Water
========
Rotom-W's great defensive typing allows it to take neutral damage from Electric-type moves and only super effective damage from Grass-type attacks. It also has access to a very useful ability in Levitate, something Water teams appreciate, as they tend to have a lack of Pokemon immune to Ground-type moves. Great utility moves such as Will-O-Wisp, Pain Split, and a slow Volt Switch make Rotom-W a fantastic defensive pivot. This enables it to make full use of its great defensive stats and prove itself to be a valuable member on Water teams. Furthermore, its offensive stats aren't too shabby either; decent Speed and Special Attack along with its access to Trick make it a good Choice Scarf user. On the downside, Rotom-W suffers from a dreadful HP stat and a lack of reliable recovery. Status also wears down Rotom-W quickly. It also faces competition from Lanturn, which is immune to Electric-type moves and has access to great utility moves.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive Pivot (Water)
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Hydro Pump
move 4: Pain Split
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch is Rotom-W's main STAB move, allowing it to gain momentum for the team and pivot into an appropriate check. Will-O-Wisp allows Rotom-W to inflict burn on the foe and hinder physical attackers, such as Mega Medicham, that may threaten it or the team. Hydro Pump is a strong secondary STAB move that also hits Ground-types that may try to switch in on a Volt Switch, such as Mold Breaker Excadrill. Pain Split can be used when Rotom-W is worn down to regain some HP, but it tends to be very inconsistent due to being dependent on the foe's HP.
Set Details
========
248 HP EVs, maximum Defense EVs, and a Bold nature let Rotom-W take physical hits as best as it can while taking less passive damage from Stealth Rock and status. Leftovers is Rotom-W's best recovery option throughout the match, as it lacks a reliable way to regain its health besides Pain Split, which is situational. 8 Speed EVs let Rotom-W outspeed and OHKO Adamant Crawdaunt, which may otherwise threaten it. Levitate makes Rotom-W a good switch-in to Ground-type moves, something most Water teams lack.
Usage Tips
========
Rotom-W can be used early-game to scout and gain momentum with Volt Switch. It can spam Will-O-Wisp, as almost nothing likes to switch in besides Guts users, such as Heracross and Conkeldurr, or Fire-types, such as Mega Charizard Y. However, Rotom-W should be protected from status, as that wears it down very easily. It should avoid Knock Off, as Leftovers is its main method of recovery because of how unreliable Pain Split is. Rotom-W needs to watch out for Mold Breaker users and their variants, such as Kyurem-B and Excadrill, which can negate Levitate and hit it with strong Ground-type coverage in the form of Earth Power and Earthquake, respectively. Rotom-W should be switched in on Pokemon that it can pivot on, such as Volcanion and Garchomp. Even though it has decent Special Defense, this set does not appreciate getting worn down by special attacks. Thus, it is generally wise to switch out against strong special attackers. Due to its lack of recovery, Rotom-W is an unreliable check to wallbreakers and should almost never switch directly into them, as the likes of Hoopa-U and Mega Medicham can easily break it with two attacks. Pain Split is best used against walls with a large amount of HP; in fact, using it on a full HP Chansey can actually restore Rotom-W to maximum health. Rotom-W does not appreciate Stealth Rock damage, as it usually switches in and out quite often. If it loses too much health, it fails to wall most of the Pokemon that it is supposed to. Thus, keeping Stealth Rock away is a wise idea.
Team Options
========
Empoleon is a great partner, as it is able to take Grass-type moves and most special attacks with ease. It benefits from Rotom-W's immunity to Ground-type moves that threaten it. Rotom-W's physical bulk helps Empoleon, as Empoleon does not like staying in on most physical hits. As Rotom-W forces a lot of switches, Stealth Rock on the opposing side of the field is very helpful. Likewise, Rotom-W feels the need to switch in and out quite a lot, and Empoleon and Tentacruel's ability to get rid of Stealth Rock is highly appreciated. Tentacruel also has a great Special Defense stat to sponge special hits that threaten Rotom-W, Toxic Spikes, which is extremely useful to take full advantage of the switches Rotom-W forces, and a neutrality to Grass-type moves. On the other hand, Rotom-W takes most Ground- and Electric-type hits with ease. Setup sweepers, such as Mega Gyarados and Manaphy, appreciate the slow Volt Switch and Will-O-Wisp Rotom-W provides, the latter of which hinders physical attackers, making it easier to set up on them. Volt Switch makes Rotom-W a premier pivot and scout, something that wallbreakers such as Keldeo, Azumarill, Mega Sharpedo, Crawdaunt, and Volcanion appreciate. Volcanion also benefits from Rotom-W's immunity to Ground-type moves, while it can take out Grass-type Pokemon that threaten Rotom-W. Swampert and Lanturn are great for their Electric immunity, as Rotom-W's lack of special bulk makes it incapable of switching into common special Electric-type attacks. Slowbro is another great partner, as it is able to take on Mega Medicham, which is one of the few Pokemon that can threaten Rotom-W.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Trick
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch helps Rotom-W fulfill its role as a pivot by being able to inflict damage, switch out to an appropriate counter, and scout what move the opponent goes for. Hydro Pump is a stronger STAB move that deals with Ground-types that might switch in, such as Landorus and Excadrill. It deals the most damage out of any of Rotom-W's moves and is most suitable for cleaning up late-game, although its poor accuracy is something to watch out for. Trick allows Rotom-W to deter walls that may switch in, such as Chansey and Gastrodon, as Choice Scarf severely limits their utility. Finally, Thunderbolt gives Rotom-W a stronger, reliable Electric-type attack that doesn't force it to switch out, unlike Volt Switch.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Special Attack EVs are a must, permitting Rotom-W to make full use of its offensive capabilities. A Timid nature allows Rotom-W to outspeed certain base 80 Speed Choice Scarf Pokemon, such as Hoopa-U, Gardevoir, and Togekiss. Levitate makes Rotom-W capable of switching into Ground-type attacks, allowing it to pivot offensively into Ground-types.
Usage Tips
========
Rotom-W should be used early-game to scout the foes' sets with Volt Switch. Hydro Pump or Thunderbolt should not be spammed early-game while Rotom-W's counters are still present, as it can result in a huge loss of momentum. Alternatively, when its check and counters are weakened, Rotom-W can clean up the opponent's team late-game. One of the cons of using a Choice item is becoming setup bait for Pokemon that do not take much damage from its Choice-locked STAB moves. Thus, it is wiser to use Volt Switch in most scenarios. Trick should usually only be used when you are sure that the opponent is going to switch out to the wall that you plan on hindering, as giving a Choice Scarf to the foe isn't always beneficial. Rotom-W should serve as a fast pivot or as a revenge killer, as it lacks power. Because this set lacks defensive investment, it has a harder time switching into attacks. Try to take advantage of Rotom-W's Ground immunity to safely bring it in.
Team Options
========
Empoleon is a great teammate for Rotom-W because it takes the Grass-type hits aimed at Rotom-W rather easily. Likewise, Empoleon benefits from Rotom-W's ability to switch into Ground-type attacks. Being able to scout the foes' sets proves to be beneficial to setup sweepers such as Manaphy and Mega Gyarados. It can also weaken the opponent's team to let the aforementioned Pokemon have an easier time sweeping. Rotom-W appreciates the support that wallbreakers such as Keldeo, Azumarill, and Volcanion provide, as punching holes in the opponent's team can permit a late-game sweep. Azumarill breaks through Dragon-types very easily, most of which Rotom-W cannot touch. Volcanion's ability to take down Grass-types is equally appreciated. Choice Scarf Rotom-W makes a great addition to Swift Swim teams as a fast pivot because Swift Swim users, such as Mega Swampert, Seismitoad, and Kingdra, benefit from Rotom-W's ability to scout the opposing team. Politoed is mandatory, as Swift Swim teams need it for its ability, Drizzle. Mega Sharpedo appreciates the support provided by Choice Scarf Rotom-W in scouting and weakening the opposing team to make it easier for Mega Sharpedo to clean up late-game. Rotom-W needs to switch in and out continuously while performing its role as a scout. Thus, it benefits from Starmie's ability to get rid of entry hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Water
--------
Rest along with Chesto Berry can be used on the physically defensive set, as Pain Split is very unreliable. However, Chesto Berry can only be used once, so Rest will leave Rotom-W unable to move for at least two turns if used after Chesto Berry is consumed. Thunder Wave is another suboptimal option instead of Pain Split and allows Rotom-W to deter fast threats that aren't hindered by Will-O-Wisp, such as Mega Charizard Y, Latios, Gengar, and Hydreigon. Another set that may be used on Rotom-W is a dual screens set with Light Clay. Water-type teams, however, prefer the physically defensive or Choice Scarf set.
Checks and Counters
===================
Water
--------
**Grass-types**: Resisting both of Rotom-W's STAB moves and hitting it super effectively, Grass-types, such as Mega Venusaur, Serperior, and Breloom, are ideal counters for Rotom-W. Ferrothorn sets up entry hazards on Rotom-W, although it does somewhat mind Will-O-Wisp.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types, particularly those that do not fear Will-O-Wisp, such as Latios, Latias, and Hydreigon, do a great job at beating Rotom-W, taking little damage from its STAB moves. However, most of them fear the rare Thunder Wave.
**Specially Defensive Walls**: Specially defensive walls, such as Chansey and Gastrodon, are excellent at wearing down Rotom-W with Toxic while being able to heal off any damage taken. However, they need to watch out for the Choice Scarf set, as it gets access to Trick, completely crippling them.
**Wallbreakers**: Most wallbreakers, such as Mega Charizard Y, Choice Specs Hoopa-U, and Mega Medicham, find it easy to break through Rotom-W after Stealth Rock damage.
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