OU Heatran (Steelium Z)

[Lotus]

[SET]
name: Steelium Z
move 1: Flash Cannon
move 2: Lava Plume / Magma Storm
move 3: Earth Power
move 4: Stealth Rock / Taunt
item: Steelium Z
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Flash Cannon hits Tyranitar and Latios hard, 2HKOing offensive variants of both. The most important aspect of Flash Cannon is that it lets Heatran use Corkscrew Crash, which OHKOes Pokemon that check Heatran such as Mega Alakazam and Gliscor, as well as Zygarde and Mega Latios after Stealth Rock damage. Lava Plume is a safe Fire-type STAB move that inflicts a good amount of damage on various foes thanks to Heatran's offensive investment. Lava Plume's decent chance to burn foes can help to make up for this set's lack of other utility moves such as Toxic. Magma Storm trades Lava Plume's reliability and ability to spread burns for a stronger Fire-type STAB move that lets Heatran trap passive foes like Toxapex and Chansey and disable them with Taunt and remove them. Earth Power targets Toxapex and opposing Heatran, and the coverage against the latter is especially crucial, as Heatran doesn't have any other feasible way to inflict notable damage to opposing Heatran. Heatran's ability to force switches against common entry hazard setters like Ferrothorn, discourage Defog users like Landorus-T and Kartana to recklessly switch in, and KO or heavily damage other Defog users like Gliscor and Tornadus-T makes it an effective Stealth Rock user. Taunt can be employed to improve Heatran's ability to trap and remove passive foes with Magma Storm if its team already has an appropriate Stealth Rock user.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack investment with a Modest nature maximizes Heatran's damage output, letting Corkscrew Crash always OHKO Gliscor and deal as much damage as possible to foes like Mega Latios and Tyranitar. A Timid nature is an alternative option to at worst Speed tie with opposing Heatran, but the cost of missing the OHKO against Gliscor and having a lower damage output is not worth it. Steelium Z allows Heatran to use Corkscrew Crash with Flash Cannon, enabling it to harshly punish its offensive checks by heavily damaging or KOing them. Heatran can utilize Flash Fire to switch into predicted Fire-type moves and boost the power of its Fire-type attacks.

Usage Tips
========

Unlike other variants, Steelium Z Heatran can OHKO its usual checks like Mega Alakazam, Mega Latios, and Gliscor on the switch with Corkscrew Crash, so do your best to not waste the Z-Move on the wrong target. If using Magma Storm, Heatran can act offensively early-game to cause serious damage to opposing teams. Thanks to Heatran's offensive investment, this set has a narrow array of checks available. Even if Heatran has trapped a foe that it must avoid, Magma Storm's general damage output and trapping damage will considerably wear them down and prevent them from switching out, giving Heatran a chance to create a favorable matchup for one of its appropriate teammates. Lastly, Heatran lacks durability with offensive investment, so avoid playing too recklessly.

Team Options
========

Grass-types like Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu can defensively check Ground-types like Zygarde, which Heatran must avoid facing at all times. Both of these Pokemon are also good checks to Water-types like Ash-Greninja and Keldeo and can pivot into Tapu Koko, which can overwhelm Heatran quite easily due to Heatran's lack of bulk investment. Clefable benefits from Heatran's ability to pressure Steel-types. Variants of Clefable with Wish can extend Heatran's longevity and thus facilitate its wallbreaking efforts and its ability to pivot into Fairy-types throughout the match. Other Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Magearna can check Magearna and Tapu Lele. Furthermore, Ferrothorn's access to Spikes entices Defog users like Tornadus-T to switch in frequently, giving Heatran more opportunities to land an attack. Magearna can provide Heatran with a safer opportunity to switch in thanks to Volt Switch, and this is especially valuable considering how offensive Heatran would rather stay as healthy as possible to maximize its ability to wallbreak and combat its checks. Offensive threats like Ash-Greninja and Hawlucha can massively benefit from Heatran's wallbreaking power and Stealth Rock support.

 

[Lotus]

Might need some extension because Xenforo likes to delete my drafts. Sorry in advance.

 

[GMars]

Might need some extension because Xenforo likes to delete my drafts. Sorry in advance.

Thanks for giving us the heads up

 

[Lotus]

Ready for QC. Sorry for delay.

 

[lydian]

[Moves]

Flash Cannon enables Heatran to pose greater threat to Fairy-types that it already checks well

• Remove this bit, to be honest, it's more of a bonus than an actual reason to use Flash Cannon.

A decent chance to inflict burn also redeems this set's potential issue of handing momentum to Heatran's checks due to lack of Toxic by making it considerably hazardous to switch into.

• Mention examples of Pokémon that don't appreciate a Lava Plume burn, you can add Zygarde and Mega Latios.

Magma Storm trades Lava Plume's reliability and ability to spread burns with an ability to trap passive foes like Toxapex and Chansey and remove them with Taunt.

• Also say it's noticeably stronger.

[Usage Tips]

• Make a point saying Steelium Z Heatran is somewhat prediction based, as most of it's targets are faster than it. Zygarde, Mega Alakazam, Mega Latios, Gliscor, etc.

Setting Stealth Rock or using Lava Plume early game may give foes like Mega Latios or poisoned Gliscor a wrong sense of security that they will make a safe switch into Heatran. Though they can be OHKOed, Heatran will have a single chance to draw in and punish them. Draft plans to identify what foe should Heatran hit with using Corkcrew Crash, preferably after Stealth Rock is set.

• I mean, Corkscrew Crash Heatran is the only set that uses Lava Plume effectively, aside from SpDef Heatran, but good players will be able tell from the damage done that it's Steelium Z.

Hitting them with Magma Storm on switch may give Heatran a good opportunity to heavily impair or remove them with Corkscrew Crash or other attacks.

• Not really, because most of the Corkscrew Crash targets actually outspeed Heatran, example, Gliscor, Mega Latios, Mega Alakazam, Zygarde, etc.

QC 1/3

 

[Lotus]

Ready for #2.

 

[Jordy]

[Moves]

A decent chance to inflict burn also redeems this set's potential issue of handing momentum to Heatran's checks due to lack of Toxic by making it considerably hazardous for Pokemon like Zygarde and Mega Latios to switch into.

I think this is too lengthy, you can make this way shorter, just say it kinda makes up for the lack of utility moves because that's all there really is to it.

[Usage Tips]

• Do the best to refrain from revealing Heatran's offensive potency too early until it is confirmed that aforementioned foes will be a persistent switch-in to Heatran. This means one should not recklessly use a Z-Move until the time calls for it and avoid any form of damage early game; a Heatran lacking Leftovers is mostly assumed to be holding a Z-Crystal, which may cause foes to scout Heatran further before deciding how to react to it.

This is quite vague. Just say something along the lines of "do not reveal flash cannon untill Mega Latios and co. are comfortable switching in "

While it is still capable of switching into foes like Tapu Lele

252 SpA Choice Specs Tapu Lele Psychic vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran in Psychic Terrain: 156-185 (48.2 - 57.2%) -- 92.6% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Tapu Lele All-Out Pummeling (190 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran: 394-464 (121.9 - 143.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+1 252 SpA Tapu Lele Shattered Psyche (175 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Heatran in Psychic Terrain: 304-358 (94.1 - 110.8%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO

It barely checks Tapu Lele.

foes like Mega Alakazam and Choice Band Tyranitar will have significantly better chance to OHKO and thus win the one on one matchup.

Remove Tyranitar lol, Earthquake OHKOes regardless and Stone Edge is not OHKOing it from full health.

Remove any mentions of checking Psychic-types, offensive Heatran isn't checking the most important ones.

2/3,

e: Please make the bullets shorter and simpler when writing up, nobody's looking forward to reading a 2240 character long paragraph on how to use Heatran.

 

[Lotus]

Written up and ready for #3. I tried condensing Usage Tips a bit but it won't be a surprise to me if it needs further cuts.

 

[Leo]

Other Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Magearna can provide backup checks for Pokemon that Heatran usually checks.

last bit is redundant, just mention the mons it checks instead

Ferrothorn's access to Spikes entices Defog users like Gliscor or Tornadus-T to switch in frequently, giving Heatran more opportunities to lure and punish or pressure them.

fog gliscor would just switch into ferro and clear hazards so i wouldnt say this gives heatran more opportunities to lure it, just cut the glisc mention and edit the last bit accordingly

now usage tips:

Unlike when it is utilizing different Z-Crystals, Heatran can take advantage of foes that attempt to check it by being able to handle Fire-type moves and Earth Power with Corkscrew Crash. Observe how an opponent reacts to Heatran. Once switch-ins like Gliscor and Mega Latios are switching in all the time, it may be a sign that the time calls for the use of Corkscrew Crash. Z-Move should also be used with caution, as most of the foes that Heatran aims to hit with Corkscrew Crash, such as Zygarde, Mega Alakazam, Mega Latios, and Gliscor are faster. Draft plans to identify what foe should Heatran hit with using Corkcrew Crash, preferably after Stealth Rock is set to maximize the chance Heatran can OHKO them.

outside of the first sentence being kinda confusing, the next few tips feel unnecessarily complicated and go too in-depth, to the point where it’s pretty much handholding the reader, something we want to avoid. Keep in mind what’s important here: identifying a zmove target, either luring it or trapping it, and not wasting the zmove. Try to reword this and condense the tips to reflect this and this should read smoother.

Especially after the Z-Move has been used, foes like Mega Alakazam will have significantly better chance to OHKO and thus win the one on one matchup.

i think the wording here is a bit confusing too cause as it stands now it seems like youre saying that the zmove being used gives zam a better chance to ohko which isnt true cause focus blast will always kill it, it just has an easier time winning the 1v1 which you mention right after

If Heatran's decreased defensive presence is valuable despite its decreased durability and longevity, keep it healthy do check foes it will be obligated.

this sounds a bit confusing too, try to reword it in a more compact manner probs

good job for the most part, usage tips just seemed unnecessarily complicated in several instances so yea its more nitpicky than anything, 3/3

 

[Lotus]

Aight thanks, will just hold off from sending this to GP to find any other possible errors of wording.

Jordy was pretty triggered with this analysis hehe bwoiii

Edit: Moving

 

[A Cake Wearing A Hat]

add remove comments

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[SET]
name: Steelium Z
move 1: Flash Cannon
move 2: Lava Plume / Magma Storm
move 3: Earth Power
move 4: Stealth Rock / Taunt
item: Steelium Z
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Flash Cannon serves as the strongest move to hit hits Tyranitar and Latios hard, 2HKOing offensive variants of both. The most important aspect of Flash Cannon is its ability to net massive damage on neutral targets with Steelium Z, which enables the use of Corkscrew Crash that OHKOs a number of foes that check Heatran. Specifically, Mega Alakazam and Gliscor is OHKOed and Zygarde and Mega Latios have a chance to be taken out after Stealth Rock. that it lets Heatran use Corkscrew Crash, which OHKOes Pokemon that check Heatran such as Mega Alakazam and Gliscor, as well as Zygarde and Mega Latios after Stealth Rock damage. Lava Plume is the safest a safe Fire-type STAB move that inflicts a good amount of damage on various foes with thanks to Heatran's offensive investment. A Lava Plume's decent chance to inflict burn foes can help making to make up for this set's lack of other utility moves like Toxic. Magma Storm trades Lava Plume's reliability and ability to spread burns with for a stronger Fire-type STAB move that has an ability to lets Heatran trap passive foes like Toxapex and Chansey and remove them with Taunt. Earth Power targets Toxapex and opposing Heatran, and the coverage against the latter is especially crucial, (AC) as Heatran doesn't have any other feasible way to inflict notable damage to opposing Heatran. Heatran's ability to force switches against common entry hazard setters like Ferrothorn, discourage Defog users like Landorus-T and Kartana to recklessly switch in, and KO or heavily damage other Defog users like Gliscor and Tornadus-T makes it an effective Stealth Rock user. Taunt can be employed to improve Heatran's ability to trap and remove passive foes with Magma Storm if its team already has an appropriate Stealth Rock user.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack investment with a Modest nature maximizes Heatran to maximize its Heatran's damage output, enabling it to net guaranteed OHKO on letting Corkscrew Crash always OHKO Gliscor with Corkscrew Crash. Offensive investement also maximizes the damage output of Z-Move against and deal as much damage as possible to foes like Mega Latios and Tyranitar. A Timid nature is an alternative option to at worst Speed tie with opposing Heatran, but the cost of missing the OHKO against Gliscor and lowering general having a lower damage output is not worth it. Steelium Z allows Heatran to use Corkscrew Crash with Flash Cannon, enabling it to harshly punish its offensive checks by netting heavy damage on heavily damaging or KOing them. Heatran can utilize Flash Fire to switch into predicted Fire-type moves and boost the power of its Fire-type attacks' base power attacks.

Usage Tips
========

Steelium Z Heatran aims to compress Heatran's ability to draw in KO many foes as an offensive trapper. (leo says this is fluff/unnecessary/kind of incorrect given magma is second slash, and i agree w him) Unlike other variants, Steelium Z Heatran can OHKO its usual checks like Mega Alakazam, Mega Latios, and Gliscor on the switch with Corkscrew Crash, so do the your best to not waste the Z-Move on a the wrong target. Predicting is especially important except when Heatran is attempting to trap Mega Latios, which can be safely trapped with Magma Storm. (leo says cut this) If using Magma Storm, Heatran can act offensively early game early-game to cause serious damage on to opposing teams. Especially with Thanks to Heatran's offensive investment, this set has a narrow array of checks available. Even if Heatran has trapped a foe that it must avoid, Magma Storm's general damage output and trapping damage will considerably wear them down and will prevent them from switching out, giving Heatran a chance to create a favorable matchup for one of its appropriate teammates. Lastly, Heatran lacks durability with offensive investment, so avoid playing too recklessly.

Team Options
========

Grass-types like Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu can provide valuable defensive presence against defensively check Ground-types like Zygarde, which Heatran must avoid facing at all times. Both of these Pokemon are also good checks to Water-types like Ash-Greninja and Keldeo and can pivot into Tapu Koko, which can overwhelm Heatran quite easily due to Heatran's lack of bulk investement investment. Clefable benefits from the pressure Heatran poses against Heatran's ability to pressure Steel-types. Variants of Clefable with Wish can extend Heatran's longevity and thus facilitate its wallbreaking or efforts and its ability to pivot into Fairy- Fairy-types throughout the match. Other Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Magearna can check Magearna or and Tapu Lele. Ferrothorn's access to Spikes entices Defog users like Tornadus-T to switch in frequently, giving Heatran more opportunities to land an attack. Magearna can provide Heatran with a safer opportunity to switch in by pivoting thanks to Volt Switch, and this is especially valuable considering how offensive Heatran would value its HP would rather stay as healthy as possible to maximize the chance it can its ability to wallbreak or and combat its checks. Offensive threats like Ash-Greninja and Hawlucha can massively benefit from Heatran's wallbreaking power and Stealth Rock support.

1/2

 

[Lotus]

Maybe I should start learning to condense things etc

Thanks, ready for #2.

 

[lotiasite]

2/2

check

[SET]
name: Steelium Z
move 1: Flash Cannon
move 2: Lava Plume / Magma Storm
move 3: Earth Power
move 4: Stealth Rock / Taunt
item: Steelium Z
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Flash Cannon hits Tyranitar and Latios hard, 2HKOing offensive variants of both. The most important aspect of Flash Cannon is that it lets Heatran use Corkscrew Crash, which OHKOes Pokemon that check Heatran such as Mega Alakazam and Gliscor, as well as Zygarde and Mega Latios after Stealth Rock damage. Lava Plume is a safe Fire-type STAB move that inflicts a good amount of damage on various foes thanks to Heatran's offensive investment. Lava Plume's decent chance to burn foes can help to make up for this set's lack of other utility moves likesuch as (works better here/makes more sense because it often runs toxic) Toxic. Magma Storm trades Lava Plume's reliability and ability to spread burns for a stronger Fire-type STAB move that lets Heatran trap passive foes like Toxapex and Chansey and removdisable them with Taunt and remove them. Earth Power targets Toxapex and opposing Heatran, and the coverage against the latter is especially crucial, as Heatran doesn't have any other feasible way to inflict notable damage to opposing Heatran. Heatran's ability to force switches against common entry hazard setters like Ferrothorn, discourage Defog users like Landorus-T and Kartana to recklessly switch in, and KO or heavily damage other Defog users like Gliscor and Tornadus-T makes it an effective Stealth Rock user. Taunt can be employed to improve Heatran's ability to trap and remove passive foes with Magma Storm if its team already has an appropriate Stealth Rock user.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack investment with a Modest nature maximizes Heatran's damage output, letting Corkscrew Crash always OHKO Gliscor and deal as much damage as possible to foes like Mega Latios and Tyranitar. A Timid nature is an alternative option to at worst Speed tie with opposing Heatran, but the cost of missing the OHKO against Gliscor and having a lower damage output is not worth it. Steelium Z allows Heatran to use Corkscrew Crash with Flash Cannon, enabling it to harshly punish its offensive checks by heavily damaging or KOing them. Heatran can utilize Flash Fire to switch into predicted Fire-type moves and boost the power of its Fire-type attacks.

Usage Tips
========

Unlike other variants, Steelium Z Heatran can OHKO its usual checks like Mega Alakazam, Mega Latios, and Gliscor on the switch with Corkscrew Crash, so do your best to not waste the Z-Move on the wrong target. If using Magma Storm, Heatran can act offensively early-game to cause serious damage to opposing teams. Thanks to Heatran's offensive investment, this set has a narrow array of checks available. Even if Heatran has trapped a foe that it must avoid, Magma Storm's general damage output and trapping damage will considerably wear them down and will prevent them from switching out, giving Heatran a chance to create a favorable matchup for one of its appropriate teammates. Lastly, Heatran lacks durability with offensive investment, so avoid playing too recklessly.

Team Options
========

Grass-types like Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu can defensively check Ground-types like Zygarde, which Heatran must avoid facing at all times. Both of these Pokemon are also good checks to Water-types like Ash-Greninja and Keldeo and can pivot into Tapu Koko, which can overwhelm Heatran quite easily due to Heatran's lack of bulk investment. Clefable benefits from Heatran's ability to pressure Steel-types. Variants of Clefable with Wish can extend Heatran's longevity and thus facilitate its wallbreaking efforts and its ability to pivot into Fairy-types throughout the match. Other Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Magearna can check Magearna and Tapu Lele. Furthermore, Ferrothorn's access to Spikes entices Defog users like Tornadus-T to switch in frequently, giving Heatran more opportunities to land an attack. Magearna can provide Heatran with a safer opportunity to switch in thanks to Volt Switch, and this is especially valuable considering how offensive Heatran would rather stay as healthy as possible to maximize its ability to wallbreak and combat its checks. Offensive threats like Ash-Greninja and Hawlucha can massively benefit from Heatran's wallbreaking power and Stealth Rock support.

 

[Lotus]

Gracias - this is ready to go up.

 

[Leo]

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