[OVERVIEW]
Heatran is a premier DPP OU Pokemon thanks to its fantastic versatility and offensive prowess. Heatran's unique typing—bolstered by Flash Fire—and colorful movepool make it one of the best utility Pokemon in the tier. As a Fire-type with many resistances, neutrality to Stealth Rock, and immunity to sand, it can roast many of the common Pokemon weak to Fire—such as Jirachi, Bronzong, Scizor, Breloom, and Metagross—while having enough longevity to set up Stealth Rock, spread status, and KO a problem foe with Explosion With Magma Storm, Heatran is a great trapper, as it can customize its moveset to lure in and KO not only offensive Pokemon like Swampert, Starmie, Gyarados, and Dragonite, but also walls such as Latias, Clefable, Milotic, and Blissey. Heatran's versatility makes it the anti-metagame Pokemon: offensive teams despise dealing with burns and struggle to continually switch into its powerful attacks, while defensive teams tremble for this special attacker that can 2HKO Clefable with a boosting item, as well as exploiting stall staples such as Skarmory, Jirachi, defensive Zapdos, and defensive Rotom-A.
Heatran features on a wide variety of teams in almost any role. The most offensive of teams love it beating defensive Jirachi and weakening its switch-ins such as Latias and Clefable for other special sweepers, using its power, Taunt, and Explosion. More balanced teams can use Heatran as an excellent standalone wallbreaker with Choice Specs, a great revenge killer with Choice Scarf, or a devastating Substitute attacker backed by entry hazards. With Substitute and Protect, Heatran is a fantastic partner for Toxic Spikes, as it can wear down its poisoned checks such as Tyranitar, Swampert, Suicune, Milotic, and Blissey. More defensive teams enjoy it spreading burns with Lava Plume, preventing Forretress and Skarmory from setting up entry hazards, and/or even sweeping with a Torment set.
Heatran is held back from breaking the metagame in two by its debilitating weaknesses and how the metagame has adapted to it. While Heatran has good defensive typing and bulk, Ground-, Water-, and Fighting-type attacks are extremely common from Pokemon such as Flygon, Gliscor, Swampert, Suicune, Starmie, Lucario, Infernape, Breloom, and Machamp; these Pokemon force Heatran to either run a resistance Berry or switch out. Even attackers that Heatran offensively threatens, such as Metagross, itself, Jirachi, Bronzong, and Magnezone, can easily run Ground-type attacks to at least 2HKO it. Heatran struggles against both very offensive teams, which have multiple Pokemon that can OHKO it, and slower defensive teams, where it needs to sacrifice itself to make progress. While they do not appreciate burns without a Lum Berry, Dragon Dance sweepers in Gyarados, Tyranitar, and Dragonite all resist Heatran's main attacks and can set up on it, forcing Heatran to use Explosion, or OHKO it. Heatran has a mediocre Speed stat, meaning it either gets outsped by these threats or loses a critical amount of bulk, depending on its EVs. Other Speed-boosting sweepers such as Agility Empoleon and Metagross can outspeed even Choice Scarf Heatran and OHKO it back. Against more defensive teams, Heatran often needs to take major damage, take status, or sacrifice itself with Explosion to KO Clefable, Blissey, and Latias, as these Pokemon are bulky enough to survive Heatran's unboosted Fire-type attacks. Heatran lacks reliable recovery, and with Spikes and Stealth Rock, it struggles to come in repeatedly to break open defensive teams. Heatran also has to rely on moves with subpar accuracy, such as Fire Blast, Will-O-Wisp, and especially Magma Storm, and it struggles to fit every option it wants; it often cannot fit Lava Plume or Flamethrower alongside its less reliable attacks.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock / Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Fire Blast / Flamethrower
move 3: Earth Power / Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Explosion
item: Leftovers / Shuca Berry / Passho Berry / Focus Sash / Chople Berry
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Modest / Hasty
evs: 252 HP / 96 SpA / 160 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Heatran is an excellent user of Stealth Rock, as it can use its offensive pressure and bulk to set it up. Heatran also offensively pressures spinners such as Forretress. However, with another Stealth Rock user, Heatran can run Will-O-Wisp to spread burns on Tyranitar, Swampert, Machamp, and Gyarados. Will-O-Wisp mitigates Heatran's weaknesses, as it can often survive physical super effective coverage moves from burned Pokemon. Taunt is another choice it can use, especially with a faster EV spread; Heatran is naturally close to 2HKOing Clefable with Fire Blast, and preventing it from healing opens up other special attackers. With Speed investment, Taunt also prevents foes such as Dragon Dance Gyarados and Dragon Dance Tyranitar from setting up on Heatran, and it can prevent Stealth Rock from Pokemon such as Swampert and Hippowdon, which often try to set it as they predict Heatran will switch out.
Heatran can run many different Fire-type attacks. Fire Blast is the most common, as it muscles through neutral targets such as Rotom-A, Zapdos, and Clefable while OHKOing Gengar after Stealth Rock. Flamethrower is the more reliable choice, as Heatran needn't worry about accuracy and PP against threats it OHKOes such as Breloom, Scizor, Jirachi without defensive EVs, and physically defensive Skarmory. Heatran can also use Lava Plume, Magma Storm, or Overheat. Lava Plume combines Flamethrower's reliability and Will-O-Wisp's burns, but Heatran often wants more power than it gives, while Magma Storm is best on sets with more coverage. Overheat provides a strong initial hit, but Heatran does not enjoy being forced out, and it cannot pressure Clefable.
Heatran's coverage move often depends on its item and the role it wants to play. The most common choice is Earth Power, which gives excellent coverage with two moves and covers other Heatran, Tyranitar, Infernape, and Water-types such as Swampert, Starmie, and Milotic. Earth Power is especially great with Shuca Berry, as it lets Heatran more comfortably beat opposing Heatran trying to absorb its Fire-type attack. Hidden Power Grass allows Heatran to OHKO Swampert without defensive EVs and notably keep Stealth Rock up against Starmie. Hidden Power Grass easily 2HKOes Starmie, while Starmie needs a boosting item to OHKO Heatran after using Rapid Spin. When holding a Passho Berry, Heatran can even avoid a 2HKO from defensive Starmie's Surf. Another option is Dragon Pulse, as it notably 2HKOes Latias and Kingdra without defensive EVs, as well as possibly OHKOing Dragonite and Flygon after Stealth Rock. Heatran can even drop the coverage to run two of its utility moves, such as Stealth Rock and Will-O-Wisp.
Explosion is Heatran's best way to KO special walls and setup sweepers like Gyarados alike. Even Clefable, Blissey, and Latias can be taken out by a surprise Explosion, opening the door for other special attackers. Heatran is uniquely good at using Explosion, as it has a good Attack stat, its special offense deters physical walls, Steel- and Ghost-types can't take its Fire-type attacks, and Heatran can take on the most common Rock-type, Tyranitar, with Earth Power and Will-O-Wisp.
Set Details
========
Heatran has myriad viable EV spreads; the listed spread gives Heatran maximum HP and outspeeds up to Adamant 252 Speed EV Scizor, with the specific Special Attack EVs slightly optimizing the stat. Explosion still hits hard even with a hindering nature. Utility Heatran often focuses EVs in either HP or Speed; if maximizing HP, other options include 128 Speed EVs to outspeed all neutral-nature Swampert, Tyranitar, and Empoleon or 216 Speed EVs to outspeed Tyranitar, Magnezone, and neutral-nature Metagross. If Heatran wants to focus on Speed, some possibilities include 200 Speed EVs with a boosting nature, which Breloom, neutral-nature Dragonite, and neutral-nature Gyarados, and maximum Speed to outspeed Kingdra and slower defensive Latias. For these options, Heatran uses 252 Special Attack EVs with either a Timid or a Hasty nature. Heatran should generally avoid using a Naive nature, as this stops it from surviving Hydro Pump from Suicune and Starmie after Stealth Rock. However, not lowering Attack can let Explosion KO foes such as Clefable, offensive Gyarados after Stealth Rock, and Blissey after Stealth Rock and sand damage. While utility Heatran can use less Speed investment than listed, it generally is not recommended to run fewer than 128 EVs due to how many foes can then offensively pressure it. Heatran has incredible customization: for example, 16 HP / 52 Atk / 208 SpA / 236 Spe with a Mild nature can outspeed Agility Metagross and Dragon Dance Tyranitar, OHKO offensive Suicune, and potentially OHKO defensive Latias with Explosion after Stealth Rock.
Utility Heatran often runs Leftovers to heal and best answer defensive Jirachi. With Leftovers, Heatran heals more than Jirachi's Iron Head deals, meaning it can't flinch Heatran down. It also can't wear down Heatran throughout a game to eventually break through it. Another great choice is Shuca Berry, which notably lets Heatran survive many ways to remove it, such as opposing Heatran's Earth Power and Earthquake from Tyranitar, mixed Flygon, and Metagross. It survives all of these without any HP EVs, meaning faster Heatran can use Shuca Berry to bypass the need for bulk for its most common weakness. Passho Berry lets Heatran more comfortably survive hits from many Water-types such as Starmie, Suicune, and Empoleon. Heatran can then use the appropriate coverage move or Explosion as they attack.
Heatran has numerous other items it can use. The most prominent is Focus Sash, especially if it leads. Heatran can very aggressively use Taunt on opposing leads to prevent setup, attack, or just use Explosion to take out the foe. While it can use bulk EVs with a Focus Sash, dropping them for maximum Speed is often the best choice. Another great option is Lum Berry to neutralize status moves such as Clefable's Thunder Wave or Breloom's Spore, possibly switching into Spore and forcing Breloom out. Chople Berry helps Heatran survive strong Fighting-type attacks, such as Gengar's Focus Blast, Machamp's Dynamic Punch, Infernape's Close Combat, and Lucario's Close Combat. Heatran can also use Custap Berry to give it one last attack before fainting, especially since it often survives strong attacks with not a lot of health. Heatran can even use Endure to put itself in Custap Berry range.
Usage Tips
========
Heatran should come into the game fairly early or even lead to set up Stealth Rock as soon as possible, threaten possible switches, or weaken checks. Heatran’s versatility makes it hard for opponents to figure out the set early-game; for example, opponents might believe Heatran is Choice Specs in the lead position and switch to a special wall in response. Leverage this to wear down switch-ins and get opportunities to use its utility moves. Against more offensive teams and when holding a resistance Berry, Heatran is a fantastic one-on-one Pokemon, as it often can switch in on a Steel-type like Jirachi, threaten whatever switches in with the appropriate coverage move, and then use Explosion. Against more defensive teams, Heatran can often get worn down quickly, especially if it lacks Leftovers. However, Heatran is a great way to prevent entry hazards, because none of Roserade, Skarmory, or Forretress can set up as long as it’s active. Being aggressive with Explosion can often net KOs on Clefable and Latias. However, Heatran is one of the best checks against physically defensive Jirachi, and the rest of the team can suffer if it sacrifices itself too early.
Team Options
========
Heatran is one of the best offensive Stealth Rock users in the tier and fits with many teammates. Breloom is a fantastic teammate, as Heatran can switch into offensive Latias's Draco Meteor and either heavily weaken it or KO it with Explosion. Breloom in turn can switch into special walls such as Clefable and Blissey, as well as Water-types such as defensive Starmie and Suicune, which wall Heatran or force it to use Explosion. Breloom and Heatran can also perform well in a Fire-Water-Grass core with Water-types such as Swampert, offensive Calm Mind Suicune, and Dragon Dance Gyarados. These Pokemon also appreciate Heatran weakening Latias, Zapdos, and Rotom-A, and some can take on opposing Water-types so Heatran doesn't have to use a Passho Berry or Explosion against them. Other less common Grass-types such as Roserade, Celebi, and Shaymin are also good choices in the core, being good switch-ins to Heatran's type weaknesses.
Heatran also threatens Skarmory and Forretress and prevents them from setting entry hazards, especially Spikes, ensuring they don't limit grounded attackers such as Breloom, Suicune, and itself. Threatening Skarmory and other special walls, while providing Stealth Rock and early-game pressure no less, is also very valuable to sweepers such as Dragon Dance Dragonite, Dragon Dance Tyranitar, Swords Dance Scizor, Agility Metagross, and offensive Jirachi. These sweepers benefit in different ways: offensive Calm Mind Jirachi appreciates Latias and other special walls being weakened or KOed; Tyranitar, Metagross, physical Jirachi, Scizor, and Dragonite enjoy Heatran forcing out Skarmory after it phazes them, thus stopping it from healing, or baiting in and using Explosion on Water-types; and Scizor and Dragonite appreciate Heatran switching into and forcing out their counters, like Jirachi and Skarmory. Further, Tyranitar and Scizor can freely switch into most Latias sets and heavily threaten it alongside Heatran. Offensive Latias can synergistically weaken Tyranitar and other special walls that absorb Heatran's attacks. Heatran can even use Will-O-Wisp and prevent Tyranitar from using Pursuit on Latias effectively. Starmie works like Latias but can also spin, keeping Heatran from being worn down.
Heatran appreciates backup against physical sweepers with Earthquake, as it can often only prevent setup by sacrificing itself via Taunt or Explosion. Choice Scarf Rotom-A, Latias, and Flygon all can switch into some of these sweepers and revenge kill them if they set up. Another choice is Skarmory, which can handle many of the boosted physical sweepers that Heatran struggles to deal with. Heatran also enjoys Spikes and especially Toxic Spikes; Heatran forces many switches to rack up damage and threatens Pokemon trying to break through Spikes Skarmory, such as Substitute Jirachi and Breloom. Roserade, Nidoqueen, and Tentacruel are good choices to set up Toxic Spikes. On more offensive Spikes teams, Gengar and mixed Flygon are excellent teammates. Gengar can come in on Fighting- and Ground-type moves aimed at Heatran and start attacking, spread status, or set up Substitute, while Flygon appreciates Heatran dealing with faster Latias sets and potentially KOing Clefable with Explosion.
[SET]
name: Trapper
move 1: Magma Storm
move 2: Dragon Pulse / Toxic
move 3: Hidden Power Grass / Taunt / Earth Power
move 4: Explosion / Taunt / Protect
item: Passho Berry / Shuca Berry / Leftovers / Lum Berry
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Modest
evs: 96 HP / 252 SpA / 160 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
The purpose of this Heatran is to trap the opponent's switch-in with Magma Storm and deal with it accordingly. Heatran can eliminate common switch-ins such as Latias, Clefable, Swampert, Gyarados, and Swampert with the appropriate coverage move. The strength of Magma Storm and the residual damage make it a strong primary offensive move to break through walls such as Clefable, as well as weakening foes such as offensive Latias and Swampert into KO range of its coverage moves. Dragon Pulse prominently allows Heatran to KO offensive Latias without having to sacrifice itself. The combination of Magma Storm and Dragon Pulse also traps and KOes Dragonite, Flygon, and Kingdra&mdash:Heatran can run resistance Berries to survive their attacks. Another great option on bulkier sets is to use Toxic. With Toxic, Heatran can rack up residual damage on Latias, as defensive Latias typically can't hurt it much and despises being poisoned. Toxic + Taunt is also effective for pressuring Blissey trapped by Magma Storm, and Toxic hits prominent foes such as Swampert, Tyranitar, and Gliscor on the switch.
Hidden Power Grass is another excellent option, as Magma Storm + Hidden Power Grass KOes all but the most specially defensive Swampert. With a Passho Berry, Hidden Power Grass Heatran can trap and remove many other Water-types such as Starmie, Milotic, and Quagsire, and it does a lot of damage to Suicune. Taunt is a fantastic option, preventing Blissey, Clefable, and especially Latias from healing off Magma Storm damage, statusing Heatran, or phazing it. Taunt on a trapped foe also can confirm a safe enough switch into a setup sweeper. Earth Power maximizes Heatran's coverage alongside Magma Storm, as it nails opposing Heatran and can more reliably remove weakened Tyranitar, Empoleon, and Tentacruel.
Explosion allows Heatran to trade with whatever foe it traps, most notably bulkier foes that can take multiple Magma Storms or coverage moves such as Blissey and Suicune. Explosion also allows Heatran to trade with Clefable if Heatran misses too many Magma Storms after trapping it. Bulkier Heatran can also use Protect instead, which racks up the residual damage of Magma Storm and potentially Toxic as well.
Set Details
========
The listed EV spread outspeeds Adamant 252 Speed EV Scizor. With the primary listed moves, Heatran should run at least 216 Special Attack EVs and a boosting nature, as this allows it to trap Swampert and Blissey and KO them with Hidden Power Grass or Explosion, respectively. As Heatran is on the cusp of surviving attacks such as mixed Flygon's Earthquake after Stealth Rock and Life Orb Dragonite's Earthquake—both with Shuca Berry—it can invest 128 EVs in HP instead of reaching this benchmark. Heatran can also run more HP EVs and not a lot of Speed EVs, but Hidden Power Grass Heatran should run at least 128 Speed EVs to outspeed and trap Swampert. With Toxic and Protect, Heatran should run maximum HP, as this slower removal process necessitates the extra bulk. Since it won't be using Hidden Power Grass, this set can run a spread such as 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe with a Timid nature to maximize nature, which maximizes what foes it can effectively use Taunt on.
Both Passho Berry and Shuca Berry are great for Heatran, as it can survive both strong Water- and Ground-type attacks and eliminate the foe with the appropriate move. Passho Berry lets Heatran trap almost every Water-type in the game, provided it has Hidden Power Grass and they switch into Magma Storm, while Shuca Berry lets it survive Earthquake from various Pokemon such as Tyranitar, Metagross, Gliscor, and Bronzong. If Heatran is using a bulkier set with Protect, it should run Leftovers to survive throughout the game and exploit free turns from Protect. Lum Berry staves off status moves such as Latias's and Clefable's Thunder Waves, letting Heatran keep its Speed high to use Taunt on their recovery moves.
Usage Tips
========
Magma Storm Heatran is primarily a lure; it should come in on Pokemon Heatran forces out such as Jirachi and Skarmory and use Magma Storm as they switch out. Depending on Heatran’s moveset, it can KO what came in with its coverage and potentially Taunt, use Taunt and then switch so another Pokemon can set up or use Pursuit, or immediately remove the new foe with Explosion. While the resistance Berries can allow Heatran to survive strong attacks, taking entry hazard damage can invalidate those feats, so Heatran should try to take immediate advantage of what it traps instead of having to switch out, when possible. Unless Heatran has Taunt, or possibly Toxic, it should refrain from trying to take down special walls with Magma Storm alone, as Magma Storm’s subpar accuracy and low PP make it a poor choice to wear down Clefable and especially Latias. Bulkier Heatran is less punished for switching in and out, but it should try to preserve Magma Storm PP.
Team Options
========
Magma Storm Heatran should be used alongside teammates that have similar checks—often Clefable and Latias. Some prime teammates include offensive Suicune, offensive Calm Mind Jirachi, offensive Starmie, Nasty Plot Celebi, Substitute + Petaya Berry Empoleon, and offensive Zapdos. Breloom and Dragon Dance Gyarados additionally enjoy Latias being weakened, while one’s own offensive Latias appreciates Clefable being gone. Passho Berry Heatran luring in and removing various Water-types, such as Swampert and defensive Suicune, is great help for Dragon Dance Tyranitar, physical Substitute Jirachi, and Dragon Dance Dragonite. Heatran also is an excellent partner for Machamp, as Heatran can switch into its checks such as defensive Rotom-A, Skarmory, and defensive Zapdos to exert pressure and set up potential traps. With a Shuca Berry, Heatran is a great trapper for opposing Heatran, mixed Flygon, Gliscor, Hippowdon, and Dragonite. Heatran is also bulky enough to survive Superpower and Earthquake from offensive Tyranitar to heavily weaken it or poison it. These roles help setup sweepers such as Dragon Dance Tyranitar, Substitute + Pain Split Gengar, and Agility Metagross.
If running a bulkier EV spread, Heatran appreciates switch-ins to its Pokemon that exploit its weaknesses and/or set up, especially mixed Flygon, Dragon Dance Tyranitar, and opposing Heatran. Clefable is fantastic partner, as it can handle mixed Flygon and appreciate Heatran potentially KOing other Clefable. Choice Scarf Jirachi can help against Dragon Dance Tyranitar and appreciate Toxic Heatran poisoning Ground- and Water-types. Defensive Latias is a good Heatran check and attracts Steel-types for Heatran to take advantage of. Starmie is also great to spin for Heatran, and Toxic Heatran can poison Tyranitar to put it in KO range for Starmie. Toxic Spikes users prevent Heatran from having to use Toxic itself, and in turn, Heatran can trap and remove Clefable, which is immune to poison; Nidoqueen sets Toxic Spikes reliably and provides important defensive utility; for example, it can switch into strong Fighting-types such as Lucario.
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Protect / Explosion / Toxic
move 3: Lava Plume / Fire Blast
move 4: Earth Power / Dragon Pulse
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Timid / Hasty
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Heatran is fantastic at forcing switches, and Substitute is one of the best ways to take advantage of that. Substitute eliminates Heatran's need to predict switches, blocks status and Knock Off, and scouts for super effective coverage. With Protect + Leftovers, Heatran maximizes its survivability to make more Substitutes, and it's especially effective with Toxic Spikes to wear down foes such as Tyranitar, Blissey, and various Water-types. However, another option is to make Heatran a full-on lure with Explosion. Few expect Heatran to use Explosion behind a Substitute, and the difficulty of surviving its attacks after Substitute invite in special walls such as Clefable, Blissey, and Latias. Heatran can also use both Explosion and Protect, the latter replacing Earth Power, but watch out for opposing Heatran and Lum Berry Tyranitar. (Other Tyranitar can be burned with Lava Plume.) There are several other strong options for this moveslot as well: Toxic is a fantastic choice to manually spread status onto Water-types—Substitute both makes it easier to spread and stalls for more damage. Roar spreads entry hazard damage should Heatran force a switch and set up Substitute. Taunt optimizes Heatran's Clefable matchup and stops Latias from phazing it.
Lava Plume is the best STAB option with Substitute, which stalls for burn damage alongside Protect. Offensive teams despise switching into burns, especially since Substitute forces any switch-in to risk burn again before hitting Heatran—there is basically a 50% chance that two Lava Plumes burn. Despite its lack of of power, with investment, it KOs foes weak to Fire such as Breloom, physically defensive Skarmory, and Scizor reliably. Fire Blast is another option for general firepower; behind a Substitute, Heatran can threaten frailer attackers that outspeed and otherwise OHKO it, such as Gengar and Mamoswine. Magma Storm can also work, as Substitute prevents status from trap targets like Clefable, slow Latias, and Blissey while giving Magma Storm a second chance should it miss. Earth Power prevents opposing Heatran from walling Heatran and helps break through Fire-resistant, potentially burned attackers such as Swampert, Tyranitar, and Kingdra. Especially alongside Magma Storm, Dragon Pulse is an excellent option to take advantage of Latias: if Heatran has Taunt or sets up a Substitute when Latias comes in, it can trap and defeat it. Dragon Pulse also is excellent for taking down mixed Flygon trying to switch into Heatran, as it OHKOes after Stealth Rock and either burn damage or Life Orb recoil.
Set Details
========
Using maximum Speed EVs with a Timid, or Hasty if using Explosion, nature lets Heatran get Substitute up as quickly as possible. Substitute and Protect alleviate Heatran’s lack of bulk with no defensive investment. With Magma Storm, running a Modest nature is possible to 2HKO defensive Latias with Dragon Pulse and Magma Storm damage. Leftovers is by far the most common item to set up more Substitutes and passively heal, but Charcoal is helpful on more aggressive sets to, once behind a Substitute, guarantee a 2HKO on Clefable with Fire Blast.
Usage Tips
========
Heatran should set up Substitute once it comes in on some foe it forces out, such as Scizor, Breloom, or Jirachi. From here Heatran can freely use any move. Especially with entry hazards up, a Heatran behind a Substitute using Lava Plume or Toxic is very difficult for offensive teams to handle, as they really hate status and their options to break the Substitute are easy to wear down. Beware of being too predictable with Protect and using Substitute too much, as opponents can exploit this to set up or wear Heatran down, respectively. With more offensive options such as Magma Storm, Explosion, or Charcoal, Heatran should set up Substitute to draw in walls and mislead opponents on Heatran's power level; opponents probably won’t predict Heatran behind a Substitute using Explosion or 2HKOing Clefable, for example.
Team Options
========
Substitute Heatran loves entry hazards, especially Toxic Spikes, which helps wear down soft checks vulnerable to status such as Tyranitar, Infernape, Swampert, Suicune, and Blissey. With Protect and Substitute, Heatran can wear them down very quickly, even through Lum Berry due to Lava Plume’s high burn chance. Roserade is one of its best partners, as it can lay down Toxic Spikes and Spikes while also being a great check to Water-types. Skarmory and Forretress can also set Spikes and have good type synergy with Heatran, while Tentacruel and Nidoqueen can set up Toxic Spikes. This Heatran set is an excellent candidate for a Fire-Water-Grass core alongside Swampert or Suicune. Both can help Heatran deal with Ground-types and Dragon Dance sweepers that threaten it, and they enjoy Roserade absorbing Toxic Spikes. Suicune appreciates more offensive versions of Substitute Heatran eliminating Latias and Clefable. With all variants, other Steel-types that can absorb Heatran's defensive responsibilities so it can conserve its health, such as Metagross and Jirachi, are also helpful. Both of these can threaten Clefable, which walls Substitute + Protect + Lava Plume Heatran. Choice Band Tyranitar and Scizor can Pursuit trap Roar Latias and potentially Clefable, as well as Blissey for the former—all three targets can give Substitute Heatran problems. Tyranitar can check Zapdos and draw in physical Jirachi, allowing Heatran to switch in, while Fire-type moves aimed at Scizor can grant Heatran a switch-in and a Flash Fire boost.
Ghost-types, such as Will-O-Wisp + Taunt or Explosion Gengar and offensive Rotom-A, are great at keeping entry hazards up and provide unique utility; Gengar heavily threatens Clefable, while Rotom-A with Pain Split can stay in indefinitely on Clefable, and both Pokemon can spread burns effectively to assist Heatran. Other Ground-types such as Hippowdon and Gliscor can help against Lum Berry + Dragon Dance Tyranitar and Gyarados, while Heatran may even assist Gliscor in sweeping by wearing down Water-types. Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Flygon and Rotom-A can backstop the team against more offensive threats, which Heatran can commonly let set up if they carry a Lum Berry or Heatran cannot status them.
Substitute Heatran also fits alongside more defensive teammates such as Latias and Clefable, as Heatran threatens the Steel-types that beat them such as Jirachi. With Skarmory's Spikes, it also fits well alongside offensive Spikes teammates such as mixed Flygon, especially if Heatran baits in Clefable and uses Explosion on it or 2HKOes it with Fire Blast. Other strong defensive teammates such as Celebi and Bronzong can also switch into Heatran's type weaknesses, and they appreciate it pressuring more offensive teams. Starmie can spin away entry hazards to give Heatran more HP to use Substitute.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Overheat / Eruption
move 2: Flamethrower
move 3: Dragon Pulse
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Earth Power
item: Choice Specs
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Modest / Quiet
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
With Choice Specs, Heatran becomes the hardest-hitting special attacker in OU, devastating almost everything that doesn't resist Fire. Overheat outright OHKOes bulky Pokemon like Zapdos, Gliscor, and Machamp while even 2HKOing resistant Pokemon such as Starmie, as well as Gyarados and Dragonite after Stealth Rock. However, Eruption powers Heatran up even more, as at full health, it can even 2HKO defensive Latias and Blissey after Stealth Rock. Further, it not causing Special Attack drops means it can 2HKO Pokemon such as Clefable and defensive Suicune. The main issue with Eruption, besides its power being based on HP, is that it forces Heatran to use a Quiet nature, only outspeeding up to neutral-nature Swampert, Tyranitar, and Empoleon. As both Overheat and Eruption have drawbacks, Flamethrower is recommended alongside them to have a reliable attack for foes Heatran easily OHKOes, such as Celebi, Jirachi, and Metagross.
Dragon Pulse is fantastic for Dragon-types, as it almost always OHKOes Dragonite, Flygon, Kingdra, and offensive Latias after Stealth Rock. With the Fire-type move of choice, it has good neutral coverage on the whole tier besides opposing Heatran. Hidden Power Grass unquestionably OHKOes Swampert, and Starmie after Stealth Rock, and 2HKOes Milotic and Suicune. Earth Power instead can give Heatran perfect coverage, OHKOing even Shuca Berry Heatran after Stealth Rock and 2HKOing Tyranitar. Note that Overheat and Eruption outdamage Heatran's coverage moves unless the foe resists them and the coverage move is super effective.
Set Details
========
Overheat Heatran can run a Speed-boosting nature to outspeed more Pokemon, but it will miss OHKOing defensive Starmie after Stealth Rock and 2HKOing Milotic and defensive Suicune, so Modest is standard. Eruption is only legal with Quiet. Even with a Quiet nature, Heatran should run maximum Speed EVs to outspeed as much as it can. However, as the closest relevant benchmark is maximum Speed EV Tyranitar, Modest Heatran can invest 216 Speed EVs to outspeed positive-nature Tyranitar, and 228 Speed EVs with a Quiet nature can outspeed neutral-nature Tyranitar. The remaining EVs can be put into HP to be as bulky as possible, but this is generally not recommended.
Usage Tips
========
Choice Specs Heatran typically comes into the game early or leads and uses Overheat or Eruption. Heatran should only deviate from this if the foe is hit harder by a coverage move or easily KOed with Flamethrower. Especially early-game, when not much has been revealed, Heatran can weaken prominent checks such as Latias and Suicune with Overheat and Eruption. With Overheat, Heatran generally should not try to finish off the foe at -2, as it is much easier to switch into Heatran with a Special Attack drop. Eruption doesn't have this problem, although Heatran should only use Eruption if it faster than the foe or forces the foe out, as its power drops rapidly as Heatran is damaged. Although Heatran can get a lot out of predicting switches, it generally should only do this against more defensive teams; there are few common pivots that avoid the 2HKO from Overheat or Eruption on offensive teams, only opposing Heatran and bulky Tyranitar, meaning whatever switches in will likely take huge damage, regardless of prediction. Against more defensive teams that can afford defensive Latias, predicting when it comes in and nailing it with Dragon Pulse can open up the team to Heatran's attacks.
Team Options
========
Choice Specs Heatran enjoys teammates spreading paralysis, especially with Eruption, so it can outspeed foes and hit them with powerful attacks. It's an excellent early-game wallbreaker for teams that spread paralysis, meaning Starmie, Blissey, and defensive Zapdos are excellent partners. Starmie can spin away entry hazards, keeping Heatran's health high so it can use Eruption or its other strong attacks for longer. Blissey can switch into many attackers that aren't OHKOed by Overheat or Eruption, such as Starmie, offensive Suicune, and offensive Latias, and set up Stealth Rock or spread paralysis. Zapdos similarly can switch into all attacks Heatran is weak to, and it can threaten or wall their users. It additionally appreciates Starmie's Rapid Spin, given its Stealth Rock weakness. As Heatran is primarily an attacker, it cannot use its Steel typing to switch into powerful Dragon-type moves. For this reason, Jirachi and Choice Scarf Metagross are great teammates, as they can revenge kill or wall Dragonite, Choice Scarf Flygon, Dragon Dance Gyarados, and Dragon Dance Tyranitar—further, each threat can survive one hit from Heatran and potentially set up. Other Pokemon that can help cover for Heatran defensively include Celebi, Clefable, Bronzong, and Gliscor, and the former two can provide paralysis for it. Breloom is also a great partner, as it takes advantage of all of the bulky Water-types and Blissey trying to survive Heatran's attacks, and it appreciates Heatran potentially incapacitating Latias.
Heatran also can fit alongside more offensive teammates that can lure in and KO the few Pokemon that repeatedly survive its attacks, such as Tyranitar, Latias, and Suicune. Dragon Dance Gyarados with Outrage is excellent, as it lures in and KOes defensive Latias and can switch in on all of Heatran's type weaknesses. As these offensive teams typically do not have much defensive backbone, Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Latias and Rotom-A are excellent teammates, revenge killing the many Pokemon that can set up on Heatran locked into Overheat or a coverage move. Similarly, offensive Swords Dance Scizor has a Bullet Punch strong enough to prevent Tyranitar and Dragonite from taking advantage of Heatran, and it can potentially trap defensive Latias with Pursuit. Also, Scizor and offensive Empoleon can switch into powerful Dragon-type attacks Heatran cannot take. Once defensive Latias is down, Heatran can often open up defensive teams, as they simply have no other common Overheat or Eruption switch-ins. Choice Specs Latias and offensive Suicune can take advantage of Heatran heavily weakening Clefable that switch into it, and both offer defensive utility.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Fire Blast / Flamethrower
move 2: Earth Power
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Dragon Pulse / Hidden Power Electric / Stealth Rock
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Hasty / Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Heatran makes for a good revenge killer and late game sweeper with a Choice Scarf, as it hits hard even without a boosting item and is resistant to most priority. Fire Blast and Flamethrower provide Heatran with a strong Fire-type move and the choice is reliability vs power. Fire Blast is a great sweeping tool, as Heatran can power through offensive resists such as Starmie, Dragonite, and Gyarados after Stealth Rock and sand. Flamethrower does not have to worry about missing late game and has more PP, but the power loss is noticeable. Earth Power gives Heatran great coverage alongside Fire Blast and Flamethrower and allows it to revenge kill Swords Dance Lucario without worrying about missing.
Explosion is one of Heatran's great tools as a revenge killer, as Heatran has no hope to OHKO some threats such as Dragon Dance Gyarados, Dragonite, Latias, Clefable, and Water-types. Heatran can use Explosion on these targets, ending the threat or breaking open a wall. It also is the fastest prominent revenge killer with Explosion. In the last slot, Hidden Power Ice is the best choice, as it can revenge kill Dragonite, Flygon, and Gliscor. Dragon Pulse is another option, as it is very close to OHKOing Dragonite after Stealth Rock and hits Kingdra and Latias hard. Hidden Power Electric also works, as it OHKOes Dragon Dance Gyarados lacking a Wacan Berry without having to resort to Explosion. Heatran’s Speed can potentially make it a great Stealth Rock user, but watch out about locking into the move.
Set Details
========
Heatran should use maximum Speed and Special Attack EVs with a Speed boosting nature, as it hits 417 Speed with a Choice Scarf and needs a lot of investment to outspeed neutral nature Dragonite and Gyarados after a Dragon Dance and slower Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Breloom and Metagross. A Modest or Mild nature is possible to hit hard, such as anti-leading Azelf with Overheat, but the loss in Speed is significant. The choice of Hasty vs Timid is primarily about power on Explosion and surviving various super effective priority. With a Hasty nature, the primary attacks Heatran needs to worry about are Breloom and Infernape's Mach Punch, which now 2HKO it after Stealth Rock, and Empoleon's +2 Aqua Jet after Stealth Rock OHKOing it the majority of the time. Should this not be important, the extra damage on Explosion is worth it against foes such as Latias, Dragon Dance Gyarados after Intimidate, and Blissey.
Usage Tips
========
Choice Scarf Heatran should only come in when it needs to revenge kill or late in the game, as it does not have much longevity and can be walled relatively easily. While Heatran can take one or two resisted or neutral attacks to revenge kill a foe, most sweepers have an attack that can OHKO Heatran. As such, try to avoid using Heatran to revenge kill Dragon Dance sweepers such as Gyarados and Dragonite through Explosion if it otherwise lacks the correct coverage, as it is easily predictable. On the other hand, it is a strong revenge killer to foes that do not boost their Speed, such as Lucario, Gengar, and Scizor, so switching in a set-up move or resisted attack can be devastating. Beware that all of these Pokemon can hit Heatran hard on the switch. If all Fire resists are removed, Heatran's Speed and offensive firepower make it a good sweeper. However, do not be afraid of sacrificing Heatran with Explosion if needed to open up the opposing team to another threat, as it should not be the only line of defense against a foe.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Heatran is both a late game sweeper and secondary revenge killer; it enjoys partners that can lure in and remove Fire resists and can revenge kill the Dragon Dance and other speed boosting sweepers it struggles with. One of the best partners for it is Swords Dance Scizor, as it gives Heatran a free switch to boost its Fire-type moves, can revenge kill weakened Dragon Dance Tyranitar and Dragon Dance Dragonite, and can potentially Pursuit trap Latias. Choice Scarf Heatran is an excellent choice for a revenge killer on teams built around offensive Zapdos, as Zapdos can weaken Clefable, Tyranitar, and Latias as well as check Agility Metagross for Heatran while Heatran can potentially use Explosion on Zapdos's checks. Starmie is also a great choice, as it can Rapid Spin away entry hazards that wear down Heatran and can use Surf to weaken Tyranitar trying to trap it. Breloom can also take advantage of these special walls that prevent Heatran from sweeping and can take advantage of Water-types and Tyranitar, while Passho Berry utility Tyranitar can set up Stealth Rock, take on special attackers Heatran loathes to take on, and potentially handle Agility Empoleon and rain sweepers that Heatran fails to revenge kill. Other sweepers such as Agility Metagross, offensive Suicune, Nasty Plot Celebi, offensive Trick Room Bronzong, and offensive Jirachi are also good options. These Pokemon can also take on sweepers Heatran is forced to use Explosion against, such as Dragon Dance Gyarados and Dragon Dance Tyranitar. Choice Scarf Heatran can be effective against offensive teams late game, but appreciates help against defensive teams. Wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Latias, Gengar, and offensive Empoleon are good options to help here.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Lava Plume
move 2: Protect
move 3: Stealth Rock / Roar
move 4: Explosion / Stealth Rock / Earth Power
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm / Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
With full Special Defense investment, Heatran is remarkably bulky: it will avoid the OHKO from most powerful super effective special moves such as Starmie’s Choice Specs Hydro Pump, opposing Heatran Earth Power, and Gengar’s Life Orb Focus Blast. It also becomes a fantastic switch in to Latias and Electric-types such as Zapdos and Rotom-A, especially since it is both immune to burn and Toxic. This ability makes it fantastic to spread burns with Lava Plume, as even without investment, it still is powerful enough to OHKO physically defensive Starmie and at least 2HKO every Steel-type weak to it. It is also is quite annoying to switch into, as Heatran has the bulk to continually fish for devastating burns. As Heatran lacks reliable recovery, Protect is its best way of healing itself. It’s especially helpful due to Heatran using its raw bulk to answer defensive Pokémon, so it can get worn down. Protect also scouts strong attacks and racks up burn damage.
Roar is prominent on specially defensive Heatran, as it is a fantastic way of spreading entry hazard damage and prevents foes from setting up on Heatran. In the last slot, Heatran is an excellent user of Stealth Rock and can set it up repeatedly. Beware that this set does not deal well with defensive Starmie, however. Another option for good general coverage is Earth Power, as Heatran survives most other Heatran’s Earth Power and can KO back should the opposing Heatran lack Shuca Berry. Another option is to use Explosion, as Heatran can be a great lure. Once it has revealed Protect and especially Roar, opponents are unlikely to scout for Explosion, leading to Heatran getting a KO on a special wall or problematic sweeper.
Set Details
========
Heatran needs full investment to comfortably shrug off special attacks from Zapdos, Rotom-A, and Latias. However, it can spare some Speed EVs to make Roar more effective against defensive Gyarados for example. Heatran can use 80 Speed EVs to outspeed minimum Speed Rotom-A and Machamp. Should Heatran use Explosion, Sassy is an option to power it up, but beware that Heatran is now slower than Skarmory, Breloom, and Metagross.
Usage Tips
========
Specially defensive Heatran only recovers health through Leftovers and can be worn down quickly through entry hazards and repeated weaker attacks. As such, it should only come in on its immunities and what it walls to maintain its HP. From here, it should set up Stealth Rock if it has it, phaze around the foe, and then spread status. Beware from being too predictable with Protect, especially since Heatran has no protection from Substitute to prevent sweepers from OHKOing it. Opponents often underestimate how bulky Heatran is on the special side, especially at full health; it can survive attacks such as offensive Suicune's +1 Hydro Pump, Gengar's Life Orb Focus Blast, and unboosted Heatran's Earth Power and retaliate appropriately. Explosion is often unexpected from a Heatran with Roar and Protect, allowing it to bait in and use Explosion on Clefable and Latias should Heatran no longer be needed defensively. Be careful from using Explosion too early, as it might be needed to check physical Jirachi.
Team Options
========
Defensive Heatran is often used a special wall for more offensive Spikes based teams that cover threats based on resistances and an answer for defensive Steel-types for slower teams. Some of its best partners are Spikers such as Roserade, Forretress, or Skarmory, as Spikes wear down it switch-ins and Heatran can spread entry hazard damage with Roar. As Heatran is an excellent switch-in for weaker Electric-types such as defensive Zapdos and Rotom-A, Scizor is an excellent partner, as it baits in Fire-type attacks, can get Heatran easy entry with U-turn, and can revenge kill dangerous sweepers such as Dragon Dance Tyranitar and Dragon Dance Dragonite. Heatran also facilitates Pokemon such as Calm Mind Latias, Calm Mind Suicune, offensive Zapdos, and mixed Flygon, as it can potentially bait in Clefable and KO it with Explosion. Latias also helps out against Water-types such as Gyarados and Swampert and faster Breloom trying to take advantage of Heatran. Starmie is also an excellent partner, as Heatran can get worn down by entry hazards and Rapid Spin helps to alleviate that burden. Heatran can also effectively partner with Grass- and Water-types to form a Fire-Water-Grass core: some good partners for Grass-types include the aforementioned Roserade as well as Celebi and Breloom, while Water-types such as Swampert and Suicune are great choices. Other good partners for Roserade include Metagross, Gengar, and utility or Choice Scarf Rotom-A. Good defensive teammates include Hippowdon and defensive Jirachi to better handle physical set-up sweepers Heatran cannot deal with, Clefable, defensive Latias, Gliscor, and Bronzong. Heatran appreciates Wish support to keep it healthy: all of Jirachi, Latias, and Clefable can provide this support.
[SET]
name: Torment
move 1: Torment
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Protect / Roar
move 4: Lava Plume
item: Leftovers
ability: Flash Fire
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 40 SpD / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Torment makes Heatran a unique sweeper by taking advantage of the fact many Pokemon only have one move that breaks its Substitute and most of the metagame does not enjoy a burn. Torment blocks repeated moves, meaning Heatran can use the Substitute and Protect combination to stall out the attack, especially against Choice locked foes. While Torment does need to be reapplied once a new target switches in, Heatran will often already be behind a Substitute, meaning it can use Torment as the foe attacks and then safely set up more Substitute. Substitute is critical to this set’s success, as it blocks super effective coverage should the foe switch in and is faster. Heatran can then use Protect to prevent the Substitute from being broken. Substitute and Protect are naturally effectively with Heatran, as it force switches to get the initial Substitute and then stall for more HP with Protect.
Roar is another option over Substitute to prevent phazing from defeating Heatran. Additionally, Taunt can be used to stop phazing and, with Toxic Spikes support, can stop mono-attackers such as Clefable, Blissey, and defensive Suicune from beating Heatran. While losing Protect makes Heatran less effective, just using Substitute is often enough to be effective with Torment. The most common last move is Lava Plume to spread burns and still be effective against foes weak to Fire-type moves. While Heatran can use Roar over Lava Plume to maximize its utility options, it isn’t recommended as Heatran would be completely helpless against Clefable and couldn’t threaten what it needs to.
Set Details
========
Unlike more offensive Substitute Heatran, TormentTran should use maximum HP and a healthy Special Defense investment, as it aims for the Substitute to survive weaker attacks such as defensive Rotom-A’s Discharge and resisted ones such as Gengar’s Shadow Ball. However, it should also use a fair amount of Speed, as it does not want to take status or super effective attacks before it sets up a Substitute. The standard is to use 216 Speed EVs to outspeed Tyranitar and slower base 100 Speed Pokemon such as Jirachi and Zapdos. However, another option for more bulk would be to run 160 Speed EVs to outspeed Adamant Scizor. A Calm nature is preferred, as Heatran’s Substitute can survive weaker special attacks, but will typically either break against physical attacks or do insignificant damage such that a Bold nature would be unnecessary.
Usage Tips
========
Torment Heatran should not reveal Torment until late in the game when its counters, such as phazers resistant to Lava Plume like Latias, foes with two moves that can break Heatran's Substitute like Swampert, and Rest + Sleep Talk sweepers such as Suicune have been incapacitated and many entry hazards are up. Before that, it should either stay hidden or act as a normal Substitute Heatran: set up Substitute when it comes in, use Protect or Roar as needed, and spread burns with Lava Plume. Once the field is ready, using Torment on Choiced or attackers who only can break Heatran's Substitute with one move is devastating, as Choiced attackers will be forced to struggle and Heatran can keep up its Substitute for much longer. Once it uses Torment, Heatran should aim to have a Substitute up at all times in case the foe switches to remove Torment, so it can use Torment on the foe unimpeded. Try to keep Heatran's health high so it can repeatedly set up Substitute, but avoid being too predictable with Protect on a foe affected by Torment, as this gives an opportunity to faster foes who switch in and try to stop Heatran.
Team Options
========
Torment Heatran needs the entire team built around setting it up. Entry hazards, Trick users such as Rotom-A and Latias, sand, and Knock Off users go a long way to setting the field up. Both Spikes and Toxic Spikes are great; Forretress in particular is a great teammate, as it potentially set up both, Rapid Spin away entry hazards, and potentially take out a problem Pokemon such as Clefable or Gyarados with Explosion. Skarmory and Roserade also provide defensive utility and can set up Spikes. Trick + Choice Scarf is a fantastic way to help Heatran deal with problem Pokemon such as defensive Latias, Suicune, and Clefable, as it struggles to wear these Pokemon down and they can either defeat it or phaze it out. Latias and Rotom-A are premier choices that also act as backstops against Speed boosting set-up sweepers that Heatran cannot handle. Tyranitar, especially with a Choice Band, is also an excellent choice, as it can Pursuit trap Clefable and Latias and also sets up sand to further wear down the foe. Generally good defensive teammates can help Heatran: Clefable can act as a primary special wall and also spread Knock Off to further wear down foes. Avoid using Knock Off around Choiced users, however. Celebi has fantastic type synergy with Heatran and can answer Swampert, Gyarados, and RestTalk Suicune. Other defensive stalwarts such as Gliscor, Hippowdon, defensive Jirachi, RestTalk Gyarados, and Bronzong also can work well with Heatran; absorbing its weaknesses and defensive responsibilities so it only has to come out late in the game when it is ready to sweep. Starmie also works to provide Rapid Spin support, keeping Heatran healthy.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Heatran’s offensive prowess and coverage make it a great user of Life Orb. Life Orb boosted attacks make Heatran’s coverage moves especially scary, as it can switch from blasting something with Fire-type attacks to eliminating the target with coverage or Explosion. However, Heatran isn’t quite fast enough to pull off a Life Orb set, and does not appreciate the residual damage alongside Spikes and Stealth Rock. Heatran can shore up its lack of recovery with a RestTalk set. With Roar and Lava Plume, it can phaze the opposing team around while partially alleviating it’s weakness to Spikes and spreading status. It often is ineffective against Clefable and isn’t useful enough of a wall offensively to justify otherwise, however. Heatran is an excellent user of Metal Sound, either as an alternative move on Substitute or as a stand alone attacker. It notably allows Heatran to 2HKO Clefable much more easily and is highly effective with entry hazards, but still struggles to actually do enough damage to prevent switching around it. Any Heatran set with Dragon Pulse is free to use Hidden Power Ice, as it is guaranteed to OHKO Flygon and offensive Dragonite without a Yache Berry after Stealth Rock, preventing Flygon from ruining it with a mixed set and allowing it to revenge kill Dragonite. Heatran can use a Substitute and Salac Berry set to maximize its coverage and try to sweep more offensive teams, but struggles against Clefable and to do enough damage to Gyarados and Tyranitar.
Heatran can also effectively run a lot of physical bulk as well, especially with a Shuca Berry on utility sets. This allows it to survive Dragon Dance boosted attacks after Stealth Rock and KO the user with coverage or Explosion. It also takes pittance from mixed Flygon and retaliates with Hidden Power Ice. Heatran is also a solid weather clearer, as with Sunny Day, it powers up its own Fire-type attacks and can use Solarbeam to wipe out Water-types, but watch out for Tyranitar switching in. Heatran can also use Dark Pulse as a coverage option to hit Latias as well as Starmie and Slowbro, but Heatran struggles to fit it and it is weaker than Dragon Pulse. Heatran can generally use Roar and Toxic on most of its utility sets to take advantage of entry hazards and effective spread status, respectively. Offensive versions of Heatran can also run Hidden Power Electric. This gives a 93.8% chance to OHKO non Wacan Berry Gyarados after sand and hits other Water-type Starmie and Suicune super effectively.
Checks and Counters
===================
Heatran is a difficult Pokemon to directly answer, as it can take advantage of any potential checks with its versatility and item choice. However, especially without Leftovers, Heatran often only gets a few chances to break through if entry hazards are up and has debilitating type weaknesses. Once it’s set is known, it becomes much easier to answer.
**Water-types**: Water-types such as Swampert, Starmie, Milotic, Gyarados, and Suicune can at least scout out Heatran’s set. Without a Passho Berry, they all at least 2HKO Heatran. Swampert and Gyarados both have the choice to use either Earthquake or Waterfall to bypass the resistance berry, while Starmie and offensive Suicune outspeed Heatran and hit it hard. None of these Pokemon enjoy Explosion, while Heatran can hit them all hard with the correct Hidden Power, although Heatran only rarely carries Hidden Power Electric for Gyarados.
**Bulky Special Walls**: Heatran struggles to break through Blissey and Clefable without Choice Specs, Taunt, a Flash Fire boost, or Explosion. Both Blissey and Clefable can shrug off burns to wear it down with Seismic Toss. Blissey is much more resilient than Clefable, however, as Heatran can 2HKO Clefable with a Modest nature and a boosting item, while Taunt and Magma Storm shut both of them down. Heatran can sacrifice itself with Explosion to take them out, however, it’s not a guaranteed OHKO on either of them.
**Dragon-types**: Latias, Flygon, Kingdra, and Dragonite are all good checks to Heatran. Latias and Kingdra both can survive even Choice Specs Fire-type attacks and either status or KO Heatran, while Flygon and Dragonite can switch into Heatran and threaten it out. Defensive Latias in particular can stall out any Heatran not designed to handle it. None of these Pokemon enjoy Dragon Pulse, Explosion, or Toxic, however.
**Ground-types**: Specially defensive Ground-type Pokemon such as Hippowdon, Nidoqueen, and Gliscor are bulky enough to take Heatran’s attacks and OHKO back with Earthquake. However, they can all be overwhelmed by the Choice Specs set and do not enjoy Shuca Berry weakening their attacks.
**Super Effective Coverage**: Water-, Ground-, and Fighting-type coverage is really common, and Heatran cannot have a resistance berry for all of them. Earthquake is an especially ubiquitous move that Heatran is 4x weak to, meaning offensive teams might have multiple Pokemon that can OHKO Heatran. Some examples of super effective coverage include Choice Scarf Magnezone with Hidden Power Ground can OHKO bulkless Heatran after Stealth Rock; Scizor OHKOing Heatran with Superpower; Metagross OHKOing Heatran on the switch with Earthquake; and Choice Specs Latias hitting hard with Surf.
**Residual Damage**: Heatran is heavily limited by Spikes, especially if it doesn’t have Leftovers. While it can prevent the common Spikers such as Skarmory and Roserade from setting them up, if they do go up, Heatran struggles to continually come in and wallbreak. This is especially troubling because defensive teams often have multiple Heatran switch-ins, while more offensive Spikes have mixed Flygon which destroys most Heatran and Tyranitar. Even Stealth Rock can make it harder for Heatran to continually survive weaker attacks such as defensive Rotom-A’s.
**Fighting-types**: While they cannot really switch in, Fighting-types such as Machamp, Lucario, Breloom, and Infernape offensively threaten Heatran with either a OHKO with Close Combat or Superpower, or a chance to 2HKO with Mach Punch.
**Tyranitar**: Especially with a Lum Berry, Tyranitar is a nice check to Heatran, as it is resistance to Fire and Explosion, has enormous special bulk due to sand, and can retaliate with Superpower or Earthquake. Without a Lum Berry, it needs to be careful of status, as poison wears it down and burn cripples it. Heatran can also fight back with Earth Power, which commonly 3HKOes Tyranitar depending on stats of both.
**Faster Pokemon**: Even when fully invested, Heatran is outsped by a lot of the faster threats in the metagame. Flygon, Gengar, Lucario, Infernape, Starmie, Suicune, and Gliscor can all potentially outspeed Heatran and OHKO it. These should watch out for various resistance berries.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[johnnyg2, 57904 ]]
- Quality checked by: [[Oiponabys,435540 ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ],
Last edited: