teachable
Banned deucer.
Rotom-F carves its niche in the RU tier as one of the Defog users, along with Sigilyph, that can offensively pressure the best offensive Stealth Rock setter in the tier: Nidoqueen. Thanks to its access to STAB BoltBeam coverage, Rotom-F is well-designed as an offensive Defogger. Access to Volt Switch further allows it to provide more support outside of simply using Defog for its teammates. However, while its typing is great offensively, it leaves it with very few resistances and means it takes 25% from Stealth Rock should it happen to switch in with them on the field. A lack of a Steel-type resistance compared to Rotom-C and Rotom-H means Rotom-F struggles to pressure Mega Steelix as well as they are able to. Additionally, its only Ice-type STAB move is Blizzard, which, while powerful, has incredibly shaky accuracy.
[SET]
name: Defog
move 1: Defog
move 2: Blizzard
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Volt Switch
item: Icium Z / Mago Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rotom-F is able to effectively use Defog in the face of Stealth Rock setters like Nidoqueen and Rhyperior, as they fear Rotom-F's Blizzard and Subzero Slammer. Blizzard is Rotom-F's strongest and only Ice-type attack, allowing it to threaten out Nidoqueen and Rhyperior and discourage Ground-type Pokemon from switching in to absorb its Electric-type STAB moves. Thunderbolt is Rotom-F's strongest Electric-type attack, allowing it to round out its coverage and provide it with an Electric-type move that doesn't force it to switch out. Volt Switch is Rotom-F's secondary Electric-type attack, allowing it to further support its teammates by accumulating chip damage and keeping up momentum on predicted switches. Will-O-Wisp is an option over Thunderbolt, allowing Rotom-F to avoid playing Sucker Punch mind games with Honchkrow and negate Leftovers recovery from Pokemon such as Registeel, Diancie, and Gigalith. Pain Split is another alternative over Thunderbolt, providing Rotom-F with a form of recovery and an alternative method of chipping away at the opposing team after becoming weakened.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread and nature maximize Rotom-F's offensive capabilities. Icium Z provides Rotom-F with a very powerful one-time-use Ice-type attack that allows it to OHKO specially defensive Rhyperior. It also has the benefit of not being able to miss. Mago Berry is an alternative item choice for Rotom-F that provides it with a form of one-time recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Rotom-F should switch into entry hazard setters it threatens out, such as Nidoqueen and Rhyperior, and proceed to use Defog or Blizzard depending on what you believe your opponent will do; consider whether your team appreciates the opposing team's Stealth Rock user taken out or Stealth Rock gone. However, Rotom-F fears any Rock-type attack from Rhyperior and Sludge Wave from Nidoqueen, so try to predict accordingly what your opponent will do. Use Volt Switch on predicted switches to Steel-types like Registeel and Escavalier and specially defensive walls such as Florges, Diancie, Porygon2, and Umbreon. Rotom-F is not particularly bulky; avoid switching it into attacks unless necessary. Defog can be used to bypass Blizzard's shaky accuracy, as the often-ignored evasion drop prevents it from ever missing. In a pinch, Rotom-F carrying Icium Z can be switched into a predicted Trick from Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Gardevoir and Choice Specs Espeon.
Team Options
========
Rotom-F is incapable of defeating more defensive-oriented Stealth Rock setters, such as Bronzong and Registeel; try to pair it with Pokemon that either offensively pressure these Pokemon, such as Doublade and Salazzle, or can use Defog on them instead, such as Sigilyph and Gligar. Rotom-F pairs well with offensive Pokemon that are weak to Stealth Rock such as Yanmega, Moltres, Salazzle, and Mega Abomasnow. Rotom-F is also able to bring all of these Pokemon into play with Volt Switch, hopefully preventing them from having to tank a hit. These Pokemon are additionally all capable of effectively threatening Registeel and Bronzong to assist in keeping Stealth Rock off the field. Rotom-F is one of the few Defog users not utterly walled by Mandibuzz, so any Stealth Rock user capable of baiting Mandibuzz in, such as Necrozma, allows Rotom-F more opportunities to gain momentum. Offensive teams in need of a Ground-type immunity appreciate Rotom-F for its role compression as a hazard remover.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Discharge can be used over Thunderbolt should you wish to spread paralysis. However, Rotom-F isn't typically using this move often enough for this to be consistent. Snatch is a unique move choice for Rotom-F that allows it to potentially steal recovery moves, such as Florges's Synthesis and Umbreon's Wish, and provide itself with a form of recovery. It additionally prevents Rotom-F from being setup fodder for Pokemon like Calm Mind Florges, Espeon, and Cresselia. Sitrus Berry is an alternative over Mago Berry, more consistently activating due to it not requiring as low HP as Mago Berry. However, it only restores 25% of Rotom-F's HP as opposed to Mago Berry's 50%, making it less attractive as an item choice.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Steel-types like Registeel and Escavalier give Rotom-F trouble, as they resist Rotom-F's Blizzard. Steel-type Stealth Rock setters like Bronzong and Registeel are additionally able to prevent Rotom-F from supporting its team via entry hazard removal.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Porygon2, Umbreon, and Florges are able to effectively wall Rotom-F despite taking neutral damage from both of Rotom-F's STAB moves. However, these Pokemon must be wary of Rotom-F using Volt Switch on a predicted switch and bringing in a Pokemon that can threaten them.
**Fire-types**: Rotom-F is utterly walled by Rotom-H, which resists both of its STAB moves and threatens it out with Overheat. Furthermore, while they do not enjoy switching in, Moltres and Salazzle can threaten Rotom-F out with their powerful Fire-type attacks.
**Stealth Rock**: Rotom-F's Rock weakness means it will be taking 25% of its HP every time it switches into Stealth Rock
[SET]
name: Defog
move 1: Defog
move 2: Blizzard
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Volt Switch
item: Icium Z / Mago Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rotom-F is able to effectively use Defog in the face of Stealth Rock setters like Nidoqueen and Rhyperior, as they fear Rotom-F's Blizzard and Subzero Slammer. Blizzard is Rotom-F's strongest and only Ice-type attack, allowing it to threaten out Nidoqueen and Rhyperior and discourage Ground-type Pokemon from switching in to absorb its Electric-type STAB moves. Thunderbolt is Rotom-F's strongest Electric-type attack, allowing it to round out its coverage and provide it with an Electric-type move that doesn't force it to switch out. Volt Switch is Rotom-F's secondary Electric-type attack, allowing it to further support its teammates by accumulating chip damage and keeping up momentum on predicted switches. Will-O-Wisp is an option over Thunderbolt, allowing Rotom-F to avoid playing Sucker Punch mind games with Honchkrow and negate Leftovers recovery from Pokemon such as Registeel, Diancie, and Gigalith. Pain Split is another alternative over Thunderbolt, providing Rotom-F with a form of recovery and an alternative method of chipping away at the opposing team after becoming weakened.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread and nature maximize Rotom-F's offensive capabilities. Icium Z provides Rotom-F with a very powerful one-time-use Ice-type attack that allows it to OHKO specially defensive Rhyperior. It also has the benefit of not being able to miss. Mago Berry is an alternative item choice for Rotom-F that provides it with a form of one-time recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Rotom-F should switch into entry hazard setters it threatens out, such as Nidoqueen and Rhyperior, and proceed to use Defog or Blizzard depending on what you believe your opponent will do; consider whether your team appreciates the opposing team's Stealth Rock user taken out or Stealth Rock gone. However, Rotom-F fears any Rock-type attack from Rhyperior and Sludge Wave from Nidoqueen, so try to predict accordingly what your opponent will do. Use Volt Switch on predicted switches to Steel-types like Registeel and Escavalier and specially defensive walls such as Florges, Diancie, Porygon2, and Umbreon. Rotom-F is not particularly bulky; avoid switching it into attacks unless necessary. Defog can be used to bypass Blizzard's shaky accuracy, as the often-ignored evasion drop prevents it from ever missing. In a pinch, Rotom-F carrying Icium Z can be switched into a predicted Trick from Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Gardevoir and Choice Specs Espeon.
Team Options
========
Rotom-F is incapable of defeating more defensive-oriented Stealth Rock setters, such as Bronzong and Registeel; try to pair it with Pokemon that either offensively pressure these Pokemon, such as Doublade and Salazzle, or can use Defog on them instead, such as Sigilyph and Gligar. Rotom-F pairs well with offensive Pokemon that are weak to Stealth Rock such as Yanmega, Moltres, Salazzle, and Mega Abomasnow. Rotom-F is also able to bring all of these Pokemon into play with Volt Switch, hopefully preventing them from having to tank a hit. These Pokemon are additionally all capable of effectively threatening Registeel and Bronzong to assist in keeping Stealth Rock off the field. Rotom-F is one of the few Defog users not utterly walled by Mandibuzz, so any Stealth Rock user capable of baiting Mandibuzz in, such as Necrozma, allows Rotom-F more opportunities to gain momentum. Offensive teams in need of a Ground-type immunity appreciate Rotom-F for its role compression as a hazard remover.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Discharge can be used over Thunderbolt should you wish to spread paralysis. However, Rotom-F isn't typically using this move often enough for this to be consistent. Snatch is a unique move choice for Rotom-F that allows it to potentially steal recovery moves, such as Florges's Synthesis and Umbreon's Wish, and provide itself with a form of recovery. It additionally prevents Rotom-F from being setup fodder for Pokemon like Calm Mind Florges, Espeon, and Cresselia. Sitrus Berry is an alternative over Mago Berry, more consistently activating due to it not requiring as low HP as Mago Berry. However, it only restores 25% of Rotom-F's HP as opposed to Mago Berry's 50%, making it less attractive as an item choice.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Steel-types like Registeel and Escavalier give Rotom-F trouble, as they resist Rotom-F's Blizzard. Steel-type Stealth Rock setters like Bronzong and Registeel are additionally able to prevent Rotom-F from supporting its team via entry hazard removal.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Porygon2, Umbreon, and Florges are able to effectively wall Rotom-F despite taking neutral damage from both of Rotom-F's STAB moves. However, these Pokemon must be wary of Rotom-F using Volt Switch on a predicted switch and bringing in a Pokemon that can threaten them.
**Fire-types**: Rotom-F is utterly walled by Rotom-H, which resists both of its STAB moves and threatens it out with Overheat. Furthermore, while they do not enjoy switching in, Moltres and Salazzle can threaten Rotom-F out with their powerful Fire-type attacks.
**Stealth Rock**: Rotom-F's Rock weakness means it will be taking 25% of its HP every time it switches into Stealth Rock
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