[SET]
name: Bulky
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Shadow Ball / Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Rest / Pain Split
move 4: Sleep Talk / Will-O-Wisp
item: Leftovers
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Rotom is usually used as an offensive Pokemon, to wear down the opponent's team with its excellent coverage and gain momentum with Volt Switch, Rotom has several resistances and immunities that it can take advantage of. This means that despite its only average defensive stats, Rotom can function exceptionally well as a defensive Pokemon. Thunderbolt and Shadow Ball have excellent neutral coverage in the RU tier, resisted only by Steelix, Magneton, and Ferroseed. It provides Rotom with some form of offensive presence. Will-O-Wisp allows Rotom to cripple physical attackers that attempt to set up on it, such as Honchkrow and Feraligatr, while also allowing it to deal residual damage to the opponent over time. Pain Split gives Rotom a form of recovery that doesn't put it to sleep for two turns, although leaves it vulnerable to status conditions, whereas RestTalk provides Rotom with a method to clear status effects and recover all its HP. Rotom loses one of its attacking slots if you go with RestTalk though, so it isn't always the best decision.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs on this set are simple; 96 Speed EVs let Rotom outrun Adamant Honchkrow and burn Honchkrow before it sets up a Substitute, while the remaining EVs go into HP and Defense to maximize Rotom's bulk. If you are not running Will-O-Wisp, a fully physically defensive spread is a good option. Discharge is an option to consider over Thunderbolt with its high paralysis rate, but Rotom may unintentionally paralyze Pokemon it intends to burn, so be cautious when using it.</p>
<p>This Rotom set works very well with entry hazard support, because Rotom can block opponents from spinning away your hazards, while simultaneously wearing down the opponent with a combination of Will-O-Wisp and Pain Split. Toxic Spikes in particular are extremely helpful to Rotom, allowing it to wear down its opponents faster. Drapion is perhaps the best partner for Rotom that can set up Toxic Spikes, it has excellent synergy with Rotom, while also being able to abuse any other hazards on the opponent's field by using Whirlwind. Qwilfish is also a good partner due to its ability to set up both Spikes and Toxic Spikes, as is Roselia. Even if running Pain Split, Rotom appreciates Wish support to heal it up as reliably as possible. Audino and Lickilicky are excellent Pokemon for the job, passing big Wishes to Rotom, while also curing it of status with Heal Bell. Pokemon to take on Pursuit users are also an excellent idea, Aggron can easily set up a Substitute on the most common Pursuit users, Spiritomb and Honchkrow, and proceed to break down the opponent's team with Head Smash. Absol can use Superpower on Aggron, but thankfully, Tangrowth, Quagsire, and Hitmonchan can easily beat Absol one on one.</p>
name: Bulky
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Shadow Ball / Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Rest / Pain Split
move 4: Sleep Talk / Will-O-Wisp
item: Leftovers
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 160 Def / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Rotom is usually used as an offensive Pokemon, to wear down the opponent's team with its excellent coverage and gain momentum with Volt Switch, Rotom has several resistances and immunities that it can take advantage of. This means that despite its only average defensive stats, Rotom can function exceptionally well as a defensive Pokemon. Thunderbolt and Shadow Ball have excellent neutral coverage in the RU tier, resisted only by Steelix, Magneton, and Ferroseed. It provides Rotom with some form of offensive presence. Will-O-Wisp allows Rotom to cripple physical attackers that attempt to set up on it, such as Honchkrow and Feraligatr, while also allowing it to deal residual damage to the opponent over time. Pain Split gives Rotom a form of recovery that doesn't put it to sleep for two turns, although leaves it vulnerable to status conditions, whereas RestTalk provides Rotom with a method to clear status effects and recover all its HP. Rotom loses one of its attacking slots if you go with RestTalk though, so it isn't always the best decision.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs on this set are simple; 96 Speed EVs let Rotom outrun Adamant Honchkrow and burn Honchkrow before it sets up a Substitute, while the remaining EVs go into HP and Defense to maximize Rotom's bulk. If you are not running Will-O-Wisp, a fully physically defensive spread is a good option. Discharge is an option to consider over Thunderbolt with its high paralysis rate, but Rotom may unintentionally paralyze Pokemon it intends to burn, so be cautious when using it.</p>
<p>This Rotom set works very well with entry hazard support, because Rotom can block opponents from spinning away your hazards, while simultaneously wearing down the opponent with a combination of Will-O-Wisp and Pain Split. Toxic Spikes in particular are extremely helpful to Rotom, allowing it to wear down its opponents faster. Drapion is perhaps the best partner for Rotom that can set up Toxic Spikes, it has excellent synergy with Rotom, while also being able to abuse any other hazards on the opponent's field by using Whirlwind. Qwilfish is also a good partner due to its ability to set up both Spikes and Toxic Spikes, as is Roselia. Even if running Pain Split, Rotom appreciates Wish support to heal it up as reliably as possible. Audino and Lickilicky are excellent Pokemon for the job, passing big Wishes to Rotom, while also curing it of status with Heal Bell. Pokemon to take on Pursuit users are also an excellent idea, Aggron can easily set up a Substitute on the most common Pursuit users, Spiritomb and Honchkrow, and proceed to break down the opponent's team with Head Smash. Absol can use Superpower on Aggron, but thankfully, Tangrowth, Quagsire, and Hitmonchan can easily beat Absol one on one.</p>
