National Dex Heatran [Done]

[Sputnik]

[OVERVIEW]

Heatran is a great Pokemon in National Dex thanks to its unique and highly useful offensive and defensive attributes. Good bulk, a variety of useful utility moves, and a highly valued and unique defensive typing mean that Heatran is able to check a plethora of the most prominent Pokemon in the metagame, such as Clefable, Mega Mawile, Mega Latias, Mega Scizor, Magearna, Cinderace lacking High Jump Kick, bulky Volcarona, and Tapu Lele. Offensive sets, meanwhile, are extremely hard for many teams to counter, as Heatran can utilize its high power in conjunction with its Z-Move to break through would-be checks, such as Tapu Fini and Mega Tyranitar. A great matchup against common Defoggers, like Zapdos and Corviknight, also allows Heatran to serve as an excellent Stealth Rock setter. Heatran unfortunately lacks reliable recovery, and it is very vulnerable to chip from entry hazards. This makes it pretty easy to wear down over the course of a match. Pokemon that Heatran is supposed to check, like Ferrothorn and Clefable, can viably carry Knock Off, which cripples defensive variants. Heatran's influence in the metagame sometimes prompts Pokemon it is supposed to check, such as Mega Mawile, Magearna, and Volcarona, to run coverage specifically to hit it. This is further compounded by its defensive typing, which, while overall very good, gives it common weaknesses to Water-, Fighting-, and Ground-type attacks from the likes of Greninja, Mega Lopunny, Gliscor, Garchomp, and Hydreigon.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Lava Plume / Magma Storm
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Earth Power / Protect
move 4: Stealth Rock / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Lava Plume is the preferred STAB option, as it is consistently accurate and comes with a good chance to burn, crippling Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Mega Tyranitar. Magma Storm is a more powerful option that can trap and wear down more passive Pokemon such as Toxapex. It also applies useful chip damage onto switch-ins like Garchomp and Tapu Fini. The move's inaccuracy and lower PP, however, makes Lava Plume a more consistent option. Toxic allows Heatran to cripple switch-ins like Mega Tyranitar, Hydreigon, Mega Latios, and Mega Latias. Earth Power allows Heatran to hit opposing Heatran, Mega Tyranitar, and Toxapex. Stealth Rock is a great option on Heatran, as it can pressure common Defoggers like Zapdos and Corviknight. Protect may be run over Earth Power or Stealth Rock, as it allows Heatran to scout for opposing Choice item users like Kartana and Tapu Lele, rack up Toxic damage and Leftovers recovery, and punish Mega Medicham. It also can scout for Z-Moves from the likes of Tapu Lele and Magearna. Taunt is also usable alongside Magma Storm and Earth Power, letting Heatran trap and remove passive walls like Toxapex, Clefable, Blissey, and Chansey. 120 Speed EVs allow Heatran to outrun maximum Speed Aegislash with a neutral Speed nature, as well as Modest Magnezone.

Usage Tips
========

Heatran acts as a good switch-in to Pokemon such as Mega Latias, Tapu Lele, and Magearna, so use it as such. Switching into Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Clefable can also be done, but Heatran must be very careful of Knock Off. Toxic is generally Heatran's best way of making progress once it is in by punishing Pokemon like Hydreigon, Mega Tyranitar, and Garchomp that might try to switch into it. Take advantage of Heatran's good matchups and ability to force out common Defoggers to set Stealth Rock if you are using it. Protect should be used to rack up Toxic and Magma Storm damage, but it can give free switches to dangerous foes like Garchomp and Hydreigon if used at the wrong time, so be careful.

Team Options
========

Grass-types have very good defensive synergy with Heatran. Physically defensive Tangrowth is a great partner, as it can check Pokemon that might threaten Heatran, such as Gliscor, Kartana, Garchomp, and Mega Lopunny, as well as taking pressure off of Heatran by checking Mega Mawile. Heatran returns the favor by checking the likes of bulky Volcarona, Mega Latias, and Rotom-H. Ferrothorn is another good partner that can form a suffocating entry hazard-stacking core with Heatran. Ferrothorn can also take Water-type attacks from Tapu Fini and Greninja aimed at Heatran, while Heatran returns the favor by taking Fire-type attacks from the likes of Cinderace and bulky Volcarona. Heatran's lack of reliable recovery and constant pressure to check common threats mean that it needs good entry hazard removal on its side to somewhat alleviate its weakness to chip damage. Tapu Fini, Zapdos, and Corviknight all work in this regard. Wish support from Clefable can help to keep Heatran healthy, and it can also run Stealth Rock in order to allow Heatran to run other moves. Moreover, both Clefable and Tapu Fini are capable of checking Hydreigon, one of the most dangerous threats to Heatran. Bulky Water-types like Slowbro, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex appreciate Heatran's ability to cover for their weakness to Grass-types like Tangrowth and Serperior while taking Water- and Fighting-type attacks from the likes of Greninja and Mega Lopunny for Heatran in return. Moreover, Slowbro can keep Gliscor at bay, which otherwise uses Heatran as setup bait. Keep in mind that any pairing with Tapu Fini will have to deal with Misty Terrain, which can prevent Heatran from making progress in matchups that it needs to inflict status in.


[SET]
name: Z-Move
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Flash Cannon / Solar Beam
move 4: Toxic / Stealth Rock
item: Steelium Z / Grassium Z
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Magma Storm is a powerful STAB move that allows Heatran to trap and threaten to remove Toxapex and Clefable, as well as preventing Tapu Fini from safely scouting the set. In addition, it applies decent chip damage onto Pokemon that might try to switch in like Garchomp. Earth Power allows Heatran to hit Toxapex, opposing Heatran, and Tyranitar. Flash Cannon along with Steelium Z allows Heatran to OHKO Hydreigon, Mega Tyranitar, Clefable, and Mega Latios, as well as Gliscor after some chip damage. Solar Beam is to be used with Grassium Z, allowing Heatran to crush Tapu Fini, Rotom-W, Slowbro, and Gastrodon. Toxic allows Heatran to punish switch-ins such as Garchomp, Hydreigon, Slowbro, and Gastrodon, depending on what Z-Move it runs. Stealth Rock is another great option, as Heatran threatens common Defoggers like Zapdos, Tapu Fini, and Corviknight, although keep in mind that Corviknight's Body Press 2HKOes offensive Heatran after Stealth Rock. Firium Z is an option to OHKO Assault Vest Tangrowth, almost always OHKO offensive Volcarona, and almost always OHKO even the bulkiest of Gliscor after Stealth Rock, as well as act as an extremely strong general nuke, but the luring prowess from the other Z-Moves is generally preferred. Keep in mind that Solar Beam and Flash Cannon should not be used with Firium Z sets. 4 Defense EVs allow Heatran to tank a +2 Sucker Punch from Mega Mawile.

Usage Tips
========

Toxic variants of Heatran should look for opportunities to cripple switch-ins like Mega Tyranitar, Gastrodon, and Mega Latios. Stealth Rock variants, on the other hand, should look to set Stealth Rock on forced switches against Pokemon like Corviknight and Ferrothorn. Its good matchup against Zapdos, Corviknight, and Tapu Fini allows it to keep Stealth Rock up against many teams. Corkscrew Crash variants are very prediction-reliant, as many of its targets can force Heatran out if they get in cleanly, so keep that in mind.

Team Options
========

Entry hazard removal is really important for Heatran, as it gets worn down extremely quickly, and its set will be revealed once the fact that it doesn't have Leftovers is identified. Solid entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Zapdos, Corviknight, and Tapu Fini is very helpful as a result. Grass-types have great synergy with Heatran. Physically defensive Tangrowth's ability to stop Pokemon such as Gliscor, Garchomp, Mega Lopunny, Landorus-T, and Kartana is greatly appreciated. Pokemon that appreciate the removal of Water-types like Slowbro, Rotom-W, and Tapu Fini, such as Cinderace, Mega Medicham, and Mega Lopunny, enjoy Grassium Z Heatran's presence. Wish users like Clefable can potentially be used to keep Heatran healthy throughout the match. Clefable can also act as the team's Stealth Rock user if you want Heatran to run Toxic.

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

Roar is a decent option on the defensive set to prevent Reuniclus from setting up on Heatran, but it is rather niche and hard to fit on its moveset.

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

**Ground-types and Ground-type Coverage**: Heatran's 4x weakness to Ground means that any Ground-type that outspeeds it is heavily threatening to it. Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Gliscor all fit this bill, although Landorus-T and Garchomp really don't want to be inflicted with Toxic. Pokemon such as Tangrowth, Volcarona, and Hydreigon can all viably run Ground-type coverage as well, which is very threatening to Heatran.

**Dragon-types**: Hydreigon, Mega Latios, and Mega Latias all resist or are immune to most of Heatran's common moves. All of them have to be wary of Toxic and Corkscrew Crash on the switch, however. Other Dragon-types like Kyurem and Garchomp have to be careful as they switch in, but they cleanly OHKO Heatran with their Ground-type coverage.

**Water-types**: Defensive Water-types such as Tapu Fini, Slowbro, Toxapex, and Gastrodon can take advantage of Heatran and, in Tapu Fini's case, attempt to remove the Stealth Rock it sets with Defog. Offensive Water-types such as Greninja and Manaphy also threaten Heatran with their STAB moves, although none of them want to be inflicted with Toxic, and all of them are threatened by Bloom Doom.

**Fighting-types and Fighting-type Coverage**: Mega Lopunny, Mega Medicham, and Kommo-o can threaten Heatran with their STAB moves, but Mega Medicham have has to be careful of Protect blocking High Jump Kick, and none of them appreciate switching into Toxic. Pokemon that Heatran would otherwise handily beat, such as Magearna, Mega Scizor, and Tapu Lele, sometimes run Fighting-type coverage specifically to hit it, which can significantly impact Heatran's ability to check them.

**Special Walls**: Specially bulky Pokemon such as Blissey, Chansey, and Mega Tyranitar can do well against Heatran, although Blissey and Chansey have to be wary of Taunt variants trapping them with Magma Storm, while Tyranitar must watch out for a Z-Move.

**Residual Damage**: Heatran takes damage from both Stealth Rock and Spikes. This, in conjunction with its tendency to switch in and out a lot to check the Pokemon that it is tasked with, as well as its lack of recovery outside of Leftovers, means that it can be worn down over the course of a match.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[SputnikGT, 475916]]
- Quality checked by: [[Funbot28, 255984], [Guardsweeper, 360582], [Jordy, 395754]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [Deetah, 297659]]

 

[Sputnik]

I'm putting this into QC. Still not 100% sure on Steelium but its very easy to remove the slash and just mention it.

 

[Funbot28]

QC 1/3

Comments in Red

[OVERVIEW]

• Heatran is a great Pokemon in National Dex thanks to its unique and highly useful offensive and defensive attributes.
• Good bulk, a variety of useful utility moves, and a highly valued and unique defensive typing means that Heatran is able to check some of the most prominent Pokemon in the metagame, such as Ferrothorn Checking Ferro is not a trait that I would really emphasize here since it's a mon that can be checked by a wide variety of threats. Change for something like Magearna, Tornadus-T, and Dragapult.
• Offensive sets, meanwhile, are extremely hard for many teams to counter, as Heatran can utilize its high power in conjunction with Z-Moves to break through would be checks, such as Tapu Fini and Mega Tyranitar.
• Both offensive and defensive variants of Heatran are difficult to switch into, as offensive Heatran can utilize different Z-Moves to pick its checks, and both sets viably carry Toxic. This kinda coincides with the previous point you just made, merge the two in someway to emphasize that Tran can be annoying to switch to whether it is offensive or defensive due to either high powered BP of it's STAB or coverage + Z-Moves or status moves that it can run that can wear down most of it's checks.
• A great matchup against common Defoggers, like Tornadus-T and Corviknight, allows Heatran to serve as an excellent Stealth Rock user.
• Heatran unfortunately lacks reliable recovery, and it is very vulnerable to chip from Stealth Rock and Spikes. This makes it pretty easy to wear down over the course of a match, and even repeatedly switching into Pokemon it is supposed to check like Dragapult and Magearna will eventually wear it down. Also note that mons it's supposed to check like Torn and Ferro often carry Knock Off which can really cut down on it's sustainability for Lefties sets.
• Heatran's influence in the metagame sometimes prompts Pokemon it is supposed to check, such as Tornadus-T, Magearna, and Volcarona, to run coverage specifically to hit it. This is further compounded by its defensive typing, which, while overall very good, gives it common weaknesses to Water-, Fighting-, and Ground-type attacks.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Lava Plume / Magma Storm
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Earth Power/ Stealth Rock
move 4: Protect / Stealth Rock
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

• Lava Plume is the preferred STAB option, as it is consistently accurate and comes with a nasty 30% burn chance.
• Magma Storm is a more powerful option that can trap and wear down more passive Pokemon. It also applies useful chip damage onto any switch ins that might come to call, even if they plan on pivoting out the next turn. Mention how it can enable it to potentially beat checks like Toxapex here specifically. The moves inaccuracy and lower PP makes Lava Plume a more consistent option, however.
• Toxic allows Heatran to cripple switch ins like Mega Tyranitar, Zygarde, Rotom-H, and Mega Blastoise.
• Earth Power allows Heatran to hit opposing Heatran and Toxepex.
• Protect is useful, as it allows Heatran to scout for opposing Choice users and rack up Toxic damage in addition to Leftovers recovery. Also note how it can scout for Z moves from mons like Magearna and Kartana as well.
• Either move can be dropped for Stealth Rock if you don't have another user of the move on your team. Heatran serves as an excellent user of the move, as it can pressure common Defoggers like Tornadus-T, Corviknight, and Rotom-W.
• Taunt is also usable alongside Magma Storm that can allow Heatran to trap and remove passive walls like Toxapex and Chansey.
• 120 Speed EVs allows Heatran to outrun max speed Aegislash with a neutral speed nature.

Usage Tips
========

• Heatran acts as a good switch in to Pokemon such as Tapu Lele, Dragapult, and Magearna. Switching into Ferrothorn and Tornadus-T can also be done but Heatran must be very careful of Knock Off on the switch. Be sure to check to make sure that Magearna and Tapu Lele aren't running Focus Blast before you use Heatran to consistently check them.
• Toxic is generally Heatran's best way to punish Pokemon like Zygarde, Rotom-H, Mega Tyranitar, and Landorus-T that might try to switch into it.
• Take advantage of Heatran's good matchups and ability to force out common Defoggers to set up Stealth Rock if you are using it.

Team Options
========

• Grass-types have very good defensive synergy with Heatran. Physically defensive Tangrowth is a great partner for Heatran, as it can check Pokemon that might threaten Heatran, such as Zygarde, Dracovish, Mega Metagross, and Mega Lopunny. Tangrowth's typing and access to Regenerator also makes it easier for the two to pivot around Galarian Darmanitan. Heatran returns the favor by checking Tornadus-T, Dragapult, and Rotom-H. Ferrothorn is another good partner that can form a choking hazard stacking core with Heatran. Ferrothorn can also take Water-type attacks aimed at Heatran, while Heatran returns the favor by taking Fire-type attacks. Tapu Bulu is a more niche partner that comes with the added benefits of dealing with Ash-Greninja and setting Grassy Terrain to give Heatran added recovery and allows Heatran to take one Earthquake from the likes of Mega Metagross and Excadrill in an emergency.
• Heatran's lack of reliable recovery and constant pressure to check common threats means that it needs good hazard removal on its side to somewhat alleviate its weakness to chip damage. Tapu Fini, Tornadus-T, and Corviknight all work in this regard. Tapu Fini is especially useful, as it checks Ash-Greninja, which is a very threatening Pokemon to Heatran.
• Bulky Water-types like Slowbro, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex appreciate Heatran's ability to cover for their weakness to Grass, while the aforementioned can also take both Water- and Fighting-type moves. Heatran in general fits extremely well on Fire/Water/Grass defensive cores, where it provides Stealth Rock and appreciates its teammates ability to take on the types that it is weak to.
• Checks to mons like Mega Zam, Mega Latios, and Hydreigon should also def be mentioned here as well since they can come in on Tran and potentially do a lot of damage either through STAB or setup. Mons like AV Magearna, Mega Metagross, and Mega Tyranitar both all serve as mentions here.

[SET]
name: Z-Move
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Solar Beam / Flash Cannon
move 4: Toxic / Stealth Rock
item: Grassium Z / Steelium Z (maybe?) -> Personally say yes as Steelium helps deal damage to threats such as Gliscor, Mega Zam, and Mega Latios more.
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

• Magma Storm is a powerful STAB move that also allows Heatran to trap and threaten to remove Toxapex. In addition, it applies decent chip damage onto things such as Zygarde and Mega Blastoise that might try to switch in.
• Earth Power allows Heatran to hit Toxapex, opposing Heatran, and chips Tyranitar.
• Solar Beam is to be used with Grassium Z, and allows Heatran to crush Tapu Fini, Rotom-W, Slowbro, and Gastrodon.
• Flash Cannon along with Steelium Z allows Heatran to push more damage onto Zygarde and OHKOs Mega Tyranitar and Clefable. This set loses out on the ability to greatly threaten some of the aforementioned Water-types, however, which is a tough pill to swallow. (This might not be slash worthy, still debating whether or not to put it there)
• Toxic allows Heatran to punish switch ins such as Zygarde, Mega Tyranitar, and Mega Latias. It should be noted that Toxic sets should use Grassium Z, as most of Steelium's targets are punished by Toxic.
• Stealth Rock is another option if there is no setter on your team, as Heatran still threatens common Defoggers like Tornadus-T and Corviknight, although keep in mind that Corviknight's Body Press 2HKOs offensive Heatran after Stealth Rock.
• Firium Z is an option to OHKO Assault Vest Tangrowth, almost always OHKO offensive Volcarona, and act as an extremely strong general nuke, but the utility from the other Z-Moves is generally preferred.

Usage Tips
========

• Grassium Z variants of Heatran need to be very careful with how they use their Z-Move, as most Water-types will expect Grassium once it is revealed that Heatran isn't running Leftovers. Remove hazards before to hide what set Heatran is running, or trap these Waters with Magma Storm to ensure a KO.
• Flash Cannon will also give away what set Heatran is running, so be wary of using the move, as this will invite Pokemon such as Gastrodon and Slowbro to take advantage of Heatran.
• Toxic variants should look for opportunities to cripple switch ins like Zygarde, Garchomp Mega Alakazam, and Mega Latias.
• Stealth Rock variants, on the other hand, should look to set up Stealth Rock on forced switches against Pokemon like Corviknight and Ferrothorn. It's good matchup against Tornadus-T, Corviknight, and Rotom-W allows it to keep Stealth Rock up against many teams.

Team Options
========

• Entry hazard removal is really important for Heatran, as it gets worn down extremely quickly and its set will be revealed once the fact that it doesn't have Leftovers is identified. Solid hazard removal such as Tornadus-T, Corviknight, and Tapu Fini is very helpful as a result.
• Grass-types have great synergy with Heatran. Physically Defensive Tangrowth's ability to stop Pokemon such as Zygarde, Landorus-T, and Kartana is greatly appreciated. Assault Vest Tangrowth can also work to give some buffer against Mega Blastoise and Ash-Greninja, but be aware that backup checks to both are required. The niche Tapu Bulu can have a role on Grassium Z variants, as it juices up Heatran's Bloom Doom and gives it insurance against some of the aforementioned Ground-types in addition to Ash-Greninja all in one slot.
• Pokemon that appreciate the removal of the aforementioned Water-types, such as Galarian Darmanitan, Mega Medicham, and Mega Metagross enjoy Grassium Z Heatran's presense.
• Could also give a note on Wish users that can help increase Tran's sustainability. The most obvious example being Wish + Teleport Clefable but maybe even Chansey depending what teamstyle the Train is on.

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

• Roar is a decent option on the defensive set to prevent Pokemon such as Reuniclus and Substitute Hydreigon from setting up on Heatran, but it is rather niche and is hard to fit.
• Will-O-Wisp can be used to cripple certain physical attackers like Mega Lopunny, Landorus-T, and Mega Tyranitar, but most of them dislike Toxic already and the moveslot can generally be put to better use.
• Air Balloon can be used to give Heatran a one-time buffer against certain Ground-types and allows it to stonewall opposing defensive Heatran, but its one time nature makes it risky, and giving up on Leftovers isn't generally worth it.
• Eruption with Choice Specs can make for an interesting lure that 2HKOs bulky resists such as Rotom-W, Rotom-H, and some less bulky Zygarde spreads, but it needs an unreasonable amount of support to function and doesn't particularly like being locked into any of its moves.

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

**Ground-types and Ground-type coverage**: Heatran's quadruple weakness to Ground means that any Ground-type that outspeeds it is heavily threatening to it. Zygarde, Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Gliscor all fit this bill, although Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Zygarde really don't want to take a Toxic. Pokemon such as Tangrowth, Volcarona, Galarian Darmanitan, and Mega Metagross can all viably run Ground-type coverage as well, often for the sole purpose of hitting Heatran.

**Fighting-types and Fighting-type coverage**: Mega Lopunny, Mega Medicham, and Kommo-o can threaten Heatran with their STAB moves, but Mega Lopunny and Mega Medicham have to be careful of Protect blocking High Jump Kick, and none of them appreciate switching in. Kommo-o is a decent Tran check so I would specify specially on offensive sets or maybe just mention the first two mons don't like switchin in period. Pokemon that Heatran would otherwise handily beat, such as Magearna, Tapu Lele, Mega Scizor, and Tornadus-T, sometimes run Fighting coverage specifically to hit it, which can significantly impact its ability to check them.

**Water-types**: Defensive Water-types such as Tapu Fini, Rotom-W, and Slowbro can take advantage of Heatran and, in Tapu Fini and Rotom-W's case, attempt to remove the hazards it lays down with Defog. Offensive Water-types such as Ash-Greninja and Mega Blastoise also threaten Heatran with their STAB moves, although none of them want to take a Toxic, and all of them are threatened by Bloom Doom.

**Dragon-types**: Hydreigon, Mega Latios, and Mega Latias all resist or are immune most of Heatran's common moves. Hydreigon can also viably use Substitute to really mess with most Heatran sets. All of them have to be wary of Toxic on the switch, however.

**Special Walls**: Special walls such as Chansey and bulky Tyranitar can do well against Heatran, although Chansey has to be wary of being trapped by Magma Storm and Taunt variants, while Tyranitar must watch out for a boosted Z-Move.

**Residual Damage**: Heatran takes damage from both Stealth Rock and Spikes. This, in conjunction with its tendency to switch in and out a lot to check the Pokemon that it is tasked with, and its lack of recovery outside of Leftovers, means that it can be worn down over the course of a match.

- Add a note here on Mega Alakazam as it can stuff out most sets besides Steelium Z and maybe Grassium Z if it's weakened enough.


[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[SputnikGT, 475916]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

Great Job, do this and you have QC 1/3

 

[Sputnik]

Implemented and ready for the next check

 

[Guard]

add remove comment

[OVERVIEW]

• Heatran is a great Pokemon in National Dex thanks to its unique and highly useful offensive and defensive attributes.
• Good bulk, a variety of useful utility moves, and a highly valued and unique defensive typing means that Heatran is able to check some of the most prominent Pokemon in the metagame, such as Magearna, Tornadus-T, and Dragapult, without giving up momentum against switchins such as Mega Alakazam and Mega Tyranitar due to its ability to punish them with Toxic or a Lava Plume burn. (Rotom-H and Volcarona are extremely important mentions here; drop Dragapult imo, its not really a good check to it)
• Offensive sets, meanwhile, are extremely hard for many teams to counter, as Heatran can utilize its high power in conjunction with Z-Moves to break through would be checks, such as Tapu Fini and Mega Tyranitar. Defensive sets also carry moves like Toxic and Lava Plume that can punish switch ins. This is a better fit in the previous bullet point
• A great matchup against common Defoggers, like Tornadus-T and Corviknight, allows Heatran to serve as an excellent Stealth Rock user.
• Heatran unfortunately lacks reliable recovery, and it is very vulnerable to chip from Stealth Rock and Spikes entry hazards. This makes it pretty easy to wear down over the course of a match, and even repeatedly switching into Pokemon it is supposed to check like Dragapult and Magearna will eventually wear it down. no need to say things twice Pokemon that Heatran is supposed to check, like Ferrothorn and Tornadus-T, can viably carry Knock Off, which cripples defensive variants.
• Heatran's influence in the metagame sometimes prompts Pokemon it is supposed to check, such as Tornadus-T, Magearna, and Volcarona, to run coverage specifically to hit it. This is further compounded by its defensive typing, which, while overall very good, gives it common weaknesses to Water-, Fighting-, and Ground-type attacks from the likes of?.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Lava Plume / Magma Storm
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Earth Power/ Stealth Rock
move 4: Protect / Stealth Rock
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

• Lava Plume is the preferred STAB option, as it is consistently accurate and comes with a nasty 30% burn chance, allowing it to cripple what?.
• Magma Storm is a more powerful option that can trap and wear down more passive Pokemon such as Toxapex. It also applies useful chip damage onto any switch ins that might come to call, even if they plan on pivoting out the next turn (explicitly mention Garchomp, as it is a perfect example here). The moves inaccuracy and lower PP makes Lava Plume a more consistent option, however.
• Toxic allows Heatran to cripple switch ins like Mega Tyranitar, Rotom-H, and Mega Blastoise.
• Earth Power allows Heatran to hit opposing Heatran and Toxepex. Tyranitar!
• Protect is useful, as it allows Heatran to scout for opposing Choice users and rack up Toxic damage in addition to Leftovers recovery. It also can scout for Z-Moves from the likes of Kartana and Magearna
• Either move can be dropped for Stealth Rock if you don't have another user of the move on your team. Heatran serves as an excellent user of the move, as it can pressure common Defoggers like Tornadus-T, Corviknight, and Rotom-W.
• Taunt is also usable alongside Magma Storm that can allow Heatran to trap and remove passive walls like Toxapex and Chansey. Clefable!
• 120 Speed EVs allows Heatran to outrun max speed Aegislash with a neutral speed nature.

Usage Tips
========

• Heatran acts as a good switch in to Pokemon such as Tapu Lele, Dragapult, and Magearna, so use it as such. Switching into Ferrothorn and Tornadus-T can also be done but Heatran must be very careful of Knock Off on the switch. Be sure to check to make sure that Magearna and Tapu Lele aren't running Focus Blast before you use Heatran to consistently check them.
• Toxic is generally Heatran's best way to of making progress once it is in by punishing Pokemon like Rotom-H, Mega Tyranitar, and Landorus-T that might try to switch into it.
• Take advantage of Heatran's good matchups and ability to force out common Defoggers to set up Stealth Rock if you are using it.

Add the fact that Protect should be used to accrue Toxic/Magma chip and Leftovers recovery, but it should be used with caution as it can give free turns against its switchins.

Team Options
========

• Grass-types have very good defensive synergy with Heatran. Physically defensive Tangrowth is a great partner for Heatran, as it can check Pokemon that might threaten Heatran, such as Kartana, Mega Metagross, and Mega Lopunny (Garchomp is important to mention). Tangrowth's typing and access to Regenerator also makes it easier for the two to pivot around Galarian Darmanitan. Heatran returns the favor by checking Tornadus-T, Dragapult, and Rotom-H Volcarona. Ferrothorn is another good partner that can form a choking hazard stacking core with Heatran. Ferrothorn can also take Water-type attacks aimed at Heatran from the likes of?, while Heatran returns the favor by taking Fire-tye attacks from the likes of?. Tapu Bulu is a more niche partner that comes with the added benefits of dealing with Ash-Greninja and setting Grassy Terrain to give Heatran added recovery and allows Heatran to take one Earthquake from the likes of Mega Metagross and Excadrill in an emergency.
• Heatran's lack of reliable recovery and constant pressure to check common threats means that it needs good hazard removal on its side to somewhat alleviate its weakness to chip damage. Tapu Fini, Tornadus-T, and Corviknight all work in this regard. Tapu Fini is especially useful, as it checks Ash-Greninja, which is a very threatening Pokemon to Heatran.
• Bulky Water-types like Slowbro, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex appreciate Heatran's ability to cover for their weakness to Grass, while the aforementioned can also take both Water- and Fighting-type moves. Mention how Misty Terrain can limit Heatran's progress-making Heatran in general fits extremely well on Fire/Water/Grass defensive cores, where it provides Stealth Rock and appreciates its teammates ability to take on the types that it is weak to. this is made clear by this and the first bullet point already
• Other Pokemon that check this Heatran set include Mega Alakazam, Mega Latios, and Hydreigon. Things Pokemon (jeez a little respect please lol) like Assault Vest Magearna, Mega Metagross, and Mega Tyranitar work in this regard.

Definitely mention Wish support from Clefable (implement in 2nd bullet point), and the fact that it can free up a moveslot for Heatran if it runs Stealth Rock. Knock Off absorbers like Mega Tyranitar and Gliscor are notable mentions too.

[SET]
name: Z-Move
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Solar Beam / Flash Cannon
move 4: Toxic / Stealth Rock
item: Grassium Z / Steelium Z
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

• Magma Storm is a powerful STAB move that also allows Heatran to trap and threaten to remove passive Pokemon such as Toxapex and Clefable. In addition, it applies decent chip damage onto things Pokemon oml please! such as Mega Blastoise that might try to switch in, such as Garchomp. Mega Blastoise really shouldnt be hard-switching into Heatran
• Earth Power allows Heatran to hit Toxapex, opposing Heatran, and chips Tyranitar.
• Solar Beam is to be used with Grassium Z, and allows Heatran to crush successfully trap Tapu Fini, Rotom-W, Slowbro, and Gastrodon in conjunction with Magma Storm. (I believe you also trap Mega Tyranitar)
• Flash Cannon along with Steelium Z allows Heatran to OHKO Mega Tyranitar and Clefable also severely damages the Latis, Hydra, Garchomp, Mega Zam. This set loses out on the ability to greatly threaten some of the aforementioned Water-types, however, which is a tough pill to swallow.
• Toxic allows Heatran to punish switch ins such as Rotom-H, Mega Tyranitar, and Mega Latias. It should be noted that Toxic sets should use Grassium Z, as most of Steelium's targets are already punished by Toxic.
• Stealth Rock is another option if there is no setter on your team, as Heatran still threatens common Defoggers like Tornadus-T and Corviknight, although keep in mind that Corviknight's Body Press 2HKOs offensive Heatran after Stealth Rock. This is really underestimating Heatran's capability of setting Rocks. Grassium's matchup against all of our common Defoggers is extremely positive. Definitely don't undersell this point
• Firium Z is an option to OHKO Assault Vest Tangrowth, almost always OHKO offensive Volcarona, and act as an extremely strong general nuke, but the utility from the other Z-Moves is generally preferred. (Firium's main target is Gliscor; you fail to mention this)

Usage Tips
========

• Grassium Z variants of Heatran need to be very careful with how they use their Z-Move, as most Water-types will expect Grassium once it is revealed that Heatran isn't running Leftovers. Remove hazards before to hide what set Heatran is running, or trap these Waters with Magma Storm to ensure a KO. This is not true at all. Water-types will almost always be the main Heatran pivot, and as such, trapping them is quite straight forward, after which they are taken out by Bloom Doom. The removing hazards point is valid, but the rest should be rewritten.
• Flash Cannon will also give away what set Heatran is running, so be wary of using the move, as this will invite Pokemon such as Gastrodon and Slowbro to take advantage of Heatran.
• Toxic variants should look for opportunities to cripple switch ins like Mega Tyranitar, Mega Alakazam, and Mega Latios.
• Stealth Rock variants, on the other hand, should look to set up Stealth Rock on forced switches against Pokemon like Corviknight and Ferrothorn. It's good matchup against Tornadus-T, Corviknight, and Rotom-W allows it to keep Stealth Rock up against many teams. stress Tapu Fini over Washtom, it is much more important

Team Options
========

• Entry hazard removal is really important for Heatran, as it gets worn down extremely quickly and its set will be revealed once the fact that it doesn't have Leftovers is identified. Solid hazard removal such as Tornadus-T, Corviknight, and Tapu Fini is very helpful as a result.
• Grass-types have great synergy with Heatran. Physically Defensive Tangrowth's ability to stop Pokemon such as Mega Lopunny, Landorus-T, and Kartana is greatly appreciated. Assault Vest Tangrowth can also work to give some buffer against Mega Blastoise and Ash-Greninja, but be aware that backup checks to both are required. The niche Tapu Bulu can have a role on Grassium Z variants, as it juices powers up Heatran's Bloom Doom and gives it insurance against some of the aforementioned Ground-types in addition to Ash-Greninja all in one slot.
• Pokemon that appreciate the removal of the aforementioned Water-types, such as Galarian Darmanitan, Mega Medicham, and Mega Metagross enjoy Grassium Z Heatran's presense.
• Wish users can potentially be used to keep Heatran healthy throughout the match. Wish Clefable can work in this regard, as can Chansey. Clefable also frees up Toxic!

Backup checks to Psychic types should be mentioned
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

• Roar is a decent option on the defensive set to prevent Pokemon such as Reuniclus and Substitute Hydreigon from setting up on Heatran, but it is rather niche and is hard to fit.
• Will-O-Wisp can be used to cripple certain physical attackers like Mega Lopunny, Landorus-T, and Mega Tyranitar, but most of them dislike Toxic already and the moveslot can generally be put to better use.
• Air Balloon can be used to give Heatran a one-time buffer against certain Ground-types and allows it to stonewall opposing defensive Heatran, but its one time nature makes it risky, and giving up on Leftovers isn't generally worth it.
• Eruption with Choice Specs can make for an interesting lure that 2HKOs bulky resists such as Rotom-W and Rotom-H, but it needs an unreasonable amount of support to function and doesn't particularly like being locked into any of its moves.

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

**Ground-types and Ground-type coverage**: Heatran's quadruple weakness to Ground means that any Ground-type that outspeeds it is heavily threatening to it. Landorus-T, Garchomp, Hippowdon, and Gliscor all fit this bill, although Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Hippowdon really don't want to take a Toxic. Pokemon such as Tangrowth, Volcarona, Galarian Darmanitan, and Mega Metagross can all viably run Ground-type coverage as well, often for the sole purpose of hitting Heatran.

**Fighting-types and Fighting-type coverage**: Mega Lopunny, Mega Medicham, and Kommo-o can threaten Heatran with their STAB moves, but Mega Lopunny and Mega Medicham have to be careful of Protect blocking High Jump Kick, and none of them appreciate switching into a Toxic. Pokemon that Heatran would otherwise handily beat, such as Magearna, Tapu Lele, Mega Scizor, and Tornadus-T, sometimes run Fighting coverage specifically to hit it, which can significantly impact its ability to check them.

**Water-types**: Defensive Water-types such as Tapu Fini, Rotom-W, and Slowbro can take advantage of Heatran and, in Tapu Fini and Rotom-W's case, attempt to remove the hazards it lays down with Defog. Offensive Water-types such as Ash-Greninja and Mega Blastoise also threaten Heatran with their STAB moves, although none of them want to take a Toxic, and all of them are threatened by Bloom Doom.

**Dragon-types**: Hydreigon, Mega Latios, and Mega Latias all resist or are immune to most of Heatran's common moves. Hydreigon can also viably use Substitute to really mess with most Heatran sets. All of them have to be wary of Toxic on the switch, however.

**Special Walls**: Special walls such as Chansey and bulky Tyranitar can do well against Heatran, although Chansey has to be wary of being trapped by Magma Storm and Taunt variants, while Tyranitar must watch out for a boosted Z-Move.

**Residual Damage**: Heatran takes damage from both Stealth Rock and Spikes. This, in conjunction with its tendency to switch in and out a lot to check the Pokemon that it is tasked with, and its lack of recovery outside of Leftovers, means that it can be worn down over the course of a match.

**Mega Alakazam**: Mega Alakazam is hugely threatening to Heatran if it gets in cleanly, as Heatran can't do much to it outside of blow its Z-Move on it. Furthering this issue is the fact that Heatran's Z-Moves are usually run for targets other than Mega Alakazam, which can give your opponent an opportunity.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[SputnikGT, 475916]]
- Quality checked by: [[Funbot28, 255984], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

Quite a few things to change, so I'll look over this again once you have implemented all before giving the stamp

 

[Sputnik]

Honestly I probably screwed up by not rewriting a good third of this after Zygarde was banned.

Ah well. Ready again.

 

[Guard]

add remove comment

[OVERVIEW]

• Heatran is a great Pokemon in National Dex thanks to its unique and highly useful offensive and defensive attributes.
• Good bulk, a variety of useful utility moves, and a highly valued and unique defensive typing means that Heatran is able to check some of the most prominent Pokemon in the metagame, such as Magearna, Tornadus-T, Bulky Volcarona, and Rotom-H without giving up momentum against switch ins such as Mega Alakazam and Mega Tyranitar due to its ability to punish them with Toxic or a Lava Plume burn.
• Offensive sets, meanwhile, are extremely hard for many teams to counter, as Heatran can utilize its high power in conjunction with Z-Moves to break through would be checks, such as Tapu Fini and Mega Tyranitar.
• A great matchup against common Defoggers, like Tornadus-T and Corviknight, allows Heatran to serve as an excellent Stealth Rock user.
• Heatran unfortunately lacks reliable recovery, and it is very vulnerable to chip from entry hazards. This makes it pretty easy to wear down over the course of a match. Pokemon that Heatran is supposed to check, like Ferrothorn and Tornadus-T, can viably carry Knock Off, which cripples defensive variants.
• Heatran's influence in the metagame sometimes prompts Pokemon it is supposed to check, such as Tornadus-T, Magearna, and Volcarona, to run coverage specifically to hit it. This is further compounded by its defensive typing, which, while overall very good, gives it common weaknesses to Water-, Fighting-, and Ground-type attacks from the likes of Mega Lopunny, Mega Blastoise, and Garchomp.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Lava Plume / Magma Storm
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Earth Power/ Stealth Rock
move 4: Protect / Stealth Rock
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

• Lava Plume is the preferred STAB option, as it is consistently accurate and comes with a nasty 30% burn chance to cripple Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Mega Tyranitar
• Magma Storm is a more powerful option that can trap and wear down more passive Pokemon such as Toxapex and Clefable. It also applies useful chip damage onto switch ins like Garchomp, even if they plan on pivoting out the next turn. The moves inaccuracy and lower PP makes Lava Plume a more consistent option, however.
• Toxic allows Heatran to cripple switch ins like Mega Tyranitar, Rotom-H, and Mega Blastoise.
• Earth Power allows Heatran to hit opposing Heatran, Tyranitar, and Toxepex.
• Protect is useful, as it allows Heatran to scout for opposing Choice users such as? and rack up Toxic damage in addition to Leftovers recovery. It also can scout for Z-Moves from the likes of Kartana and Magearna Kartana is not a good mention, as it will never use the Z-move against Heatran. Consider something like Tapu Lele or Dragapult
• Either move can be dropped for Stealth Rock if you don't have another user of the move on your team. Heatran serves as an excellent user of the move, as it can pressure common Defoggers like Tornadus-T, Corviknight, and Rotom-W.
• Taunt is also usable alongside Magma Storm that can allow Heatran to trap and remove passive walls like Toxapex, Clefable, and Chansey. what do you drop for Taunt?
• 120 Speed EVs allows Heatran to outrun max speed Aegislash with a neutral speed nature.

Usage Tips
========

• Heatran acts as a good switch in to Pokemon such as Tapu Lele, Dragapult, and Magearna, so use it as such. Switching into Ferrothorn and Tornadus-T can also be done but Heatran must be very careful of Knock Off on the switch. Be sure to check to make sure that Magearna and Tapu Lele aren't running Focus Blast before you use Heatran to consistently check them.
• Toxic is generally Heatran's best way of making progress once it is in by punishing Pokemon like Rotom-H, Mega Tyranitar, and Landorus-T that might try to switch into it.
• Take advantage of Heatran's good matchups and ability to force out common Defoggers to set up Stealth Rock if you are using it.
• Protect should be used to wrack up Toxic and Magma Storm damage, but it can give free switches to opponents if used at the wrong time, so be careful

Team Options
========

• Grass-types have very good defensive synergy with Heatran. Physically defensive Tangrowth is a great partner for Heatran, as it can check Pokemon that might threaten Heatran, such as Kartana, Mega Metagross, Garchomp, and Mega Lopunny. Tangrowth's typing and access to Regenerator also makes it easier for the two to pivot around Galarian Darmanitan. Heatran returns the favor by checking Tornadus-T, Bulky Volcarona, and Rotom-H. Ferrothorn is another good partner that can form a choking hazard stacking core with Heatran. Ferrothorn can also take Water-type attacks from Tapu Fini and Ash-Greninja aimed at Heatran, while Heatran returns the favor by taking Fire-type attacks. Tapu Bulu is a more niche partner that comes with the added benefits of dealing with Ash-Greninja and setting Grassy Terrain to give Heatran added recovery and allows Heatran to take one Earthquake from the likes of Mega Metagross and Excadrill in an emergency.
• Heatran's lack of reliable recovery and constant pressure to check common threats means that it needs good hazard removal on its side to somewhat alleviate its weakness to chip damage. Tapu Fini, Tornadus-T, and Corviknight all work in this regard. Tapu Fini is especially useful, as it checks Ash-Greninja, which is a very threatening Pokemon to Heatran. Wish support from Clefable can also help to keep Heatran healthy, and Clefable can run Stealth Rock in order to allow Heatran to run other moves.
• Bulky Water-types like Slowbro, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex appreciate Heatran's ability to cover for their weakness to Grass, while the aforementioned can also take both Water- and Fighting-type moves. Keep in mind that any pairing with Tapu Fini will have to deal with Misty Terrain, which can prevent Heatran from making progress in matchups that it needs to inflict status in.
• Other Pokemon that check this Heatran set include Mega Alakazam, Mega Latios, and Hydreigon. Pokemon like Assault Vest Magearna, Mega Metagross, and Mega Tyranitar work in this regard.
• Knock Off absorbers like Mega Tyranitar, Mega Lopunny, and Gliscor are good partners so that Heatran can keep its Leftovers. (not Mega Lopunny)

[SET]
name: Z-Move
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Solar Beam / Flash Cannon
move 4: Toxic / Stealth Rock
item: Grassium Z / Steelium Z
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

• Magma Storm is a powerful STAB move that also allows Heatran to trap and threaten to remove Toxapex and Clefable. In addition, it applies decent chip damage onto Pokemon such as Garchomp and that might try to switch in.
• Earth Power allows Heatran to hit Toxapex, opposing Heatran, and chip Tyranitar.
• Solar Beam is to be used with Grassium Z, and allows Heatran to crush Tapu Fini, Rotom-W, Slowbro, and Gastrodon.
• Flash Cannon along with Steelium Z allows Heatran to OHKO Mega Tyranitar and Clefable (Mega Latis, Hydreigon and Mega Alakazam are important to mention!) . This set loses out on the ability to greatly threaten some of the aforementioned Water-types, however, which is a tough pill to swallow.
• Toxic allows Heatran to punish switch ins such as Rotom-H, Mega Tyranitar, and Mega Latias. It should be noted that Toxic sets should use Grassium Z, as most of Steelium's targets are punished by Toxic.
• Stealth Rock is another option if there is no setter on your team, as Heatran still threatens common Defoggers like Tornadus-T and Corviknight, although keep in mind that Corviknight's Body Press 2HKOs offensive Heatran after Stealth Rock. (Tapu Fini!!!)
• Firium Z is an option to OHKO Assault Vest Tangrowth, almost always OHKO offensive Volcarona, and act as an extremely strong general nuke, but the utility from the other Z-Moves is generally preferred.

Add the fact that 4 Def allows it to live Mawile's +2 Sucker Punch from full
Usage Tips
========

• Grassium Z variants of Heatran need to be cautious with how they use their Z-Move, as most Water-types will expect Grassium the Z-move once it is revealed that Heatran isn't running Leftovers. Remove hazards before to hide what set Heatran is running, and trap these Waters with Magma Storm to ensure a KO.
• Flash Cannon will also give away what set Heatran is running, so be wary of using the move, as this will invite Pokemon such as Gastrodon and Slowbro to take advantage of Heatran.
• Toxic variants should look for opportunities to cripple switch ins like Mega Tyranitar, Mega Alakazam, and Mega Latios.
• Stealth Rock variants, on the other hand, should look to set up Stealth Rock on forced switches against Pokemon like Corviknight and Ferrothorn. It's good matchup against Tornadus-T, Corviknight, and Tapu Fini allows it to keep Stealth Rock up against many teams.

Team Options
========

• Entry hazard removal is really important for Heatran, as it gets worn down extremely quickly and its set will be revealed once the fact that it doesn't have Leftovers is identified. Solid hazard removal such as Tornadus-T, Corviknight, and Tapu Fini is very helpful as a result.
• Grass-types have great synergy with Heatran. Physically Defensive Tangrowth's ability to stop Pokemon such as Mega Lopunny, Landorus-T, and Kartana is greatly appreciated. Assault Vest Tangrowth can also work to give some buffer against Mega Blastoise and Ash-Greninja, but be aware that backup checks to both are required. The niche Tapu Bulu can have a role on Grassium Z variants, as it powers up Heatran's Bloom Doom and gives it insurance against some of the aforementioned Ground-types in addition to Ash-Greninja all in one slot.
• Pokemon that appreciate the removal of the aforementioned Water-types, such as Galarian Darmanitan, Mega Medicham, and Mega Metagross enjoy Grassium Z Heatran's presense.
• Wish users can potentially be used to keep Heatran healthy throughout the match. Wish Clefable can work in this regard, as can Chansey. Clefable can also act as the teams Stealth Rock user if you want your Heatran to run Toxic

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

• Roar is a decent option on the defensive set to prevent Pokemon such as Reuniclus and Substitute Hydreigon from setting up on Heatran, but it is rather niche and is hard to fit.
• Will-O-Wisp can be used to cripple certain physical attackers like Mega Lopunny, Landorus-T, and Mega Tyranitar, but most of them dislike Toxic already and the moveslot can generally be put to better use.
• Eruption with Choice Specs can make for an interesting lure that 2HKOs bulky resists such as Rotom-W and Rotom-H, but it needs an unreasonable amount of support to function and doesn't particularly like being locked into any of its moves.

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

**Ground-types and Ground-type coverage**: Heatran's quadruple weakness to Ground means that any Ground-type that outspeeds it is heavily threatening to it. Landorus-T, Garchomp, Hippowdon, this is very niche and Gliscor all fit this bill, although Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Hippowdon really don't want to take a Toxic, and Hippowdon fears Bloom Doom. Pokemon such as Tangrowth, Volcarona, Galarian Darmanitan, and Mega Metagross can all viably run Ground-type coverage as well, often for the sole purpose of hitting Heatran.

**Fighting-types and Fighting-type coverage**: Mega Lopunny, Mega Medicham, and Kommo-o can threaten Heatran with their STAB moves, but Mega Lopunny and Mega Medicham have to be careful of Protect blocking High Jump Kick, and none of them appreciate switching into a Toxic. Pokemon that Heatran would otherwise handily beat, such as Magearna, Tapu Lele, Mega Scizor, and Tornadus-T, sometimes run Fighting coverage specifically to hit it, which can significantly impact its ability to check them.

**Water-types**: Defensive Water-types such as Tapu Fini, Rotom-W, and Slowbro can take advantage of Heatran and, in Tapu Fini and Rotom-W's case, attempt to remove the hazards it lays down with Defog. Offensive Water-types such as Ash-Greninja and Mega Blastoise also threaten Heatran with their STAB moves, although none of them want to take a Toxic, and all of them are threatened by Bloom Doom.

**Dragon-types**: Hydreigon, Mega Latios, and Mega Latias all resist or are immune to most of Heatran's common moves. Hydreigon can also viably use Substitute to really mess with most Heatran sets. All of them have to be wary of Toxic and Corkscrew Crash on the switch, however.

**Special Walls**: Special walls such as Chansey and bulky Tyranitar can do well against Heatran, although Chansey has to be wary of being trapped by Magma Storm and Taunt variants, while Tyranitar must watch out for a boosted Z-Move.

**Residual Damage**: Heatran takes damage from both Stealth Rock and Spikes. This, in conjunction with its tendency to switch in and out a lot to check the Pokemon that it is tasked with, and its lack of recovery outside of Leftovers, means that it can be worn down over the course of a match.

**Mega Alakazam**: Mega Alakazam is hugely threatening to Heatran if it gets in cleanly, as Heatran can't do much to it outside of blow its Z-Move on it. Furthering this issue is the fact that Heatran's Z-Moves are usually run for targets other than Mega Alakazam, which can give your opponent an opportunity.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[SputnikGT, 475916]]
- Quality checked by: [[Funbot28, 255984], [, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

much better
2/3

 

[Sputnik]

Implemented and written up!

 

[Jordy]

comments in purple things to remove in red

[OVERVIEW]

Heatran is a great Pokemon in National Dex thanks to its unique and highly useful offensive and defensive attributes. Good bulk, a variety of useful utility moves, and a highly valued and unique defensive typing means that Heatran is able to check some of the most prominent Pokemon in the metagame, such as Magearna, Tornadus-T, Bulky Volcarona, and Rotom-H without giving up momentum against switch ins such as Mega Alakazam and Mega Tyranitar due to its ability to punish them with Toxic or a Lava Plume burn. I don't think you should combine this point about Heatran's defensive niche with its ability to cripple a bunch of its checks. This is a recurring theme throughout the analysis and leads to a pretty unfocused overall reading experience. Offensive sets, meanwhile, are extremely hard for many teams to counter, as Heatran can utilize its high power in conjunction with Z-Moves to break through would be checks, such as Tapu Fini and Mega Tyranitar. A great matchup against common Defoggers, like Tornadus-T and Corviknight, allows Heatran to serve as an excellent Stealth Rock user. Heatran unfortunately lacks reliable recovery, and it is very vulnerable to chip from entry hazards. This makes it pretty easy to wear down over the course of a match. Pokemon that Heatran is supposed to check, like Ferrothorn and Tornadus-T, can viably carry Knock Off, which cripples defensive variants. Heatran's influence in the metagame sometimes prompts Pokemon it is supposed to check, such as Tornadus-T, Magearna, and Volcarona, to run coverage specifically to hit it. This is further compounded by its defensive typing, which, while overall very good, gives it common weaknesses to Water-, Fighting-, and Ground-type attacks from the likes of Mega Lopunny, Ash-Greninja, and Garchomp.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Lava Plume / Magma Storm
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Earth Power/ Stealth Rock
move 4: Protect / Stealth Rock
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Lava Plume is the preferred STAB option, as it is consistently accurate and comes with a nasty 30% burn chance to cripple Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Mega Tyranitar. Magma Storm is a more powerful option that can trap and wear down more passive Pokemon such as Toxapex and Clefable. It also applies useful chip damage onto switch ins like Garchomp, even if they plan on pivoting out the next turn. The moves inaccuracy and lower PP makes Lava Plume a more consistent option, however. Toxic allows Heatran to cripple switch ins like Mega Tyranitar, Rotom-H, and Mega Latios. Earth Power allows Heatran to hit opposing Heatran, Tyranitar, and Toxepex. Protect is useful, as it allows Heatran to scout for opposing Choice users like Kartana and Dragapult, as well as rack up Toxic damage in addition to Leftovers recovery. Choice Specs Dragapult is virtually never used. A different Pokemon like Galarian Darmanitan makes much more sense. It also can scout for Z-Moves from the likes of Tapu Lele and Magearna. Either move can be dropped for Stealth Rock if you don't have another user of the move on your team. Heatran serves as an excellent user of the move, as it can pressure common Defoggers like Tornadus-T, Corviknight, and Rotom-W. Rotom-W's not a common Defogger. Taunt is also usable alongside Magma Storm that can allow Heatran to trap and remove passive walls like Toxapex, Clefable, and Chansey. You should definitely make it clear that Earth Power's mandated too. 120 Speed EVs allows Heatran to outrun max speed Aegislash with a neutral speed nature as well as Modest Magnezone.

Usage Tips
========

Heatran acts as a good switch in to Pokemon such as Tapu Lele, Dragapult, and Magearna, so use it as such. Switching into Ferrothorn and Tornadus-T can also be done but Heatran must be very careful of Knock Off on the switch. Toxic is generally Heatran's best way of making progress once it is in by punishing Pokemon like Rotom-H, Mega Tyranitar, and Landorus-T that might try to switch into it. Take advantage of Heatran's good matchups and ability to force out common Defoggers to set up Stealth Rock if you are using it. Protect should be used to rack up Toxic and Magma Storm damage, but it can give free switches to opponents if used at the wrong time, so be careful. Please give two or three examples of Pokemon you need to watch out for when using Protect.

Team Options
========

Grass-types have very good defensive synergy with Heatran. Physically defensive Tangrowth is a great partner for Heatran, as it can check Pokemon that might threaten Heatran, such as Kartana, Mega Metagross, Garchomp, and Mega Lopunny. Tangrowth's typing and access to Regenerator also makes it easier for the two to pivot around Galarian Darmanitan. Heatran returns the favor by checking Tornadus-T, Bulky Volcarona, and Rotom-H. Ferrothorn is another good partner that can form a choking hazard stacking core with Heatran. Ferrothorn can also take Water-type attacks from Tapu Fini and Ash-Greninja aimed at Heatran, while Heatran returns the favor by taking Fire-type attacks. Please be more specific than "taking Fire-type attacks;" Heatran isn't a good check to half the Fire-types in the tier. Heatran's lack of reliable recovery and constant pressure to check common threats means that it needs good hazard removal on its side to somewhat alleviate its weakness to chip damage. Tapu Fini, Tornadus-T, and Corviknight all work in this regard. I'm not a fan of the Corviknight mention here, as fitting Heatran and Corviknight onto the same team can often be really awkward considering just how efficiently you have to use your team slots in the current metagame. Having multiple bulky Steel-types means you will often fall behind against Ash-Greninja, for example. Tapu Fini is especially useful, as it checks Ash-Greninja, which is a very threatening Pokemon to Heatran. Wish support from Clefable can also help to keep Heatran healthy, and Clefable can run Stealth Rock in order to allow Heatran to run other moves. Bulky Water-types like Slowbro, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex appreciate Heatran's ability to cover for their weakness to Grass, while the aforementioned can also take both Water- and Fighting-type moves. This has been a very recurring theme throughout your analyses, but when you say "Water- and Fighting-type moves," you are going about it in the completely wrong way. What's important are the specific Pokemon that use those type of moves, not those moves themselves. If you keep focusing on the moves, you really don't end up helping the reader; it's important for them to understand specifically what Pokemon teammates can take care of, not what type of moves they can take care of. Keep this in mind throughout the entire analysis, I'm not going to mention it again. Keep in mind that any pairing with Tapu Fini will have to deal with Misty Terrain, which can prevent Heatran from making progress in matchups that it needs to inflict status in. Other Pokemon that check this Heatran set include Mega Alakazam, Mega Latios, and Hydreigon. Pokemon like Assault Vest Magearna, Mega Metagross, and Mega Tyranitar work in this regard. Assault Vest Magearna's bad outside of the Mega Blastoise meta. Knock Off absorbers like Mega Tyranitar and Gliscor are good partners so that Heatran can keep its Leftovers. No.

[SET]
name: Z-Move
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Solar Beam / Flash Cannon
move 4: Toxic / Stealth Rock
item: Grassium Z / Steelium Z
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Magma Storm is a powerful STAB move that also allows Heatran to trap and threaten to remove Toxapex and Clefable. Preventing Tapu Fini from safely scouting you is a big part of the appeal to Magma Storm on this set. In addition, it applies decent chip damage onto Pokemon that might try to switch in. Earth Power allows Heatran to hit Toxapex, opposing Heatran, and chip Tyranitar. Solar Beam is to be used with Grassium Z, and allows Heatran to crush Tapu Fini, Rotom-W, Slowbro, and Gastrodon. Flash Cannon along with Steelium Z allows Heatran to OHKO Mega Tyranitar and Clefable as well as heavily damage Hydreigon, Mega Latias, Mega Latios, and Mega Alakazam. Hydreigon, Mega Latios, and Mega Alakazam are all OHKOed after Stealth Rock damage at the very least. This set loses out on the ability to greatly threaten some of the aforementioned Water-types, however, which is a tough pill to swallow. Toxic allows Heatran to punish switch ins such as Rotom-H, Mega Tyranitar, and Mega Latias. It should be noted that Toxic sets should use Grassium Z, as most of Steelium's targets are punished by Toxic. Stealth Rock is another option if there is no setter on your team, as Heatran still threatens common Defoggers like Tornadus-T, Tapu Fini, and Corviknight, although keep in mind that Corviknight's Body Press 2HKOs offensive Heatran after Stealth Rock. Explicitly state that Stealth Rock's the better option for Steelium Z variants, but definitely still useful for Grassium Z variants too. Firium Z is an option to OHKO Assault Vest Tangrowth, almost always OHKO offensive Volcarona, and almost always OHKO even the bulkiest Gliscor after Stealth Rock, as well as act as an extremely strong general nuke, but the utility from the other Z-Moves is generally preferred. Make sure to mention that you shouldn't use Solar Beam or Flash Cannon with it. 4 Defense EVs allow Heatran to tank a +2 Sucker Punch from Mega Mawile.

Usage Tips
========

Grassium Z variants of Heatran need to be cautious with how they use their Z-Move, as most Water-types will expect the Z-Move once it is revealed that Heatran isn't running Leftovers. This point's definitely misguided. It pretends that Heatran ever needs to predict around Water-types, but it doesn't in reality. In reality it just traps them with Magma Storm, takes a single hit if needed, and KOes them with Bloom Doom. The point of them knowing you're Z-Move when you reveal you're not Leftovers is relatively moot because it ultimately doesn't meaningfully impact the way they'll play around Heatran or how you should be playing with Heatran. Remove hazards before to hide what set Heatran is running, and trap these Waters with Magma Storm to ensure a KO. Toxic variants should look for opportunities to cripple switch ins like Mega Tyranitar, Mega Alakazam, and Mega Latios. Stealth Rock variants, on the other hand, should look to set up Stealth Rock on forced switches against Pokemon like Corviknight and Ferrothorn. It's good matchup against Tornadus-T, Corviknight, and Tapu Fini allows it to keep Stealth Rock up against many teams. Why's there no mention of how prediction reliant Corkscrew Crash is on working?

Team Options
========

Entry hazard removal is really important for Heatran, as it gets worn down extremely quickly and its set will be revealed once the fact that it doesn't have Leftovers is identified. Solid hazard removal such as Tornadus-T, Corviknight, and Tapu Fini is very helpful as a result. Grass-types have great synergy with Heatran. Physically Defensive Tangrowth's ability to stop Pokemon such as Mega Lopunny, Landorus-T, and Kartana is greatly appreciated. Assault Vest Tangrowth can also work to give some buffer against Ash-Greninja and Manaphy, but be aware that backup checks to both are required. Pokemon that appreciate the removal of the aforementioned Water-types, such as Galarian Darmanitan, Mega Medicham, and Mega Metagross enjoy Grassium Z Heatran's presence. Make sure to specify which Water-types. Wish users can potentially be used to keep Heatran healthy throughout the match. Wish Clefable can work in this regard, as can Chansey. Clefable can also act as the team's Stealth Rock user if you want your Heatran to run Toxic

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

Roar is a decent option on the defensive set to prevent Pokemon such as Reuniclus and Substitute Hydreigon from setting up on Heatran, but it is rather niche and is hard to fit. Please introduce me to Substitute Hydreigon I don't know him. Eruption with Choice Specs can make for an interesting lure that 2HKOs bulky resists such as Rotom-W and Rotom-H, but it needs an unreasonable amount of support to function and doesn't particularly like being locked into any of its moves. Like you said, it needs an unreasonable amount of support.

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

**Ground-types and Ground-type coverage**: Heatran's quadruple weakness to Ground means that any Ground-type that outspeeds it is heavily threatening to it. Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Gliscor all fit this bill, although Landorus-T and Garchomp really don't want to take a Toxic. Pokemon such as Tangrowth, Volcarona, Galarian Darmanitan, and Mega Metagross can all viably run Ground-type coverage as well, which is very threatening to Heatran.

**Fighting-types and Fighting-type coverage**: Mega Lopunny, Mega Medicham, and Kommo-o can threaten Heatran with their STAB moves, but Mega Lopunny and Mega Medicham have to be careful of Protect blocking High Jump Kick, and none of them appreciate switching into a Toxic. Pokemon that Heatran would otherwise handily beat, such as Magearna, Mega Scizor, and Tornadus-T, sometimes run Fighting coverage specifically to hit it, which can significantly impact Heatran's ability to check them.

**Water-types**: Defensive Water-types such as Tapu Fini, Slowbro, Toxapex, and Gastrodon can take advantage of Heatran and, in Tapu Fini's case, attempt to remove the hazards it lays down with Defog. Offensive Water-types such as the Greninja forms and Manaphy also threaten Heatran with their STAB moves, although none of them want to take a Toxic, and all of them are threatened by Bloom Doom.

**Dragon-types**: Hydreigon, Mega Latios, and Mega Latias all resist or are immune to most of Heatran's common moves. Hydreigon can also viably use Substitute to really mess with most Heatran sets. All of them have to be wary of Toxic and Corkscrew Crash on the switch, however. Other Dragon-types like Kyurem and Garchomp have to be careful as they switch in but they cleanly OHKO Heatran with their Ground-type coverage.

**Special Walls**: Specially bulky Pokemon such as Chansey and Mega Tyranitar can do well against Heatran, although Chansey has to be wary of being trapped by Magma Storm and Taunt variants, while Tyranitar must watch out for a Z-Move.

**Residual Damage**: Heatran takes damage from both Stealth Rock and Spikes. This, in conjunction with its tendency to switch in and out a lot to check the Pokemon that it is tasked with, and its lack of recovery outside of Leftovers, means that it can be worn down over the course of a match.

**Mega Alakazam**: Mega Alakazam is hugely threatening to Heatran if it gets in cleanly, as Heatran can't do much to it outside of blow its Z-Move on it. Furthering this issue is the fact that Heatran's Z-Moves are usually run for targets other than Mega Alakazam, which can give your opponent an opportunity.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[SputnikGT, 475916]]
- Quality checked by: [[Funbot28, 255984], [Guardsweeper, 360582], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

Good job, 3/3.

 

[Astra]

add remove (comments)

gaming

[OVERVIEW]

Heatran is a great Pokemon in National Dex thanks to its unique and highly useful offensive and defensive attributes. Good bulk, a variety of useful utility moves, and a highly valued and unique defensive typing means that Heatran is able to check a plethora of the most prominent Pokemon in the metagame, such as Clefable, Mega Mawile, Mega Latias, Mega Scizor, Magearna, Cinderace lacking High Jump Kick, bulky Volcarona, and Tapu Lele. Offensive sets, meanwhile, are extremely hard for many teams to counter, as Heatran can utilize its high power in conjunction with Z-Moves its Z-Move to break through would-be (AH) checks, such as Tapu Fini and Mega Tyranitar. A great matchup against common Defoggers, like Zapdos and Corviknight, also allows Heatran to serve as an excellent Stealth Rock user setter (optional). Heatran unfortunately lacks reliable recovery, and it is very vulnerable to chip from entry hazards. This makes it pretty easy to wear down over the course of a match. Pokemon that Heatran is supposed to check, like Ferrothorn and Clefable, can viably carry Knock Off, which cripples defensive variants. Heatran's influence in the metagame sometimes prompts Pokemon it is supposed to check, such as Mega Mawile, Magearna, and Volcarona, to run coverage specifically to hit it. This is further compounded by its defensive typing, which, while overall very good, gives it common weaknesses to Water-, Fighting-, and Ground-type attacks from the likes of Mega Lopunny, Greninja, Gliscor, Garchomp, and Hydreigon.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Lava Plume / Magma Storm
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Earth Power / Protect
move 4: Stealth Rock / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Lava Plume is the preferred STAB option, as it is consistently accurate and comes with a nasty 30% burn chance to good chance to burn to cripple Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Mega Tyranitar. Magma Storm is a more powerful option that can trap and wear down more passive Pokemon such as Toxapex. It also applies useful chip damage onto switch-ins (AH) like Garchomp and Tapu Fini. The move's (add apostrophe) inaccuracy and lower PP, (AC) however, (AC) makes Lava Plume a more consistent option, (RH) however. Toxic allows Heatran to cripple switch-ins (AH) like Mega Tyranitar, Hydreigon, Mega Latios, and Mega Latias. Earth Power allows Heatran to hit opposing Heatran, Mega Tyranitar, and Toxapex. Stealth Rock is a great option on Heatran, as it can pressure common Defoggers like Zapdos and Corviknight. Protect may be run over Earth Power or Stealth Rock, as it allows Heatran to scout for opposing Choice item users like Kartana and Tapu Lele, rack up Toxic damage and Leftovers recovery, and punish Mega Medicham. It also can scout for Z-Moves from the likes of Tapu Lele and Magearna. Taunt is also usable alongside Magma Storm and Earth Power that can allow, (AC) letting Heatran to trap and remove passive walls like Toxapex, Clefable, Blissey, and Chansey. 120 Speed EVs allows allow Heatran to outrun max speed maximum Speed Aegislash with a neutral speed Speed nature, (AC) as well as Modest Magnezone.

Usage Tips
========

Heatran acts as a good switch-in (AH) to Pokemon such as Mega Latias, Tapu Lele, and Magearna, so use it as such. Switching into Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Clefable can also be done, (AC) but Heatran must be very careful of Knock Off on the switch (redundant). Toxic is generally Heatran's best way of making progress once it is in by punishing Pokemon like Hydreigon, Mega Tyranitar, and Garchomp that might try to switch into it. Take advantage of Heatran's good matchups and ability to force out common Defoggers to set up Stealth Rock if you are using it. Protect should be used to rack up Toxic and Magma Storm damage, but it can give free switches to dangerous opponents foes like Garchomp and Hydreigon if used at the wrong time, so be careful. (AP)

Team Options
========

Grass-types have very good defensive synergy with Heatran. Physically defensive Tangrowth is a great partner for Heatran, as it can check Pokemon that might threaten Heatran, such as Gliscor, Kartana, Garchomp, and Mega Lopunny, as well as take pressure off of Heatran by checking Mega Mawile. Heatran returns the favor by checking the likes of bulky Volcarona, Mega Latias, and Rotom-H. Ferrothorn is another good partner that can form a choking (idk what you mean by this so i'd suggest using a different word) entry hazard stacking core with Heatran. Ferrothorn can also take Water-type attacks from Tapu Fini and Greninja aimed at Heatran, while Heatran returns the favor by taking Fire-type attacks from the likes of Cinderace and bulky Volcarona. Heatran's lack of reliable recovery and constant pressure to check common threats means that it needs good entry hazard removal on its side to somewhat alleviate its weakness to chip damage. Tapu Fini, Zapdos, and Corviknight all work in this regard. Wish support from Clefable can also help to keep Heatran healthy, and Clefable can run Stealth Rock in order to allow Heatran to run other moves. Moreover, both Clefable and Tapu Fini are capable of checking Hydreigon, one of the most dangerous threats to Heatran. Bulky Water-types like Slowbro, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex appreciate Heatran's ability to cover for their weakness to Grass-types like Tangrowth and Serperior, (RC) while taking Water- and Fighting-type attacks from the likes of Greninja and Mega Lopunny for Heatran. Moreover, Slowbro can keep Gliscor at bay, which uses Heatran as setup bait. Keep in mind that any pairing with Tapu Fini will have to deal with Misty Terrain, which can prevent Heatran from making progress in matchups that it needs to inflict status in.


[SET]
name: Z-Move
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Flash Cannon / Solar Beam
move 4: Toxic / Stealth Rock
item: Steelium Z / Grassium Z
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Magma Storm is a powerful STAB move that also allows Heatran to trap and threaten to remove Toxapex and Clefable, as well as preventing Tapu Fini from safely scouting the set. In addition, it applies decent chip damage onto Pokemon that might try to switch in (might be more of a qc thing but i think some examples might work here). Earth Power allows Heatran to hit Toxapex, opposing Heatran, and chip down Tyranitar. Flash Cannon along with Steelium Z allows Heatran to OHKO Hydreigon, Mega Tyranitar, Clefable, and Mega Latios, as well as Gliscor after some chip damage. Solar Beam is to be used with Grassium Z, and allows allowing Heatran to crush Tapu Fini, Rotom-W, Slowbro, and Gastrodon. Toxic allows Heatran to punish switch-ins (AH) such as Garchomp, Hydreigon, Slowbro, and Gastrodon, depending on what Z-Move it runs. Stealth Rock is another great option, as Heatran threatens common Defoggers like Zapdos, Tapu Fini, and Corviknight, although keep in mind that Corviknight's Body Press 2HKOs 2HKOes offensive Heatran after Stealth Rock. Firium Z is an option to OHKO Assault Vest Tangrowth, almost always OHKO offensive Volcarona, and almost always OHKO even the bulkiest of Gliscor after Stealth Rock, as well as act as an extremely strong general nuke, but the luring prowess from the other Z-Moves is generally preferred. Keep in mind that Solar Beam and Flash Cannon should not be used with this set (not sure what you're referring to here, are you talking about how it can't run either with firium z, it can't run both together, or something else?). 4 Defense EVs allow Heatran to tank a +2 Sucker Punch from Mega Mawile.

Usage Tips
========

Toxic variants of Heatran should look for opportunities to cripple switch-ins (AH) like Mega Tyranitar, Gastrodon, and Mega Latios. Stealth Rock variants, on the other hand, should look to set up Stealth Rock on forced switches against Pokemon like Corviknight and Ferrothorn. Its good matchup against Zapdos, Corviknight, and Tapu Fini allows it to keep Stealth Rock up against many teams. Corkscrew Crash variants are very prediction reliant, as many of its targets can force Heatran out if they get in cleanly, so keep that in mind.

Team Options
========

Entry hazard removal is really important for Heatran, as it gets worn down extremely quickly, (AC) and its set will be revealed once the fact that it doesn't have Leftovers is identified. Solid entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Zapdos, Corviknight, and Tapu Fini is very helpful as a result. Grass-types have great synergy with Heatran. Physically defensive Tangrowth's ability to stop Pokemon such as Gliscor, Garchomp, Mega Lopunny, Landorus-T, and Kartana is greatly appreciated. Pokemon that appreciate the removal of Water-types like Slowbro, Rotom-W, and Tapu Fini, such as Cinderace, Mega Medicham, and Mega Lopunny enjoy Grassium Z Heatran's presence. Wish users like Clefable can potentially be used to keep Heatran healthy throughout the match. Wish Clefable can work in this regard. Clefable can also act as the team's Stealth Rock user if you want your Heatran to run Toxic.

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

Roar is a decent option on the defensive set to prevent Reuniclus from setting up on Heatran, but it is rather niche and is hard to fit on its moveset.

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

**Ground-types and Ground-type coverage Coverage**: Heatran's quadruple weakness to Ground means that any Ground-type that outspeeds it is heavily threatening to it. Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Gliscor all fit this bill, although Landorus-T and Garchomp really don't want to take a be inflicted by Toxic. Pokemon such as Tangrowth, Volcarona, and Hydreigon can all viably run Ground-type coverage as well, which is very threatening to Heatran.

**Dragon-types**: Hydreigon, Mega Latios, and Mega Latias all resist or are immune to most of Heatran's common moves. All of them have to be wary of Toxic and Corkscrew Crash on the switch, however. Other Dragon-types like Kyurem and Garchomp have to be careful as they switch in, (AC) but they cleanly OHKO Heatran with their Ground-type coverage.

**Water-types**: Defensive Water-types such as Tapu Fini, Slowbro, Toxapex, and Gastrodon can take advantage of Heatran and, in Tapu Fini's case, attempt to remove the hazards it lays down Stealth Rock it sets with Defog. Offensive Water-types such as Greninja and Manaphy also threaten Heatran with their STAB moves, although none of them want to take a be inflicted by Toxic, and all of them are threatened by Bloom Doom.

**Fighting-types and Fighting-type coverage Coverage**: Mega Lopunny, Mega Medicham, and Kommo-o can threaten Heatran with their STAB moves, but Mega Medicham have to be careful of Protect blocking High Jump Kick, and none of them appreciate switching into a Toxic. Pokemon that Heatran would otherwise handily beat, such as Magearna, Mega Scizor, and Tapu Lele, sometimes run Fighting-type coverage specifically to hit it, which can significantly impact Heatran's ability to check them.

**Special Walls**: Specially bulky Pokemon such as Blissey, Chansey, and Mega Tyranitar can do well against Heatran, although Blissey and Chansey have to be wary of Taunt variants being trapped by Magma Storm and Taunt variants, while Tyranitar must watch out for a Z-Move.

**Residual Damage**: Heatran takes damage from both Stealth Rock and Spikes. This, in conjunction with its tendency to switch in and out a lot to check the Pokemon that it is tasked with, and as well as its lack of recovery outside of Leftovers, means that it can be worn down over the course of a match.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[SputnikGT, 475916]]
- Quality checked by: [[Funbot28, 255984], [Guardsweeper, 360582], [Jordy, 395754]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]

1/2
no stamp because i'm at school so here's the next best thing

 

[Sputnik]

Implemented, ready for the next check

 

[deetah]

Add Remove Comments (AC) = Add Comma (AH) = Add Hyphen

GP 2/2

Heatran

[OVERVIEW]

Heatran is a great Pokemon in National Dex thanks to its unique and highly useful offensive and defensive attributes. Good bulk, a variety of useful utility moves, and a highly valued and unique defensive typing means mean that Heatran is able to check a plethora of the most prominent Pokemon in the metagame, such as Clefable, Mega Mawile, Mega Latias, Mega Scizor, Magearna, Cinderace lacking High Jump Kick, bulky Volcarona, and Tapu Lele. Offensive sets, meanwhile, are extremely hard for many teams to counter, as Heatran can utilize its high power in conjunction with its Z-Move to break through would-be checks, such as Tapu Fini and Mega Tyranitar. A great matchup against common Defoggers, like Zapdos and Corviknight, also allows Heatran to serve as an excellent Stealth Rock setter. Heatran unfortunately lacks reliable recovery, and it is very vulnerable to chip from entry hazards. This makes it pretty easy to wear down over the course of a match. Pokemon that Heatran is supposed to check, like Ferrothorn and Clefable, can viably carry Knock Off, which cripples defensive variants. Heatran's influence in the metagame sometimes prompts Pokemon it is supposed to check, such as Mega Mawile, Magearna, and Volcarona, to run coverage specifically to hit it. This is further compounded by its defensive typing, which, while overall very good, gives it common weaknesses to Water-, Fighting-, and Ground-type attacks from the likes of Greninja, Mega Lopunny, Greninja, Gliscor, Garchomp, and Hydreigon. (Matching order of listed types)

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Lava Plume / Magma Storm
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Earth Power / Protect
move 4: Stealth Rock / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Lava Plume is the preferred STAB option, as it is consistently accurate and comes with a good chance to burn, (AC) to cripple crippling Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Mega Tyranitar. Magma Storm is a more powerful option that can trap and wear down more passive Pokemon such as Toxapex. It also applies useful chip damage onto switch-ins like Garchomp and Tapu Fini. The move's inaccuracy and lower PP, however, makes Lava Plume a more consistent option. Toxic allows Heatran to cripple switch-ins like Mega Tyranitar, Hydreigon, Mega Latios, and Mega Latias. Earth Power allows Heatran to hit opposing Heatran, Mega Tyranitar, and Toxapex. Stealth Rock is a great option on Heatran, as it can pressure common Defoggers like Zapdos and Corviknight. Protect may be run over Earth Power or Stealth Rock, as it allows Heatran to scout for opposing Choice item users like Kartana and Tapu Lele, rack up Toxic damage and Leftovers recovery, and punish Mega Medicham. It also can scout for Z-Moves from the likes of Tapu Lele and Magearna. Taunt is also usable alongside Magma Storm and Earth Power, letting Heatran trap and remove passive walls like Toxapex, Clefable, Blissey, and Chansey. 120 Speed EVs allow Heatran to outrun maximum Speed Aegislash with a neutral Speed nature, as well as Modest Magnezone.

Usage Tips
========

Heatran acts as a good switch-in to Pokemon such as Mega Latias, Tapu Lele, and Magearna, so use it as such. Switching into Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, and Clefable can also be done, but Heatran must be very careful of Knock Off. Toxic is generally Heatran's best way of making progress once it is in by punishing Pokemon like Hydreigon, Mega Tyranitar, and Garchomp that might try to switch into it. Take advantage of Heatran's good matchups and ability to force out common Defoggers to set Stealth Rock if you are using it. Protect should be used to rack up Toxic and Magma Storm damage, but it can give free switches to dangerous foes like Garchomp and Hydreigon if used at the wrong time, so be careful.

Team Options
========

Grass-types have very good defensive synergy with Heatran. Physically defensive Tangrowth is a great partner, as it can check Pokemon that might threaten Heatran, such as Gliscor, Kartana, Garchomp, and Mega Lopunny, as well as take taking pressure off of Heatran by checking Mega Mawile. Heatran returns the favor by checking the likes of bulky Volcarona, Mega Latias, and Rotom-H. Ferrothorn is another good partner that can form a suffocating entry hazard-(AH)stacking core with Heatran. Ferrothorn can also take Water-type attacks from Tapu Fini and Greninja aimed at Heatran, while Heatran returns the favor by taking Fire-type attacks from the likes of Cinderace and bulky Volcarona. Heatran's lack of reliable recovery and constant pressure to check common threats means mean that it needs good entry hazard removal on its side to somewhat alleviate its weakness to chip damage. Tapu Fini, Zapdos, and Corviknight all work in this regard. Wish support from Clefable can also help to keep Heatran healthy, and Clefable it can also run Stealth Rock in order to allow Heatran to run other moves. Moreover, both Clefable and Tapu Fini are capable of checking Hydreigon, one of the most dangerous threats to Heatran. Bulky Water-types like Slowbro, Tapu Fini, and Toxapex appreciate Heatran's ability to cover for their weakness to Grass-types like Tangrowth and Serperior while taking Water- and Fighting-type attacks from the likes of Greninja and Mega Lopunny for Heatran in return. Moreover, Slowbro can keep Gliscor at bay, which otherwise uses Heatran as setup bait. Keep in mind that any pairing with Tapu Fini will have to deal with Misty Terrain, which can prevent Heatran from making progress in matchups that it needs to inflict status in.


[SET]
name: Z-Move
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Flash Cannon / Solar Beam
move 4: Toxic / Stealth Rock
item: Steelium Z / Grassium Z
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Modest
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
========

Magma Storm is a powerful STAB move that allows Heatran to trap and threaten to remove Toxapex and Clefable, as well as preventing Tapu Fini from safely scouting the set. In addition, it applies decent chip damage onto Pokemon that might try to switch in like Garchomp. Earth Power allows Heatran to hit Toxapex, opposing Heatran, and chip down Tyranitar. (Parallelism) Flash Cannon along with Steelium Z allows Heatran to OHKO Hydreigon, Mega Tyranitar, Clefable, and Mega Latios, as well as Gliscor after some chip damage. Solar Beam is to be used with Grassium Z, allowing Heatran to crush Tapu Fini, Rotom-W, Slowbro, and Gastrodon. Toxic allows Heatran to punish switch-ins such as Garchomp, Hydreigon, Slowbro, and Gastrodon, depending on what Z-Move it runs. Stealth Rock is another great option, as Heatran threatens common Defoggers like Zapdos, Tapu Fini, and Corviknight, although keep in mind that Corviknight's Body Press 2HKOes offensive Heatran after Stealth Rock. Firium Z is an option to OHKO Assault Vest Tangrowth, almost always OHKO offensive Volcarona, and almost always OHKO even the bulkiest of Gliscor after Stealth Rock, as well as act acting as an extremely strong general nuke, but the luring prowess from the other Z-Moves is generally preferred. Keep in mind that Solar Beam and Flash Cannon should not be used with Firium Z sets. 4 Defense EVs allow Heatran to tank a +2 Sucker Punch from Mega Mawile.

Usage Tips
========

Toxic variants of Heatran should look for opportunities to cripple switch-ins like Mega Tyranitar, Gastrodon, and Mega Latios. Stealth Rock variants, on the other hand, should look to set Stealth Rock on forced switches against Pokemon like Corviknight and Ferrothorn. Its good matchup against Zapdos, Corviknight, and Tapu Fini allows it to keep Stealth Rock up against many teams. Corkscrew Crash variants are very prediction-(AH)reliant, as many of its targets can force Heatran out if they get in cleanly, so keep that in mind.

Team Options
========

Entry hazard removal is really important for Heatran, as it gets worn down extremely quickly, and its set will be revealed once the fact that it doesn't have Leftovers is identified. Solid entry hazard removal from Pokemon such as Zapdos, Corviknight, and Tapu Fini is very helpful as a result. Grass-types have great synergy with Heatran. Physically defensive Tangrowth's ability to stop Pokemon such as Gliscor, Garchomp, Mega Lopunny, Landorus-T, and Kartana is greatly appreciated. Pokemon that appreciate the removal of Water-types like Slowbro, Rotom-W, and Tapu Fini, such as Cinderace, Mega Medicham, and Mega Lopunny, (AC) enjoy Grassium Z Heatran's presence. Wish users like Clefable can potentially be used to keep Heatran healthy throughout the match. Clefable can also act as the team's Stealth Rock user if you want Heatran to run Toxic.

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

Roar is a decent option on the defensive set to prevent Reuniclus from setting up on Heatran, but it is rather niche and hard to fit on its moveset.

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

**Ground-types and Ground-type Coverage**: Heatran's quadruple 4x weakness to Ground means that any Ground-type that outspeeds it is heavily threatening to it. Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Gliscor all fit this bill, although Landorus-T and Garchomp really don't want to be inflicted by with Toxic. Pokemon such as Tangrowth, Volcarona, and Hydreigon can all viably run Ground-type coverage as well, which is very threatening to Heatran.

**Dragon-types**: Hydreigon, Mega Latios, and Mega Latias all resist or are immune to most of Heatran's common moves. All of them have to be wary of Toxic and Corkscrew Crash on the switch, however. Other Dragon-types like Kyurem and Garchomp have to be careful as they switch in, but they cleanly OHKO Heatran with their Ground-type coverage.

**Water-types**: Defensive Water-types such as Tapu Fini, Slowbro, Toxapex, and Gastrodon can take advantage of Heatran and, in Tapu Fini's case, attempt to remove the Stealth Rock it sets with Defog. Offensive Water-types such as Greninja and Manaphy also threaten Heatran with their STAB moves, although none of them want to be inflicted by with Toxic, and all of them are threatened by Bloom Doom.

**Fighting-types and Fighting-type Coverage**: Mega Lopunny, Mega Medicham, and Kommo-o can threaten Heatran with their STAB moves, but Mega Medicham have has to be careful of Protect blocking High Jump Kick, and none of them appreciate switching into Toxic. Pokemon that Heatran would otherwise handily beat, such as Magearna, Mega Scizor, and Tapu Lele, sometimes run Fighting-type coverage specifically to hit it, which can significantly impact Heatran's ability to check them.

**Special Walls**: Specially bulky Pokemon such as Blissey, Chansey, and Mega Tyranitar can do well against Heatran, although Blissey and Chansey have to be wary of Taunt variants trapping them with Magma Storm, while Tyranitar must watch out for a Z-Move.

**Residual Damage**: Heatran takes damage from both Stealth Rock and Spikes. This, in conjunction with its tendency to switch in and out a lot to check the Pokemon that it is tasked with, as well as its lack of recovery outside of Leftovers, means that it can be worn down over the course of a match.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[SputnikGT, 475916]]
- Quality checked by: [[Funbot28, 255984], [Guardsweeper, 360582], [Jordy, 395754]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [, ]]

 

[Sputnik]

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