Rotom(H) or Incineroar Competitively?

Question

This isn't a rate my team question. More like a should I use question/what are each good for/good ev spreads.

The title is pretty self-explanatory. However, I'll add a bit more background information. It's gen 8 VGC and I want to know 2 things:

1) Who is bulkier?
- Incineraor has a nice distribution, though I am mainly looking at its 95 HP. Still, who is bulkier? Is it necessary to have that 107 def. sp.def?

2) Who is better at dealing damage?
-Incineroar boasts a 115 attack stat, but his moveset comes into question. Flare Blitz is recoil, knock off is no longer, making him much less of a threat.
-Rotom also has a decent sp.Atk stat, having access to overheat, volt switch, will-o-wisp, and could even go for toxic/protect/Trick (with choice scarf set).

3) EV Spreads and moveset?
- Self-Explanatory...

If you want more information, just comment and I will respond. Really looking forward to see which one I should use/pros and cons to each.

Comments

What format/rules are you playing with?

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“It's gen 8 VGC”

Gen 8 VGC I think :P

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oops (filler)

Answer 1

1) Incineroar has lower defenses and more weaknesses, but it's very good at lowering opponents' attack stats with intimidate, snarl, and parting shot and flinching opponents with fake out. Those moves and intimidate significantly reduce damage done to itself and its teammates.

2) Incineroar's physical attack is slightly higher than Rotom's special attack. You can use darkest lariat if you don't like flare blitz's recoil.

3) Incineroar @ Aguav berry
Ability: intimidate:
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful nature
- fake out
- snarl
- flare blitz
- parting shot

source

Comments

Incineroar has lots of good EV spreads. You can use darkest lariat and physical attack EVs if you want.

Answer 2

1) Rotom may have higher natural bulk, but with Incineroar's defensive moveset and Intimidate, it is Incineroar is the better defense/support Pokemon.

2) Rotom is far superior offensively because if you run Incineroar, you almost always have to run a defensive set with Fake Out and Parting Shot. Rotom also has the better offensive typing and access to Nasty Plot to boost it's Special Attack and deal a lot of damage. It is also the better Pokemon for Dynamax as both of it's STAB Max Moves help it deal even more damage.

Bulky Support Incineroar

Incineroar @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 50
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Relaxed Nature/Sassy Nature
- Burning Jealousy/Flare Blitz
- Snarl/Protect/Throat Chop/Scorching Sands
- Parting Shot
- Fake Out

Run Relaxed Nature if you want Incineroar to be bulky on both sides or sassy for a more specially bulky set. You could use Flare Blitz, but since Max Moves like Max Airstream is so common, Burning Jealously gets you a free burn which can cripple physical sweepers like Cinderace and Rillaboom. If you do decide to run Flare Blitz, run Scorching Sands to have a good chance of a burn. Snarl for the Special attack drop, Throat Chop to disable Hyper Voice spammers like Sylveon and Primarina or protect is personal preference. I prefer Snarl for the guaranteed Special Attack drop that can cripple special sweepers.

Special Sweeping Rotom-H

Rotom-Heat @ White Herb/Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
Level: 50
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Overheat
- Thunderbolt/Rising Voltage
- Nasty Plot
- Protect/Volt Switch

This is a standard special sweeping set. If you run a consistent Electric Terrain setter (Pincurchin) Use Rising Voltage for more damage in the terrain. Volt Switch is always a good option to gain or keep momentum. White Herb can be used if you have a Life Orb on something else and if you want to nullify the first Overheat stat drop. There really is not a better Pokemon since they are two different play styles, stats, moves, and abilities.

Comments

Incineroar shouldn't use special moves like scorching sands because its special attack is a lot lower than its physical attack. Rotom isn't affected by electric terrain because it has levitate. It's also outclassed by Talonflame because Talonflame's flare blitz doesn't lower its stats, and Talonflame can support the team with tailwind or taunt.