[Overview]
<p>Rotom-S is blessed with decent stats across the board and an expansive movepool to back them up. Primarily known for its Choice Scarf set, Rotom-S has lost some limelight to Primeape and Jynx due to their higher Speed and greater coverage. Nevertheless, its great offensive typing offers a STAB Volt Switch, and its Speed covers enough significant threats that Rotom-S can see some usage as a Choice Scarf user. In addition, its typing covers many physical threats, so Rotom-S can use its large movepool to function as a wall or pivot, showcasing its versatility. However, a Pokemon with a weakness to Stealth Rock and a lack of reliable recovery cannot thrive on its own, so Rotom-S needs proper team support to function to its fullest.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set functions as a revenge killer and late-game sweeper. With Thunderbolt and Air Slash as Rotom-S's most reliable STAB options, it can outspeed and KO common threats such as +2 Timid Gorebyss, +2 Carracosta, and Choice Scarf Sawk. If the opponent lacks a Ground-type, Rotom-S can easily spam Volt Switch early-game for damage and momentum. Trick is used for bulky defensive Pokemon, easily crippling whatever comes in to wall Rotom-S's attack and allowing it to switch up moves.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>While lacking in power when compared to Primeape and Jynx due to its lower attacking stat and its lower Base Power STABs, Rotom-S does have surprising fortitude, withstanding Aqua Jets from +2 Carracosta and +2 Samurott and KOing them back. Unfortunately, with its weakness to Stealth Rock, its bulk is hindered with each quarter of health lost, so keeping Stealth Rock out of play is highly beneficial, but not required. Great partners to keep Stealth Rock off the field are Choice Band Mold Breaker Sawk and Taunt Samurott, both of which fit into the offensive playstyle nicely. Ground-types are also a problem, as they are immune to Thunderbolt and Volt Switch, severely limiting Rotom-S in the match. Multiple measures can be taken, however, to alleviate this issue. For starters, Rotom-S can use Hidden Power Grass to hit common Ground-types, such as Seismitoad and Golem, for massive damage. Most Water-, Grass-, and Ice-type Pokemon can dispose of Ground-types as well; Ludicolo is a good partner because it has the bulk to switch in and threaten them with Giga Drain, Hydro Pump, or Ice Beam. Good defensive partners for Rotom-S cover its Rock- and Ice-type weaknesses, so Steel-types such as Hone Claws Metang and Shift Gear Klang are good choices for this playstyle.</p>
[SET]
name: Expert Belt
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hidden Power Grass
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Expert Belt
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Fitting best on balanced and offensive teams, this set acts as a lure, targeting Ground-types that switch in expecting the common Choice Scarf set's Volt Switch. Hidden Power Grass hits all of them for major damage, KOing the 4x weak Seismitoad and Golem. Air Slash and Thunderbolt are the most reliable STABs and are meant to dish out optimal damage.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Expert Belt is the key item for this set, because the lack of residual damage when attacking creates the impression that Rotom-S is holding a Choice Scarf. Because it is not locked into any moves, Rotom-S can use much of its large arsenal to exploit the bluff. Will-O-Wisp can be used to cripple almost all of NU's physical attackers, but KOing them with the appropriate coverage move is more beneficial. Also, Rotom-S could use the ChestoRest strategy for good recovery while utilizing the same masquerade, but the lack of immediate power is noticeable. Pain Split could also be used for recovery, but the lack of coverage would hurt it more.</p>
<p>Much like the Choice Scarf set, Steel-types such as Metang and Klang are good partners because they cover Rotom-S's weaknesses to Ice- and Rock-type moves. Wallbreakers such as Choice Band Sawk are great for disposing of walls that can handle all of Rotom-S's attacks, such as Lickilicky and Regice, and Sawk can possibly keep Stealth Rock off the field as well, aiding in Rotom-S's longevity. Lastly, more balanced teams can afford a Wish passer, such as Lickilicky or Alomomola, which helps keep Rotom-S alive.</p>
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Pain Split
move 2: Discharge / Substitute
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Will-O-Wisp
item: Leftovers
nature: Bold
evs: 224 HP / 220 Def / 64 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>A surprising set for defensive teams, Rotom-S's role is to spread harmful status conditions on many unsuspecting Pokemon. Its Flying typing allows it to switch in on the popular Fighting- and Ground-types of NU and burn them with Will-O-Wisp or hurt them with Air Slash. Discharge is preferred for its paralysis chance, and Rotom-S can create a mean para-flinching scenario with Air Slash. Pain Split is important because it's Rotom-S's most reliable recovery move. Substitute could be used instead of Discharge to ease prediction and handle more switch-ins that would threaten Rotom-S out.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The 64 Speed EVs allow Rotom-S to outspeed Timid Gorebyss before it can use Shell Smash, which is an important precaution. The rest of the EVs offer the highest amount of Leftovers recovery and maximize its bulk. It is possible to make Rotom-S specially defensive, but there is less it can wall on that side of the spectrum. It can use the ChestoRest strategy for guaranteed recovery, but the more balanced the team and the longer matches drag on, the more the strategy proves to be underwhelming. Another option is to use Volt Switch, which turns Rotom-S into a bulky pivot.</p>
<p>Metang is the best partner for this set because of its synergy with Rotom-S and its bulk, creating a sound defensive core. Defensive teams always appreciate Wish support, which comes best from Audino or Alomomola in this playstyle. Good partners that also fit the defensive playstyle are Taunt Misdreavus and Rapid Spin Wartortle because they help patch up Rotom-S's weakness to Stealth Rock.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Some viable options for Rotom-S include a Choice Specs wallbreaker set and a Rain Dance set with Damp Rock, as it can use the weather itself with Thunder or pivot to a rain sweeper with Volt Switch. It can also set up with Sunny Day, but it doesn't fit well on sun teams. Rotom-S also has access to dual screens, but its lack of reliable recovery leaves it outclassed by Musharna. A Life Orb set with Substitute and Pain Split is also viable, but it is often underwhelming with the lack of coverage. Rotom-S can take the annoying path with Confuse Ray, Thunder Wave, and Air Slash, but any strategy dependent on luck is unreliable. Some moves that it can possibly fit into a slot on the offensive sets to hit situational threats are Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, Signal Beam, and Sucker Punch. A Charge Beam set is possible, but setup sweepers such as Nasty Plot Misdreavus and Calm Mind Serperior are more reliable.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Because of Rotom-S's low power, most dedicated special walls, such as Regice, Lickilicky, Audino, and Munchlax, can handle the offensive sets. Tanks can also take most of Rotom-S's attacks as long as they have an advantageous typing. For example, Piloswine is immune to Thunderbolt and Volt Switch and can deal damage back with super effective STAB Ice-type attacks. However, if any of these Pokemon are Tricked onto a Choice Scarf, they are severely crippled for the rest of the match. Electric-types such as Eelektross, Zebstrika, and Ampharos are able to switch in on Rotom-S's STABs with minimal damage, and most generally do not fear a Choice item being Tricked onto them. Also, faster Pokemon with super effective coverage such as Choice Scarf Jynx are able to revenge kill Rotom-S quite easily. Pokemon with Taunt such as Misdreavus are able to stop the defensive set from recovering, and Pokemon that don't fear status, such as Ursaring and RestTalk users, can generally handle that set.</p>
[Overview]
- Notorious Scarfer overshadowed by the faster Primeape and Jynx, but it is still good nevertheless, outspeeding threats such as Sawk, Braviary, +2 Gorebyss, and Shiftry
- Pretty good stats all around, good offensive and defensive typing, and a great movepool offer much versatility; it an use an offensive, defensive, or support role.
- Weak to SR and must rely on Rest or Pain Split for recovery
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Volt Switch
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- Functions as revenge killer and late game sweeper
- Strongest dual STABS
- Volt Switch for early game momentum
- Trick cripples most Pokemon, working greatest against bulky teams
- Has enough bulk to tank an Aqua Jet from +2 Carracosta and +2 Samurott and KO
- Lacking of power compared to other scarfers
- Cannot switch in numerously to SR, so a Wish Passer (Alomomola Lickilicky) is helpful
- Good defensive partners can take the Ice- and Rock-type attacks headed towards Rotom-S. Steels like Metang are your best bet.
- Offensive partners that can deal with other Electric's that resist both of Rotom-S's stabs, and walls in general, like Golurk, and are good.
- CB Sawk can keep SR off the field with Mold Breaker bypassing Sturdy and can handle walls that Rotom-S cannot break through, such as Lickilicky, Regice, and Munchlax
- Grass-, Water-, and Ice-type Pokemon are great for predicting Ground-type switch ins planning to absorb Volt Switch. Ludicolo is probably the best partner, since it learns moves of all three types.
- HP Grass can be used to get past the Ground-types such as Golem and Seismitoad itself, but that involves risky prediction because it will not due enough damage to neutral opponents.
name: Expert Belt
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hidden Power Grass
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Expert Belt
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- Volt Switch is great for momentum
- Great at faking Choice items, with HP grass surprising Ground-types such as Golem and Seismitoad who switch in on the predicted Volt Switch
- Dual STABs for most reliable offenses
- Good partners who can take out the ice- and rock-types threatening Rotom-S super-effectively are Steel-types like Metang and Klang who can handle Jynx and cover Rotom-S's weaknesses.
- CB Sawk can handle most walls that take little from Rotom-S's attacks, such as Lickilicky, Regice, and Munchlax, and can possibly keep SR off the field with Mold Breaker bypassing Sturdy. Golurk can handle these walls also, and it can handle Electric-types that take little from Rotom-S's coverage.
- Will-O-Wisp or HP Ice could be used in a slot
- ChestoRest also accomplishes the lure
name: Defensive
move 1: Pain Split
move 2: Discharge / Substitute
move 3: Air Slash
move 4: Will-O-Wisp
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 224 HP / 220 Def / 64 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- Surprising to unprepared foes
- Pretty nice defensive typing since most physical attackers will have to rely on Stone Miss to hit it super-effectively. Faces the common choiced fighting-types well.
- Pain Split is the best option for longevity
- Air Slash has safest mono coverage, and can make a mean para-flinch situation with discharge.
- Discharge is for a second STAB, but it can conflict with Will-O-Wisp when statusing.
- Will-O-Wisp cripples most of NUs physical attackers
- Substitute is for switches to ease prediction, as well as to absorb status.
- evs outspeed Timid Gorebyss and below
- ChestoRest is viable and allows an extra move, but in longer matches it will fail you
- evs for maximum leftovers recovery and bulk
- SpD set optional but it resists less on that spectrum
- Metang is a good partner that can set up SR and they make a good Defensive core since Physical Fire-types are nonexistant in NU
- Appreciates Wish support (Alomomola and Audino) since Pain Split can be unreliable
- Good partners who can take out the ice- and rock-types threatening Rotom-S super-effectively are Steel-types like Metang and Klang
- Mold Breaker Sawk can possibly stop SR.
- Volt Switch could be used to make Rotom-S more of a pivot
- Choice Specs wall breaker set
- Can run a great Rain Dance set utilizing it itself with Thunder or pivoting into a sweeper with Volt Switch
- Annoying Sub Confuse Ray Air Slash set
- Offensive SubSplit Life Orb
- RestTalk (But not as effective as Sub Split)
- Moves it fails to fit in a slot: Thunder Wave, Charge Beam, Shadow Ball, Signal Beam, Dark Pulse, Sucker Punch
- Sunny Day (but doesnt really fit in a sun team)
- Dual Screens (but no reliable recovery)
- Bulky Electric-types (Eelectross) resists STABs and can dish damage back
- Most Bulky Pokemon fear being tricked a choice item, but most special walls (Lickilicky, Regice) can handle Rotom-S's attacks
- Ground-types absorb Thunderbolt and Volt Switch but also fear Trick and HP Grass
- Taunt users (Liepard, Misdreavus, Serperior) can stop the Defensive set but can all be hit with strong STABs
- Faster pokemon with super-effective attacks (Jynx especially) can KO Rotom-S
- Stealth Rock
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