roman
Banned deucer.
skeleton worked off of miyoka
am: rwby
qc: eternally / disjunction / quziel
gp: cake / tdp
[OVERVIEW]
Rotom's defensive typing grants it three immunities and five resistances, allowing it to spinblock, switch into plenty of threats and coverage moves, and notably successfully revenge kill big threats to offense such as a boosted Zangoose thanks to its part Ghost typing. Offensively, it allows Rotom to be one of the best Choice Scarf users in the tier in tandem with its acceptable offensive stats, as well as giving it solid neutral coverage and letting it offensively pressure Ghost-, Psychic-, and Flying-types like Mismagius, Slowbro, and Braviary. It also has access to Volt Switch and support moves such as Trick and Will-O-Wisp, the latter of which also lets it act as a more versatile wallbreaker in tandem with Hex. Rotom's access to Defog, immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes, and good matchup against most Stealth Rock setters mean that it can clear entry hazards with ease. However, despite its great typing, Rotom has lackluster defenses, no reliable recovery, and a crippling weakness to Dark-types such as Sneasel. Rotom's offensive stats are not exceptional either, which prevents it from dealing solid damage unless it spams boosted Hex, uses Never-Ending Nightmare, or hits the foe super effectively.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Defog / Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch provides momentum on the switches Rotom often forces against Flying- and Water-types such as Dodrio and Qwilfish. Rotom’s ability to potentially pack Will-O-Wisp can also force switches unless the opponent has scouted for the set. Thunderbolt provides a strong Electric-type attack that lets Rotom stay in against the foe, unlike Volt Switch. Shadow Ball is Rotom's Ghost-type STAB move that can be used if the opponent's team can handle Electric-type moves or has a Ghost-type weakness to exploit. It can also hit Pokemon immune to Rotom's Electric-type attacks such as Rhydon and Steelix. Defog allows Rotom to clear entry hazards for its teammates. Trick is an amazing utility move for shutting down walls such as Venusaur that would otherwise be able to take on Rotom. Trick also lets Rotom cripple hazard setters such as Steelix.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed along with a Timid nature and Choice Scarf are used so Rotom can outspeed Pokemon such as Whimsicott, Sceptile, +1 Vivillon, and Choice Scarf Emboar and Hitmonlee. Levitate is Rotom's only ability; it also makes Rotom significantly better at clearing entry hazards because it gives Rotom an immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes.
Usage Tips
========
Rotom can be switched in after a teammate has fainted to revenge kill the foe or pivot with Volt Switch to give a safe switch to a teammate and gain momentum. However, take care when using Volt Switch if your opponent is packing a Ground-type, because if they switch it in on a predicted Electric-type attack all momentum is lost. Carefully use Defog, as being locked into it allows Pokemon such as Vivillon and Klinklang to freely set up. Rotom can also be used as a late-game cleaner once the opponent's team has been weakened. It's important to play with Trick the right way; only hand off the Choice Scarf to a passive or very slow Pokemon, and make sure Rotom has done its job first. One exception, though, would be if the benefit of crippling a certain wall, such as Golbat, is greater than that of being able to KO a faster Pokemon later in the game. If you need Rotom later in the game, avoid locking it into Shadow Ball when Pursuit users such as Sneasel are on the opposing team.
Team Options
========
Rotom fits in well on balanced or offensive teams looking for a powerful revenge killer capable of taking out big threats to offense such as +6 Quick Attack Zangoose. Since Rotom doesn't have the offensive presence of a setup sweeper, strong wallbreakers such as Medicham, Vanilluxe, and Emboar are highly recommended to pressure and break down the opposing team's defensive core. Fighting- and Fairy-types like Hariyama and Mega Audino are great teammates because they can check Dark-types and switch into Knock Off. Entry hazard setters such as Garbordor and Accelgor are all great teammates, as Rotom can support them immensely with its ability to force switches and spinblock. However, running Trick instead of Defog is preferred when pairing Rotom with these Pokemon because running Defog support on hazard stack is counterproductive. Grass-types and Pokemon like Steelix are common switch-ins to Rotom, so Pokemon that can pressure these threats, such as Emboar and Slowbro, are appreciated as partners.
[SET]
name: Defog
move 1: Defog
move 2: Hex
move 3: Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
move 4: Will-O-Wisp
item: Colbur Berry / Ghostium Z
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Defog allows Rotom to clear entry hazards for its teammates against the majority of hazard setters. Hex is Rotom's main STAB move. While its Base Power is lower than that of Shadow Ball, it has 130 Base Power when used against any Pokemon afflicted with status. Thunderbolt gives Rotom a reliable secondary STAB move that isn't reliant on the opponent being statused. However, Volt Switch is a great alternative that can give momentum on the switches Rotom forces. Will-O-Wisp is used to cripple switch-ins such as Steelix and Vileplume so Rotom can then hit them with a boosted Hex.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack EVs along with a Timid nature maximize Rotom's damage output and allow it to outspeed base 90s. Colbur Berry gives Rotom a chance against Dark-types, specifically Pursuit trappers such as Houndoom and Sneasel. Ghostium Z in conjuction with Hex lets Rotom use a 160-Base Power Never-Ending Nightmare, which it uses to deal heavy damage to walls such as Venusaur. Levitate gives Rotom an immunity to Ground-type attacks, which lets it switch into Earthquake from Pokemon like Steelix and Rhydon. Mago Berry can be used in order to give rotom a form of recovery. Rotom can also utilize Electrium Z to OHKO potential switch-ins such as Sneasel, Emboar, and Zangoose with Gigavolt Havoc.
Usage Tips
========
Be wary of Pursuit users; avoid them by switching out or using Volt Switch or Will-O-Wisp when they switch in. Also, don’t be eager to rack up KOs with Rotom if the opponent has a Pursuit trapper waiting to revenge kill it. take advantage of Rotom's typing to switch into attacks it resists or is immune to from threats such as Steelix, Golbat, and Rhydon. Pivot out of switch-ins with Volt Switch, burn them with Will-O-Wisp and beat them with Hex, or attack them with Thunderbolt if they are frail or weak to it. Use Never-Ending Nightmare against Ground-types, Fire-types such as Emboar, and other common checks to Rotom like Venusaur and Aromatisse.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can handle Emboar such as Slowbro and Rhydon are really appreciated, as Choice Scarf Emboar can come in on Hex and Will-O-Wisp with ease. Pokemon like Virizion, Whimsicott, and especially Choice Scarf Emboar can beat the Dark-types and Pursuit trappers that Rotom struggles with. In return, Rotom can whittle down the opposing team with Will-O-Wisp and Hex to ease their attempts at cleaning. Pokemon that appreciate Defog support, such as Incineroar, Vanilluxe, and Vivillon, all make great teammates. Klinklang appreciates having Rotom as a partner, because it is able to take on Steelix and Slowbro so Klinklang can sweep more easily. Pokemon such as Sceptile greatly appreciate Rotom's ability to beat Venusaur.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Will-O-Wisp can be used on the Choice Scarf set to cripple switch-ins. A set of Substitute / Pain Split / Thunderbolt / Shadow Ball and a spread of 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe with a Timid nature and Life Orb, Ghostium Z, or Electrium Z can be used to prevent being trapped by Pokemon such as Sneasel. Discharge can be used over Thunderbolt for the increased paralysis chance, but the decrease in power is noticeable. Rotom can run Choice Specs or a Life Orb to maximize its damage output.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-type Pokemon with access to Pursuit such as Sneasel and Houndoom can only switch into Shadow Ball and Hex, but they can Pursuit trap Rotom unless it is Choice locked into an Electric-type STAB attack. Other Dark-types such as Guzzlord completely counter any Rotom set. Incineroar and Scrafty can use Rotom Choice-locked into Shadow Ball as setup fodder. Absol revenge kills Choice-locked Rotom with Sucker Punch. Malamar can wall Rotom.
**Ground-types**: Although most of them don't like switching into Shadow Ball and being crippled by Trick and Will-O-Wisp, Ground-types such as Rhydon, Piloswine, Gastrodon, and Steelix all give Rotom a hard time. Ground-types with access to Pursuit, such as Dugtrio, can trap Rotom if it is locked into an Electric-type move. Ground-types also block Volt Switch completely, nullifying Rotom's ability to generate momentum.
**Electric-resistant Pokemon**: Electric-resistant Pokemon such as Venusaur, Vikavolt, Heliolisk, Druddigon, Drampa, and Alolan Exeggutor can easily switch into Rotom multiple times in a game.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Special walls such as Mega Audino and defensive Cryogonal can shrug off most hits from Rotom and wear it down with attacks, although they dislike being burned and being given a Choice Scarf.
am: rwby
qc: eternally / disjunction / quziel
gp: cake / tdp
[OVERVIEW]
Rotom's defensive typing grants it three immunities and five resistances, allowing it to spinblock, switch into plenty of threats and coverage moves, and notably successfully revenge kill big threats to offense such as a boosted Zangoose thanks to its part Ghost typing. Offensively, it allows Rotom to be one of the best Choice Scarf users in the tier in tandem with its acceptable offensive stats, as well as giving it solid neutral coverage and letting it offensively pressure Ghost-, Psychic-, and Flying-types like Mismagius, Slowbro, and Braviary. It also has access to Volt Switch and support moves such as Trick and Will-O-Wisp, the latter of which also lets it act as a more versatile wallbreaker in tandem with Hex. Rotom's access to Defog, immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes, and good matchup against most Stealth Rock setters mean that it can clear entry hazards with ease. However, despite its great typing, Rotom has lackluster defenses, no reliable recovery, and a crippling weakness to Dark-types such as Sneasel. Rotom's offensive stats are not exceptional either, which prevents it from dealing solid damage unless it spams boosted Hex, uses Never-Ending Nightmare, or hits the foe super effectively.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Defog / Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch provides momentum on the switches Rotom often forces against Flying- and Water-types such as Dodrio and Qwilfish. Rotom’s ability to potentially pack Will-O-Wisp can also force switches unless the opponent has scouted for the set. Thunderbolt provides a strong Electric-type attack that lets Rotom stay in against the foe, unlike Volt Switch. Shadow Ball is Rotom's Ghost-type STAB move that can be used if the opponent's team can handle Electric-type moves or has a Ghost-type weakness to exploit. It can also hit Pokemon immune to Rotom's Electric-type attacks such as Rhydon and Steelix. Defog allows Rotom to clear entry hazards for its teammates. Trick is an amazing utility move for shutting down walls such as Venusaur that would otherwise be able to take on Rotom. Trick also lets Rotom cripple hazard setters such as Steelix.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed along with a Timid nature and Choice Scarf are used so Rotom can outspeed Pokemon such as Whimsicott, Sceptile, +1 Vivillon, and Choice Scarf Emboar and Hitmonlee. Levitate is Rotom's only ability; it also makes Rotom significantly better at clearing entry hazards because it gives Rotom an immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes.
Usage Tips
========
Rotom can be switched in after a teammate has fainted to revenge kill the foe or pivot with Volt Switch to give a safe switch to a teammate and gain momentum. However, take care when using Volt Switch if your opponent is packing a Ground-type, because if they switch it in on a predicted Electric-type attack all momentum is lost. Carefully use Defog, as being locked into it allows Pokemon such as Vivillon and Klinklang to freely set up. Rotom can also be used as a late-game cleaner once the opponent's team has been weakened. It's important to play with Trick the right way; only hand off the Choice Scarf to a passive or very slow Pokemon, and make sure Rotom has done its job first. One exception, though, would be if the benefit of crippling a certain wall, such as Golbat, is greater than that of being able to KO a faster Pokemon later in the game. If you need Rotom later in the game, avoid locking it into Shadow Ball when Pursuit users such as Sneasel are on the opposing team.
Team Options
========
Rotom fits in well on balanced or offensive teams looking for a powerful revenge killer capable of taking out big threats to offense such as +6 Quick Attack Zangoose. Since Rotom doesn't have the offensive presence of a setup sweeper, strong wallbreakers such as Medicham, Vanilluxe, and Emboar are highly recommended to pressure and break down the opposing team's defensive core. Fighting- and Fairy-types like Hariyama and Mega Audino are great teammates because they can check Dark-types and switch into Knock Off. Entry hazard setters such as Garbordor and Accelgor are all great teammates, as Rotom can support them immensely with its ability to force switches and spinblock. However, running Trick instead of Defog is preferred when pairing Rotom with these Pokemon because running Defog support on hazard stack is counterproductive. Grass-types and Pokemon like Steelix are common switch-ins to Rotom, so Pokemon that can pressure these threats, such as Emboar and Slowbro, are appreciated as partners.
[SET]
name: Defog
move 1: Defog
move 2: Hex
move 3: Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
move 4: Will-O-Wisp
item: Colbur Berry / Ghostium Z
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Defog allows Rotom to clear entry hazards for its teammates against the majority of hazard setters. Hex is Rotom's main STAB move. While its Base Power is lower than that of Shadow Ball, it has 130 Base Power when used against any Pokemon afflicted with status. Thunderbolt gives Rotom a reliable secondary STAB move that isn't reliant on the opponent being statused. However, Volt Switch is a great alternative that can give momentum on the switches Rotom forces. Will-O-Wisp is used to cripple switch-ins such as Steelix and Vileplume so Rotom can then hit them with a boosted Hex.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack EVs along with a Timid nature maximize Rotom's damage output and allow it to outspeed base 90s. Colbur Berry gives Rotom a chance against Dark-types, specifically Pursuit trappers such as Houndoom and Sneasel. Ghostium Z in conjuction with Hex lets Rotom use a 160-Base Power Never-Ending Nightmare, which it uses to deal heavy damage to walls such as Venusaur. Levitate gives Rotom an immunity to Ground-type attacks, which lets it switch into Earthquake from Pokemon like Steelix and Rhydon. Mago Berry can be used in order to give rotom a form of recovery. Rotom can also utilize Electrium Z to OHKO potential switch-ins such as Sneasel, Emboar, and Zangoose with Gigavolt Havoc.
Usage Tips
========
Be wary of Pursuit users; avoid them by switching out or using Volt Switch or Will-O-Wisp when they switch in. Also, don’t be eager to rack up KOs with Rotom if the opponent has a Pursuit trapper waiting to revenge kill it. take advantage of Rotom's typing to switch into attacks it resists or is immune to from threats such as Steelix, Golbat, and Rhydon. Pivot out of switch-ins with Volt Switch, burn them with Will-O-Wisp and beat them with Hex, or attack them with Thunderbolt if they are frail or weak to it. Use Never-Ending Nightmare against Ground-types, Fire-types such as Emboar, and other common checks to Rotom like Venusaur and Aromatisse.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that can handle Emboar such as Slowbro and Rhydon are really appreciated, as Choice Scarf Emboar can come in on Hex and Will-O-Wisp with ease. Pokemon like Virizion, Whimsicott, and especially Choice Scarf Emboar can beat the Dark-types and Pursuit trappers that Rotom struggles with. In return, Rotom can whittle down the opposing team with Will-O-Wisp and Hex to ease their attempts at cleaning. Pokemon that appreciate Defog support, such as Incineroar, Vanilluxe, and Vivillon, all make great teammates. Klinklang appreciates having Rotom as a partner, because it is able to take on Steelix and Slowbro so Klinklang can sweep more easily. Pokemon such as Sceptile greatly appreciate Rotom's ability to beat Venusaur.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Will-O-Wisp can be used on the Choice Scarf set to cripple switch-ins. A set of Substitute / Pain Split / Thunderbolt / Shadow Ball and a spread of 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe with a Timid nature and Life Orb, Ghostium Z, or Electrium Z can be used to prevent being trapped by Pokemon such as Sneasel. Discharge can be used over Thunderbolt for the increased paralysis chance, but the decrease in power is noticeable. Rotom can run Choice Specs or a Life Orb to maximize its damage output.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dark-types**: Dark-type Pokemon with access to Pursuit such as Sneasel and Houndoom can only switch into Shadow Ball and Hex, but they can Pursuit trap Rotom unless it is Choice locked into an Electric-type STAB attack. Other Dark-types such as Guzzlord completely counter any Rotom set. Incineroar and Scrafty can use Rotom Choice-locked into Shadow Ball as setup fodder. Absol revenge kills Choice-locked Rotom with Sucker Punch. Malamar can wall Rotom.
**Ground-types**: Although most of them don't like switching into Shadow Ball and being crippled by Trick and Will-O-Wisp, Ground-types such as Rhydon, Piloswine, Gastrodon, and Steelix all give Rotom a hard time. Ground-types with access to Pursuit, such as Dugtrio, can trap Rotom if it is locked into an Electric-type move. Ground-types also block Volt Switch completely, nullifying Rotom's ability to generate momentum.
**Electric-resistant Pokemon**: Electric-resistant Pokemon such as Venusaur, Vikavolt, Heliolisk, Druddigon, Drampa, and Alolan Exeggutor can easily switch into Rotom multiple times in a game.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Special walls such as Mega Audino and defensive Cryogonal can shrug off most hits from Rotom and wear it down with attacks, although they dislike being burned and being given a Choice Scarf.
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