QC (3/3): Spirit / 49 / atomicllamas
GP (2/2): P Squared / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to its superb defensive typing and decent base 91 Speed, Rotom is a threatening status spreader in RU. Its typing grants it five resistances and three immunities, which allow it to deal with influential walls in RU such as Mega Steelix and Alomomola and sweepers such as Durant and Fletchinder. Sadly, Rotom is quite frail due to its low HP and subpar defenses, making a majority of matchups dependent on its foe's typing,and while its typing gives it several resistances, Rotom's weakness to common Dark-type attacks makes it an easy target for Pursuit trapping.
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Discharge
move 4: Hex
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 124 HP / 132 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Substitute blocks status ailments and can be used as a cushion against slower attacks for Rotom, which is extremely beneficial because it is very frail. Will-O-Wisp cripples physical attackers such as Hitmonlee and Virizion and wears down walls such as Alomomola and Mega Steelix. Hex deals double the damage if the foe has a status ailment, which makes it work well with Will-O-Wisp and Discharge. Discharge is preferred over Thunderbolt, as it has a higher paralysis chance.
Set Details
========
252 Speed EVs and a Timid nature is needed so that Rotom can take advantage of its Speed tier to outspeed Base 90s such as Meloetta, thus giving it more opportunities to spread status. 124 HP EVs allow Rotom to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Scarf Durant's X-Scissor and Iron Head after switching into Stealth Rock and a turn of Leftovers recovery. The remaining EVs are placed into Special Attack for higher overall power. Levitate gives Rotom a useful immunity to Spikes and Ground-type moves.
Usage Tips
========
Thanks to its various resistances and immunities, Rotom can find several opportunities to switch in during a match. Substitute provides Rotom with a decent matchup against many common leads, though you must be wary of fast Pursuit trappers, such as Sneasel and Houndoom; it also gives Rotom the opportunity to lure out and cripple bulky threats that might switch into it. Rotom should avoid switching continually, as it is worn down by Stealth Rock and risks being Pursuit trapped.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that handle Mega Camerupt such as Slowking and Alomomola are greatly appreciated, as it completely walls Rotom. Fighting-types such as Hitmonlee, Hariyama, and Emboar help deal with Dark-types that might threaten Rotom. Rotom excels at beating bulky Water- and Steel-types, so Pokemon that appreciate them gone such as Swords Dance Samurott and Meloetta, respectively, are valuable partners. As Rotom handles Steel-types and can cripple some Dark-types and Meloetta, Sigilyph is a great partner that also works well with the teamstyles Rotom fits on. Toxic Spikes allows Rotom to stall out its foes with Substitute more easily while also boosting Hex's power.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Volt Switch can be used to pivot out from unfavorable situations while dealing chip damage. Pain Split can be used to provide Rotom with a means of recovery and works well with Substitute. A set with Choice Specs or Choice Scarf alongside Trick can be used, but Rotom's Special Attack is too low to deal significant damage through this method. Rotom could afford running a fully offensive set with a Life Orb or an Expert Belt, but it is completely outclassed by Mismagius due to the latter's higher Special Attack and Speed, better coverage, and access to Nasty Plot. Hidden Power Water is an option to hit Mega Camerupt, which otherwise walls Rotom, though Rotom doesn't have an extra moveslot and Mega Camerupt is generally better handled by a teammate.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Mega Camerupt**: Mega Camerupt takes minimal damage from Rotom, as it is immune to both Discharge and Will-O-Wisp and takes little damage from Hex; in return, it OHKOes Rotom with Fire Blast.
**Bulky Clerics**: Aromatisse and Audino take little from Rotom's attacks, with the latter being immune to Hex as well, and can heal themselves through Wish and Heal Bell. It should be noted that Aromatisse does take a considerable amount of damage from Hex when it is burned.
**Dark-types**: Although they should be wary of switching into Discharge due to its paralysis chance, Drapion, Sneasel, and Houndoom take little damage from Hex, with Houndoom also being able to switch into Will-O-Wisp, and they can OHKO Rotom with their Dark-type STAB moves or Pursuit trap it. Scrafty can set up on Rotom thanks to its natural bulk and Shed Skin. Spiritomb can bypass Substitute and cripple Rotom with Will-O-Wisp or Pursuit trap it.
**Special Attacking Normal-types**: Meloetta and Exploud can switch into Hex, are not completely crippled by Will-O-Wisp, and can heavily damage Rotom with Psychic-type STAB moves and Boomburst, respectively; it should be noted that Boomburst bypasses Substitute, thereby threatening Rotom more. Neither of these Pokemon appreciates being paralyzed by Discharge, though.
GP (2/2): P Squared / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Thanks to its superb defensive typing and decent base 91 Speed, Rotom is a threatening status spreader in RU. Its typing grants it five resistances and three immunities, which allow it to deal with influential walls in RU such as Mega Steelix and Alomomola and sweepers such as Durant and Fletchinder. Sadly, Rotom is quite frail due to its low HP and subpar defenses, making a majority of matchups dependent on its foe's typing,and while its typing gives it several resistances, Rotom's weakness to common Dark-type attacks makes it an easy target for Pursuit trapping.
[SET]
name: Substitute
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Discharge
move 4: Hex
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 124 HP / 132 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Substitute blocks status ailments and can be used as a cushion against slower attacks for Rotom, which is extremely beneficial because it is very frail. Will-O-Wisp cripples physical attackers such as Hitmonlee and Virizion and wears down walls such as Alomomola and Mega Steelix. Hex deals double the damage if the foe has a status ailment, which makes it work well with Will-O-Wisp and Discharge. Discharge is preferred over Thunderbolt, as it has a higher paralysis chance.
Set Details
========
252 Speed EVs and a Timid nature is needed so that Rotom can take advantage of its Speed tier to outspeed Base 90s such as Meloetta, thus giving it more opportunities to spread status. 124 HP EVs allow Rotom to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Scarf Durant's X-Scissor and Iron Head after switching into Stealth Rock and a turn of Leftovers recovery. The remaining EVs are placed into Special Attack for higher overall power. Levitate gives Rotom a useful immunity to Spikes and Ground-type moves.
Usage Tips
========
Thanks to its various resistances and immunities, Rotom can find several opportunities to switch in during a match. Substitute provides Rotom with a decent matchup against many common leads, though you must be wary of fast Pursuit trappers, such as Sneasel and Houndoom; it also gives Rotom the opportunity to lure out and cripple bulky threats that might switch into it. Rotom should avoid switching continually, as it is worn down by Stealth Rock and risks being Pursuit trapped.
Team Options
========
Pokemon that handle Mega Camerupt such as Slowking and Alomomola are greatly appreciated, as it completely walls Rotom. Fighting-types such as Hitmonlee, Hariyama, and Emboar help deal with Dark-types that might threaten Rotom. Rotom excels at beating bulky Water- and Steel-types, so Pokemon that appreciate them gone such as Swords Dance Samurott and Meloetta, respectively, are valuable partners. As Rotom handles Steel-types and can cripple some Dark-types and Meloetta, Sigilyph is a great partner that also works well with the teamstyles Rotom fits on. Toxic Spikes allows Rotom to stall out its foes with Substitute more easily while also boosting Hex's power.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Volt Switch can be used to pivot out from unfavorable situations while dealing chip damage. Pain Split can be used to provide Rotom with a means of recovery and works well with Substitute. A set with Choice Specs or Choice Scarf alongside Trick can be used, but Rotom's Special Attack is too low to deal significant damage through this method. Rotom could afford running a fully offensive set with a Life Orb or an Expert Belt, but it is completely outclassed by Mismagius due to the latter's higher Special Attack and Speed, better coverage, and access to Nasty Plot. Hidden Power Water is an option to hit Mega Camerupt, which otherwise walls Rotom, though Rotom doesn't have an extra moveslot and Mega Camerupt is generally better handled by a teammate.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Mega Camerupt**: Mega Camerupt takes minimal damage from Rotom, as it is immune to both Discharge and Will-O-Wisp and takes little damage from Hex; in return, it OHKOes Rotom with Fire Blast.
**Bulky Clerics**: Aromatisse and Audino take little from Rotom's attacks, with the latter being immune to Hex as well, and can heal themselves through Wish and Heal Bell. It should be noted that Aromatisse does take a considerable amount of damage from Hex when it is burned.
**Dark-types**: Although they should be wary of switching into Discharge due to its paralysis chance, Drapion, Sneasel, and Houndoom take little damage from Hex, with Houndoom also being able to switch into Will-O-Wisp, and they can OHKO Rotom with their Dark-type STAB moves or Pursuit trap it. Scrafty can set up on Rotom thanks to its natural bulk and Shed Skin. Spiritomb can bypass Substitute and cripple Rotom with Will-O-Wisp or Pursuit trap it.
**Special Attacking Normal-types**: Meloetta and Exploud can switch into Hex, are not completely crippled by Will-O-Wisp, and can heavily damage Rotom with Psychic-type STAB moves and Boomburst, respectively; it should be noted that Boomburst bypasses Substitute, thereby threatening Rotom more. Neither of these Pokemon appreciates being paralyzed by Discharge, though.
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