OU Rotom-W (Specially Defensive)

[Sturdynips]

EV spread and many general points shamelessly taken from Halcyon's analysis

QC: Dice, Jukain, Subject 18
GP: fleurdyleurse, Calm Pokemaster

skeleton

Specially Defensive
########
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Pain Split / Rest
ability: Levitate
item: Leftovers / Chesto Berry
evs: 248 HP / 216 SpD / 44 Spe
nature: Calm

Moves
========

• Volt Switch for momentum and pivoting in and out of threats
• Hydro has excellent coverage with Volt Switch, nailing Ground-types such as Excadrill
• Will-O-Wisp has great utility in crippling physical threats, working nicely with Rotom-W's special defense investment. Wears down common switch ins such as Latias, Ferrothorn, and Mega Venusaur
• Pain Split and Rest are the only forms of recovery available
• Non-listed move: Twave.

Set Details
========

• EV spread and Calm nature emphasize special defense to take on the likes of Landorus, Aegislash, Thundurus, Keldeo, and Greninja.
• 44 Spe EVs outrun Jolly Belly Drum Azumarill
• Use lefties with Pain Split, Chesto Berry with Rest.

Usage Tips
========

• Use this set to check many of OU's special threats eg Keldeo, Landorus, Aegislash, and generally act as a pivot.
• Remember that without physical investment, it cannot switch into the likes of Mega Pinsir, Talonflame, and Azumarill nearly as reliably, though it can still check these Pokemon well thanks to its nice typing.
• You should exploit Volt Switch and Will-O-Wisp as much as possible. Rotom-W forces many switches so it is easy to use Volt Switch to keep momentum, or Will-O-Wisp to wear down the opponent's team, depending on the situation.
• Rotom-W can be easily worn down, so play cautiously against offensive teams that seek to do this by using Pain Split or Rest when it is prudent to do so. It is easy to fall into the trap of trying to cover too many threats with just Rotom-W.

Team Options
========

• Rotom-W works excellently in a pivot-style core. Landorus-T is fantastic, checking strong physical threats such as Mega Charizard X. They form a nice VoltTurn core.
• Scizor also works well, setting up on the likes of Latias and Ferrothorn.
• Hit and run attackers are good choices, as Rotom-W can often pivot in once they have landed a blow and subsequently forced out. Choice Specs Keldeo and Landorus are good examples.
• This set is an excellent counter to almost all variants of Mamoswine, even Freeze Dry sets, and as such is a great partner to pokemon such as Dragonite and Garchomp.
• Ferrothorn and Skarmory can handle most Grass-type Pokemon and can lay down hazards which enhance the effectiveness of Rotom-W's pivoting.

Specially Defensive
########
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Pain Split / Rest
ability: Levitate
item: Leftovers / Chesto Berry
evs: 248 HP / 216 SpD / 44 Spe
nature: Calm

Moves
========
Rotom-W's STAB move combination is truly excellent. Volt Switch makes up the first half of that combination, allowing Rotom-W to pivot in and out of battle with ease, as well as dealing handy chip damage, to wear down would-be counters such as Mega Venusaur. Hydro Pump works extremely well in tandem with Volt Switch, nailing Ground-types such as Excadrill and Landorus that Rotom-W is often called upon to check. This variant of Rotom-W is somewhat more susceptible to physical attacks, which makes Will-O-Wisp even more useful. Crippling physical attackers and generally wearing down the opposing team is great in terms of utility, as common switch-ins including Latias, Ferrothorn, and Mega Venusaur dislike being burned. Unfortunately, Rotom-W's lack of reliable recovery means that its last move is restricted to a choice between Pain Split and Rest. Pain Split is preferred as it allows Rotom-W to carry Leftovers, and it can have the convenient effect of damaging the opponent if they are healthier than Rotom-W. However, Rest is also a viable choice that clears bothersome status and is more reliable when the opposing Pokemon is considerably weakened. Finally, Thunder Wave can be used over Will-O-Wisp to cripple Fire-types, especially Mega Charizard X, but is usually a lesser choice as most of Rotom-W's checks are more hindered by a burn than by paralysis.

Set Details
========
The given EV spread and a Calm nature emphasize Special Defence for Rotom-W to take on the likes of Landorus, Greninja, Aegislash, and Thundurus. 44 Speed EVs are very important in order to outrun Jolly Belly Drum Azumarill and burn it, or KO it with Volt Switch. Leftovers is the item of choice if Pain Split is used, and Chesto Berry for sets using Rest.

Usage Tips
========
Generally speaking, this set is designed to check many of the strong special attackers in the tier, such as Greninja and Landorus. It is wise to use Rotom-W as a pivot rather than a wall, exploiting its excellent typing and ability while spreading burns and switching out when necessary by using Volt Switch. Will-O-Wisp and Volt Switch are the key moves on the set, and they should be used to take advantage of the many switches that Rotom-W tends to force; be wary of Lum Berry or Substitute users in the case of Will-O-Wisp, though. Bear in mind that without physical investment, Rotom-W is less reliable when it comes to countering the likes of Mega Pinsir and Talonflame, so play with slightly more caution against these threats. It is also important to avoid falling into the trap of using Rotom-W too excessively, as it can be worn down fairly easily, especially Pain Split variants.

Team Options
========
Pokemon that form a VoltTurn core with Rotom-W are excellent partners. Landorus-T stands out as it has great type synergy and can check strong physical threats such as Mega Charizard X. Scizor works similarly well; Mega Scizor can also easily set up on Pokemon that threaten Rotom-W, such as Latias and Ferrothorn. Hit-and-run attackers such as Choice Specs Keldeo and Mega Medicham make for fantastic teammates, as Rotom-W can often pivot in once they have landed a blow and been subsequently forced out. This set is a particularly effective answer to all variants of Mamoswine, including Freeze Dry sets, and thus works well alongside Garchomp and Dragonite. Ferrothorn and Skarmory can handle most Grass-type Pokemon and lay down entry hazards to enhance the effectiveness of Rotom-W's pivoting.

 

[dice]

its fine not much to talk about lol 1/3

 

[Jukain]

mention ninja as one of the specific threats it handles cause that's a major selling point!

qc 2/3

 

[Timpsu]

When mentioning Greninja, I think it should be explicitly mentioned that some variants of Greninja carry HP Grass as fourth move, for Azumarill, Rotom-W and bulky waters in general, and that will 2HKO Rotom-W, so the move needs to be scouted.

Edit: Also, Keldeo can be mentioned, but because of Secret Sword, Keldeo is better left to be handled by the physically defensive set imo, since it fares better against Keldeo in general.

 

[Sturdynips]

I'll have this written soonish

 

[dice]

they check quite a few diff amt of mons so i think it's proper they're given different sets. otherwise shit like hippowdon as well who checks diff pokes w/ diff spreads would only have one set as well

 

[PurpleCordial]

Just curious, why is specially defensive rotom-w geting a separate thread from physically defensive? I mean, the only things differnt between the two is the ev spread, and the pokemon that they check / counter. I thought it was fine just having a SpD ev spread listed as an option in set details. Apologize for my ignorance (if I was about anything)

SDef is given another thread because Rotom-W's analysis is already complete and rather than take the whole analysis through QC and GP checks the set will just go through the checks then put in.

 

[Sturdynips]

sorry for the delay, this is written

 

[Subject 18]

Looks good. Just make sure that you follow the correct formatting for the Checks and Counters section rather than having it as one paragraph. Otherwise looks good.

QC Approved 3/3

 

[Jukain]

Mention that TWave gets Zard X.

 

[Sturdynips]

Updated, sorry again for the delay. This is ready for GP

 

[fleurdyleurse]

hi

check

Specially Defensive
########
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Pain Split / Rest
ability: Levitate
item: Leftovers / Chesto Berry
evs: 248 HP / 216 SpD / 44 Spe
nature: Calm
Moves
========
Rotom-W's STAB move combination is truly excellent. Volt Switch makes up the first half of this pairat combination, allowing Rotom-W to pivot in and out of battle with ease, as well as dealing handy chip damage, meaning that would-be counters such as Mega Venusaur can be worn down deceptively easily. Hydro Pump works extremely well in tandem with Volt Switch, notably in nailing Ground-types such as Excadrill and Landorus that Rotom-W is often called upon to check. This variant of Rotom-W is somewhat more susceptible to physical attacks, which makes Will-O-Wisp even more useful. Crippling physical attackers and generally wearing down the opposing team is great in terms of utility, as common switch-ins including Latias, Ferrothorn, and Mega Venusaur dislike being burned. Unfortunately, Rotom-W's lack of reliable recovery means that its last move is restricted to a choice between Pain Split and Rest. Pain Split is preferred as it allows Rotom-W to carry Leftovers, and can have the convenient effect of damaging the opponent if they are healthier than Rotom-W. However, Rest is also a viable choice that clears bothersome status and is more reliable when the opposing Pokemon is considerably weakened. Finally, Thunder Wave can be used over Will-O-Wisp to cripple Fire-types, especially Mega Charizard X, but is usually a lesser choice as most of Rotom-W's checks are more hindered by a burn more than by paralysis.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread and a Calm nature emphasize Special Defence in order to take on the likes of Landorus, Greninja, Aegislash, and Thundurus. 44 Speed EVs are very important in order to outrun Jolly Belly Drum Azumarill and burn it, or KO it with Volt Switch. Leftovers is the item of choice if Pain Split is used, and Chesto Berry for sets using Rest.
Usage Tips
========
Generally speaking, this set is designed to check many of the strong special attackers in the tier, such as Greninja and Landorus. It is wise to use Rotom-W as a pivot rather than a wall, exploiting its excellent typing and ability while spreading burns and switching out when necessary by using Volt Switch. Will-O-Wisp and Volt Switch are the key moves in the set, and should be used to take advantage of the many switches that Rotom-W tends to force; be wary of Lum Berry or Substitute users in the case of Will-O-Wisp, though. Bear in mind that without physical investment, Rotom-W is less reliable when it comes to countering the likes of Mega Pinsir and Talonflame, so play with slightly more caution against these threats. It is also important to avoid falling into the trap of using Rotom-W too excessively, as it can be worn down fairly easily, particularespecially Pain Split variants.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that form a VoltTurn core with Rotom-W are excellent partners. Landorus-T stands out, as it has great type synergy and can check strong physical threats such as Mega Charizard X. Scizor works similarly well; Mega Scizor can also easily set up on Pokemon that threaten Rotom-W such as Latias and Ferrothorn. Hit and run attackers such as Choice Specs Keldeo and Mega Medicham make for fantastic teammates, as Rotom-W can often pivot in once they have landed a blow and been subsequently forced out. This set is a particularly effective answer to all variants of Mamoswine, including Freeze Dry sets, and as suchthus works well alongside Garchomp and Dragonite. Ferrothorn and Skarmory can handle most Grass-type Pokemon and lay down entry hazards which enhance the effectiveness of Rotom-W's pivoting.

GP 1/2

 

[Sturdynips]

hi

GP 1/2

Implemented, thanks

 

[Calm Pokemaster]

Deletions
Additions / Corrections
Comments

Hide

Specially Defensive
########
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Pain Split / Rest
ability: Levitate
item: Leftovers / Chesto Berry
evs: 248 HP / 216 SpD / 44 Spe
nature: Calm

Moves
========
Rotom-W's STAB move combination is truly excellent. Volt Switch makes up the first half of that combination, allowing Rotom-W to pivot in and out of battle with ease, as well as dealing handy chip damage, meaning that to wear down would-be counters such as Mega Venusaur can be worn down deceptively easily. Hydro Pump works extremely well in tandem with Volt Switch, notably in nailing Ground-types such as Excadrill and Landorus that Rotom-W is often called upon to check. This variant of Rotom-W is somewhat more susceptible to physical attacks, which makes Will-O-Wisp even more useful. Crippling physical attackers and generally wearing down the opposing team is great in terms of utility, as common switch-ins including Latias, Ferrothorn, and Mega Venusaur dislike being burned. Unfortunately, Rotom-W's lack of reliable recovery means that its last move is restricted to a choice between Pain Split and Rest. Pain Split is preferred as it allows Rotom-W to carry Leftovers, and it can have the convenient effect of damaging the opponent if they are healthier than Rotom-W. However, Rest is also a viable choice that clears bothersome status and is more reliable when the opposing Pokemon is considerably weakened. Finally, Thunder Wave can be used over Will-O-Wisp to cripple Fire-types, especially Mega Charizard X, but is usually a lesser choice as most of Rotom-W's checks are more hindered by a burn than by paralysis.

Set Details
========
The given EV spread and a Calm nature emphasize Special Defence in order for Rotom-W to take on the likes of Landorus, Greninja, Aegislash, and Thundurus. 44 Speed EVs are very important in order to outrun Jolly Belly Drum Azumarill and burn it, or KO it with Volt Switch. Leftovers is the item of choice if Pain Split is used, and Chesto Berry for sets using Rest.

Usage Tips
========
Generally speaking, this set is designed to check many of the strong special attackers in the tier, such as Greninja and Landorus. It is wise to use Rotom-W as a pivot rather than a wall, exploiting its excellent typing and ability while spreading burns and switching out when necessary by using Volt Switch. Will-O-Wisp and Volt Switch are the key moves on the set, and they should be used to take advantage of the many switches that Rotom-W tends to force; be wary of Lum Berry or Substitute users in the case of Will-O-Wisp, though. Bear in mind that without physical investment, Rotom-W is less reliable when it comes to countering the likes of Mega Pinsir and Talonflame, so play with slightly more caution against these threats. It is also important to avoid falling into the trap of using Rotom-W too excessively, as it can be worn down fairly easily, especially Pain Split variants.

Team Options
========
Pokemon that form a VoltTurn core with Rotom-W are excellent partners. Landorus-T stands out as it has great type synergy and can check strong physical threats such as Mega Charizard X. Scizor works similarly well; Mega Scizor can also easily set up on Pokemon that threaten Rotom-W, (add comma) such as Latias and Ferrothorn. Hit-and-run attackers such as Choice Specs Keldeo and Mega Medicham make for fantastic teammates, as Rotom-W can often pivot in once they have landed a blow and been subsequently forced out. This set is a particularly effective answer to all variants of Mamoswine, including Freeze Dry sets, and thus works well alongside Garchomp and Dragonite. Ferrothorn and Skarmory can handle most Grass-type Pokemon and lay down entry hazards which to enhance the effectiveness of Rotom-W's pivoting.

GP 2 / 2

 

[Sturdynips]

this is done, thanks all

 

[dice]

oh i missed this. uploading and moving

thanks