With Choice Specs, Rotom-A becomes one of the tier's most threatening special attackers. With its nigh-unwallable coverage and solid Speed tier, Rotom-A can pressure nearly the entire tier and force opponents into unfavorable damage trades. Thunderbolt and Shadow Ball are powerful STAB attacks that combine to hit the entire tier for at least neutral damage, while a coverage move of choice can better threaten specific foes. Overheat OHKOes Steel-types such as Metagross and Bronzong, and Hydro Pump 2HKOes Heatran and all but the bulkiest Tyranitar, while Leaf Storm OHKOes Swampert. Trick can be used to cripple support Pokemon such as Togekiss or Bronzong, which frees up Rotom-A to make use of its coverage options. Rotom-A's unique set of immunities and resistances allow for solid longevity even on this very offensive set, allowing it to use its powerful attacks without worrying about Fake Out or strong Fighting- and Ground-type moves, such as Heracross's Close Combat or Metagross's Earthquake. Choice Specs Rotom-A acts mostly as a wallbreaker, and it is particularly effective as a lead. Lead Rotom-A leverages its good defensive typing and ability to immediately pressure either of the opposing Pokemon, with Trick giving the additional option to cripple support Pokemon. As a lead, its Ghost typing gives Rotom-A a crucial immunity to Fake Out from Hitmontop and Mew, allowing Rotom-A to throw out strong attacks without the threat of being flinched. Mew in particular doesn't want to stay in on a Shadow Ball. Rotom-A appreciates teammates that can deal with Tyranitar, as it can take most of Rotom-A's attacks well while threatening super effective damage or setting up a Dragon Dance. Metagross and Heracross are good partners that threaten Tyranitar, while Rotom-A checks their counters, such as Gyarados, in return. Rotom-A doesn't appreciate trading with Sucker Punch Hitmontop or Mew, so Intimidate users such as Gyarados and your own Hitmontop make for good teammates.

Choice Scarf Rotom-A is a powerful revenge killer that outspeeds the entire unboosted metagame. Rotom-Heat's Overheat matches up better against Metagross and Bronzong, but one can change formes and use different coverage options for better matchups against different threats, such as Tyranitar or Swampert. Alternatively, Choice Scarf Rotom-A can drop a coverage move for a support move such as Thunder Wave or Will-O-Wisp and play more of a supportive role, especially after it drops its Choice Scarf with Trick. Choice Scarf Rotom-A is less focused on wallbreaking compared to Choice Specs sets, mostly a more support-oriented Pokemon early- and mid-game or a late-game cleaner. As a cleaner, Rotom-A prefers to lock into either of its STAB moves if possible, as its coverage options are less reliable and harder to spam. Overheat's and Leaf Storm's Special Attack drops greatly reduce Rotom-A's offensive pressure, while Hydro Pump's lower accuracy makes it risky to rely on for consistent damage. If Rotom-A uses a status move instead of a coverage move, then its priority is to lose its Choice Scarf with Trick and follow up with status moves to disrupt the opponent's game plan. As a lead, Choice Scarf Rotom-A can leverage its great Speed tier to get the jump on Pokemon that would normally be faster, such as Latios or Mew. In general, Rotom-A matches up well against common leads such as Metagross and Mew, threatening them with super effective damage. Additionally, more passive lead options such as Bronzong or Hitmontop hate getting a Choice Scarf from Trick. Choice Scarf Rotom-A appreciates partners that threaten Tyranitar such as Gyarados, Metagross, and Heracross, but it is less reliant on them than other Rotom-A sets to create value, as the Choice Scarf set doesn't need to spread consistent damage. Hitmontop's Fake Out gives Rotom-A free turns to use Trick or hit foes with its status moves, if it runs them.

Rotom-A can opt for a full-on defensive set to focus on sponging hits and providing speed control or damage reduction with status. Bulky Rotom-A can drop a status move for Protect to allow for better longevity and easier positioning. Thunder Wave is often more valuable than Will-O-Wisp, as it can take fast threats such as Latios out of the game almost entirely, while the damage reduction and chip damage from Will-O-Wisp may not provide enough value in fast-paced games. Special Defense investment is required to be able to take on Latios's Draco Meteor and opposing Rotom-A's Shadow Ball, letting Rotom-A threaten super effective damage with its own Shadow Ball—physical damage reduction is more readily available through Intimidate and your own Will-O-Wisp. Sitrus Berry is standard, as the burst healing allows Rotom-A to match up better against the tier's strong attackers, although Leftovers can be used to offset sand chip damage and synergize better with Protect. While Rotom-A is able to withstand the strongest attacks in the tier, it doesn't like to take unnecessary damage because it is often a team's defensive glue, so safely bringing Rotom-A onto the field is important. Bulky Rotom-A can be used as a lead, but once the opponent realizes it is a less aggressive set, they can take advantage of Rotom-A's low unboosted damage output. Bulky Rotom-A often trades health for the chance to status a major threat, such as Choice Specs Latios, Choice Scarf Heracross, or Dragon Dance Tyranitar. Rotom-A's low base HP makes it a great user of Pain Split, allowing for another avenue to whittle down foes while increasing longevity. Both mid-tier Speed and fast offensive Pokemon appreciate the speed control Rotom-A can provide. Pokemon such as Gyarados, Heatran, and Metagross love outspeeding threats such as Latios, Latias, or opposing Rotom-A, which would otherwise apply a lot of offensive pressure. Similarly, as teammates, these same fast threats appreciate Thunder Wave slowing down common Choice Scarf users such as Heracross, as well as allowing them to win potential mirror matches.