Written by 5gen
The ZeroUsed metagame is arguably in the most balanced state it has been in recent months, even if it is relatively top-heavy. Among all the threats in the metagame, Rotom is a highly controversial element mainly due to its ability to overwhelm Volt Switch blockers like Ground-types and Lightning Rod users such as Raichu and Manectric. The central argument to make against Rotom is how difficult its Will-O-Wisp+Hex sets are to switch into and how effectively Rotom supports breakers and setup sweepers. What is often seen is that teams must run a passive Pokemon like Stunfisk or risk having Rhydon crippled via Will-O-Wisp to mitigate Rotom's ability to generate momentum and break down teams. But even in these situations, Hex at 130 BP means that Ground-types are easily chipped down. Moreover, with the departure of Audino and Ferroseed in the October tier shifts, Rotom lost two solid defensive checks. This means that defensive counterplay to Rotom is somewhat more limited than before. As such, Rotom is quite difficult to stop and teams typically rely on slow Ground-types or other frail Electric-immune Pokemon to limit Rotom's ability to grab and/or keep momentum.
In addition, Rotom has other sets such as Choice Scarf, Nasty Plot, and Choice Specs that add to its versatility. While none of these sets match the effectiveness of Wisp+Hex and are easier to check, they enable Rotom to make up for its flaws to some degree. With Choice Scarf, Rotom isn't as easily revenge killed and can play around faster threats like Silvally-Dark, Rapidash, and Cinccino. Conversely, Nasty Plot makes up for Rotom's low breaking power but is relatively easy to revenge kill and if it drops Volt Switch, Rotom becomes significantly more difficult to bring in. Choice Specs faces similar issues with Nasty Plot and is considerably more prediction reliant.
The other end of the spectrum is that while Rotom is an excellent pivot and offensive Pokemon, its middling Speed and power and low bulk limit its consistency and make Rotom exploitable. At 309 Speed, Rotom is vulnerable to faster Pokemon like Basculin, Gourgeist-S, Silvally-Dark, Choice Specs Jynx, and so on. It is worth noting that some of these Pokemon benefitted from the October tier shifts and subsequent metagame developments and have been trending. As a result, teams naturally pack Pokemon that can revenge kill non-Choice Scarf Rotom. In addition, Rotom lacks breaking power initially and is not that difficult to check 1v1 or with specially bulky Pokemon such as Clefairy, Throh, Alcremie, etc. Similarly, Rotom's low bulk limits its switch-in opportunities and make it easy to revenge kill via faster Pokemon and priority users such as Choice Band Thwackey, Kangaskhan, and Shiftry.
Avoid posting one-liners or posts that do not contribute to any discussion. They will be deleted.
The ZeroUsed metagame is arguably in the most balanced state it has been in recent months, even if it is relatively top-heavy. Among all the threats in the metagame, Rotom is a highly controversial element mainly due to its ability to overwhelm Volt Switch blockers like Ground-types and Lightning Rod users such as Raichu and Manectric. The central argument to make against Rotom is how difficult its Will-O-Wisp+Hex sets are to switch into and how effectively Rotom supports breakers and setup sweepers. What is often seen is that teams must run a passive Pokemon like Stunfisk or risk having Rhydon crippled via Will-O-Wisp to mitigate Rotom's ability to generate momentum and break down teams. But even in these situations, Hex at 130 BP means that Ground-types are easily chipped down. Moreover, with the departure of Audino and Ferroseed in the October tier shifts, Rotom lost two solid defensive checks. This means that defensive counterplay to Rotom is somewhat more limited than before. As such, Rotom is quite difficult to stop and teams typically rely on slow Ground-types or other frail Electric-immune Pokemon to limit Rotom's ability to grab and/or keep momentum.
In addition, Rotom has other sets such as Choice Scarf, Nasty Plot, and Choice Specs that add to its versatility. While none of these sets match the effectiveness of Wisp+Hex and are easier to check, they enable Rotom to make up for its flaws to some degree. With Choice Scarf, Rotom isn't as easily revenge killed and can play around faster threats like Silvally-Dark, Rapidash, and Cinccino. Conversely, Nasty Plot makes up for Rotom's low breaking power but is relatively easy to revenge kill and if it drops Volt Switch, Rotom becomes significantly more difficult to bring in. Choice Specs faces similar issues with Nasty Plot and is considerably more prediction reliant.
The other end of the spectrum is that while Rotom is an excellent pivot and offensive Pokemon, its middling Speed and power and low bulk limit its consistency and make Rotom exploitable. At 309 Speed, Rotom is vulnerable to faster Pokemon like Basculin, Gourgeist-S, Silvally-Dark, Choice Specs Jynx, and so on. It is worth noting that some of these Pokemon benefitted from the October tier shifts and subsequent metagame developments and have been trending. As a result, teams naturally pack Pokemon that can revenge kill non-Choice Scarf Rotom. In addition, Rotom lacks breaking power initially and is not that difficult to check 1v1 or with specially bulky Pokemon such as Clefairy, Throh, Alcremie, etc. Similarly, Rotom's low bulk limits its switch-in opportunities and make it easy to revenge kill via faster Pokemon and priority users such as Choice Band Thwackey, Kangaskhan, and Shiftry.
- ***THIS IS NEW TO GEN 8 SUSPECTS*** Reading this is mandatory for participating in the suspect test. The voting requirements are a minimum GXE of 77 with at least 50 games played. In addition, you may play 1 less game for every 0.2 GXE you have above 77 GXE, down to a minimum of 30 games at a GXE of 81. Also, needing more than 50 games to reach 77 GXE will suffice.
| GXE | minimum games |
| 77 | 50 |
| 77.2 | 49 |
| 77.4 | 48 |
| 77.6 | 47 |
| 77.8 | 46 |
| 78 | 45 |
| 78.2 | 44 |
| 78.4 | 43 |
| 78.6 | 42 |
| 78.8 | 41 |
| 79 | 40 |
| 79.2 | 39 |
| 79.4 | 38 |
| 79.6 | 37 |
| 79.8 | 36 |
| 80 | 35 |
| 80.2 | 34 |
| 80.4 | 33 |
| 80.6 | 32 |
| 80.8 | 31 |
| 81 | 30 |
- You must signup with a newly registered account on Pokemon Showdown! that begins with the appropriate prefix for the suspect test. For this suspect test, the prefix will be ZURS (ZU Rotom Suspect). For example, I might signup with the ladder account ZURS gen.
- Laddering with an account that impersonates, mocks, or insults another Smogon user or breaks Pokemon Showdown! rules may be disqualified from voting and infracted. Moderator discretion will be applied here. If there is any doubt or hesitance when making the alt, just pick another name. There are infinite possibilities and we have had trouble for this repeatedly. If you wish to participate in the suspect, you should be able to exhibit decent enough judgement here. We will not be lenient.
- The aspect being tested, Rotom, will be allowed on the ladder.
- Any form of voting manipulation will result in swift and severe punishment. You are more than welcome to state your argument to as many people as you so please, but do not use any kind of underhanded tactics to get a result you desire. Bribery, blackmail, or any other type of tactic used to sway votes will be handled and sanctioned.
- Do not attempt to cheat the ladder. We will know if you did not actually achieve voting requisites, so don't do it. Harsh sanctions will be applied.
- Unlike previous tests, we will be posting the voting identification thread immediately after this thread. Please avoid getting more games before getting confirmed.
- The suspect test will go on for ten days, lasting until November 11th at 10:00 PM GMT -4, and then we will put up the voting thread in the Blind Voting subforum.
Avoid posting one-liners or posts that do not contribute to any discussion. They will be deleted.
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