Base Stats: 50/65/107/105/107/86
Abilities: Levitate
Relevant Moves: Discharge, Leaf Storm, Nasty Plot, Thunderbolt, Trick, Volt Switch, Will-O-Wisp
Pros:
-A very nice offensive STAB combo allows Rotom-Mow to threaten many defensive cores as it can notably hit common specially defensive Ground types such as Gastrodon and Hippowdon very hard. Leaf Storm also prevents Ground types aside from Toedscruel from switching in and blocking Rotom's Volt Switch.
-Rotom-Mow's speed tier is defining and it acts as a gatekeeper for slower offensive pokemon like Gyarados, Gallade and Gardevoir. With a Choice Scarf, it can also outspeed the previously mentionned pokemon while they're holding a scarf of their own or have had their speed boosted by a move like Dragon Dance. Choice Scarf Rotom-Mow also outspeeds every other unboosted pokemon, making it quite decent at revenge-killing or forcing out fast threats.
-Nasty Plot, Trick and Will-O-Wisp all give Rotom-Mow great ways to make progress by either becoming a fierce setup wallbreaker that can't be stopped by Quagsire or by crippling common switch-ins.
Cons:
-Rotom-Mow's STAB combo, while good against a lot of defensive cores, can let some pretty threatening pokemon come in. While Grass types are generally not too threatening to it and Rotom-Mow can accumulate Nasty Plot boosts against them, letting pokemon like Hydreigon, Haxorus and Kilowattrel in can be especially detrimental and teams using Rotom-Mow should be prepared to deal with this weakness.
-Unlike other popular Rotom forms, Rotom-Mow's defensive typing is less impressive as it has more weaknesses than Wash and Heat, doesn't use Levitate as well as they do and lacks some of their resistances, notably to Flying type. This makes its low HP stand out more as well and means Rotom-Mow is very unlikely to work for more defensive or utility-focused sets.
Tera Types:
Rotom-Mow's Tera type usually fills one of two roles. It can try to improve its defensive profile to provide more setup opportunities or it can use a type that provides good coverage when paired with Tera Blast.
-Steel as always is a good option for pokemon looking for more defensive utility and pairs notably well with Levitate. Steel typing's immunity to Sandstorm and Toxic as well as Rock resistance makes Rotom much more difficult to wear down through passive damage and gives it an even better matchup against defensive Ground types that rely on passive damage such as Hippowdon and Quagsire. It can also be used in a pinch to sponge an incoming super effective hit from the likes of Gengar, Slither Wing, Staraptor or Grafaiai and strike back with an attack or a burn.
-Ice provides Rotom-Mow with a way to hit all Grass and Dragon types super effectively as well as Kilowattrel making it very difficult to wall the Nasty Plot set. However, while Ice's offensive potential may be impressive, its defensive weaknesses are also very important to acknowledge as it makes Rotom very easy to revenge-kill and can make it easily countered by Tinkaton which it already has a less than ideal matchup against with its base type.
-Other potentially viable Tera types include Electric, Grass and Fairy.
Viable Sets:
Scarf (Rotom-Mow) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Tera Type: Steel / Ice
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Leaf Storm
- Nasty Plot / Will-O-Wisp / Tera Blast
- Trick
The Choice Scarf Trick+Nasty Plot set gives Rotom-Mow a lot of flexibility depending on its opponent's team. It can act as a good pivot thanks to its Speed and decent super effective coverage, forcing opponents out and using a pivoting option that can be dangerous to attempt to block. However, if it finds itself in a matchup where it wants to cripple a certain target or where it wants to use Nasty Plot to wallbreak, it can Trick its Scarf unto a wall and start using Nasty Plot. Scarf sets can also decide to use different moves over Nasty Plot if they want to fill a slightly different niche. Will-O-Wisp can be nice for crippling the opposing team and Rotom-Mow can spread it decently well as it forces out the most common Fire type, Talonflame. Even while still Scarfed, a fast burn can sometimes be game-changing and can still be worth going for. Alternatively, Rotom can decide to drop the idea of taking its time and simply use Tera Blast Ice to make itself as difficult to switch into as possible.
Standard NP (Rotom-Mow) @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Tera Type: Ice
EVs: 36 HP / 252 SpA / 220 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch / Thunderbolt
- Leaf Storm
- Tera Blast
- Nasty Plot
The Nasty Plot set is a very simple wallbreaker that uses the combo of Electric, Grass and Ice to threaten most of the tier. While its low Speed may seem like it could make it have trouble switching in at first, Levitate grants it an immunity to Earthquake and Spikes, meaning it has a much easier time switching in and staying healthy compared to something like Gallade. 220 speed EVs with a Timid nature allows you to outspeed base 81s such as Slither Wing and Gyarados and also outspeeds utility Rotom-Wash which tends to use 216 speed.
Other Options:
Rotom-Mow's main draw is its offensive potential and it will generally be outclassed either by other Rotom forms or other Grass types in more supportive roles it might attempt. However, its typing and Levitate could give it some very specific utility niche for certain teams as those traits remain unique.
-Rotom-Mow can try to make a set with maximum HP investment work as a defensive pivot, similarly to Rotom-Wash. Volt Switch and Leaf Storm are a given and then, options like Will-O-Wisp, Protect or Nasty Plot could be useful. Rest+Chesto Berry may even be an option.
-Rotom-Mow's access to Light Screen and Reflect, an interesting speed tier and a Volt Switch that's easy to land could give it a small niche as a Screens Setter for Hyper Offense.
Example Teams:
This team uses Choice Scarf Rotom-Mow as the team's speed control option alongside Talonflame. Rotom's offensive switch-ins, Hydreigon, Haxorus and Kilowattrel are all dealt with pretty well using teammates such as Azumarill and specially defensive Hippowdon. It's good at baiting in targets such as Tsareena, Altaria or Blissey and Volt Switching on them and let Salamence or Azumarill in to deal heavy damage. It can also bait out Tinkaton and Trick it to give Hatterene and Salamence a headstart in wearing it down. While this team is generally already good at wallbreaking, Rotom can still Trick its Scarf against especially defensive teams to cripple a wall and get its own wallbreaking potential into the game.
Conclusion:
Rotom-Mow has a lot of potential as an offensive threat since Volt Switch and Leaf Storm form a strong pair and it can improve even further upon its strengths with Nasty Plot and Tera Blast. It's able to adapt between a wide range of roles within the same game which is a rather unique trait. Whether you need an offensive pivot, speed control or wallbreaker, Mowtom has your back. However, it's important to realize its weaknesses and make sure its team can deal with the offensive threats it can let in or with its middling Speed.
