Moltres @ Charcoal
- Fire Blast
- Sunny Day
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
As Moltres is getting all the hype in the newest generation with the recent Crown Tundra expansion, let's not ignore its strong offensive presence in older generations like GSC. Moltres's Fire Blast is the strongest Fire-type attack out there, and Sunny Day enables it to either OHKO or 2HKO the majority of the metagame, notably including the ubiquitous Snorlax, with the help of Charcoal and Spikes. Another benefit from Sunny Day for Moltres is that it reduces the accuracy of Thunder to 50%. RestTalk is needed for longevity to check Pokemon like Exeggutor, Jynx, and Heracross. This combo aditionally allows Moltres to be used as a sleep absorber while also patching up Fire Blast's and Sunny Day's meager PP. In addition to a Spikes setter like Cloyster, Moltres appreciates teammates like Snorlax, Exeggutor, and Gengar putting opposing Pokemon to sleep, as that makes it much easier for Moltres to come in and set up Sunny Day. All these Pokemon also have access to Explosion or Self-Destruct, which allows them to remove Water- and Electric-types that could otherwise check Moltres, such as Vaporeon, Starmie, Suicune, Zapdos, and Raikou.
Want to see GSC Moltres in action? Watch this replay from the latest edition of SPL where it tears up a team lacking Fire-resistant Pokemon and tanks a Thunder from Zapdos in the process:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/smogtours-gen2ou-475638
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