[Overview]
<p>BW brought many changes upon the Rotom formes. While they lost their secondary Ghost typing, they all gained new STABs to go along well with their special moves. Though it may seem like a curse due to the lack of Rapid Spin blocking utility, Rotom-A ultimately appreciated these changes due to high Base Power moves they get to abuse. Rotom-C benefited from these changes a lot due to its better offensive typing and its ability to counter common threats to most Rotom-A without much hassle. Additionally, with its good dual STABs, Rotom-C is able to run sets that most other Rotom-A cannot run. Though Rotom-C is RU, its ability to counter many common threats that other Rotom-A cannot best allow it to is a reason that it can function well in OU.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Thunderbolt / Trick
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While the reasons to use a Choice Scarf Rotom-C over Choice Scarf Rotom-W may not be immediately apparent, Rotom-C holds a few features that its brethren cannot boast. While Rotom-W enjoys better typing, it lacks a few things. Rotom-C can reliably beat Gastrodon, one of the most reliable counters to standard Volt-Turn; due to this, Rotom-C will be able to freely spam Volt Switch because no one would like to risk losing a Gastrodon due to a bad switch. Leaf Storm is the primary STAB move, and with 210 Base Power with STAB, it will hit anything that doesn't resist it hard.</p>
<p>Rotom-C does not have many moves to offer besides its main STAB, so it is usually forced to run either Hidden Power Ice or Hidden Power Fire. The choice usually boils down to what a team needs more; if it needs a reliable check to +1 Dragonite, Rotom-C will outspeed all variants and KO with Hidden Power Ice. However, Hidden Power Fire hits Scizor and Ferrothorn hard, so it is a valid option for Rotom-C's use. However, one should note that most players will immediately switch Ferrothorn out after discovering Hidden Power Fire, and Rotom-C will immediately become dead weight, so Hidden Power should always be used in a battle sparingly. As for the final slot, Trick and Thunderbolt are both viable options. While Trick cripples stall, a useful asset for most offensive teams, Thunderbolt has the functionality to reliable beat down Substitute + Dragon Dance Gyarados
, (comma) which is a threat to all teams that have Volt Switch as their only Electric-type move.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Any Choice Scarf Rotom-A lacks a fair amount of Special Attack, so one should maximize the Special Attack EVs. A Timid nature, coupled with maximum Speed EVs ensures that Rotom-C outspeeds Adamant +1 Haxorus, though Rotom-C should only face a Haxorus for a revenge kill. An added bonus to the spread is demolishing +1 positive natured Dragonite and Gyarados, which cannot be done with a Modest nature. However, positive natured Dragonite and Gyarados are rarely seen, so a Modest nature is just as viable. It adds to Rotom-C's power and allows Rotom-C to 2HKO Ferrothorn with Hidden Power Fire, which cannot
normally be done with a Timid nature.</p>
<p>There are a few partners that Rotom-C enjoys the company of. Since Rotom-C commonly finds itself walled by the likes of Bissey, Chansey, and Heatran, Terrakion and Conkeldurr make useful teammates. They have to ability to decimate some of Rotom-C's main counters, which is really helpful for Volt-Turn teams aiming to grab momentum. Removal of said Pokemon gives Rotom-C the ability to handle all other threats to a team due to its great Speed with a Choice Scarf and its above-average Special Attack. Landorus and Scizor make for great partners to complete a Volt-Turn chain because they can effectively remove walls that block Rotom-C
, (no comma) and Rotom-C can effectively rid the field of Skarmory and other walls that give the two trouble. Infernape makes an amazing partner because of its great synergy with Rotom-C and
its access to U-turn. It also can form a Volt-Turn chain and with amazing coverage moves, no team with the two should ever find itself walled. Rapid Spin users make useful partners because they allow Rotom-C to freely Volt Switch without repercussions. Additionally, since Rotom-C forces so many switches, an entry hazard user is appreciated to make the foe pay every time he or she switches.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Trick / Thunderbolt
item: Choice Specs
nature: Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Rotom-C is often seen sporting a Choice Scarf set, it also is able to run a viable Choice Specs set. With Choice Specs equipped, Rotom-C becomes outrageously powerful, and its coverage between three moves gives it all it needs to be successful. Leaf Storm is the obvious choice of STAB, and Volt Switch gets secondary STAB. Hidden Power Fire has lots of power, and it can even 2HKO behemoths like Ferrothorn who enjoy switching in on Rotom-C. Since Rotom-C is most likely to be on an offensive team with Choice Specs equipped, Trick works well as the final move because it allows Rotom-C to cripple troublesome Pokemon on stall teams. However, Thunderbolt is a viable option as well to take out Substitute + Dragon Dance Gyarados; furthermore, Thunderbolt offers a reliable STAB move that doesn't force Rotom-C to switch out.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>To give a sense of how powerful Choice Specs Rotom-C is, let's look at some damage calculations:</p>
<ul class="damage_calculation">
<li>Leaf Storm vs. 4/0 Haxorus 73.47% - 86.73%</li>
<li>Leaf Storm vs. 252/0 Gliscor 116.1% - 136.72%</li>
<li>Leaf Storm vs. 252/196+ Tyranitar 121.04% - 142.57%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Fire vs. 252/168+ Ferrothorn 85.23% - 101.14%</li>
<li>Hidden Power Fire vs. 248/208 Scizor 120.12% - 142.27%</li>
<li>Volt Switch vs. 4/0 Rotom-W 63.22% - 74.79%</li>
<li>Volt Switch vs. 252/0 Politoed 84.38% - 100%</li>
</ul>
<p>Rotom-C gets the ability to OHKO even dedicated walls like Gliscor and Tyranitar, adding to its list of uses. The EVs are standard for Choice Specs users like Rotom-C
, (comma) as they maximize Speed and Special Attack. While a Modest nature is preferred due to the buff in power, a Timid nature can be used to check threats like neutral natured Lucario, Haxorus, and Hydreigon, as well as Jolly Mamoswine and Acrobatics Gliscor. However, Rotom-C cannot switch into these Pokemon safely, and Lucario and Mamoswine both flaunt high Base Power and STAB priority moves
, (comma) respectively.</p>
<p>One thing that should be noted when looking at the calculations is how close Rotom-C can come to
OHKOing Haxorus with even a resisted move, and how close Rotom-C can come to
OHKOing Politoed and Ferrothorn with the appropriate coverage. Thus, Rotom-C will enjoy entry hazard support, particularly Stealth Rock and Spikes. While Stealth Rock will help out a lot against Haxorus and Politoed, if one is able to get down 2 layers of Spikes, Rotom-C will become outright
devastating deadly. Another viable partner to Choice Specs Rotom-C is Politoed due to rain support; rain allows Rotom-C to run Thunder instead of Thunderbolt, and it also drops Rotom-C's weakness to Fire-type moves. However, one should note that Hidden Power Fire will be weakened in the rain, so one should run Hidden Power Ice instead. Other notable partners to Choice Specs Rotom-C include U-turn users such as Life Orb Infernape or Choice Band Scizor, as they complete a Volt-Turn chain. Rapid Spin users aid immensely because they stop Rotom-C from suffering Stealth Rock damage every time it switches
in out.</p>
<p>While Choice Specs Rotom-C's counters are not as widespread as the Choice Scarf variant's, Blissey and Chansey will always wall Rotom-C. However, they do have to fear being hit by Trick on the switch, so they can't always be confident when switching in. Specially defensive variants of Heatran only fear getting 2HKOed by Thunder after Stealth Rock damage, so it can do fairly well when playing
against Rotom-C. Aside from
the most dedicated specially defensive walls, Rotom-C only has to fear faster Pokemon that can KO Rotom-C.</p>
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Pain Split
move 3: Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
move 4: Leaf Storm
item: Leftovers
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Due to its favorable typing, high base 107 defenses, and good resistances to common moves, Rotom-C can run a viable support set. While it is weak to Fire- and Ice-type moves, Rotom-C resists Scizor's Bullet Punch and can significantly weaken it with a burn. With Will-O-Wisp, any physical attacker must think twice before switching into Rotom-C for fear of being burned
, rendering It can make common Pokemon like Choice Band Terrakion useless
after getting burnt. Leaf Storm provides obligatory STAB, and even without offensive investment it will still do a decent amount of damage. Volt Switch is perfect for Rotom-C because it matches its role quite nicely; Rotom-C can support an offensive team and then preserve momentum by using Volt Switch to switch Pokemon. However, one can choose to forgo the ability to preserve momentum by using Thunderbolt instead, as it adds to Rotom-C's staying power. Pain Split is the final move because Rotom-C lacks reliable recovery outside of Leftovers, and Pain Split allows it to prey on Pokemon like Chansey and Blissey at full health. It also works very well with Rotom-C's low base 50 HP.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Though the EVs may seem strange at first sight, the spread is actually crucial. 252 HP EVs coupled with 76 Defense EVs ensure that Rotom-C will withstand a Choice Banded Close Combat from Terrakion with full health, while it can OHKO Terrakion back with Leaf Storm. They also help Rotom-C survive U-turns from Scizor that are not equipped with a Choice Band. The remaining EVs give Rotom-C special bulk that it can work with, and Will-O-Wisp can patch up Rotom-C's small investment in Defense. The Calm nature also gives Rotom-C more special bulk, allowing it to tank even super effective Hidden Power Fires. However, an alternate spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD allows Rotom-C to forgo its physical bulk and survive 2 Hydro Pumps from Choice Specs Politoed after Stealth Rock damage, and a Hydro Pump, followed by an Ice Beam from a Life Orb Politoed.</p>
<p>While Rotom-C does have a lot of special bulk, Magic Guard users like Reuniclus will give it a lot of trouble. Not only is Reuniclus unaffected by Will-O-Wisp, but it can tank unboosted moves and set up. For this reason, using a teammate like Scizor who can beat Reuniclus is usually a very good idea. Sabeleye is also a good option as a teammate because it completely walls most variants of Reuniclus, and it can Taunt it to prevent Reuniclus from recovering HP. Sweepers that need to set up can make good use of the burns that Rotom-C can spread, so they usually can benefit from having Rotom-C as a teammate. As always, any special wall will ruin this set, and Heatran absorbs Will-O-Wisp while Blissey and Chansey have Natural Cure to alleviate burns. Terrakion is a great partner for this reason, because it can make use of burns to set up and wreck the normal counters of Rotom-C with Close Combat. Politoed is another good partner because it rids Rotom-C of its Fire weakness and allows it to run Thunder if one does not want to use Volt Switch. Also, Politoed and Rotom-C have very good synergy, so the two work well together.</p>
[SET]
name: Offensive Scout
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Thunder Wave
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ice
item: Leftovers
nature: Timid
evs: 28 HP / 252 SpA / 228 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While most of the sets that Rotom-C can run are quite standard for Rotom formes, its great STAB and versatility, as well as its STAB Volt Switch
, (comma) allow it to function as a great offensive scout, similar to Celebi's Navi set. With Thunder Wave, Rotom-C has the ability to paralyze any threats that a team may face
, (comma) barring Ground-type Pokemon. However, Ground-type Pokemon will not dare switch into a STAB Leaf Storm, so Rotom-C is a very effective spreader of paralysis, especially for offensive teams. With Volt Switch, Rotom-C can switch out on predicted switches and preserve momentum like a standard Volt-Turn abuser. Hidden Power Fire nails Ferrothorn, dealing out 57.95% - 68.18% damage, a respectable amount for such a defensive behemoth. Another notable KO is Hidden Power Fire on Scizor, a Pokemon who can be problematic for most offensive teams. With a handy 2HKO on Ferrothorn and the ability to switch moves, Rotom-C functions fantastically for an offensive team. However, Hidden Power Ice can be used for those scared of Dragon-type Pokemon, as they can ravage through under-prepared teams and it is impossible to have too many checks for Dragon-types.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EV spread is simple, but effective. The 228 Speed EVs coupled with a Timid nature ensure that Rotom-C will outspeed Acrobatics variants of Gliscor and 2HKO them due to maximum investment in Special Attack. The rest of the EVs are jumbled in HP to give Rotom-C a little more bulk than usual. However, if one wants to run a bulkier spread, one can use 144 HP / 140 SpA / 224 Spe to achieve 263 Speed with a Modest nature. The primary item choice is Leftovers because it adds to Rotom-C's longevity, especially because it has Volt Switch. However, one can opt for a Life Orb for more power
, (comma) though the drop in longevity will be noticeable. An Expert Belt can also be utilized because Rotom-C has fairly good coverage, but Rotom-C will have no healing options unless one chooses to forgo a move for Pain Split. Will-O-Wisp is also a viable option should one want to focus on burning opponents instead of paralyzing them, though one can generally find a better user of Will-O-Wisp for this.</p>
<p>The partners for this set are the same as always; Rotom-C appreciates other Volt-Turners such as Infernape and Scizor due to their ability to break down walls such as Chansey and Blissey. Furthermore, they have fairly good synergy with Rotom-C. Terrakion and Conkeldurr also work very well because they take down Heatran in addition to the pink eggs. Any Pokemon that can make use of the paralysis that Rotom-C is spreading is a viable teammate, because Rotom-C is not paralyzing Pokemon for itself, but rather to ease a teammate in setting up.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>While Rotom-C's best options are all listed, it has the ability to run a few other options that are viable. For one, if a team has a Celebi weakness, Rotom-C can use Signal Beam to quickly KO it. Shadow Ball and Dark Pulse also work well for not only Celebi, but even other problematic Psychic-type Pokemon like Latios and Latias. Another option is usage of Thunder with Politoed's Drizzle support for more power
, as it has much more power than Thunderbolt. Similarly, Rotom-C can run Rain Dance to either back up Politoed's Drizzle or to provide its own support for Thunder. A dual screens set can be used with Light Clay because it is uncommon, but there are generally better options to utilize dual screens like Espeon and Latias. Confuse Ray can be used to give a team confusion support, but confusion is generally not the most reliable status.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Since Rotom-C is a very diverse Pokemon, its checks and counters can depend upon the set that it runs. However, there are a few universal counters that wall Rotom-C
, (comma) such as Blissey, Chansey, and specially defensive Heatran. While Rotom-C can run Trick to attempt to cripple these counters, as well as other members of stall teams, the three will have a field day against a Rotom-C that attempts to stay in and battle. However, one should note that in the rain, Modest Rotom-C with Thunder will 2HKO defensive Heatran after Stealth Rock damage. Numerous Fire-type Pokemon can also effectively check Rotom-C due to their resistance to Leaf Storm;
among these include Volcarona, Infernape, and Ninetales. Ninetales and Volcarona each have high base Special Defense already, and they can attempt to set up on all Rotom-C sets bar the offensive scout, as paralysis will cripple them. Breloom, especially Bulk Up variants, gives Rotom-C a hard time due to its resistance to Rotom-C's main STAB attacks and the ability to incapacitate the next Pokemon to come out with a well timed Spore. Bulk Up Breloom does even better because of the high investment in Special Defense, so it works as a great check to all Rotom-C sets due to the Toxic Orb; Rotom-C cannot paralyze Breloom if the Toxic Orb has activated. Breloom will have its way unless it comes in on a Hidden Power Fire or Hidden Power Ice from Rotom-C. Virizion is the same in this manner due to its identical typing and its access to Calm Mind, Work Up, and Swords Dance. Celebi is another great counter to Rotom-C because of its high Special Defense. Though Rotom-C's Choice Specs set will roast Celebi, the pixie can take damage from any of the other sets and retaliate back by either gaining momentum or attacking back with a Hidden Power of its own. Like with every Rotom forme bar Rotom-F, Latios and Latias are problematic. Both resist Rotom-C's dual STABs and can become deadly sweepers after just one turn of
setup. Refresh variants of Latias can even continue to play while paralyzed. While a lot of Rotom-C run Hidden Power Fire, Ferrothorn gets a free switch against those who don't run
it Hidden Power Fire and
it can set up hazards.</p>
