[OVERVIEW]
- Rotom-W covers a wide array of metagame threats, ranging from offensive Flying-types such as Mega Pinsir to Ground-types such as both Landorus formes and Sand Rush Excadrill.
- This makes it virtually the face of bulky offense, as its ability to provide a team with key resistances while gaining momentum is near unmatched.
- It is one of OU's most consistent and effective pivots.
- Its lack of reliable recovery means it is forced to rely on Pain Split and Leftovers entirely.
- As a result of its shaky means of recovery, Rotom-W is vulnerable to being worn down over the course of a match.
[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Pain Split
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 240 Def / 20 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
- Volt Switch allows Rotom-W to pivot out of incoming threats while also serving as a useful Electric-type STAB move that targets Flying-types and Water-types.
- Hydro Pump is its only option for a Water-type STAB move, but unlike Scald, it hits surprisingly hard and is incredibly useful for dealing with the Ground- and Fire-types Rotom-W typically pivots into.
- Will-O-Wisp threatens physical attackers lacking the Guts ability or a Fire typing.
- Pain Split lets it replenish health versus high-HP targets should it get worn down.
Set Details
========
- 248 HP EVs coupled with near-maximum Defense investment allow Rotom-W to pivot into physical threats as best as it possibly can.
- 20 Special Defense EVs guarantee it survives a Life Orb-boosted Draco Meteor from Latios when at full HP, as well as lightly cushioning incoming Hurricanes from Tornadus-T.
- Leftovers provides passive recovery that increases Rotom-W's longevity.
- Bold nature gives added Defense.
- 44 Speed EVs can be run to outpace maximum Speed Jolly Azumarill.
- 128 Speed EVs let it outrun neutral-natured base 70s, such as Adamant Bisharp and Breloom.
- If Jolly Bisharp is particularly threatening to your team, 220 Speed EVs can be run, which allows Rotom-W to burn it with Will-O-Wisp before it uses Knock Off.
- Should you need Rotom-W to pivot into more specially offensive threats, a spread of 248 HP / 144 Def / 116 SpD with a Calm nature allows Rotom-W to pivot more comfortably into Greninja and Landorus while still maintaining enough physical bulk to beat any variant of Landorus-T from full; however, a fully specially defensive spread of 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD is also an option should Landorus-T not be as large of a concern.
Usage Tips
========
- Switch Rotom-W into threats it's capable of checking, such as Landorus-T, Mega Pinsir, Sand Rush Excadrill, and Tornadus-T.
- Use Volt Switch to grab momentum after threatening a Pokemon out of the field.
- Will-O-Wisp lets it cripple physical attackers greatly while also whittling down anything that is susceptible to the move.
- Try to conserve Rotom-W's health as much as possible, as its lack of reliable recovery leaves it vulnerable to passive wear.
- Use Pain Split should Rotom-W be forced to stomach a sizable dent early on and the opposition has healthy targets to drain HP from.
Team Options
========
- Mega Scizor, Genesect, and Jirachi form a formidable VoltTurn core with Rotom-W while covering one another's weaknesses well.
- Anything capable of beating Grass-types works well alongside Rotom-W; Assault Vest Tornadus-T is a notable partner for its ability to do so while also serving as a blanket check to special attackers.
- Wincons and wallbreakers that dislike the presence of Ground-, Ice-, Fire- and Flying-types appreciate Rotom-W's presence as a pivot—examples include Mega Charizard X, Buzzwole, and both Landorus formes.
- Fire- and Grass-types make for solid partners, as they can form a Fire / Water / Grass core with Rotom-W that excellently covers one another's weaknesses—examples are Heatran and Mega Venusaur.
- Sweepers susceptible to being revenge killed by Sand Rush Excadrill, like Mega Metagross, Weavile, and Tapu Koko, enjoy having Rotom-W as a teammate.
- Pokemon that are weak to certain types of priority or simply don't take priority in general well pair well with Rotom-W, as it resists Bullet Punch, Aqua Jet, Ice Shard, and Mega Pinsir's Quick Attack—Pheromosa, Weavile, and both Landorus formes are a few worth mentioning.
- Anything with high damage and low bulk that appreciates VoltTurn support is an amazing teammate; Hoopa-U, Diggersby, Crawdaunt, Greninja, and Pheromosa are examples.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
- A Chesto Berry with Rest over Pain Split can work, allowing Rotom-W to replenish its HP up to full once per match.
- A more offensive set can catch the opposition off guard, but greatly cuts into Rotom-W's defensive capabilities.
- Thunder Wave can be run to cripple checks like Latios and Serperior.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Mega Venusaur, Serperior, Amoonguss, and Tangrowth all fear little from Rotom-W aside from Will-O-Wisp, which merely whittles them down slightly. Physically attacking Grass-types like Kartana and Tapu Bulu fail to switch into Rotom-W consistently due to the possibility of being burnt, but they are capable of hitting it super effectively once facing it.
**Dragon-types**: Latios and Latias are solid checks to Rotom-W courtesy of their typing, which lets them sponge Hydro Pumps and Volt Switches well. They additionally care little about burns because they typically are specially offensive.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Chansey can cripple Rotom-W with Toxic and win one-on-one, while Clefable can use Rotom-W as setup fodder.
**Gastrodon and Defensive Seismitoad**: While neither necessarily appreciates a burn, they are both immune to Rotom-W's STAB moves and thus are capable of preventing it from freely using Volt Switch. In addition to this, they can wear down Rotom-W via Toxic.
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