Moltres

Moltres stands out as a solid offensive pivot thanks to U-turn complementing its good STAB combination and its ability to check tier staples like Scizor, Amoonguss, Skarmory, and Excadrill. Flame Body makes Moltres great at punishing the many U-turn users of the tier, including Scizor, Crobat, Zarude, and Diggersby. Moltres can also function as a solid support Pokemon with its Mystical Fire + Toxic set, wearing down Pokemon like Slowking, Hippowdon, and Rotom-W to support teammates like Mamoswine. Heavy-Duty Boots greatly improves Moltres's efficiency at its roles, but it is extremely reliant on them, making it very susceptible to Knock Off from Pokemon it would normally check like Mamoswine, Tangrowth, and especially Scizor. Teams with Moltres often have to run entry hazard removal so that Moltres can properly check these threats. Moltres can also be taken advanatage of by pivots it checks like Scizor, Crobat, and Diggersby to bring in threats like Nihilego, Primarina, and Keldeo if it does not proc the Flame Body burn. Salamence gives Moltres heavy competition because of its better typing, Intimidate, and greater resilience to Knock Off.