GP [2/2] - The Dutch Plumberjack / Weebl
[SET]
name: SubRoost
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Roost
move 3: Hurricane
move 4: Will-O-Wisp
item: Leftovers
ability: Pressure
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Despite its 4x weakness to Stealth Rock, SubRoost Moltres is a great option for balanced teams thanks to its ability to check various Pokemon with its unique typing and take advantage of the switches it forces, by throwing around strong Hurricanes and spreading burns. Roost increases Moltres's longevity and allows it to recover from crippling Stealth Rock damage. Substitute protects Moltres from status and, in conjunction with Roost, helps Moltres PP stall the opposing team with Pressure—Moltres finds many opportunities to set up Substitutes on Pokemon it can force out, such as Breloom, Celebi, and Scizor. Hurricane is a STAB attack that never misses in the rain, hits hard even without any offensive investment, and also boasts a 30% chance to confuse the target, which can give Moltres opportunities to use Roost or set up a Substitute in tight situations. Finally, Will-O-Wisp helps Moltres check physical attackers and wear down bulky Pokemon with burn damage. Many Pokemon that resist Hurricane, such as Tyranitar, Rotom-W, and Jirachi, hate being burned, as it severely cuts into their longevity.
[ADDITIONAL SET COMMENTS]
Moltres's HP should be maximized first to increase its longevity and give it solid mixed bulk. 96 Speed EVs combined with a Timid nature allow Moltres to outspeed Jolly Breloom and set up a Substitute before Breloom can put it to sleep with Spore. Then, the rest of the EVs are placed into Defense to help protect Moltres from various physical attackers it can switch into. Moltres can also sacrifice some bulk for Speed by using an EV spread of 248 HP / 44 Def / 216 Spe with a Timid nature, letting it outspeed threats such as neutral-nature Kyurem-B and Hydreigon as well as Jolly Toxicroak. Leftovers is necessary to provide extra longevity, as Moltres is easily weakened by Stealth Rock and Substitute damage, so it needs as much recovery as it can get.
Although it isn't mandatory when using this Moltres set, Politoed is still a great partner due to its rain support, which boosts the accuracy of Moltres's Hurricanes. Rapid Spin support is also much appreciated when using Moltres, especially this defensive set, which switches in and out often. Tentacruel is the best option, as it can check not only Heatran, which laughs at anything Moltres tries to do to it, but also dangerous Water-type foes such as Keldeo and Politoed. Tentacruel can also lay Toxic Spikes to help Moltres stall out foes. Both Politoed and Tentacruel appreciate Moltres's ability to check Grass-types such as Breloom, Celebi, and Amoonguss, as well as Toxicroak, which often sees Politoed and Tentacruel as setup fodder. Moltres also appreciates Spikes support to make the most of the switches it forces. Many Pokemon that resist Hurricane, such as Tyranitar, Heatran, and Jirachi, hate Spikes and will find themselves being worn down quickly by entry hazards, Hurricane, and possibly a burn. Ferrothorn is a great partner, as it has amazing defensive synergy with Moltres and appreciates the removal of Fighting-types such as Conkeldurr, Toxicroak, and Breloom as well as Grass-types that can prevent Ferrothorn from healing itself with Leech Seed. Although it cannot set up Spikes, Gastrodon also has great defensive synergy with Moltres and fares well against almost all of Moltres's usual switch-ins. Although it shares a Water-type weakness with Moltres, Hippowdon can check dangerous Rock-types such as Terrakion and Tyranitar and absorb Electric-type attacks from the likes of Thundurus-T and Magnezone.
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