Scizor

A few other moves for Scizor may be considered. Night Slash is a good move to damage Ghost-types, most notably Jellicent, but U-turning to a counter is almost always the better option. One should also note that Night Slash's Base Power is 70, only 10 more than Technician-boosted Pursuit, which has 60 Base Power if the opponent doesn't switch. Bug Bite is almost 30% more powerful than U-turn, but the effectiveness of U-turn's switching ability cannot be overstated, so U-turn is generally the superior Bug-type STAB move. An Adamant nature coupled with full investment in Attack gives Scizor a huge power boost, allowing it to hit as hard as possible. Tyranitar is a good choice to set up Stealth Rock, given its great synergy with Scizor. 252 HP EVs would make Scizor's HP divisible by 8, so 248 HP EVs are used to maximize Scizor's bulk while giving it one additional opportunity to switch into Stealth Rock. A bulky EV spread, similar to that of the Bulky Swords Dance set, could be used to make Scizor a more effective trapper of special attackers such as Latios, Latias, Reuniclus, Gengar, and Starmie. Unfortunately, Scizor's attacks—most notably Bullet Punch—will be severely weakened, and much of Scizor's potential for sweeping and revenge killing will be lost.

Choice Band Scizor benefits hugely from Rapid Spin support. Spikes and Stealth Rock punish repeated switching, and Scizor will be unable to utilize U-turn to its full capacity when faced with a field littered with entry hazards. Life Orb Starmie is a very effective Rapid Spin user to pair with Scizor as it beats all common spinblockers, defeating Jellicent with Thunderbolt and Gengar with Hydro Pump. Starmie also resists Fire-type attacks, Scizor's only weakness, while Scizor resists the Dark-, Ghost-, Grass-, and Bug-type attacks that plague Starmie. Finally, if Scizor can remove Ferrothorn or Chansey with a surprise Superpower, Starmie will be able to sweep late-game, making them a lethal offensive duo. A Stealth Rock or Spikes user of your own makes Scizor even more effective, as it tends to force many switches with its powerful attacks and U-turn antics. Tyranitar is a good choice to set up Stealth Rock, while Skarmory is a good source of Spikes support. Skarmory can wall many common physical threats that can set up on this Scizor, such as opposing Scizor. However, Skarmory's relatively similar typing can cause problems, notably compounding the team's weakness to Fire-type attacks; therefore, when using the two together, your other four team members should be chosen with care. Jellicent and Heatran are good choices to cover Scizor's weakness to Fire-type attacks; Jellicent can block Rapid Spin and spread status, while Heatran can aid Scizor's sweep by battering the enemy with powerful special attacks. They also check the Steel-types that give this set trouble. Other counters include Jellicent and Gliscor, thanks to their resistances and great defenses. Hence, Pokemon that can take advantage of these two, such as Rotom-W, Gengar, and Latios, also make fantastic teammates.

The EVs provide Scizor with great bulk, both physically and specially. HP is maximized to enhance its overall bulk, while 216 Special Defense EVs make sure that Scizor isn't 2HKOed by Focus Blast from Reuniclus or Virizion. The remaining EVs are placed in Attack, allowing Scizor to hit a little harder after setup. A more defensive EV spread can be utilized to let Scizor take attacks more effectively, but the extra Attack is generally more valuable than the small boost in bulk. As its power will be multiplied by Swords Dance, just a small investment in Attack can bring dramatic results. An alternative spread of 156 HP / 252 Atk / 100 Spe with an Adamant nature can be used to outspeed specially defensive Heatran and outrun some other slow attackers so Scizor can roll over them while retaining some bulk.

Scizor can use other moves on this set as well. U-turn can be used to scout for Scizor's counters early in the game, weakening them and setting Scizor up for a Bullet Punch sweep later on. Keep in mind that U-turn lacks synergy with Swords Dance, however, as switching will cause Scizor to lose its hard-earned boosts. Scizor can use Brick Break over Bug Bite; Fighting-type attacks have better coverage with Steel-type moves than Bug-type ones do, granting at least neutral coverage against the many Steel-types in OU. However, the poor type coverage of Bug-type attacks is mitigated by the power granted to Bug Bite by STAB and Technician; a resisted Bug Bite is only slightly weaker than a neutral Brick Break. Furthermore, without Bug Bite, Scizor will have trouble checking Reuniclus, which is one of its most valuable roles in BW OU. Scizor can utilize different items on this set, all to great effect. The healing granted by Leftovers will be immensely appreciated, as Scizor aims to set up Swords Dance on resisted attacks. In contrast, the power boost granted by Life Orb can be critical to a successful sweep, especially in aiming to surmount bulky enemies such as Gliscor. While its low Speed makes it hard to find a free turn, Scizor can always fall back on Roost to recover health lost to Life Orb should it find an opportunity. Finally, a Lum Berry can be used to allow Scizor to shrug off status such as a burn from Scald or Will-O-Wisp.

Since this Scizor is capable of forcing many enemy threats out, it appreciates entry hazard support to rack up additional damage upon the opponent's next switch-in. Do keep in mind that Ferrothorn's similar typing compounds a team's Fire-type weakness, making it less than ideal as a partner unless your team is well equipped to handle powerful Fire-type attacks. Tyranitar and Scizor have good synergy, covering each other's weaknesses relatively well, while Tyranitar backs Scizor up with additional special bulk and provides a sandstorm that makes it easier for Scizor to break through foes such as Blissey and bulky Water-types. Heatran can also do a great job as it eagerly switches into Fire-type attacks aimed at Scizor, getting a free boost thanks to Flash Fire. Bulky Water-types are also excellent teammates, using their colossal defenses and resistance to Fire-type attacks to defeat or set up on foes keen to strike at Scizor's weakness. Gyarados is a great example of a teammate capable of capitalizing on Scizor's Fire-type weakness: it can switch in and set up Dragon Dance, cripple a foe with Thunder Wave, or change the momentum with Dragon Tail. Additionally, Gyarados is a fantastic check to Ground- and Fighting-types that think they can muscle through Scizor. Politoed is also very effective, as it halves the damage that Scizor takes from Fire-type attacks, making it even harder to take down. Do note that rain strengthens your opponent's Water-type attacks as well, however, and Scizor will likely be unable to hold up against STAB rain-boosted attacks from enemy Water-types (who also resist Bullet Punch). If you use Politoed, be sure to pack a teammate that can hold up to powerful Water-type attacks. Scizor must also be wary of Pokemon that resist Bullet Punch and have effective methods of damaging Scizor; Pokemon such as Heatran and Rotom-H can easily switch in and beat it. Steel-types such as Skarmory can also easily phaze Scizor away if the latter lacks Superpower, although Scizor will beat Skarmory one-on-one if Scizor is the last Pokemon on its team. Magnezone can trap Skarmory and weakened Heatran and kill them both off with Thunderbolt. Other Electric-type Pokemon such as Jolteon can more or less accomplish the same feat.

Scizor can run a few other moves on this set. Brick Break can be used over Superpower for a more reliable Fighting-type attack, but Superpower's superior power is needed to OHKO Heatran and Magnezone on the switch. Pursuit is a decent choice of move as it OHKOes Jellicent after a boost and damages fleeing Reuniclus. The preferred item for this set is Life Orb since it gives Scizor a significant power boost. Leftovers could be used for greater longevity, but Scizor will likely be better off running the bulky Swords Dance set instead. Metal Coat can be used to boost the power of Bullet Punch while feigning a Choice Band, but Scizor appreciates a boost to all of its attacks. The EVs maximize Scizor's attacking power while allowing Scizor to outspeed max Speed Tyranitar and at least tie with other Scizor. The Adamant nature also boosts Scizor's Attack, further increasing its damage output. Alternatively, 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Spe could be used, forgoing Speed to focus on bulk.

Entry hazards are important to help Scizor sweep. Stealth Rock from Heatran or Tyranitar, as well as Spikes from Skarmory, will be much appreciated. With a few layers of Spikes, Scizor is able to OHKO Hippowdon with +2 Bug Bite. Relying on strong defensive Pokemon is often not the best way to defeat this set; most walls are KOed by a combination of Bullet Punch and Bug Bite, while Steel-types are taken care of by Superpower. Therefore, a powerful offensive Pokemon that resists Bullet Punch will be much more valuable against Swords Dance Scizor. Examples include Choice Scarf Magnezone, Choice Scarf Heatran, Gyarados, and Rotom-W; these Pokemon can switch in on Swords Dance or after a kill and proceed to KO Scizor with Fire-type attacks or powerful STAB moves. To guarantee a sweep with this Scizor, these Pokemon need to be removed. Wobbuffet can switch into a Choice Scarf user and remove it with Mirror Coat or Counter.

The lack of power inevitably means that Scizor is stopped by defensive Pokemon often, meaning bulkier teams will find it easier to set up entry hazards. For this reason, Scizor is best paired with fierce offensive Pokemon that can power their way through stall teams. In return, Scizor can revenge kill the fast threats that may outspeed and check Scizor's powerful teammates, allowing another teammate to sweep unopposed. It is this synergy that creates a useful combination against most teams. As an example, the likes of mixed Infernape and Salamence can help beat stall, whereas Scizor can remove their common offensive checks, such as Starmie, Latios, and Virizion.

The 112 Attack EVs are used for some notable KOs, including KOing Latios with Pursuit after Stealth Rock damage and KOing Gengar with Bullet Punch after Stealth Rock damage, Substitute, and two rounds of Leftovers. The rest of the EVs are used to maximize bulk on the special side as the Pokemon Scizor is being used to trap are all specially oriented. If you want, you can go with an even bulkier spread along with Leftovers to switch in on the likes of Gengar and Latios more easily; 248 HP / 28 Atk / 236 SpD avoids 2HKOs from Choice Specs Latios's Draco Meteor and Life Orb Gengar's Focus Blast most of the time.

Life Orb is the recommended item to get the KOs mentioned, but if you don't like the recoil, a different item can be used. Expert Belt and Dark Gem both increase Pursuit's power and also allow Scizor to bluff a Choice item. Occa Berry is another option, protecting Scizor from an otherwise fatal Hidden Power Fire and allowing it to KO what it's trapping.

If you're not using Occa Berry, Drizzle Politoed is a useful teammate. This lets Scizor take a Hidden Power Fire if needed, so it will still be able to trap any Latios that carries it. This set is easily walled by Steel-types; as such, Heatran and Magnezone provide good teammates, both having a 4x resistance to Steel-type attacks and being able to take down Steel-types with either a powerful STAB Fire Blast or Magnet Pull and a combination of Substitute and Charge Beam, respectively. This set is best paired with teammates that appreciate the likes of Latios and Gengar being removed, and Virizion is a prime example of such a teammate. While Latios, Alakazam, and Gengar can usually stop its sweep, Scizor is able to trap them, which leaves Virizion free to threaten the opposing team.

The Speed EVs allow Scizor to outspeed base 130 Speed Pokemon without a Choice Scarf when at +2, allowing Scizor to Baton Pass to an appropriate teammate before the likes of Taunt Aerodactyl can move. The Defense EVs ensure that Choice Band Terrakion's Close Combat won't break Scizor's Substitute at +6. The remaining EVs are invested in Special Defense and HP due to Scizor's access to Iron Defense, which makes Defense EVs obsolete. Moreover, the Special Defense investment allows Scizor to tank two Draco Meteors from Choice Specs Latios after Stealth Rock. A Calm nature, along with 0 Attack IVs, is best, as Scizor will take minimum damage from confusion and Foul Play and it will not be utilizing any attacks.

In terms of other possible setup moves, both Agility and Swords Dance are acceptable options over Roost. Agility Scizor can act as a backup to Ninjask and pass Speed boosts. Swords Dance Scizor can be utilized to pass boosts to Pokemon such as Breloom, Gyarados, and Salamence. If utilizing Swords Dance, Bullet Punch also becomes an acceptable option in order to pick off frail offensive threats such as Dugtrio and Gengar. If Bullet Punch is used, then the nature should be changed to Careful, the ability should be switched to Technician, and the Attack IVs should be changed to 31 in order to have as much power as possible.

Due to the set's supportive characteristics, it is best utilized with appropriate Baton Pass teammates. Espeon, being the center piece of Baton Pass teams, pairs well with Scizor in deflecting Roar, Whirlwind, and Taunt; the first two nullify Scizor's boosts, while the latter will render Scizor useless. Mr. Mime is also an excellent teammate; with its ability Soundproof, it can block the effects of Perish Song from Pokemon such as Celebi and Politoed. Speaking of Celebi, it is also a good partner to Scizor by being able to pass Calm Mind boosts and tank Electric- and Water-type attacks. Ninjask is also a useful partner that can pass important Speed boosts. Vaporeon pairs well with Scizor, as it is able to tank Fire-type attacks and can even Roar away opposing Roar and Whirlwind users. Finally, Mew's phenomenal movepool makes it an excellent partner as it can Taunt phazers and pass boosts of its own.