[OVERVIEW]
Heatran sets itself apart in BDSP OU with its impressive bulk and unique defensive typing, which lets it check Pokemon such as Scizor, Choice Band Weavile, Choice Specs Latios, Shaymin, Togekiss, Clefable, and Azelf. Its ability, Flame Body, is absolutely fantastic for punishing Scizor's typically low-risk U-turns with a burn, and it can help against other physical attackers like Choice Band Weavile and Staraptor in a pinch. Its ability to threaten hazard removers, like Defog Scizor and Skarmory, makes it an effective setter of Stealth Rock for balanced teams. Heatran is no slouch offensively either- Magma Storm from its massive base 130 Special Attack is a force to be reckoned with, even without EV investment, and can quickly break down even Fire-resistant Pokemon like Rotom-Wash, or even trap and totally remove specially bulky Pokemon like Blissey from the battle in the right circumstances. Heatran does have its drawbacks though&emdash; the most obvious one is its double weakness to Ground-type attacks, which are quite common. It also has trouble fitting every move it wants onto the same set, and can be over-reliant on the notoriously unreliable Magma Storm to get anything done. Despite these factors, Heatran's fantastic defensive presence that doesn't come at the cost of passivity makes it a great choice for many teams.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Payback / Roar
move 3: Protect / Taunt
move 4: Stealth Rock / Will-O-Wisp
item: Leftovers
ability: Flame Body
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Specially Defensive Heatran is a reliable Stealth Rock setter for balanced teams and an effective check to the likes of Latios, Shaymin, and Scizor. Magma Storm lets Heatran threaten to trap Pokemon that struggle to take it down, such as Clefable, Blissey, and Calm Mind Latios, and deals valuable residual damage to its switchins. Payback specifically targets Calm Mind Latios with a 2HKO, letting Heatran act as an effective answer to an otherwise terrifying setup sweeper. Roar has more widespread utility than Payback and can still be used to phaze Latios, but its inability to prevent Latios from setting up lategame as its team's last Pokemon should be accounted for. Protect allows Heatran to gain valuable Leftovers recovery, scout Choice-locked moves, and apply extra Magma Storm damage to the opponent without risk. Taunt lets Heatran break through Blissey and Calm Mind Clefable, making it very difficult for certain defensive teams to handle. Will-O-Wisp provides even more residual damage and can pressure physical attackers that may attempt to take advantage of Heatran, such as Garchomp, Feraligatr, and Azumarill, as well as potentially ruining Gliscor that attempt to switch in without their Toxic Orb already being activated.
Specially Defensive Heatran fits nicely on more balanced teams, where it can provide defensive utility without totally sacrificing offensive presence. It appreciates teammates that can cover its major defensive shortcomings, namely meaning its weaknesses to Ground, Water, and Fighting moves. Grass-type Pokemon can naturally take on Ground- and Water-type Pokemon, making them quite well-suited as Heatran teammates. Shaymin's well-rounded bulk and good longevity makes it a stand-out choice as a Heatran partner, as it can easily check Starmie, Crawdaunt, Breloom, Gastrodon, Quagsire, and more. In return, Heatran can threaten the likes of Scizor and Skarmory more effectively than almost any other Pokemon, and take any Bug, Ice, Poison, or Flying-type attacks aimed at Shaymin comfortably. Rotom-Wash is another fantastic teammate, as it can check Water and Ground-type Pokemon while Heatran handles the Grass-type Pokemon that it lures in and pivots against with Volt Switch. Fighting-resistant Pokemon like Slowbro, Defensive Salamence, Gliscor, Latias, and Latios patch up another of Heatran's main weaknesses, with several of the aforementioned Pokemon also helping a team to handle Heatran's other type-based weaknesses a little better. Unaware Clefable can be a useful teammate on slower-paced teams, as it helps with handling Swords Dance Garchomp and other Pokemon, such as Feraligatr and Dragonite, that may use Heatran as setup fodder.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1:
move 2:
move 3:
move 4:
item:
ability:
nature:
evs:
[SET COMMENTS]
Paragraph 1
Describe what the moves on the set do, as well as alternative options. Describe other aspects of the set such as the EVs and nature/item.
Paragraph 2
Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon to help it fulfil its role.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Payback
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Taunt / Solar Beam
item: Leftovers / Power Herb
ability: Flame Body
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Offensive Heatran is a strong and reliable Stealth Rock setter that pressures common defensive Pokemon with trapping. Magma Storm allows Heatran to apply constant pressure to Pokemon that are unable to take it down, namely Clefable and Calm Mind Latios.
Paragraph 2
Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon to help it fulfil its role.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Specs?
Checks and Counters
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**Bulky Ground-type Pokemon**: Gliscor can outspeed Heatran and threaten it with Earthquake while cancelling out Magma Storm's residual damage with Poison Heal. Garchomp is less resilient to residual damage, but it takes very little damage from Magma Storm and threatens to outspeed and OHKO Heatran; however, it must be wary of defensive sets carrying Will-o-Wisp, and offensive sets can hit it quite hard with Flash Cannon. Gastrodon and Quagsire are more specific than the above Pokemon, but versus Heatran lacking Solar Beam they can stomach Magma Storms and threaten Heatran with Earth Power and Earthquake, respectively.
**Water-type Pokemon**: Milotic outspeeds standard defensive Heatran, allowing it to reliably stay healthy versus even Taunt sets and break Heatran down with Scald while taking negligible damage from Magma Storm. Slowking is more vulnerable to Taunt, but its bulk means it should still win one-on-one regardless. Rotom-Wash doesn't enjoy Magma Storm's residual damage, but it can act as a safety measure thanks to its natural bulk and resistance to Magma Storm. Other offensive Water-type Pokemon, such as Starmie, Azumarill, and Feraligatr, can switch in against Heatran comfortably at least once and threaten it, but Starmie must be wary of Payback and the latter two must watch out for Will-o-Wisp.
**Blissey**: Blissey can comfortably defeat any Heatran lacking Taunt one-on-one.
**Salamence and Dragonite**: Salamence and Dragonite can both easily shrug off defensive Heatran's attacks and threaten in return with Earthquake. This isn't ideal for Dragonite, however, as it all but guarantees its Multiscale will end up broken.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Eve, 375272], [BT89, 487308]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2], [username3, userid3]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
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