[OVERVIEW]
Ice
========
Rotom-F is a solid option for Ice teams thanks to its ability to cripple physical attackers like Mega Scizor and Jirachi with Will-O-Wisp. Its dual typing lets it switch into Steel-type attacks from Choice Scarf Excadrill and Jirachi and burn them. Access to Volt Switch allows Rotom-F to keep momentum and switch to an offensive teammate like Kyurem-B, Alolan Sandslash, or Mamoswine. Additionally, it fills the role of an entry hazard remover for Ice teams with Defog, which is especially important to a type generally weak to Stealth Rock. It also takes pressure off other hazard-removing teammates like Alolan Sandslash and Avalugg. However, its HP isn't high enough to keep it safe from wallbreakers like Diggersby and Victini. Its best form of recovery is Pain Split, which is largely dependent on the opponent's HP, making it an inconsistent means of recovering health. Rotom-F's Stealth Rock weakness and mediocre recovery also result in it being worn down very quickly when it switches in, hindering its effectiveness as an entry hazard remover. Lastly, its nonexistent offensive presence leaves it unable to do anything to offensive Pokemon like Latios and Nidoking.
[SET]
name: Bulky Pivot (Ice)
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Pain Split
move 4: Defog / Hidden Power Fire
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 36 Def / 220 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch is Rotom-F's main attacking move and is used to pivot out and generate momentum for offensive teammates like Kyurem-B and Weavile. Will-O-Wisp is important for crippling physical attackers like Mega Scizor and Excadrill. Pain Split allows Rotom-F to stay healthy throughout the match and weakens foes by reducing their HP. Defog is a good option for removing entry hazards such as Stealth Rock that threaten Ice teams. Hidden Power Fire can also be used to defeat Steel-types like Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn.
Set Details
========
252 EVs in HP are used to make Rotom-F as generally bulky as possible. The Speed investment is used to outspeed Jolly Breloom and Jolly Bisharp and burn them, mitigating their priority attacks. The remaining EVs are put into Defense with a Bold nature to augment Rotom-F's physical bulk. Leftovers is the preferred item, giving Rotom-F passive recovery and letting it survive longer. Levitate is useful for switching into Ground-type attacks and either restoring health with Pain Split or crippling the opposing Pokemon with Will-O-Wisp.
Usage Tips
========
Despite Rotom-F's role as a physical tank, it's best not to switch it in against wallbreakers such as Diggersby and Hydreigon, since its defensive stats are only decent. Preserve Rotom-F's health so it can check physically offensive Pokemon like Mega Scizor and Jirachi with Will-O-Wisp, as well as use Defog more often. Try switching Rotom-F in on the turn the opponent sets up Stealth Rock in order to mitigate unnecessary damage, especially against Stealth Rock setters that Rotom-F can beat if carrying Hidden Power Fire, such as Jirachi, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn. Predict when special walls like Chansey and Zapdos will try to switch into Rotom-F and use Volt Switch to gain the necessary momentum for an offensive teammate. Similarly, try to predict when an offensive Pokemon like Latios or Victini tries to switch in so that you can bring in Weavile to trap them with Pursuit. If using Defog, make sure to use it very often to prevent Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes from affecting Rotom-F's teammates. Avoid status conditions like Toxic, since they can wear down Rotom-F faster than it can recover health with Pain Split.
Team Options
========
Every Pokemon on Ice teams appreciates Rotom-F's ability to check Steel-types like Mega Scizor, Ferrothorn, and Excadrill. Kyurem-B can beat defensive Pokemon like Mega Venusaur and Zapdos that Rotom-F can't do much of anything against, as well as check Ground-types like Diggersby and Nidoking that are immune to Volt Switch. Alolan Ninetales can set up Aurora Veil for Rotom-F, allowing it to switch in more safely against Mega Scizor and Excadrill. It can also check Fighting-types like Keldeo and Buzzwole. Alolan Sandslash is a fast sweeper under hail that appreciates the momentum Rotom-F provides for it with Volt Switch. It also becomes free to run Swords Dance with Rotom-F filling the role of a hazard remover and can set up against foes Rotom-F burns. Mamoswine can revenge kill Rotom-F's checks such as Garchomp and Landorus, as well as Steel-types that Rotom-F can't do much damage against like Heatran and Magnezone. Avalugg is a defensive entry hazard remover that can switch into physical attackers like Heracross and Infernape that Rotom-F can't take many hits from. Piloswine can switch into Rock-type attacks from Nihilego and Mega Diancie for Rotom-F thanks to its secondary Ground typing. It can also wear down opposing defensive Pokemon like Porygon2 with Toxic. Weavile can trap Psychic-types like Victini and Latios with Pursuit and appreciates Rotom-F's Volt Switch bringing it in safely. Cloyster can take advantage of burned physical attackers to set up and sweep with Shell Smash.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Ice
--------
Choice Scarf can be used to make Rotom-F a fast pivot capable of revenge killing Mega Aerodactyl and Keldeo. However, without defensive investment, it fails to survive a +2 Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor. Toxic is able to slowly wear down opposing walls such as Porygon2 and Swampert, but Will-O-Wisp is more valuable to cripple physical setup sweepers like Mega Scizor, Bisharp, and Mega Gallade. Without Will-O-Wisp, Rotom-F's team would require a separate Mega Scizor check such as Lapras or Walrein.
Checks and Counters
===================
Ice
--------
**Super Effective Attacks**: Victini, Mega Diancie, and Mega Gallade are all capable of OHKOing Rotom-F with their super effective STAB moves.
**Ground-types**: Despite being immune to Ground-type attacks with Levitate, Rotom-F does not usually carry an attacking move that can hit Ground-types, leaving it unable to do much of anything against Ground-types like Swampert, Gastrodon, and Nidoking.
**Wallbreakers**: Diggersby and Landorus are able to take advantage of Rotom-F's mediocre bulk and OHKO it.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Chansey, Zapdos, and Cradily can easily survive any of Rotom-F's attacks and wear it down with Toxic.
**Residual Damage**: Rotom-F's underwhelming recovery in Pain Split combined with its Stealth Rock weakness leaves it worn down very quickly.
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