[Overview]
<p>Rotom is a unique Pokemon not only because of its typing, but because of its versatility. It's fast and can quickly become a huge threat with a Substitute up. With a moderate SpA stat and STAB Thunderbolt paired with STAB Shadow Ball, Rotom can plow through a lot of teams. Not only are Ghost- and Electric-types great offensively, but it has very few weaknesses and a lot of resistances. Rotom's immunity to Fighting-, Ground-, and Normal-type attacks makes it hard to beat by many Pokemon. Rotom also excels at spreading Will-O-Wisp.</p>
[SET]
name: Substitute + Charge Beam
move 1: Charge Beam
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Thunderbolt / Hidden Power Fighting
item: Leftovers
nature: Timid
EVs: 64 HP / 196 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Rotom's typing makes it force switches quite easily. Substitute allows Rotom to take full advantage of this, along with Charge Beam to help sweep the opponent. Shadow Ball and Thunderbolt are great STAB moves to have, but Hidden Power Fighting can replace Thunderbolt since Charge Beam hits most Electric-weak threats hard enough. Once set up, Rotom can cause a lot of trouble for the opponent because it blocks status and its Substitute does not break too easily. The HP EVs are there to give Rotom an easier time setting up a Substitute and it also makes sure Ferroseed will not break your Substitute.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Spikes and Stealth Rock work really well in tandem with Rotom because it forces switches and can afford to use Charge Beam when it would otherwise have to use Thunderbolt for a KO. Rotom also is a Ghost-type, so naturally it blocks Rapid Spin. Paralysis is also quite helpful so that Rotom can set up a Substitute more easily.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Thunderbolt
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Rotom takes versatile to a whole new level. It can run an effective Choice Scarf or Choice Specs set and really abuse its Speed as well as Trick. The Choice Scarf set is so fast that it can revenge kill many threats at +2 Speed. Having Choice Scarf Rotom around makes your team very hard to fully sweep. It also can sweep decently on its own. The Choice Specs set functions as a great residual damage spreader with Volt Switch. It can fully take advantage of its STAB and moderate power. Volt Switch also functions well as a way to avoid being Pursuit bait. Shadow Ball is there to round off coverage while Hidden Power Ice is an option to deal with Ground-types more effectively, however Thunderbolt is a great option to sweep more effectively. The beauty of these sets is that when Rotom no longer needs its item, it can just screw over its own main counter and continue being an annoying attacker.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>This Rotom really takes advantage of teammates who stack as many entry hazards as possible. Rotom generally comes in, scares something out, but then Volt Switches to a teammate. This especially helps Rotom wear down Pursuit users without being in too much danger. Additionally, due to Trick, Rotom can pave a path for Pokemon such as Sceptile and Moltres who need bulky walls removed in order to sweep. Trick severely cripples most of those Pokemon.</p>
<p>Rotom could also use something to Volt Switch to since that is the main move Rotom will be using. The opponent will likely switch to something like Gligar, Munchlax, Ferroseed, or a Grass-type to beat Rotom, so generally, carrying a Fighting-type with something like Ice Punch can go a long way. Medicham and Hitmonchan come to mind, though Medicham needs to be careful of Dark-types.</p>
[SET]
name: Substitute + Pain Split
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Pain Split
item: Life Orb
nature: Timid
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set packs far more immediate power than the Charge Beam set due to Life Orb while still abusing Substitute. Pain Split is used in this case to deal with Munchlax and other high HP walls. With Substitute and Pain Split, Rotom can take many walls to low HP and finish them off with a powerful Life Orb boosted Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt and Shadow Ball make great tools for sweeping since they hit almost anything for at least neutral, exceptions including Magneton and Krookodile. Life Orb gives Rotom the ability to 2HKO bulkier Pokemon such as Sableye without entry hazards. It also lets you 2HKO Eviolite Misdreavus even if it correctly predicts switching into Thunderbolt. Moltres and bulky Samurott can also be added to the list of Pokemon that Rotom now OHKOes without entry hazards. The added power makes Rotom a much more effective hit-and-run Pokemon because of this.</p>
<p>As for EVs, max Speed and Special Attack is necessary for full sweeping potential. A Timid nature is important so that Rotom can outspeed Pokemon such as Timid Moltres and Adamant Entei.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Rotom will often be using Substitute or Pain Split then switching out, so some defensive partners might help out. Something switching into Dark-types is important, Hitmonlee makes a great partner. Hitmonlee also beats down Munchlax and Ferroseed for Rotom. Additionally, Rotom will surely appreciate the addition of a Normal- or Dark-type to absorb various Shadow Balls that may be thrown at it for the revenge kill.</p>
<p>Offensively, Rotom is adept at breaking down high HP walls such as Munchlax and Clefable. Moltres will enjoy both of these Pokemon being gone and will not mind beating down Ferroseed by itself. Water-types can also be dealt with by Rotom so that Moltres does not have too much trouble sweeping late game. Rotom also tends to lure in bulky Grass-types who are hit pretty hard by Life Orb Shadow Ball since most people expect Leftovers or Choice Scarf variants, meaning Water-types such as Samurott will have an easy time sweeping through the opponents team.</p>
[SET]
name: Bulky
move 1: Discharge / Thunderbolt
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Substitute / Shadow Ball
move 4: Pain Split / Shadow Ball
item: Leftovers
nature: Timid
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Rotom can be made into a somewhat bulky status spreader. Discharge and Will-O-Wisp reduce the amount of viable switch ins and gives a good chance that the opponent will either be burned or paralyzed sometime in the game. Substitute is useful on Rotom as always, but especially for this set since it can stall out with paralysis or burn. It also blocks Pursiut which is probably something you want to avoid dealing with if bulky Rotom is the choice for a Spin blocker. Pain Split can be used for recovery.</p>
<p>Shadow Ball can be used over one of the last slots, but generally keeping Rotom with Substitute and Pain Split increases its longevity.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Rotom needs to be on a team with Stealth Rock and Spikes support, otherwise it's not being used to its full potential as a spin blocker. With spreading so much status, Rotom makes a great teammate for set up sweepers who can abuse paralysis and burn to their advantage. Shell Smash users can take advantage of a burn to take an extra hit required, or any Substitute sweeper such as Hitmonlee can take advantage of paralysis.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Rotom does not really have many other options. It can use Hidden Power Ground on the Choice Specs set to hit Steelix but in all realism it's better off just Tricking it. A Rest + Sleep Talk has potential, but with the indefinite sleep mechanic, it's a little bit inferior to Pain Split.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>To counter Rotom, one needs to catch it with a Pursuit or simply wall it. Steelix does a great job of walling Rotom, but it needs to be weary of Trick, Hidden Power, and Will-O-Wisp. Munchlax also does well with Pursuit and Whirlwind, but Rotom again can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. Ferroseed can beat none Charge Beam variants, but it has trouble breaking Rotom's Substitutes. Misdreavus can hit Rotom hard with Shadow Ball and take an unboosted one with ease, though it needs to be careful Rotom is not carrying a Life Orb.</p>
<p>Revenge killing Rotom without Pursuit or a Dark-type can be difficult since Rotom is moderately bulky. Choice Scarf Moltres and similar powerhouses can do a decent job, however if Rotom has a Substitute up they have no chance. This is why stopping Rotom from getting a Substitute up is the best way to deal with it.</p>
<p>Rotom is a unique Pokemon not only because of its typing, but because of its versatility. It's fast and can quickly become a huge threat with a Substitute up. With a moderate SpA stat and STAB Thunderbolt paired with STAB Shadow Ball, Rotom can plow through a lot of teams. Not only are Ghost- and Electric-types great offensively, but it has very few weaknesses and a lot of resistances. Rotom's immunity to Fighting-, Ground-, and Normal-type attacks makes it hard to beat by many Pokemon. Rotom also excels at spreading Will-O-Wisp.</p>
[SET]
name: Substitute + Charge Beam
move 1: Charge Beam
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Shadow Ball
move 4: Thunderbolt / Hidden Power Fighting
item: Leftovers
nature: Timid
EVs: 64 HP / 196 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Rotom's typing makes it force switches quite easily. Substitute allows Rotom to take full advantage of this, along with Charge Beam to help sweep the opponent. Shadow Ball and Thunderbolt are great STAB moves to have, but Hidden Power Fighting can replace Thunderbolt since Charge Beam hits most Electric-weak threats hard enough. Once set up, Rotom can cause a lot of trouble for the opponent because it blocks status and its Substitute does not break too easily. The HP EVs are there to give Rotom an easier time setting up a Substitute and it also makes sure Ferroseed will not break your Substitute.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Spikes and Stealth Rock work really well in tandem with Rotom because it forces switches and can afford to use Charge Beam when it would otherwise have to use Thunderbolt for a KO. Rotom also is a Ghost-type, so naturally it blocks Rapid Spin. Paralysis is also quite helpful so that Rotom can set up a Substitute more easily.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Thunderbolt
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
nature: Timid
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Rotom takes versatile to a whole new level. It can run an effective Choice Scarf or Choice Specs set and really abuse its Speed as well as Trick. The Choice Scarf set is so fast that it can revenge kill many threats at +2 Speed. Having Choice Scarf Rotom around makes your team very hard to fully sweep. It also can sweep decently on its own. The Choice Specs set functions as a great residual damage spreader with Volt Switch. It can fully take advantage of its STAB and moderate power. Volt Switch also functions well as a way to avoid being Pursuit bait. Shadow Ball is there to round off coverage while Hidden Power Ice is an option to deal with Ground-types more effectively, however Thunderbolt is a great option to sweep more effectively. The beauty of these sets is that when Rotom no longer needs its item, it can just screw over its own main counter and continue being an annoying attacker.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>This Rotom really takes advantage of teammates who stack as many entry hazards as possible. Rotom generally comes in, scares something out, but then Volt Switches to a teammate. This especially helps Rotom wear down Pursuit users without being in too much danger. Additionally, due to Trick, Rotom can pave a path for Pokemon such as Sceptile and Moltres who need bulky walls removed in order to sweep. Trick severely cripples most of those Pokemon.</p>
<p>Rotom could also use something to Volt Switch to since that is the main move Rotom will be using. The opponent will likely switch to something like Gligar, Munchlax, Ferroseed, or a Grass-type to beat Rotom, so generally, carrying a Fighting-type with something like Ice Punch can go a long way. Medicham and Hitmonchan come to mind, though Medicham needs to be careful of Dark-types.</p>
[SET]
name: Substitute + Pain Split
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Shadow Ball
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Pain Split
item: Life Orb
nature: Timid
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set packs far more immediate power than the Charge Beam set due to Life Orb while still abusing Substitute. Pain Split is used in this case to deal with Munchlax and other high HP walls. With Substitute and Pain Split, Rotom can take many walls to low HP and finish them off with a powerful Life Orb boosted Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt and Shadow Ball make great tools for sweeping since they hit almost anything for at least neutral, exceptions including Magneton and Krookodile. Life Orb gives Rotom the ability to 2HKO bulkier Pokemon such as Sableye without entry hazards. It also lets you 2HKO Eviolite Misdreavus even if it correctly predicts switching into Thunderbolt. Moltres and bulky Samurott can also be added to the list of Pokemon that Rotom now OHKOes without entry hazards. The added power makes Rotom a much more effective hit-and-run Pokemon because of this.</p>
<p>As for EVs, max Speed and Special Attack is necessary for full sweeping potential. A Timid nature is important so that Rotom can outspeed Pokemon such as Timid Moltres and Adamant Entei.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Rotom will often be using Substitute or Pain Split then switching out, so some defensive partners might help out. Something switching into Dark-types is important, Hitmonlee makes a great partner. Hitmonlee also beats down Munchlax and Ferroseed for Rotom. Additionally, Rotom will surely appreciate the addition of a Normal- or Dark-type to absorb various Shadow Balls that may be thrown at it for the revenge kill.</p>
<p>Offensively, Rotom is adept at breaking down high HP walls such as Munchlax and Clefable. Moltres will enjoy both of these Pokemon being gone and will not mind beating down Ferroseed by itself. Water-types can also be dealt with by Rotom so that Moltres does not have too much trouble sweeping late game. Rotom also tends to lure in bulky Grass-types who are hit pretty hard by Life Orb Shadow Ball since most people expect Leftovers or Choice Scarf variants, meaning Water-types such as Samurott will have an easy time sweeping through the opponents team.</p>
[SET]
name: Bulky
move 1: Discharge / Thunderbolt
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Substitute / Shadow Ball
move 4: Pain Split / Shadow Ball
item: Leftovers
nature: Timid
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Rotom can be made into a somewhat bulky status spreader. Discharge and Will-O-Wisp reduce the amount of viable switch ins and gives a good chance that the opponent will either be burned or paralyzed sometime in the game. Substitute is useful on Rotom as always, but especially for this set since it can stall out with paralysis or burn. It also blocks Pursiut which is probably something you want to avoid dealing with if bulky Rotom is the choice for a Spin blocker. Pain Split can be used for recovery.</p>
<p>Shadow Ball can be used over one of the last slots, but generally keeping Rotom with Substitute and Pain Split increases its longevity.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Rotom needs to be on a team with Stealth Rock and Spikes support, otherwise it's not being used to its full potential as a spin blocker. With spreading so much status, Rotom makes a great teammate for set up sweepers who can abuse paralysis and burn to their advantage. Shell Smash users can take advantage of a burn to take an extra hit required, or any Substitute sweeper such as Hitmonlee can take advantage of paralysis.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Rotom does not really have many other options. It can use Hidden Power Ground on the Choice Specs set to hit Steelix but in all realism it's better off just Tricking it. A Rest + Sleep Talk has potential, but with the indefinite sleep mechanic, it's a little bit inferior to Pain Split.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>To counter Rotom, one needs to catch it with a Pursuit or simply wall it. Steelix does a great job of walling Rotom, but it needs to be weary of Trick, Hidden Power, and Will-O-Wisp. Munchlax also does well with Pursuit and Whirlwind, but Rotom again can cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. Ferroseed can beat none Charge Beam variants, but it has trouble breaking Rotom's Substitutes. Misdreavus can hit Rotom hard with Shadow Ball and take an unboosted one with ease, though it needs to be careful Rotom is not carrying a Life Orb.</p>
<p>Revenge killing Rotom without Pursuit or a Dark-type can be difficult since Rotom is moderately bulky. Choice Scarf Moltres and similar powerhouses can do a decent job, however if Rotom has a Substitute up they have no chance. This is why stopping Rotom from getting a Substitute up is the best way to deal with it.</p>