And Genesect too... I was never fond of defensive Moltres to begin with because I don't think it's all that good, but the offensive set should be fine, thoughIs this still viable with Mega Luke gone?
is bird
Shroomisaur's original skeleton
QC: alexwolf, Jukain, Labyrinthine
GP:
Overview
########
(Add some sort of swanky introduction here about Moltres, instead of diving head first into the analysis)While the its Fire / Flying typing offers an unattractive 4x weakness to Stealth Rock, it also provides an array of resistances that, when augmented by access to Hurricane and a great base 125 Special Attack stat, allows Moltres to fulfill both offensive and defensive roles for a team. Pressure and reliable recovery in Roost are handy for a defensive Pokemon, allowing Moltres to stall out Pokemon that it checks by virtue of its typing, such as Lucario, Scizor, Mega Mawile, and Conkeldurr. Offensively, Hurricane allows Moltres to 2HKO most of the OU tier; this wallbreaking power somewhat compensates for its relatively low Speed. Unfortunately, the Flame Pokemon Moltres is weak to common Water-, Electric-, and Rock-type attacks, which in addition to the above-mentioned Stealth Rock weakness, means that Moltres faces significant competition for a position on a team, both offensively and defensively.
Offensive
########
name: Offensive
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Hidden Power Fighting / Hidden Power Ground
move 4: U-turn / Roost
ability: Pressure
item: Choice Specs / Life Orb
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Modest / Timid
Moves
========
There are few moves that possess the sheer wallbreaking potential of Moltres's Hurricane. It has excellent neutral coverage,(AC) as well as perfect accuracy under rain. Fire Blast is a similarly powerful secondary STAB attack that nails most Steel-types that resist Hurricane, most notably,(AC)Aegislash. In the third slot, Hidden Power Fighting 2HKOes all variants of Tyranitar other than Assault Vest, while also hitting Heatran super effectively. Hidden Power Ground is more specifically for Heatran, as it deals woeful damage to Tyranitar. U-turn is ideal on Choice Specs sets for momentum and chip damage on predicted counters; Roost should only be used alongside Life Orb as it mitigates Stealth Rock damage and Life Orb recoil.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack along with a Modest nature is ideal to provide the greatest firepower and wallbreaking potential, though Timid is viable in order to outrun Jolly Excadrill, Gyarados, Mild Kyurem-B, Jolly Mamoswine, and Timid Rotom-W. The boost afforded by Choice Specs is too attractive to pass up; with Choice Specs and a Modest nature Moltres can OHKO common threats it otherwise cannot, such as Mega Charizard X, Garchomp, Latios, and Terrakion. However, if being locked into one move is unsatisfactory, a Life Orb is useful for versatility, though recoil damage and the slight drop in power is often undesirable.
Usage Tips
========
Use Moltres's powerful STAB moves to break down opposing walls; U turn should only be used if your opponent has a counter to Moltres, as most of the time you will be best served by choosing an appropriate STAB attack. Tyranitar has the potential to trap Moltres with Pursuit, especially with Stealth Rock on the field. As such, if your opponent has a healthy Tyranitar on their team it is often best to use U turn until you scout what set it is in order to know when Hidden Power Fighting will KO it. As this set has no defensive investment, avoid switching directly into strong attacks unless they are resisted hits.
Team Options
========
Rain support is necessary to give Hurricane perfect accuracy, so Politoed is a mandatory partner. Hazard-removal support is similarly vital; Starmie is a decent choice as it also threatens many of Moltres's offensive checks, including Keldeo, Terrakion, and Thundurus. Moltres can easily take Bug- and Grass-type attacks aimed at Starmie, and handily defeat Celebi and Ferrothorn. Be aware that using Starmie amplifies an Electric-type weakness, though. Defog Latios packing Earthquake is a great lure for Heatran and Tyranitar, and it can potentially damage Aegislash, enough so that it is 2HKOed by Hurricane. Terrakion is an excellent partner as it can smash Tyranitar, Heatran, and Chansey with its STAB Close Combat. Bisharp is a nice offensive check to Tyranitar, and it can threaten Aegislash and Chansey with Knock Off while dealing solid damage to the latter with Pursuit. Moltres's U turn can often bring Bisharp in safely against these Pokemon. Other offensive Pokemon that benefit from rain are good choices. Kabutops and Kingdra thrive in the later stages of a game, after Moltres has broken down opposing walls. Tornadus-T forms a nice Hurricane core with Moltres and can also lure and defeat mutual checks with Superpower. Finally, Dugtrio can trap and remove Heatran and Tyranitar, while appreciating the opportunities it gets to switch in from Moltres's U-turn.
SubToxic
########
name: SubToxic
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Roost
move 4: Flamethrower
ability: Pressure
item: Leftovers
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
nature: Calm
Moves
========
The combination of Substitute, Roost, and Toxic works excellently with Pressure to stall out slower opponents. Substitute provides protection from status, which otherwise cripples Moltres, and is easy to set up thanks to Moltres's handy resistances. Any defensive Pokemon worth its salt loves a form of recovery; Roost provides this longevity for Moltres. Toxic is a great way to cripple common switch-ins, especially bulky Water-types such as Rotom-W and Jellicent. Finally, Flamethrower is a decently strong STAB attack that has the added advantage of denting many Pokemon that don't mind Toxic, such as Steel-types, Mega Venusaur, Poison Heal Gliscor, and Celebi.
Set Details
========
The given EVs and Calm nature emphasize special bulk, allowing Moltres to check the likes of Aegislash, Alakazam, Landorus, and, importantly, Mega Charizard Y, while also minimizing Stealth Rock damage. Leftovers is the item of choice for its useful HP restoration.
Usage Tips
========
This set is designed to stall out opposing Pokemon with passive damage from Toxic while keeping healthy with Roost. Try to set up a Substitute on Pokemon who cannot break it, such as Skarmory, or when you expect the opponent to switch out. A good scenario to use Substitute is if your Moltres is on the field against a Ferrothorn. If you're not safely behind a Substitute, keep in mind that Toxic should nearly always be used to hit Water-types as they switch in, as they will force Moltres out otherwise. It is also important to remember that Pressure will double the PP cost of moves used against Moltres, so it is feasible to stall out the PP of moves such as Stone Edge through the use of Substitute and Roost. Because Stealth Rock takes a huge 50% of Moltres's HP upon switching in, you should play cautiously when it is on the field, as using Substitute once before switching out will make Moltres only useful as death fodder unless you've previously removed Stealth Rock. Although this set invests in Special Defense, Moltres's typing allows it to check physical attackers, too. Scizor and Conkeldurr can do very little outside of Knock Off, and Ground-types such as Excadrill that lack a Rock-type coverage move will be completely shut down.
Team Options
========
This Moltres set is best suited for defensively inclined or balanced teams. In order for it to be effective, Defog or Rapid Spin support is a necessity; Excadrill has nice defensive synergy with Moltres and can demolish Tyranitar and Heatran with its STAB Earthquake. Mega Blastoise coves Moltres's Water-type vulnerability and Moltres can comfortably switch into Grass-type attacks aimed at Mega Blastoise. As far as Defog users go, Latios is an excellent choice, particularly variants carrying Earthquake, as it effectively lures and removes Heatran as well as dealing nice damage to Tyranitar. Defensively, bulky Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur, Ferrothorn, and Gourgeist are great partners as they can switch into Electric- and Water-type moves. In return, Moltres can check Fire-type threats such as Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona. Teammates that can handle fast physical attackers such as Terrakion, Garchomp, and Talonflame are wise choices; Landorus-T and Rotom-W are effective in this pivot role and can often bring Moltres in safely with U turn and Volt Switch, respectively. Landorus-T can also set up Stealth Rock to wear down opposing Pokemon.
Other Options
########
Moltres has several useful options at its disposal. Will-O-Wisp and Roar could potentially be used over Substitute and Toxic on the defensive set, allowing Moltres to counter Mega Mawile and prevent dangerous opponents, such as Belly Drum Azumarill and Mega Gyarados, from setting up. Defog is possibly viable, though Moltres struggles to find space for it in its moveset. In addition, Moltres will often have to switch into Stealth Rock in order to use Defog, so hazard removal is best left to teammates. Offensively, Moltres could utilize an Agility set, but it has trouble finding opportunities to set up and is usually better served by firing off powerful attacks rather than attempting to sweep. Finally, alternate moves such as Flamethrower, Overheat, and Air Slash are options over Fire Blast and Hurricane, though nearly always inferior choices.
Checks & Counters
########
**Stealth Rock**: As Stealth Rock removes 50% of Moltres's health upon switching in, it prevents Moltres from countering many of the threats it otherwise could, and leaves it far more prone to being revenge killed.
**Special Walls**: Tyranitar, Heatran, Chansey, and Blissey easily take Moltres's STAB moves. Choice Specs HP Fighting does not 2HKO Assault Vest Tyranitar, while Scarf variants always survive one it and can retaliate with Stone Edge or Pursuit. Tyranitar doesn't like Will-O-Wisp, though. Specially defensive Heatran is not 2HKOed by HP Fighting, and can lay down Stealth Rock or cripple Moltres with Toxic, although it must be wary of HP Ground. Blissey and Chansey can take any hit comfortably, heal potential burns with Natural Cure and ruin Moltres with status. Assault Vest Goodra is not 2HKOed by Choice Specs Hurricane and can retaliate with powerful attacks. Sylveon also takes less than 50%, and can heal with Wish. Rotom-W resists Moltres's dual STAB and can hit back with Hydro Pump or Volt Switch.
**Steel-types in Rain**: Steel-types like Aegislash and Jirachi can switch into Hurricane; though Moltres can 2HKO them with Fire Blast, it would prefer not to be locek into Fire Blast under rain. Aegislash deals heavy damage with Shadow Ball, while Jirachi will cripple Moltres with paralysis.
**Pokemon that don't fear Flamethrower + Toxic**: Tentacruel and Magic Guard Clefable can't be worn down with Toxic and take little damage from Flamethrower. Substitute users that resist Flamethrower such as Garchomp and Gyarados can set up a Substitute that defensive Moltres cannot immediately break. Similarly, set up sweepers carrying a Lum Berry can boost without fear against Moltres. Dragonite is a good example here.
**Faster Pokemon**: Naturally faster Pokemon with super effective moves such as Keldeo, Terrakion, Starmie, and Thundurus make for good checks. Swift Swim users such as Kingdra can take advantage of Moltres's rain support and OHKO it with powerful attacks.
Moltres and Charizard are not really comparable in an OU context. For one, offensive Moltres is best used on rain teams where it can spam Hurricane, something Charizard will never be able to do. Defensively, the only way Charizard could be comparable is through mega X's bulky will-o-wisp set, which aims to check many different threats to Moltres. See Agent Gibbs's post above for a detailed description of the things defensive Moltres can check or counter.I know that its been QC approved an all, but isn't Moltres outclassed by Charizard? The only thing I can think of that it has over Charizard is the ability to hold an item that isn't a mega stone, which is balanced out by Charizard's unpredictability because of there being 2 mega stones.
Pretty good, just some odd words and phrasesis bird
Shroomisaur's original skeleton
QC: alexwolf, Jukain, Labyrinthine
GP:
Overview
########
While the Fire / Flying typing offers an unattractive 4x weakness to Stealth Rock, it also provides an array of resistances that, when augmented by access to Hurricane and a great base 125 Special Attack stat, allows Moltres to fulfill both offensive and defensive roles for a team. Pressure and reliable recovery in Roost are handy for make Moltres a great defensive Pokemon, allowing Moltres it to stall out Pokemon that it checks by virtue of its typing, such as Lucario, Scizor, Mega Mawile, and Conkeldurr. Offensively, Hurricane allows Moltres to 2HKO most of the OU tier; this wallbreaking power somewhat compensates for its relatively low Speed. Unfortunately, the Flame Pokemon is weak to common Water-, Electric-, and Rock-type attacks, which in addition to the above-mentioned Stealth Rock weakness, means that Moltres faces significant competition for a position on a team, both offensively and defensively.
Offensive
########
name: Offensive
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Hidden Power Fighting / Hidden Power Ground
move 4: U-turn / Roost
ability: Pressure
item: Choice Specs / Life Orb
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Modest / Timid
Moves
========
There are few moves that possess the sheer wallbreaking potential of Moltres's Hurricane. It has excellent neutral coverage as well as perfect accuracy under rain. Fire Blast is a similarly powerful STAB attack that nails most Steel-types that resist Hurricane, most notably, Aegislash. In the third slot, Hidden Power Fighting 2HKOes all variants of Tyranitar other than Assault Vest, while also hitting Heatran super effectively. Hidden Power Ground is more specifically for Heatran, as it deals woeful pitiful damage to Tyranitar. U-turn is ideal on Choice Specs sets for momentum and chip damage on predicted counters; Roost should only be used alongside Life Orb as it mitigates Stealth Rock damage and Life Orb recoil.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack along with a Modest nature is ideal to provide the greatest firepower and wallbreaking potential, though Timid is viable in order to outrun Jolly Excadrill, Gyarados, Mild Kyurem-B, Jolly Mamoswine, and Timid Rotom-W. The boost afforded by in power with Choice Specs is too attractive to pass up; with Choice Specs and a Modest nature Moltres can OHKO common threats it otherwise cannot, such as Mega Charizard X, Garchomp, Latios, and Terrakion. However, if being locked into one move is unsatisfactory, a Life Orb is useful for versatility, though recoil damage and the slight drop in power is often undesirable.
Usage Tips
========
Use Moltres's powerful STAB moves to break down opposing walls; U turn should only be used if your opponent has a counter to Moltres, as most of the time you will be best served by choosing an appropriate STAB attack. Tyranitar has the potential to trap Moltres with Pursuit, especially with Stealth Rock on the field. As such, if your opponent has a healthy Tyranitar on their team, it is often best to use U turn until you scout what set it is in order to know when Hidden Power Fighting will KO it. As this set has no defensive investment, avoid switching directly into strong attacks unless they are resisted hits.
Team Options
========
Rain support is necessary to give Hurricane perfect accuracy, so Politoed is a mandatory partner. Hazard-removal support is similarly vital; Starmie is a decent choice as it also threatens many of Moltres's offensive checks, including Keldeo, Terrakion, and Thundurus. Moltres can easily take Bug- and Grass-type attacks aimed at Starmie, and handily as well as defeat Celebi and Ferrothorn. Howver, Be be aware that using Starmie amplifies an Electric-type weakness, though. Defog Latios packing Earthquake is a great lure for Heatran and Tyranitar, and it can potentially damage Aegislash, enough so that it is 2HKOed by Hurricane. Terrakion is an excellent partner as it can smash Tyranitar, Heatran, and Chansey with its STAB Close Combat. Bisharp is a nice offensive check to Tyranitar, and it can threaten Aegislash and Chansey with Knock Off while dealing solid damage to the latter with Pursuit. Latter? You're pursuiting Chansey? Why not just knock off the switch in? I think you were referring to aegislash there. Moltres's U turn can often bring Bisharp in safely against these Pokemon. Other offensive Pokemon that benefit from rain are good choices. Kabutops and Kingdra thrive in the later stages of a game, after Moltres has broken down opposing walls. Tornadus-T forms a nice Hurricane core with Moltres and can also lure and defeat mutual checks with Superpower. Finally, Dugtrio can trap and remove Heatran and Tyranitar, appreciating using the opportunities it gets to switch in from Moltres's U-turn.
SubToxic
########
name: SubToxic
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Roost
move 4: Flamethrower
ability: Pressure
item: Leftovers
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
nature: Calm
Moves
========
The combination of Substitute, Roost, and Toxic works excellently with Pressure to stall out slower opponents. Substitute provides protection from status, which otherwise cripples Moltres, and is easy to set up thanks to Moltres's handy resistances. Any defensive Pokemon worth its salt loves a form of recovery; Roost provides this longevity for Moltres. Toxic is a great way to cripple common switch-ins, especially bulky Water-types such as Rotom-W and Jellicent. Don't mention Jellicent, it's not OU viable. Finally, Flamethrower is a decently strong STAB attack that has the added advantage of can denting dent many Pokemon that don't mind Toxic, such as Steel-types, Mega Venusaur, Poison Heal Gliscor, and Celebi.
Set Details
========
The given EVs and Calm nature emphasize special bulk, allowing Moltres to check the likes of Aegislash, Alakazam, Landorus, and, importantly, Mega Charizard Y, while also minimizing Stealth Rock damage. Leftovers is the item of choice for its useful HP restoration.
Usage Tips
========
This set is designed to stall out opposing Pokemon with passive damage from Toxic while keeping staying healthy with Roost. Try to set up a Substitute on Pokemon who cannot break it, such as Skarmory, or when you expect the opponent to switch out. A good scenario to use Substitute is if when your Moltres is on the field against a Ferrothorn. If you're not safely behind a Substitute, keep in mind that Toxic should nearly always be used to hit Water-types as they switch in, as they will force Moltres out otherwise. It is also important to remember that Pressure will double the PP cost of moves used against Moltres, so it is feasible to stall out the PP of moves such as Stone Edge through the use of Substitute and Roost. Because Stealth Rock takes a huge 50% of Moltres's HP upon switching in, you should play cautiously when it is on the field, as using Substitute once before switching out will make Moltres only useful as death fodder unless you've previously removed Stealth Rock. Although this set invests in Special Defense, Moltres's typing allows it to check physical attackers, too. Scizor and Conkeldurr can do very little outside of Knock Off, and Ground-types such as Excadrill that lack a Rock-type coverage move will be completely shut down.
Team Options
========
This Moltres set is best suited for defensively inclined or balanced teams. In order for it to be effective, Defog or Rapid Spin support is a necessity; Excadrill has nice defensive synergy with Moltres and can demolish Tyranitar and Heatran with its STAB Earthquake. Mega Blastoise coves Moltres's Water-type vulnerability and Moltres can comfortably switch into Grass-type attacks aimed at Mega Blastoise. Mention double electric weakness again? As far as Defog users go, Latios is an excellent choice, particularly variants carrying Earthquake, as it effectively lures and removes Heatran as well as dealing nice damage to Tyranitar. Defensively, bulky Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur, Ferrothorn, and Gourgeist are great partners as they can switch into Electric- and Water-type moves. Ferrothorn actually can't handle many of the electric types of the tier. Zapdos/Megaman have heat wave/flamethrower, and thundurus often carries fighting coverage. Gourgeist doesn't even have good sp. def, and totally loses to thundurus. Just stick to mentioning Mega Venusaur imo, maybe Celebi. In return, Moltres can check Fire-type threats such as Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona. Teammates that can handle fast physical attackers such as Terrakion, Garchomp, and Talonflame are wise choices; Landorus-T and Rotom-W are effective in this pivot role and can often bring Moltres in safely with U turn and Volt Switch, respectively. Landorus-T can also set up Stealth Rock to wear down opposing Pokemon.
Other Options
########
Moltres has several useful options at its disposal. Will-O-Wisp and Roar could potentially be used over Substitute and Toxic on the defensive set, allowing Moltres to counter Mega Mawile and prevent dangerous opponents, such as Belly Drum Azumarill and Mega Gyarados, from setting up. Defog is possibly viable, though Moltres struggles to find space for it in its moveset. In addition, Moltres will often have to switch into Stealth Rock in order to use Defog, so hazard removal is best left to teammates. Offensively, Moltres could utilize an Agility set, but it has trouble finding opportunities to set up and is usually better served by firing off powerful attacks rather than attempting to sweep. Finally, alternate moves such as Flamethrower, Overheat, and Air Slash are options over Fire Blast and Hurricane, though nearly always inferior choices.
Checks & Counters
########
**Stealth Rock**: As Stealth Rock removes 50% of Moltres's health upon switching in, it prevents Moltres from countering many of the threats it otherwise could, and leaves it far more prone to being revenge killed.
**Special Walls**: Tyranitar, Heatran, Chansey, and Blissey easily take Moltres's STAB moves. Choice Specs HP Fighting does not 2HKO Assault Vest Tyranitar, while Scarf variants always survive one it and can retaliate with Stone Edge or Pursuit. Howver, Tyranitar doesn't like Will-O-Wisp, though. Specially defensive Heatran is not 2HKOed by HP Fighting, and can lay down Stealth Rock or cripple Moltres with Toxic, although it must be wary of HP Ground. Blissey and Chansey can take any hit comfortably, heal potential burns with Natural Cure and ruin Moltres with status. Assault Vest Goodra is not 2HKOed by Choice Specs Hurricane and can retaliate with powerful attacks. Sylveon also takes less than 50%, and can heal with Wish. Rotom-W resists Moltres's dual STAB and can hit back with Hydro Pump or Volt Switch.
**Steel-types in Rain**: Steel-types like Aegislash and Jirachi can switch into Hurricane; though Moltres can 2HKO them with Fire Blast, it would prefer not to be locek locked into Fire Blast under rain. Aegislash deals heavy damage with Shadow Ball, while Jirachi will cripple Moltres with paralysis.
**Pokemon that don't fear Flamethrower + Toxic**: Tentacruel and Magic Guard Clefable can't be worn down with Toxic and take little damage from Flamethrower. Substitute users that resist Flamethrower such as Garchomp and Gyarados can set up a Substitute that defensive Moltres cannot immediately break. Similarly, set up sweepers carrying a Lum Berry can boost without fear against Moltres. Dragonite is a good example here.
**Faster Pokemon**: Naturally faster Pokemon with super effective moves such as Keldeo, Terrakion, Starmie, and Thundurus make for good checks. Swift Swim users such as Kingdra can take advantage of Moltres's rain support and OHKO it with powerful attacks.
I'm happy with this, although I would like to see the offensive set stay. Sure, it has strong competition, but it can single handedly break teams open if it gets just one or two free turns. As i said, I'm not too fussed if it has to go, but i feel that it isn't outclassedHi there. We've been talking about Moltres as a QC team, and SubToxic should be the only set. Offensive Moltres is kind of outclassed in this metagame. It is slow, and stuff like Tornadus(-T)/Swift Swimmers are more potent than and compete with it for valuable rain teamslots. It also has a typing that leaves it 4x SR weak, making it a liability because you potentially have to waste rain turns so you can Defog -- and you're forced to carry a Defogger, which is often undesirable. It is true that it can beat Ferrothorn, a major thorn in the side to rain teams, but there are plenty of things able to do this without all of the drawbacks of Moltres.
SubToxic has a definite niche. Pressure + Toxic + Roost with a cool defensive typing makes for a successful staller, and it has Flamethrower to roast competing Steels. One little thing: it at least needs to hit 240 for Bisharp, and 241 is a good number from there just to outspeed the occasional Naive Aegislash that wants to outspeed you and Head Smash. This results in a spread of 248 HP / 160 SpD / 100 Spe.
Nice job here overall!
I'd like to hear an explanation why, because a lot of other QC members have the same opinion.I'm happy with this, although I would like to see the offensive set stay. Sure, it has strong competition, but it can single handedly break teams open if it gets just one or two free turns. As i said, I'm not too fussed if it has to go, but i feel that it isn't outclassed
It's insanely strong - stronger than Tornadus because its lower speed makes running Modest viable. I've mentioned some of the Pokemon that are cleanly OHKOed in the analysis. As you said, it can beat Steel-types which is another small difference. I'll agree that these "niches" are tenuous, but worthy of a set imo. I can try to get some decent replays to support this when I have access to a computer laterI'd like to hear an explanation why, because a lot of other QC members have the same opinion.
Blissey, Jirachi, and Tentacruel aren't very common or good now; I don't think that they need to be mentioned here.**Special Walls**: Tyranitar, Heatran, Chansey, and Blissey easily take Moltres's STAB moves. Choice Specs HP Fighting does not 2HKO Assault Vest Tyranitar, while Scarf variants always survive one it and can retaliate with Stone Edge or Pursuit. Tyranitar doesn't like Will-O-Wisp, though. Specially defensive Heatran is not 2HKOed by HP Fighting, and can lay down Stealth Rock or cripple Moltres with Toxic, although it must be wary of HP Ground. Blissey and Chansey can take any hit comfortably, heal potential burns with Natural Cure and ruin Moltres with status. Assault Vest Goodra is not 2HKOed by Choice Specs Hurricane and can retaliate with powerful attacks. Sylveon also takes less than 50%, and can heal with Wish. Rotom-W resists Moltres' dual STAB and can hit back with Hydro Pump or Volt Switch.
**Steel-types in Rain**: Steel-types like Aegislash and Jirachi can switch into Hurricane; though Moltres can 2HKO them with Fire Blast, it would prefer not to be locek into Fire Blast under rain. Aegislash deals heavy damage with Shadow Ball, while Jirachi will cripple Moltres with paralysis.
**Pokemon that don't fear Flamethrower + Toxic**: Tentacruel and Magic Guard Clefable can't be worn down with Toxic and take little damage from Flamethrower. Substitute users that resist Flamethrower such as Garchomp and Gyarados can set up a Substitute that defensive Moltres cannot immediately break. Similarly, set up sweepers carrying a Lum Berry can boost without fear against Moltres. Dragonite is a good example here.
Blissey and Tentacruel take Flamethrower well and are immune to or get rid of Toxic upon switching. Tentacruel was rejected though so I guess that can be taken out. Jirachi got rejected too and loses outside of Rain (possibly even in Rain, depending on what it's running). There aren't many practical situations where, even in Rain, someone will leave any Steel type in against an offensive Moltres. Same for defensive, unless it has some way of beating it on 1 on 1 of courseBlissey, Jirachi, and Tentacruel aren't very common or good now; I don't think that they need to be mentioned here.