[OVERVIEW]
Rotom-M is an Electric-type that can hit Ground-types with STAB Leaf Storm. Grass / Electric typing lets Rotom-M switch into defensive Water-type pokemon, such as Mantine, Milotic, and Slowbro, and threaten with either STAB. Levitate provides it with a Ground immunity, helping it maintain momentum with Volt Switch by providing free switch ins and Spikes immunity. Rotom-M, however, faces competition from other Electric-types like Rotom-H and Heliolisk, and even stiffer competition from other Grass-types like Shaymin and Roserade. While its above average Speed lets Rotom-M outspeed unboosted base 85s like Heracross, it leaves it slower than several of the tier's fastest threats, most notably Adamant Flygon. In a similar vein, average Special Attack means Rotom-M is forced to rely on Choice Specs to threaten bulky Pokemon. A limited movepool gives it few options against Grass and Dragon-types, and reliance on Leaf Storm for Grass STAB makes it setup bait.
[SET]
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Leaf Storm
move 4: Trick / Hidden Power Flying
item: Choice Specs / Grassium Z
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch is the main appeal of using Rotom-M, allowing it to maintain momentum while threatening out pokemon weak to its STABs. Thunderbolt is a stronger Electric STAB that doesn't force Rotom-M to switch out. Leaf Storm is Rotom-M's only Grass STAB, and allows it to hit Ground-types that try to block Volt Switch super effectively.It's also Rotom-M's strongest attack against neutral targets, although it has the nasty side effect of halving Rotom-M's Special Attack. Trick allows Rotom-M to cripple a wall it cannot break, like Florges or Snorlax. Hidden Power Flying hits other Grass-types, primarily Chesnaught. Hidden Power Ice also hits Grass-types, but also Dragon-types, like Flygon or Kommo-o. Will-O-Wisp can be used to dodge Sucker Punch from the likes of Honchkrow and burn physical attackers like Escavalier and Flygon.
Set Details
========
Max Speed is used to outspeed max speed Kommo-o and tie with other non-Choice Scarf Rotom forms, while max Special Attack is used to do as much damage as possible. Choice Specs is the recommended item to maximize power, which Rotom-m is lacking. It also allows it to use Trick to cripple bulky special walls. Alternatively, Grassium Z can be used to avoid having to guess between locking into Volt Switch or Leaf Storm. It lures ground types that think Rotom-M is locked into an Electric-type attack and then scores a KO with Bloom Doom. It also allows Rotom-M to use a strong Grass attack without dropping it's Special Attack and becoming setup bait. Levitate is a great ability for Rotom-M, allowing it to safely switch into defensive Ground types like Gligar and Rhyperior and avoid Spikes while pivoting around.
Usage Tips
========
Early game, click Volt Switch to preserve momentum and take advantage of switches that Rotom-M forces with its typing. Click Leaf Storm if you think your opponent will switch in an Electric-type immunity to absorb Volt Switch. Late game, if Electric resists are weakened, Rotom-M can clean up with Thunderbolt. If you have Grassium Z, be careful of wasting your Bloom Doom. Bluff being Choice locked to lure in your opponent's Electric-type resist, and use it to eliminate a weakened Gligar so that Rotom-M can spam Volt Switch freely.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that don't like Water-types appreciate Rotom-M's ability to switch into Water attacks and threaten them. Rock-type Pokemon like Gigalith and Diancie make excellent partners because they can switch into strong Fire-type attackers like Moltres and Salazzle. Defensive Water-type Pokemon like Slowbro and Milotic can beat Fire-types that threaten Rotom-M, and Rotom-M can switch into electric attacks targeting them. Offensive Water-types like Kingdra and Sharpedo also benefit from Rotom-M beating bulky waters and racking up damage on Water resists like Roserade and Kommo-o. Ice-type Pokemon like Mega Glalie and Sneasel can beat Dragon and Grass-types that wall Rotom-M and love the chance for a safe switch in from Volt Switch, since they are very frail. U-turn users like Flygon, Gligar, and Zoroark complete the VoltTurn core and help keep momentum. Frail attackers such as Swellow, Bruxish, and Sneasel like having a free switch in thanks to Volt Switch that they can use to continue to apply pressure.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Scarf can allow Rotom-M to revenge kill faster threats, but Rotom-M is generally not strong enough to revenge kill reliably and should focus on forcing switches with strong STABs. Expert Belt can be used to bluff a Choice set if you have another Z Crystal user, but the loss of a powerful Bloom Doom is not worth it otherwise.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Resist STABs. Shaymin and Roserade are especially bad because they don't mind being tricked a Scarf that much, have the bulk to live a super effective Hidden Power, and don't care about burns.
**Dragon-types**: Resist STABs. Goodra and Kommo-o are bulky enough that they can switch into Leaf Storm all day, and Flygon can setup on you if locked into Electric-type STAB.
**Rotom-Heat**: The toasty Rotom counterpart resists both STABS and can threaten to OHKO with Overheat.
**Ground-types** While they go down to Leaf Storm, they prevent Rotom-M from spamming volt switch and force it to use leaf storm.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Due to Rotom-M's average special attack, very bulky pokemon can often take on Rotom-M. Umbreon, Cresselia, and Registeel are examples of very bulky pokemon that can all live a hit from Rotom-M to scout it's move. However, they are vulnerable to being Tricked a Choice Scarf.
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