[OVERVIEW]
Rotom-S's most standout trait is its unique Electric / Flying typing, which gives it important resistances to Fighting-, Ground-, and Flying-type attacks, letting it act as a great check to Pokemon such as Sawk and Scyther, and in tandem with its access to Volt Switch makes Rotom-S a great offensive pivot. Furthermore, balanced stats all around give it good bulk, decent power, and a crucial Speed tier that always lets it outspeed Sawk. Like all Pokemon, though, Rotom-S has its fair share of shortcomings, such as being troubled by some common Pokemon in the tier, most notably Lanturn and Rhydon, both of which block Rotom-S's Volt Switch and resist Air Slash; however, Rotom-S has ways to circumvent them. Additionally, low-Base Power moves make its offensive presence underwhelming at times, and thus it struggles breaking through very bulky Pokemon such as Mega Audino and Musharna. A weakness to Stealth Rock is a hindrance as well, especially because Rotom-S tends to switch in and out of the match frequently due to Volt Switch.
[SET]
name: Expert Belt
move 1: Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Hidden Power Grass
move 4: Will-O-Wisp
item: Expert Belt
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch is a decent Electric-type STAB move that keeps up offensive momentum. Thunderbolt is an alternative for a more consistent, powerful STAB option, at the cost of keeping up momentum. Air Slash deals with Grass-types such as Torterra, Vileplume, and Lilligant and hits Fighting-types such as Gurdurr and Sawk, as well as having a decent chance to induce flinch. Hidden Power Grass damages Pokemon that block Rotom-S's Volt Switch such as Rhydon and Lanturn, as well as letting it OHKO Quagsire after Stealth Rock. Will-O-Wisp lets Rotom-S cripple and wear down Pokemon such as Lanturn, Rhydon, and Ferroseed and is also useful against other physical attackers such as Sawk and Kangaskhan.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs plus a Timid nature are used to outspeed Jolly Sawk and below, while maximum Special Attack EVs let Rotom-S hit as hard as possible. Expert Belt is used to let Rotom-S bluff a Choice Scarf, letting it lure Pokemon that think it's locked into Volt Switch or Air Slash, and gives an additional power boost to super effective hits.
Usage Tips
========
Use Volt Switch early and often to keep up offensive momentum, though do be careful using the move against Electric-immune Pokemon, especially Lanturn, which can gain back a portion of its HP due to Volt Absorb. If the opponent has an Electric-immune Pokemon such as Lanturn or Rhydon, predict the incoming switch in by using Hidden Power Grass or Will-O-Wisp. In some cases, it's key to play Rotom-S as if it's using Choice Scarf, as it scares off normally faster Pokemon such as Floatzel and Archeops and can catch the opponent off-guard later in the game. Will-O-Wisp should be used to wear down and cripple Ground-type switch-ins such as Rhydon, making it much easier for a teammate to switch in, as well as other physical attackers such as Sawk and Kangaskhan. It can also be used to play mind games with Sucker Punch users such as Shiftry, Cacturne, and Mawile, keeping Rotom-S from taking any additional damage before it picks them off with Air Slash. Rotom-S can also be used to pivot into Pokemon such as Scyther, Klinklang, Sawk, and Archeops due to its slew of resistances; just be aware that Sawk and Archeops can catch Rotom-S with Stone Edge. Also make sure that Rotom-S is healthy and that Stealth Rock is kept on the field if Rotom-S needs to check Archeops.
Team Options
========
Klinklang is an excellent partner, as Rotom-S lures in and weakens many checks to it, such as Lanturn, Rhydon, and Quagsire, and hits other checks including Prinplup, Pelipper, and Gurdurr, paving the way for Klinklang to sweep. Setup sweepers that appreciate the removal of Quagsire, such as Swords Dance Samurott and Flame Charge Magmortar, pair well with Rotom-S. Normal-types such as Tauros and Kangaskhan are great partners due to Rotom-S's ability to lure and heavily weaken Rhydon and Quagsire. Rhydon is a decent partner, as Rotom-S takes care of common checks to it such as Torterra, Prinplup, and Quagsire, letting Rhydon sweep through teams with ease. Mesprit appreciates Rotom-S's ability to threaten and eliminate Xatu, which lets Mesprit set up Stealth Rock without fear of getting them bounced back, and is also a good check to other Mesprit checks such as Scyther and Shiftry. Because Rotom-S pivots a lot throughout the match, it prefers having Stealth Rock off the field. Hitmonchan is a decent partner, as it can switch in on and threaten some problematic Stealth Rock users such as Regirock and Ferroseed while Rotom-S is able to switch in on Flying-type Pokemon such as Scyther, Vivillon, and Archeops lacking Stone Edge.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Air Slash
move 3: Will-O-Wisp / Thunderbolt
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch is a decently powerful Electric-type STAB move that lets Rotom-S maintain offensive momentum. It is, however, blocked by Pokemon such as Lanturn and Rhydon. Air Slash is Rotom-S's only Flying-type STAB move, coming with decent Base Power and a nice flinch chance, and it targets Grass-types that resist Volt Switch. Will-O-Wisp cripples checks to Rotom-S such as Rhydon and Lanturn while helping against other Pokemon such as Sawk and Klinklang. Thunderbolt is an alternative for a more powerful Electric-type STAB move that doesn't force Rotom-S to switch out. Trick lets Rotom-S cripple defensive switch-ins, giving Rotom-S a better matchup against slower teams once it Tricks away its Choice Scarf.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs allow Rotom-S to outspeed as many Pokemon as possible, and maximum Special Attack EVs allow Rotom-S to hit as hard as possible. The choice between a Modest and Timid nature depends on the team's needs; because Rotom-S is often used to check Fighting-types, it often has its Choice Scarf removed due to Knock Off as well as using Trick quite frequently, so it's generally the better option to maintain its Speed tier; however, Modest is an alternative to make up for this set's lacking power. Choice Scarf boosts Rotom-S's Speed, allowing it to revenge kill normally faster Pokemon such as Floatzel, Archeops, Scyther, and Tauros.
Usage Tips
========
Generally, it's best to use Volt Switch throughout the match to maintain offensive momentum, but you must be mindful of using the move when Lanturn or Rhydon is on the opposing team, as both stop Rotom-S cold, with the former gaining HP back with Volt Absorb and the latter threatening Rotom-S with Stone Edge or getting a free opportunity to set up. To respond to Pokemon immune to Volt Switch, use Will-O-Wisp to cripple and wear them down. Against Lanturn, Rotom-S is better off Tricking its Choice Scarf, as Lanturn can heal off burns with Heal Bell. Additionally, Will-O-Wisp can be used to cripple Sucker Punch users such as Pawniard, Mawile, and Shiftry. Though at some points it may be tempting to use Trick to cripple defensive Pokemon, try to keep Rotom-S's Choice Scarf if it's crucial for it to outspeed a fast threat such as Floatzel or Archeops. Though this set acts primarily as a revenge killer, Rotom-S can use its unique set of resistances to switch into Pokemon such as Scyther, Archeops, and Sawk. Do be careful when switching in on Archeops and Sawk, as both can swiftly take down Rotom-S by catching it on the switch with Stone Edge.
Team Options
========
Grass-types are the best partners, as they eliminate problematic Pokemon such as Lanturn and Rhydon while Rotom-S revenge kills Flying-types such as Archeops and Scyther. Lilligant is notable for its ability to use many of Rotom-S's answers as setup bait and can even temporarily shut down a Pokemon with Sleep Powder. Shiftry appreciates Rotom-S's ability to check Fighting-types and can provide Defog support, allowing Rotom-S to switch in with less repercussions. Torterra is a more defensive partner that checks Lanturn and Rhydon by virtue of its favorable type matchup while also providing support in the form of Stealth Rock; in return, Rotom-S is able to threaten answers to Torterra such as Scyther, Archeops, and Xatu. Fighting-types are also good partners, because they appreciate Flying-types being revenge killed. Sawk is notable, as it breaks down numerous Pokemon with ease, with some of the more notable ones being Rhydon and Regirock, allowing Rotom-S to clean late-game without too many issues. Hitmonchan is also a decent partner for similar reasons, with the key difference lying in its ability to provide Rapid Spin support. Freeze-Dry users such as Vanilluxe and Aurorus are good partners, as they break down Lanturn and Rhydon effortlessly while Rotom-S covers their Steel- and Fighting-type weaknesses. Magmortar is an interesting partner for its ability to switch in on Ice-types that trouble Rotom-S as well as lure in Lanturn and KO it with Earthquake, with Rotom-S revenge killing faster threats to Magmortar such as Archeops and Floatzel in return. Just note, however, that pairing either of these Pokemon with Rotom-S requires a reliable form of entry hazard control due to the shared Stealth Rock weakness.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rotom-S doesn't have too many other options because of its movepool being somewhat barren, but Signal Beam can be used to mainly hit Malamar; however, it has limited use outside of that. A defensive set with Pain Split and Will-O-Wisp has use in acting as a decently reliable check to a wide array of Pokemon such as Scyther, Lilligant, Vivillon, and Klinklang. Leftovers can be used on an offensive set for additional longevity. Choice Specs may sound appealing, but it's generally lacking, as Rotom-S doesn't have the coverage to break through defensive Pokemon very well and dislikes being locked into a move.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-immune Pokemon**: Lanturn is the biggest thorn in Rotom-S's side, as it stops Rotom-S from keeping up offensive momentum with Volt Switch while restoring a portion of its HP with Volt Absorb, takes a pittance from Air Slash, and can cure any burns with Heal Bell. However, Lanturn doesn't appreciate taking repeated hits from Hidden Power Grass or being Tricked a Choice Scarf. Rhydon is another Pokemon that troubles Rotom-S quite a bit, as it can easily take advantage of Rotom-S locked into Volt Switch or Air Slash by setting up Stealth Rock, using Rock Polish, or threatening it with Stone Edge. Though much less common, Electivire can gain a Speed boost from an Electric-type attack thanks to Motor Drive and threaten Rotom-S with Ice Punch. Claydol and Golurk are also decent checks, as both have enough natural bulk to withstand Air Slash and can retaliate with Ice Beam and Stone Edge, respectively; however, both get worn down very fast by burns, with the latter being heavily crippled due to having its Attack cut, and they don't appreciate taking Hidden Power Grass. Piloswine is also worth noting for its ability to pick off a weakened Rotom-S with Ice Shard.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Thanks to its excellent bulk, Audino can take repeated hits with impunity and restore lost HP with either Wish or Rest while curing any burns with Heal Bell. Mega Audino can respond by chipping away at Rotom-S with Dazzling Gleam or using it to set up Calm Mind freely. It's also worth noting that due to Mega Audino holding a Mega Stone, it cannot be crippled by Trick. Musharna checks Rotom-S in a similar manner, but it's heavily crippled when it's Tricked a Choice Scarf. Other Pokemon with naturally high special bulk such as Cryogonal, Aurorus, and Magmortar are decent answers, as they can easily take any attack and hit back with their respective STAB moves. Addtionally, Cryogonal is able to restore any lost HP with Recover.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon such as Jynx and Tauros are able to revenge kill non-Choice Scarf variants of Rotom-S with Ice Beam and Rock Climb with prior damage, respectively, though the latter dislikes being hit by Will-O-Wisp.
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