Overview
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- High Speed combined with good attack
- Good bulk with eviolite
- Bad defensive typing
- 4x weak to Stealth Rocks
- Weak moves, even with technician
Swords Dance
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name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Roost
move 3: Aerial Ace
move 4: Knock Off / Bug Bite / Brick Break
ability: Technician
item: Eviolite
evs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
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- Swords Dance allows Scyther to boost its Attack to the point in which it can sweep
- Roost allows it to recover lost health, allowing it to set up without risk of being warn down too much
- Aerial Ace is its main STAB move, boosted by Technician
- Knock Off provides better neutral coverage with Aerial Ace, whilst crippling Pokemon it hits by removing their item
- Bug Bite is a strong secondary STAB, however shares a resistance with Aerial Ace to Steel
- Brick Break hits Rock- and Steel-type pokemon such as Klinklang and Kabutops, however bulkier ones, such as Steelix and Rhydon can take it even when Scyther is boosted
Set Details
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- 252 Speed EVs and a Jolly nature is to give it as much Speed as possible, allowing it to speed tie with Mismagius and Cryogonal
- 248 HP EVs boost its mixed bulk as much as possible, whilst letting Scyther live an extra Stealth Rock switch in
- Defenses are boosted even more by Eviolite
- Rest of EVs dumped in Attack
- Technician is the chosen ability, powering up Scyther's main attack, Aerial Ace
- A more offensive set with 252 Attack instead of HP could used for more power, however it has a significant drop in bulk making it harder to set up
Usage Tips
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- Setting up is Scyther's main objective in order to apply as much damage as possible
- Scythers typing and bulk allow it to set up on common Pokemon such as Vileplume, Gurdurr and Audino
- Due its good bulk and reliable recovery, Scyther can set up multiple times in a game, so shouldnt be afraid to switch out if it has boosted when the opponent has something that threatens it
- Scyther can be used throughout the battle to check Grass-, Fighting-, and Psychic-type Pokemon
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- Scyther hazard removal is important, so Rapid Spin user, such as Kabutops and Sandslash make good partners. They both beat Rock-types, whilst Sandslash also beats Steel-types. Defog users, such as Pelipper could also work, but many share a Flying-type and weaknesses with Scyther
- Scyther also appreciates entry hazards, from users such as Rhydon and Steelix, to wear down the opponents. The former resists four of Scythers weaknesses, whilst the latter resists three
- Fighting-types, such as Sawk and Hariyama, beat Rock- and Steel-types, the latter also beats Pyroar, whilst in return, Scyther beats Psychic-types.
- Rock- and Electric-types, such as Rhydon and Rotom, beat Flying-types
- Strong Pokemon, such as Pyroar, can weaken the opposing team to the point that Scyther can sweep
- Probopass can trap and KO Steel-types, such as Steelix and Klinklang
Choice Band
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name: Choice Band
move 1: U-Turn
move 2: Aerial Ace
move 3: Knock Off / Bug Bite
move 4: Brick Break / Quick Attack / Pursuit
ability: Technician
item: Choice Band
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
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- U-Turn is a reliable STAB that allows Scyther to gain momentum on a switch whilst also dealing decent damage
- Aerial Ace is a stronger, more reliable STAB with a better typing and doesnt switch Scyther out
- Knock Off hits Pokemon such as Rotom, who resist your dual STAB, while also crippling switch ins by knocking off their item
- Bug Bite is stronger than U-Turn making it a more reliable secondary STAB
- Brick Break hits Steel- and Rock-types, such as Probopass and Steelix, for super effective damage
- Quick Attack can be used for priority, allowing Scyther to revenge kill faster/boosted Pokemon
- Pursuit can be used to trap Psychic- and Ghost-types, such as Mespirit and Mismagius, that Scyther forces out
Set Details
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- Max Speed and Jolly Nature is to outspeed as much as possible
- Max Attack and Choice Band increase its strength
- Technician boosts the power of Aerial Ace, Bug Bite, Quick Attack and Pursuit
Usage Tips
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- Due to its low bulk and weaknesses, Scyther dislikes switching into many hits, however it has several resistances and an immunity it can come in on
- U-Turn should be your main move, as it can gain momentum on a possible switch out
- Be careful when looking Scyther into a weak move, like Pursuit or Quick Attack, as set up sweepers can easily exploit that. Bulkier set up sweepers, like Klinklang, can set up on nearly all Scyther moves
- Try not to switch in Scyther with Stealth Rocks present, as it majorly decreases its survivability.
Team Options
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- Rapid Spin users, such as Sandslash, and Defog users, such as Togetic, can clear hazards, allowing Scyther to more freely switch in
- Ground-types, such as Seismitoad and Golurk, beat Steel-, Fire-, and Poison-types that resist U-turn
- Fighting-types, such as Gurdurr appreciate the removal of Psychic-type Pokemon, such as Musharna, whilst Fighting-types beat Rock- and Steel-types
- Scyther baits in Rock-type Pokemon, which it can U-turn out of to Pokemon such as Feraligatr and Samurott, who can use them as set up fodder. Scyther also beats Grass-types which give them problems
- Other Pokemon that use Volt Switch and U-Turn, such as Rotom and Primeape, can form a Volturn core with Scyther.
Choice Scarf
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name: Choice Scarf
move 1: U-Turn
move 2: Aerial Ace
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Pursuit / Brick Break
ability: Technician
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly
Moves
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- U-Turn allows it to pivot away from bad situations and gain momentum on opposing switch outs
- Aerial Ace is its strongest STAB move with a better typing and will keep Scyther in play
- Knock Off cripples switch ins and hits Ghost-types, such as Rotom and Golurk
- Pursuit lets it trap Psychic- and Ghost-types, such as Exeggutor and Mismagius
- Brick Break allows Scyther to hit Rock- and Steel-types, such as Rhydon and Steelix, however is weak and those pokemon can take it
Set Details
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- Max Speed is to increase its speed as much as possible. Jolly nature is required to outspeed other Choice Scarf users such as Typhlosion and Rotom
- Choice Scarf allows Scyther to become a revenge killer, as along with its high Speed, it can outspeed most boosted opponents, such as Lilligant
- Max attack allows it to hit as hard as possible.
- Adamant nature can be used to increase its attack, as it has no way of boosting it, but then Scyther loses to other Choice Scarf and Boosted Pokemon
Usage Tips
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- Scyther should be used as a revenge killer as it can outspeed the entire unboosted meta, however dislikes to switch in and take a hit
- U-Turn is its main attack, as it allows Scyther to pivot around and gain momentum
- Knock Off should be used on predicted switches to Pokemon who can consistantly switch in, such as rhydon, in order to cripple them
- Pursuit allows Scyther to trap Psychic- and Ghost-types, as well as ensure a KO on a weakened opponent. However Pursuit is very weak and easy to take advantage of.
Team Options
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- Rapid Spin and Defog users, such as Kabutops and Prinplup, are vital in order to clear Stealth Rocks, as otherwise Scyther can only switch in twice
- Fighting and Ground-types such as Sawk and Golurk, beat Rock- and Steel-types that can take hits and threaten Scyther. There former appreciate the removal of Psychic-types can also beat Ice-types whilst the latter can check Electric-types
- Water-type Pokemon, such as Lanturn and Seismitoad, check Fire- and Rock-types
- Wallbreakers, such as Magmortar and Kangaskhan, weaken the the opposing Pokemon which may allow Scyther to clean up late game with Aerial Ace.
Other Options
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- Baton Pass allows Scyther to pass its boost to a team mate
- A bulkier spread could be used with Swords Dance, however, lack of Speed investment limits Scythers sweeping potential
- Swords Dance + 3 Attacks with Life Orb, but harder for Scyther to set up
Checks & Counters
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**Rock-Types**: Rock-types, such as Regirock and Rhydon, resist Flying and dont take much from Bug- or Fighting-type coverage, and can set up entry hazards or deal heavy damage. Archeops can outspeed Scyther and OHKO with its Rock STAB, whilst offensive Rhydon can set up on Scyther, as it avoids the 2HKO from Brick Break. Barbaracle and Carracosta can also use Scyther as set up fodder.
**Steel-Types**: Steel-types, such as Steelix and Probopass, can live any boosted hit, can retaliate back or set up entry hazards, however they have to be weary of Choice Band Brick Break. Klinklang can set up Shift Gears on Scyther, and can take a Choice Banded Brick Break if necessary.
**Electric-Types: Bulky Electric-types, such as Lanturn and Stunfisk, resist Flying and can deal heavy damage with their Electric STAB, but dislike switching into repeated U-Turn, however Stunfisk can paralyse Scyther if it does so with Static. Rotom-S resists Scyther's dual STAB, however dislikes switching in multiple times if hazards are present and has to be watch out for Knock Off. Raichu can outspeed and deal heavy damage Scyther with Thunderbolt.
**Physical Walls**: Physically defensive Pokemon, such as Weezing and Granbull, can live a hit and retaliate back with status or deal heavy damage with their attacks. Garbodor can set up entry hazards on Scyther and Haze away if it tries to set up.
**Status**: Paralysis makes Scyther much easier to revenge kill, and users such as Togetic can live a boosted hit. Burn prevents Scyther from doing much damage, which can be applied by Pokemon such as Rotom and Weezing via Will-O-Wisp.
**Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf users, such as Rotom and Typhlosion, can outspeed and revenge kill a weakened Scyther with their STABs, however dislike switching in. Naturally faster Pokemon, such as Swellow and Pyroar, can also outspeed and KO Scyther.
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