[SET]
name: Specially Defensive (HP, Any)
move 1: Magma Storm / Lava Plume
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Toxic / Taunt
move 4: Earth Power / Protect / Taunt
item: Leftovers / Air Balloon
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
ivs: 0 Atk
evs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Thanks to its great typing and stats, Heatran is a good special tank that can check many Pokemon such as Volcarona and Kyurem-W without Earth Power. Magma Storm is a powerful Fire-type STAB move that also traps and deals chip damage, allowing Heatran to eliminate passive Pokemon like Clefable and Pyukumuku in conjunction with Taunt. Lava Plume is an option with better accuracy and PP that threatens a burn on potential switch-ins such as Rayquaza and Garchomp. Stealth Rock lets it support its teammates, and Heatran's ability to threaten common entry hazard removers allows it to keep it on the field frequently. Toxic cripples common switch-ins such as Gastrodon and Slowking and deals a lot of passive damage when stacked with Magma Storm. Earth Power is used to hit opposing Heatran, which otherwise wall it, as well as lessens the need to use Magma Storm's low PP against foes like Tapu Koko and Victini. Protect helps Heatran rack up passive damage as well as gain extra Leftovers recovery. It also scouts common Choice item Pokemon, like Zygarde-10% and Kyogre. Taunt is an option to prevent recovery moves and Teleport from defensive Pokemon, notably Clefable. Leftovers is the preferred item to give Heatran recovery, but Air Balloon is an aggressive option that lets it check Nidoking and opposing Heatran at least once, and also check Dhelmise after it pops. If it is not in the Speed slot, 120 Speed EVs lets Heatran outspeed uninvested base 90 Pokemon, which are common thanks to powerful gods like Kyogre and Ho-Oh, in addition to Bold and Modest Magnezone. If Heatran does receive Speed, it can invest more fully in Special Defense.
Specially Defensive Heatran thrives on bulky offense teams where it gets many opportunities to switch in. Many physically offensive Pokemon enjoy Stealth Rock to wear down their checks and counters, especially those with Knock Off to remove Heavy-Duty Boots like Weavile and Kartana. Moreover, Heatran threatens physical walls that they can't break though such as Skarmory and Ho-Oh. Special attackers like Kyurem-W and Nidoking can struggle against specially defensive cores, and Heatran can help soften these walls for them. Offensive and defensive pivots complement Stealth Rock well by racking up damage and give Heatran more opportunities to switch in. Examples of pivots include offensive Pokemon like Zeraora and Rillaboom and defensive Pokemon like Slowking and Corviknight. Rillaboom notably synergizes well with Heatran thanks to Grassy Terrain providing extra recovery and halving Earthquake damage. Heatran is unable to deal with some special wallbreakers, namely Kyogre and Nidoking, so Gastrodon can cover for Heatran well. Physical Ground- and Fighting-types dent Heatran, which Buzzwole, Tangrowth, and Landorus-T handle well.
[SET]
name: Offensive (Speed)
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Taunt
item: Leftovers / Air Balloon
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
ivs: 0 Atk
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Offensive Heatran specializes in trapping and getting rid of passive defensive Pokemon that can otherwise cause problems, such as Ho-Oh and Clefable. Magma Storm is its main Fire-type STAB attack that deals residual damage in addition to its high Base Power, allowing it to beat even Pokemon that resist it such as Giratina and Ho-Oh without Earthquake. Earth Power destroys opposing Heatran, which otherwise walls it completely. Toxic further increases its passive damage, helping against said foes and reducing the need to constantly waste Magma Storm's low PP. Taunt prevents the defensive Pokemon from using their recovery moves, pivoting out with Teleport, or phazing Heatran out with Roar and Whirlwind. Leftovers's passive recovery allows Heatran to more comfortably take on the defensive Pokemon. If opposing Heatran is a concern, Air Balloon lets Heatran wall it, as well as Ho-Oh opting for Earthquake over Brave Bird.
Offensive Heatran finds its home on balance and bulky offense teams as a way to make progress against bulkier builds. Heatran usually doesn't like switching in directly, so pivots like Slowbro and Landorus-T enable it to safely get a favorable matchup. Late game cleaners like Choice Scarf Kartana and Tapu Lele appreciate having opposing walls removed or weakened. Water- and Ground-type Pokemon such as Kyogre and Excadrill threaten an OHKO on Heatran, which Grass-types like Tangrowth and Ferrothorn can handle. Rillaboom threatens fast offensive Pokemon, as well as provides Grassy Terrain to give Heatran additional recovery and weaken Earthquake damage. Fighting-type coverage from the likes of Zeraora and Kartana can be dealt with by partners like Clefable.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Scorching Sands is an option over Earth Power to spread burns, but the damage drop is noticeable and can make it miss out on KOs such as Tapu Koko and opposing Heatran. An offensive set consisting of Eruption, Earth Power, Ancient Power, and Solar Beam is possible on sun teams, however its reliance on staying at full HP and the lack of a pivot option from Groudon and Torkoal make it very inconsistent. Flame Body over Flash Fire potentially punishes physical Pokemon, especially if they pivot out with U-turn, but this makes Heatran more vulnerable to Fire-types like Ho-Oh and Victini.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-type Pokemon and Coverage**: Unless Heatran has its Air Balloon intact, Ground-type moves will heavily damage if not OHKO it. Nidoking and Excadrill can outspeed and OHKO the specially defensive variant, while Landorus-T and Zygarde-10% can take a hit and OHKO in return, with the latter also ignoring Air Balloon. However, none of these Pokemon can switch in safely. Earthquake from Ho-Oh and Tangrowth deters Heatran from switching in directly and trapping them.
**Water-type Pokemon**: Offensive Water-types like Kyogre and Urshifu-R threaten to OHKO Heatran with their powerful STAB attacks, and the latter also ignores Protect thanks to Unseen Fist. Defensive Water-type Pokemon like Gastrodon and Slowbro can muscle past or force mind game against Heatran. All of them still has to watch out for Toxic on the switch in though.
**Offensive Pressure**: Since Heatran usually needs a pivot from teammate to safely get in, offensive pressure prevents its partners like Landorus-T Rillaboom from safely using U-turn. Examples of Pokemon that can force these Pokemon out or pivot against them include Tornadus-T and Yveltal.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[longhiep341, 500884]]
- Quality checked by: [[UT, 523866], [Ducky, 525446]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
name: Specially Defensive (HP, Any)
move 1: Magma Storm / Lava Plume
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Toxic / Taunt
move 4: Earth Power / Protect / Taunt
item: Leftovers / Air Balloon
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
ivs: 0 Atk
evs: 252 HP / 136 SpD / 120 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Thanks to its great typing and stats, Heatran is a good special tank that can check many Pokemon such as Volcarona and Kyurem-W without Earth Power. Magma Storm is a powerful Fire-type STAB move that also traps and deals chip damage, allowing Heatran to eliminate passive Pokemon like Clefable and Pyukumuku in conjunction with Taunt. Lava Plume is an option with better accuracy and PP that threatens a burn on potential switch-ins such as Rayquaza and Garchomp. Stealth Rock lets it support its teammates, and Heatran's ability to threaten common entry hazard removers allows it to keep it on the field frequently. Toxic cripples common switch-ins such as Gastrodon and Slowking and deals a lot of passive damage when stacked with Magma Storm. Earth Power is used to hit opposing Heatran, which otherwise wall it, as well as lessens the need to use Magma Storm's low PP against foes like Tapu Koko and Victini. Protect helps Heatran rack up passive damage as well as gain extra Leftovers recovery. It also scouts common Choice item Pokemon, like Zygarde-10% and Kyogre. Taunt is an option to prevent recovery moves and Teleport from defensive Pokemon, notably Clefable. Leftovers is the preferred item to give Heatran recovery, but Air Balloon is an aggressive option that lets it check Nidoking and opposing Heatran at least once, and also check Dhelmise after it pops. If it is not in the Speed slot, 120 Speed EVs lets Heatran outspeed uninvested base 90 Pokemon, which are common thanks to powerful gods like Kyogre and Ho-Oh, in addition to Bold and Modest Magnezone. If Heatran does receive Speed, it can invest more fully in Special Defense.
Specially Defensive Heatran thrives on bulky offense teams where it gets many opportunities to switch in. Many physically offensive Pokemon enjoy Stealth Rock to wear down their checks and counters, especially those with Knock Off to remove Heavy-Duty Boots like Weavile and Kartana. Moreover, Heatran threatens physical walls that they can't break though such as Skarmory and Ho-Oh. Special attackers like Kyurem-W and Nidoking can struggle against specially defensive cores, and Heatran can help soften these walls for them. Offensive and defensive pivots complement Stealth Rock well by racking up damage and give Heatran more opportunities to switch in. Examples of pivots include offensive Pokemon like Zeraora and Rillaboom and defensive Pokemon like Slowking and Corviknight. Rillaboom notably synergizes well with Heatran thanks to Grassy Terrain providing extra recovery and halving Earthquake damage. Heatran is unable to deal with some special wallbreakers, namely Kyogre and Nidoking, so Gastrodon can cover for Heatran well. Physical Ground- and Fighting-types dent Heatran, which Buzzwole, Tangrowth, and Landorus-T handle well.
[SET]
name: Offensive (Speed)
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Taunt
item: Leftovers / Air Balloon
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
ivs: 0 Atk
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Offensive Heatran specializes in trapping and getting rid of passive defensive Pokemon that can otherwise cause problems, such as Ho-Oh and Clefable. Magma Storm is its main Fire-type STAB attack that deals residual damage in addition to its high Base Power, allowing it to beat even Pokemon that resist it such as Giratina and Ho-Oh without Earthquake. Earth Power destroys opposing Heatran, which otherwise walls it completely. Toxic further increases its passive damage, helping against said foes and reducing the need to constantly waste Magma Storm's low PP. Taunt prevents the defensive Pokemon from using their recovery moves, pivoting out with Teleport, or phazing Heatran out with Roar and Whirlwind. Leftovers's passive recovery allows Heatran to more comfortably take on the defensive Pokemon. If opposing Heatran is a concern, Air Balloon lets Heatran wall it, as well as Ho-Oh opting for Earthquake over Brave Bird.
Offensive Heatran finds its home on balance and bulky offense teams as a way to make progress against bulkier builds. Heatran usually doesn't like switching in directly, so pivots like Slowbro and Landorus-T enable it to safely get a favorable matchup. Late game cleaners like Choice Scarf Kartana and Tapu Lele appreciate having opposing walls removed or weakened. Water- and Ground-type Pokemon such as Kyogre and Excadrill threaten an OHKO on Heatran, which Grass-types like Tangrowth and Ferrothorn can handle. Rillaboom threatens fast offensive Pokemon, as well as provides Grassy Terrain to give Heatran additional recovery and weaken Earthquake damage. Fighting-type coverage from the likes of Zeraora and Kartana can be dealt with by partners like Clefable.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Scorching Sands is an option over Earth Power to spread burns, but the damage drop is noticeable and can make it miss out on KOs such as Tapu Koko and opposing Heatran. An offensive set consisting of Eruption, Earth Power, Ancient Power, and Solar Beam is possible on sun teams, however its reliance on staying at full HP and the lack of a pivot option from Groudon and Torkoal make it very inconsistent. Flame Body over Flash Fire potentially punishes physical Pokemon, especially if they pivot out with U-turn, but this makes Heatran more vulnerable to Fire-types like Ho-Oh and Victini.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-type Pokemon and Coverage**: Unless Heatran has its Air Balloon intact, Ground-type moves will heavily damage if not OHKO it. Nidoking and Excadrill can outspeed and OHKO the specially defensive variant, while Landorus-T and Zygarde-10% can take a hit and OHKO in return, with the latter also ignoring Air Balloon. However, none of these Pokemon can switch in safely. Earthquake from Ho-Oh and Tangrowth deters Heatran from switching in directly and trapping them.
**Water-type Pokemon**: Offensive Water-types like Kyogre and Urshifu-R threaten to OHKO Heatran with their powerful STAB attacks, and the latter also ignores Protect thanks to Unseen Fist. Defensive Water-type Pokemon like Gastrodon and Slowbro can muscle past or force mind game against Heatran. All of them still has to watch out for Toxic on the switch in though.
**Offensive Pressure**: Since Heatran usually needs a pivot from teammate to safely get in, offensive pressure prevents its partners like Landorus-T Rillaboom from safely using U-turn. Examples of Pokemon that can force these Pokemon out or pivot against them include Tornadus-T and Yveltal.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[longhiep341, 500884]]
- Quality checked by: [[UT, 523866], [Ducky, 525446]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
Last edited:
