Introduction
Magmortar has established itself as a fearsome wallbreaker in the March metagame, being one of the few special attackers in the meta that can break through Regice. However, it also has a fair share of weaknesses, including a poor defensive typing and Stealth Rock weakness, that makes it difficult to fit on teams without the right support.
Offense
Magmortar is excellent at forcing switches against Weezing-G and Regice, two of the most common defensive Pokemon in the meta, and gradually wearing down its checks over the course of the battle. Choice Specs and Choice Scarf are both good options, the former of which increases Overheat’s power to devastating levels, while the latter outspeeds and revenge kills threats such as Ribombee, Scarf Mesprit, and Tatsugiri and Modest Oricorio at +1. Magmortar can run a variety of moves; Overheat and Flamethrower are powerful Stab moves that heavily damage even resists, Thunderbolt and Psychic are strong coverage options for mons such as Oricorio, Weezing-G, and Primeape, and Scorching Sands can threaten Swampert with a burn. It also has more niche options, such as Power Herb Solar Beam to ohko the common Swampert switch-in, though this sacrifices its item slot, and Dual Chop with attack investment to threaten Flygon and Tatsugiri. Magmortar is also an incredible wallbreaker on Sun teams, as it can threaten Swampert with Solar Beam without needing a Power Herb.
Defense
Magmortar is a surprisingly solid check to many special attackers including Ribombee, Oricorio, and Rotom. On these sets, Magmortar runs moves such as Knock Off to remove items, Will-o-wisp and Toxic to weaken physical attackers as they try to switch in, and Clear Smog to remove boosts from Oricorio and Ribombee. Heavy-Duty Boots is the most common item for this set, allowing Magmortar to switch in even when hazards are present. Another item choice is Assault Vest, which increases Magmortar’s special defense to the point that an unboosted Surf from Tatsugiri does not even 2hko it. While Regice generally performs this role better, it has the disadvantages of not being able to reliably check Fire-types and not having any useful resistances, both of which do not apply to Magmortar.
Team Options
Swampert and Ribombee are solid teammates, as they lure in Weezing and Regice respectively and can pivot into Magmortar. Hazard removal in the form of Weezing, Tatsugiri, or Rotom is almost always mandatory, and the former can switch into the threatening Swampert and Flygon. Farigiraf can wish and pivot into Magmortar to keep it healthy and give it more opportunities to switch in. Attackers that appreciate Swampert being weakened, such as Dugtrio-A and Rotom, can apply heavy pressure in the late game. Finally, the Water-immune Cacturne and Tatsugiri are able to switch into Flip Turn from Swampert and maintain momentum for your team.
Counterplay
As mentioned before, Magmortar has many common checks that make it difficult to fit on teams. Swampert and Flygon can both switch into Magmortar and force it out while also making progress with hazards or pivoting. Flygon is especially threatening, as it can set up a potentially game-ending Dragon Dance if its checks are weakened enough. Rain in general is a poor matchup for Magmortar, as it creates free setup opportunities for Water-types such as Samurott and Seaking, and Thunderbolt is not a guaranteed 2hko on Politoed. Magmortar is also vulnerable to all hazards, and cannot switch in against any common Stealth Rock setters.
Sets
Magmortar needs maximum speed investment on its offensive sets to outspeed Tatsugiri, Mesprit, and Modest Oricorio. Vital Spirit is usually preferred over Flame Body, as Magmortar is too physically frail to take repeated physical hits, and Lilligant, which it otherwise walls, commonly runs Sleep Powder.
Written by gcgoat