Rotom-F
QC: [Snunch] [PK Gaming] [Oglemi]
GP: [elDino] [V0x]
[Overview]
<p>With the advent of BW, Rotom-F gained a secondary Ice typing in place of its former Ghost typing. While it can no longer spin block, it does lose its Pursuit weakness. Thanks to its new Ice / Electric typing, Rotom-F now has STAB on the BoltBeam combination, making its Blizzard even more powerful. Of course, Rotom-F now suffers from being an Ice-type with weaknesses to Fire-, Rock-, and Fighting-type attacks,and is weak to Stealth Rock and priority moves such as Vacuum Wave and Mach Punch. Rotom-F loses a lot of defensive prowess due to the typing change, and despite its above average defensive stats, it can no longer wall many things. The many powerful Fighting-types in UU tear through it, meaning that a defensive set or RestTalk set isn't as viable this generation. However, Rotom-F hits harder than ever with its new dual-STAB on the famous BoltBeam combination.</p>
[SET]
name: SubSplit
move 1: Blizzard
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Pain Split
item: Life Orb
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With STAB pseudo BoltBeam, Rotom-F is able to force many switches, and also has a surprisingly few number of checks. Substitute + Pain Split is easily Rotom-F's most dangerous set for this reason. Once Rotom-F is behind a substitute, it can either fire off powerful STAB moves that are nearly unresisted or use Pain Split on a special wall switching in. Substitute is also useful in blocking annoying status such as paralysis, or crippling status such as Toxic poison. Pain Split works especially well with Rotom-F's low HP stat and can help wear down special walls, particularly Chansey. Although Rotom-F lost its Ghost-typing, gaining STAB on Blizzard makes it even more powerful and difficult to wall.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Life Orb is the best item for this set, as Rotom-F wants to do as much damage as possible. The lack of Leftovers recovery is not an issue since Pain Split heals the HP lost from Substitute and Life Orb. The EV spread combined with a Timid nature allows Rotom-F to outspeed base 85 Speed Pokemon and below, most notably non-Choice Scarf Heracross. Although Rotom-F has Pain Split, Chansey is still irritating due to its massive Special Defense stat and access to instant recovery, so a strong Fighting-type such as Heracross is recommended to take Chansey out. Abomasnow is a required teammate to provide a 100% accurate Blizzard. Unfortunately, it brings terrible type synergy, with the same weaknesses and more as Rotom-F, to Bug-, Poison, and Flying-type attacks. For this reason, a bulky Water-type such as Suicune is appreciated to tank incoming Fire-type attacks aimed at both of them. In return, Abomasnow resists the Grass- and Electric-type moves aimed at Suicune and Rotom-F resists the Electric-type moves. Unfortunately, even with Pain Split, Rotom-F is unable to best Chansey, as it is no longer immune to Seismic Toss. For that reason, strong Fighting-type teammates such as Heracross are recommended to eliminate Chansey before attempting a sweep.</p>
[SET]
Name: Choice
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Blizzard
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Thunderbolt and Blizzard make up the infamous Boltbeam combination, allowing Rotom-F to hit everything for neutral damage bar Lanturn, Shedinja, Rotom-F, Rotom-H, and Thick Fat Mamoswine. However, with the exception of Rotom-H, the aforementioned Pokemon are relatively uncommon in the UU metagame. Volt Switch keeps up offensive momentum and does decent damage. In addition, Rotom-F doesn't have to worry about Ground-types switching in since it also has Blizzard at its disposal to destroy them. Trick cripples walls such as Chansey and Registeel, along with greedy set up sweepers such as Dragon Dance Kingdra.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The item is up to personal preference and your team's need; Choice Specs is for punching large holes in your opponent's team, while Choice Scarf is used for revenge killing. The nature is also up to personal preference; however, Timid is preferred to outspeed threats such as Jolly Choice Scarf Heracross. Again, Abomasnow is needed for a 100% accurate Blizzard. Because of its new secondary Ice typing, Rotom-F requires Rapid Spin support or it will lose 25% of its health each time it switches in. Rapid Spinners such as Donphan and Hitmontop are good teammates on hail teams due to their high Defense, and in Hitmontop's case, access to Intimidate. Will-O-Wisp is useful to cripple physical attackers on the switch, though Rotom-F must watch out for Guts Heracross switch-ins. Despite access to Trick, Rotom-F appreciates powerful Fighting-types such as Heracross to take care of Chansey and Registeel.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Hidden Power Fire hits Escavalier, but that's about it, since a neutral Thunderbolt hits everything else harder. Shadow Ball can be used over Hidden Power, but a lot of coverage is lost. Discharge can be used over Thunderbolt, but usually the paralysis chance isn't worth the power loss. You could use a defensive RestTalk set, but in this fast-paced, hard-hitting, unfriendly new generation, it is hardly viable and cannot tank hits as it used to, especially with its new Ice-typing. Substitute + Charge Beam is a decent set on paper, but is unreliable, especially with such a weak move, and Rotom-F is too slow to take advantage of the Special Attack boosts.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Abomasnow resists Electric-type moves and is neutral to Blizzard, but can usually take it quite well due to the most common set being a specially defensive SubSeed variant. Chansey is a hard counter if it manages to avoid Trick. Any strong Fire-, Fighting-, or Rock-type attack will decimate Rotom-F. Escavalier can tank hits pretty well but must watch out for Hidden Power Fire. Specially defensive Registeel takes little damage from any of Rotom-F's attacks, even a super effective Hidden Power, but like Chansey, must beware Trick. Status can seriously hinder Rotom-F; it does not like being paralyzed or badly poisoned.</p>
