Is Moltres viable in Gen 9 OU?

Moltres is ranked #38 in Gen 9 OU with 5.15% usage according to Smogon Mar 2026 - May 2026 data.

What beats Moltres in Gen 9 OU?

The best counter for Moltres in Gen 9 OU is Toxapex with a 61.8% win rate when they meet. Based on Smogon's Mar 2026 - May 2026 usage data, the top Pokémon that beat Moltres include Toxapex, Zamazenta, Gholdengo, Dragonite, Kingambit.

What is the best counter for Moltres in Gen 9 OU?

Toxapex is the best counter for Moltres in Gen 9 OU, KOing or forcing it out in 61.8% of their encounters.

Moltres counters

Gen 9 OU · Sorted by reliability score · Smogon · Mar 2026 - May 2026

#0146 Moltres

FireFlying

USAGE 5.1% #38

ABILITYFlame Body

BASE STATS

HP 90

ATK 100

DEF 90

SPA 125

SPD 85

SPE 90

BST580

TYPE MATCHUPS

4×

Rock

2×

WaterElectric

½×

FireFightingSteelFairy

¼×

GrassBug

0×

Ground

Moves

Roost 98.6% Flamethrower 94.7% Roar 62.3% U-turn 60.0% Will-O-Wisp 47.5% Scorching Sands 23.0% Hurricane 5.7% Brave Bird 5.5%

Items

Heavy-Duty Boots 99.5% Choice Specs 0.4% Life Orb 0.1% Metronome 0.0% Rocky Helmet 0.0% Leftovers 0.0% Red Card 0.0% Assault Vest 0.0%

Abilities

Flame Body99.3%Pressure0.7%

Tera Types

Fairy 60.9% Grass 16.0% Dragon 5.6% Water 4.5% Poison 3.2% Ground 2.9% Ice 2.5% Steel 1.9%

Common Teammates

Browse Gen 9 OU teams using Moltres →

Teams using Toxapex 62% Teams using Zamazenta 54% Teams using Gholdengo 47% Teams using Dragonite 38% Teams using Kingambit 31% Teams using Great Tusk 31%

Checks & Counters

Ranked by reliability — blends KO rate with how often each Pokémon is matched up.

# Checker Encounters Reliability KO Rate

Toxapex

PoisonWater DEFENSIVE COUNTER

23.788

61.8% dies 9.96%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ SpA Moltres Hurricane vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Toxapex: 109-129 (35.8 - 42.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

View Toxapex counters → Teams with Toxapex →

Zamazenta

Fighting SOFT CHECK

25.126

53.7% dies 9.95%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Zamazenta Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Moltres: 496-584 (129.1 - 152%) -- guaranteed OHKO

View Zamazenta counters → Teams with Zamazenta →

Gholdengo

SteelGhost SOFT CHECK

24.284

46.9% dies 10.13%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ SpA Gholdengo Shadow Ball vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Moltres: 118-139 (30.7 - 36.1%) -- 51.5% chance to 3HKO

View Gholdengo counters → Teams with Gholdengo →

Dragonite

DragonFlying SOFT CHECK

43.601

37.9% dies 10.36%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Dragonite Dragon Tail vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Moltres: 121-144 (31.5 - 37.5%) -- 86.8% chance to 3HKO

View Dragonite counters → Teams with Dragonite →

Kingambit

DarkSteel SOFT CHECK

29.469

31.2% dies 8.54%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Kingambit Kowtow Cleave vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Moltres: 171-202 (44.5 - 52.6%) -- 22.7% chance to 2HKO

View Kingambit counters → Teams with Kingambit →

Great Tusk

GroundFighting SOFT CHECK

52.945

30.6% dies 8.86%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Great Tusk Head Smash vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Moltres: 792-932 (206.2 - 242.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO

View Great Tusk counters → Teams with Great Tusk →

Cinderace

Fire SOFT CHECK

20.821

28.1% dies 9.85%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Cinderace Gunk Shot vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Moltres: 145-171 (37.7 - 44.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

View Cinderace counters → Teams with Cinderace →

Blissey

Normal SOFT CHECK

22.55

25.4% dies 9.17%

DAMAGE CALC

Blissey Seismic Toss vs. 252 HP Moltres: 100-100 (26 - 26%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

View Blissey counters → Teams with Blissey →

Corviknight

FlyingSteel SOFT CHECK

43.141

1.9% dies 2.43%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Corviknight Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Moltres: 180-213 (46.8 - 55.4%) -- 72.7% chance to 2HKO

View Corviknight counters → Teams with Corviknight →

Ranked #38 with 5.15% usage. Sorted by reliability score.