Heat Rotom - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle | Pokemon Sword and Shield

This is a strategy guide for using Heat Rotom in competitive play for the games Pokemon Sword and Shield. Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, Builds, and Held Items to use with Heat Rotom, as well as its strengths and weak points.

Rotom - Related Articles
Evolution and Learnset	Wash Rotom Moveset	Heat Rotom Moveset	Mow Rotom Moveset

Basic Information for Heat Rotom

Types and Abilities

Pokemon	Type 1	Type 2
Heat Rotom
Abilities
Levitate	Gives immunity to Ground type moves.

Heat Rotom Weaknesses and Resistances

	Type
Takes 4x damage
Takes 2x damage
Takes 0.5x damage
Takes 1/4x damage
Takes 0x damage	-

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

HP	Attack	Defense	Sp. Atk	Sp. Def	Speed
50	65	107	105	107	86

Best Nature for Heat Rotom

Best Natures
Modest (SpAtk↑, Atk↓)	Timid (Spd↑, Atk↓)
Bold (Def↑, Atk↓)	Calm (SpDef↑, Atk↓)

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Heat Rotom

Physical Defender Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Bold (+Def, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Def. 252 / Spd. 4
Final Stat Values	HP 157 / Def 174 / Sp.Atk 125 / Sp.Def 127 / Spd 107
Ability	Levitate
Held Item	Sitrus Berry
Moveset	・Volt Switch ・Discharge ・Overheat ・Will-o-Wisp

This is a build which takes advantage of Rotom's high Base HP and Defense to make it a potent physical defender. This allows it to switch in on physical heavy hitters like Mimikyu, and then if things turn bad, it can switch out with Volt Switch to further improve the team's position.

Taking threats such as Mimikyu and Galarian Darmanitan into account, this build runs Bold Nature, with EVs in HP and Defense, but it's also possible to go for a Calm Nature with EVs in HP and Special Defense if you're worried about Special attackers more than Physical attackers.

Other Viable Moves

Thunderbolt	An alternate choice for Discharge. For those who are willing to make the tradeoff of chance of Paralysis for more power.

Choice Specs Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Modest (+SpAtk, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 4 / Sp.Atk 252 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values	HP 125 / Def 127 / Sp.Atk 172 / Sp.Def 128 / Spd 138
Ability	Levitate
Held Item	Choice Specs
Moveset	・Volt Switch ・Thunderbolt ・Overheat ・Shadow Ball

With Heat Rotom's high Base Special Attack, it's also possible to arm it with Choice Specs and turn it into a mean Special attacker. Along with the ability to get STAB on Fire and Electric-type Moves, it also has sufficient defensive capability to handle attacks with neutral damage, making it a capable counter to everpresent foes like Mimikyu, Ferrothorn and Aegislash.

Other Viable Moves

Trick	Force a Support Pokemon or a Physical Attacker to hold the Choice Specs to limit their usefulness.
Discharge	An alternate option for Thunderbolt. It's a tradeoff for when you value Paralysis odds over power.

Choice Scarf Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Timid (+Speed, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Sp.Def 4 / Spd 252
Final Stat Values	HP 125 / Def 127 / Sp.Atk 125 / Sp.Def 128 / Spd 151
Ability	Levitate
Held Item	Choice Scarf
Moveset	・Volt Switch ・Thunderbolt ・Overheat ・Trick

This is a build that aims to capitalize on Heat Rotom's high special attack stat with a strong STAB moves like Thunderbolt and Overheat as well as a strong utility move in Volt Switch. Trick is there to Choice Scarf lock your opponent.

Other Viable Moves

Dark Pulse	A good coverage move against Ghost and Psychic-type Pokemon.

Assault Vest Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Modest (+Sp.Atk, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Sp.Atk 252 / Sp.Def 4
Final Stat Values	HP 157 / Def 127 / Sp.Atk 172 / Sp.Def 128 / Spd 106
Ability	Levitate
Held Item	Assault Vest
Moveset	・Volt Switch ・Discharge ・Overheat ・Dark Pulse

A tankier build that focuse on trying to get paralysis using Discharge. Use Volt Switch for utility while Overheat and Dark Pulse are there for coverage.

Other Viable Moves

Thunderbolt	A more powerful STAB move. Use instead of Discharge if you value power more than paralysis.

Doubles Moveset for Heat Rotom

Anti-Sun Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Modest (+Sp. Atk, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Def 4 / Sp. Atk 244 / Sp. Def 4 / Spe 4
Final Stat Values	HP 157 / Def 128 / Sp. Atk 171 / Sp. Def 128 / Spe 107
Ability	Levitate
Held Item	Safety Goggles
Moveset	・Thunderbolt ・Overheat ・Nasty Plot ・Will-O-Wisp

This Heat Rotom build is meant to improve a team's matchup against Sun teams. It can easily check both Venusaur and Charizard, and can also potentially knock out Groudon after a Nasty Plot, while being able to withstand an unboosted Max Rockfall in Dynamax.

About Heat Rotom's Moves

Thunderbolt is Heat Rotom's most reliable STAB move. While it does not particularly like going up against Water-types, having Thunderbolt on Heat Rotom gives it coverage against them.
Overheat is Heat Rotom's secondary STAB move. It gives Heat Rotom quick burst damage on anything that doesn't resist it, and can knock out Pokemon who are weak to Fire.

Nasty Plot turns Heat Rotom into a powerful offensive threat, making Thunderbolt a powerful move against any Pokemon that isn't immune to it. It also makes for an incredibly powerful Overheat. Nasty Plot can also offset the Special Attack drop from Overheat. Dynamaxing after a successful Nasty Plot is often a good idea but be wary of your opponent having switch-ins to Pokemon that resist it.

Will-O-Wisp is great for crippling physical attackers by inflicting burn.

About Heat Rotom's EV Spread

We maximize HP EV's because Heat Rotom has an awful HP stat. Maximum HP EV's along with 4 EV's in Defense and Special Defense allow for decent survivability. We also alot 4 EV's to Speed so that Heat Rotom can outspeed Pokemon with base 86 Speed and slower who are uninvested in Speed. The remaining EV's are put into Special Attack so that Heat Rotom with Modest Nature can dish out powerful STAB moves.

About Heat Rotom's Ability

Levitate is Heat Rotom's only Ability. This is very valuable considering it grants Heat Rotom immunity from its x4 weakness to Ground.

About Heat Rotom's Held Item

Safety Goggles protects Heat Rotom from being put to sleep by Sleep Powder and from Rage Powder's redirection. It can also protect Heat Rotom from the incremental damage from Sandstorm and Hail.

Other Viable Moves

Ally Switch	Ally Switch is a good move for protecting a teammate. It allows Heat Rotom to redirect attacks, notably Sleep Powders and Thunder Waves from its partners. Ally Switch is also a good way to grant a teammate evasion, getting it out of the way of an incoming super-effective move.
Trick	Trick is a powerful move choice if Heat Rotom is equipped with a Choice item such as Choice Scarf or Choice Specs.
Electroweb	Electroweb is an effective form of speed control, being able to lower the opposing Pokemon's Speed.
Volt Switch	Volt Switch allows Heat Rotom to pivot out of the active spot and let a teammate come in safely.
Protect	Protect is a valuable move in battle and is useful for scouting moves or stalling out Dynamax turns.

How to Use Heat Rotom Effectively

Teammates that can cover for Heat Rotom's weaknesses are always appreciated. It would also be ideal for Heat Rotom to cover for its teammates' weaknesses as well. Teammates that can debuff or redirect damage are good for Heat Rotom to have, so that it can be allowed to use moves like Will-O-Wisp or Nasty Plot.

How to Build a Team with Heat Rotom

Special Attacker

Physical Attacker	Special Attacker	Special Attacking Tank
Landorus (Therian Forme)	Heat Rotom	Gastrodon

Heat Rotom naturally synergizes with Ground-types because it can check Pokemon that they are commonly weak to. Landorus for instance is threatened by Ice-types, which Heat Rotom can handily take care of. Gastrodon has trouble against Grass-types, and Heat Rotom can check those as well.

Landorus can also help Heat Rotom with its Intimidate Ability, lowering an opposing Rock-type's Attack stat. While Gastrodon can redirect Water-type moves away from Heat Rotom.

Gastrodon can offer support through Yawn, which may open opportunities for Heat Rotom to set up a Nasty Plot.

Counters for Heat Rotom

Weakness

Counter Heat Rotom with Super-Effective Moves

Although reasonably bulky, Heat Rotom will not be able to withstand boosted Water-type or Rock-type moves.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Groudon	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can wall Heat Rotom unless Heat Rotom has set up Nasty Plot. ・Can hit Heat Rotom with a super-effective Rock-type move. Groudon - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Gastrodon	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can wall Heat Rotom even after a Nasty Plot. ・Can hit Heat Rotom with a super-effective Water-type move. Gastrodon - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle
Nihilego	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Outspeeds and can knock out Heat Rotom with a boosted Meteor Beam. Nihilego - Moveset & Best Build for Ranked Battle

Related Links

All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle

Competitive Guides for Pokemon Sword and Shield

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Tier List		Best Builds		Series 10 List of Contenders
Doubles Tier List		Team Building		Rental Teams

Best Builds for Returning Pokemon

Movesets & Best Builds for Returning Pokemon
Mimikyu	Wash Rotom	Gyarados
Ferrothorn	Aegislash	Excadrill
Tyranitar	Hydreigon	Heat Rotom
Arcanine	Mamoswine	Toxapex
Togekiss	Cloyster	Durant
Snorlax	Charizard	Sylveon
Lucario	Hippowdon	Umbreon
Conkeldurr	Quagsire	Gastrodon
Lapras	Whimsicott	Rhyperior
Goodra	Haxorus	Glaceon
Mow Rotom	Type: Null	Gengar
Milotic	Gardevoir	Flygon
Chandelure	Lanturn	Torkoal
Bisharp	Seismitoad	Silvally
Butterfree	Primarina	Incineroar
Blastoise	Decidueye	Venusaur
Darmanitan	Alolan Ninetales	Gothitelle
Crawdaunt	Clefable	Reuniclus
Kommo-o	Terrakion	Cobalion
Virizion	Noivern	Fan Rotom
Toxicroak	Pelipper	Jellicent
Celebi	Clefairy	Hitmontop
Diggersby	Ditto	Raichu
Hawlucha	Shiftry	Tsareena
Ludicolo

All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle ## Competitive Guides for Pokemon Sword and Shield

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Tier List		Best Builds		Series 10 List of Contenders
Doubles Tier List		Team Building		Rental Teams

Best Builds for Returning Pokemon

Movesets & Best Builds for Returning Pokemon
Mimikyu	Wash Rotom	Gyarados
Ferrothorn	Aegislash	Excadrill
Tyranitar	Hydreigon	Heat Rotom
Arcanine	Mamoswine	Toxapex
Togekiss	Cloyster	Durant
Snorlax	Charizard	Sylveon
Lucario	Hippowdon	Umbreon
Conkeldurr	Quagsire	Gastrodon
Lapras	Whimsicott	Rhyperior
Goodra	Haxorus	Glaceon
Mow Rotom	Type: Null	Gengar
Milotic	Gardevoir	Flygon
Chandelure	Lanturn	Torkoal
Bisharp	Seismitoad	Silvally
Butterfree	Primarina	Incineroar
Blastoise	Decidueye	Venusaur
Darmanitan	Alolan Ninetales	Gothitelle
Crawdaunt	Clefable	Reuniclus
Kommo-o	Terrakion	Cobalion
Virizion	Noivern	Fan Rotom
Toxicroak	Pelipper	Jellicent
Celebi	Clefairy	Hitmontop
Diggersby	Ditto	Raichu
Hawlucha	Shiftry	Tsareena
Ludicolo

All Competitive Builds for Ranked Battle ## Competitive Guides for Pokemon Sword and Shield

Competitive Pokemon Battle Guides
Tier List		Best Builds		Series 10 List of Contenders
Doubles Tier List		Team Building		Rental Teams

Best Builds for Returning Pokemon

Movesets & Best Builds for Returning Pokemon
Mimikyu	Wash Rotom	Gyarados
Ferrothorn	Aegislash	Excadrill
Tyranitar	Hydreigon	Heat Rotom
Arcanine	Mamoswine	Toxapex
Togekiss	Cloyster	Durant
Snorlax	Charizard	Sylveon
Lucario	Hippowdon	Umbreon
Conkeldurr	Quagsire	Gastrodon
Lapras	Whimsicott	Rhyperior
Goodra	Haxorus	Glaceon
Mow Rotom	Type: Null	Gengar
Milotic	Gardevoir	Flygon
Chandelure	Lanturn	Torkoal
Bisharp	Seismitoad	Silvally
Butterfree	Primarina	Incineroar
Blastoise	Decidueye	Venusaur
Darmanitan	Alolan Ninetales	Gothitelle
Crawdaunt	Clefable	Reuniclus
Kommo-o	Terrakion	Cobalion
Virizion	Noivern	Fan Rotom
Toxicroak	Pelipper	Jellicent
Celebi	Clefairy	Hitmontop
Diggersby	Ditto	Raichu
Hawlucha	Shiftry	Tsareena
Ludicolo