>>23505272Pivots in general are Pokemon that can play around the opponent by exploiting the switch-based gameplay of 6v6 singles. How exactly it's done varies a lot between Pokemon.
Slowbro is a defensive pivot because it's a physical wall with access to Scald to punish opponent switching to a Pokemon that can beat it and Regenerator to be able to come in and out a lot. Regenerator also greatly assists in double-switching - instead of going for Scald/Twave/Toxic on predicted switch you can simply switch out into something that beats the Pokemon you expect, in which case you get free Regenerator recovery.
Voltturners are also pivots, either bulky (Rotom) or fragile (Beedrill) ones. Some like Manectric and Landorus also have access to Intimidate to assist switching in on resisted physical attacks. In worst case scenario of opponent staying in, going for Voltturn forces you to go into a different Pokemon that beats the one you were facing (and you're screwed if that was your only one), but if opponent ends up switching out, it removes prediction burden off you while getting chip damage on something.
Even when not having any Regenerator-based recovery or Voltturn moves, Assault Vest users can also be considered pivots when they've got a lot of coverage moves to hit switchins and enough bulk to switch in at least twice on certain threats. AV Goodra is the best known case of such a makeshift pivot. Conkeldurr too, but he gets around lack of Regenerator with Drain Punch. Practically anything can be made into a pivot, but may only function as one in very specific circumstances.
