Rotom (Pokémon)

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Pokémon

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Rotom ロトム Rotom #479
Fan Rotom art by Ken Sugimori from Platinum
Type Electric Ghost Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Plasma Pokémon
Ability Levitate Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #— Johto — Hoenn — Sinnoh #152 Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 1'00" Imperial 0.3 m Metric 1'00"/0.3 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 0.7 lbs. Imperial 0.3 kg Metric 0.7 lbs./0.3 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Red	Catch rate 45 (5.9%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown Gender unknown
Breeding Indeterminate group 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 1 Sp.Def 0 Speed 1 Base Exp.: 132 Battle Exp.: 1321*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Rotom (Japanese: ロトム Rotom) is a dual-type Electric/Ghost Pokémon introduced in Generation IV.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, however, it has the ability to possess the motors of certain appliances and change forms.

Biology

Physiology

Rotom's basic body looks similar to Castform, but Rotom has no real relation to any other species, since it doesn't have any evolutions or pre-evolutions. Rotom has a body of plasma. It also has teeth, which are often seen. Rotom also have unique eyes that have a dividing line across them. Even though Rotom is classified as being an Electric/Ghost type, it possesses traits that aren't usually normal for something that's supposed to be a spirit, such as the need to eat, being able to faint and somehow reproducing. Rotom themselves are shaped like lightning rods, while the blue aura of electricity around them takes the appearance of lightning.

Rotom and the appliances

In Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver, and Platinum, Rotom also has five extra forms (each based on a household appliance), which can be accessed using an event-exclusive item called the Secret Key in Platinum and by bringing a Rotom to Silph Co. HQ in HeartGold and SoulSilver. They are based on a toaster oven (Heat Rotom), washing machine (Wash Rotom), refrigerator (Frost Rotom) fan (Fan Rotom), and a lawn mower (Mow Rotom). Despite having visual characteristics of other types (Fire, Water, Ice, Flying, and Grass, respectively), they share the original Rotom's Electric and Ghost types. Rotom's eyes and aura of electricity will change colors when it changes form, but the aura remains the same color if it's Shiny. In contrast, their base stats are far higher than those of the original Rotom, to the point of being analogous to evolutions.

Gender differences

Rotom is a genderless species.

Special abilities

Rotom can creep into machines and appliances and infiltrate them. It may also possess and take the form of them if it wishes. However, only five alternate forms have been discovered so far.

File:BrockRotom.gif

Rotom transforming

Behavior

Rotom are mischievous, apparently wreaking havoc on electrical appliances just for the fun of it. They like to pull pranks on others, or just shock them. When not possessing any object and when possessing a fan, it levitates when moving. On the other hand, when possessing a refrigerator or an oven, it bounces.

Habitat

They usually live in electrical appliances, sometimes in those of abandoned places. In Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, a Rotom resides inside a television, where the player is able to catch it.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

As with most Electric Pokémon, Rotom probably feeds on electricity.

In the anime

File:Fan Rotom.png

Fan Rotom in the anime

Rotom made its debut appearance in Get Your Rotom Running! in all its different forms, toying around with Ash and friends.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP105 Rotom Ash's Pokédex Rotom, the Plasma Pokémon. Rotom plays practical jokes, which it carries out by embedding its plasma body in electronic devices.

In the manga

File:Fan Rotom Manga.png

Fan Rotom in the manga

In Pokémon Adventures, Rotom appeared at the Old Chateau where it caused havoc for Diamond and Pearl until Diamond eventually caught it by when it was hiding in the television. The same Rotom made another appearance when Diamond and Pearl returned to the Old Chateau to collect information on it, like its previous appearance it caused havoc for them and ran away to the Galactic Eterna Building where it transformed into its 5 forms and attacked them. Eventually Diamond found out it was just trying to play with them and bonded with it after which they bid their farewells and left.

In the TCG

Main article: Rotom (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation I Red {{{redbluedex}}} Blue Yellow {{{yellowdex}}} Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II Gold {{{golddex}}} Silver {{{silverdex}}} Crystal {{{crystaldex}}} Stadium 2 Unknown
Generation III Ruby {{{rubydex}}} Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}} Emerald {{{emeralddex}}} FireRed {{{firereddex}}} LeafGreen {{{leafgreendex}}}
Generation IV Diamond Its body is composed of plasma. It is known to infiltrate electronic devices and wreak havoc. Pearl {{{pearldex}}} Platinum Its electric-like body can enter some kinds of machines and take control in order to make mischief. HeartGold Research continues on this Pokémon, which could be the power source of a unique motor. SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation I Red Blue None Trade Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Trade
Generation II Gold Silver None Trade Crystal None Trade
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen None Trade Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl One TV in Old Chateau (Night only, after obtaining National Pokédex) Platinum One TV in Old Chateau (Night only) HeartGold SoulSilver None Trade Pal Park None Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Midnight Forest (B10-B20)
Pokémon Rumble	Silent Forest Windy Prairie‎ Rocky Cave Fiery Furnace Bright Beach Eternal Tower

Rotom will not appear in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time until a rescue mission involving it has been completed. This task can be completed by using the following Wonder Mail code:

8HTR MY9+ K6+@

NT=M 9Q6R 38@5

Objective: Escort Rotom to floor 4 of Tiny Meadow.

Stats Base stats

Normal Rotom

Stat Range At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100 HP: 50 110 - 157 210 - 304 Attack: 50 49 - 112 94 - 218 Defense: 77 73 - 141 143 - 278 Sp. Atk: 95 90 - 161 175 - 317 Sp. Def: 77 73 - 141 143 - 278 Speed: 91 86 - 157 168 - 309 Total: 440 Other Pokémon with this total Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Heat, Wash, Frost, Fan, and Mow Rotom

Stat Range At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100 HP: 50 110 - 157 210 - 304 Attack: 65 63 - 128 121 - 251 Defense: 107 100 - 174 197 - 344 Sp. Atk: 105 99 - 172 193 - 339 Sp. Def: 107 100 - 174 197 - 344 Speed: 86 81 - 151 159 - 298 Total: 520 Other Pokémon with this total Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Pokéathlon stats

Normal Rotom

Speed 3/5 ★★★☆☆ Power 2/3 ★★☆ Skill 3/5 ★★★☆☆ Stamina 3/4 ★★★☆ Jump 4/5 ★★★★☆ Total 15/22 ★★★☆

Heat Rotom

Speed 3/4 ★★★☆ Power 4/4 ★★★★ Skill 3/4 ★★★☆ Stamina 3/4 ★★★☆ Jump 4/4 ★★★★ Total 17/20 ★★★☆

Wash Rotom

Speed 3/3 ★★★ Power 3/3 ★★★ Skill 3/4 ★★★☆ Stamina 4/4 ★★★★ Jump 2/4 ★★☆☆ Total 15/18 ★★★

Frost Rotom

Speed 3/4 ★★★☆ Power 2/3 ★★☆ Skill 4/5 ★★★★☆ Stamina 3/3 ★★★ Jump 3/4 ★★★☆ Total 15/19 ★★★

Fan Rotom

Speed 3/5 ★★★☆☆ Power 3/5 ★★★☆☆ Skill 3/3 ★★★ Stamina 2/3 ★★☆ Jump 5/5 ★★★★★ Total 16/21 ★★★☆

Mow Rotom

Speed 3/3 ★★★ Power 3/3 ★★★ Skill 5/5 ★★★★★ Stamina 3/4 ★★★☆ Jump 2/4 ★★☆☆ Total 16/19 ★★★

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 0× Fighting 0× Flying ½× Poison ½× Ground 0× Rock 1× Bug ½× Ghost 2× Steel ½× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 2× None

Weak to: Normal 0× Fighting 0× Flying ½× Poison ½× Ground 0× Rock 1× Bug ½× Ghost 2× Steel ½× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 2× None

Immune to: Normal 0× Fighting 0× Flying ½× Poison ½× Ground 0× Rock 1× Bug ½× Ghost 2× Steel ½× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 2× None

Resistant to: Normal 0× Fighting 0× Flying ½× Poison ½× Ground 0× Rock 1× Bug ½× Ghost 2× Steel ½× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 2× None

Notes: If Foresight or Odor Sleuth is used by an opponent, the opponent has Scrappy, or this Pokémon is given a Ring Target, the effectiveness of  Normal-type  moves is 1× and the effectiveness of  Fighting-type  moves is 1×. If Gravity is in effect, this Pokémon is given an Iron Ball or affected by Smack Down or Ingrain, the opponent has the Ability Mold Breaker, Turboblaze or Teravolt, or this Pokémon is affected by Gastro Acid, or this Pokémon's Ability is replaced, the effectiveness of  Ground-type  moves is 2×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation IV Other generations: V - VI - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   S. Contest   Appeal  00Start Trick Psychic Status 0000— 100}}100% 10 Smart 0   00Start Astonish Ghost Physical 03030 100}}100% 15 Smart 3 ♥♥♥ 00Start Thunder Wave Electric Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 Cool 2 ♥♥ 00Start ThunderShock Electric Special 04040 100}}100% 30 Cool 3 ♥♥♥ 00Start Confuse Ray Ghost Status 0000— 100}}100% 10 Smart 2 ♥♥ 088 Uproar Normal Special 05050 100}}100% 10 Cute 2 ♥♥ 1515 Double Team Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 15 Cool 2 ♥♥ 2222 Shock Wave Electric Special 06060 —}}—% 20 Cool 2 ♥♥ 2929 Ominous Wind Ghost Special 06060 100}}100% 5 Smart 0   3636 Substitute Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 Smart 1 ♥ 4343 Charge Electric Status 0000— —}}—% 20 Smart 0   5050 Discharge Electric Special 08080 100}}100% 15 Cool 2 ♥♥

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Rotom Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Rotom Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation IV Other generations: V - VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP	S. Contest	Appeal
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	—	85%	10	Smart	2 ♥♥
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	—	100%	15	Smart	1 ♥
	TM11	Sunny Day	Fire	Status	—	—%	5	Beauty	2 ♥♥
	TM16	Light Screen	Psychic	Status	—	—%	30	Beauty	2 ♥♥
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	—	—%	10	Cute	0
	TM18	Rain Dance	Water	Status	—	—%	5	Tough	2 ♥♥
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	—	100%	20	Cute	2 ♥♥
	TM24	Thunderbolt	Electric	Special	95	100%	15	Cool	2 ♥♥
	TM25	Thunder	Electric	Special	120	70%	10	Cool	2 ♥♥
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	—	100%	20	Cute	2 ♥♥
	TM30	Shadow Ball	Ghost	Special	80	100%	15	Smart	2 ♥♥
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	—	—%	15	Cool	2 ♥♥
	TM33	Reflect	Psychic	Status	—	—%	20	Smart	2 ♥♥
	TM34	Shock Wave	Electric	Special	60	—%	20	Cool	2 ♥♥
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	70	100%	20	Cute	2 ♥♥
	TM43	Secret Power	Normal	Physical	70	100%	20	Smart	2 ♥♥
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	—	—%	10	Cute	0
	TM46	Thief	Dark	Physical	40	100%	10	Tough	0
	TM49	Snatch	Dark	Status	—	—%	10	Smart	0
	TM57	Charge Beam	Electric	Special	50	90%	10	Beauty	2 ♥♥
	TM58	Endure	Normal	Status	—	—%	10	Tough	2 ♥♥
	TM61	Will-O-Wisp	Fire	Status	—	75%	15	Beauty	2 ♥♥
	TM70	Flash	Normal	Status	—	100%	20	Beauty	2 ♥♥
	TM73	Thunder Wave	Electric	Status	—	100%	10	Cool	2 ♥♥
	TM77	Psych Up	Normal	Status	—	—%	10	Smart	0
	TM79	Dark Pulse	Dark	Special	80	100%	15	Cool	2 ♥♥
	TM82	Sleep Talk	Normal	Status	—	—%	10	Cute	3 ♥♥♥
	TM83	Natural Gift	Normal	Physical	—	100%	15	Cool	2 ♥♥
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	—	90%	15	Cute	2 ♥♥
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	—	—%	10	Smart	1 ♥
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Rotom Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Rotom Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

None.

By tutoring

Generation IV Other generations: V - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Game					Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP	S. Contest	Appeal
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Mud-Slap	Ground	Special	20	100%	10	Cute	3 ♥♥♥
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Ominous Wind	Ghost	Special	60	100%	5	Smart	0
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Pain Split	Normal	Status	—	—%	20	Smart	2 ♥♥
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Signal Beam	Bug	Special	75	100%	15	Beauty	2 ♥♥
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Snore	Normal	Special	40	100%	15	Cute	3 ♥♥♥
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Spite	Ghost	Status	—	100%	10	Tough	2 ♥♥
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Sucker Punch	Dark	Physical	80	100%	5	Smart	2 ♥♥
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Swift	Normal	Special	60	—%	20	Cool	2 ♥♥
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Trick	Psychic	Status	—	100%	10	Smart	0
A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Rotom can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Rotom cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Rotom Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Rotom Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!  N/A  Not available
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 0% Friend Area: Beau Plains Phrases 51%-100% HP My HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP My HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP My HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up. Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: -12% IQ group: G
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble Normal Form N/A Not Available Defense Speed Appliance Forms N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast Normal Form N/A Not Available Defense Speed Appliance Forms N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Normal Normal Rotom Rotom  Electric  Ghost

↔

Toaster Oven Heat Rotom Rotom  Electric  Ghost

↔

Washing Machine Wash Rotom Rotom  Electric  Ghost

↔

Refrigerator Frost Rotom Rotom  Electric  Ghost

↔

Fan Fan Rotom Rotom  Electric  Ghost

↔

Lawnmower Mow Rotom Rotom  Electric  Ghost

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation II.
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation III.
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Rotom images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• When Rotom is encountered, the music is the same as legendary encounters although it is not classified as one. Rotom is, to date, the only non-legendary Pokémon to do this. Latios, Latias, Cresselia and Shaymin do the opposite, being the only legendaries encountered in Generation IV for which the normal wild battle music plays.
• No other Pokémon has the same type combination as Rotom.
• Rotom is one of three Ghost-types whose color isn't in the black or purple category. The others are Shedinja (brown) and Froslass (white).
• With the exception of Unown and Spinda, Rotom has the most forms of any non-legendary Pokémon, with six in total.
• Rotom is one of only two Ghost-types that cannot learn Psychic, the other being Shedinja.
• When Rotom transforms, it learns a new move in the same way that other Pokémon may learn new moves upon evolving. The move is replaced by another if Rotom possesses another object, and is deleted when Rotom transforms back to its normal form. If the only move that Rotom knows right before reverting to its original form is exclusive to its alternate form, then that move will be replaced with ThunderShock.
• Rotom is the only Pokémon with the ability to change its form by will that must possess another object in order to do so. Castform, Deoxys, Giratina, and Shaymin actually transform their bodies. However, Burmy is similar to Rotom in that it merely changes its surrounding cover. Like Deoxys, Giratina, Shaymin, and Burmy, players can have all of the forms at one time.
• While some other Pokémon with alternate forms have different base stat distributions in their other forms, Rotom is the only Pokémon whose alternate forms have a different base stat total than that of the original form.
• Fan Rotom's Air Slash is the only special move whose base power isn't over 100. It's also the only special move with more than 5 PP, and is the most accurate of the five.
• Rotom's alternate forms were the only alternate forms of a Pokémon not featured in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky. However, despite being introduced a year before the game was released like Rotom, Shaymin and Giratina's alternate forms made an appearance in the game.
• Rotom is notable for being the only Pokémon to learn certain moves (while in different forms):
  • As Heat Rotom, Rotom is the only Pokémon that can learn Overheat without breeding or via TM.
  • As Mow Rotom, Rotom is the only non-Template:Type2 to learn Leaf Storm.

Origin

Rotom appears to be based on Pulseman, who was actually designed by Pokémon designer Ken Sugimori, although it may also be inspired by the unexplained phenomenon of ball lightning. Its Pokédex entry brings to mind gremlins. Its possession of other objects may be based on poltergeists or tsukumogami.

Name origin

In Pokémon Platinum, it is revealed that Charon discovered and named the first known Rotom. It appeared out of his toy robot, and Charon named it Rotom due to its origin. Rotom is the word motor backwards; this may refer to the fact that motors make many appliances function, while Rotom makes them fail.

In other languages

• German: Rotom
• French: Motisma - From moteur (engine) and plasma.
• Korean: 로토무 Rotom
• Chinese (Taiwan): 洛托姆 Luò Tuō Mǔ - Transliteration of its Japanese name.

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Pokémon

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This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.