[OVERVIEW]
Rotom-W is a useful support Pokemon in the OU metagame thanks to its access to Defog as well as other utility options like Will-O-Wisp. Furthermore, its ability to force out some common entry hazard setters such as Landorus-T, Ash-Greninja, and Heatran makes it an effective Defogger. Rotom-W's good defensive typing in combination with Levitate also allows it to check common offensive threats such as Mega Scizor, non-Firium Z Heatran, and Mega Pinsir. Access to Volt Switch makes Rotom-W an effective pivot, and its Volt Switches are particularly difficult to block because its Water typing allows it to threaten Ground-types like Landorus-T, Excadrill, and Zygarde. However, Rotom-W's lack of reliable recovery hurts it as a defensive Pokemon, and it also makes it more easily worn down over the course of a match. It is also not as bulky as it seems on paper due to its low HP stat.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Will-O-Wisp / Pain Split
move 4: Defog
item: Iapapa Berry / Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 204 Def / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is a strong Water-type STAB attack that hits Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Mega Diancie, Heatran, Blacephalon, and Tyranitar. Volt Switch gives Rotom-W an Electric-type STAB move that allows it to pivot out and create momentum as well as hit Pokemon that resist Hydro Pump such as Keldeo and Ash-Greninja. Will-O-Wisp cripples Pokemon like Mega Scizor, Mega Mawile, and Kyurem-B, as well as preventing Tapu Bulu from coming in for free. Alternatively, Pain Split improves Rotom-W's longevity and gives it a form of recovery, allowing it to switch in and check the Pokemon it's supposed to more reliably throughout the course of a match. Defog gives Rotom-W the ability to remove entry hazards, which allows it to act as an effective utility Pokemon and support hazard-weak teammates like Volcarona, Mega Charizard X, and Zapdos.
Set Details
========
56 Speed EVs let Rotom-W outrun Adamant Choice Band Tyranitar. The rest of the EVs are put into Defense and HP with a Bold nature to allow Rotom-W to check threats such as Mega Scizor, Mega Pinsir, Landorus-T, and Greninja as reliably as possible. However, more specially defensive spreads are also an option. 248 HP / 124 Def / 80 SpD / 56 Spe allows Rotom-W to always avoid the 2HKO from Choice Scarf Blacephalon's Shadow Ball and OHKO in return with Hydro Pump, at the cost of some physical bulk. Iapapa Berry allows Rotom-W to take powerful attacks such as Choice Specs Blacephalon's Shadow Ball, Choice Scarf Latios's Draco Meteor, and Ash-Greninja's Dark Pulse after Stealth Rock damage and gain back 50% of its HP afterwards. Leftovers can be used instead for more consistent recovery over time. Levitate helps versus some Ground-types such as defensive Landorus-T and also allows Rotom-W to avoid certain Ground-type attacks that would otherwise give it trouble such as Heatran's Earth Power.
Usage Tips
========
Rotom-W should be brought in on Pokemon that cannot touch it such as Heatran, Mega Scizor, and Protean Greninja and use the opportunity to Defog if needed or fire off a Volt Switch. As Rotom-W doesn't have any recovery, it can be worn down very easily. Consider risk vs reward when switching it into even powerful resisted attacks such as Ash-Greninja's Hydro Pump and Choice Specs Blacephalon's Fire Blast and whether or not you need it for later in the game. Volt Switch should usually be used if Rotom-W is not needed to remove hazards or KO a Pokemon with Hydro Pump, as it allows it to gain momentum for its team while damaging its answers. Will-O-Wisp is generally useful versus physical attackers that Rotom-W cannot KO outright such as Mega Scizor and Mega Mawile. It can also be used to chip away at checks such as Mega Venusaur and Assault Vest Magearna, but simply hitting Volt Switch is sometimes a better option in such a scenario.
Team Options
========
Hazard-weak Pokemon such as Blacephalon, Mega Pinsir, and Kyurem-B appreciate Rotom-W's ability to remove Stealth Rock from the field with Defog. These Pokemon are also able to pressure Grass-types like Mega Venusaur and Tapu Bulu for it. Rotom-W's access to a slow Volt Switch means that it works well with wallbreakers such as Mega Medicham, Mega Mawile, and Tyranitar, as it's able to get them safely onto the field to start breaking down teams. Other Volt Switch and U-turn users such as Landorus-T, Magearna, and Mega Scizor can form an effective VoltTurn core with Rotom-W. Despite its access Levitate, Rotom-W is still vulnerable to several common Ground-types; Zygarde always uses Thousand Arrows, offensive Landorus-T commonly runs Rockium Z or Smack Down, and Excadrill has Mold Breaker. Thus, checks to offensive Ground-types such as Tapu Bulu, defensive Landorus-T, and Kartana are good partners. Pokemon such as Heatran, Volcarona, and Kyurem-B are able to take advantage of the bulky Grass-types like Ferrothorn and Mega Venusaur that Rotom-W lures in.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A more offensive set with Hydro Pump / Volt Switch / Hidden Power Fire / Defog, Waterium Z, and an EV spread of 196 HP / 252 SpA / 56 Spe is an option. This set allows Rotom-W to pressure bulkier entry hazard setters more effectively with a strong Z-Move at the cost of some of its defensive utility. Thunder Wave can be used to cripple faster Pokemon that don't mind a burn such as Tapu Lele and Latios, but the utility of other options is generally more useful. Thunderbolt gives Rotom-W a more powerful Electric-type STAB attack that doesn't force it out, but it is difficult to justify using over other moves. Sitrus Berry is also an option over Iapapa Berry, as it is easier to activate but recovers less HP. A Choice Scarf + Trick set can be used for the surprise factor, but being locked into an Electric-type move isn't great and other Choice Scarf users are generally better.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-types resist Rotom-W's dual STAB combination and can generally hit it hard in return with their super effective Grass-type attacks. Kartana and Tapu Bulu can force it out but can't reliably switch in due to the threat of Will-O-Wisp. Tangrowth, Ferrothorn, and Mega Venusaur take very little from any of Rotom-W's attacks, but the latter two can be worn down quickly with the combination of Will-O-Wisp and Volt Switch.
**Dragon-types**: Latios resists both of Rotom-W's STAB attacks and 2HKOes it with Draco Meteor. Kyurem-B and Zygarde outspeed Rotom-W and 2HKO it with Earth Power and Thousand Arrows, respectively. However, they don't enjoy taking a Will-O-Wisp, although Substitute Zygarde is able to block it, and Substitute + Protect Zygarde can even stall out Hydro Pump's PP.
**Ground-types**: Despite its access to Levitate, a number of offensive Ground-types have ways of breaking through Rotom-W. Offensive Landorus-T outruns Rotom-W and can OHKO it with Earthquake if Gravity is up or OHKO it with a +2 Continental Crush. Zygarde 2HKOes Rotom-W with Thousand Arrows and takes little from Hydro Pump, though it must be wary of Will-O-Wisp. Excadrill has Mold Breaker and can OHKO Rotom-W with Earthquake after a little chip damage. Gastrodon is immune to both of Rotom-W's STAB attacks and can wear it down slowly with Toxic.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Specially defensive Pokemon that don't mind status can generally check Rotom-W fairly reliably. Clefable and Reuniclus are able to consistently switch into Rotom-W because of their high special bulk and access to recovery and are immune to burns thanks to Magic Guard. Chansey can heal off burns with Natural Cure and has the special bulk to consistently switch into Rotom-W's attacks.
**Strong Attackers**: In general, strong attackers are able to quickly overwhelm Rotom-W because its bulk is undermined by its low HP stat and lack of reliable recovery. Rockium Z Landorus-T can use Swords Dance as Rotom-W switches in and OHKO it with a powerful Continental Crush. Firium Z Heatran has the power to 2HKO Rotom-W on the switch, provided that Magma Storm hits, and it can even take a Hydro Pump if needed. Z-Move Hoopa-U variants are able to easily blow back Rotom-W thanks to their sheer power, although Fightinium Z Hoopa-U needs Rotom-W to be damaged first in order to secure the OHKO. Choice Specs Tapu Lele can OHKO Rotom-W from full with Psychic, and other variants are able to 2HKO Rotom-W and take a hit from it if needed. Shift Gear Magearna is able to set up on Rotom-W and blow it away with a powerful Z-Move after some chip damage. Magnezone can take one attack from Rotom-W if needed, and Electrium Z variants are able to OHKO it with Gigavolt Havoc.
**Residual Damage**: Rotom-W is easily worn down by residual damage such as having to switch into Stealth Rock, losing its Leftovers to Knock Off users such as Landorus-T and Mega Scizor, and Toxic from Pokemon like Heatran and Toxapex, as it limits its opportunities to switch in and ability to consistently come in and remove entry hazards from the field.
Rotom-W is a useful support Pokemon in the OU metagame thanks to its access to Defog as well as other utility options like Will-O-Wisp. Furthermore, its ability to force out some common entry hazard setters such as Landorus-T, Ash-Greninja, and Heatran makes it an effective Defogger. Rotom-W's good defensive typing in combination with Levitate also allows it to check common offensive threats such as Mega Scizor, non-Firium Z Heatran, and Mega Pinsir. Access to Volt Switch makes Rotom-W an effective pivot, and its Volt Switches are particularly difficult to block because its Water typing allows it to threaten Ground-types like Landorus-T, Excadrill, and Zygarde. However, Rotom-W's lack of reliable recovery hurts it as a defensive Pokemon, and it also makes it more easily worn down over the course of a match. It is also not as bulky as it seems on paper due to its low HP stat.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Will-O-Wisp / Pain Split
move 4: Defog
item: Iapapa Berry / Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 204 Def / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is a strong Water-type STAB attack that hits Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Mega Diancie, Heatran, Blacephalon, and Tyranitar. Volt Switch gives Rotom-W an Electric-type STAB move that allows it to pivot out and create momentum as well as hit Pokemon that resist Hydro Pump such as Keldeo and Ash-Greninja. Will-O-Wisp cripples Pokemon like Mega Scizor, Mega Mawile, and Kyurem-B, as well as preventing Tapu Bulu from coming in for free. Alternatively, Pain Split improves Rotom-W's longevity and gives it a form of recovery, allowing it to switch in and check the Pokemon it's supposed to more reliably throughout the course of a match. Defog gives Rotom-W the ability to remove entry hazards, which allows it to act as an effective utility Pokemon and support hazard-weak teammates like Volcarona, Mega Charizard X, and Zapdos.
Set Details
========
56 Speed EVs let Rotom-W outrun Adamant Choice Band Tyranitar. The rest of the EVs are put into Defense and HP with a Bold nature to allow Rotom-W to check threats such as Mega Scizor, Mega Pinsir, Landorus-T, and Greninja as reliably as possible. However, more specially defensive spreads are also an option. 248 HP / 124 Def / 80 SpD / 56 Spe allows Rotom-W to always avoid the 2HKO from Choice Scarf Blacephalon's Shadow Ball and OHKO in return with Hydro Pump, at the cost of some physical bulk. Iapapa Berry allows Rotom-W to take powerful attacks such as Choice Specs Blacephalon's Shadow Ball, Choice Scarf Latios's Draco Meteor, and Ash-Greninja's Dark Pulse after Stealth Rock damage and gain back 50% of its HP afterwards. Leftovers can be used instead for more consistent recovery over time. Levitate helps versus some Ground-types such as defensive Landorus-T and also allows Rotom-W to avoid certain Ground-type attacks that would otherwise give it trouble such as Heatran's Earth Power.
Usage Tips
========
Rotom-W should be brought in on Pokemon that cannot touch it such as Heatran, Mega Scizor, and Protean Greninja and use the opportunity to Defog if needed or fire off a Volt Switch. As Rotom-W doesn't have any recovery, it can be worn down very easily. Consider risk vs reward when switching it into even powerful resisted attacks such as Ash-Greninja's Hydro Pump and Choice Specs Blacephalon's Fire Blast and whether or not you need it for later in the game. Volt Switch should usually be used if Rotom-W is not needed to remove hazards or KO a Pokemon with Hydro Pump, as it allows it to gain momentum for its team while damaging its answers. Will-O-Wisp is generally useful versus physical attackers that Rotom-W cannot KO outright such as Mega Scizor and Mega Mawile. It can also be used to chip away at checks such as Mega Venusaur and Assault Vest Magearna, but simply hitting Volt Switch is sometimes a better option in such a scenario.
Team Options
========
Hazard-weak Pokemon such as Blacephalon, Mega Pinsir, and Kyurem-B appreciate Rotom-W's ability to remove Stealth Rock from the field with Defog. These Pokemon are also able to pressure Grass-types like Mega Venusaur and Tapu Bulu for it. Rotom-W's access to a slow Volt Switch means that it works well with wallbreakers such as Mega Medicham, Mega Mawile, and Tyranitar, as it's able to get them safely onto the field to start breaking down teams. Other Volt Switch and U-turn users such as Landorus-T, Magearna, and Mega Scizor can form an effective VoltTurn core with Rotom-W. Despite its access Levitate, Rotom-W is still vulnerable to several common Ground-types; Zygarde always uses Thousand Arrows, offensive Landorus-T commonly runs Rockium Z or Smack Down, and Excadrill has Mold Breaker. Thus, checks to offensive Ground-types such as Tapu Bulu, defensive Landorus-T, and Kartana are good partners. Pokemon such as Heatran, Volcarona, and Kyurem-B are able to take advantage of the bulky Grass-types like Ferrothorn and Mega Venusaur that Rotom-W lures in.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A more offensive set with Hydro Pump / Volt Switch / Hidden Power Fire / Defog, Waterium Z, and an EV spread of 196 HP / 252 SpA / 56 Spe is an option. This set allows Rotom-W to pressure bulkier entry hazard setters more effectively with a strong Z-Move at the cost of some of its defensive utility. Thunder Wave can be used to cripple faster Pokemon that don't mind a burn such as Tapu Lele and Latios, but the utility of other options is generally more useful. Thunderbolt gives Rotom-W a more powerful Electric-type STAB attack that doesn't force it out, but it is difficult to justify using over other moves. Sitrus Berry is also an option over Iapapa Berry, as it is easier to activate but recovers less HP. A Choice Scarf + Trick set can be used for the surprise factor, but being locked into an Electric-type move isn't great and other Choice Scarf users are generally better.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-types resist Rotom-W's dual STAB combination and can generally hit it hard in return with their super effective Grass-type attacks. Kartana and Tapu Bulu can force it out but can't reliably switch in due to the threat of Will-O-Wisp. Tangrowth, Ferrothorn, and Mega Venusaur take very little from any of Rotom-W's attacks, but the latter two can be worn down quickly with the combination of Will-O-Wisp and Volt Switch.
**Dragon-types**: Latios resists both of Rotom-W's STAB attacks and 2HKOes it with Draco Meteor. Kyurem-B and Zygarde outspeed Rotom-W and 2HKO it with Earth Power and Thousand Arrows, respectively. However, they don't enjoy taking a Will-O-Wisp, although Substitute Zygarde is able to block it, and Substitute + Protect Zygarde can even stall out Hydro Pump's PP.
**Ground-types**: Despite its access to Levitate, a number of offensive Ground-types have ways of breaking through Rotom-W. Offensive Landorus-T outruns Rotom-W and can OHKO it with Earthquake if Gravity is up or OHKO it with a +2 Continental Crush. Zygarde 2HKOes Rotom-W with Thousand Arrows and takes little from Hydro Pump, though it must be wary of Will-O-Wisp. Excadrill has Mold Breaker and can OHKO Rotom-W with Earthquake after a little chip damage. Gastrodon is immune to both of Rotom-W's STAB attacks and can wear it down slowly with Toxic.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Specially defensive Pokemon that don't mind status can generally check Rotom-W fairly reliably. Clefable and Reuniclus are able to consistently switch into Rotom-W because of their high special bulk and access to recovery and are immune to burns thanks to Magic Guard. Chansey can heal off burns with Natural Cure and has the special bulk to consistently switch into Rotom-W's attacks.
**Strong Attackers**: In general, strong attackers are able to quickly overwhelm Rotom-W because its bulk is undermined by its low HP stat and lack of reliable recovery. Rockium Z Landorus-T can use Swords Dance as Rotom-W switches in and OHKO it with a powerful Continental Crush. Firium Z Heatran has the power to 2HKO Rotom-W on the switch, provided that Magma Storm hits, and it can even take a Hydro Pump if needed. Z-Move Hoopa-U variants are able to easily blow back Rotom-W thanks to their sheer power, although Fightinium Z Hoopa-U needs Rotom-W to be damaged first in order to secure the OHKO. Choice Specs Tapu Lele can OHKO Rotom-W from full with Psychic, and other variants are able to 2HKO Rotom-W and take a hit from it if needed. Shift Gear Magearna is able to set up on Rotom-W and blow it away with a powerful Z-Move after some chip damage. Magnezone can take one attack from Rotom-W if needed, and Electrium Z variants are able to OHKO it with Gigavolt Havoc.
**Residual Damage**: Rotom-W is easily worn down by residual damage such as having to switch into Stealth Rock, losing its Leftovers to Knock Off users such as Landorus-T and Mega Scizor, and Toxic from Pokemon like Heatran and Toxapex, as it limits its opportunities to switch in and ability to consistently come in and remove entry hazards from the field.
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