Rotom-Mow
QC [3/3] - Pak / Nuked / BOUFF
GP [2/2] - marthaa / Fireflame479
[OVERVIEW]
Rotom-C possesses an interesting niche in UU as a fast offensive pivot with a good matchup against some of the top threats in the tier like Azumarill, Togekiss, and Rotom-W. Its secondary Grass typing and access to Leaf Storm make it extremely difficult to bring in a Ground-type Pokemon to block its Volt Switch, allowing it to gain momentum for its team quite easily. In addition to its useful STAB combination, it also has a handful of useful support moves such as Thunder Wave, Will-O-Wisp, and Defog in its arsenal. Its access to Defog in particular also allows it to become a solid remover of entry hazards with a good matchup against common setters like Klefki, Seismitoad, and Swampert. Additionally, Rotom-C's ability Levitate gives it a useful immunity to Ground-type moves. On the other hand, its typing gives it a poor matchup against many other significant threats in UU, most notably Dragon-type Pokemon like Hydreigon, Latias, and Mega Altaria. In addition to this, Rotom-C is held back by its somewhat average Special Attack that can pale in comparison to some of UU's more prominent special attackers like Mega Manectric and Hydreigon. Its Speed stat is only slightly above average as well, which means that it will almost always be forced out by faster offensive threats like Infernape, Latias, Serperior, and Mega Beedrill. Its defensive prowess is also somewhat lackluster compared to Rotom-W's, and a base HP of 50 combined with weaknesses to Bug and Ice as well as an inability to face common Dragon-type Pokemon means that Rotom-C often won't bring much to a team defensively. Lastly, Rotom-C also lacks any powerful coverage to help it break through its normal checks. Conventional special walls like Blissey, Amoonguss, and Alolan Muk will almost always be able to beat it in a one-on-one scenario.
[SET]
name: Offensive Pivot
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Volt Switch
move 3: Leaf Storm
move 4: Defog / Hidden Power Fire / Trick
item: Grassium Z / Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Thunderbolt is Rotom-C's primary STAB move, which it can usually spam freely, since Ground-type Pokemon will typically not switch into it. Volt Switch is a slightly weaker Electric-type STAB attack than Thunderbolt but allows Rotom-C to gain momentum while dealing damage. Leaf Storm is Rotom-C's secondary STAB move, which is extremely powerful and deters Ground-types from switching into its Electric-type moves. Defog allows Rotom-C to remove entry hazards, which lets it and its teammates switch around more freely. It should only be used with Grassium Z, as Choice Specs will lock it into Defog, meaning it will be extremely vulnerable and often cause a large loss of momentum. Hidden Power Fire is an alternative option to OHKO Scizor, while Trick can be used with Choice Specs to cripple Blissey and Amoonguss.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Special Attack gives Rotom-C the highest offensive output possible. Maximum investment in Speed with a Timid nature allows it to outspeed base 85 Speed Pokemon like Nidoking and Heracross. Grassium Z allows Rotom-C to use a 195-Base Power Bloom Doomwhile also letting it switch its moves at will. Alternatively, Rotom-C can use Choice Specs, which allows it to boost its overall power at the cost of being locked into a single move.
Usage Tips
========
Rotom-C excels at gaining momentum with Volt Switch, so it should attempt to create opportunities to use Volt Switch as much as possible. Rotom-C should avoid switching into strong hits due to its poor base 50 HP. It can come in on a weak Scald from Seismitoad, Swampert, and Suicune, as well as come in on Pokemon like Klefki, Togekiss, Rotom-W, and Hippowdon. Rotom-C can also come in for free via momentum from a teammate's U-turn or Volt Switch. Whenrunning Hidden Power Fire, Rotom-C should attempt to lure in Scizor somehow. It can usually catch a healthy Scizor, since there will be little noticeable downside for the Scizor to use U-turn. Be wary of Pokemon that will attempt to take advantage of Rotom-C in its weakened state after using Leaf Storm, as it will be very easy to set up on if it has decreased Special Attack. If using Choice Specs, one should attempt to hit Blissey and Amoonguss with Trick as they switch in, as they can both still threaten to debilitate Rotom-C if given a free turn. Additionally, Rotom-C should be still be wary of locking itself into Volt Switch when using Choice Specs, as Ground-types can potentially come in, though they rarely do so. Gliscor is an exception, as most Gliscor can easily tank a Leaf Storm or Bloom Doom and recover with Roost.
Team Options
========
Rotom-C pairs well with Alolan Muk because Rotom-C can easily lure in Latias and Serperior while using Volt Switch, which allows Alolan Muk to come in and trap them with Pursuit. Rotom-C can also come in and check various Ground-types to support Alolan Muk. Rotom-C synergizes with U-turn users like Scizor, Mega Beedrill, and Infernape, as they can pivot with Volt Switch and U-turn together to gain momentum throughout a match. Offensive VoltTurn teams that Infernape, Mega Beedrill, and Scizor often fit on will also appreciate Rotom-C's ability to remove entry hazards so they don't get worn down from switching constantly. Pokemon that can take advantage of common Dragon-types, such as Primarina, Klefki, and Scizor, appreciate being able to come in for free via Volt Switch against Latias or Hydreigon, as they are typically the safest switch-ins to Rotom-C. Additionally, since Rotom-C is a fairly consistent entry hazard remover, Pokemon susceptible to Stealth Rock like Moltres, Mega Beedrill, Mega Aerodactyl, and Talonflame all valueits ability to remove it. Powerful wallbreakers like Terrakion, Azumarill, and Heracross appreciate Rotom-C's ability to bring them in for free via momentum from Volt Switch. In turn, these high-powered physical wallbreakers can threaten Rotom-C's usual counters like Blissey and Amoonguss. Lastly, Pokemon like Mega Aerodactyl, Infernape, and Mamoswine all appreciate Rotom-C's ability to threaten bulky Water-types that attempt to switch into them.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Rotom-C can use Thunder Wave or Will-O-Wisp in its fourth moveslot to leave a crippling status condition on threats to it such as Alolan Muk and Mega Altaria. It can also attempt to use a Choice Scarf to become a decent revenge killer but often is better off increasing its damage output with Choice Specs or Grassium Z. Hidden Power Ice can be used to break through Gliscor without using Bloom Doom, catch Mega Sceptile that attempt to check Rotom-C, and dent switch-ins like Latias and Mega Altaria. Rotom-C can also attempt to use Dream Eater with Psychium Z to surprise Amoonguss, which can allow a teammate like Calm Mind Suicune to sweep more easily.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Dragon-types**: Due to Rotom-C's STAB combination and lack of powerful coverage moves, it struggles to break through Dragon-types like Mega Altaria, Latias, and Hydreigon. Mega Sceptile in particular is 4x resistant to Leaf Storm and immune to Electric-type moves thanks to its ability Lighting Rod.
**Grass-types**: Most of UU's Grass-type Pokemon do not mind facing off with Rotom-C, as they can take advantage of it fairly easily. Mega Sceptile is immune to its Electric-type STAB moves thanks to Lightning Rod while also being 4x resistant to Leaf Storm due to its typing. Amoonguss can shrug off any of Rotom-C's hits besides the extremely rare Shattered Psyche from Dream Eater thanks to Regenerator constantly restoring a third of its HP. Celebi threatens to get free Nasty Plot boosts when facing off with Rotom-C as well. However, they all must be mindful of Alolan Muk partnering with Rotom-C, as it can threaten to heavily weaken them with Pursuit.
**Special Walls**: Rotom-C's middling Special Attack and lack of coverage outside of Hidden Power means that conventional special walls often give it trouble. Blissey, Amoonguss, and Alolan Muk will all be able to stop Rotom-C in a one-on-one scenario, though Blissey and Amoonguss should be wary of Trick.
**Residual Damage**: While Rotom-C can switch in on weak Scald users such as Swampert and Suicune and passive Ground-types like Hippowdon, it should be wary of taking damage from status conditions like burn and poison as well as residual damage from sand and Stealth Rock, which can all wear it down very quickly.
**Faster Pokemon**: While Rotom-C's defensive prowess is decent, it often will still take a large amount of damage from any Pokemon that outpaces it. Mega Beedrill, Infernape, Mega Aerodactyl, Serperior, and Crobat are all examples of Pokemon that can threaten it with large amounts of damage before it can pivot out with Volt Switch.
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