Monotype Rotom-W (Water) [QC: 3/3] [GP: 2/2] (Written)

[OVERVIEW]

Water
========

Rotom-W's great mixed bulk and ability Levitate makes it one of the very few Ground switch-ins that Water has access to, helping to take on wallbreakers that pressure Water teams such as Choice Band Excadrill and Swords Dance Garchomp. Unlike Mantine, one of Water's other Ground-immune Pokemon, Rotom-W has Volt Switch, giving it a way to keep up momentum and have offensive utility, and it lacks a weakness to Rock that Pelipper and Mantine both have, allowing it to handle EdgeQuake coverage easily. With Volt Switch, Rotom-W can be a strong option for offensive Water teams that still want to cover strong Ground-types. Rotom-W also has other rare defensive utilities in both Defog and Will-O-Wisp, enabling it to fulfill multiple roles for the team at once. In addition to taking on Ground-types, Rotom-W's Electric typing lets it only take neutral damage from and check Electric-types such as Choice Band Thundurus. However, in spite of being a defensive Pokemon, Rotom-W has no reliable recovery options and must use Pain Split if it needs recovery, meaning it can be worn down quite quickly in its role as a defensive pivot. To make its lack of reliable recovery worse, its mixed bulk isn't enough to stop strong wallbreakers like Diggersby or Z-Move users like Garchomp. Rotom-W also faces strong competition from Mantine, a more traditional Ground-immune wall with superior special bulk as well as access to Defog and recovery in Roost. More defensive teams will normally not favor Volt Switch's pivoting potential over the longevity of Mantine.

[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot (Water)
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Defog / Pain Split
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Pain Split
item: Leftovers / Iapapa Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Volt Switch allows Rotom-W to take advantage of its low Speed to pivot a teammate into play safely and keep up momentum. Hydro Pump is Rotom-W's most powerful STAB attack and gives it offensive presence. Importantly, Hydro Pump hits Ground-type Pokemon for super effective damage, preventing most of them from blocking Volt Switch. Defog removes entry hazards from the field and makes sure that Toxic Spikes cannot cripple Rotom-W's teammates. Will-O-Wisp is the preferred status move for Rotom-W, as it allows Rotom-W to cripple physical attackers and setup sweepers that try to boost. On teams that are especially reliant on Rotom-W's Defog, Pain Split can be used instead of Will-O-Wisp to make it a more reliable switch-in to physical attackers and capable of taking more attacks as it pivots out. Pain Split can also be used if the team doesn't need Rotom-W's Defog support. Toxic is another option that can be used with Will-O-Wisp if Defog is unneeded to cripple specific defensive checks in Seismitoad, Porygon2, and Zapdos, along with many other walls.

Set Details
========

The EV spread and Bold nature maximize Rotom-W's physical bulk while minimizing Stealth Rock damage and ensuring it outspeeds Jolly Azumarill and defensive Landorus-T. Other EV spreads with more Speed, such as 248 HP / 40 Def / 220 Spe, can be used to allow Rotom-W to outspeed Pokemon such as Diggersby and Breloom; however, the lost Defense will make it more difficult for Rotom-W to check these Pokemon. Leftovers is useful for improving Rotom-W's longevity over a long game. Iapapa Berry can be used instead to gain a one-time burst of healing, which can come in handy against attacks like Breloom's Bullet Seed if Rotom-W needs to burn it. Levitate is Rotom-W's only ability, granting it a valuable immunity to Ground-type attacks, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes.

Usage Tips
========

Rotom-W should primarily be used to switch into attacks for its teammates before pivoting out again with Volt Switch. While Ground-types can block Rotom-W's Volt Switch, the threat of Hydro Pump and Will-O-Wisp can typically keep most of them from switching in or staying in against it. However, because Gastrodon and Seismitoad are immune to Hydro Pump, they are big threats to Rotom-W and it should typically double switch out when you expect them to come in. Rotom-W still needs to be careful around other Electric-immune Pokemon such as Thundurus-T, as they can freely switch into Volt Switch and threaten to use a Volt Switch of their own. However, be careful with letting Rotom-W take more powerful hits when it switches in, as its lack of reliable recovery prevents it from being a switch-in to wallbreakers. Whenever the opponent has set entry hazards, try to bring Rotom-W into play to remove them. If possible, try to switch it in as Stealth Rock is being set, as Rotom-W hates taking even minor residual damage. For the same reason, be sure to avoid letting Rotom-W get poisoned or badly poisoned, as it will be much easier to wear down. Because Leftovers helps counteract the chip damage it inevitably will take, avoid Knock Off users. Alolan Muk is a particularly dangerous Knock Off user, as its Poison Touch ability can allow it to poison Rotom-W and simultaneously remove Leftovers. If it's running Toxic itself, Rotom-W should typically hide it to surprise walls that do not expect to get crippled. It can also be used to put setup sweepers on a timer if Will-O-Wisp is incapable of stopping them. Otherwise, Rotom-W should usually avoid contesting other defensive Pokemon, as it cannot afford to take a status move and has no reliable recovery. That being said, Pain Split should be used mainly against other defensive Pokemon, as Rotom-W's low base HP makes it especially good at healing against them.


Team Options
========

Thanks to Levitate, Rotom-W makes a fantastic teammate for Water teams that are typically threatened by the strong Ground-type attackers in Excadrill and Landorus-T but prefer to have the offensive presence that other defensive Ground checks lack. Choice Scarf Greninja with U-turn can form a strong VoltTurn core with Rotom-W and also runs Gunk Shot, making it a good check to Grass-types. In addition to this, Greninja can revenge kill many of the powerful attackers that Rotom-W cannot check defensively, such as Choice Band Dragonite and Diggersby. Wallbreakers such as Mega Sharpedo and Choice Specs Keldeo are good options to receive Volt Switch's free switch, as they can break many of the walls that try to stop Rotom-W. Setup sweepers such as Gyarados and Mega Slowbro are also very capable of taking advantage of the momentum that Volt Switch provides, as Rotom-W can bring them onto the field against Pokemon they can set up on. Gyarados is especially notable for being able to beat Mega Venusaur and other Grass-types that Rotom-W cannot deal with. Good switch-ins to Grass-types are often needed because Rotom-W will often pivot out of them; Toxapex, Empoleon, and Sap Sipper Azumarill are especially great teammates for this purpose. Toxapex and Empoleon are notable for setting Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock, respectively, which can help cripple and chip at Pokemon as they are forced out by Rotom-W. In addition to its unique Grass immunity, Sap Sipper Azumarill can Perish trap the walls that Rotom-W can't handle, such as Chansey. On more defensive teams, Alomomola's use of huge Wishes and Regenerator makes it another good defensive pivot option that helps keep Rotom-W very healthy.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Water
--------
Rotom-W can run a specially defensive spread in order to have a better matchup against Landorus and other Electric-types, but it will be less capable of handling most Ground-types such as Garchomp and Excadrill, making it a much more niche spread. Thunder Wave can be used over Defog as another double status set choice to make it even better against offensive Pokemon, but Volt Switch and Will-O-Wisp cover most offensive Pokemon already, making it hard to usually justify using over other utility options.

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

Water
--------
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur are normally unconcerned with most of what Rotom-W can do to them and can hit it super effectively. However, physical Grass-types, such as Breloom and Tapu Bulu, cannot switch into Rotom-W for fear of Will-O-Wisp.

**Wallbreakers**: Because it lacks reliable recovery and Pain Split is especially bad against less bulky offensive Pokemon, Rotom-W is handled by most wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Keldeo, Choice Band Diggersby, and Mega Heracross even if they are normally threatened by its moves.

**Defensive Pokemon**: Without Toxic, Rotom-W struggles to pressure defensive Pokemon such as Chansey at all, as it often lacks power, crippling status, and recovery, allowing them to switch in. They should be careful of frequently letting Rotom-W pivot out to a teammate, though.

**Certain Electric-immune Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Seismitoad, Gastrodon, and Lanturn that are unafraid of anything Rotom-W does can still switch in freely and prevent Rotom-W from pivoting out.

**Poison**: Poison and Toxic poison cripple Rotom-W, which already lacks longevity. As a result, Pokemon that occasionally carry ways to poison Rotom-W, such as Mantine and Celesteela, are hard for Rotom-W to pivot around before their moveset is scouted.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Eien, 100418]]
- Water analysis by: [[Eien, 100418]]
- Quality checked by: [[Vid, 239907], [Moosical, 215618], [Tyke, 243751]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
 
Last edited:

Moosical

big yikes
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Overview
* Unlike other defensive Ground-immune Water-types, Rotom-W has Volt Switch, giving it a way to keep up momentum and have offensive utility. With Volt Switch, Rotom-W can be a strong option for offensive Water teams that still want to have a way to cover strong Ground-types.
- This bullet sounds a little weird to me. Pelipper (one of the other 3 Ground immunities) could loosely be described as a "defensive Ground-immune Water-type" and also has U-turn - so this statement only really applies to Mantine, maybe make a more direct comparison and also mention that it isn't weak to Rock (as compared to the other Ground-immune options).
- Could also mention that Mold Breaker Pokemon like Excadrill and Kyurem-B take advantage of Levitate (as opposed to a true immunity), which can be problematic if Rotom-W is being used as the only Ground-immunity.

Set Details
* EV spreads with more Speed can be used to allow Rotom-W to outspeed Pokemon such as Diggersby and Breloom; however, the lost Defense will make it more difficult for Rotom-W to check these very Pokemon.
- I'd give actual examples of this EV spread. 248 / 68 / 192 for Ada Diggersby or 248 / 40 / 220 for Jolly Breloom.

-Items bullet - I'd probably state an instance/example where Iapapa berry is more useful than Leftovers.

Usage Tips
* However, be careful with letting it take more powerful hits, as Rotom-W's lack of reliable recovery makes it an unreliable switch-in to wallbreakers.
- I dunno about saying its an "unreliable switch-in" - it can't really effectively switch into any wallbreaker at all, except for against resisted moves, as most wallbreakers outspeed and 2hko it.

Team Options
- I'd add in a second example of a wallbreaker besides Keldeo (since you say Wallbreakers [plural])
- I'd specifically mention that Gyarados can effectively eliminate Grass-types (such as Mega Venusaur) that Rotom-W largely cannot touch.

Other Options
- I'd give an example of the Special Defensive EV spread, unless you're simply stating use the same EVs except w/ SpD instead of Def.
- I'd say specifically to use TWave over Defog (as the double status set), just for clarity.

Checks/Counters
- I'd say Gastrodon is more relevant than Lanturn, but that's just me.

QC 1/3
 
Did all except the Mold Breaker thing. Mold Breaker Excadrill is not really a threat to Water, and Kyurem-B beats Pelipper and Mantine with Fusion Bolt anyway 'cause it's LO and can switch moves, so losing to Mold Breaker isn't really a big deal in my opinion.

Thanks!
 
Overview:
- Talk about how Rotom-W's bulk is only decent, and it easily be broken by both physical and special wallbreakers or nukes such as boosted Z-moves from Garchomp. You can bake this into the bullet on it's lack of reliable recovery.

Usage Tips:
- When you talk about Ground-types not switchin in to Volt Switch because of the threat of Hydro Pump, mention that you need to watch out for Gastro / Seismitoad though. You could also use either of these as an example in the subsequent bullet on Electric-immunities over Thundurus-T, who risks switching in on a Hydro Pump.

Team Options:
- For Greninja, I'd emphasis its role as a revenge killer, forcing out offensive threats that Rotom-W can't handle defensively (Dragonite, Tapu Bulu, etc).

Looking good QC 2/3

 
Last edited:
Overview:
- Talk about how Rotom-W's bulk is only decent, and it easily be broken by both physical and special wallbreakers or nukes such as boosted Z-moves from Garchomp. You can bake this into the bullet on it's lack of reliable recovery.

Usage Tips:
- When you talk about Ground-types not switchin in to Volt Switch because of the threat of Hydro Pump, mention that you need to watch out for Gastro / Seismitoad though. You could also use either of these as an example in the subsequent bullet on Electric-immunities over Thundurus-T, who risks switching in on a Hydro Pump.

Team Options:
- For Greninja, I'd emphasis its role as a revenge killer, forcing out offensive threats that Rotom-W can't handle defensively (Dragonite, Tapu Bulu, Sand Rush Exca, etc).

Looking good QC 2/3

Thanks. Implemented and written.
 

Vid

Our life is what our thoughts make it
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QC 3/3 don't have any issues after reading it a couple times
 

frostration

i probably have a headache
is a Social Media Contributor Alumnus
amcheck! use what you'd like and let me know if you have any questions or concerns!
add | remove | [comments] | [RC = remove comma] | [AC = add comma]
[OVERVIEW]

Water
========

Rotom-W's great mixed bulk and ability Levitate makes it one of the very few Ground switch-ins that Water has access to, helping to take on wallbreakers that pressure Water teams such as Choice Band Excadrill and Swords Dance Garchomp. Unlike Mantine, one of Water's other Ground-immune Pokemon, Rotom-W has Volt Switch, giving it a way to keep up momentum and have offensive utility, and it [this can be a dependent clause because the previous clause is an appositive] lacks a weakness to Rock-type moves that Pelipper [maybe mention Pelipper in the beginning of the sentence as well] and Mantine both have, allowing it to handle EdgeQuake coverage easily. With Volt Switch, Rotom-W can be a strong option for offensive Water teams that still want to have a way to cover strong Ground-types. Rotom-W also has other rare defensive utility utilities [RC] having access to in both Defog and Will-O-Wisp, enabling it to fulfill multiple roles for the team at once. In addition to taking on Ground-types, Rotom-W's Electric typing lets it only take neutral damage from and check Electric-types such as Choice Band Thundurus. However, in spite of being a defensive Pokemon, Rotom-W has no reliable recovery options and must use Pain Split if it needs recovery, meaning it can be worn down quite quickly in its role as a defensive pivot. To make its lack of reliable recovery worse, its mixed bulk isn't enough to stop strong wallbreakers like Diggersby or Z-Move users like Garchomp. Rotom-W also faces strong competition from Mantine, a more traditional Ground-immune wall with superior special bulk that can also use Defog while having Roost for recovery. More defensive teams will normally not favor Volt Switch's pivoting potential over the longevity of Mantine's longevity [parallelism].

[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot (Water)
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Defog / Pain Split
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Pain Split
item: Leftovers / Iapapa Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Volt Switch allows Rotom-W to take advantage of its low Speed to pivot a teammate into play safely and keep up momentum. Hydro Pump is Rotom-W's most powerful STAB attack and gives it offensive presence. Importantly, Hydro Pump It hits Ground-type Pokemon for super effective damage, preventing most of them from blocking Volt Switch. Defog removes entry hazards from the field and makes sure that Toxic Spikes cannot cripple its teammates. Will-O-Wisp is the preferred status move for Rotom-W, as it allows Rotom-W to cripple physical attackers and setup sweepers that try to boost. On teams that are especially reliant on Rotom-W's Defog, Pain Split can be used instead of Will-O-Wisp to make it a more reliable switch-in to physical attackers and capable of taking more attacks as it pivots out. Pain Split can also be used if the team doesn't need Rotom-W to bring Defog. [not sure what you mean by the previous sentence, if you mean it in the sense where Pain Split can be used even if the team doesn't need Defog support, specify that by changing "also" to "still" and add "even" before "if the team"] Toxic is another option that can be used with Will-O-Wisp if Defog is unneeded that allows Rotom-W to cripple specific defensive checks in Seismitoad, Porygon2, and Zapdos, [AC] along with many other walls.

Set Details
========

The EV spread and Bold nature maximize Rotom-W's physical bulk while minimizing Stealth Rock damage and ensuring it outspeeds Jolly Azumarill and defensive Landorus-T. Other EV spreads with more Speed, such as 248 HP / 40 Def / 220 Spe, can be used to allow Rotom-W to outspeed Pokemon such as Diggersby and Breloom; however, the lost Defense will make it more difficult for Rotom-W to check these very Pokemon. Leftovers is useful for improving Rotom-W's longevity over a long game. Iapapa Berry can be used instead to gain a one-time burst of healing, which can come in handy against attacks like Breloom's Bullet Seed if Rotom-W needs to burn it. Levitate is Rotom-W's only ability, granting it a valuable immunity to Ground-type attacks, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes.

Usage Tips
========

Rotom-W should primarily be used to switch into attacks for its teammates before pivoting out again with Volt Switch. While Ground-types can block Rotom-W's Volt Switch, the threat of Hydro Pump and Will-O-Wisp can typically keep most of them from switching in or staying in against it. However, because Gastrodon and Seismitoad are immune to Hydro Pump and thus big threats to Rotom-W, they are big threats to Rotom-W and Rotom-W it should typically double switch out when you expect them to come in. Rotom-W still needs to be careful around other Electric-immune Pokemon such as Thundurus-T, as they can freely switch into Volt Switch and threaten to use a Volt Switch of their own. However, be careful with letting Rotom-W take more powerful hits when it switches in, as Rotom-W's lack of reliable recovery prevents it from being a switch-in to wallbreakers. Whenever the opponent has set entry hazards against you, try to bring Rotom-W into play to remove them. If possible, try to switch it in as Stealth Rock is being set, as Rotom-W hates taking even minor residual damage. For the same reason, be sure to avoid letting Rotom-W get poisoned or Toxic poisoned, as it will be much easier to wear down. Because Leftovers helps counteract the chip damage it inevitably will take, avoid Knock Off users. Alolan Muk is a particularly dangerous Knock Off user, as its Poison Touch ability can allow it to poison Rotom-W at the same time as it removes and simultaneously remove Leftovers. If it's running Toxic itself, Rotom-W should typically hide it to surprise walls that do not expect to get crippled. It can also be used to put setup sweepers on a timer if Will-O-Wisp is incapable of stopping them. Otherwise, Rotom-W should usually avoid contesting other defensive Pokemon, as it cannot afford to take a status move and has no reliable recovery. That being said, Pain Split should be used mainly against other defensive Pokemon, as Rotom-W's low base HP makes it especially good at healing against them.


Team Options
========

Thanks to Levitate, Rotom-W makes a fantastic teammate for Water teams that are typically threatened by the strong Ground-type attackers in Excadrill and Landorus-T but prefer to have the offensive presence that other defensive Ground-type checks lack. Choice Scarf Greninja with U-turn can form a strong VoltTurn core with Rotom-W and also runs Gunk Shot, making it a good check to Grass-types. In addition to this, Greninja can revenge kill many of the powerful attackers that Rotom-W cannot check defensively, such as Choice Band Dragonite and Diggersby. Wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Keldeo and Mega Sharpedo are good options to receive Volt Switch's free switch, as they can break many of the walls that try to stop Rotom-W. Setup sweepers such as Gyarados and Mega Slowbro are also very capable of taking advantage of the momentum advantage that Volt Switch provides, as Rotom-W can bring them onto the field against Pokemon they can set up on. Gyarados is especially notable for being able to beat Mega Venusaur and other Grass-types that Rotom-W cannot deal with. Good switch-ins to Grass-types are often needed because Rotom-W will often pivot out of them: [added a colon because you're starting a list] Toxapex, Empoleon, and Sap Sipper Azumarill are especially great teammates for this purpose. Toxapex and Empoleon are notable for setting Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock, respectively, as those hazards can help cripple and chip at Pokemon as they are forced out by Rotom-W. In addition to its unique Grass immunity, Sap Sipper Azumarill can Perish trap the walls that Rotom-W can't handle, such as Chansey. On more defensive teams, Alomomola's use of huge Wishes and Regenerator makes it another good defensive pivot option that helps keep Rotom-W very healthy.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Water
--------
Rotom-W can run a specially defensive spread in order to have a better matchup against Landorus and other Electric-types, but it will be less capable of handling most Ground-types such as Garchomp and Excadrill, making it a much more niche spread. Thunder Wave can be used over Defog as another double status set choice to make it even better against offensive Pokemon, but Volt Switch and Will-O-Wisp cover most offensive Pokemon already, making it hard to usually justify using over other utility options.

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

Water
--------
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur are normally rather unconcerned with most of what Rotom-W can do to them and can hit it super effectively. However, physical Grass-types, such as Breloom and Tapu Bulu, cannot switch into Rotom-W for fear of Will-O-Wisp.

**Wallbreakers**: Because it lacks reliable recovery and Pain Split is especially bad against less bulky offensive Pokemon, Rotom-W is handled by [subject of the preceding clause is Rotom-W] most wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Keldeo, Choice Band Diggersby, and Mega Heracross can easily handle Rotom-W even if they are normally threatened by its moves.

**Defensive Pokemon**: Without Toxic, Rotom-W struggles to pressure defensive Pokemon such as Chansey at all, as it often lacks power, crippling status, and recovery, allowing them to switch in. They should be careful of frequently letting Rotom-W pivot out to a teamamte teammate, though.

**Certain Electric-immune Pokemon**: While Hydro Pump pressures almost all Ground-types, Pokemon such as Seismitoad, Gastrodon, and Lanturn [maybe leave Lanturn out since it's not Ground-type or remove the beginning clause to keep Lantern] that are unafraid of anything Rotom-W does can still switch in freely and prevent Rotom-W from pivoting out.

**Poison**: Poison and Toxic poison cripple Rotom-W, which already lacks longevity. As a result, Pokemon that occasionally carry ways to poison Rotom-W, such as Mantine and Celesteela, are hard for Rotom-W to pivot around before their moveset is scouted.
 

Lumari

empty spaces
is a Site Content Manageris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Member of Senior Staffis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris an Administrator Alumnus
TFP Leader
frostration: add | remove | [comments] | [RC = remove comma] | [AC = add comma]
tdp: add / fix remove (comments)
GP 1/2
good stuff
[OVERVIEW]

Water
========

Rotom-W's great mixed bulk and ability Levitate makes it one of the very few Ground switch-ins that Water has access to, helping to take on wallbreakers that pressure Water teams such as Choice Band Excadrill and Swords Dance Garchomp. Unlike Mantine, one of Water's other Ground-immune Pokemon, Rotom-W has Volt Switch, giving it a way to keep up momentum and have offensive utility, and it [this can be a dependent clause because the previous clause is an appositive] (true, not a required change though) lacks a weakness to Rock-type moves that Pelipper [maybe mention Pelipper in the beginning of the sentence as well] and Mantine both have, allowing it to handle EdgeQuake coverage easily. With Volt Switch, Rotom-W can be a strong option for offensive Water teams that still want to have a way to cover strong Ground-types. Rotom-W also has other rare defensive utility utilities [RC] having access to in both Defog and Will-O-Wisp, enabling it to fulfill multiple roles for the team at once. In addition to taking on Ground-types, Rotom-W's Electric typing lets it only take neutral damage from and check Electric-types such as Choice Band Thundurus. However, in spite of being a defensive Pokemon, Rotom-W has no reliable recovery options and must use Pain Split if it needs recovery, meaning it can be worn down quite quickly in its role as a defensive pivot. To make its lack of reliable recovery worse, its mixed bulk isn't enough to stop strong wallbreakers like Diggersby or Z-Move users like Garchomp. Rotom-W also faces strong competition from Mantine, a more traditional Ground-immune wall with superior special bulk that can also use as well as access to Defog while having and Roost for recovery in Roost. (optional) More defensive teams will normally not favor Volt Switch's pivoting potential over the longevity of Mantine's longevity [parallelism]. (eh both are noun phrases so it's fine as is tbh, parallelism changes of this kind can still work but they're more subjective, like the one that i made in the prev sentence)

[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot (Water)
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Defog / Pain Split
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Pain Split
item: Leftovers / Iapapa Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Volt Switch allows Rotom-W to take advantage of its low Speed to pivot a teammate into play safely and keep up momentum. Hydro Pump is Rotom-W's most powerful STAB attack and gives it offensive presence. Importantly, Hydro Pump It (keep importantly tbh) hits Ground-type Pokemon for super effective damage, preventing most of them from blocking Volt Switch. Defog removes entry hazards from the field and makes sure that Toxic Spikes cannot cripple its Rotom-W's teammates. Will-O-Wisp is the preferred status move for Rotom-W, as it allows Rotom-W to cripple physical attackers and setup sweepers that try to boost. On teams that are especially reliant on Rotom-W's Defog, Pain Split can be used instead of Will-O-Wisp to make it a more reliable switch-in to physical attackers and capable of taking more attacks as it pivots out. Pain Split can also be used if the team doesn't need Rotom-W to bring Defog. [not sure what you mean by the previous sentence, if you mean it in the sense where Pain Split can be used even if the team doesn't need Defog support, specify that by changing "also" to "still" and add "even" before "if the team"] (n just that it's an option over Defog if Rotom-W doesn't need that one, maybe make it "Rotom-W's Defog support" if that's less confusing) Toxic is another option that can be used with Will-O-Wisp if Defog is unneeded that allows Rotom-W to cripple specific defensive checks in Seismitoad, Porygon2, and Zapdos, [AC] along with many other walls.

Set Details
========

The EV spread and Bold nature maximize Rotom-W's physical bulk while minimizing Stealth Rock damage and ensuring it outspeeds Jolly Azumarill and defensive Landorus-T. Other EV spreads with more Speed, such as 248 HP / 40 Def / 220 Spe, can be used to allow Rotom-W to outspeed Pokemon such as Diggersby and Breloom; however, the lost Defense will make it more difficult for Rotom-W to check these very Pokemon. Leftovers is useful for improving Rotom-W's longevity over a long game. Iapapa Berry can be used instead to gain a one-time burst of healing, which can come in handy against attacks like Breloom's Bullet Seed if Rotom-W needs to burn it. Levitate is Rotom-W's only ability, granting it a valuable immunity to Ground-type attacks, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes.

Usage Tips
========

Rotom-W should primarily be used to switch into attacks for its teammates before pivoting out again with Volt Switch. While Ground-types can block Rotom-W's Volt Switch, the threat of Hydro Pump and Will-O-Wisp can typically keep most of them from switching in or staying in against it. However, because Gastrodon and Seismitoad are immune to Hydro Pump and thus big threats to Rotom-W, they are big threats to Rotom-W and Rotom-W it (kind of like the initial version better, less awkward + this is not run-on to an unacceptable degree imo. alternatively do "are big threats to Rotom-W courtesy of their immunity") should typically double switch out when you expect them to come in. Rotom-W still needs to be careful around other Electric-immune Pokemon such as Thundurus-T, as they can freely switch into Volt Switch and threaten to use a Volt Switch of their own. However, be careful with letting Rotom-W take more powerful hits when it switches in, as Rotom-W's its lack of reliable recovery prevents it from being a switch-in to wallbreakers. Whenever the opponent has set entry hazards against you, try to bring Rotom-W into play to remove them. If possible, try to switch it in as Stealth Rock is being set, as Rotom-W hates taking even minor residual damage. For the same reason, be sure to avoid letting Rotom-W get poisoned or Toxic badly poisoned, as it will be much easier to wear down. Because Leftovers helps counteract the chip damage it inevitably will take, avoid Knock Off users. Alolan Muk is a particularly dangerous Knock Off user, as its Poison Touch ability can allow it to (keep this) poison Rotom-W at the same time as it removes and simultaneously remove (this is good) Leftovers. If it's running Toxic itself, Rotom-W should typically hide it to surprise walls that do not expect to get crippled. It can also be used to put setup sweepers on a timer if Will-O-Wisp is incapable of stopping them. Otherwise, Rotom-W should usually avoid contesting other defensive Pokemon, as it cannot afford to take a status move and has no reliable recovery. That being said, Pain Split should be used mainly against other defensive Pokemon, as Rotom-W's low base HP makes it especially good at healing against them.


Team Options
========

Thanks to Levitate, Rotom-W makes a fantastic teammate for Water teams that are typically threatened by the strong Ground-type attackers in Excadrill and Landorus-T but prefer to have the offensive presence that other defensive Ground-type ("Ground" teams count as an archetype in Monotype so this is fine here but only here) checks lack. Choice Scarf Greninja with U-turn can form a strong VoltTurn core with Rotom-W and also runs Gunk Shot, making it a good check to Grass-types. In addition to this, Greninja can revenge kill many of the powerful attackers that Rotom-W cannot check defensively, such as Choice Band Dragonite and Diggersby. Wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Keldeo and Mega Sharpedo are good options to receive Volt Switch's free switch, as they can break many of the walls that try to stop Rotom-W. Setup sweepers such as Gyarados and Mega Slowbro are also very capable of taking advantage of the momentum advantage that Volt Switch provides, as Rotom-W can bring them onto the field against Pokemon they can set up on. Gyarados is especially notable for being able to beat Mega Venusaur and other Grass-types that Rotom-W cannot deal with. Good switch-ins to Grass-types are often needed because Rotom-W will often pivot out of them: [added a colon because you're starting a list] (nah semicolon, next part is an independent sentence that just happens to begin with a list) Toxapex, Empoleon, and Sap Sipper Azumarill are especially great teammates for this purpose. Toxapex and Empoleon are notable for setting Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock, respectively, as those hazards which can help cripple and chip at Pokemon as they are forced out by Rotom-W. In addition to its unique Grass immunity, Sap Sipper Azumarill can Perish trap the walls that Rotom-W can't handle, such as Chansey. On more defensive teams, Alomomola's use of huge Wishes and Regenerator makes it another good defensive pivot option that helps keep Rotom-W very healthy.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Water
--------
Rotom-W can run a specially defensive spread in order to have a better matchup against Landorus and other Electric-types, but it will be less capable of handling most Ground-types such as Garchomp and Excadrill, making it a much more niche spread. Thunder Wave can be used over Defog as another double status set choice to make it even better against offensive Pokemon, but Volt Switch and Will-O-Wisp cover most offensive Pokemon already, making it hard to usually justify using over other utility options.

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

Water
--------
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur are normally rather unconcerned with most of what Rotom-W can do to them and can hit it super effectively. However, physical Grass-types, such as Breloom and Tapu Bulu, cannot switch into Rotom-W for fear of Will-O-Wisp.

**Wallbreakers**: Because it lacks reliable recovery and Pain Split is especially bad against less bulky offensive Pokemon, Rotom-W is handled by [subject of the preceding clause is Rotom-W] (good catch, less awkward though to just change the "it" in the prec. clause to Rotom-W and the Rotom-W in this one to "it") most wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Keldeo, Choice Band Diggersby, and Mega Heracross can easily handle Rotom-W even if they are normally threatened by its moves.

**Defensive Pokemon**: Without Toxic, Rotom-W struggles to pressure defensive Pokemon such as Chansey at all, as it often lacks power, crippling status, and recovery, allowing them to switch in. They should be careful of frequently letting Rotom-W pivot out to a teamamte teammate, though.

**Certain Electric-immune Pokemon**: While Hydro Pump pressures almost all Ground-types, Pokemon such as Seismitoad, Gastrodon, and Lanturn [maybe leave Lanturn out since it's not Ground-type or remove the beginning clause to keep Lantern] that are unafraid of anything Rotom-W does can still switch in freely and prevent Rotom-W from pivoting out.

**Poison**: Poison and Toxic poison cripple Rotom-W, which already lacks longevity. As a result, Pokemon that occasionally carry ways to poison Rotom-W, such as Mantine and Celesteela, are hard for Rotom-W to pivot around before their moveset is scouted.
 
Last edited:
I even liked the post. I have no idea how I forgot to get back to this the whole time. Thanks and sorry for the ridiculous wait! Ready for 2nd.
 

A Cake Wearing A Hat

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[OVERVIEW]

Water
========

Rotom-W's great mixed bulk and ability Levitate makes it one of the very few Ground switch-ins that Water has access to, helping to take on wallbreakers that pressure Water teams such as Choice Band Excadrill and Swords Dance Garchomp. Unlike Mantine, one of Water's other Ground-immune Pokemon, Rotom-W has Volt Switch, giving it a way to keep up momentum and have offensive utility, and it lacks a weakness to Rock that Pelipper and Mantine both have, allowing it to handle EdgeQuake coverage easily. With Volt Switch, Rotom-W can be a strong option for offensive Water teams that still want to cover strong Ground-types. Rotom-W also has other rare defensive utilities in both Defog and Will-O-Wisp, enabling it to fulfill multiple roles for the team at once. In addition to taking on Ground-types, Rotom-W's Electric typing lets it only take neutral damage from and check Electric-types such as Choice Band Thundurus. However, in spite of being a defensive Pokemon, Rotom-W has no reliable recovery options and must use Pain Split if it needs recovery, meaning it can be worn down quite quickly in its role as a defensive pivot. To make its lack of reliable recovery worse, its mixed bulk isn't enough to stop strong wallbreakers like Diggersby or Z-Move users like Garchomp. Rotom-W also faces strong competition from Mantine, a more traditional Ground-immune wall with superior special bulk as well as access to Defog and recovery in Roost. More defensive teams will normally not favor Volt Switch's pivoting potential over the longevity of Mantine.

[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot (Water)
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Defog / Pain Split
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Pain Split
item: Leftovers / Iapapa Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Volt Switch allows Rotom-W to take advantage of its low Speed to pivot a teammate into play safely and keep up momentum. Hydro Pump is Rotom-W's most powerful STAB attack and gives it offensive presence. Importantly, Hydro Pump hits Ground-type Pokemon for super effective damage, preventing most of them from blocking Volt Switch. Defog removes entry hazards from the field and makes sure that Toxic Spikes (remove doublespace)cannot cripple Rotom-W's teammates. Will-O-Wisp is the preferred status move for Rotom-W, as it allows Rotom-W to cripple physical attackers and setup sweepers that try to boost. On teams that are especially reliant on Rotom-W's Defog, Pain Split can be used instead of Will-O-Wisp to make it a more reliable switch-in to physical attackers and capable of taking more attacks as it pivots out. Pain Split can also be used if the team doesn't need Rotom-W's Defog support. Toxic is another option that can be used with Will-O-Wisp if Defog is unneeded to cripple specific defensive checks in Seismitoad, Porygon2, and Zapdos, along with many other walls.

Set Details
========

The EV spread and Bold nature maximize Rotom-W's physical bulk while minimizing Stealth Rock damage and ensuring it outspeeds Jolly Azumarill and defensive Landorus-T. Other EV spreads with more Speed, such as 248 HP / 40 Def / 220 Spe, can be used to allow Rotom-W to outspeed Pokemon such as Diggersby and Breloom; however, the lost Defense will make it more difficult for Rotom-W to check these Pokemon. Leftovers is useful for improving Rotom-W's longevity over a long game. Iapapa Berry can be used instead to gain a one-time burst of healing, which can come in handy against attacks like Breloom's Bullet Seed if Rotom-W needs to burn it. Levitate is Rotom-W's only ability, granting it a valuable immunity to Ground-type attacks, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes.

Usage Tips
========

Rotom-W should primarily be used to switch into attacks for its teammates before pivoting out again with Volt Switch. While Ground-types can block Rotom-W's Volt Switch, the threat of Hydro Pump and Will-O-Wisp can typically keep most of them from switching in or staying in against it. However, because Gastrodon and Seismitoad are immune to Hydro Pump, they are big threats to Rotom-W courtesy of their immunity (redundant), (AC) and Rotom-W should typically double switch out when you expect them to come in. Rotom-W still needs to be careful around other Electric-immune Pokemon such as Thundurus-T, as they can freely switch into Volt Switch and threaten to use a Volt Switch of their own. However, be careful with letting Rotom-W take more powerful hits when it switches in, as its lack of reliable recovery prevents it from being a switch-in to wallbreakers. Whenever the opponent has set entry hazards against you, try to bring Rotom-W into play to remove them. If possible, try to switch it in as Stealth Rock is being set, as Rotom-W hates taking even minor residual damage. For the same reason, be sure to avoid letting Rotom-W get poisoned or badly poisoned, as it will be much easier to wear down. Because Leftovers helps counteract the chip damage it inevitably will take, avoid Knock Off users. Alolan Muk is a particularly dangerous Knock Off user, as its Poison Touch ability can allow it to poison Rotom-W and simultaneously remove Leftovers. If it's running Toxic itself, Rotom-W should typically hide it to surprise walls that do not expect to get crippled. It can also be used to put setup sweepers on a timer if Will-O-Wisp is incapable of stopping them. Otherwise, Rotom-W should usually avoid contesting other defensive Pokemon, as it cannot afford to take a status move and has no reliable recovery. That being said, Pain Split should be used mainly against other defensive Pokemon, as Rotom-W's low base HP makes it especially good at healing against them.


Team Options
========

Thanks to Levitate, Rotom-W makes a fantastic teammate for Water teams that are typically threatened by the strong Ground-type attackers in Excadrill and Landorus-T but prefer to have the offensive presence that other defensive Ground checks lack. Choice Scarf Greninja with U-turn can form a strong VoltTurn core with Rotom-W and also runs Gunk Shot, making it a good check to Grass-types. In addition to this, Greninja can revenge kill many of the powerful attackers that Rotom-W cannot check defensively, such as Choice Band Dragonite and Diggersby. Wallbreakers such as Mega Sharpedo and Choice Specs Keldeo and Mega Sharpedo are good options to receive Volt Switch's free switch, as they can break many of the walls that try to stop Rotom-W. Setup sweepers such as Gyarados and Mega Slowbro are also very capable of taking advantage of the momentum that Volt Switch provides, as Rotom-W can bring them onto the field against Pokemon they can set up on. Gyarados is especially notable for being able to beat Mega Venusaur and other Grass-types that Rotom-W cannot deal with. Good switch-ins to Grass-types are often needed because Rotom-W will often pivot out of them; Toxapex, Empoleon, and Sap Sipper Azumarill are especially great teammates for this purpose. Toxapex and Empoleon are notable for setting Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock, respectively, which can help cripple and chip at Pokemon as they are forced out by Rotom-W. In addition to its unique Grass immunity, Sap Sipper Azumarill can Perish trap the walls that Rotom-W can't handle, such as Chansey. On more defensive teams, Alomomola's use of huge Wishes and Regenerator makes it another good defensive pivot option that helps keep Rotom-W very healthy.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Water
--------
Rotom-W can run a specially defensive spread in order to have a better matchup against Landorus and other Electric-types, but it will be less capable of handling most Ground-types such as Garchomp and Excadrill, making it a much more niche spread. Thunder Wave can be used over Defog as another double status set choice to make it even better against offensive Pokemon, but Volt Switch and Will-O-Wisp cover most offensive Pokemon already, making it hard to usually justify using over other utility options.

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

Water
--------
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Mega Venusaur are normally unconcerned with most of what Rotom-W can do to them and can hit it super effectively. However, physical Grass-types, such as Breloom and Tapu Bulu, cannot switch into Rotom-W for fear of Will-O-Wisp.

**Wallbreakers**: Because it lacks reliable recovery and Pain Split is especially bad against less bulky offensive Pokemon, Rotom-W is handled by most wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Keldeo, Choice Band Diggersby, and Mega Heracross even if they are normally threatened by its moves.

**Defensive Pokemon**: Without Toxic, Rotom-W struggles to pressure defensive Pokemon such as Chansey at all, as it often lacks power, crippling status, and recovery, allowing them to switch in. They should be careful of frequently letting Rotom-W pivot out to a teamamte teammate, though.

**Certain Electric-immune Pokemon**: Pokemon such as Seismitoad, Gastrodon, and Lanturn that are unafraid of anything Rotom-W does can still switch in freely and prevent Rotom-W from pivoting out.

**Poison**: Poison and Toxic poison cripple Rotom-W, which already lacks longevity. As a result, Pokemon that occasionally carry ways to poison Rotom-W, such as Mantine and Celesteela, are hard for Rotom-W to pivot around before their moveset is scouted.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Eien, 100418]]
- Water analysis by: [[Eien, 100418]]
- Quality checked by: [[Vid, 239907], [Moosical, 215618], [Tyke, 243751]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]]

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