QC: Eevee General / Unfixable / X
GP: X / X
GP: X / X
[OVERVIEW]
An excellent defensive typing of Fire/Steel along with a fire immunity thanks to its Flash Fire ability gives it a total of 9 resistances, 2 immunities and only 3 weaknesses. This allows Heatran to wall many Pokemon, including a number of powerful setup sweepers thanks to resistances to important types such as normal, flying and steel. Heatran is difficult to reliably switch into due to the ability wear down potential counters with either Toxic or Burn damage, and can rely on its own immunity to both Burn and Poison making it harder for defensive Pokemon to down Heatran. Due to its excellent special attack and usable speed, Heatran can run good offensive sets as well as it can run defensive sets, giving Heatran a lot of versatility. Heatran is able to easily force switches thanks to its excellent typing, making Heatran one of the most reliable stealth rock setters in the STABmons metagame. However, a weakness to common water and ground attacks leaves it vulnerable to the attacks of many Pokemon. Many Pokemon will also run coverage moves such as Hidden Power and Earthquake specifically to lure and KO Heatran due to its ubiquity. Finally, a lack of reliable recovery moves forces Heatran to rely on leftovers for recovery, making it easy to wear down with powerful neutral attacks. Despite these shortcomings, Heatran still maintains a position at the top of the metagame as both a unique defensive threat and a powerful special attacker.
[SET]
name: Shuffler
move 1: Doom Desire
move 2: Lava Plume / Searing Shot
move 3: Roar
move 4: King's Shield
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 164 SpA / 88 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Doom Desire is the most important move in the set, a powerful 140 BP move that hits very hard coming off Heatran's strong special attack stat. Doom Desire hits two turns after being used, allowing you to "combo" the attack with other synergistic attacks that can break through opposing walls, or hit while you switch to a safe counter to an opposing Pokemon. Lava Plume is a fire STAB move to hit steel types that resist Doom Desire, as well as giving Heatran a chance to burn incoming Pokemon to further wear them down. Searing Shot can be used over Lava Plume for slightly more power if you don't care about lower PP, which matters less on this set than it does on the SpDef set. Roar is used to phaze pokemon around, in order to hit pokemon that don't appreciate it with Doom Desire. It can also be utilised to rack up hazard damage on Pokemon trying to switch into Heatran, and is generally a pretty free move to use when hazards are on the field and Heatran is against Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, who will almost always switch out. King's Shield can used to stall out the first turn of Doom Desire so it can hit in the following turn. Additionally, it is also used to scout moves and recover some HP with leftovers, while also dropping the attack of any Pokemon attempting to hit Heatran with a contact move. Earth Power can be used over King's Shield in order to hit enemy Heatrans, who otherwise walls this set, along with other grounded or roosting fire types like Charizard X or Talonflame. However, this decreases the usefulness of this set as these Pokemon can be Roared out anyway, along with losing the benefits of King's Shield, such as scouting and HP recovery.
Set Details
========
168 Special Attack EVs are used to increase the power of Doom Desire in order to deal more damage to the opposing Pokemon and break down cores. Max HP EVs are used to increase Heatran's bulk, as speed is not really required for this set. The extra HP allows it to better switch into many pokemon, including avoiding the OHKO from +1 Aegislash's Shadow Force, living a Fake Out+Superpower from Braviary, and avoiding the OHKO from both special and physical varients of Thundurus. 88 Special Defense EVs allow it to take 2 Thunderbolts from 2 attack Thundurus. Leftovers are the preferred item so that Heatran can recover some HP over time, helped by King's Shield.
Usage Tips
========
Setting up a Doom Desire forces the opponent to try to switch into something that can beat Heatran in a 1-on-1, while also being able to take a Doom Desire. If a Pokemon that cannot take a Doom Desire is sent out, King's Shield can be used to stall out a turn, forcing the opponent to make a risky play in order to avoid dying. Against specially defensive Pokemon that cannot do much to Heatran, such as Chansey, use Roar instead to force one of the opponent's less bulky Pokemon to take large amounts of damage. Roar can even be used against more defensive water types, such as Rotom-W, who can only 3HKO with Scald. You can also switch out to a Pokemon that can deal a lot of damage to the resist, pressuring it to switch. Try to take advantage of the many Pokemon Heatran walls in order to setup a Doom Desire. You can also switch this Heatran set into opposing Heatran's as long as they don't have Earth Power.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that lay down hazards are a great help to this set, which relies on shuffling Pokemon around, allowing it to rack up additional hazard damage. Ferrothorn, Landorus-T, Hippowdon and Garchomp can all lay down Stealth Rock and Spikes. Fast and powerful physical attackers that can take advantage of the holes blown into the defensive backbone of teams are good partners for this set. Examples include Aerodactyl, Azumarill, Landorus-T, and Terrakion. Defensive Pokemon such as Gyarados, Landorus-T, Ferrthorn, Celebi and Slowking all have good synergy with Heatran and so make great partners.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Lava Plume
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: King's Shield / Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Lava Plume is a obligatory STAB move, deterring many potential switch-ins such as Landorus-T and Azumarill with crippling burns, while also allowing it to beat Ferrothorn, Scizor and others. Stealth Rock provides entry hazard support, which Heatran can find multiple opportunities to lay down throughout the game because it forces switches with its excellent typing. Toxic is used to wear down Pokemon that are resistant to lava plume without having to rely on its shaky burn chance. It also allows it to beat some pokemon such as Roost Latios and prevents pokemon such as Roost Gyarados from setting up for free. King's Shield is used to gain additional leftovers recovery as well as to maximise damage from burns and toxics. It also allows it to scout for potential coverage moves and to punish Pokemon using contact moves with an attack drop. This is especially useful against common choice item users such as Landorus-T, Azumarill, and Scizor, as it eases prediction. Roar can be used to phaze some of the common setup sweepers in the STABmons metagame and shuffle pokemon for additional hazard damage. It prevents Clefable from setting up in Heatran's face unless it is the last pokemon, and can be used to phase others such as Togekiss, Thundurus, Sub CM Mega Latias, and Talonflame.
Set Details
========
Max HP and SpD EVs are used to improve Heatran's bulk, letting it better counter and check many special attackers. For example, it turns Life Orb Thundurus's Thunderbolt from a 2HKO to a 4HKO. It also turns the focus blast from pokemon such as Gengar, Alakazam and Charizard Y from an OHKO into 2HKO or 3HKO after leftovers. Leftovers are the preferred item so that Heatran can recover some HP over time, helped by King's Shield. This helps to prevent Heatran from being worn down throughout the game and elevates its lack of reliable recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Try to toxic Heatran counters on the switch when Heatran is first sent in to try and wear them down. If necessary, Heatran's large special bulk allows it to take weak attacks from the likes of Rotom-W, but it is not recommended due to no reliable recovery. This includes Azumarill, Slowking, Rotom-W and others. Try to setup Stealth Rock as soon as possible to pressure opposing defoggers and wear down the opponent's team as much as possible. Thanks to Heatran's large special bulk, it is even able to take weak attacks from the likes of Slowking if it wishes. Make sure to use King's Shield to rack up as much status damage as possible, giving you 3 turns of status damage rather than 2, unless the opponent double switches after the King's Shield. After revealing King's Shield, you can also choose to immediately switch without King's Shielding. This prevent your opponent from gaining the advantage through double switching, keeping the momentum of the game in your favour. Try to scout for possible coverage moves that can beat Heatran. Examples include Earthquake Latios, Earthquake Charizard, Judgement Talonflame, and HP Ground Serperior.
Team Options
========
Defensive flying types are great team-mates, able to switch into fighting attacks and completely avoid the ground moves directed at Heatran. Good examples include defensive Gyarados, Landorus-T, Rotom-W and Gliscor. Specially bulky Pokemon that resist water and fighting attacks are especially important because special attacks are not affected by King's Shield. Latios, Latias, Slowking, Celebi and Mega Venusaur are all good partners. Ferrothorn in particular is a great partner for Heatran despite sharing similar steel-typing. Pokemon such as Latios and Serperior are able to run lures for either Ferrothorn or Heatran, but not both, allowing you to 100% counter them. Ferrothorn also counters common water types that threaten Heatran, such as Azumarill, Gyarados, Slowbro, Slowking, and Manaphy.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Blue Flare
move 2: Flash Cannon
move 3: Earth Power
move 4: Eruption / Searing Shot / Sleep Talk
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 28 HP / 252 SpA / 228 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Blue Flare is Heatran's primary STAB move, a powerful 130 BP fire attack that can be easily spammed late game. Searing Shot can be used over Blue Flare for a more reliable 100% accurate move along with a 30% burn chance, but is weaker with only 100 BP. Flash Cannon is a secondary STAB move, hitting rock types such as Tyranitar, Aerodactyl, and Diancie for super effective damage. It also allows Heatran to beat Calm Mind Clefable and is stronger against Dragon types. Earth Power is used to hit Pokemon that resist Heatran's STAB moves, such as opposing Heatran and Charizard X. Eruption is a powerful 150 BP fire move, capable of OHKOing even bulky Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Darkrai and other prominent threats. Be sure to pack hazard removal, as after 1 switch into Stealth Rock it has only slightly more power than Blue Flare, and at 86% it is weaker. Ancient Power can be used over Eruption so Heatran can hit Talonflame, Charizard-Y, and Gyarados, three important threats Heatran may need to check that resist both fire, ground and steel. Stone Edge can be run over Ancient Power in order to get the OHKO on Charizard Y and SpDef Talonflame, although the accuracy is an issue. Sleep Talk is a useful move that allows Heatran to act as a sleep absorber against Pokemon such as Sableye and Darkrai. These moves are very situational and will not be useful against opponents not using the two specific pokemon that they beat
Set Details
========
Max special attack is used to increase the damage of Heatran's attacks. A timid nature allows Heatran to outspeed Pokemon with a base speed of 121-135, including Weavile, Aerodactyl and Mega Manectric. 228 EVs are used because using max speed does not allow it to outspeed anything else faster than Mega Manectric, so the extra EVs are put into HP for a small amount of additional bulk. Timid nature also allows Heatran to outspeed adamant Gyarados and Dragonite after a Dragon Dance. An alternative EV spread of 12 HP / 252 SpA / 244 with a modest nature can be run to increase the power of Heatran's attacks. 244 speed EVs allows it to outspeed Tornadus-T and 0 Speed Mega Scizor at +2. However, Heatran is unable to revenge kill 80 base speed Dragon dancers with this change in nature, and cannot outspeed the aforementioned Pokemon from base speed 121-135, such as Weavile, Aerodactyl, and Mega Manectric.
Usage Tips
========
Because SpDef Heatran is the more common set, you can try to catch opponents off guard with a Choice Scarf. Opponents who do not know your set will likely stay in with Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Gliscor, which you can OHKO with a small amount of prior damage. Try to use this to your advantage if you can. Try to spam Eruption early game against offensive teams, as they will likely not have a switch in to scarf Heatran. Avoid damage as long as possible in order to keep the the power of Eruption at 150 BP. Use Searing Shot late game, after Heatran has likely taken damage in order to clean.
Team Options
========
A small amount of damage lets Heatran OHKO or 2HKO many pokemon that it could not, such as defensive Landorus-T, Starmie, Latios, and Terrakion. Because of this, hazard setters are useful to have. Landorus-T, Garchomp, Skarmory and Ferrothorn are some pokemon that synergise well with Heatran and can also set hazards. Most bulky waters wall this set as Heatran does not have the option of using Toxic or Roaring them away like with other sets. Counters to water types are greatly appreciated, including Mega Venusaur, Celebi, Tangrowth, Ferrothorn, and Mega Latias, which are all good counters or checks to common defensive water types such as Rotom-W, Slowking, and defensive Azumarill. Pursuit trappers are excellent teammates for scarf Heatran, as they trap and weaken some of the few Pokemon that wall it, including Chansey, Latias, and Slowking. The two best pursuit users are Bisharp and Tyranitar.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stallbreaker
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid
evs: 40 HP / 252 SpA / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Magma Storm allows Heatran to lure and trap would-be counters, namely Chansey. It is also a strong fire type STAB move that can KO Ferrothorn, Scizor, and other Steel types.
Earth Power has good coverage alongside a fire move, doing more damage to water types, hitting fire types such as opposing Heatran, and also gives this set a 100% accuracy move to finish off weakened Pokemon with. Taunt allows Heatran to prevent any hazards, recovery, screens or status moves from defensive pokemon, and prevents setup from Pokemon such as Togekiss and Gyarados. Toxic allows Heatran to wear down Pokemon without having to rely on the inaccurate Magma Storm. If you cannot fit in a Stealth Rock user on your team, it can be used over Toxic. However, the loss of Toxic makes it not nearly as effective as a stallbreaker due to its inability to wear down water types and other Pokemon that resist Fire / Ground coverage.
Set Details
========
216 Speed EVs and a Timid nature guarantees you outspeed max speed Tyranitar. This also outspeeds Landorus-T and Gliscor in order to 2HKO them, and Mew in order to taunt it.
Two variations of this set can be run: An offensive Heatran set with max special attack, allowing it to lure and beat Pokemon such as Gliscor more easily, or a defensive variant which offers more team support and can more easily beat water types. The defensive set runs 252 HP / 40 SpD / 216 Spe. Leftovers are the preferred item so that Heatran can recover some HP over time. This helps to prevent Heatran from being worn down throughout the game and elevates its lack of reliable recovery, especially helping against Chansey and other chip damage such as Leech Seed Ferrothorn.
Usage Tips
========
Use this set as you would a defensive Heatran, but if the opponent has a Chansey, then to avoid revealing Magma Storm until Chansey switches in. However, be aware that this set does not have the same bulk as defensive Heatran and so cannot take on the likes of Thundurus. Use Toxic if you predict a fire-resist as a switch in, although if they don't have Chansey or anything else you want to trap, then you don't have to worry about revealing it. and Then, you can proceed to Taunt to prevent Whirlwind or Transform, and then Toxic the following turn. Chansey will now be at around 45%, so you can magma storm or earth power again to bring chansey to around 10%, then finish it off the turn after. Chansey can only Seismic Toss back for a 4HKO or 5HKO at best. Feel free to switch this set into opposing SpDef Heatran, as most do not carry Earth Power, allowing you to completely counter it.
Team Options
========
Additional checks or counters to Scizor are appreciated for this set, as Magma Storm only has a shaky 75% accuracy. Sableye, other fire types such as Mega Charizard or Talonflame, and Mega Manectric are some good Scizor checks that can be used. Special attackers that benefit from Chansey being lured and removed enjoy having this set as a partner, as they are then free to fire off their attacks without the great pink blob being there to stop them. Special Thundurus, Charizard Y, and Togekiss are examples of Pokemon that benefit from Chansey's removal. Counters to bulky waters are useful, as they are the most reliable counter to this set. Mega Venusaur, Amoonguss, Ferrothorn, and Mega Latias are all good counters or checks to common water types such as Rotom-W, Slowking, and Mega Blastoise.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Heatran can run an offensive set with Stealth Rock and 3 attacks as a lead with an Air Balloon to avoid ground type attacks and giving free turns. Power Herb Solarbeam is a possible option to lure and KO some water types. This is a fun little option that works well on the stallbreaker set. Physical sets utilising V-Create and Shift Gear can be run, but are largely outclassed by better steel and fire types due to Heatran's terrible 77 base attack stat. Scizor, Aegislash, Bisharp, Talonflame, Charizard, Entei, Infernape, and others are all surperior options to this set,.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Chansey**: Chansey can counter or pivot around most Heatran sets barring the offensive stallbreaker set, able to take any attack and seismic toss, and can also simply switch out to remove Toxic.
**Bulky Water-types**: Most bulky water types are excellent Heatran counters or checks, due to their fire resistance and super effective STAB move. However, Toxic can wear them down quickly especially those without recovery such as Mega Blastoise, so be careful. Slowking, Azumarill, Gyarados, and Rotom-W are all good Heatran checks.
**Lures**: One of the biggest threats to Heatran are lure sets, which are easy for many pokemon to use thanks to Heatran's 4x ground weakness. Watch out for Earthquake Latios or even Latias, Hidden Power Ground Serperior instead of Hidden Power Fire, and mixed Judgement Talonflame, among others.
**Ground-types** Most Ground types can check Heatran thanks to its 4x ground weakness, but dislike burns so are not reliable counters. Gliscor is probably the best SpDef Heatran counter thanks to poison heal granting it an immunity to Burn, but will get blown away by Offensive sets. Garchomp is a pretty great check too, resisting fire and having decent bulk, but dislikes burns. Other ground types such as Landorus-T and Hippowdon can check Heatran, but cannot switch in without risking a burn from Lava Plume.
**Knock Off** Knock off puts Heatran on a timer with its HP, as its only form of recovery is leftovers. An early Knock Off cripples Heatran and makes it much less effective.
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