Let's assume you'll ignore the top comments cause they're usually the mandatory after posts after a disagreement that most people agreed upon that nobody gives a shit about. You can call my posts like bait or w/e you want and if that's how you want to justify the reason why I bothered posting here instead of making an inevitably deleted shit post then ok, whatever floats your boat.
First off, I did not write it off as only a like bait post, as it did include a minute amount of Rotom-W talk, but for the most part, it attacked (in the general sense, I didn't feel attacked) me and my opinion of the current metagame. Which has absolutely nothing to do with the subject at hand, so why else would you bring it up? Especially when nine times out of ten, that's the shit that attracts likes in this thread is it not?
You and I both know it is. But that is neither here nor there.
Rotom-W's collective Smogon Tour usage this season was amongst the top 10 used mon. It had around a 50% win rate which is consistent with your average top tier threat. This includes the likes of Lando-T, Tyranitar, Keldeo, and Latios just to name a few.
Code:
| Rank | Pokemon | Use | Usage % | Win % |
| 1 | Landorus-Therian | 1295 | 40.27% | 49.96% |
| 2 | Latios | 870 | 27.05% | 46.78% |
| 3 | Keldeo | 831 | 25.84% | 47.77% |
| 4 | Garchomp | 822 | 25.56% | 49.88% |
| 5 | Heatran | 786 | 24.44% | 49.24% |
| 6 | Tyranitar | 743 | 23.10% | 50.87% |
| 7 | Clefable | 731 | 22.73% | 53.35% |
| 8 | Rotom-Wash | 667 | 20.74% | 51.12% |
| 9 | Tornadus-Therian | 662 | 20.58% | 49.09% |
| 10 | Latias | 496 | 15.42% | 50.20% |
These are the overall top 10 for your reference point. To make Latias more clear you have to understand it accounts for Mega Latias as well. You saying it's not defining enough when most of the Pokemon here barring Garchomp who some think should move up are some of the higher A+ mons in the tier doesn't seem in line with the stats of it all. Rotom-Ws capability to actually be a consistent partner for any of these mons while being able to pivot and check a multitude of relevant threats is also one of the best traits of Rotom-W's viability. This is only taking into account just a relative top 10 used this season on Smogon Tour. It doesn't even touch upon mons able to utilize its potential to increase their own, such as Mega Medicham and a variety of pursuiters, one right in that number 6 spot there.
It's funny you bring up Chomp, because although I agree it should move up, it is currently A, along with Heatran, showing, you don't need to be A+ to be leading in usage. I am not saying Heatran should rise, because A fits, I'm simply pointing out that top 10 usage does not equate to being A+. Same with mLatias. I am not saying it is an uncommon Pokemon, I'm not saying it's hardly ever used, I'm simply saying it is not among the most influential Pokemon in the tier. Band TTar exploded because of Latios' ability to check so many current hard hitters while also removing Hazards, an extremely useful and amazing feat. Keldeo is literally impossible to switch into because of its ability to click a relatively strong move with the chance of burning, while also being able to deal with a large amount of special walls thanks to Secret Sword. Forcing the opponent into some tough situations, which can cost them the game. Landorus is. . . Well, Landorus. It sets up rocks so god damn easily, and Rocks are the most influential move in the game. Not only that, but a good chunk of its checks can be dealt with by SD, and defoggers can't come in willy nilly either. So, not only does it force the opponent to play around rocks, but it also supplies offensive pressure to the Pokemon that usually deal with it. The next three are A funnily enough. Clef is. . . Well we all know that. Then we have Rotom-W and Torn. Torn has longevity, Tornadus goes down pretty much only when the user lets it. Regenerator + its ability to switch around is ridiculous. Not to mention, it hits hard as hell. It has coverage out of the ass, and has very few things willing to actually switch into it. I feel Tornadus is the
premier pivot for the reasons I just expressed, and I doubt anyone will disagree with that, to include yourself. All of these Pokemon damn near require you to have something for them, and even then, you have a decent chance of not pulling through. But you're not going to not have an answer, because they are the faces of OU. They are easily the most influential Pokemon of the current tier. They run this show. Rotom-W does not. Yes, it checks so many things, and that is amazing. It pivots, which is also very nice. But with that said, it did not Shape the OU we have today, and it doesn't shape it now.
Now I know what you're thinking "well that can be applied to rotom-w too, you have to prepare for it, *snicker*". And you're right, but not to the extent of the other A+ Pokemon. Now yes, you run a hard check/counter if X mon is completely walled by Rotom-W, but it is very possible to muscle through Rotom-W with the other Pokemon on your team as it is. Yes, it has pain split, but any player worth his salt isn't going to bring a full HP Pokemon in on a low Rotom-W, especially when it is the main thing in the way between said X 'mon and a win. If it had better recovery, then maybe yea, I'd be more willing to agree that it is up there, as that would mean even the things that muscle through it have to be given the chance in very specific situations. However, as it is right now, I don't see that being the case.
- from your second post above regarding A+ placement. What does this exactly mean? What is your parameter other than some terminology where the only foundation being used is that A+ mons are more clear at warping the meta-game which is a subjective point to begin with? From the looks of things you made up this definition to an extreme that doesn't take into account team-building dynamics and some form of practicality as to what situations Rotom-W encourages to benefit the team along with slowing down very large relevant threats. I'm really just wondering the logic here cause the previous posts is apples and oranges from the looks of things, using Garchomp as a reference point when their functions are so different. Instead of continuing maybe you can clarify this?
You're acting like this entire thread isn't based off of subjectivity. . . That is what this thread is. Everyone jumps on one bandwagon, one way or another and go about insulting one another until one shuts up, or secedes. The latter never happening. So, I'm not sure how that goes against me having an opinion of Rotom-W and how that makes said opinion any less practical. However, that is neither here nor there. What definition did I "make up"? The one on the very first page? The one that explicitly says "metagame defining"? Splashable, is a splashable word, and is so vague, that I actually disagree with it being in the definition, as can threatening, so Metagame defining is the one I'd run with. It's hard to disagree that Landorus aids in defining the metagame. It's difficult as shit to argue on what is "threatening" and "splashable" because so many things can fit that definition. But, maybe that's just me. Not that it matters, the bandwagon of people repeating "it's one of the best pivots in the tier" has already pretty much determined its position.
Also, I didn't compare Garchomp to Rotom in terms of roles, and you know damn well that isn't what happened. In terms of how well they perform their roles, I feel they are in the same tier. They perform their roles well, but they aren't "the best" at performing those roles. I can't compare it to any other Pokemon in A because nothing does the
exact thing Rotom-W does, so if you're looking for me to compare apples to apples, you already know I can't so it's completely pointless to bring up. And let's not run with the fact nothing does what it does, because then you're grasping at straws.
