Rotom is a weird little guy. Since its debut back in the Sinnoh region, this plasma-based ghost has been a fan favorite specifically because it doesn't just evolve; it possesses your household appliances. But if you've just caught one, you’re probably staring at that simple Electric/Ghost spark and wondering, how do you get Rotom to change forms exactly? It isn’t as simple as handing it a Fire Stone or leveling it up at night.
Basically, you need to find its "room" or a very specific catalog.
Back in the day, this was a massive pain. You needed event items like the Secret Key in Pokémon Platinum just to open a door in the Galactic Eterna Building. If you missed the Wi-Fi distribution, you were stuck with the base form. Thankfully, Game Freak got a bit more generous as the years went on. Now, whether you’re playing Scarlet and Violet or Legends: Arceus, the process is more about knowing which NPC to talk to or which corner of the map holds the "Rotom Catalog."
The Modern Way: The Rotom Catalog
In most recent games, the "Room" concept has been replaced by a single Key Item. It’s way more convenient. You don't have to fly back to a specific city every time you want to switch from a washing machine to a lawnmower.
If you’re roaming the Paldea region in Pokémon Scarlet or Violet, you need to head straight to Porto Marinada. There’s an auction house there. Once you have a Rotom in your party or boxes, a specific vendor will start offering the Rotom Catalog. You’ll have to outbid some NPCs for it, but usually, it only costs a few thousand Poké Dollars. Once it's in your bag, you just select it, pick your Rotom, and choose which "appliance" you want to investigate.
It's instant. No cooldowns. No cost for swapping.
In Pokémon Sword and Shield, it’s even easier. Go to Wyndon. There’s a row of suburban houses, and inside one of them, a man is literally waiting to give you the catalog after you battle him. It’s funny how a ghost that can possess a furnace is treated like a common kitchen utility in the Galar region, but honestly, it saves a lot of backtracking.
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Why the forms actually matter
Changing forms isn't just a cosmetic choice. It changes Rotom’s secondary typing and its signature move. This is where the strategy kicks in.
- Wash Rotom (Washing Machine): Becomes Electric/Water and learns Hydro Pump. This is widely considered the best form for competitive play because it only has one weakness (Grass) thanks to its Levitate ability.
- Heat Rotom (Oven): Becomes Electric/Fire and learns Overheat. Great for melting Steel-types.
- Mow Rotom (Lawnmower): Becomes Electric/Grass and learns Leaf Storm.
- Frost Rotom (Refrigerator): Becomes Electric/Ice and learns Blizzard. High risk, high reward.
- Fan Rotom (Electric Fan): Becomes Electric/Flying and learns Air Slash. This one is a bit of a meme because it has Levitate, which makes it immune to Ground... despite already being a Flying-type.
Tracking Down the Rotom Room in Older Games
If you are a retro hunter or playing the Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP) remakes, you’re looking for a physical location. In BDSP, you first need to clear out Team Galactic from the Eterna Forest building and catch the Rotom that appears in the Old Chateau’s TV at night.
Once you have the Secret Key (which is handed to you after catching Rotom in the remakes), go to the Galactic Eterna Building. In the top left corner of the ground floor, there’s a "hidden" space between a bookcase and a wall. Press A. The wall opens. Inside, you’ll find five appliances. Clicking each one triggers the form change.
It’s nostalgic, sure. But compared to the catalog? It's a bit of a trek.
In Pokémon Sun and Moon, the "room" is actually in the basement of Professor Kukui’s lab. There are just piles of boxes. You interact with them, and Rotom hops in. It’s a bit messy, but it fits the vibe of the Alola region.
The Legends: Arceus Exception
Pokémon Legends: Arceus does things differently because, well, it’s set in the past. There aren't exactly modern refrigerators or microwave ovens just sitting around the Hisui region.
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So, how do you get Rotom to change forms in a world without electricity?
You buy the appliances from Ginter of the Ginkgo Guild. He sits right outside the Galaxy Hall in Jubilife Village. He’ll sell you "Mechanical" items. They are expensive—we're talking 20,000 to 100,000 Poké Dollars.
- Mechanical Box: The Oven (Heat).
- Mechanical Tub: The Washing Machine (Wash).
- Mechanical Cabinet: The Fridge (Frost).
- Mechanical Circular: The Fan (Fan).
- Mechanical Saw: The Mower (Mow).
Once you buy them, they appear in your quarters. You just walk up to the furniture in your house and interact with it while Rotom is in your party. It's the most expensive way to get the job done, but seeing a high-tech lawnmower sitting in a wooden hut from the 1800s is objectively hilarious.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
People often think Rotom stays the same type and just "looks" different. Nope. The moment you put Rotom in the oven, it loses its Ghost typing and becomes a Fire-type. This is huge for defensive switching.
Another weird quirk: if Rotom forgets its signature move (like Hydro Pump), it will automatically try to learn it again the next time you change its form. You don't need Heart Scales or Move Tutors to get those specific moves back. The appliance "teaches" it instantly.
Also, you can't have a team of six Rotom all in different forms using just one catalog in some older games, but in the newer titles, the catalog works on every Rotom you own. You can have a full appliance showroom if you really want to.
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The Stats Don't Change (Mostly)
Regardless of the form, Rotom's base stats shift from its puny original form to a much bulkier version.
Base Rotom has a total of 440.
All "Appliance" forms have a total of 520.
The Speed actually drops slightly when it enters a machine, but its Defense and Special Attack skyrocket. This is why nobody actually uses the "normal" Rotom in battles. It's just too fragile. You get it into a machine as fast as possible.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Session
If you want to optimize your Rotom usage right now, here is exactly what you should do depending on your game version.
In Scarlet/Violet: Fly to Porto Marinada. Check the auctions. If the Rotom Catalog isn't there, close the game and move your Nintendo Switch system clock forward by 72 minutes. This resets the auction items. Keep doing this until the catalog appears. It usually costs between 3,000 and 8,000 Poké Dollars.
In Legends: Arceus:
Farm Stardust or Alpha Pokémon to get your cash up. Ginter’s inventory rotates every time you catch 20 Pokémon. Catch a bunch of Bidoof, go back to town, and check his "specials." Eventually, he’ll cycle through all five mechanical items.
In BDSP:
Make sure it is nighttime. Go to the Old Chateau. Interact with the TV. Catch the Level 15 Rotom. Once you do, the Secret Key appears in your inventory automatically. Head to Eterna City and enter the Galactic building.
Choosing the Best Form:
If you aren't sure which one to pick, go with Wash Rotom. The combination of Hydro Pump, Volt Switch, and Will-O-Wisp makes it a nightmare for opponents to deal with. It fits on almost any team and provides great utility without needing a complex setup.
Focus on getting the Catalog first. It’s the most powerful tool for any trainer looking to utilize one of the most versatile Pokémon in the Pokédex. Once you have it, you're free to experiment with types and movesets without ever needing to visit a Poké Mart or Move Reminder again.