[OVERVIEW]
In a tier with few offensive Grass-types, Rotom-C carves out a niche for itself as a pivot that can threaten defensive staples such as Slowbro, Hippowdon, and Empoleon. Thanks to its Grass typing, Rotom-C's Volt Switch is very difficult to block, as Ground-types like Rhyperior and Krookodile are OHKOed by Leaf Storm. Rotom-C also sets itself apart from other Electric-types thanks to Levitate as well as its resistance to Water-type attacks, letting it take on Gastrodon and switch into Suicune. This is complemented by its access to Nasty Plot, letting it act as a potent wallbreaker that can bust through typical checks like Registeel and Umbreon. Rotom-C is capable of providing solid utility for its team thanks to options like Trick, Will-O-Wisp, and Thunder Wave. However, its Grass typing is a double-edged sword; not only is it weak to common attackers like Armarouge and Slither Wing, but offensively, its typing also leaves it unable to deal damage to Dragon- and Grass-types like Hisuian Goodra, Cyclizar, and Wo-Chien respectively. Additionally, Rotom-C's awkward Speed tier leaves Choice Scarf sets outsped by revenge killers, like Choice Scarf Gengar, Galarian Zapdos, and Salamence after a Dragon Dance. Rotom-C also directly competes with the tier's other Electric-types, especially given its lack of resistance to Flying-type attacks from the likes of Galarian Zapdos and Noivern; Magnezone provides more raw power and a better defensive typing, while Raikou can act as a more powerful and bulkier pivot.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Leaf Storm
move 3: Trick
move 4: Thunderbolt / Will-O-Wisp / Thunder Wave
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Steel
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
With a Choice Scarf equipped, Rotom-C is able to act as a fast pivot that can outrun the entire unboosted metagame, as well as outspeeding a number of prominent boosted threats such as Choice Scarf Gardevoir and Gyarados after a Dragon Dance. Rotom-C's Volt Switches are rather difficult to block, as Electric-immune Pokemon like Rhyperior and Hippowdon are decimated by Leaf Storm. It should be noted that Choice-locked Rotom-C is rather reliant on predictions and coinflips, as many teams have both a Volt Switch blocker and a bulky Grass-resistant Pokemon. Trick helps ease Choice Scarf Rotom-C's prediction-heavy nature, in addition to letting it cripple specially defensive Pokemon that would otherwise check it, like Umbreon and Hisuian Goodra, making them easier for teammates to deal with. Rotom-C's last moveslot is fairly flexible depending on what its team needs. Thunderbolt lets it reliably target Electric-weak targets like Volcanion and Gyarados without switching out while also making it easier to revenge kill neutral targets like Jirachi and non-Choice Scarf Gengar. Rotom-C can effectively spread burns with Will-O-Wisp to cripple physical attackers like Bisharp and Terrakion or paralysis with Thunder Wave to neuter fast threats like Noivern and Maushold. Tera Steel grants Rotom-C an immunity to Toxic as well as useful resistances to common offensive types like Fairy and Ice; this lets it safely switch into Umbreon, Quagsire, and Fezandipiti as well as take on Mamoswine reliably.
Rotom-C fits best on bulky offense and balance structures that need a fast pivot. Because of Rotom-C's ability to deter Ground-types, Ground-weak attackers like Bisharp, Terrakion, and Armarouge appreciate its presence in addition to it providing pivoting on potential switches and crippling defensive Pokemon like Galarian Weezing and Hisuian Goodra with Trick. Fezandipiti forms a great VoltTurn core with Rotom-C, wearing down the opposing team with Toxic Chain while taking care of Cyclizar; in return, Rotom-C possesses a Ground immunity and can cripple Toxic-immune Pokemon like Registeel and Alolan Muk with Trick and Will-O-Wisp. Other pivots, like Slither Wing and Cyclizar, can also help Rotom-C wear down the opposing team; the former threatens common special walls like Hisuian Goodra and Wo-Chien, while the latter is able to take on Fire-types like Armarouge while keeping Stealth Rock off the field, letting Rotom-C switch in more often. Naturally fast Pokemon like Gengar and Barraskewda pair well with Rotom-C, as they reduce its reliance on Choice Scarf so that it may freely use Trick to cripple defensive Pokemon like Umbreon and Wo-Chien for its teammates. Pokemon capable of breaking Dragon-types, like Mamoswine and Gardevoir, make for great teammates that also appreciate Rotom-C's ability to safely bring them in with Volt Switch. Electric-neutral Flying-types like Oricorio-E and Noivern can give it a tough time due to Rotom-C's lack of a Flying resistance; as a result, Flying-resistant partners like Rhyperior and Jirachi are highly appreciated.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Choice Specs can be used to trade Speed for power, letting Rotom-C punish foes like Registeel harder while pivoting. However, Nasty Plot is largely more consistent at wallbreaking, and Raikou and Magnezone generally outclass it as an Electric-type Choice Specs pivot. Tera Water can be used to turn Rotom-C's Fire weakness into a resistance, letting it check Volcanion in a pinch. Discharge can be used over Thunderbolt in order to fish for paralysis against switch-ins like Cyclizar, though it becomes less likely to 2HKO Noivern, Salamence, and, after a Nasty Plot Boost, Cresselia.
Checks and Counters
====
**Dragon-types**: Cyclizar and Hisuian Goodra can comfortably take Rotom-C's attacks due to its lacking coverage, letting them freely remove entry hazards or KO it with Draco Meteor, respectively. However, both must be wary of being statused or given a Choice Scarf via Trick. While they don't like taking a Volt Switch or Thunderbolt, Noivern and Salamence have a 4x resistance to Leaf Storm and can wear Rotom-C down with their powerful attacks. However, Rotom-C can simply use Volt Switch to pivot out against them and its other defensive checks as they switch in.
**Grass-types**: Wo-Chien completely walls Rotom-C and is able to wear it down with Ruination and Knock Off. Pain Split Rotom-C can eventually beat it one-on-one, but it becomes significantly weakened afterwards. Similarly, Chesnaught can safely switch into Rotom-C's attacks, heal off any damage with Synthesis, and freely set up Spikes. However, neither like being burned nor being given a Choice Scarf.
**Special Walls**: Specially bulky Pokemon, like Umbreon, Fezandipiti, and Chansey, can shrug off Rotom-C's attacks and heal off the damage, all while wearing it down with Toxic for the former two and Seismic Toss for the latter. All three must be wary of Trick, however, while the former two can be muscled through by Nasty Plot Variants.
**Faster Revenge Killers**: Rotom-C's middling Speed makes it vulnerable to being revenge killed by faster Choice Scarf users, such as Galarian Zapdos, Terrakion, and Gengar. Slither Wing is also able to OHKO it with First Impression, while a boosted Bisharp can take it out with Sucker Punch; however, it must be mindful of Will-O-Wisp.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bice.236507/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/heatranator.647728/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zizalith.410251/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sneakyplanner.598717/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
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