[2015] Sceptile [QC 2/2] [GP 0/2]





taken over by Adamant Zoroark

just copypasted and added and edited some things

Overview
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Sceptile used to be not-so-special Grass-type Pokemon, but after receiving Mega evolution in ORAS, Sceptile is much more viable than before. Mega Sceptile has lots of notable things such as unique typing as Grass/Dragon, incredible base 145 speed that allows to outspeed almost everything in VGC metagame, including Scarfed Landorus-Therian with Adamant nature, and great base 145 Special Attack, but most notable thing lies in its ability, Lightning Rod. Not only this makes Sceptile to take no damage from Electric-type moves and instead gaining boost from them, but it also allows Sceptile's partner to avoid Electric-type moves. Sceptile is not without its flaws, though. It has really bad bulk, meaning that it is easy to OHKO. Its typing makes it weak to 6 relatively common types, including 4x weakness to Ice. Sceptile's special movepool is bad, having only few coverage moves. Despite those flaws, Sceptile is still definely viable Pokemon in VGC 2015 metagame.

Special Attacker
########
name: Special Attacker
move 1: Leaf Storm / Energy Ball
move 2: Dragon Pulse
move 3: Detect
move 4: Quick Guard / Hidden Power Ice
ability: Overgrow
item: Sceptilite
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Modest / Timid

Moves
========

Main move for this set is Leaf Storm, as it is one of really few special moves that can OHKO Suicune and Milotic, and having impressive power in general. Energy Ball is a weaker STAB move, but it doesnt force Sceptile to switch and is generally better option if you want Sceptile rather as sweeper than hit-and-run Pokemon. Dragon Pulse is secondary STAB, having ability to KO all Dragon-types expect Goodra. Detect is to avoid attacks, and it is generally better than Protect due to Imprison + Protect users. Sceptile will never live enough turns to run out PP of Detect anyway. Quick Guard is great option in last slot. Sceptile baits Talonflame, so Quick Guard protects Sceptile from its Brave Birds. Sceptile is also faster than any Pokemon with Fake Out after mega evolving, which means it has rare ability to block any Fake Out in most cases. Hidden Power Ice allows Sceptile to score a KO on Landorus-Therian. This is expectionaly useful, because with Timid nature, Sceptile is faster than Scarfed Landorus-Therian after mega evolving.

Set Details
========

Max Speed and max Special attack, as Sceptile wants to hit hard and fast as possible. Nature option is up to user. Modest nature makes sure that Sceptile OHKOs most Suicunes and Milotics with Leaf Storm. It also allows Sceptile to always OHKO more bulky Mega Salamences. Timid Nature is better when you use Hidden Power Ice, as Sceptile can outspeed Adamant Scarf Landorus-T and OHKO with Hidden Power Ice. It also allows Sceptile to outspeed Mega Lopunny, Mega Manectric, and Mega Gengar with positive natures.

Usage Tips
========

Sceptile works well as leading Pokemon. It can use Quick Guard to block incoming Fake Outs, and then switch out, so it can later on switch into predicted Electric-type moves. Sceptile also works as late-game cleaner. Avoid however switching Sceptile in if there is chance that it gets hit by super effective attack or powerful neutral attack.


Team Options
========

Electric types with Discharge makes up good partners for Sceptile, as they can boost Sceptile's offensive power with it. These Pokemon include both Rotom-formes, Zapdos, Raikou and both Thundurus formes. Prankster Thunder Wave is another way to boost Sceptile, and it goes always before Sceptile. Again, Thundurus works well at this, but also,Meowstic-M and Klefki. Water- and Flying-types benefits from Lightning Rod boost, and overall has good type synergy with Sceptile. Suicune and Milotic becomes real tanks that are hard to take down due to having only 1 weakness when Sceptile is on field, they take down Fire types, and has Scald to give Sceptile chance to survive little more attacks. Heatran is great partner for Sceptile, because it resists every Sceptile's weakness, so it is really easy to switch in, and it takes out Steel-types which Sceptile hates. Other Fire-types such as Arcanine and Talonflame are good partners too. Talonflame also enjoys Lightning Rod from Sceptile. Mega Sceptile hates Fairy-types, so Pokemon that beat them are good partners for it, such as Bisharp, Gengar, and Heatran.

Other Options
########

Due to Sceptile's poor movepool, it doesnt have many good options. Focus Blast is powerful option as 3rd attack. It can OHKO Tyranitar, deal lots of damage to Mega Kangaskhan and hits most Steel-types hard. However, it is very risky and unrelieable due to its poor accuracy. Sceptile can use Substitute to survive little more hits. Sceptile can still receive Lightning Rod boost behind Substitute. Giga Drain allows Sceptile to heal itself, but due to Sceptile is frail and faints easily, and it wants to have as powerful moves as possible, it is normally inferior to its other Grass-STAB moves. Sceptile can use Hidden Power Fire and Ground to have more relieable option to hit Steel-types than Focus Blast. Hidden Power Ground hits Heatran, while Hidden Power Fire hits Scizor and Ferrothorn. Sceptile has actually very good physical movepool, but due to its "low" Attack stat, they arent very good options.

Checks & Counters
########

**Fairy-types**: Fairy-type Pokemon gives Sceptile most problems. Mega Mawile laughs at anything Sceptile uses, it can take rare Hidden Power Fire and Ground easily and OHKO Sceptile back. Sylveon, Mega Gardevoir and Mega Altaria can tank any move with no problems from Sceptile and OHKO back.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types can often hard-wall Sceptile, unless it carries specific Hidden Power or unrelieable Focus Blast, but even then they are pain for Sceptile. Aegislash, Mega Mawile and Mega Metagross can take anything from Sceptile, and KO back or do notable damage. If Sceptile lacks HP Ground or Focus Blast, Heatran walls it hard and can set up a Substitute in face of Sceptile.

**Speed Control**: While Sceptile is immune to one form of speed control, namely Thunder Wave, other forms give it a headache. Set up Trick Room or Tailwind and opposing Sceptile become useless until they wear off. Even Bulldoze can cripple it by reducing its Speed, and if Icy Wind doesn't OHKO Mega Sceptile, it will at least leave it severely incapacitated due to a combination of reduced Speed until switching out and incredibly low HP.

**Outspeeding Sceptile**: It is pretty hard to outspeed Sceptile without boost. However, Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Latios can outspeed and OHKO. Talonflame causes problems with its Brave Bird, especially if Sceptile lacks Quick Guard.
 
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Adamant Zoroark

catchy catchphrase
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Not QC, but I'm not exactly certain HP Ice is slash-worthy. It's probably usable enough for Set Details (I get the point - use Timid to outrun Adamant Scarf Lando and OHKO) but I'm not certain it's consistent enough for a slash when its only use is for one specific (albeit very important) threat and it doesn't even always work (Timid Sceptile doesn't outspeed Jolly Scarf Lando,) but just the prospect of beating Adamant Scarf Lando, which is a pretty big deal, seems like enough to at least warrant a Set Details mention.
 
Yeah, i was bit SCEPTIleCAL about HP ice being slashed anyway on first set. I think that Quick Guard should be only move listed in last slot at main set, then mention HP ice in set comments. QG is so cool anyway to block priority, most notably prankster moves and brave bird from talonlame
 

Jio

God is Good
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I think slashing hp ice behind quick guard wouldnt hurt since koing landorus is kind of big

Looks very good to me, QC 1/2
 
yeah, i just had several school things (ugh) so i am bit tired now. i will write this up in weekend
 
Last edited:

dhelmise

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Overview
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[OVERVIEW]

Sceptile used to be not-so-special Grass-type Pokemon, but after receiving Mega evolution in ORAS, Sceptile is much more viable than before. (Remove Period) Mega Sceptile has lots a lot of notable things qualities, (AC) such as a unique Grass / Dragon typing as Grass/Dragon, an incredible base 145 speed Speed that allows it to outspeed outrun almost everything Pokemon in the VGC metagame, including Adamant Choice Scarfed Landorus-Therian with Adamant nature, and a great base 145 Special Attack (That allows it to KO what easier? I would add something like ", and a great base 145 Special Attack that allows it to KO foes such as ___ and ___ easier"), but the most notable thing quality lies in its ability, Lightning Rod Lightningrod. Not only does this makes Mega Sceptile to take no damage from immune to Electric-type moves, (AC) it boosts Mega Sceptile's Special Attack, and it redirects all Electric-type moves aimed at its teammates towards it and instead gaining boost from them, but it also allows Sceptile's partner to avoid Electric-type moves. However, (AC) Sceptile is not without its flaws, as it though. It has really bad bulk, meaning that it is making it easy to OHKO, (AC) its. (Remove Period) Its typing makes it weak to 6 six relatively common types and changes its 2x weakness to Ice-types into a 4x weakness, and its including 4x weakness to Ice. Sceptile's special movepool is bad, having only as it only has a few coverage moves. Despite those However, despite its flaws, Sceptile is definitely still definely a viable Pokemon in the VGC 2015 metagame.

Special Attacker
########

[SET]

name: Special Attacker
move 1: Leaf Storm / Energy Ball
move 2: Dragon Pulse
move 3: Detect
move 4: Quick Guard / Hidden Power Ice
ability: Overgrow
item: Sceptilite
ability: Overgrow
nature: Modest / Timid

EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
nature: Modest / Timid

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Main move for this set is Leaf Storm, (RC) as it is one of really Sceptile's few special moves that can OHKO Suicune and Milotic, and having it has impressive power in general. Energy Ball is a weaker STAB move, but it doesnt doesn't lower Sceptile's Special Attack, so it doesn't force Sceptile to switch out to regain its Special Attack and is generally a better option if you want to use Sceptile rather as a sweeper than instead of a hit-and-run Pokemon. Dragon Pulse is secondary gets boosted by STAB after Sceptile Mega Evolves, having giving it the ability to KO all Dragon-types, (AC) barring expect Goodra. Detect is used to avoid attacks, and it is generally better than Protect due to users of both Imprison + and Protect users. Sceptile will never live enough turns to run out PP of Detect anyway. Quick Guard is great option in last slot, (AC) as. (Remove Period) Sceptile baits Talonflame, so Quick Guard protects Sceptile from its Talonflame's Brave Birds. Sceptile is also faster than any Pokemon with Fake Out after mega evolving every Fake Out user post-Mega Evolution, which means it has rare the ability to block any Fake Outs in most cases. Hidden Power Ice allows Sceptile to score a KO on Landorus-Therian. This is expectionaly exceptionally useful, (RC) because, (AC) with a Timid nature, Mega Sceptile is faster than Choice Scarfed Landorus-Therian after mega evolving.

Set Details
========

Maximum Speed and max Special attack, as Attack EVs allow Sceptile wants to hit as hard and be fast as possible. Nature option is up to user. (Remove Period) A Modest nature makes sure that Sceptile OHKOes most Suicunes and Milotics Suicune and Milotic variants with Leaf Storm, (AC) and it. (Remove Period) It also allows Sceptile to always OHKO more bulky Mega Salamences. A Timid Nature nature is better when you use put Hidden Power Ice on Sceptile, as Sceptile can outspeed Adamant Choice Scarf Landorus-T and OHKO it with Hidden Power Ice. It A Timid nature also allows Sceptile to outspeed positive Speed-natured Mega Lopunny, Mega Manectric, and Mega Gengar with positive natures.

Usage Tips
========

Sceptile works well as leading Pokemon because it. (Remove Period) It can use Quick Guard to block incoming Fake Outs, and then switch out, so it can later on switch into predicted Electric-type moves later on. Sceptile also works as late-game cleaner. Avoid however However, avoid switching Sceptile in if there is chance that it gets will get hit by a super effective attack or a powerful neutral attack.


Team Options
========

Electric types Electric-types with Discharge, (AC) such as all Rotom formes, Zapdos, Raikou, Thundurus, and Thundurus-T, (AC) makes up good partners for Sceptile, as they can boost Mega Sceptile's offensive power with it Special Attack while also hitting both foes. (Remove Period) These Pokemon include both Rotom-formes, Zapdos, Raikou and both Thundurus formes. Prankster Thundurus's Thunder Wave is another way to boost Mega Sceptile's Special Attack, and as it goes always goes before Sceptile. Again, Thundurus works well at this, but Meowstic-M and Klefki do too also,Meowstic-M and Klefki. Water- and Flying-types benefits from Lightning Rod boost, (RC) Lightningrod and overall has have good type synergy with Sceptile. Suicune and Milotic becomes real tanks that are hard to take down due to having only 1 one weakness when Sceptile is on field, as they take down Fire types, and has Fire-types, and they have Scald to give Sceptile chance to survive little more attacks. Heatran is a great partner for Sceptile, (RC) because it resists every all of Sceptile's weaknesses, so it is really easy to switch in, and it takes out Steel-types, (AC) which Sceptile hates. Other Fire-types such as Arcanine and Talonflame are good partners too. Talonflame also enjoys Lightning Rod from Mega Sceptile's Lightningrod. Mega Sceptile hates Fairy-types, so Pokemon that beat them are good partners for it, such as Bisharp, Gengar, and Heatran.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
########=============

Due to Sceptile's poor movepool, it doesnt doesn't have many good options. Focus Blast is a powerful option as 3rd third attack; (Add Semicolon) it. (Remove Period) It can OHKO Tyranitar, deal lots of damage to Mega Kangaskhan, (AC) and hits most Steel-types hard. However, it is very risky and unrelieable unreliable, (AC) due to its poor accuracy. Sceptile can use Substitute to survive little more hits. Sceptile can still receive Lightning Rod boost Lightningrod boosts behind Substitute. Giga Drain allows Sceptile to heal itself, but due to Sceptile is frail and faints easily, and so it wants to have as powerful moves as possible, it and Giga Drain is normally inferior to its other Grass-STAB Sceptile's other Grass-type moves. Sceptile can use Hidden Power Fire and Hidden Power Ground to have a more relieable option more reliable than Focus Blast to hit Steel-types than Focus Blast with. Hidden Power Ground hits Heatran, while and Hidden Power Fire hits Scizor and Ferrothorn. Sceptile has actually very good physical movepool, but due to its "low" Attack stat being lower than its Special Attack, they arent physical moves aren't very good options.

Checks & and Counters
########===================

**Fairy-types**: Fairy-type Pokemon gives Mega Sceptile the most problems. Mega Mawile laughs at anything Sceptile uses, and it can take rare Hidden Power Fire and Hidden Power Ground easily and OHKO Sceptile back. Sylveon, Mega Gardevoir, (AC) and Mega Altaria can tank any move from Mega Sceptile with no problems from Sceptile and OHKO back.

**Steel-types**: Steel-types can often hard-wall Sceptile, unless it carries specific Hidden Power or unrelieable the unreliable Focus Blast, but, (AC) even then, (AC) they are pain for Sceptile. Aegislash, Mega Mawile, (AC) and Mega Metagross can take anything from Sceptile, and KO it back or do notable damage. If Sceptile lacks HP Hidden Power Ground or Focus Blast, Heatran walls it hard and can set up a Substitute in face of Sceptile.

**Speed Control**: While Sceptile is immune to one form of speed control, namely Thunder Wave, other forms give it a headache. Set up Opposing Trick Room or Tailwind and opposing Sceptile become useless until they wear off. Even Bulldoze can cripple it by reducing its Speed, and if Icy Wind doesn't OHKO Mega Sceptile, it will at least leave it severely incapacitated due to a combination of reduced Speed until switching out and incredibly low HP.

**Outspeeding Sceptile Faster Pokemon**: It is pretty hard to outspeed Sceptile without a type of boost. However, Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Latios can outspeed and OHKO. Talonflame causes problems with its Brave Bird, especially if Sceptile lacks Quick Guard.


GP 1/2
 

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