![[Image: discharge_by_neslug-d7k7btr.jpg]](http://pre10.deviantart.net/5138/th/pre/f/2014/149/d/f/discharge_by_neslug-d7k7btr.jpg)
Credit to: Neslug
Rotom-W easily has the best defensive typing in the format, with 1 weakness and 5 resistances and an immunity. With good defensive stats and the ability to neuter physical threats in a heavily physical meta, there is rarely a situation where Rotom-W is not useful. While usage has dropped since VGC14, Rotom-W can still be a serious pain to teams which aren't prepared for it.
![[Image: 479-wash.gif]](http://pldh.net/media/pokemon/gen6/xy-animated/479-wash.gif)
Type: Electric/Water
Weaknesses: Grass (X2)
Resistances: Flying (X0.5), Steel (X0.25), Fire (x0.5), Water (x0.5), Ice (x0.5), Ground (Immune)
Abilities:
Levitate - Levitate renders the user immune to most Ground-type moves (excepting Sand Attack and Thousand Arrows), Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Misty Terrain, Grassy Terrain, Electric Terrain, Arena Trap, and damage from Sky Drop. These immunities can be lost if the user is holding an Iron Ball, is under the effects of Gravity or Ingrain, has been hit by Smack Down or Thousand Arrows, or if the opponent has Mold Breaker, Teravolt, or Turboblaze.
Base Stats: 50 HP / 65 ATK / 107 DEF / 105 SpA / 107 SpD / 86 Spe
Tank/Support
Rotom-Wash @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Levitate
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 60 SpA / 60 SpD / 132 Spe OR 252 HP / 92 Def / 4 SpA / 148 SpD / 12 Spe
Calm Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Will-O-Wisp
- Protect
Rotom-W can fit onto many teams as it can withstand a variety of powerful attacks depending on its investment. This is why I would recommend making an EV spread that best suits your team. The first spread listed allows Rotom to outspeed Adamant Bisharp, OHKO 4HP Landorus-T with Hydro Pump and making Giga Drain from 148 SpAtk Ludicolo a 3HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery. The second spread allows Rotom to survive two 252+ Specs Hyper Voices from Sylveon, survive a 252+ Solar beam from Zard Y and a 252+ Specs Draco Meteor from Hydreigon most of the time. Depending on the team, some benchmarks will be more important than others, so experiment. For example, 188 speed EVs allow Rotom to outspeed modest Heatran, which may be important if this is a particular threat to your team. The moveset is very standard and is what you will see on Rotom-W almost all the time. Hydro Pump and Thunderbolt provide great STAB coverage. Will-O-Wisp weakens physical attackers, making them less threatening to your team. Protect prevents Rotom-W from taking damage for a turn, allowing for a teammate to KO or weaken a threat to Rotom-W, or prevent being double targeted.
Damage Calculations
Defensive (Spread 1):
Offensive (Spread 1):
Defensive (Spread 2):
Offensive (Spread 2):
With Rotom-W's amazing typing a great bulk, many Pokemon such as bulky waters and Landorus-T won't be able to touch you. If this is the case, you can expect your opponent to switch, giving you the opportunity to capitalise and burn the incoming Pokemon.
Scarf Special Attacker
Rotom-Wash @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
Level: 50
EVs: 44 HP / 252 SpA / 212 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Volt Switch/Trick/Rain Dance/Sleep Talk
This set is to be used to surprise the opponent who may be unprepared for a more offensive Rotom-W. It punishes team which rely on Rock Slide flinches with Landorus-T to beat a more defensive Rotom, being surprised when they get outsped and OHKOd. While less practical and more situational, this set can work wonders on more offensive teams. The EVs are there to outspeed 252+ speed scarf base 80s, as well as Adamant max speed scarf Landorus-T. The rest of the EVs were spent maximising special attack and the leftover EVs were placed in HP. The moveset is straightforward, with the last moveslot being easily changed. Hydro Pump and Thunderbolt for STAB, HP ice for Dragons such as Salamence who otherwise wall you. Volt switch can be used to gain momentum on obvious switches, Trick can be used on Pokemon who do not appreciate being locked in to a move, Rain Dance can be used as an answer to Zard Y in a similar way that you would use Rain Dance Scarf Politoed, Sleep Talk can be used if the opponent manages to get a Spore/Sleep Powder off on Rotom-W.
Damage Calculations
Defensive:
Offensive:
Potential Teammates include, but aren't limited to;
- Landorus-T and Rotom-W have great synergy together. Due to Rotom's ability, Landorus is able to freely spam Earthquake. Landorus-T's intimidate ability provides Rotom-W with even greater bulk, making it even harder for the opponent to deal with. Intimidate may also force switches, which you may capitalise on. Rotom-W is able to beat bulky waters that Landorus has an issue with, while Landorus is able to rock slide opposing Zard Y and Superpower Kangaskhan (considering Fake Out can only target one of these Pokemon, a lead Kangaskhan will either take a big hit from Landorus or be burned from Rotom-W assuming Will-O-Wisp hits).
- Pokemon that appreciate a switch in to the moves Rotom-W resists make great partners, such as Mega Metagross, Mega Mawile and Amoonguss.
Threats include but aren't limited to;
- Grass types such as Venusaur and Amoonguss can wall Rotom-W indefinitely thanks to Leech Seed, Giga Drain and Regenerator.
- Specially based Dragons can also wall Rotom-W
- Gastrodon in particular is incredibly difficult for Rotom-W to deal with. While Rotom-W can take its hits, Gastrodon is immune to both of Rotom's offensive moves and does not mind being burned.
- While Rotom is bulky, strong boosted attacks can break through if given the chance.
Other notable moves
- Reflect - This can be used as a substitute for Will-O-Wisp to guarantee reduced physical damage from all opposing Pokemon for 5 turns.
- Light Screen - Similarly to Reflect, Light screen can be used to patch up your team's special defence for 5 turns.
- HP Grass - Can be used as a surprise move to beat Gastrodon and Swampert.
- Electroweb/Thunder Wave - If needed, Rotom-W can provide speed control. However, there are better options for speed control.
- Thunder - On rain teams, Thunder can be used for a stronger STAB option with a great chance of paralysis.
- Rest - A long with a Chesto Berry, Rest can be a nice option for Rotom-W, especially if another Pokemon has already taken the Sitrus Berry. However, this would replace Protect which can leave Rotom-W susceptible to double targeting.
Other Notable Items
- Chesto Berry - A replacement for the Sitrus Berry a long with the move Rest.
- Choice Specs - Can be used as an answer to rain teams when partnered with an answer to Ludicolo.
- Leftoves - An option for recovery. Can be useful when Rotom-W is intended to stay on the field for many turns, when its checks have been dealt with.
