no, fire-types are huge in the metagame rn and i don't think i'd use a team without one barring rain. it performs well against the T_ALK part of balance but it gives the Fire-type (ESPECIALLY heatran) so much room to threaten the opponent and set up Subs that it doesn't end up being all that effective. definitely the wrong time for a raise, probably the worst it's been in a long while.
Nonono. Everything Ferrothorn checks barring rain you suddenly lose to as soon as what you're trying to beat is beside a fire type. This mon isn't even a good bet vs someone who always uses rain because it gets so much attention in the builder that it's not a guaranteed win. Good check to rain, some fat mons like cress/rachi, and kangaskhan, but losing as soon as a fire type is present keeps this in 2.
No. Still relevant:
http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/doubles-ou-viability-rankings.3535930/page-17#post-6638019
no this is settup bait but a good counter to the things it counters
No not even close a lot beats it + its not a good check to things because fire pwns it, which is sad when ur usin 2 of the 3 best defensive types on a mon that cant check things