[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot (Electric)
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Pain Split / Defog
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 212 SpD / 44 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Rotom-W is a great defensive pivot for Electric teams thanks to its good bulk, Water typing, and Levitate, which combine to let it handle threats like Sand Rush Excadrill, Mamoswine, and Gliscor while threatening them with a powerful STAB Hydro Pump. Additionally, its Water typing means it can check Fire- and Water-types such as Blacephalon, Victini, and Urshifu-R that are otherwise difficult to deal with for Electric teams. Volt Switch can bring in offensive teammates like Tapu Koko, Regieleki, and Zeraora safely in a match. It also works very well in tandem with Hydro Pump, as Rotom-W can pressure numerous Ground-types and prevent them from blocking Volt Switch. Will-O-Wisp cripples physical attackers like Mega Gallade, Urshifu-S, and Garchomp, and it is especially effective against switch-ins like Tapu Bulu and Rillaboom. Pain Split is helpful if Rotom-W is weakened, healing off of high-HP foes such as Blissey. Alternatively, Defog may be used to let Rotom-W act as an entry hazard remover on teams should Zapdos lack Defog. Leftovers gives Rotom-W a form of recovery outside of Pain Split, making it weakened less easily. 44 Speed EVs are used in order to outspeed Jolly Azumarill, while 252 HP and 212 Special Defense EVs along with a Calm nature make Rotom-W more effective against special attackers such as Blacephalon, Greninja, and Choice Specs Pelipper.
All teammates benefit from Rotom-W's typing allowing it to notably check Ground-, Fire-, and Water-types such as Sand Rush Excadrill, Mamoswine, Blacephalon, and Urshifu-R, as Electric teams otherwise have limited defensive checks to these Pokemon. Zapdos forms an excellent defensive core with Rotom-W, as Zapdos can deal with Grass-types that give Rotom-W trouble such as Tapu Bulu, Rillaboom, and Ferrothorn. Additionally, Zapdos can take on Mold Breaker Excadrill, which is very problematic for Rotom-W and the rest of Electric teams. Choice Specs Zapdos can also be used to break through additional Grass-types like Mega Venusaur and Cradily with a powerful STAB Hurricane. Tapu Koko and Play Rough Zeraora can deal with numerous Dragon-types that Rotom-W heavily struggles against such as Kommo-o, Mega Latias, and Hydreigon. Additionally, Tapu Koko can pressure troublesome Ground-types for Rotom-W like Gastrodon, Seismitoad, and Swampert with Grass Knot. Zeraora pressures specially defensive walls such as Blissey and Galarian Slowking for Rotom-W. Alolan Raichu can take on threats like Mega Venusaur due to its Psychic typing while utilizing Grass Knot in order to defeat Ground-types that give Rotom-W trouble, such as Gastrodon, Seismitoad, and Swampert. Regieleki appreciates Rotom-W's ability to eliminate most Ground-types with Hydro Pump, giving it a great opportunity to break through the opposing team with its powerful Electric-type moves. Alolan Golem and Magnezone can trap and eliminate Steel-types such as Mold Breaker Excadrill and Ferrothorn, with both often being immune to Excadrill's Earthquake due to Air Balloon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Electric
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Toxic can be used over Will-O-Wisp to cripple Rotom-W's checks such as Gastrodon, Seismitoad, and Kommo-o, putting them on a timer during a match. However, this restricts Rotom-W's ability to cripple physical attackers like Tapu Bulu and Rillaboom. Rotom-W can run a physically defensive set if Choice Specs Zapdos is used in order to live an Earthquake from Mold Breaker Excadrill at full health and KO it with Hydro Pump.
Checks and Counters
===================
Electric
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**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Rillaboom, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Venusaur can pose huge threats to Rotom-W, as they resist both of its STAB moves and threaten it back with their STAB moves. However, physical Grass-types don't appreciate being burned by Will-O-Wisp on the switch.
**Dragon-types**: Dragon-types such as Mega Altaria, Kommo-o, and Hydreigon can easily threaten Rotom-W, as they also resist both of its STAB moves and can set up on it with ease. Mega Altaria can also circumvent status moves like Will-O-Wisp due to Refresh, which allows it to easily set up with Dragon Dance.
**Specially Defensive Walls**: Specially defensive walls such as Blissey, Celebi, and Alolan Muk can tank numerous hits from Rotom-W and threaten it with their moves, forcing it out as a result.
**Stallbreakers**: Stallbreakers such as Bulk Up Zarude and Kommo-o are large threats to Rotom-W, as they can take both of its STAB moves with ease and freely set up on it without worrying about status moves due to Taunt.
**Residual Damage**: Residual damage such as burn, Toxic, and Stealth Rock can take advantage of Rotom-W's lack of reliable recovery, which negatively impacts its longevity during a match. Burn notably cancels out Rotom-W's Leftovers recovery.
**Mold Breaker Excadrill**: Excadrill's access to Mold Breaker lets it ignore Levitate and completely break through Rotom-W with Earthquake. However, it's unable to come in on a Hydro Pump or Will-O-Wisp. However, physically defensive variants of Rotom-W can live an Earthquake from Excadrill at full health and KO it with Hydro Pump.
**Gastrodon and Seismitoad**: Gastrodon and Seismitoad can easily switch in on Rotom-W's Hydro Pump due to their access to Storm Drain and Water Absorb, respectively, while blocking its Volt Switch due to their Ground typing. Gastrodon can then cripple Rotom-W with Toxic, while Seismitoad can weaken Rotom-W with Grass Knot. However, both are put on a timer by Toxic if Rotom-W is running it, which limits their ability to switch in freely.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rotten, 491896]]
- Electric analysis by: [[Rotten, 491896]]
- Quality checked by: [[maroon, 305839], [Maple, 473171]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
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