Gen 5 Rotom-W (Revamp) [Done]

[Caetano93]

[OVERVIEW]
Having an awesome defensive type combination alongside a fantastic ability, Rotom-W is one of the best defensive pivots in the BW OU metagame and the foundation of the classic VoltTurn strategy. With solid base 107 in both defenses, an okay base Speed, and a great support movepool with Volt Switch, Will-O-Wisp, and Thunder Wave, Rotom-W is the primary choice for most sand structures to check powerful Ground-types like Excadrill, Landorus-T, and Mamoswine. It does this while maintaining the utility of taking strong Water-type hits from foes like Keldeo and Starmie. Rotom-W also benefits from sand building pressure on special walls, helping it keep up the team's offensive momentum. It does have a low base HP and a very shallow offensive movepool, but Rotom-W still is one of the most solid options for any sand team and a great choice even outside of sand.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Pain Split
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 20 Def / 240 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch is the most important move, since it lets Rotom-W keep the offensive momentum while checking Water-types and Ground-types, as the latter will not stay in due to fearing a stray Hydro Pump or burn. Will-O-Wisp lets Rotom-W spread burn to severely cripple Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Excadrill, Garchomp, and Tyranitar. It also helps defeat specially defensive Pokemon like Amoonguss, Latios, and opposing Rotom-W, as the extra damage puts those Pokemon in KO range faster, especially alongside sand damage. Pain Split is the best healing option Rotom-W has and works well with its low base HP, but it's a bit unreliable in the later stages of the match. Because of this, using Hidden Power Ice over Pain Split is an option to help Rotom-W's troubles with Dragon-types, Poison Heal Breloom, and specially defensive Gliscor.

Set Details
========
20 Defense EVs let Rotom-W always survive two Secret Swords from Choice Scarf Keldeo without Stealth Rock. An alternative spread of 248 HP / 100 Def / 160 SpD is also possible to take less damage from U-turn spam while still not being 2HKOed by Alakazam's Psychic after Stealth Rock and sand damage, but this weakens Rotom-W's function as a check to rain threats. Rotom-W can run reduced Speed IVs to bring in teammates more safely with a slower Volt Switch, but at least 14 IVs are recommended to outspeed standard specially defensive Heatran.

Usage Tips
========
Use Rotom-W early-game to spread burn as soon as possible. Its STAB moves alongside Will-O-Wisp scare away a good portion of the metagame's threats; use this knowledge with Volt Switch to keep the offensive momentum, either by bringing an entry hazard stacker like Ferrothorn or a hard-hitting Pokemon like Landorus-T. Landorus-T can further keep the pressure with U-turn, forming a VoltTurn core. Do not fear bringing Rotom-W in front of a strong special attacker like Keldeo or Alakazam, since you can recover its HP with Pain Split; this is most effective early-game because most of the opposing Pokemon will be at full health. Beware of opposing Will-O-Wisp, Toxic, and Scald burns, since poisoning or burning Rotom-W, alongside sand damage, is the easiest way of putting it into KO range.

Team Options
========
Tyranitar is the primary partner, since it sets sand and can Pursuit trap Pokemon that give Rotom-W trouble like Latios and Amoonguss. Landorus-T and Gliscor are amazing options, as both can help Rotom-W with Stealth Rock and Knock Off support, checking Mold Breaker Excadrill and Poison Heal Breloom, and forming a VoltTurn core with U-turn. Ferrothorn provides Spikes and Knock Off support alongside a Dragon-type check if used with Gyro Ball or another rain check if used with Power Whip. Powerful offensive Pokemon like Latios, Alakazam, Reuniclus, Excadrill, Garchomp, and Terrakion love the slow Volt Switch Rotom-W provides to enter the field safely. Other U-turn users, like Jirachi, Scizor, and Mienshao, or Baton Pass users, like Celebi, are also valid team choices.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Trick
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 32 HP / 252 SpA / 224 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch allows Rotom-W to deal good damage while avoiding opposing attacks and sand damage, which is useful because Rotom-W's low HP makes it a bit frail. Hydro Pump is mandatory, since it's Rotom-W's best attacking move and defeats foes that are immune to Volt Switch like Excadrill and Mamoswine. Hidden Power Ice checks Pokemon that normally love to use Rotom-W as setup fodder, like Dragonite and Garchomp, while dealing good damage to Pokemon that resist both of Rotom-W's STAB moves, like Latios, Breloom, Hydreigon, and Amoonguss. Trick is Rotom-W's best option to stop setup sweepers like Reuniclus or cripple Pokemon it can't naturally defeat, like Ferrothorn, Celebi, and Gastrodon. Thunderbolt deserves a mention to possibly replace Trick or Hidden Power Ice, since having a Electric-type STAB move besides Volt Switch is useful in some matchups.

Set Details
========
With a Timid nature, 224 Speed EVs let Rotom-W outspeed standard bulky Choice Scarf Landorus-T and creep Adamant Kyurem-B after it gives up its Choice Scarf with Trick.

Usage Tips
========
Try to avoid getting Rotom-W damaged by Stealth Rock or sand, since this would reveal its lack of Leftovers and you want to bluff a more defensive set to have maximum effectiveness with a Choice Scarf. This is particularly important early-game, as this is where you can grab a surprise KO against a Pokemon like Garchomp and Landorus-T or cripple a Pokemon like Ferrothorn or Gastrodon with Trick. However, if Rotom-W is your team's only failsafe for fast threats, then be careful when using Trick, since this can leave you very weak to setup Pokemon like Dragonite and Reuniclus or fast, hard-hitting Pokemon like Keldeo and Latios.

Team Options
========
This Rotom-W set hates the chip damage sand provides, so it's best used in a weatherless or rain structure. Politoed is a powerful partner, since it tanks strong Water-type attacks and can summon rain to boost Rotom-W's deadly Hydro Pump. Partners that can capitalize on the offensive momentum Rotom-W generates like Breloom, Landorus-T, Latios, Kyurem-B, and Scizor are very good options. Keep in mind that you must have ways to deal with strong special attackers like Latios, Alakazam, and Thundurus-T, so Pokemon like Jirachi and Celebi are also good partners.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hidden Power Ice can be used over Hydro Pump on the defensive set to give Rotom-W BoltBeam coverage, have a more accurate move that can't be PP stalled via Substitute, and still have a form of healing in Pain Split, but this makes Rotom-W weak to Heatran and Mamoswine, two Pokemon that it is normally used to counter. Hidden Power Flying can be used over Pain Split to instantly defeat Poison Heal Breloom and deal decent damage to Amoonguss and Celebi, but it doesn't have any targets outside of this. In a same vein, Hidden Power Fire can be used to heavily damage Ferrothorn, but this needs very good prediction and you lose a valuable moveslot for it. Signal Beam can be used on a non-Choice item set to demolish Celebi and deal heavy damage to Latios and Reuniclus while not risking a miss from Hydro Pump, but it doesn't have targets outside of this. Rest alongside a Chesto Berry is the only other form of healing Rotom-W has, but the loss of Leftovers makes it struggle in sand. Thunder Wave paralysis is another status Rotom-W can spread to help its teammates, but Will-O-Wisp is almost always the better option. A physically defensive Rotom-W set can also be used to better handle Landorus-T's U-turn, Garchomp's Outrage, and Keldeo's Secret Sword, but the Special Defense loss greatly hurts its utility function. A Choice Specs set in rain can be utilized to have an insanely strong Hydro Pump and perfectly accurate Thunder, but other Pokemon can do this better.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-types**: Breloom with Poison Heal active can use Rotom-W as a setup fodder for Bulk Up, Swords Dance, or Substitute, since the only move it fears is the rare Hidden Power Flying. Amoonguss can enter in front of Rotom-W anytime and scare it off with Giga Drain, but Amoonguss alone is unable to stop a VoltTurn chain. Celebi doesn't care about anything Rotom-W can do because of Natural Cure, and it can steal the momentum with Leaf Storm, Nasty Plot, or Baton Pass. Ferrothorn can use Rotom-W to stack Spikes, since there is nothing Rotom-W can do to it except a Will-O-Wisp burn, and Rotom-W fears Power Whip in retaliation or having its item removed with Knock Off.

**Dragon-types**: Kyurem-B outspeeds defensive Rotom-W and threatens an immediate KO with Outrage. Latios and Hydreigon can come in on any Rotom-W set and immediately fire off Draco Meteor to heavily damage it, but Latios must watch out for a Volt Switch into a Tyranitar that Pursuit traps it. Latias can use any Rotom-W set to set up Substitute and Calm Mind or help its teammates with Tailwind or Healing Wish. Dragonite can use Rotom-W to set up Dragon Dance, either by hiding behind a Substitute or having a Lum Berry.

**Gastrodon and Seismitoad**: Gastrodon is immune to both of Rotom-W's STAB moves and can heal off burn damage with Recover while poisoning or burning it with Toxic or Scald. Seismitoad can do the same thing; it's also immune to both STAB moves, shrugs off a Will-O-Wisp burn with Refresh, and threatens Rotom-W with Knock Off, Toxic, or a Scald burn.

**Substitute**: Electric-immune Pokemon like Gliscor, Mamoswine, Garchomp, Landorus-T, Excadrill, and Thundurus-T can use Substitute to outstall Hydro Pump's PP, especially if they are carrying Leftovers or running Protect, or fish for a miss with Hydro Pump's shaky accuracy. Pokemon with high Special Defense, like Heatran and Terrakion in sand, can set up Substitute that isn't broken by Volt Switch and then outstall Hydro Pump's PP or fish for a miss. Dragon-types like Dragonite, Kyurem-B, and Kyurem can set up Substitute versus any standard Rotom-W variant and immediately threaten it or its teammates.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Caetano93, 394051]]
- Quality checked by: [[Finchinator, 114198], [We Three Kings, 246992]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [Estronic, 240732]]

 

[Caetano93]

This is ready for qc.

 

[Finchinator]

All of this analysis is fantastic and you do a superb job capturing to importance of Rotom-Wash in the BW OU metagame as well as how it functions. This is one of the better analysis I have seen from a knowledge POV in a while, so great job with the write-up.

With regard to the OO, I would throw in a mention of Signal Beam on a non-choiced offensive set as it has popped up a number of times over the years. It demolishes Celebi while also dealing a 2HKO to the Latis and Reuniclus/Alakazam without risking Hydro Pump twice on offensive variants. It is absolutely fringe, but it is viable and has been used in serious capacities before.

I think you can combine Seismitoad and Gastrodon in the C&C, but otherwise that looks great.

You can probably mention Thunderbolt as a potential move option over Trick or Hidden Power Ice on Choice Scarf Rotom-Wash. HP Ice and Trick are the best moves more often than not, but having a non-Volt Switch Electric move can have merit, especially due to the extra power and accuracy being 100%. It can just be a sentence tacked on to the middle or end. Rest of Choice Scarf is great.

Everything with the important, first set is perfect!

1/2 Caetano93

 

[Caetano93]

We Three Kings QC this in the C&C Discord server.

 

[Adeleine]

Add/Fix Remove Comment
(AC)/(RC): Add/Remove Comma

Hide

[OVERVIEW]
Having an awesome defensive type combination alongside a fantastic ability, Rotom-W is one of the bests defensive pivots of the BW metagame and the central core foundation of the classic VoltTurn strategy. With solid base 107 in both defenses, an okay base Speed, and a great support movepool in the form of with Volt Switch, Will-O-Wisp, and Thunder Wave, Rotom-W is the primary choice in most sand structures to check powerful Ground-type Pokemon (RC) like Excadrill, Landorus-T, and Mamoswine. (comma -> period) It does this while mantaining the utility of taking strong Water-type hits from foes like Keldeo and Starmie. Its flaws are in the form of It does have a low base HP and a very shallow offensive movepool, but Rotom-W still is one of the most solid options for any sand team.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Pain Split
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 20 Def / 240 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch is the most important move, (AC) since this let it lets Rotom-W keep the offensive momentum while checking Water-types and Ground-types, as the last latter will not stay in due to fearing a stray Hydro Pump or a burn. Will-O-Wisp lets Rotom-W spread burn status, destroying to severely cripple Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Excadrill, Garchomp, and Tyranitar. It also help defeating helps defeat specially defensive Pokemon (RC) like Amoonguss, Latios, and opposing Rotom-W, as the extra damage puts those Pokemon in KO range faster. Pain Split is the best healing option Rotom-W have and it work has and works well with its low base HP, but it's (added apostrophe) a bit unreliable in the later stages of the match. Because of this, using a Hidden Power Ice over Pain Split is an option to answer some of its trouble help Rotom-W's troubles with Dragon-types, Poison Heal Breloom, or and specially defensive Gliscor MUs. Another option (RC) in for this set (RC) is reducing the Speed IV value (RC) (what should Speed IV be reduced to?) to ensure that Rotom-W uses Volt Switch after your oponent foe's attack (RC) to bring your teammates (removed space in "team mates") safely to the field.

Set Details
========
With a Calm nature, 240 Special Defense EVs gives Rotom-W a jump point while 20 Defense EVs let it Rotom-W always survive two Secret Swords from Choice Scarf Keldeo all the time if there is no Stealth Rock on the field. without Stealth Rock. An alternative spread of 100 Defense and 160 Special Defense 248 HP / 100 Def / 160 Def is also possible to take less damage from U-turn spam while still not being 2HKOed by Alakazam's Psychic after Stealth Rock and sand damage, but this weak the function of a rain treat check. weakens Rotom-W's function as a check to rain threats.

Usage Tips
========
Use Rotom-W in the early-game to spread burn status as soon as possible. Its STAB moves alongside Will-O-Wisp scares away a good portion of the metagame treats. Use metagame's threats; use this knowledge with Volt Switch to keep the offensive momentum, either by bringing a hazard stack Pokemon an entry hazard stacker (RC) like Ferrothorn (RC) or by bringing a hard-hitting Pokemon (RC) like Landorus-T. (comma -> period) to Landorus-T can further keep the pressure with U-turn, forming the VoltTurn strategy. Do not fear bringing Rotom-W in front of a strong special attacker, like Keldeo or Alakazam, since you can recover your its HP with Pain Split; this being the most effective in the is most effective early-game because most of the opposing Pokemons will be at full health. Beware of opposing Will-O-Wisp, Toxic, and Scald burns, since letting Rotom-W get a poison or a burn, poisoning or burning Rotom-W, alongside sand damage, is the easiest way of putting it into KO range.

Team Options
========
Tyranitar is the primary partner, (AC) since it enable eternal sets sand and can Pursuit trap Pokemon that gives Rotom-W trouble (RC) like Latios and Amoonguss. (explain how sand benefits Rotom-W) Landorus-T and Gliscor are an amazing options, (AC) as both can help Rotom-W with Stealth Rock and Knock Off support, checking Mold Breaker Excadrill and Poison Heal Breloom, and can forming a VoltTurn core with U-turn. Ferrothorn provides Spikes and Knock Off suppport alongside a Dragon-type check if used with Gyro Ball or another rain check if used with Power Whip. Powerful offensive Pokemon (RC) like Latios, Alakazam, Reuniclus, Excadrill, Garchomp, and Terrakion (RC) loves the slow Volt Switch Rotom-W provides to enter the field safely in the field. Other U-turn users, like Jirachi, Scizor, and Mienshao, or Baton Pass users, like Celebi, are also valid team choices.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Trick
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 32 HP / 252 SpA / 224 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch is the best Electric-type move as it permit allows Rotom-W to deal good damage while avoiding opposing attacks and sand damage, since the low HP make Rotom-W which is useful because Rotom-W's low HP makes it a bit frail. Hydro Pump is mandatory, (AC) since it's (added apostrophe) Rotom-W best attacking move and defeats foes that are immune to Volt Switch like Excadrill and Mamoswine. Hidden Power Ice checks Pokemon that normally loves to use Rotom-W as a setup fodder, (AC) like Dragonite and Garchomp, while dealing good damage to Pokemon that resist both of Rotom-W's STAB moves, like Latios, Breloom, Hydreigon, and Amoonguss. Trick is Rotom-W's best option to stop setup sweepers (RC) like Reuniclus (RC) or to cripple Pokemon it can't naturally defeat, like Ferrothorn, Celebi, and Gastrodon. Thunderbolt deserves a honorable mention over to possibly replace Trick or Hidden Power Ice, since having a non-switching Electric-type STAB move is useful in some MUs matchups.

Set Details
========
With a Timid nature, 224 Speed EVs let Rotom-W outspeed standard bulky Choice Scarf Landorus-T and gives enought speed enough Speed to creep Adamant Kyurem-B after tricking the Rotom-W gives up its Choice Scarf with Trick.

Usage Tips
========
Try to avoid getting Rotom-W damaged with by Stealth Rock or sand damage, since this would reveal its lack of Leftovers and you want to bluff a more defensive set to have maximum effectiveness using with a Choice Scarf. This is particularly important in the early-game, as this is where you can grab a surprise KO in against a Pokemon like Garchomp and Landorus-T (RC) or to Trick the Choice Scarf to cripple a Ferrothorn or a Gastrodon with Trick. However, if Rotom-W is the only speed control your team have your team's only failsafe for fast threats, then be careful when clicking Trick, since this can let leave you very weak to setup Pokemon (RC) like Dragonite and Reuniclus (RC) or to fast, (AC) hard-hitting Pokemon (RC) like Keldeo and Latios.

Team Options
========
This Rotom-W set hates the chip damage sand provides, (AC) so it's (added apostrophe) best used in a weatherless or rain structure. Politoed is a powerful partner, (AC) since it tanks strong Water-type attacks and can summon rain to boost Rotom-W's deadly Hydro Pump. Partners that can captalize in on the offensive momentum Rotom-W generates are amazing, so Pokemon like Breloom, Landorus-T, Latios, Kyurem-B, and Scizor are very good options. Have Keep in mind that you must have ways to deal with strong special attackers (RC) like Latios, Alakazam, and Thundurus-T, so Pokemon like Jirachi and Celebi are also good partners.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hidden Power Ice can be used over Hydro Pump on the defensive set to form a BoltBeam combo, have a more accuracy consistent accurate move that can't be PP stalled via Substitute, and still have a form of healing in Pain Split, but this makes you weak to Heatran and Mamoswine, two Pokemon that Rotom-W is normally used to counter. Hidden Power Flying can be used over Pain Split to instantly defeat Poison Heal Breloom and to deal decent damage to Amoonguss and Celebi, but don't it doesn't have any targets outside of this. With the same idea, In the same vein, Hidden Power Fire can be used to heavily damage Ferrothorn, but this need a needs very good prediction and you lose a valuable moveslot for it. Signal Beam can be used in a non-Choice item set to demolish Celebi and deal heavy damage to Latios and Reuniclus (RC) while not risking a miss from Hydro Pump, but don't it doesn't have targets outside of this. Rest alongside a Chesto Berry is the only other form of healing Rotom-W has, but the loss of Leftovers makes it struggle in the sand weather. Thunder Wave paralysis is another status Rotom-W can spread to help its teammates, (removed space in "team mates") but almost all the times Will-O-Wisp is almost always the better option. A physically defensive Rotom-W set can also be used to better handle Landorus-T's U-turn, Garchomp's Outrage, or and Keldeo's Secret Sword, but the special defense loss hurt a lot it Special Defense loss greatly hurts its utility function. A Choice Specs set in rain can be utilized to have an insanely strong Hydro Pump and perfect accuracy Thunder, but this function is better utilized by other Pokemon. other Pokemon can do this better.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-types**: Breloom (RC) with Poison Heal active (RC) can use Rotom-W as a setup fodder for Bulk Up, Swords Dance, or Substitute, since the only move it fears is the rare Hidden Power Flying. Amoonguss can enter in front of Rotom-W anytime and scare it off with Giga Drain, but Amoonguss alone is unable to stop a VoltTurn chain. Celebi don't doesn't care about anything Rotom-W can do (RC) because of Natural Cure, and it can steal the momentum with Leaf Storm, Nasty Plot, or Baton Pass. Ferrothorn can use Rotom-W to Spikes stack Spikes, (AC) since there is nothing Rotom-W can do to it (RC) except a Will-O-Wisp burn, and Rotom-W fears a Power Whip in retaliation or having its item removed with Knock Off.

**Dragon-types**: Kyurem-B outspeeds defensive Rotom-W and treaten an imediate threatens and immediate KO with Outrage. Latios and Hydreigon can come in on any Rotom-W set and imediatly immediately fire off a Draco Meteor (RC) to heavy heavily damage it, but Latios must watch out for a Volt Switch into a Tyranitar that Pursuit traps it. Latias can use any Rotom-W to setup set to set up Substitute and Calm Mind (RC) or to help its teammates (removed space in "team mates") with Tailwind or Healing Wish. Dragonite can use Rotom-W to set up (added space in "setup") Dragon Dance, either by hiding behind a Substitute or by having a Lum Berry.

**Gastrodon and Seismitoad**: Gastrodon is immune to both of Rotom-W's STAB moves and can heal off burn damage with Recover (RC) while poisoning or burning it with Toxic or Scald. Seismitoad can do the same thing; it's (added apostrohpe) also immune to both STAB moves, shrugs off a Will-O-Wisp burn with Refresh, and threatens Rotom-W with a Knock Off, Toxic, or a Scald burn.

**Substitute**: Electric-immune Pokemon (RC) like Gliscor, Mamoswine, Garchomp, Landorus-T, Excadrill, or and Thundurus-T (RC) can use Substitute to outstall Hydro Pump's PP, especially if they are carring a carrying Leftovers or running Protect, or by fishing a miss with the shaky Hydro Pump fish for a miss with Hydro Pump's shaky accuracy. (added period) Pokemon with high Special Defense, like Heatran (RC) or and Terrakion in sand, can set up (added space in "setup") a Substitute that isn't breaked broken by Volt Switch and then outstall Hydro Pump's PP (RC) or fish for a miss. Dragon-types (RC) like Dragonite, Kyurem-B, and Kyurem (RC) can set up (added space in "setup") a Substitute versus any Rotom-W standart standard Rotom-W variant and imediatly treaten Rotom-W or its team mates. immediately threaten it or its teammates.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Caetano93, 394051]]
- Quality checked by: [[Finchinator, 114198], (removed extra bracket before WTK) [We Three Kings, 246992]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [, ]]

I asked two questions and there's a good amount of small stuff, so I'm going to double-check and stamp after you implement.

 

[Caetano93]

I asked two questions and there's a good amount of small stuff, so I'm going to double-check and stamp after you implement.

Ty a lot for the fast reply. To the questions:
1) What should Speed IV be reduced to?
The normal in tours is to use 14 Speed IVs as they make you slower while still outspeeding standart spdef Heatran. If not using Hydro Pump, even slower IVs are possible.

2) Explain how sand benefits Rotom-W.
The sand chip negating Leftovers, alongside a WoW burn, make special walls like Amoonguss, Lati@s, and Celebi becomes more eadily to be exploited, since they can't stay in much time with no healing. With this, you grab back the offensive momentum.

 

[Adeleine]

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(AC)/(RC): Add/Remove Comma

Hide

[OVERVIEW]
Having an awesome defensive type combination alongside a fantastic ability, Rotom-W is one of the best defensive pivots of the BW metagame and the foundation of the classic VoltTurn strategy. With solid base 107 in both defenses, an okay base Speed, and a great support movepool with Volt Switch, Will-O-Wisp, and Thunder Wave, Rotom-W is the primary choice in most sand structures to check powerful Ground-type Pokemon like Excadrill, Landorus-T, and Mamoswine. It does this while mantaining the utility of taking strong Water-type hits from foes like Keldeo and Starmie. Rotom-W also benefits from sand building pressure on special walls, helping it keep up the team's offensive momentum. It does have a low base HP and a very shallow offensive movepool, but Rotom-W still is one of the most solid options for any sand team and a great choice even outside of sand.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Pain Split
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 20 Def / 240 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch is the most important move, since it lets Rotom-W keep the offensive momentum while checking Water-types and Ground-types, as the latter will not stay in due to fearing a stray Hydro Pump or burn. Will-O-Wisp lets Rotom-W spread burn to severely cripple Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Excadrill, Garchomp, and Tyranitar. It also helps defeat specially defensive Pokemon like Amoonguss, Latios, and opposing Rotom-W, as the extra damage puts those Pokemon in KO range faster, (AC) especially alongside sand damage. Pain Split is the best healing option Rotom-W has and works well with its low base HP, but it's a bit unreliable in the later stages of the match. Because of this, using Hidden Power Ice over Pain Split is an option to help Rotom-W's troubles with Dragon-types, Poison Heal Breloom, and specially defensive Gliscor. Another option for this set is reducing the Speed IV value to ensure that Rotom-W uses Volt Switch after your foe's attack to bring your teammates safely to the field.

Set Details
========
20 Defense EVs let Rotom-W always survive two Secret Swords from Choice Scarf Keldeo without Stealth Rock. An alternative spread of 248 HP / 100 Def / 160 Def is also possible to take less damage from U-turn spam while still not being 2HKOed by Alakazam's Psychic after Stealth Rock and sand damage, but this weakens Rotom-W's function as a check to rain threats. Rotom-W can run reduced Speed IVs to bring in teammates more safely with slower Volt Switches, but at least 19 IVs are recommended to outspeed standard specially defensive Heatran. (I imagine people willing to run the more niche set and drop Hydro Pump will realize outspeeding Heatran is less important if they don't have Hydro Pump, so I didn't see it as necessary to mention you could go lower.)

Usage Tips
========
Use Rotom-W early-game to spread burn as soon as possible. Its STAB moves alongside Will-O-Wisp scare away a good portion of the metagame's threats; use this knowledge with Volt Switch to keep the offensive momentum, either by bringing an entry hazard stacker like Ferrothorn or a hard-hitting Pokemon like Landorus-T. Landorus-T can further keep the pressure with U-turn, forming the VoltTurn strategy. a VoltTurn core. Do not fear bringing Rotom-W in front of a strong special attacker (RC) like Keldeo or Alakazam, since you can recover its HP with Pain Split; this is most effective early-game because most of the opposing Pokemon will be at full health. Beware of opposing Will-O-Wisp, Toxic, and Scald burns, since poisoning or burning Rotom-W, alongside sand damage, is the easiest way of putting it into KO range.

Team Options
========
Tyranitar is the primary partner, since it sets sand and can Pursuit trap Pokemon that give Rotom-W trouble like Latios and Amoonguss. Landorus-T and Gliscor are amazing options, as both can help Rotom-W with Stealth Rock and Knock Off support, checking Mold Breaker Excadrill and Poison Heal Breloom, and forming a VoltTurn core with U-turn. Ferrothorn provides Spikes and Knock Off suppport alongside a Dragon-type check if used with Gyro Ball or another rain check if used with Power Whip. Powerful offensive Pokemon like Latios, Alakazam, Reuniclus, Excadrill, Garchomp, and Terrakion love the slow Volt Switch Rotom-W provides to enter the field safely. Other U-turn users, like Jirachi, Scizor, and Mienshao, or Baton Pass users, like Celebi, are also valid team choices.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Trick
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 32 HP / 252 SpA / 224 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch allows Rotom-W to deal good damage while avoiding opposing attacks and sand damage, which is useful because Rotom-W's low HP makes it a bit frail. Hydro Pump is mandatory, since it's Rotom-W best attacking move and defeats foes that are immune to Volt Switch like Excadrill and Mamoswine. Hidden Power Ice checks Pokemon that normally love to use Rotom-W as a setup fodder, like Dragonite and Garchomp, while dealing good damage to Pokemon that resist both of Rotom-W's STAB moves, like Latios, Breloom, Hydreigon, and Amoonguss. Trick is Rotom-W's best option to stop setup sweepers like Reuniclus or cripple Pokemon it can't naturally defeat, like Ferrothorn, Celebi, and Gastrodon. Thunderbolt deserves a mention to possibly replace Trick or Hidden Power Ice, since having a non-switching Electric-type STAB move is useful in some matchups.

Set Details
========
With a Timid nature, 224 Speed EVs let Rotom-W outspeed standard bulky Choice Scarf Landorus-T and gives enough Speed to creep Adamant Kyurem-B after Rotom-W it gives up its Choice Scarf with Trick.

Usage Tips
========
Try to avoid getting Rotom-W damaged by Stealth Rock or sand, since this would reveal its lack of Leftovers and you want to bluff a more defensive set to have maximum effectiveness with a Choice Scarf. This is particularly important early-game, as this is where you can grab a surprise KO against a Pokemon like Garchomp and Landorus-T or cripple a Ferrothorn or Gastrodon with Trick. However, if Rotom-W is your team's only failsafe for fast threats, then be careful when clicking Trick, since this can leave you very weak to setup Pokemon like Dragonite and Reuniclus or fast, hard-hitting Pokemon like Keldeo and Latios.

Team Options
========
This Rotom-W set hates the chip damage sand provides, so it's best used in a weatherless or rain structure. Politoed is a powerful partner, since it tanks strong Water-type attacks and can summon rain to boost Rotom-W's deadly Hydro Pump. Partners that can captalize on the offensive momentum Rotom-W generates like Breloom, Landorus-T, Latios, Kyurem-B, and Scizor are very good options. Keep in mind that you must have ways to deal with strong special attackers like Latios, Alakazam, and Thundurus-T, so Pokemon like Jirachi and Celebi are also good partners.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hidden Power Ice can be used over Hydro Pump on the defensive set to form a BoltBeam combo, have a more accurate move that can't be PP stalled via Substitute, and still have a form of healing in Pain Split, but this makes you Rotom-W weak to Heatran and Mamoswine, two Pokemon that Rotom-W it is normally used to counter. Hidden Power Flying can be used over Pain Split to instantly defeat Poison Heal Breloom and deal decent damage to Amoonguss and Celebi, but it doesn't have any targets outside of this. In the same vein, Hidden Power Fire can be used to heavily damage Ferrothorn, but this needs very good prediction and you lose a valuable moveslot for it. Signal Beam can be used in a non-Choice item set to demolish Celebi and deal heavy damage to Latios and Reuniclus while not risking a miss from Hydro Pump, but it doesn't have targets outside of this. Rest alongside a Chesto Berry is the only other form of healing Rotom-W has, but the loss of Leftovers makes it struggle in sand. Thunder Wave paralysis is another status Rotom-W can spread to help its teammates, but Will-O-Wisp is almost always the better option. A physically defensive Rotom-W set can also be used to better handle Landorus-T's U-turn, Garchomp's Outrage, and Keldeo's Secret Sword, but the Special Defense loss greatly hurts its utility function. A Choice Specs set in rain can be utilized to have an insanely strong Hydro Pump and perfect accuracy Thunder, but other Pokemon can do this better.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-types**: Breloom with Poison Heal active can use Rotom-W as a setup fodder for Bulk Up, Swords Dance, or Substitute, since the only move it fears is the rare Hidden Power Flying. Amoonguss can enter in front of Rotom-W anytime and scare it off with Giga Drain, but Amoonguss alone is unable to stop a VoltTurn chain. Celebi doesn't care about anything Rotom-W can do because of Natural Cure, and it can steal the momentum with Leaf Storm, Nasty Plot, or Baton Pass. Ferrothorn can use Rotom-W to stack Spikes, since there is nothing Rotom-W can do to it except a Will-O-Wisp burn, and Rotom-W fears a Power Whip in retaliation or having its item removed with Knock Off.

**Dragon-types**: Kyurem-B outspeeds defensive Rotom-W and threatens and immediate KO with Outrage. Latios and Hydreigon can come in on any Rotom-W set and immediately fire off a Draco Meteor to heavily damage it, but Latios must watch out for a Volt Switch into a Tyranitar that Pursuit traps it. Latias can use any Rotom-W set to set up Substitute and Calm Mind or help its teammates with Tailwind or Healing Wish. Dragonite can use Rotom-W to set up Dragon Dance, either by hiding behind a Substitute or by having a Lum Berry.

**Gastrodon and Seismitoad**: Gastrodon is immune to both of Rotom-W's STAB moves and can heal off burn damage with Recover while poisoning or burning it with Toxic or Scald. Seismitoad can do the same thing; it's also immune to both STAB moves, shrugs off a Will-O-Wisp burn with Refresh, and threatens Rotom-W with Knock Off, Toxic, or a Scald burn.

**Substitute**: Electric-immune Pokemon like Gliscor, Mamoswine, Garchomp, Landorus-T, Excadrill, and Thundurus-T can use Substitute to outstall Hydro Pump's PP, especially if they are carrying Leftovers or running Protect, or fish for a miss with Hydro Pump's shaky accuracy. Pokemon with high Special Defense, like Heatran and Terrakion in sand, can set up a Substitute that isn't broken by Volt Switch and then outstall Hydro Pump's PP or fish for a miss. Dragon-types like Dragonite, Kyurem-B, and Kyurem can set up a Substitute versus any standard Rotom-W variant and immediately threaten it or its teammates.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Caetano93, 394051]]
- Quality checked by: [[Finchinator, 114198], [We Three Kings, 246992]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [, ]]

good work on implementing tricky check, i did not catch anything you missed

let me know if you want to change anything i added

1/2

 

[Caetano93]

Ready for gp 2

 

[Astra]

add remove (comments)

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[OVERVIEW]
Having an awesome defensive type combination alongside a fantastic ability, Rotom-W is one of the best defensive pivots of in the BW OU metagame and the foundation of the classic VoltTurn strategy. With solid base 107 in both defenses, an okay base Speed, and a great support movepool with Volt Switch, Will-O-Wisp, and Thunder Wave, Rotom-W is the primary choice in for most sand structures to check powerful Ground-types Pokemon like Excadrill, Landorus-T, and Mamoswine. It does this while mantaining maintaining the utility of taking strong Water-type hits from foes like Keldeo and Starmie. Rotom-W also benefits from sand building pressure on special walls, helping it keep up the team's offensive momentum. It does have a low base HP and a very shallow offensive movepool, but Rotom-W still is one of the most solid options for any sand team and a great choice even outside of sand.

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Pain Split
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 20 Def / 240 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch is the most important move, since it lets Rotom-W keep the offensive momentum while checking Water-types and Ground-types, as the latter will not stay in due to fearing a stray Hydro Pump or burn. Will-O-Wisp lets Rotom-W spread burn to severely cripple Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Excadrill, Garchomp, and Tyranitar. It also helps defeat specially defensive Pokemon like Amoonguss, Latios, and opposing Rotom-W, as the extra damage puts those Pokemon in KO range faster, especially alongside sand damage. Pain Split is the best healing option Rotom-W has and works well with its low base HP, but it's a bit unreliable in the later stages of the match. Because of this, using Hidden Power Ice over Pain Split is an option to help Rotom-W's troubles with Dragon-types, Poison Heal Breloom, and specially defensive Gliscor.

Set Details
========
20 Defense EVs let Rotom-W always survive two Secret Swords from Choice Scarf Keldeo without Stealth Rock. An alternative spread of 248 HP / 100 Def / 160 SpD is also possible to take less damage from U-turn spam while still not being 2HKOed by Alakazam's Psychic after Stealth Rock and sand damage, but this weakens Rotom-W's function as a check to rain threats. Rotom-W can run reduced Speed IVs to bring in teammates more safely with a slower Volt Switches, but at least 14 IVs are recommended to outspeed standard specially defensive Heatran.

Usage Tips
========
Use Rotom-W early-game to spread burn as soon as possible. Its STAB moves alongside Will-O-Wisp scare away a good portion of the metagame's threats; use this knowledge with Volt Switch to keep the offensive momentum, either by bringing an entry hazard stacker like Ferrothorn or a hard-hitting Pokemon like Landorus-T. Landorus-T can further keep the pressure with U-turn, forming a VoltTurn core. Do not fear bringing Rotom-W in front of a strong special attacker like Keldeo or Alakazam, since you can recover its HP with Pain Split; this is most effective early-game because most of the opposing Pokemon will be at full health. Beware of opposing Will-O-Wisp, Toxic, and Scald burns, since poisoning or burning Rotom-W, alongside sand damage, is the easiest way of putting it into KO range.

Team Options
========
Tyranitar is the primary partner, since it sets sand and can Pursuit trap Pokemon that give Rotom-W trouble like Latios and Amoonguss. Landorus-T and Gliscor are amazing options, as both can help Rotom-W with Stealth Rock and Knock Off support, checking Mold Breaker Excadrill and Poison Heal Breloom, and forming a VoltTurn core with U-turn. Ferrothorn provides Spikes and Knock Off suppport support alongside a Dragon-type check if used with Gyro Ball or another rain check if used with Power Whip. Powerful offensive Pokemon like Latios, Alakazam, Reuniclus, Excadrill, Garchomp, and Terrakion love the slow Volt Switch Rotom-W provides to enter the field safely. Other U-turn users, like Jirachi, Scizor, and Mienshao, or Baton Pass users, like Celebi, are also valid team choices.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Trick
move 4: Hidden Power Ice
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 32 HP / 252 SpA / 224 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch allows Rotom-W to deal good damage while avoiding opposing attacks and sand damage, which is useful because Rotom-W's low HP makes it a bit frail. Hydro Pump is mandatory, since it's Rotom-W's best attacking move and defeats foes that are immune to Volt Switch like Excadrill and Mamoswine. Hidden Power Ice checks Pokemon that normally love to use Rotom-W as setup fodder, like Dragonite and Garchomp, while dealing good damage to Pokemon that resist both of Rotom-W's STAB moves, like Latios, Breloom, Hydreigon, and Amoonguss. Trick is Rotom-W's best option to stop setup sweepers like Reuniclus or cripple Pokemon it can't naturally defeat, like Ferrothorn, Celebi, and Gastrodon. Thunderbolt deserves a mention to possibly replace Trick or Hidden Power Ice, since having a non-switching Electric-type STAB move besides Volt Switch is useful in some matchups.

Set Details
========
With a Timid nature, 224 Speed EVs let Rotom-W outspeed standard bulky Choice Scarf Landorus-T and creep Adamant Kyurem-B after it gives up its Choice Scarf with Trick.

Usage Tips
========
Try to avoid getting Rotom-W damaged by Stealth Rock or sand, since this would reveal its lack of Leftovers and you want to bluff a more defensive set to have maximum effectiveness with a Choice Scarf. This is particularly important early-game, as this is where you can grab a surprise KO against a Pokemon like Garchomp and Landorus-T or cripple a Pokemon like Ferrothorn or Gastrodon with Trick. However, if Rotom-W is your team's only failsafe for fast threats, then be careful when clicking using Trick, since this can leave you very weak to setup Pokemon like Dragonite and Reuniclus or fast, hard-hitting Pokemon like Keldeo and Latios.

Team Options
========
This Rotom-W set hates the chip damage sand provides, so it's best used in a weatherless or rain structure. Politoed is a powerful partner, since it tanks strong Water-type attacks and can summon rain to boost Rotom-W's deadly Hydro Pump. Partners that can captalize capitalize on the offensive momentum Rotom-W generates like Breloom, Landorus-T, Latios, Kyurem-B, and Scizor are very good options. Keep in mind that you must have ways to deal with strong special attackers like Latios, Alakazam, and Thundurus-T, so Pokemon like Jirachi and Celebi are also good partners.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hidden Power Ice can be used over Hydro Pump on the defensive set to form a give Rotom-W BoltBeam combo coverage, have a more accurate move that can't be PP stalled via Substitute, and still have a form of healing in Pain Split, but this makes Rotom-W weak to Heatran and Mamoswine, two Pokemon that it is normally used to counter. Hidden Power Flying can be used over Pain Split to instantly defeat Poison Heal Breloom and deal decent damage to Amoonguss and Celebi, but it doesn't have any targets outside of this. In the a same vein, Hidden Power Fire can be used to heavily damage Ferrothorn, but this needs very good prediction and you lose a valuable moveslot for it. Signal Beam can be used in on a non-Choice item set to demolish Celebi and deal heavy damage to Latios and Reuniclus while not risking a miss from Hydro Pump, but it doesn't have targets outside of this. Rest alongside a Chesto Berry is the only other form of healing Rotom-W has, but the loss of Leftovers makes it struggle in sand. Thunder Wave paralysis is another status Rotom-W can spread to help its teammates, but Will-O-Wisp is almost always the better option. A physically defensive Rotom-W set can also be used to better handle Landorus-T's U-turn, Garchomp's Outrage, and Keldeo's Secret Sword, but the Special Defense loss greatly hurts its utility function. A Choice Specs set in rain can be utilized to have an insanely strong Hydro Pump and perfect accuracy perfectly accurate Thunder, but other Pokemon can do this better.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Grass-types**: Breloom with Poison Heal active can use Rotom-W as a setup fodder for Bulk Up, Swords Dance, or Substitute, since the only move it fears is the rare Hidden Power Flying. Amoonguss can enter in front of Rotom-W anytime and scare it off with Giga Drain, but Amoonguss alone is unable to stop a VoltTurn chain. Celebi doesn't care about anything Rotom-W can do because of Natural Cure, and it can steal the momentum with Leaf Storm, Nasty Plot, or Baton Pass. Ferrothorn can use Rotom-W to stack Spikes, since there is nothing Rotom-W can do to it except a Will-O-Wisp burn, and Rotom-W fears a Power Whip in retaliation or having its item removed with Knock Off.

**Dragon-types**: Kyurem-B outspeeds defensive Rotom-W and threatens and an immediate KO with Outrage. Latios and Hydreigon can come in on any Rotom-W set and immediately fire off a Draco Meteor to heavily damage it, but Latios must watch out for a Volt Switch into a Tyranitar that Pursuit traps it. Latias can use any Rotom-W set to set up Substitute and Calm Mind or help its teammates with Tailwind or Healing Wish. Dragonite can use Rotom-W to set up Dragon Dance, either by hiding behind a Substitute or by having a Lum Berry.

**Gastrodon and Seismitoad**: Gastrodon is immune to both of Rotom-W's STAB moves and can heal off burn damage with Recover while poisoning or burning it with Toxic or Scald. Seismitoad can do the same thing; it's also immune to both STAB moves, shrugs off a Will-O-Wisp burn with Refresh, and threatens Rotom-W with Knock Off, Toxic, or a Scald burn.

**Substitute**: Electric-immune Pokemon like Gliscor, Mamoswine, Garchomp, Landorus-T, Excadrill, and Thundurus-T can use Substitute to outstall Hydro Pump's PP, especially if they are carrying Leftovers or running Protect, or fish for a miss with Hydro Pump's shaky accuracy. Pokemon with high Special Defense, like Heatran and Terrakion in sand, can set up a Substitute that isn't broken by Volt Switch and then outstall Hydro Pump's PP or fish for a miss. Dragon-types like Dragonite, Kyurem-B, and Kyurem can set up a Substitute versus any standard Rotom-W variant and immediately threaten it or its teammates.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Caetano93, 394051]]
- Quality checked by: [[Finchinator, 114198], [We Three Kings, 246992]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [, ]]

2/2