[OVERVIEW]
Rotom-H's unique typing, access to Levitate, and solid bulk lets it carve out a niche as a pivot that can check threats like Bisharp and Jirachi. Rotom-H can function as a solid Nasty Plot user thanks to its ability to force out Pokemon like Chesnaught and Talonflame as well as a solid burn spreader with Will-O-Wisp. However, Rotom-H lacks recovery outside of Pain Split, making it prone to getting worn down throughout a game or brute-forced through by strong attackers like Hisuian Zoroark. Additionally, Rotom-H's Stealth Rock weakness leaves it vulnerable to Knock Off, preventing it from effectively checking Krookodile and Mamoswine. Rotom-H's merely decent Special Attack stat and lacking coverage mean that it often struggles to hit the tier's many prominent Dragon-types, particularly Cyclizar and Flygon.
[SET]
name: Nasty Plot
move 1: Overheat
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Nasty Plot
move 4: Pain Split / Will-O-Wisp
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 Spe
tera type: Steel
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Rotom-H can take advantage of its good typing, excellent ability in Levitate, and bulk to act as a solid Nasty Plot user. Volt Switch lets Rotom-H pivot out of unfavorable matchups, such as against Dragon-types like Salamence and Cyclizar, while maintaining momentum. It also allows Rotom-H to hit slower Water-types like Slowbro for solid damage. Pain Split is Rotom-H's best form of recovery, letting it heal against bulkier Pokemon that try to switch in, such as Hisuian Goodra and Umbreon. Will-O-Wisp can be used instead to cripple physical attackers like Galarian Zapdos. Tera Steel gives Rotom-H a myriad of resistances, most notably to Rock, while maintaining its Ground immunity thanks to Levitate; this lets it check Ground-types like Krookodile and Mamoswine much more easily. Tera Steel also gives Rotom-H a valuable immunity to Toxic, letting it wall Umbreon and Fezandipiti.
Rotom-H is a good fit for bulky offense teams that need an offensive pivot and potential setup sweeper. As Rotom-H relies on Heavy-Duty Boots to come in safely, Pokemon that can absorb Knock Off, like Slither Wing and Galarian Weezing, make for good partners. Slither Wing also forms a solid VoltTurn core with Rotom-H. Galarian Zapdos is another U-turn user that makes for a good pairing with Rotom-H, as it can pressure specially defensive Pokemon like Cyclizar and Hisuian Goodra. In return, Rotom-H can take Fairy-type attacks from the likes of Mimikyu and Gardevoir while chipping away at physically bulky Pokemon like Slowbro. Setup sweepers like Bisharp and Dragon Dance Salamence appreciate Rotom-H's ability to bring them in safely with Volt Switch and wear down teams with its Nasty Plot-boosted attacks. Calm Mind Slowbro and Suicune in particular can also check physical wallbreakers for Rotom-H, such as Rhyperior and Entei. Entry hazard setters, such as Chesnaught and Krookodile, can help chip down Rotom-H's checks, like Cyclizar and Rhyperior. In return, Rotom-H can use common Defoggers, such as Talonflame and Galarian Weezing, as setup fodder to help keep hazards up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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A Choice Scarf set with Trick can be used to hinder specially defensive Pokemon like Hisuian Goodra and Hippowdon; however, it leaves Rotom-H vulnerable to Stealth Rock. Thunderbolt can be used over Volt Switch to trade momentum for power, letting it more heavily dent Electric-weak targets like Volcanion. Thunder Wave can be used to cripple faster Pokemon like Cyclizar and Galarian Zapdos, letting faster teammates outspeed them.
Checks and Counters
====
**Dragon-types**: Cyclizar can switch into Rotom-H's attacks before removing its Heavy-Duty Boots with Knock Off and/or forcing a boosted Rotom-H out with Dragon Tail. However, Cyclizar that don't run Draco Meteor dislike being burned by Will-O-Wisp. Other Dragon-types that can check it include Flygon and Hisuian Goodra, due to the former's immunity to Volt Switch and the latter's excellent special bulk.
**Item Disruption**: Rotom-H's weakness to Stealth Rock leaves it heavily reliant on Heavy-Duty Boots to function. As such, Knock Off from Pokemon like Krookodile, Mienshao, and Mamoswine can cripple it. Additionally, Trick from foes like Gardevoir, Jirachi, and Cresselia can prevent Rotom-H from sweeping effectively while making it vulnerable to Stealth Rock.
**Strong Wallbreakers**: Special wallbreakers, like Gengar, Armarouge, and Choice Specs Basculegion-F, don't mind being burned and can heavily damage Rotom-H; however, Basculegion-F must watch out for Volt Switch. If lacking Will-O-Wisp, Rotom-H struggles to beat physical wallbreakers like Maushold and Terrakion. Entei deserves a special mention due to its natural immunity to Will-O-Wisp and ability to KO Rotom-H with Stone Edge.
**Special Walls**: Chansey can take any of Rotom-H's moves, absorb Will-O-Wisp, and wear it down with Seismic Toss. However, Chansey can be exploited by Pain Split variants and be forced to burn through Soft-Boiled's low PP. Gastrodon resists both of Rotom-H's STAB moves and can freely set up Spikes, but it struggles to do much back. Rhyperior is similarly resistant to Rotom-H's attacks and can KO it with Stone Edge; however, it hates being burned and is walled by Tera Steel.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bice.236507/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/flampoke.654091/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/heatranator.647728/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-cake-wearing-a-hat.388157/
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