[OVERVIEW]
Heatran is one of the best Pokemon in the tier thanks to an insane typing and great ability in Flash Fire, granting it a number of key immunities and resistances to make it a great check to a number of top-tier Pokemon like Clefable, Ferrothorn, Tornadus-T, Celesteela, and Tapu Lele. It is a fantastic breaker due to a solid base Special Attack stat of 130 and access to a great STAB move in Magma Storm, which when used in tandem with Taunt grants Heatran the invaluable ability to trap and remove passive Pokemon such as Toxapex, Chansey, and Alomomola that would otherwise beat it. It can also elect to use a Z-Move such as Inferno Overdrive or Corkscrew Crash to get past usual checks like Gliscor, Mega Sableye, Mega Alakazam, and Mega Latios. It also has the ability to run Toxic to annoy potential switch-ins such as Mega Alakazam and Gastrodon without having to use a Z-Move. These traits make it one of the best Stealth Rock setters in the tier, as it is able to beat the majority of hazard removers, namely Tornadus-T, Zapdos, and Gliscor should Heatran elect to use a Z-Move. However, due to Heatran's prevalence, it can lose to Pokemon it would otherwise check, such as Mega Mawile and Volcarona, due to coverage they run specifically for Heatran. Heatran also unfortunately lacks any form of recovery outside of Leftovers and is vulnerable to both Stealth Rock and Spikes, meaning it can be worn down quite quickly. A middling Speed tier means Heatran is quite easy to force it out with faster Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Ash-Greninja, and Zygarde.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Lava Plume
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Toxic / Taunt
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 128 SpD / 128 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Lava Plume is chosen as Heatran's Fire-type STAB move because of its reliability, decent Base Power of 80, and nice ability to spread burn to punish Pokemon that would otherwise come in for free such as Toxapex and Zygarde. Additionally, if Gliscor hasn't activated its Toxic Orb yet, you can burn it and prevent it from getting Poison Heal recovery, crippling it for the rest of the game. Alternatively, Magma Storm could be used if Heatran's team requires Pokemon like Toxapex and Chansey to be trapped and removed, which can be accomplished if it is run alongside Taunt. However, it is a much less reliable move than Lava Plume due to lower accuracy and lower PP, meaning you have to use the move more conservatively; otherwise, Heatran will be unable to beat Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor. Earth Power allows Heatran to hit Toxapex, Tyranitar, and opposing Heatran super effectively. Heatran's ability to force a number of switches thanks to its great typing and offensive presence in combination with its ability to pressure the majority of Defoggers in the tier, namely Tornadus-T, Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and Mew, makes it one of the most effective Stealth Rock setters in the tier; however, you should be wary that the latter may carry Ground-type coverage. Toxic allows Heatran to cripple Pokemon that would otherwise come in unscathed like Mega Alakazam, Mega Latios, Gastrodon, and Hydreigon. Taunt stops Pokemon that rely on status moves to function such as Clefable, Toxapex, Chansey, and Pyukumuku, allowing Heatran to beat them one-on-one.
Set Details
========
128 Speed EVs are used to outspeed Adamant Choice Band Tyranitar and Modest Magnezone. 252 HP EVs and the leftover EVs in Special Defense alongside a Calm nature provide as much bulk as possible so Heatran can adequately check Magearna, Tapu Lele, and Blacephalon. Leftovers prevents Heatran from being worn down as rapidly. Flash Fire is Heatran's only available ability; however, it is a good one for dissuading Pokemon like Volcarona, Blacephalon, and opposing Heatran from using their powerful Fire-type STAB moves.
Usage Tips
========
Use this Heatran set to check Pokemon like Tornadus-T and Tapu Lele or switch it into Pokemon that can't do much to it such as Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor and take the opportunity to throw off an attack or set up Stealth Rock. Furthermore, if the opponent has a Pokemon such as Mega Alakazam or Mega Latias, it is often a good idea to predict them to switch in by hitting them with a Toxic. Try not to let Heatran take a Knock Off, as having its Leftovers removed mean it is worn down much quicker. Try to avoid switching Heatran into entry hazards repeatedly, as it will severely hurt its longevity. Use Taunt against passive Pokemon such as Toxapex and Chansey on turns where you expect them to use a recovery move in order to take minimal damage from repeated Scalds or Seismic Tosses.
Team Options
========
This Heatran set fits best on bulkier offense and balanced teams, as it is a great Stealth Rock setter with a fantastic typing to boot, allowing it to check problematic Pokemon for said archetypes such as Mega Scizor and Tapu Lele. Tapu Bulu is Heatran's best teammate, as the synergy between the two is immense; Tapu Bulu can switch into Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Zygarde, Fighting-types like Keldeo, and Water-types such as Ash-Greninja, Gastrodon, and Mega Gyarados. Tapu Bulu also sets Grassy Terrain, which provides Heatran with more passive recovery on top of Leftovers and gives it the ability to tank Earthquakes from Pokemon like Landorus-T if absolutely needed. Other Grass-types like Tangrowth and Amoonguss are also fantastic teammates, but Tapu Bulu is generally the best choice. Similarly, bulky Water-types like Toxapex and Gastrodon are solid teammates to switch into Ash-Greninja for Heatran, which is one of Heatran's best offensive checks. As Heatran is vulnerable to being worn down by Stealth Rock and Spikes, entry hazard removers like Tornadus-T and Tapu Koko are nice partners. While Heatran is often able to set up Stealth Rock against stall teams, it needs team support to help with the matchup—Mega Mawile and Calm Mind Clefable fit the bill.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[mellowyellowhd, 423226]]
- Quality checked by: [[Eternam, 248449], [lyd, 303291], [Jordy, 395754]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [martha, 384270]]
Heatran is one of the best Pokemon in the tier thanks to an insane typing and great ability in Flash Fire, granting it a number of key immunities and resistances to make it a great check to a number of top-tier Pokemon like Clefable, Ferrothorn, Tornadus-T, Celesteela, and Tapu Lele. It is a fantastic breaker due to a solid base Special Attack stat of 130 and access to a great STAB move in Magma Storm, which when used in tandem with Taunt grants Heatran the invaluable ability to trap and remove passive Pokemon such as Toxapex, Chansey, and Alomomola that would otherwise beat it. It can also elect to use a Z-Move such as Inferno Overdrive or Corkscrew Crash to get past usual checks like Gliscor, Mega Sableye, Mega Alakazam, and Mega Latios. It also has the ability to run Toxic to annoy potential switch-ins such as Mega Alakazam and Gastrodon without having to use a Z-Move. These traits make it one of the best Stealth Rock setters in the tier, as it is able to beat the majority of hazard removers, namely Tornadus-T, Zapdos, and Gliscor should Heatran elect to use a Z-Move. However, due to Heatran's prevalence, it can lose to Pokemon it would otherwise check, such as Mega Mawile and Volcarona, due to coverage they run specifically for Heatran. Heatran also unfortunately lacks any form of recovery outside of Leftovers and is vulnerable to both Stealth Rock and Spikes, meaning it can be worn down quite quickly. A middling Speed tier means Heatran is quite easy to force it out with faster Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Ash-Greninja, and Zygarde.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Lava Plume
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Toxic / Taunt
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 128 SpD / 128 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Lava Plume is chosen as Heatran's Fire-type STAB move because of its reliability, decent Base Power of 80, and nice ability to spread burn to punish Pokemon that would otherwise come in for free such as Toxapex and Zygarde. Additionally, if Gliscor hasn't activated its Toxic Orb yet, you can burn it and prevent it from getting Poison Heal recovery, crippling it for the rest of the game. Alternatively, Magma Storm could be used if Heatran's team requires Pokemon like Toxapex and Chansey to be trapped and removed, which can be accomplished if it is run alongside Taunt. However, it is a much less reliable move than Lava Plume due to lower accuracy and lower PP, meaning you have to use the move more conservatively; otherwise, Heatran will be unable to beat Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor. Earth Power allows Heatran to hit Toxapex, Tyranitar, and opposing Heatran super effectively. Heatran's ability to force a number of switches thanks to its great typing and offensive presence in combination with its ability to pressure the majority of Defoggers in the tier, namely Tornadus-T, Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and Mew, makes it one of the most effective Stealth Rock setters in the tier; however, you should be wary that the latter may carry Ground-type coverage. Toxic allows Heatran to cripple Pokemon that would otherwise come in unscathed like Mega Alakazam, Mega Latios, Gastrodon, and Hydreigon. Taunt stops Pokemon that rely on status moves to function such as Clefable, Toxapex, Chansey, and Pyukumuku, allowing Heatran to beat them one-on-one.
Set Details
========
128 Speed EVs are used to outspeed Adamant Choice Band Tyranitar and Modest Magnezone. 252 HP EVs and the leftover EVs in Special Defense alongside a Calm nature provide as much bulk as possible so Heatran can adequately check Magearna, Tapu Lele, and Blacephalon. Leftovers prevents Heatran from being worn down as rapidly. Flash Fire is Heatran's only available ability; however, it is a good one for dissuading Pokemon like Volcarona, Blacephalon, and opposing Heatran from using their powerful Fire-type STAB moves.
Usage Tips
========
Use this Heatran set to check Pokemon like Tornadus-T and Tapu Lele or switch it into Pokemon that can't do much to it such as Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor and take the opportunity to throw off an attack or set up Stealth Rock. Furthermore, if the opponent has a Pokemon such as Mega Alakazam or Mega Latias, it is often a good idea to predict them to switch in by hitting them with a Toxic. Try not to let Heatran take a Knock Off, as having its Leftovers removed mean it is worn down much quicker. Try to avoid switching Heatran into entry hazards repeatedly, as it will severely hurt its longevity. Use Taunt against passive Pokemon such as Toxapex and Chansey on turns where you expect them to use a recovery move in order to take minimal damage from repeated Scalds or Seismic Tosses.
Team Options
========
This Heatran set fits best on bulkier offense and balanced teams, as it is a great Stealth Rock setter with a fantastic typing to boot, allowing it to check problematic Pokemon for said archetypes such as Mega Scizor and Tapu Lele. Tapu Bulu is Heatran's best teammate, as the synergy between the two is immense; Tapu Bulu can switch into Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Zygarde, Fighting-types like Keldeo, and Water-types such as Ash-Greninja, Gastrodon, and Mega Gyarados. Tapu Bulu also sets Grassy Terrain, which provides Heatran with more passive recovery on top of Leftovers and gives it the ability to tank Earthquakes from Pokemon like Landorus-T if absolutely needed. Other Grass-types like Tangrowth and Amoonguss are also fantastic teammates, but Tapu Bulu is generally the best choice. Similarly, bulky Water-types like Toxapex and Gastrodon are solid teammates to switch into Ash-Greninja for Heatran, which is one of Heatran's best offensive checks. As Heatran is vulnerable to being worn down by Stealth Rock and Spikes, entry hazard removers like Tornadus-T and Tapu Koko are nice partners. While Heatran is often able to set up Stealth Rock against stall teams, it needs team support to help with the matchup—Mega Mawile and Calm Mind Clefable fit the bill.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[mellowyellowhd, 423226]]
- Quality checked by: [[Eternam, 248449], [lyd, 303291], [Jordy, 395754]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [martha, 384270]]
Last edited:
