ZU Suspect Coverage: Rotom

By Tuthur. Released: 2021/12/11.
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ZU Suspect Coverage: Rotom artwork

Art by Zephyri.

Introduction

Since its arrival in January, Rotom has cemented itself as one of the best Pokémon in ZU despite multiple quickbans and tier shifts. Originally, Rotom was mostly used for its Choice Specs and Choice Scarf sets, which let it take advantage of its great STAB combination that was only resisted by Shiftry, STAB Volt Switch, and decent Speed tier. Even if Rotom is still the most common Choice Scarf user in the tier alongside Sawk, non-Choice item sets featuring Will-O-Wisp + Hex have been rising in usage and can heavily cripple common Volt Switch-immune Pokémon like Rhydon, Piloswine, and Stunfisk, making them unable to handle Rotom consistently. This utility means that even if Rotom doesn't beat its checks, they are crippled enough for for other threats like Rapidash and Skuntank to take out, in addition to deterring Ground-types from attempting to switch into Rotom and giving it a pseudo-unblockable Volt Switch. Even if Rotom doesn't look as threatening as former suspect tested threats like Sneasel, Centiskorch, and Silvally-Ground, there is no safe switch-in to all of its sets, and every Rotom set can make significant progress against its checks. As a result, the council decided to hold a suspect test on Rotom.

Sets

Rotom is one of the best Choice Scarf users in the tier, outspeeding the whole unboosted tier as well as boosted threats like Choice Scarf Sawk and Arctovish in hail. It threatens foes with its STAB moves and generates momentum with Volt Switch. Trick lets Rotom cripple bulky Ground-types and special walls such as Rhydon, Stunfisk, and Clefairy when the added Speed isn't needed. Thunderbolt is the optimal last move because Volt Switch is weak as a sole Electric-type STAB move and the pivoting effect of Volt Switch makes it undesirable for cleaning. However, Will-O-Wisp is an option to heavily cripple its most common switch-ins in Rhydon and Piloswine and bluff the Hex + Will-O-Wisp set. Lastly, Defog can be used an emergency hazard removal option. This flexibility, paired with Rotom's effectiveness, has made it a premier Choice Scarf user since its introduction in the tier.

Utility Rotom is an offensive pivot with three useful immunities, giving it opportunities to take advantage of common Choice item attackers like Sawk and Cinccino. Will-O-Wisp lets Rotom take advantage of traditional Ground-type checks such as Rhydon, Piloswine, and Stunfisk by heavily reducing their damage output and boosting the power of Hex. This can enable teammates like Skuntank, Unfezant, and Morpeko, which are checked by these Ground-types, to wreak havoc later in the game. Defog ensures that the aforementioned Ground-types won't even be able to keep entry hazards up, while Pain Split lets Rotom heal against them due to their much higher base HP. Volt Switch can chip down most answers to Hex + Will-O-Wisp, such as Miltank, Clefairy, and Articuno, and generate momentum for Rotom's team.

With Choice Specs, Rotom immediately becomes harder to switch into, since frailer Electric-immune foes like Manectric, Raichu, and Alolan Dugtrio are less likely to risk switching into Shadow Ball. This set is also more efficient at chipping down special walls like Clefairy and Miltank with Volt Switch. However, Rotom has an awkward Speed tier; while it is still fast enough to heavily punish other wallbreakers like Sawk and Thievul, it is still slower than Silvally formes, Gourgeist-S, and Basculin. Thus, Rotom gets limited opportunities to switch in and revenge kill. Furthermore, it often relies on prediction and struggles to lock into attacks when Ground- and Normal-types are still around. For all these reasons, Choice Specs Rotom remains a less popular and more matchup-reliant choice than the previous sets.

Nasty Plot Rotom is able to set up on passive walls that can't directly threaten it, like Miltank, Altaria, and Pyukumuku, due to Substitute letting it avoid Toxic. However, this set struggles to find setup opportunities against teams that aren't stall and is outclassed most of the time by the Will-O-Wisp + Hex set, which makes more progress against common archetypes. Volt Switch can be used as an alternative to Substitute to keep momentum, as Rotom is often forced out and likes to pivot. However, this way Rotom faces even more competition from the Will-O-Wisp + Hex set. Even against stall, this set isn't as good as it used to be due to the rise of counterplay like Foul Play + Toxic Stunfisk, specially defensive Throh, and even specially defensive Hakamo-o.

Ban Reasoning

For some players, Rotom is too effective at beating Electric-immune Pokémon that try to block its Volt Switch. The Ground-types in ZU, mainly Rhydon, Piloswine, and Stunfisk, don't have recovery. On top of general chip damage, Will-O-Wisp lets Rotom cripple them long-term and heavily limit their power, meaning they try to avoid coming into Rotom. Likewise, Rotom's Choice Specs-boosted Shadow Ball makes it risky to switch in frailer Electric-immune foes that do not mind the burn as much, like Raichu and Manectric. However, letting Rotom pivot how it wants allows it to make a lot of progress through the game by generating momentum. Pivoting infinitely with Volt Switch works heavily in Rotom's favor, as it is immune to Spikes and Toxic Spikes. Therefore, entry hazard support combined with Volt Switch's chip damage makes Rotom the likely winner in pivoting wars. ZU even has precedent with infinite momentum granted by Vikavolt's and Rotom-F's unblockable Volt Switch. Both were able to threaten Ground-types with their super effective coverage backed up by their very high Special Attack. While Rotom is not as effective as them, it still enables similar strategies that are considered as too strong for some.

Anti-Ban Reasoning

According to some players, Rotom's flaws are keeping it in check, making up for its aforementioned traits. First, its stats are mostly below average; it can't wallbreak without boosts and doesn't get that many opportunities to switch in, which cripples it in its offensive pivot role. While its Speed is quite good, Rotom fails to outspeed key threats such as Basculin, Silvally formes, and Ninetales. Rotom is also not so strong; even when boosted by Will-O-Wisp, Hex fails to 2HKO most Ground-types, which can in return still heavily damage Rotom despite the burn. This low bulk paired with no reliable recovery means Rotom can have a hard time coming on the field, as it can only switch into attacks that it resists or is immune to or through other pivots. General special tanks like Clefairy, Throh, Eldegoss, and Malamar are rising in popularity to sponge special hits. Even if there isn't a catch-all counter to Rotom, it exceedingly struggles to make progress against teams with a neutral special wall, an Electric-immune Pokémon, and a Ghost-resistant or -immune foe.

Conclusion

Rotom remains unbanned from ZU, with over 60% of the voters voting for it to stay. ZU is now facing a new metagame shift due to Arctovish's quickban from NU and the return of Snow Warning, buffing staples like Aurorus and Alolan Sandslash.

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