[OVERVIEW]
Rotom-F is a solid offensive threat by virtue of its decent stats, diverse utility movepool, and potent STAB combination that targets the majority of the tier neutrally or super effectively. Most notably, Rotom-F makes for an effective user of Defog, as it bears a fantastic matchup against common entry hazard setters such as Mudsdale, Mesprit, and Qwilfish. Rotom-F's Speed tier is also of value, as it puts it above prominent Pokemon such as Stoutland, Skuntank, and the previously mentioned Mesprit, making it highly threatening against bulky offense teams without proper switch-ins. Unfortunately, the Pokemon that do outspeed Rotom-F, such as Lycanroc, Primeape, and Simisear, are all considerable threats, as they possess super effective STAB moves against it. Additionally, while Levitate grants Rotom-F an immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes, a weakness to Stealth Rock combined with its low HP and inconsistent forms of recovery harms its viability as a Defog user, limiting what it can come in on if Stealth Rock is up. Lastly, though Rotom-F can pivot out of most unfavorable matchups with Volt Switch, it struggles to break past most specially bulky Pokemon such as Type: Null, Clefairy, and Audino. Lanturn notably serves as a complete stop to Rotom-F due to its resistance to Blizzard and ability to punish Volt Switch with Volt Absorb.
[SET]
name: Offensive Defog
move 1: Blizzard
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Defog
move 4: Thunderbolt / Will-O-Wisp / Pain Split
item: Icium Z / Iapapa Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt works as an alternative Electric-type STAB move that doesn't force Rotom-F to switch out and has increased damage output against the likes of Jellicent and Articuno. Will-O-Wisp cripples switch-ins to Rotom-F such as Assault Vest Crabominable and Hitmonchan by causing residual damage and severely weakening their attacks. Pain Split compensates for Rotom-F's lack of reliable recovery by healing off damage against switch-ins with high HP stats like Audino and Lanturn.
Set Details
========
Icium Z converts Blizzard into Subzero Slammer, dealing high damage to targets like Mesprit, Stoutland, and Gurdurr while boasting perfect accuracy. Alternatively, Iapapa Berry acts as one-time health recovery outside of Pain Split when at low health and can be activated through Stealth Rock and residual damage. Note that sets using Iapapa Berry should run the 4 remaining EVs in HP to activate the item after three rounds of Stealth Rock damage.
Usage Tips
========
Rotom-F finds ample opportunities to revenge kill Pokemon like Jellicent and Oricorio-G or remove entry hazards throughout most of a match. Rotom-F can pivot into moves like Quagsire's Earthquake, as well as into weaker entry hazard setters such as Qwilfish and defensive Mesprit, in order to fire off a powerful attack or remove entry hazards upon a forced switch. Avoid reckless switching if Stealth Rock is on the field, as Rotom-F can easily by worn down by it despite its role as a Defogger. However, Iapapa Berry variants of Rotom-F can periodically switch into Stealth Rock in order to activate their item and heal themselves. Volt Switch should be used generously to pivot out of Pokemon that check Rotom-F like Audino and Clefairy, dealing a slight amount of damage and providing momentum, which gives Rotom-F's team the upper hand. Rotom-F's utility moves can be used effectively against Pokemon that may attempt to pivot into it; Assault Vest Crabominable and Hitmonchan are greatly crippled by Will-O-Wisp, whereas Rotom-F can gain health off of Pokemon like Lanturn and Audino through Pain Split. Icium Z is best utilized to severely weaken or even OHKO bulkier Pokemon that Blizzard misses out on, like Eelektross and Stoutland. It's also helpful in situations where Blizzard's poor accuracy can potentially jeopardize Rotom-F's ability to take out foes such as Golurk and Drampa.
Team Options
========
Rotom-F can form an excellent offensive core with physical wallbreakers and setup sweepers such as Stoutland, Choice Band Skuntank, and Lycanroc, as it highly appreciates their ability to break past Clefairy and Audino and can dispatch the likes of Mudsdale and Tangela in return. Stoutland and Skuntank are notably able to chip Lanturn with Pursuit. Gurdurr can also remove the items of Pokemon like Clefairy and Lanturn with Knock Off while being a reliable switch-in to threats to Rotom-F such as Lycanroc and Hitmonchan. Pokemon like Primeape and Scyther can be paired with Rotom-F to create a VoltTurn core, increasing the amount of momentum its team has, and they can be brought in more often due to Rotom-F's ability to remove entry hazards. Rotom-F can also break down Jellicent and Oricorio-E to support these Pokemon. Other Pokemon like Alolan Persian and Type: Null similarly operate as pivots, but they can more safely bring Rotom-F into play due to the former's stat reductions and the latter's low Speed. Alolan Persian's Z-Parting Shot can also bring Rotom-F up to full health, while Type: Null can lure in Pokemon for Rotom-F to take advantage of such as Carracosta and Oricorio-G. Although somewhat counterintuitive with Defog, entry hazard setters such as Qwilfish, Mesprit, and Omastar are capable of wearing down bulky switch-ins to Rotom-F like Audino and Lanturn while putting Pokemon like Stoutland and Abomasnow in range of Subzero Slammer. Mesprit can also check threatening Fighting-types like Gurdurr and Hitmonchan, provide momentum with U-turn, and fully revitalize Rotom-F with Healing Wish. Secondary entry hazard removers such as Hitmonchan and Kabutops appreciate Rotom-F's ability to break down Pokemon like Jellicent and Tangela while compensating for its inability to use Defog in the face of threats like Simisear and Lycanroc.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Electrium Z is a viable alternative to Icium Z that turns Thunderbolt into Gigavolt Havoc, breaking through Pokemon like Aurorus and Alolan Sandslash with much more ease. Substitute can be used in conjunction with Pain Split to avoid status and pressure bulkier teams, as it allows Rotom-F to safely recover health off of the likes of Audino and Munchlax, but having to give up Defog takes away Rotom-F's major niche. A Choice Scarf set can utilize Rotom-F's workable Speed tier and access to Trick to act as a revenge killer that can cripple switch-ins like Type: Null and Lanturn. However, this sacrifices Rotom-F's ability to switch between its STAB moves, which are highly exploitable when Choice-locked. Hidden Power Fighting targets Aurorus and Alolan Sandslash similarly to Electrium Z, but it has very few targets otherwise. Toxic cripples switch-ins such as Audino and Lanturn by putting them on a timer, but it provides little other use and is difficult to fit into sets.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Dedicated special walls like Audino, Lanturn, and Type: Null take pitiful amounts of damage from Rotom-F's attacks. Lanturn in particular acts as a hard counter to Rotom-F, since it possesses a resistance to Blizzard and an immunity to its Electric-type moves. Assault Vest Hitmonchan and Eelektross can't take repeated hits, and the former must be cautious of Will-O-Wisp, but they can soak up any one hit from full health and retaliate with Drain Punch and Flamethrower, respectively. Hitmonchan can remove entry hazards, while Eelektross can use Volt Switch to generate momentum in the event that Rotom-F is forced out. Calm Mind Clefairy can also use Rotom-F as setup fodder, though it doesn't like taking Subzero Slammer damage beforehand.
**Revenge Killers**: Rotom-F fails to outpace the likes of Primeape, Lycanroc, and Simisear, which can all obliterate it with their super effective STAB moves. The latter two can potentially use their respective setup moves if they manage to force Rotom-F out.
**Residual Damage**: Due to Rotom-F's inconsistent forms of recovery, low HP, and weakness to Stealth Rock, it's prone to getting worn down when attempting to remove Stealth Rock with Defog.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[tondas, 442732]]
- Quality checked by: [[TJ, 331538], [Megazard, 202117], [TONE, 213583]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Fireflame479, 231476]]
Rotom-F is a solid offensive threat by virtue of its decent stats, diverse utility movepool, and potent STAB combination that targets the majority of the tier neutrally or super effectively. Most notably, Rotom-F makes for an effective user of Defog, as it bears a fantastic matchup against common entry hazard setters such as Mudsdale, Mesprit, and Qwilfish. Rotom-F's Speed tier is also of value, as it puts it above prominent Pokemon such as Stoutland, Skuntank, and the previously mentioned Mesprit, making it highly threatening against bulky offense teams without proper switch-ins. Unfortunately, the Pokemon that do outspeed Rotom-F, such as Lycanroc, Primeape, and Simisear, are all considerable threats, as they possess super effective STAB moves against it. Additionally, while Levitate grants Rotom-F an immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes, a weakness to Stealth Rock combined with its low HP and inconsistent forms of recovery harms its viability as a Defog user, limiting what it can come in on if Stealth Rock is up. Lastly, though Rotom-F can pivot out of most unfavorable matchups with Volt Switch, it struggles to break past most specially bulky Pokemon such as Type: Null, Clefairy, and Audino. Lanturn notably serves as a complete stop to Rotom-F due to its resistance to Blizzard and ability to punish Volt Switch with Volt Absorb.
[SET]
name: Offensive Defog
move 1: Blizzard
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Defog
move 4: Thunderbolt / Will-O-Wisp / Pain Split
item: Icium Z / Iapapa Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt works as an alternative Electric-type STAB move that doesn't force Rotom-F to switch out and has increased damage output against the likes of Jellicent and Articuno. Will-O-Wisp cripples switch-ins to Rotom-F such as Assault Vest Crabominable and Hitmonchan by causing residual damage and severely weakening their attacks. Pain Split compensates for Rotom-F's lack of reliable recovery by healing off damage against switch-ins with high HP stats like Audino and Lanturn.
Set Details
========
Icium Z converts Blizzard into Subzero Slammer, dealing high damage to targets like Mesprit, Stoutland, and Gurdurr while boasting perfect accuracy. Alternatively, Iapapa Berry acts as one-time health recovery outside of Pain Split when at low health and can be activated through Stealth Rock and residual damage. Note that sets using Iapapa Berry should run the 4 remaining EVs in HP to activate the item after three rounds of Stealth Rock damage.
Usage Tips
========
Rotom-F finds ample opportunities to revenge kill Pokemon like Jellicent and Oricorio-G or remove entry hazards throughout most of a match. Rotom-F can pivot into moves like Quagsire's Earthquake, as well as into weaker entry hazard setters such as Qwilfish and defensive Mesprit, in order to fire off a powerful attack or remove entry hazards upon a forced switch. Avoid reckless switching if Stealth Rock is on the field, as Rotom-F can easily by worn down by it despite its role as a Defogger. However, Iapapa Berry variants of Rotom-F can periodically switch into Stealth Rock in order to activate their item and heal themselves. Volt Switch should be used generously to pivot out of Pokemon that check Rotom-F like Audino and Clefairy, dealing a slight amount of damage and providing momentum, which gives Rotom-F's team the upper hand. Rotom-F's utility moves can be used effectively against Pokemon that may attempt to pivot into it; Assault Vest Crabominable and Hitmonchan are greatly crippled by Will-O-Wisp, whereas Rotom-F can gain health off of Pokemon like Lanturn and Audino through Pain Split. Icium Z is best utilized to severely weaken or even OHKO bulkier Pokemon that Blizzard misses out on, like Eelektross and Stoutland. It's also helpful in situations where Blizzard's poor accuracy can potentially jeopardize Rotom-F's ability to take out foes such as Golurk and Drampa.
Team Options
========
Rotom-F can form an excellent offensive core with physical wallbreakers and setup sweepers such as Stoutland, Choice Band Skuntank, and Lycanroc, as it highly appreciates their ability to break past Clefairy and Audino and can dispatch the likes of Mudsdale and Tangela in return. Stoutland and Skuntank are notably able to chip Lanturn with Pursuit. Gurdurr can also remove the items of Pokemon like Clefairy and Lanturn with Knock Off while being a reliable switch-in to threats to Rotom-F such as Lycanroc and Hitmonchan. Pokemon like Primeape and Scyther can be paired with Rotom-F to create a VoltTurn core, increasing the amount of momentum its team has, and they can be brought in more often due to Rotom-F's ability to remove entry hazards. Rotom-F can also break down Jellicent and Oricorio-E to support these Pokemon. Other Pokemon like Alolan Persian and Type: Null similarly operate as pivots, but they can more safely bring Rotom-F into play due to the former's stat reductions and the latter's low Speed. Alolan Persian's Z-Parting Shot can also bring Rotom-F up to full health, while Type: Null can lure in Pokemon for Rotom-F to take advantage of such as Carracosta and Oricorio-G. Although somewhat counterintuitive with Defog, entry hazard setters such as Qwilfish, Mesprit, and Omastar are capable of wearing down bulky switch-ins to Rotom-F like Audino and Lanturn while putting Pokemon like Stoutland and Abomasnow in range of Subzero Slammer. Mesprit can also check threatening Fighting-types like Gurdurr and Hitmonchan, provide momentum with U-turn, and fully revitalize Rotom-F with Healing Wish. Secondary entry hazard removers such as Hitmonchan and Kabutops appreciate Rotom-F's ability to break down Pokemon like Jellicent and Tangela while compensating for its inability to use Defog in the face of threats like Simisear and Lycanroc.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Electrium Z is a viable alternative to Icium Z that turns Thunderbolt into Gigavolt Havoc, breaking through Pokemon like Aurorus and Alolan Sandslash with much more ease. Substitute can be used in conjunction with Pain Split to avoid status and pressure bulkier teams, as it allows Rotom-F to safely recover health off of the likes of Audino and Munchlax, but having to give up Defog takes away Rotom-F's major niche. A Choice Scarf set can utilize Rotom-F's workable Speed tier and access to Trick to act as a revenge killer that can cripple switch-ins like Type: Null and Lanturn. However, this sacrifices Rotom-F's ability to switch between its STAB moves, which are highly exploitable when Choice-locked. Hidden Power Fighting targets Aurorus and Alolan Sandslash similarly to Electrium Z, but it has very few targets otherwise. Toxic cripples switch-ins such as Audino and Lanturn by putting them on a timer, but it provides little other use and is difficult to fit into sets.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Dedicated special walls like Audino, Lanturn, and Type: Null take pitiful amounts of damage from Rotom-F's attacks. Lanturn in particular acts as a hard counter to Rotom-F, since it possesses a resistance to Blizzard and an immunity to its Electric-type moves. Assault Vest Hitmonchan and Eelektross can't take repeated hits, and the former must be cautious of Will-O-Wisp, but they can soak up any one hit from full health and retaliate with Drain Punch and Flamethrower, respectively. Hitmonchan can remove entry hazards, while Eelektross can use Volt Switch to generate momentum in the event that Rotom-F is forced out. Calm Mind Clefairy can also use Rotom-F as setup fodder, though it doesn't like taking Subzero Slammer damage beforehand.
**Revenge Killers**: Rotom-F fails to outpace the likes of Primeape, Lycanroc, and Simisear, which can all obliterate it with their super effective STAB moves. The latter two can potentially use their respective setup moves if they manage to force Rotom-F out.
**Residual Damage**: Due to Rotom-F's inconsistent forms of recovery, low HP, and weakness to Stealth Rock, it's prone to getting worn down when attempting to remove Stealth Rock with Defog.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[tondas, 442732]]
- Quality checked by: [[TJ, 331538], [Megazard, 202117], [TONE, 213583]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Fireflame479, 231476]]
Last edited:
