Introduction:
A move that could change a generation:
TM55 - Boiling Water:
[M503]: Special Water PP: 15 Power: 80 / Accuracy: 100 Effect: May burn opponent. (30%)
Basically this is like Lava Plume, except it hits Pokemon immune to burn for super-effective damage and burns everything else 3 out of every 10 uses. Because Burn halves the attack of opponents, this is an extremely useful move for any Pokemon to have. Bulky Waters are especially adept because they have the bulk to use the attack multiple times, and when its effect succeeds they become even harder to take down.
The only Pokemon that learn Boiling Water are in fact Water types (and only those that do not share an Ice typing on their line, so no Cloyster/Lapras, sorry), Mew, Smeargle (obv), Masquerain, Azurill, Castform, Emboar (yup), and Maggyo (okely).
As this is a special attack, you can cut out pokemon that attack physically like Kingler and Gyarados. This is still a pretty long list though. Here's a few Pokemon that could make use in whatever OU turns out to be, so discuss which ones are your favorites or if you think I missed any important ones:
Tentacruel:
It has massive special defense and decent special attack, so Boiling Water is an excellent move for covering its weak point. Tentacruel isn't usually played as a sweeper, and a lot of Pokemon are immune to the Toxic Spikes it lays. This gives it another way to wear down the opposition.
Vaporeon:
Often forgotten is Vaporeon's excellent special defensive capabilities. Boiling Water can take some stress off of its defense and give it space to be a more capable mixed wall.
Lanturn:
Lanturn is in the same boat as Vaporeon, showcasing excellent Special Defensive prowess but physical vulnerability. Lanturn already has a large repertoire of disruptive moves, and Boiling Water can do double duty, causing massive damage to Ground types trying to exploit its weakness as well as crippling them.
Slowking:
Is there an echo in here? With all the forseeable Fighting-type Offense, Slowking could use a boost as well, and after a Nasty Plot or a Calm Mind Boiling Water can do respectable damage to boot.
Suicune:
People tried in vain to block the powerful boosted Dragon attacks last gen. This generation Suicune can add burn capabilities to its already impressive bulk. What do you do when you switch into CalmCune and it burns you?
Swampert:
Another Pokemon that has tried to capitalize on its defenses. More and more Grass types seem to be getting Water Absorbing abilities, but for everything else, Swampert can wait out and burn when ready.
Milotic:
Milotic is even more Marvelous when it can complement its impressive bulk and recovery with burn capability. It might have conflicting status issues with Hypnosis, but nonetheless, it takes great advantage of a wash-and-burn mantra. Defensively if Boiling Water becomes popular, Milotic can attempt to switch in and activate Marvel Scale. It will still lose 6% HP per turn, but at least it isn't Toxic or Paralysis.
Emboar:
Seriously, you're a Fire type that can smack many of your most common switchins with an 80 BP Water Attack that *still* has Burn effect. It's not your strongest offense, but 100 is a decent base for this kind of coverage move. Quite frankly you get a lot of messed up stuff, including Wild Bolt if a water type think's it's cool to come in on Boiling Water. Be a Man(BearPig) already.
Abagoora:
Rock/Water is still pretty sketchy even if you have Solid Rock and 74/133/65 Defenses. Burn adds that extra buffer that keeps Earthquake and Close Combat from doing critical damage.
Burunkeru:
Water/Ghost with 100/70/105 Defenses is a lot to brag about, but still leaves something to be desired in the face of mostrous Dark types like Tyranitar. Keep that tyrant at bay with the threat of Burn though, and you might be able to escape unharmed.
Mamanbou:
With 165/80/45 defenses, Mamanbou is basically begging for an excuse to invest in Special Defense. Boiling Water's burn relieves pressure on its stronger defense, allowing it to tank for a while. Be cautious though, with only 40 Base SA you aren't going to strike fear into your foes without an alternative form of offense.
Possible Drawbacks:
Everything has Guts these days. They're even handing it out to bush league stuff like Luxray in fantasy worlds for cripes sake. If you've got Fighting resistance then fire (or is it water?) away. There's a lot of Pokemon competing for viability this gen, but a whole lot of them don't like getting burned. Be aware of your opponents team and you should be able to avoid these problems.
This move is also weaker than Surf, but the tradeoff is better than Lava Plume vs. Flamethrower in this instance, since Surf doesn't have an additional effect. Generally if you want to do high damage, Hydro Pump is still superior and should be used on your more offensive Water types.
A move that could change a generation:
TM55 - Boiling Water:
[M503]: Special Water PP: 15 Power: 80 / Accuracy: 100 Effect: May burn opponent. (30%)
Basically this is like Lava Plume, except it hits Pokemon immune to burn for super-effective damage and burns everything else 3 out of every 10 uses. Because Burn halves the attack of opponents, this is an extremely useful move for any Pokemon to have. Bulky Waters are especially adept because they have the bulk to use the attack multiple times, and when its effect succeeds they become even harder to take down.
The only Pokemon that learn Boiling Water are in fact Water types (and only those that do not share an Ice typing on their line, so no Cloyster/Lapras, sorry), Mew, Smeargle (obv), Masquerain, Azurill, Castform, Emboar (yup), and Maggyo (okely).
As this is a special attack, you can cut out pokemon that attack physically like Kingler and Gyarados. This is still a pretty long list though. Here's a few Pokemon that could make use in whatever OU turns out to be, so discuss which ones are your favorites or if you think I missed any important ones:
Tentacruel:
It has massive special defense and decent special attack, so Boiling Water is an excellent move for covering its weak point. Tentacruel isn't usually played as a sweeper, and a lot of Pokemon are immune to the Toxic Spikes it lays. This gives it another way to wear down the opposition.
Vaporeon:
Often forgotten is Vaporeon's excellent special defensive capabilities. Boiling Water can take some stress off of its defense and give it space to be a more capable mixed wall.
Lanturn:
Lanturn is in the same boat as Vaporeon, showcasing excellent Special Defensive prowess but physical vulnerability. Lanturn already has a large repertoire of disruptive moves, and Boiling Water can do double duty, causing massive damage to Ground types trying to exploit its weakness as well as crippling them.
Slowking:
Is there an echo in here? With all the forseeable Fighting-type Offense, Slowking could use a boost as well, and after a Nasty Plot or a Calm Mind Boiling Water can do respectable damage to boot.
Suicune:
People tried in vain to block the powerful boosted Dragon attacks last gen. This generation Suicune can add burn capabilities to its already impressive bulk. What do you do when you switch into CalmCune and it burns you?
Swampert:
Another Pokemon that has tried to capitalize on its defenses. More and more Grass types seem to be getting Water Absorbing abilities, but for everything else, Swampert can wait out and burn when ready.
Milotic:
Milotic is even more Marvelous when it can complement its impressive bulk and recovery with burn capability. It might have conflicting status issues with Hypnosis, but nonetheless, it takes great advantage of a wash-and-burn mantra. Defensively if Boiling Water becomes popular, Milotic can attempt to switch in and activate Marvel Scale. It will still lose 6% HP per turn, but at least it isn't Toxic or Paralysis.
Emboar:
Seriously, you're a Fire type that can smack many of your most common switchins with an 80 BP Water Attack that *still* has Burn effect. It's not your strongest offense, but 100 is a decent base for this kind of coverage move. Quite frankly you get a lot of messed up stuff, including Wild Bolt if a water type think's it's cool to come in on Boiling Water. Be a Man(BearPig) already.
Abagoora:
Rock/Water is still pretty sketchy even if you have Solid Rock and 74/133/65 Defenses. Burn adds that extra buffer that keeps Earthquake and Close Combat from doing critical damage.
Burunkeru:
Water/Ghost with 100/70/105 Defenses is a lot to brag about, but still leaves something to be desired in the face of mostrous Dark types like Tyranitar. Keep that tyrant at bay with the threat of Burn though, and you might be able to escape unharmed.
Mamanbou:
With 165/80/45 defenses, Mamanbou is basically begging for an excuse to invest in Special Defense. Boiling Water's burn relieves pressure on its stronger defense, allowing it to tank for a while. Be cautious though, with only 40 Base SA you aren't going to strike fear into your foes without an alternative form of offense.
Possible Drawbacks:
Everything has Guts these days. They're even handing it out to bush league stuff like Luxray in fantasy worlds for cripes sake. If you've got Fighting resistance then fire (or is it water?) away. There's a lot of Pokemon competing for viability this gen, but a whole lot of them don't like getting burned. Be aware of your opponents team and you should be able to avoid these problems.
This move is also weaker than Surf, but the tradeoff is better than Lava Plume vs. Flamethrower in this instance, since Surf doesn't have an additional effect. Generally if you want to do high damage, Hydro Pump is still superior and should be used on your more offensive Water types.
