QC: Anty / Megazard / Anty
GP: Omicron / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Rotom-S is overshadowed by Rotom-F as an offensive Electric-type due to worse coverage between its STAB moves and the low Base Power of Air Slash. However, Rotom-S sports a decent defensive typing that, when combined with access to Will-O-Wisp and a decent Speed tier, allows it to check Grass-, Flying-, and Fighting-type Pokemon such as Leafeon, Dodrio, and Monferno. Unfortunately, a weakness to the ever-present Stealth Rock as well as an inability to touch Electric-types hinders Rotom-S greatly.
[SET]
name: Offensive Utility
move 1: Thunderbolt / Volt Switch
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Hidden Power Water
move 4: Will-O-Wisp
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 32 HP / 252 SpA / 224 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt is Rotom-S's strongest attacking move, doing decent damage to most foes that don't resist it. Volt Switch is a less powerful option than Thunderbolt but allows Rotom-S to pivot out of bad matchups. Air Slash hits the Grass-types that resist Electric in addition to landing the OHKO on Monferno. Hidden Power Water is the best option Rotom has to hit Ground-types such as Golem and Hippopotas. Hidden Power Water is chosen over Hidden Power Grass in order to 2HKO specially defensive Camerupt. Will-O-Wisp weakens physical attackers and deals residual damage. Pain Split is an option over Will-O-Wisp or Hidden Power Water that gives Rotom-S another way to heal, but it takes away its ability to cripple physical attackers or hit Ground-types.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Special Attack allow Rotom-S to hit as hard as possible. 224 Speed EVs with a Timid nature allows Rotom-S to outspeed Jolly Monferno, Adamant Stoutland, and Timid Grumpig. The rest of the EVs are dumped into HP to make Rotom-S slightly bulkier. Maximum Speed investment along with a Timid nature can be run in order to outspeed Timid Articuno and Timid Misdreavus as well as Speed tie other Rotom formes. Leftovers keeps Rotom-S healthy and slightly mitigates Stealth Rock and other residual damage. A spread of 248 HP / 36 SpA / 224 Spe along with a Timid nature can make Rotom-S bulkier at the cost of some of its attacking power.
Usage Tips
========
During the early-game, Rotom-S should be used to break down slower Pokemon and walls such as Stunfisk with a combination of its attacks and burns from Will-O-Wisp. It is important to maximize Rotom-S's bulk, so try to avoid switching it into Stealth Rock if possible. After burning a foe with Will-O-Wisp, Volt Switch out into a Pokemon that can better handle the foe, especially if in a bad matchup. However, be wary of wearing Rotom-S down too much when Stealth Rock is on the field. Try to avoid switching Rotom-S into offensively oriented Pokemon, as they can heavily dent it and severely reduce its longevity—instead, switch it into slower Pokemon that it checks, such as Pawniard and Cacturne.
Team Options
========
Rotom-S hates switching into Stealth Rock, so it appreciates Defog support from Pokemon such as Lumineon and Prinplup. Powerful wallbreakers such as Stoutland and Leafeon can help break down specially defensive walls that Rotom-S can't touch. Pokemon that resist Ice such as Monferno and Thick Fat Grumpig take pressure off of Rotom-S. Pokemon such as Chinchou and Trapinch help absorb hits from offensive Electric-types. Bulky Grass-type Pokemon such as Quilladin and Tangela can switch into Ground-type Pokemon that Rotom-S is unable to hit. Pokemon that appreciate Ground-types being weakened, such as Pawniard and Mawile, make good partners for Rotom-S, as they can also break down walls for Rotom-S. Rotom-S fits best on offense or bulky offense teams that need a Monferno and/or a Sucker Punch user check.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rotom-S can use a Choice Scarf to act as a revenge killer, but this is outclassed by Rotom-F due to its inability to hit Ground-types and is generally not worth it unless you need a fast Pokemon that resists Mach Punch. Choice Specs is an option for Rotom-S to act as more of a wallbreaker, but this is done better by Rotom-F for the same reason. It can also be more easily taken advantage of by fast Pokemon. Physically defensive Rotom-S is an option to take less damage from the Pokemon it checks, but it needs speed to effectively act as a check and is hampered by Stealth Rock more.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Rotom-S cannot touch walls like Audino and Clefairy, giving them free reign to whittle Rotom-S down while keeping their health up, and some bulky setup sweepers, like Duosion and Klang, easily set up on Rotom-S.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Zebstrika and Rotom-F resist Rotom-S's STAB move combination and can fire off powerful Electric-type attacks that are neutral due to Rotom-S's typing or attack with super effective coverage, preventing Rotom-S from being an effective check.
**Ice-types**: Common Ice-type Pokemon such as Glaceon, Regice, and Articuno can all either outspeed Rotom-S or take any attack from it and then retaliate with super effective Ice-type attacks, all of which OHKO.
**Revenge Killers**: Although very few faster threats can OHKO Rotom-S without prior damage, it is slow, is weak to common coverage of revenge killers, and has subpar bulk, which leaves it easily revenge killed after one or two rounds of Stealth Rock damage by attacks like Ice Beam from Floatzel and Flare Blitz from Rapidash.
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