Rotom-W (Analysis)

Eo Ut Mortus said:

Thunder Wave is a good move, seeing as it cripples both Birijion and Latias, two common Rotom-W switch-ins.

[...]

I also think you should mention a couple of Speed benchmarks in additional comments. 128 EVs (132 w/ HP Fire) outpaces max Spe base 70s (Breloom) as well as min Spe 100s (Manaphy); 184 EVs (188) outpaces max Spe Timid Heatran.

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[Overview]
<p>The transition to Generation V was a very strange one for Rotom-W, as its dual typing changed from Electric / Ghost to Electric / Water. Although this means Rotom-W has lost its job as the go-to spinblocker in standard play, its fantastic typing means it has found a new niche as a premier bulky Water. Thanks to Levitate, Rotom-W has only a single weakness is weak only to Grass-type attacks, and it can effectively counter some of the game's most prominent threats, such as Gliscor and Landorus. New toys like Volt Change further bolster Rotom-W's abilities ablility as a Choice Scarf or Choice Specs user, allowing it to pull off an effective hit-and-run strategy while still dealing good damage in the process. If you're looking for something that can hit hard and wall check a large portion of the metagame successfully, Rotom-W is often an excellent Pokemon to consider.</p>

[SET]
name: Standard
move 1: Thunderbolt
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Will-O-Wisp / Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Pain Split
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Modest
evs: 128 HP / 252 SpA / 128 Spe

<p>This is the new Black and White standard for Rotom-W. It takes advantage of all of Rotom-W's strengths, namely its well-distributed stats, fantastic defensive and offensive typing, and Levitate ability. The Modest nature and Special Attack EVs mean that Rotom-W will be hitting with a ton of power; , and almost nothing is safe from its onslaught. Rotom-W makes one of the very best Gliscor counters thanks to Levitate, and it can also reliably switch into the like of Gyarados and Jellicent thanks to its new resistance to Water-type attacks. Thunderbolt has always been a consistentlygood STABattack on Rotom-W, and thanks to its new typing, Rotom-W now receives STAB on Hydro Pump as well. Between the two, Rotom-W can hit the vast majority of the metagame for either neutral or super effective damage. Will-O-Wisp is incredibly useful for crippling Scizor and Ferrothorn, although Hidden Power Fire is an option to OHKO the former and 2HKO the latter. Hidden Power Fire is also useful to hit Grass-types, who resist Rotom-W's dual STAB, super effectively. Pain Split rounds out Rotom-W's arsenal, and it takes advantage of Rotom-W's naturally low Hit Points HP by granting it the ability to heal up in a pinch, albeit unreliably.</p>

<p>Max Special Attack is ideal to capitalize on Rotom-W's excellent attacking prowess, and it allows Rotom-W to hit extremely hard with its dual STAB. With 128 Speed EVs, Rotom-W reaches a stat of 240, enough to outpace max Speed Adamant Scizor and Breloom, minimum Speed Manaphy, and along with most variants of Gliscor. The remaining EVs are dumped into HP Hit Points to bolster Rotom-W's already solid defenses. Take note that Hidden Power Fire requires Rotom-W to use an imperfect Speed IV, so if you decide to use it over Will-O-Wisp, be sure to compensate by moving 4 EVs from Hit Points to Speed. If you're looking for more bulk, feel free to put Rotom-W's Special Attack EVs into Defense and give it a Bold nature, as this will significantly increase Rotom-W's ability to take hits.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>There are a few other moves to consider when using Rotom-W. Although Will-O-Wisp and Hidden Power Fire are extremely important for dealing with the ubiquitous Scizor and Ferrothorn, Thunder Wave is a decent alternative. Rotom-W has the tendency to lure in the likes of Latios, Latias, and Virizion, all of whom (or which) and all three of them despise being paralyzed. Volt Change is a good option over Thunderbolt as it to allows Rotom-W to scout potential counters, although the difference in Base Power is fairly substantial and the forced switching can be disadvantageous at times. Discharge makes another decent choice, as Rotom-W appreciates the 30% chance of paralysis.</p>

<p>Although Rotom-W can hit hard and take many hits in return, several Pokemon still give it trouble. Latios and Latias are among the best switch-ins because they resist all of Rotom-W's attacks and don't really care that much about being burned. Blissey and Chansey are in a similar boat, and while Pain Split can be a nuisance, they can simply heal off any damage and use Toxic on Rotom-W. Grass-types like Breloom generally have little to fear if Rotom-W doesn't carry Hidden Power Fire, and even if it does, Virizion can still come in thanks to its gargantuan Special Defense. Scizor pairs extremely well with Rotom-W, as they cover resist each other's only weakness, and Scizor can deal with Latios, Latias, Blissey, and Chansey quite handily. If Scizor invests in its Special Defense, it can also make a great Virizion counter. Specially Defensive Skarmory is also a good partner because it can absorb Latios's and Latias's Choiced Draco Meteors from Latios and Latias, set up on Blissey, and reliably counter Breloom if Sleep Clause has already been activated. Although it shares Rotom-W's Grass-type weakness, Tyranitar is a useful teammate to as it can Pursuit Latios and Latias, and variants with Superpower fare very well against Blissey if it carries Superpower. It also summons a permanent sandstorm with its ability, which can help Rotom-W greatly when countering Rain Dance teams.</p>

[SET]
name: Choice
move 1: Volt Change / Thunderbolt
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Hidden Power Fire / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf / Choice Specs
ability: Levitate
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

<p>With excellent Special Attack and above-average Speed, Rotom-W makes a fine user of either Choice Scarf or Choice Specs. Volt Change is a great addition to its movepool, as it allows Rotom-W to both scout for potential counters and hit extremely hard in the process with this newaSTAB Electric-type attack. If scouting isn't a priority, Thunderbolt is a great alternative to provide more power and consistent damage. Hydro Pump is Rotom-W's strongest attack and it's what separates Rotom-W from other Choiced Electric-types, as it will destroy most Ground-types trying to come in for free on Volt Change or Thunderbolt. Although most Steel-types can't keep up with Rotom-W's powerful STABs, Hidden Power Fire is the preferred third attack to handle Grass-types, particularly Ferrothorn. Hidden Power Ice can be used if you're more concerned about Garchomp and Salamence, or if your team requires a way of revenge killing +1 Speed Dragonite. Trick lets Rotom-W cripple special walls, especially Blissey and Chansey, who would otherwise completely wall this set.</p>

<p>A Timid nature is important on Rotom-W for a number of reasons. When equipped with a Choice Scarf, Rotom-W becomes a solid revenge killer for offensive teams, granting them useful resistances and much-appreciated Speed. Choice Scarf Rotom-W can check a huge variety of threats, including Gyarados and Dragonite after one Dragon Dance, Blaziken after one Speed Boost, and naturally fast Pokemon like Terrakion, Starmie, and Infernape. Even with Choice Specs, Rotom-W can use a Timid nature to outpace the likes of Heatran and Nidoking.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Choiced Rotom-W absolutely loves Stealth Rock because Volt Change tends to cause a lot of switches. Tyranitar is perhaps the best partner to set up Stealth Rock for Rotom-W since it can also Pursuit Latios and Latias, who are the best counters to this set. Its boosted Special Defense granted in the sand also allows Tyranitar to easily take on Hydreigon, who resists all of everything in Rotom-W's arsenal. Having a way of dealing with Blissey and Chansey is also recommended, as they will wall Rotom-W endlessly unless you are able to Trick them. A powerful Pursuit user like Choice Band Tyranitar or Scizor is a good option, while bulky Fighting-types like as is a Fighting-type, such as Conkeldurr, who can come in on Blissey's or Chansey's Toxic thanks to Guts and threaten Blissey or Chansey back with a powerful Drain Punch. Spikers like Skarmory and Ferrothorn make excellent teammates to Rotom-W because they have perfect synergy in terms of typing and Rotom-W loves the additional passive damage to break down its counters.</p>

[Team Options]

<p>Rotom-W appreciates any kind of entry hazard, whether it be Stealth Rock, Spikes, or Toxic Spikes. Choiced variants with Volt Change can abuse them extremely well, as they let Rotom-W revenge kill more easily by racking up residual damage on its counters. Toxic Spikes can also be very useful for wearing down Rotom-W's archenemies Blissey and Chansey. Just about every anycommon Spiker, such as including Forretress, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn, pairs well with Rotom-W. They each have a crippling weakness to Fire-type attacks which Rotom-W resists covers, and in turn cover while Rotom-W's sole weakness to Grass-type attacks is in return covered by all three. As such, they should almost always be considered when using Rotom-W on your team.</p>

<p>Several Pokemon will consistently give Rotom-W a hard time, including such as Latios, Latias, Virizion, Blissey, and Chansey. As mentioned several times previously, Tyranitar makes a great partner for Rotom-W due to its ability to handily defeat Latios and Latias with Pursuit, while simultaneously threatening Blissey and Chansey with Superpower. It can also set up Stealth Rock for your team, and Rotom-W will often benefit from Tyranitar's permanent sandstorm, as it will help build up residual damage on Rotom-W's counters. Scizor is often considered one of Rotom-W's quintessential partners since they have great synergy and excel at removing the each other's counters. Specially Defensive Scizor with Swords Dance can set up on and KO all five of the aforementioned Pokemon (unless Latios and Latias carry Hidden Power Fire), while Rotom-W can defeat Pokemon like Gliscor and Jellicent who give Scizor problems.</p>

<p>Rotom-W's lack of a reliable recovery move means that it can benefit greatly from Wish support. Jirachi is among the best choices to pair Rotom-W with, thanks to its great typing and its ability to defeat problematic Pokemon like Latias and Latios. Blissey and Chansey can pass enormous Wishes to Rotom-W, and therefore make good partners for Rotom-W, especially on stall teams.</p>

[Other Options]
<p>Aside from minor changes in attacks, there are a few other options for Rotom-W to consider. A bulky RestTalk set can be used for greater longevity, although Rest has become a liability this Generation due to the new sleep mechanics. Rotom-W will often find it difficult to remain in play for three turns whilst asleep due to the numerous Pokemon that can set up on it, and therefore might find itself asleep for a large portion of the match. Rotom-W can run an effective Substitute + Charge Beam set, but since it has lost its Ghost typing, Blissey and Chansey will now always beat Rotom-W one-on-one with Seismic Toss. A Life Orb can be considered for the Standard set, especially since Pain Split will enable Rotom-W to heal any sustained damage, although but Rotom-W will sorely miss the recovery that Leftovers grants.</p>

[Counters]
<p>Latios, Latias, Blissey, and Chansey are the big four that will almost assuredly give Rotom-W trouble. Without If Rotom-W lacks Thunder Wave, Latios and Latias can come in for free on the Standard set and begin Calm Minding or threaten with a powerful Draco Meteor. Blissey and Chansey take laughable damage from any of Rotom-W's attacks and have Natural Cure to get rid of any status they sustain. In turn, they can Toxic Rotom-W to cripple it for the rest of the match or simply wear it down with Seismic Toss. Although they must be wary of Hidden Power Fire, Grass-types are also problematic for Rotom-W. Virizion in particular has great Special Defense to sponge Rotom-W's attacks, and it can either set up Calm Mind or heal up with a super effective Giga Drain. If its Toxic Orb has already been activated and Rotom-W doesn't carry Hidden Power Fire, Breloom becomes a huge problem, as it can either choose to attack or threaten with Spore. Although Will-O-Wisp will cripple it, Ferrothorn is free to set up Spikes on any Rotom-W who doesn't carry lacking Hidden Power Fire. While Rotom-W has great coverage, it will often have problems beating Pokemon with high Special Defense, such as like Deoxys-D and Umbreon, if since it lacks an attack with which to hit them super effectively.</p>

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I have taken the necessary changes from iDunno's check and added them in here with some of mine. The check probably would have been sufficient, but I was slightly worried given all of the barely necessary changes that the wrong mindset was being used. I was also slightly nervous about using our new stamping system for the second check on an analysis. Nonetheless please do not credit this check to me.

@iDunno - given that you were once in the team, I think you ought to rejoin if you intend to do any more checks. I like to think of the team as a list of competent checkers; being a member brings no obligation to check but merely makes it count when you do. Being in the team would also ensure that you check in the correct mindset - there is no need to make unnecessary changes in order to persuade a GP team member of the thoroughness of your check.

Ask ibo or Rising_Dusk and hopefully they will let you in without examination

D.a.v.E said:

What about shadow ball as an option. it hits the likes of jellicent harder if you are carrying volt switch

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