Scyther[OVERVIEW]
<p>Ever since the introduction of Scizor in generation 2, Scyther has been living in the shadows of its evolution. In generations since, Scyther has been penalized first by its lack of bulk and then by the introduction of Stealth Rock, which stripped away half of its health just for entering the battlefield. Even the blessing of Technician went mostly unnoticed. However, while Generation 5 did not bring Scizor anything of value, it blessed Scyther with the Eviolite.</p>
<p>With this new item, Scyther has better defenses than its evolution. Despite this, Scyther is still relegated to UU due to its worse typing,lack of a powerful coverage move or STAB priority move, and the need to rely on Eviolite to be defensive—not to mention that it still loses half of its health when switching in to Stealth Rock. Despite these flaws, its base 110 Attack, base 105 Speed, Technician, and Eviolite allow Scyther to perform many different roles, making it a viable choice in UU.</p>
[Set]
name: Bulky Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Roost
move 3: Aerial Ace
move 4: Baton Pass / Brick Break
item: Eviolite
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 216 HP / 40 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While most sweeping sets attempt to boost a maximized attack to astronomical levels, with the goal of overpowering opponents after one turn of setup, this set plays a bit differently. The goal here is to get multiple boosts. Eviolite, along with the HP investment, makes Scyther quite hard to bring down. This allows Scyther to boost multiple times, after which you can use Roost to recover health. Aerial Ace is the main STAB move, and gets a boost in power, thanks to Technician. With its bulk, Scyther can use Baton Pass quite effectively. The idea is to switch in on something that does not threaten it much, such as Gallade, and then set up.</p>
<p>Eviolite gives Scyther 294 in both defenses, making it quite vital to this set. With the given EV spread, Scyther's HP hits 335 (one less than a multiple of 16)—a magic HP number, it allows Scyther to survive two switches into Stealth Rock and/or an extra turn of weather damage. Maximum Speed of 339 is mandatory and the rest of t he EVs are dumped into attack, which reaches 528 after a Swords Dance. Roost allows it to survive longer and perhaps get an extra boost.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Brick Break can be used in place of Baton Pass for coverage, and has a handy side effect of breaking screens. Watch out for Rotom, Rotom-S, and Zapados, as they all resist both Aerial Ace and Brick Break. Scyther also hates Trick, as Eviolite is the only thing that makes it moderately bulky. Despite its bulk, Rapid Spin support is greatly appreciated to get rid of Stealth Rock. For a recipient of Baton Pass, Rhyperior is a great choice, as it shares almost perfect synergy with Scyther, save for a shared Ice weakness.</p>
<p>You could use Bug Bite for an additional or different STAB move; however this provides less coverage, making it less effective. Substitute can be used to block status, but Scyther loses either coverage or recovery this way. You could move some of the EVs into the defenses, but you would lose vital speed or end up more vulnerable to passive damage. Taunt and Encore both ruin this set.</p>
[Set]
name: Swords Dance Sweeper
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Aerial Ace
move 3: Brick Break
move 4: Bug Bite / Quick Attack
item: Life Orb
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p> A classic set—Scyther is still a great sweeper, even without bulk, and is quite powerful when equipped with a Life Orb. The EV spread attempts to hit quickly and powerfully by maximizing Speed and Attack. Jolly works well with Swords Dance, boasting 339 Speed and 319 Attack (which hits 638 after a Swords Dance) allowing Scyther to hit extremely hard. Aerial Ace is the main attack and is a reliable STAB move, while Brick Break provides good coverage. Bug Bite provides another powerful STAB attack.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Quick Attack is a viable option for a priority move, and hits hard after a Swords Dance. Entry hazard support is appreciated for securing KOs, and the ridding of Stealth Rock on your side of the field prevents Scyther from being crippled on the switch-in. Donphan and Hitmontop are two partners that stand out for Rapid Spin support, as they both have resistances to most of Scyther's weaknesses and are good at dealing with its counters. You should always make sure that Scyther's HP is odd so that it can survive two switches into Stealth Rock. Roost can be used to heal off Life Orb recoil, but coverage is preferred in this situation.</p>
[Set]
name: Choice Attacker
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Aerial Ace
move 3: Brick Break / Pursuit
move 4: Quick Attack
item: Choice Band / Choice Scarf
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>As a utility Pokemon or late-game sweeper, Scyther is viable with a choice item. A Choice Band makes it hit extremely hard off the bat, while a Choice Scarf allows Scyther to pick off weakened foes. U-turn is a fantastic scouting move, providing a reliable STAB attack with the ability to switch out. Aerial Ace provides another solid STAB attacks, while Brick Break hits hard Steel-types and Rock-types. Quick Attack has priority, which can be crucial to stopping an opposing sweeper. Pursuit can be used over Brick Break to hit hard Pokemon attempting to switch out.<p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p> Without the ability to change moves, the freedom to switch in multiple times is essential. Thus, Rapid Spin support is mandatory and again, Donphan is a solid choice, as it deals with Rock-types and Electric-type attacks well and has access to Ice Shard to deal with other troublesome sweepers—Staraptor in particular. The EV spread provides maximum Speed and Attack, and Jolly is preferable in all cases, as it makes Scyther faster than Jolly Staraptor. With a Choice Band, Scyther hits 478 Attack and 339 Speed. With a Choice Scarf, Scyther hits 319 Attack and 508 Speed. Entry hazard support is appreciated, as it makes the opponent's switches more costly.<p>
[Other Options]
<p>Scyther has many viable options to choose from, but they are usually outclassed.Pursuit can be used in tandem with Brick Break for almost perfect coverage, but this is not recommended, as Scyther does not like losing out on a STAB attack. Technician-boosted Double Hit can break through Focus Sash, Sturdy, and Substitute, but it lacks coverage and priority, making it very situational. Night Slash might have more power than Pursuit, but Pursuit is preferred for its ability to punish switches. Agility can be used to boost Scyther's already stellar Speed, but Scyther prefers the Attack boost granted from Swords Dance. Using Agility and Swords Dance together requires too much setup time, and makes Scyther's four move slot syndrome even worse. A set utilizing Focus Sash, Reversal, and Swords Dance is quite powerful; however, with the abundance of weather, Stealth Rock, and priority, it is not such a good idea. An Adamant nature can be used to boost Scyther's Attack, but it prefers Jolly due to the demand of in Speed this generation.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p> With a double Rock weakness, Stealth Rock will take away half of Scyther's health. That said, Rock-type moves in general usually knockout Scyther in one hit. Locking Scyther into Swords Dance through Encore or Trick can easily shut it down, but be careful of giving the Swords Dance Sweeper variety a Choice Scarf—it can then perform like the Choice set.</p>
<p> For specific Pokemon, Cofagrigus has amazing Physical bulk, access to Will-O-Wisp, and the ability Mummy, all of which can shut down Scyther. Rotom, Rotom-S, Zapdos, and even Emolga resist Fighting, Flying, and Bug moves, and can hit Scyther with STAB Electric moves. Raikou and Jolteon can outrun Scyther and also take it out with STAB Electric attacks. It should be noted that event Rash Raikou with 252 Speed EVs is still slower than Jolly Scyther with 252 Speed EVs. Sharpedo is another counter—after using Protect, it is faster than Scyther, thanks to its ability Speed Boost.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>From the Dream World, Scyther receives the ability Steadfast. Despite being a decent ability, Technician is what makes Scyther shine—without it, Scyther would not be very threatening. It is best to skip out on that Scyther (unless you really want the Dream Points).</p>
