovers, it should move 8 EVs into HP to avoid the OHKO from Mega Venusaur's Earthquake.

Usage Tips
========

Heatran should almost always fire off a Magma Storm whenever it comes in to trap whatever it hits and reduce the need for prediction. Its great damage Base Power (is this what you mean?) means it can do significant chip damage to even Pokemon that resist Fire, so it's a relatively safe, though inaccurate, move. If Heatran manages to trap a wall successfully, it should often use Taunt next to prevent recovery before returning to damaging attacks. While Taunt is predictable, recovery is too potent to risk not using Taunt in most cases. Against walls such as Clefable that aren't a threat to it at all, Heatran can set Stealth Rock after trapping them, but it can also use Stealth Rock whenever the enemy is forced to switch out. Against faster Pokemon that Heatran cannot stay in on, the trapping effect means you can freely bring in a check without fear of a double switch. (perhaps move this to right after "though inaccurate, move." so that it is immediately after the discussion of trapping, without the intervening sentences about what to do when Heatran traps a wall) Take advantage of Heatran's great natural bulk, wide range of resistances, and multiple immunities to switch it in safely. The lack of recovery means Heatran should be careful to not take too much damage. If the opponent has certain threats such as its their own Heatran or Volcarona, preserve Heatran's Air Balloon at all costs. It is crucial to making sure you can check these otherwise devastating attackers, as without Air Balloon, Volcarona cannot be stopped without Air Balloon, and opposing Heatran can fire off super effective attacks without needing to predict. While Magma Storm 2HKOes it Mega Sableye, Mega Sableye it can spam Recover spam to PP stall Heatran, and Protect sets are even more difficult to take out. Be very aware of how much PP Magma Storm has left and how much you need to take Mega Sableye out.

Team Options
========

As the only Fire-immune Pokemon available to Steel teams, Heatran is needed on every viable team as a switch-in and check. Having either Skarmory or Celesteela is an absolute must for Heatran, as they check the many Ground- and Fighting-types that threaten Heatran. Assault Vest Celesteela can take out many of Heatran's checks including Landorus, Mega Swampert, and opposing Heatran. Skarmory forms a powerful hazard-stacking core with Heatran and appreciates having Taunt Heatran's help in keeping hazards on the field. On hyper offense teams, Skarmory will carry Stealth Rock too, (this seems to mean "in addition to Heatran" but that contradicts the rest of the sentence) allowing Heatran to choose a more useful utility move. Mega Scizor and Magnezone are fantastic pivots that can bring Heatran into Fire-types that often switch into them. Choice Scarf Magnezone and Pursuit Bisharp are great tech options that can trap opposing Air Balloon Heatran and guarantee that opposing Air Balloon Heatran they lose their item, allowing your Heatran to wreak havoc on the opponent's team.

[SET]
name: Defensive (Steel)
move 1: Lava Plume
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Stone Edge / Toxic
move 4: Stealth Rock / Taunt
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 28 Atk / 184 SpD / 44 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Lava Plume has a 30% chance to burn the foe, which makes it a spammable attack (for parallelism) and the best STAB move for Heatran when combined with its respectable damage output. Earth Power prevents Heatran from being walled by opposing Heatran and almost always OHKOes offensive Heatran. Stone Edge lets Heatran check Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona while also popping the Air Balloon on of opposing Heatran. Toxic can be used to cripple walls that switch into Heatran frequently like Slowbro and Porygon2, but it prevents Heatran from checking Mega Charizard Y. Heatran's great bulk and many immunities makes make it one of the best Stealth Rock setters, as it forces switches easily. However, Taunt may be used with Toxic to stallbreak if a teammate carries Stealth Rock instead.

Set Details
========

The EV spread and Calm Nature nature allow Heatran to always OHKO Mega Charizard Y with Stone Edge, outspeed Mega Venusaur, and be as specially bulky as possible. Leftovers gives Heatran recovery and improves its longevity to allow it to freely switch into Fire-type attacks throughout the battle. (it could freely switch into Fire-type attacks without Leftovers, though?)

Usage Tips
========

While this set has great bulk and can pivot into most Fire-type attacks (would attackers work better here? it can pivot into all Fire-type attacks) with ease, be careful of coverage, as Heatran is still too weak (vulnerable?) to Ground-type attacks to take them lightly. In general, while Heatran should be pivoting into attacks often, be very careful not to let it get too damaged, as it lacks recovery and is often the its team's only switch-in to Fire-type attacks. Stealth Rock can be relatively freely set when Heatran forces a switch or on other walls. If you choose to run Taunt, make sure to use it to prevent walls from paralyzing Heatran or setting their own hazards. As it has no Air Balloon of its own, Heatran should try to catch opposing Heatran switching in with Stone Edge, if applicable, to KO them with Earth Power after. Make sure to Be aware of (you're either aware of it or not, right?) Lava Plume's burn chance, as you do not want to burn most walls such as Slowbro if Heatran carries Toxic. Heatran's low Speed means stallbreakers such as Zapdos and Mew are capable of stopping it with either Substitute or Taunt if they get in safely by either using Substitute or Taunt, (original wording makes it seem as if they switch in via Substitute/Taunt, feel free to rephrase) so it is even more important than usual (than with faster sets?) to be on top of prediction and hit them with Toxic on the switch.

Team Options
========

Because of Flash Fire, Heatran is needed for every Steel team. Skarmory is the preferred Ground immunity Ground-immune teammate (or similar) for this Heatran set, as its amazing physical bulk and recovery in Roost makes make it an optimal defensive partner for checking Fighting- and Ground-types. With Spikes on Skarmory and Stealth Rock on Heatran, they can put huge entry hazard pressure on almost any team. Defensive Celesteela is a valuable teammate that can use Leech Seed to restore Heatran's health. It is also a great check to non-Gravity Landorus. Howevr, However, its poor longevity compared to Skarmory makes it a lesser option. To complete the defensive core, Ferrothorn is one of the best checks to Water-types checks for Steel teams and should almost always be used along with Heatran for their amazing type synergy. It Ferrothorn also appreciates having Heatran carry Stealth Rock so that it can use other utility moves such as Knock Off. Defensive Mega Scizor is an amazing pivot that many Fire-types switch into, which Mega Scizor can then U-turn out of and into to bring in Heatran. (because of the "which", "into" should be referring to "many Fire-types" so the mention of Heatran is awkward) It can also run options such as Defog and Pursuit, which support Heatran by either removing annoying Spikes or trapping Pokemon like Latios. Excadrill is another good hazard remover that can also check opposing Heatran if you choose not to use Stone Edge. Since this set cannot take on Mega Sableye, Excadrill's Mold Breaker-augmented (optional) Toxic is also very useful and can also cripple Pokemon such as Mew and Porygon2 if Heatran doesn't pack it.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Steel
--------
Substitute can be used on a trapper set to improve its stallbreaking ability. However, Heatran is already more than capable of breaking most walls anyway, and it cannot afford to lose its other moves in most cases. Protect is an option on more defensive Leftovers sets to scout and gain more recovery. The loss of an important utility move makes this a less appealing choice, though. Outside of its main roles, Heatran can take be a more traditional attacker with either Choice Specs or Choice Scarf to surprise opponents. However, these sets are often still underwhelming due to Heatran's mediocre Speed and can pose problems when in the Steel mirror matchup. (maybe specify these problems?)


Checks and Counters
===================

Steel
--------
**Water-types**: Water-types are generally great checks to Heatran, as faster attackers can OHKO it and bulkier Pokemon can take multiple attacks. However, walls such as Swampert hate taking Toxic, (comma) and Toxapex runs the risk of being trapped and KOed by Earth Power.

**Ground-types**: Ground-types are usually naturally bulky enough to take one or two hits from Heatran and can OHKO it in return. Garchomp is an especially good check to Heatran, as Garchomp outspeeds it and resists Fire-type moves, (comma) which it can to switch into and outspeeds it. However, being poisoned by Toxic is crippling for most Ground-types, and Magma Storm can 2HKO even walls like Hippowdon.

**Ground-type Coverage**: Due to Heatran's 4x weakness to Ground, it is vulnerable to almost any Ground-type coverage carried by attackers. Most importantly, if Heatran's Air Balloon has been broken, popped, (I know what you mean but for consistency because you use popped elsewhere) +1 Volcarona's Hidden Power Ground OHKOes offensive sets and can OHKO defensive sets too after minor chip damage.

**Revenge Killers**: Pokemon faster than Heatran, such as Terrakion and Mega Charizard Y, can easily revenge kill it with their super effective attacks.

**Walls**: While Heatran often carries stallbreaking tools, many walls are very capable against sets without Toxic or Taunt. In particular, Chansey and Porygon2 are great counters to Heatran that do not exactly (how can you not exactly run a move?) use both along with Magma Storm.

**Heatran**: Opposing Air Balloon Heatran counters any Heatran set without Stone Edge, and if your own Heatran's own Air Balloon is popped, it is very easily forced out.
 

Lumari

empty spaces
is a Site Content Manageris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Member of Senior Staffis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris an Administrator Alumnus
TFP Leader


remove
add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 2/2
[OVERVIEW]

Steel
========
Heatran is one of the most important Pokemon for Steel teams because of Flash Fire, which gives it a unique immunity to Fire, meaning every team is required to use it. It also has a unique role in using Magma Storm to trap and remove many walls that Steel may otherwise struggle to get past, such as Mega Venusaur, Toxapex, and Slowbro. Heatran's offensive and defensive base stats are mostly respectable, allowing it to have great power and bulk even when those stats are not not invested into. ("without investment in those stats"?) As a result, it has great versatility, being able to use both offensive and defensive sets that can provide a wide range of different utility with its amazing movepool that includes Stealth Rock, Taunt, and Toxic. Unfortunately, Heatran's Fire typing is terrible defensively, exacerbating its weakness to Ground, bringing with it an annoying weakness to Water as well, and failing to even be useful because Flash Fire provides an immunity to Fire anyway. Its Speed is also quite poor, as it's forced to run a Timid nature for a usable Speed stat and still gets outsped by even neutral-natured base 90s like Meloetta. Uninvested Heatran is even outsped by Mega Venusaur, which it is supposed to check. Worst of all, Heatran lacks proper recovery, leaving it very vulnerable to being worn down and taken out over time.

[SET]
name: Trapper (Steel)
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Stealth Rock / Stone Edge / Toxic
item: Air Balloon
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Magma Storm allow allows Heatran to trap and remove walls such as Toxapex and Mega Venusaur that often pose threats to Steel teams. Earth Power is used to hit opposing Heatran and Fire-resistant Pokemon like Toxapex and Slowbro, enabling Heatran to defeat them after trapping them with Magma Storm. To make it even easier, Taunt prevents walls from healing or using other utility options like Thunder Wave and Roar, allowing Heatran to ensure the KOs. Because of Heatran's ability to force switches, it can reliably set Stealth Rock for the team. Stone Edge can be used to OHKO Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona if a teammate covers the need for Stealth Rock. Just as importantly, Stone Edge is also the only way Heatran can pop an opposing Heatran's Air Balloon. Toxic allows Heatran to cripple switch-ins and even beat Chansey and Porygon2, which are unlikely to otherwise be threatened by Heatran. Toxic can also cripple Volcarona but is much less reliable than Stone Edge for checking it after it sets up.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment and a Timid nature let Heatran function as a stallbreaker most effectively while still at least Speed tying with opposing Heatran. 4 Special Defense EVs are used to give Download Porygon-Z and Porygon2 a boost in Attack instead of a more useful Special Attack boost. If Heatran chooses to use Stone Edge, it should use a 28 Atk / 224 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe spread to guarantee the OHKO on Mega Charizard Y. Air Balloon makes Heatran a reliable check to Volcarona and opposing Heatran without Air Balloon. The temporary Ground immunity is also useful against Ground teams, allowing Heatran one turn to cripple Mega Garchomp safely. Leftovers recovery allows Heatran to beat walls more easily, but the utility of Air Balloon is often more important. If Heatran uses Leftovers, it should move 8 EVs into HP to avoid the OHKO from Mega Venusaur's Earthquake.

Usage Tips
========

Heatran should almost always fire off a Magma Storm whenever it comes in to trap whatever it hits and reduce the need for prediction. Its great Base Power means it can do significant chip damage to even Pokemon that resist Fire, so it's a relatively safe, though inaccurate, move. Against faster Pokemon that Heatran cannot stay in on, the trapping effect means you can freely bring in a check without fear of a double switch. If Heatran manages to trap a wall successfully, it should often use Taunt next to prevent recovery before returning to damaging attacks. While Taunt is predictable, recovery is too potent to risk not using Taunt in most cases. Against walls such as Clefable that aren't a threat to it at all, Heatran can set Stealth Rock after trapping them, but it can also use Stealth Rock whenever the enemy is forced to switch out. Take advantage of Heatran's great natural bulk, wide range of resistances, and multiple immunities to switch it in safely. The lack of recovery means Heatran should be careful not to not take too much damage. If the opponent has certain threats such as their own Heatran or Volcarona, preserve Heatran's Air Balloon at all costs. It is crucial to making sure you can check these otherwise devastating attackers, as without Air Balloon, Volcarona cannot be stopped, and opposing Heatran can fire off super effective attacks without needing to predict. While Magma Storm 2HKOes Mega Sableye, it can spam Recover to PP stall Heatran, and Protect sets are even more difficult to take out. Be very aware of how much PP Magma Storm has left and how much you need to take Mega Sableye out.

Team Options
========

As the only Fire-immune Pokemon available to Steel teams, Heatran is needed on every viable team as a switch-in and check to Fire-types. Having either Skarmory or Celesteela is an absolute must for Heatran, as they check the many Ground- and Fighting-types that threaten Heatran it. Assault Vest Celesteela can take out many of Heatran's checks including Landorus, Mega Swampert, and opposing Heatran. Skarmory forms a powerful hazard stacking (RH; compound noun used as adjective, not compound adjective, as far as I can tell) core with Heatran and appreciates having Taunt Heatran's help in keeping entry hazards on the field. On hyper offense teams, Skarmory will carry Stealth Rock, allowing Heatran to choose a more useful utility move. Mega Scizor and Magnezone are fantastic pivots that can bring Heatran into Fire-types that often switch into them. Choice Scarf Magnezone and Pursuit Bisharp are great tech options that can trap opposing Air Balloon Heatran and guarantee that they lose their item, allowing your Heatran to wreak havoc on the opponent's team.

[SET]
name: Defensive (Steel)
move 1: Lava Plume
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Stone Edge / Toxic
move 4: Stealth Rock / Taunt
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 28 Atk / 184 SpD / 44 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Lava Plume has a 30% chance to burn the foe, which makes it a spammable attack and the best STAB move for Heatran when combined with its respectable damage output. Earth Power prevents Heatran from being walled by opposing Heatran and almost always OHKOes offensive Heatran. Stone Edge lets Heatran check Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona while also popping the Air Balloon of on an opposing Heatran. Toxic can be used to cripple walls that switch into Heatran frequently like Slowbro and Porygon2, but it prevents Heatran from checking Mega Charizard Y. Heatran's great bulk and many immunities make it one of the best Stealth Rock setters, as it forces switches easily. However, Taunt may be used with Toxic to stallbreak if a teammate carries Stealth Rock instead.

Set Details
========

The EV spread and Calm nature allow Heatran to always OHKO Mega Charizard Y with Stone Edge, outspeed Mega Venusaur, and be as specially bulky as possible. Leftovers gives Heatran recovery and improves its longevity to allow it to freely switch into attacks throughout the battle.

Usage Tips
========

While this set has great bulk and can pivot into most Fire-type attackers with ease, be careful of coverage, as Heatran is still too vulnerable to Ground-type attacks to take them lightly. In general, while Heatran should be pivoting into attacks often, be very careful not to let it get too damaged, as it lacks recovery and is often its team's only switch-in to Fire-type attacks. Stealth Rock can be relatively freely set when Heatran forces a switch or on other walls. If you choose to run Taunt, make sure to use it to prevent walls from paralyzing Heatran or setting their own hazards. As it has no Air Balloon of its own, Heatran should try to catch opposing Heatran switching in with Stone Edge, if applicable, to KO them with Earth Power after. Be aware of Lava Plume's burn chance, as you do not want to burn most walls such as Slowbro if Heatran carries Toxic. Heatran's low Speed means stallbreakers such as Zapdos and Mew are capable of stopping it with either Substitute or Taunt if they get in safely, so it is even more important than with faster sets to be on top of prediction and hit them with Toxic on the switch.

Team Options
========

Because of Flash Fire, Heatran is needed for every Steel team. Skarmory is the preferred Ground-immune teammate for this Heatran set, as its amazing physical bulk and recovery in Roost make it an optimal defensive partner for checking Fighting- and Ground-types. With Spikes on Skarmory and Stealth Rock on Heatran, they can put huge entry hazard pressure on almost any team. Defensive Celesteela is a valuable teammate that can use Leech Seed to restore Heatran's health. It is also a great check to non-Gravity Landorus. However, its poor longevity compared to Skarmory makes it a lesser option. To complete the defensive core, Ferrothorn is one of the best checks to Water-types for Steel teams and should almost always be used along with Heatran for their amazing type synergy. Ferrothorn also appreciates having Heatran carry Stealth Rock so that it can use other utility moves such as Knock Off. Defensive Mega Scizor is an amazing pivot that many Fire-types switch into, which Mega Scizor can then U-turn out to bring in Heatran. It can also run options such as Defog and Pursuit, which support Heatran by either removing annoying Spikes or trapping Pokemon like Latios. Excadrill is another good hazard remover that can also check opposing Heatran if you choose not to use Stone Edge. Since this set cannot take on Mega Sableye, Excadrill's Mold Breaker Toxic is also very useful and can also cripple Pokemon such as Mew and Porygon2 if Heatran doesn't pack it.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Steel
--------
Substitute can be used on a trapper set to improve its stallbreaking ability. However, Heatran is already more than capable of breaking most walls anyway, and it cannot afford to lose its other moves in most cases. Protect is an option on more defensive Leftovers sets to scout and gain more recovery. The loss of an important utility move makes this a less appealing choice, though. Outside of its main roles, Heatran can take be a more traditional attacker with either Choice Specs or Choice Scarf to surprise opponents. However, these sets are often still underwhelming due to Heatran's mediocre Speed and can pose problems when in the Steel mirror matchup, as Heatran will be locked in to a move, leaving it as a free switch for the opposing Heatran almost all of the time.


Checks and Counters
===================

Steel
--------
**Water-types**: Water-types are generally great checks to Heatran, as faster attackers can OHKO it and bulkier Pokemon can take multiple attacks. However, walls such as Swampert hate taking Toxic, and Toxapex runs the risk of being trapped and KOed by Earth Power.

**Ground-types**: Ground-types are usually naturally bulky enough to take one or two hits from Heatran and can OHKO it in return. Garchomp is an especially good check to Heatran, as Garchomp outspeeds it and resists Fire-type moves, which it can switch into. However, being poisoned by Toxic is crippling for most Ground-types, and Magma Storm can 2HKO even walls like Hippowdon.

**Ground-type Coverage**: Due to Heatran's 4x weakness to Ground, it is vulnerable to almost any Ground-type coverage carried by attackers. Most importantly, if Heatran's Air Balloon has been popped, +1 Volcarona's Hidden Power Ground OHKOes offensive sets and can OHKO defensive sets too after minor chip damage.

**Revenge Killers**: Pokemon faster than Heatran, such as Terrakion and Mega Charizard Y, can easily revenge kill it with their super effective attacks.

**Walls**: While Heatran often carries stallbreaking tools, many walls are very capable against sets without Toxic or Taunt. In particular, Chansey and Porygon2 are great counters to Heatran that do not use both along with Magma Storm.

**Heatran**: Opposing Air Balloon Heatran counters any Heatran set without Stone Edge, and if your own Heatran's Air Balloon is popped, it is very easily forced out.
 
Last edited:

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 1, Guests: 0)

Top