[OVERVIEW]
Rotom-W acts as one of the best pivots in the tier. Its defensive typing of Water / Electric allows it to check Flying-types like Tornadus-T and Mega Pinsir as well as Fire-types like Heatran and Talonflame. Rotom-W's defensive capabilities are further enhanced thanks to its ability Levitate, which allows it to dodge Ground-type moves from the likes of Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Sand Rush Excadrill, making its Electric typing less exploitable. Its access to utility moves like Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave allows it to cripple physical attackers like Mega Metagross, Excadrill, and Tyranitar or cripple faster threats like Latios and Tornadus-T. However, Rotom-W's low HP stat combined with its lack of reliable recovery makes it easy to wear down and also leaves it weak to status effects such as poison and burn.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive Pivot
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Pain Split / Thunder Wave
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Thunder Wave
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 248 Def / 8 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is used to hit Fire-types like Heatran and Ground-types like Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Sand Rush Excadrill, as well as Rock-types like Mega Diancie. Volt Switch acts as Rotom-W's main Electric-type STAB move, and it can also be used to gain momentum after pivoting into a threat. Pain Split acts as a form of recovery, but it is unreliable. Will-O-Wisp allows Rotom-W to cripple Tyranitar, Mega Metagross, Mega Scizor, Landorus-T, and many other physical attackers. Alternatively, Thunder Wave can be used to cripple fast foes like Tornadus-T and Latios, making them easier to revenge kill, as well as common switch-ins like Clefable. Levitate gives Rotom-W useful immunities to Ground-type attacks and Spikes.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP EVs with near-maximum Defense EVs and a Bold nature allow Rotom-W to better take on physical attackers like Sand Rush Excadrill, Mega Metagross, Gliscor, and Mega Pinsir. The remaining 8 EVs are thrown into Speed, which allows Rotom-W to outspeed Pokemon up to Adamant Crawdaunt. Alternatively, EVs can be taken out of Defense and put into Speed to allow Rotom-W to outspeed threats like Adamant Mega Scizor and Jolly Bisharp. Leftovers is especially useful given how Rotom-W does not have a form of reliable recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Rotom-W should be used as a pivot into Sand Rush Excadrill, Landorus-T, Mega Pinsir, Heatran, and other common threats. Do keep in mind that Rotom-W cannot consistently switch into threats because its lack of recovery outside of Leftovers and Pain Split makes it very easy to wear down. Volt Switch should be used to gain momentum or as a way of getting a teammate in safely. Pain Split can be used when Rotom-W is low on HP and the opponent has a Pokemon with a high amount of HP out.
Team Options
======
Tornadus-T is a great partner, as it can form a VoltTurn core with Rotom-W while also checking Grass-types like Serperior that can threaten Rotom-W and providing Knock Off support. Heatran can help Rotom-W deal with Grass-types like Serperior as well as Fairy-types like Clefable that can threaten it as well as absorb Will-O-Wisp and Toxic, which put Rotom-W on a timer. It also appreciates Rotom-W's ability to take on Water-types like Slowbro as well as Ground-types like Gliscor and Sand Rush Excadrill. Mega Charizard Y can help Rotom-W take on Grass-types like Tangrowth and Serperior while also appreciating Rotom-W using Volt Switch to bring it in safely as well as paralyzing fast threats like Tornadus-T and Latios, making it harder for Mega Charizard Y to be revenge killed. Tyranitar can eliminate threats like Latios and Latias, which can both check Rotom-W, and also appreciates Rotom-W's ability to take on Ground-types like Excadrill and Gliscor. Excadrill can help Rotom-W check Fairy-types that can annoy it like Mega Altaria and Clefable while also providing Rapid Spin support, while Rotom-W can switch into Ground-type moves that threaten Excadrill like Earthquakes from Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Sand Rush Excadrill. Ferrothorn can provide entry hazards in Stealth Rock and Spikes and resist Fairy-type attacks from the likes of Mega Altaria and Clefable. Ferrothorn also appreciates Rotom-W's ability to take on Fire-types that can threaten it like Heatran as well as physical attackers that can set up on it like Swords Dance Mega Scizor and Gliscor. Strong attackers like Mega Medicham and Mega Lopunny appreciate Rotom-W's Volt Switch allowing them to switch into the field safely.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Trick
move 3: Hydro Pump
move 4: Thunder Wave / Will-O-Wisp / Pain Split
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 24 Def / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch acts as Rotom-W's main Electric-type STAB move and can be used to gain momentum or bring in teammates safely. Trick is used as a way to cripple foes, making them very predictable. Hydro Pump is used to hit Ground- and Fire-types like Excadrill, Landorus-T, Gliscor, Heatran, and others. Thunder Wave is used as a way to cripple the Speed of fast threats like Latios, Tornadus-T, and Serperior, making them easier to revenge kill. Additionally, Will-O-Wisp can be used to cripple physical attackers or put foes on a timer. Pain Split is also an option as a way to stay healthy, but it is unreliable.
Set Details
========
Choice Scarf makes Rotom-W a fast and reliable revenge killer. 236 Speed EVs with a Timid nature allow Rotom-W to outspeed foes up to Mega Alakazam before using Trick. The remaining EVs go into HP and Defense to allow Rotom-W to take on attacks better from foes like Excadrill, Heatran, Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Tornadus-T. Levitate is Rotom-W's only ability, allowing it to avoid Spikes and Ground-type attacks. Additionally, a spread of 240 HP / 16 SpA / 252 Spe with a Modest nature can be run to boost Rotom-W's damage output, but this spread does make it slower than Mega Alakazam.
Usage Tips
========
This set can be used to grab momentum via Volt Switch, revenge kill foes thanks to its Choice Scarf, or cripple defensive foes like Clefable and Chansey with Trick, making them very predictable. Because this set is more offensive, it is not a reliable answer to threats like Mega Metagross, Mega Scizor, and Mega Pinsir. Pivot Rotom-W into moves that cannot harm it, such as a Choice-locked attack like Pursuit from Tyranitar or Flash Cannon from Magnezone or a Ground-type attack like Earthquake from Gliscor, Sand Rush Excadrill, or Landorus-T.
Team Options
======
Heatran can provide Stealth Rock support and help Rotom-W deal with Grass-types like Serperior and Tangrowth as well as Dragon-type attacks like Draco Meteor from Latios, while Rotom-W can take on Ground-types like Gliscor and Sand Rush Excadrill for it. Excadrill can help Rotom-W deal with Fairy-types like Clefable and Mega Altaria while also providing Rapid Spin support, making Rotom-W's Volt Switch more effective. Tornadus-T can form a VoltTurn core with Rotom-W and can also check Grass-types like Serperior and Tangrowth that threaten it. Mega Scizor can also form a VoltTurn core with Rotom-W, checks Fairy- and Grass-types, and appreciates Rotom-W's ability to check Flying-types like Tornadus-T and Mega Pinsir as well as Fire-types like Heatran and Talonflame. Mega Metagross can also deal with Fairy-types like Clefable and Mega Altaria while also appreciating Rotom-W dealing with bulky Water-types like Slowbro and using Volt Switch to give it a free switch-in. Clefable can help Rotom-W absorb status moves like Toxic and Will-O-Wisp, which otherwise put Rotom-W on a timer, while also appreciating its ability to deal with Clefable checks like Sand Rush Excadrill, Heatran, and Gliscor. Setup Pokemon like Swords Dance Bisharp and Mega Pinsir as well as Belly Drum Azumarill appreciate Rotom-W's ability to chip at fast foes like Latios, Keldeo, and Mega Lopunny while also providing them with Volt Switch support to come in. Pokemon like Rocky Helmet Garchomp and Ferrothorn are appreciated because they can punish foes that can gain momentum with slower U-turns than Rotom-W's Volt Switch, like Tornadus-T, adding contact damage onto damage from Rotom-W's Volt Switch. Both Pokemon are also able to provide entry hazards like Stealth Rock or Spikes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
===================
Hidden Power Ice can also be used as a more reliable way to hit Ground-types like Landorus-T and Gliscor, as Hydro Pump has low PP and a chance to miss.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Serperior can threaten Rotom-W with a Leaf Storm and set up a Substitute freely on it. Ferrothorn can absorb attacks from Rotom-W and can beat it one-on-one with Power Whip or Leech Seed. Mega Venusaur, Tangrowth, and Amoonguss can all take hits from Rotom-W and threaten it with a Giga Drain. Rotom-W can, however, gain momentum on these Grass-types as they switch in via Volt Switch or cripple them with Will-O-Wisp.
**Fairy-types** Clefable can absorb Rotom-W's Will-O-Wisp, recover off any damage thanks to Leftovers and Soft-Boiled, and slowly wear it down with Moonblast. Mega Altaria does not mind being burned, as it has access to Heal Bell, can set up on Rotom-W with Dragon Dance, and can recover off any damage thanks to Roost.
**Dragon-types** Latios can easily switch into Rotom-W and threaten it with a STAB Psychic or Draco Meteor. Mega Latias can set up Calm Mind on Rotom-W but can be annoyed by Thunder Wave or Will-O-Wisp.
**Chansey**: Chansey can wall Rotom-W and cripple it with Toxic. Chansey does, however, have a lot of HP, making it a perfect target for Rotom-W to use Pain Split on. Choice Scarf Rotom-W can also cripple Chansey with Trick, making it essentially useless.
**Offensive Pressure**: With its lack of reliable recovery and low HP stat, Rotom-W can easily be worn down or powered through. Some punishing attacks include Zen Headbutt from Mega Metagross, High Jump Kick from Mega Medicham, Hidden Power Grass and Secret Sword from Keldeo, Energy Ball from Manaphy, Choice Specs-boosted Draco Meteor and Psychic from Latios, Moonblast from Mega Diancie, Return from Mega Lopunny, and Thunderbolt from Mega Latias and Thundurus.
**Status**: With its lack of reliable recovery, status moves like Toxic and Will-O-Wisp put Rotom-W on a timer, forcing it to switch out.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[ez, 233669]]
- Quality checked by: [[jonfilch, 472436], [Savouras, 409438]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [Estronic, 240732]]
Rotom-W acts as one of the best pivots in the tier. Its defensive typing of Water / Electric allows it to check Flying-types like Tornadus-T and Mega Pinsir as well as Fire-types like Heatran and Talonflame. Rotom-W's defensive capabilities are further enhanced thanks to its ability Levitate, which allows it to dodge Ground-type moves from the likes of Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Sand Rush Excadrill, making its Electric typing less exploitable. Its access to utility moves like Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave allows it to cripple physical attackers like Mega Metagross, Excadrill, and Tyranitar or cripple faster threats like Latios and Tornadus-T. However, Rotom-W's low HP stat combined with its lack of reliable recovery makes it easy to wear down and also leaves it weak to status effects such as poison and burn.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive Pivot
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Pain Split / Thunder Wave
move 4: Will-O-Wisp / Thunder Wave
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 248 Def / 8 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is used to hit Fire-types like Heatran and Ground-types like Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Sand Rush Excadrill, as well as Rock-types like Mega Diancie. Volt Switch acts as Rotom-W's main Electric-type STAB move, and it can also be used to gain momentum after pivoting into a threat. Pain Split acts as a form of recovery, but it is unreliable. Will-O-Wisp allows Rotom-W to cripple Tyranitar, Mega Metagross, Mega Scizor, Landorus-T, and many other physical attackers. Alternatively, Thunder Wave can be used to cripple fast foes like Tornadus-T and Latios, making them easier to revenge kill, as well as common switch-ins like Clefable. Levitate gives Rotom-W useful immunities to Ground-type attacks and Spikes.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP EVs with near-maximum Defense EVs and a Bold nature allow Rotom-W to better take on physical attackers like Sand Rush Excadrill, Mega Metagross, Gliscor, and Mega Pinsir. The remaining 8 EVs are thrown into Speed, which allows Rotom-W to outspeed Pokemon up to Adamant Crawdaunt. Alternatively, EVs can be taken out of Defense and put into Speed to allow Rotom-W to outspeed threats like Adamant Mega Scizor and Jolly Bisharp. Leftovers is especially useful given how Rotom-W does not have a form of reliable recovery.
Usage Tips
========
Rotom-W should be used as a pivot into Sand Rush Excadrill, Landorus-T, Mega Pinsir, Heatran, and other common threats. Do keep in mind that Rotom-W cannot consistently switch into threats because its lack of recovery outside of Leftovers and Pain Split makes it very easy to wear down. Volt Switch should be used to gain momentum or as a way of getting a teammate in safely. Pain Split can be used when Rotom-W is low on HP and the opponent has a Pokemon with a high amount of HP out.
Team Options
======
Tornadus-T is a great partner, as it can form a VoltTurn core with Rotom-W while also checking Grass-types like Serperior that can threaten Rotom-W and providing Knock Off support. Heatran can help Rotom-W deal with Grass-types like Serperior as well as Fairy-types like Clefable that can threaten it as well as absorb Will-O-Wisp and Toxic, which put Rotom-W on a timer. It also appreciates Rotom-W's ability to take on Water-types like Slowbro as well as Ground-types like Gliscor and Sand Rush Excadrill. Mega Charizard Y can help Rotom-W take on Grass-types like Tangrowth and Serperior while also appreciating Rotom-W using Volt Switch to bring it in safely as well as paralyzing fast threats like Tornadus-T and Latios, making it harder for Mega Charizard Y to be revenge killed. Tyranitar can eliminate threats like Latios and Latias, which can both check Rotom-W, and also appreciates Rotom-W's ability to take on Ground-types like Excadrill and Gliscor. Excadrill can help Rotom-W check Fairy-types that can annoy it like Mega Altaria and Clefable while also providing Rapid Spin support, while Rotom-W can switch into Ground-type moves that threaten Excadrill like Earthquakes from Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Sand Rush Excadrill. Ferrothorn can provide entry hazards in Stealth Rock and Spikes and resist Fairy-type attacks from the likes of Mega Altaria and Clefable. Ferrothorn also appreciates Rotom-W's ability to take on Fire-types that can threaten it like Heatran as well as physical attackers that can set up on it like Swords Dance Mega Scizor and Gliscor. Strong attackers like Mega Medicham and Mega Lopunny appreciate Rotom-W's Volt Switch allowing them to switch into the field safely.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Trick
move 3: Hydro Pump
move 4: Thunder Wave / Will-O-Wisp / Pain Split
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 24 Def / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch acts as Rotom-W's main Electric-type STAB move and can be used to gain momentum or bring in teammates safely. Trick is used as a way to cripple foes, making them very predictable. Hydro Pump is used to hit Ground- and Fire-types like Excadrill, Landorus-T, Gliscor, Heatran, and others. Thunder Wave is used as a way to cripple the Speed of fast threats like Latios, Tornadus-T, and Serperior, making them easier to revenge kill. Additionally, Will-O-Wisp can be used to cripple physical attackers or put foes on a timer. Pain Split is also an option as a way to stay healthy, but it is unreliable.
Set Details
========
Choice Scarf makes Rotom-W a fast and reliable revenge killer. 236 Speed EVs with a Timid nature allow Rotom-W to outspeed foes up to Mega Alakazam before using Trick. The remaining EVs go into HP and Defense to allow Rotom-W to take on attacks better from foes like Excadrill, Heatran, Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Tornadus-T. Levitate is Rotom-W's only ability, allowing it to avoid Spikes and Ground-type attacks. Additionally, a spread of 240 HP / 16 SpA / 252 Spe with a Modest nature can be run to boost Rotom-W's damage output, but this spread does make it slower than Mega Alakazam.
Usage Tips
========
This set can be used to grab momentum via Volt Switch, revenge kill foes thanks to its Choice Scarf, or cripple defensive foes like Clefable and Chansey with Trick, making them very predictable. Because this set is more offensive, it is not a reliable answer to threats like Mega Metagross, Mega Scizor, and Mega Pinsir. Pivot Rotom-W into moves that cannot harm it, such as a Choice-locked attack like Pursuit from Tyranitar or Flash Cannon from Magnezone or a Ground-type attack like Earthquake from Gliscor, Sand Rush Excadrill, or Landorus-T.
Team Options
======
Heatran can provide Stealth Rock support and help Rotom-W deal with Grass-types like Serperior and Tangrowth as well as Dragon-type attacks like Draco Meteor from Latios, while Rotom-W can take on Ground-types like Gliscor and Sand Rush Excadrill for it. Excadrill can help Rotom-W deal with Fairy-types like Clefable and Mega Altaria while also providing Rapid Spin support, making Rotom-W's Volt Switch more effective. Tornadus-T can form a VoltTurn core with Rotom-W and can also check Grass-types like Serperior and Tangrowth that threaten it. Mega Scizor can also form a VoltTurn core with Rotom-W, checks Fairy- and Grass-types, and appreciates Rotom-W's ability to check Flying-types like Tornadus-T and Mega Pinsir as well as Fire-types like Heatran and Talonflame. Mega Metagross can also deal with Fairy-types like Clefable and Mega Altaria while also appreciating Rotom-W dealing with bulky Water-types like Slowbro and using Volt Switch to give it a free switch-in. Clefable can help Rotom-W absorb status moves like Toxic and Will-O-Wisp, which otherwise put Rotom-W on a timer, while also appreciating its ability to deal with Clefable checks like Sand Rush Excadrill, Heatran, and Gliscor. Setup Pokemon like Swords Dance Bisharp and Mega Pinsir as well as Belly Drum Azumarill appreciate Rotom-W's ability to chip at fast foes like Latios, Keldeo, and Mega Lopunny while also providing them with Volt Switch support to come in. Pokemon like Rocky Helmet Garchomp and Ferrothorn are appreciated because they can punish foes that can gain momentum with slower U-turns than Rotom-W's Volt Switch, like Tornadus-T, adding contact damage onto damage from Rotom-W's Volt Switch. Both Pokemon are also able to provide entry hazards like Stealth Rock or Spikes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
===================
Hidden Power Ice can also be used as a more reliable way to hit Ground-types like Landorus-T and Gliscor, as Hydro Pump has low PP and a chance to miss.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Serperior can threaten Rotom-W with a Leaf Storm and set up a Substitute freely on it. Ferrothorn can absorb attacks from Rotom-W and can beat it one-on-one with Power Whip or Leech Seed. Mega Venusaur, Tangrowth, and Amoonguss can all take hits from Rotom-W and threaten it with a Giga Drain. Rotom-W can, however, gain momentum on these Grass-types as they switch in via Volt Switch or cripple them with Will-O-Wisp.
**Fairy-types** Clefable can absorb Rotom-W's Will-O-Wisp, recover off any damage thanks to Leftovers and Soft-Boiled, and slowly wear it down with Moonblast. Mega Altaria does not mind being burned, as it has access to Heal Bell, can set up on Rotom-W with Dragon Dance, and can recover off any damage thanks to Roost.
**Dragon-types** Latios can easily switch into Rotom-W and threaten it with a STAB Psychic or Draco Meteor. Mega Latias can set up Calm Mind on Rotom-W but can be annoyed by Thunder Wave or Will-O-Wisp.
**Chansey**: Chansey can wall Rotom-W and cripple it with Toxic. Chansey does, however, have a lot of HP, making it a perfect target for Rotom-W to use Pain Split on. Choice Scarf Rotom-W can also cripple Chansey with Trick, making it essentially useless.
**Offensive Pressure**: With its lack of reliable recovery and low HP stat, Rotom-W can easily be worn down or powered through. Some punishing attacks include Zen Headbutt from Mega Metagross, High Jump Kick from Mega Medicham, Hidden Power Grass and Secret Sword from Keldeo, Energy Ball from Manaphy, Choice Specs-boosted Draco Meteor and Psychic from Latios, Moonblast from Mega Diancie, Return from Mega Lopunny, and Thunderbolt from Mega Latias and Thundurus.
**Status**: With its lack of reliable recovery, status moves like Toxic and Will-O-Wisp put Rotom-W on a timer, forcing it to switch out.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[ez, 233669]]
- Quality checked by: [[jonfilch, 472436], [Savouras, 409438]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [Estronic, 240732]]
Last edited: