Scyther NO Swiping
Washed up former great
QC BaconBagon / The Reptile / TEG
GP Lemonade / Haund
[OVERVIEW]GP Lemonade / Haund
Good defensive typing and a good ability in Levitate leave Rotom-W weak to only Grass-types. This, combined with its decent bulk, allows Rotom-W to check a lot of common threats such as Landorus-T, Mega Scizor, and Heatran. Rotom-W is also a good status sponge because of its immunity to paralysis. It can support its team by spreading status in the form of Nuzzle, Scald, and Will-O-Wisp, and keep momentum up with Volt Switch. These traits make Rotom-W splashable, fitting on many teams and playstyles. However, Rotom-W has average Speed and HP, which can lead to issues such as being outsped or not being able to take an extra hit at times. Finally, it lacks access to decent coverage moves and has no form of reliable recovery.
[SET]
name: Pivot
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Scald
move 3: Nuzzle / Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Pain Split / Rest
item: Leftovers / Chesto Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpA
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch allows Rotom-W to chip away at the foe and keep up momentum while pivoting out. Scald is Rotom-W's secondary STAB option that hits relatively hard and has a 30% chance to burn, crippling many physical foes. It also hits Ground-types hard, which is important because they are immune to Volt Switch. Nuzzle paralyzes the foe and in many cases cripples it for the rest of the match, while Will-O-Wisp, although less accurate, can be used to better deal with physical attackers. Pain Split is Rotom-W's main form of recovery, which works well when paired with Nuzzle. These two work well together, as, after the foe has been paralyzed, Rotom-W can easily outspeed it and heal itself before the foe attacks. Rest is another recovery option that also cures status, and it is not dependent on the foe's health. However, it is mainly a one-time thing.
Set Details
========
Levitate, Rotom-W's only ability, makes it immune to Ground-type moves, which would otherwise be a weakness. Leftovers is there to regain health each turn, helping it take more hits. Chesto Berry should be used if Rest is chosen instead of Pain Split, waking Rotom-W up immediately and serving as a one-time full restore. A Bold nature helps to increase Rotom-W's physical bulk, and it works well when paired with burn support and maximum HP EVs. 8 Speed EVs can be run to allow Rotom-W to outspeed Adamant Crawdaunt, while 128 would make it outpace Adamant Breloom and Bisharp. An alternative spread with an investment of 252 EVs in Special Defense instead of Defense and a Calm nature allows Rotom-W to take special hits as well.
Usage Tips
========
Rotom-W has the bulk to switch in on Pokemon it checks such as Landorus-T, Thundurus, Tornadus-T, and Heatran. Its access to a slow Volt Switch allows Rotom-W to pivot into a teammate that can either KO the foe or set up on it. Choose which status move you want to use on the foe and decide which will support your team better. If you are facing a strong physical attacker, a burn is beneficial; if you struggle with faster foes, paralysis might support you better. Also make sure to be careful when using Scald, as it could inadvertently burn something you would rather have paralyzed. Avoid accidentally healing the foe with Pain Split; in particular, watch out for the it switching to a weakened member of their team. Remember that Pain Split is based on the total HP number, not percentage.
Team Options
========
Steel- and Flying-types, such as Ferrothorn, Heatran, Scizor, Landorus-T, and Tornadus-T make for good teammates for Rotom-W, as they are able to resist or eliminate Grass-types that trouble it. In return, Rotom-W can eliminate their weaknesses. Fire- and Grass-types have good synergy and allow for a Fire / Water / Grass core. Mega Charizard X, Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Celebi are examples of good teammates. Entry hazard setters such as Garchomp, Heatran, and Tyranitar are good options as well, spreading entry hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes and helping to wear down the foes over the length of the battle.
While Rotom-W isn't hazard-weak, it still appreciates hazard removal because it will switch in multiple times and doesn't like taking the damage each time. Defog Gyarados, Landorus-T, and Rapid Spin Porygon2 and Chansey make good teammates. Pokemon such as U-turn Landorus-T, Thundurus-T, Scizor, and Parting Shot Sableye work well with Rotom-W, as they are able to help keep up momentum. Landorus-T makes for a particularly good partner for Rotom-W because they cover each other's weaknesses, and Landorus-T can set and remove hazards for Rotom-W. The two can also keep up momentum together with their VoltTurn combination. Finally, wallbreakers such as Mega Charizard X, Mega Scizor, Mega Lopunny, Thundurus, and Kyurem-B make for good teammates by taking down the special walls that Rotom-W otherwise struggles with.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Origin Pulse / Water Spout
move 3: Thunderbolt / Water Spout
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch allows Rotom-W to switch out to maintain momentum. Origin Pulse is Rotom-W's main STAB move that hits the foe hard. Water Spout is an option that hits harder than Origin Pulse when Rotom-W is near full health. However, Rotom-W sometimes struggles in STABmons due to the amount of priority in the metagame. Thunderbolt is an option for a stronger Electric-type STAB that hits harder than Volt Switch, without shuffling itself out. It also handles Substitute users such as Keldeo, and Gyarados easier. Trick allows Rotom-W to switch its item with the foe, which can really cripple bulky foes like Chansey and Porygon2 by locking them into one move. Scald is another option to use to try to get a quick burn on a physical attacker, also crippling it.
Set Details
========
Choice Scarf allows Rotom-W to make up for its below-average Speed and attack first most of the time. A Timid nature paired with maximum EVs in Speed and a Choice Scarf serve to make Rotom-W as fast as possible. Maximum EVs in Special Attack allow it to hit as hard as possible. Levitate, Rotom-W's only ability, is used to give it an immunity to Ground-types, leaving it with just one weakness.
Usage Tips
========
With Choice Scarf, prediction is key. If you predict the opponent will switch into a specially defensive wall, use Trick. If you think a Ground-type is coming in, Origin Pulse works well; otherwise, Volt Switch is good for scouting, maintaining momentum, and getting chip damage. However, don't be afraid to switch out manually if you predict your opponent will switch. Don't use Volt Switch or Thunderbolt into a Ground-type, which would allow the foe an easy set up opportunity. Scarf Rotom-W works best as a revenge killer or when it is brought in with a slow Volt Switch or U-Turn. This set also has a surprise factor, as Choice Scarf isn't generally expected.
Team Options
========
Wallbreakers such as Tornadus, Mega Lopunny, and Mega Scizor make for good teammates, as they are able to eliminate the walls that Rotom-W would otherwise struggle with. Entry hazard setters such as Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Hippowdon work well by laying down hazards such as Spikes and Stealth Rock that weaken the foes as they switch in. Other Pokemon that can form a VoltTurn core such as Landorus-T, Tornadus-T, Parting Shot Sableye, and Scizor make for good partners, as they are able to help keep up momentum. Scizor, especially Choice Band variants, works well with Rotom-W because they resist each other's weaknessess and form a powerful VoltTurn combo. Latios, Latias, and Kyurem-B checks, such as Ferrothorn, Weavile, and Tyranitar, make for good teammates, as these powerful Dragon-types can give Rotom-W trouble. Pursuit users such as Weavile and Tyranitar work well to take advantage of the Volt Switches. Fire- and Grass-types have good synergy with Rotom-W and allow for a Fire / Water / Grass core. Mega Charizard X, Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Celebi are some Pokemon that can be in such a core.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Discharge is an alternative to Nuzzle that trades the 100% paralysis chance for a 30% one but hits much harder. Choice Specs can also be run to allow Rotom-W to hit harder. Whirlpool can be used to trap a foe and wear it down when paired with Toxic; however this set is outclassed by other trappers such as Heatran, as Rotom-W doesn't have Taunt and can do nothing to stop the foe from healing itself while trapped. Soak can be used to change make the foe Water-type, followed by hitting them with a now super effective Thunderbolt. Destiny Bond is an option to catch the foe by surprise and take it out.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Special Walls**: Bulky special walls such as Chansey, Porygon2, and Meloetta don't take much damage from Rotom-W's attacks. Chansey and Porygon2 are not bothered by status either.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Ferrothorn, Mega Venusaur, Celebi, Mega Sceptile, and Serperior give Rotom-W trouble, as they resist both of its STAB moves and are able to either status it with Spore or just OHKO with their STAB moves. Mega Sceptile also gets a Special Attack boost from Electric-type moves from its ability, Lightning Rod.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types such as Latios, Latias, Kyurem-B, and Mega Sceptile give Rotom-W trouble because they resist both of its STAB moves, and they can hit back with powerful moves of their own.
**Powerful Special Attackers**: Powerful special attackers such as Mega Gardevoir, Hoopa, and Porygon-Z are able to hit Rotom-W for a large amount of damage or OHKO it.
Last edited: