[OVERVIEW]
Rotom-W is a good defensive Pokemon thanks to the combination of its Electric / Water typing and Levitate ability leaving it with only a single weakness. On top of this, Rotom-W has access to utility moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave and one of the most useful moves in the game in Volt Switch, making it a very effective pivot for bulky offense teams. Rotom-W's Water typing makes it even better in combination with Volt Switch because it means that Rotom-W can threaten many of the Ground-types that usually aim to block most Volt Switch Pokemon. Rotom-W also has a good Speed tier for a defensive Pokemon, and as such, it can tailor its Speed investment to outspeed a number of common offensive Pokemon, which means that it is somewhat versatile for a pivot and can be tweaked to best fit each team that is is utilized on. On the downside, Rotom-W's low HP stat somewhat undermines its above average defensive stats, so it's not always as bulky as it seems. This is only further compounded by the fact that it has no reliable recovery, so it is worn down quite quickly.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Pain Split
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 200 Def / 60 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch is Rotom-W's Electric-type STAB move and used to generate momentum for its teammates. Hydro Pump can be used to hit the Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Garchomp that could otherwise block Volt Switch. Will-O-Wisp is used to neuter physical attackers, such as Mega Heracross, Bisharp, Mega Scizor, and Mega Mawile. Pain Split gives Rotom-W a semi-reliable means of recovery that it can use when facing defensive Pokemon, such as Clefable and Chansey, in order to stay healthy.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP investment enables Rotom-W to be as bulky as possible, and heavy Defense investment allows it to best handle physical attackers, such as Mega Pinsir, Mega Scizor, Bisharp, Garchomp, and Gyarados. 60 Speed EVs allow Rotom-W to outspeed Choice Band Tyranitar as well as defensive Landorus-T. 20 Special Defense EVs can be used to enable Rotom-W to take two of Ash-Greninja's Hydro Pumps without Stealth Rock damage while also guaranteeing that it will survive Latios's Life Orb-boosted Draco Meteor after Stealth Rock, which can be useful because Rotom-W can then safely Volt Switch into a Pursuit trapper such as Weavile. More Special Defense EVs can be run if Rotom-W wants to cushion itself against special attackers such as Tornadus-T and Ash-Greninja, although it generally isn't very useful, as very heavy investment in combination with a Calm nature is needed to make a real difference in most cases. Varying Speed EVs can be run to hit a number of different Speed tiers; for example, 128 Speed EVs allow Rotom-W to outspeed Adamant Bisharp, Jolly Crawdaunt, and Jolly Azumarill as well as slower variants of Landorus-T, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Scizor.
Usage Tips
========
The combination of Volt Switch and Hydro Pump to threaten Ground-types makes Rotom-W one of the best Pokemon at generating momentum and is one of Rotom-W's main calling cards, so be sure to take advantage of it as much as possible in order to keep the momentum in your favor. Rotom-W's defensive typing makes it most effective when checking Pokemon that it resists the main STAB move from, such as Tornadus-T, Mega Pinsir, defensive Landorus-T, and Sand Rush Excadrill. Outside of those instances, make sure to pick your spots when utilizing Rotom-W, as it doesn't have reliable recovery, so you can't afford to continually throw it in against threats like Keldeo or Greninja.
Team Options
========
Rotom-W pairs fantastically with very powerful wallbreakers, such as Mega Medicham, Mega Pinsir, Hoopa-U, Mega Mawile, and Tapu Bulu, as its ability to Volt Switch around freely on most teams means that it can provide many safe opportunities to switch in for those Pokemon. Other VoltTurn Pokemon that can have defensive synergy with Rotom-W, such as Jirachi and Magearna, which provide Dragon- and Grass-type resistances, are good partners. Despite possessing the Levitate ability, Rotom-W is still susceptible to two of the most common offensive Ground-types in the game, with Landorus-T running Swords Dance in combination with Continental Crush and Zygarde having Thousand Arrows; as such, sturdy Pokemon that resist Ground and are able to handle these Pokemon, such as Tangrowth, are often good partners for Rotom-W. Landorus-T is both a VoltTurn partner and a sturdy Ground-type switch-in, making it an excellent partner. Landorus-T can even use Supersonic Skystrike to lure and remove Grass-types if it wants to further support Rotom-W. Lastly, Weavile is a good partner because it can Pursuit trap threats such as Latios while also threatening Grass-types, such as Amoonguss and Tapu Bulu, that may try and pivot into Rotom-W's Volt Switch.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thunder Wave can be used to cripple Pokemon such as Latios and Mega Charizard X that aren't heavily threatened by any of Rotom-W's other moves. Hidden Power Fire can be used to nail Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor for immediate damage. Rocky Helmet enables Rotom-W to chip away at U-turn users such as Landorus-T and Mega Scizor. If Rotom-W is being used on more offensive teams, then Sitrus Berry, Iapapa Berry, and Mago Berry can be used to restore a portion of its HP immediately, allowing it to avoid a 2HKO or 3HKO that it could not with only Leftovers recovery. Rest can be used in conjunction with Chesto Berry to fully heal Rotom-W and cure it of any status conditions, although the utility of other items is usually preferred.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Rotom-W's single weakness to Grass means that it struggles to handle the likes of offensive Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu and Serperior and is walled by defensive threats such as Tangrowth and Amoonguss.
**Dragon-types**: With a resistance to both of Rotom-W's STAB attacks, Latios comes in on Rotom-W relatively safely and can threaten it with its powerful attacks.
**Gastrodon**: With an immunity to both Water- and Electric-type attacks as well as a reliable recovery move, Gastrodon is a pretty safe counter to Rotom-W.
Rotom-W is a good defensive Pokemon thanks to the combination of its Electric / Water typing and Levitate ability leaving it with only a single weakness. On top of this, Rotom-W has access to utility moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Thunder Wave and one of the most useful moves in the game in Volt Switch, making it a very effective pivot for bulky offense teams. Rotom-W's Water typing makes it even better in combination with Volt Switch because it means that Rotom-W can threaten many of the Ground-types that usually aim to block most Volt Switch Pokemon. Rotom-W also has a good Speed tier for a defensive Pokemon, and as such, it can tailor its Speed investment to outspeed a number of common offensive Pokemon, which means that it is somewhat versatile for a pivot and can be tweaked to best fit each team that is is utilized on. On the downside, Rotom-W's low HP stat somewhat undermines its above average defensive stats, so it's not always as bulky as it seems. This is only further compounded by the fact that it has no reliable recovery, so it is worn down quite quickly.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Volt Switch
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Pain Split
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 200 Def / 60 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Volt Switch is Rotom-W's Electric-type STAB move and used to generate momentum for its teammates. Hydro Pump can be used to hit the Ground-types such as Landorus-T and Garchomp that could otherwise block Volt Switch. Will-O-Wisp is used to neuter physical attackers, such as Mega Heracross, Bisharp, Mega Scizor, and Mega Mawile. Pain Split gives Rotom-W a semi-reliable means of recovery that it can use when facing defensive Pokemon, such as Clefable and Chansey, in order to stay healthy.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP investment enables Rotom-W to be as bulky as possible, and heavy Defense investment allows it to best handle physical attackers, such as Mega Pinsir, Mega Scizor, Bisharp, Garchomp, and Gyarados. 60 Speed EVs allow Rotom-W to outspeed Choice Band Tyranitar as well as defensive Landorus-T. 20 Special Defense EVs can be used to enable Rotom-W to take two of Ash-Greninja's Hydro Pumps without Stealth Rock damage while also guaranteeing that it will survive Latios's Life Orb-boosted Draco Meteor after Stealth Rock, which can be useful because Rotom-W can then safely Volt Switch into a Pursuit trapper such as Weavile. More Special Defense EVs can be run if Rotom-W wants to cushion itself against special attackers such as Tornadus-T and Ash-Greninja, although it generally isn't very useful, as very heavy investment in combination with a Calm nature is needed to make a real difference in most cases. Varying Speed EVs can be run to hit a number of different Speed tiers; for example, 128 Speed EVs allow Rotom-W to outspeed Adamant Bisharp, Jolly Crawdaunt, and Jolly Azumarill as well as slower variants of Landorus-T, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Scizor.
Usage Tips
========
The combination of Volt Switch and Hydro Pump to threaten Ground-types makes Rotom-W one of the best Pokemon at generating momentum and is one of Rotom-W's main calling cards, so be sure to take advantage of it as much as possible in order to keep the momentum in your favor. Rotom-W's defensive typing makes it most effective when checking Pokemon that it resists the main STAB move from, such as Tornadus-T, Mega Pinsir, defensive Landorus-T, and Sand Rush Excadrill. Outside of those instances, make sure to pick your spots when utilizing Rotom-W, as it doesn't have reliable recovery, so you can't afford to continually throw it in against threats like Keldeo or Greninja.
Team Options
========
Rotom-W pairs fantastically with very powerful wallbreakers, such as Mega Medicham, Mega Pinsir, Hoopa-U, Mega Mawile, and Tapu Bulu, as its ability to Volt Switch around freely on most teams means that it can provide many safe opportunities to switch in for those Pokemon. Other VoltTurn Pokemon that can have defensive synergy with Rotom-W, such as Jirachi and Magearna, which provide Dragon- and Grass-type resistances, are good partners. Despite possessing the Levitate ability, Rotom-W is still susceptible to two of the most common offensive Ground-types in the game, with Landorus-T running Swords Dance in combination with Continental Crush and Zygarde having Thousand Arrows; as such, sturdy Pokemon that resist Ground and are able to handle these Pokemon, such as Tangrowth, are often good partners for Rotom-W. Landorus-T is both a VoltTurn partner and a sturdy Ground-type switch-in, making it an excellent partner. Landorus-T can even use Supersonic Skystrike to lure and remove Grass-types if it wants to further support Rotom-W. Lastly, Weavile is a good partner because it can Pursuit trap threats such as Latios while also threatening Grass-types, such as Amoonguss and Tapu Bulu, that may try and pivot into Rotom-W's Volt Switch.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thunder Wave can be used to cripple Pokemon such as Latios and Mega Charizard X that aren't heavily threatened by any of Rotom-W's other moves. Hidden Power Fire can be used to nail Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor for immediate damage. Rocky Helmet enables Rotom-W to chip away at U-turn users such as Landorus-T and Mega Scizor. If Rotom-W is being used on more offensive teams, then Sitrus Berry, Iapapa Berry, and Mago Berry can be used to restore a portion of its HP immediately, allowing it to avoid a 2HKO or 3HKO that it could not with only Leftovers recovery. Rest can be used in conjunction with Chesto Berry to fully heal Rotom-W and cure it of any status conditions, although the utility of other items is usually preferred.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Rotom-W's single weakness to Grass means that it struggles to handle the likes of offensive Pokemon such as Tapu Bulu and Serperior and is walled by defensive threats such as Tangrowth and Amoonguss.
**Dragon-types**: With a resistance to both of Rotom-W's STAB attacks, Latios comes in on Rotom-W relatively safely and can threaten it with its powerful attacks.
**Gastrodon**: With an immunity to both Water- and Electric-type attacks as well as a reliable recovery move, Gastrodon is a pretty safe counter to Rotom-W.
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