Fireflame
Silksong when
QC: Nayrz / CKW / Minority
GP: frenzyplant / marthaa
[OVERVIEW]
* Mega Scizor's great bulk combined with its Bug / Steel typing allows it to check Xerneas, Deoxys-A, Ultra Necrozma lacking Heat Wave, Mewtwo lacking Fire Blast, Extreme Killer Arceus, and defensive Pokemon reliant on Toxic like defensive Necrozma-DM, Lugia, and support Arceus formes.
* Mega Scizor also sports key resistances to Dragon, Ice, Fairy, and Steel and an immunity to Toxic.
* Technician-boosted STAB Bullet Punch makes Scizor able to consistently check Xerneas. It 2HKOes offensive variants unboosted and defensive variants at +2.
* Its combination of reliable recovery in Roost and a pivoting move in U-turn gives Mega Scizor an advantage over other Steel-type Xerneas checks.
* Scizor can use U-turn to pivot out of Pokemon it draws in, such as Primal Groudon and Arceus-Water, which can generate momentum.
* Furthermore, options like Pursuit, Knock Off, and Superpower can offer team-specific support.
* However, a glaring weakness to Fire makes Mega Scizor extremely vulnerable to prominent threats like Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh.
* Many Pokemon carry Fire-type coverage, like Mewtwo, Dialga, Calm Mind Arceus formes, and Ultra Necrozma, which limits Mega Scizor's opportunities to switch in.
* Scizor's STAB combination is resisted by many threats, which can make it passive at times.
* It is setup fodder for Pokemon like Primal Groudon, Mega Salamence, and Necrozma-DM that don't care about its attacks.
* Mega Scizor also faces stiff competition from Necrozma-DM as a defensive Steel-type Xerneas check with reliable recovery, as Necrozma-DM is bulkier, can set up Stealth Rock, and has stronger attacks.
[SET]
name: Bulky Pivot
move 1: Bullet Punch
move 2: Roost
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Toxic / Swords Dance
item: Scizorite
ability: Light Metal
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Bullet Punch is necessary for Mega Scizor to check Xerneas and Mega Gengar. It also OHKOes Deoxys-A and helps Scizor revenge kill many frail Pokemon like Marshadow, Naganadel, and Tapu Koko.
* Roost keeps Mega Scizor consistently healthy, allowing it to check what it needs to.
* U-turn provides momentum and good chip damage and allows Mega Scizor to pivot out of switch-ins and Gothitelle.
* Toxic cripples switch-ins such as Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, Mega Salamence, and support Arceus formes.
* Swords Dance enables Mega Scizor to deal with defensive Xerneas and +1 Z-Geomancy Xerneas. Swords Dance can also give Mega Scizor a chance to sweep if the opposition is weakened enough. However, due to Z-Geomancy and defensive Xerneas variants being rather rare, Toxic is in most cases a better option.
Set Details
========
* Full investment in special bulk allows Mega Scizor to efficiently check Xerneas, surviving +2 Focus Blast from offensive Geomancy sets, and other special attackers.
* Alternatively, 108 Attack EVs and a Brave nature can be used to ensure that Bullet Punch 2HKOes standard Geomancy Xerneas and Mega Gengar unboosted while 2HKOing defensive Xerneas, 2HKOing +1 Z-Geomancy Xerneas most of the time, and OHKOing Mega Gengar after a Swords Dance boost.
* An EV spread of 252 HP / 48 Atk / 204 SpD with a Sassy nature allows Scizor to achieve the above benchmarks but all after Stealth Rock damage.
* An EV spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD with a Brave nature also allows Scizor to achieve those benchmarks after Stealth Rock damage. This spread sacrifices some bulk for the ability to retain the 2HKO on standard Geomancy Xerneas with Bullet Punch without Stealth Rock.
* A Sassy nature and 0 Speed IVs make Mega Scizor almost guaranteed to go last when using U-turn, underspeeding defensive Necrozma-DM, Skarmory, and Blissey.
* Alternatively, a Careful nature and full Speed IVs allow Mega Scizor to use Roost against defensive Necrozma-DM and Skarmory before they attack. Running an Adamant nature with the 108 Attack EV spread achieves the same.
* Using Light Metal as the pre-Mega ability lets Scizor come in on Low Kick more easily, and Scizor gains Technician upon Mega Evolution anyway.
Usage Tips
========
* Scizor should Mega Evolve as soon as possible to gain Technician and increased bulk.
* Mega Scizor should be switched into the Pokemon it checks, the most important of which is Xerneas.
* In the Xerneas matchup, Mega Scizor is able to consistently switch into it fairly easily and heal up the damage it takes with Roost. It can then threaten Xerneas with Bullet Punch or use U-turn to generate momentum on a predicted switch.
* Exert caution against Choice Specs Xerneas because it has a small chance to 2HKO Mega Scizor with Moonblast.
* Geomancy Xerneas sets with Hidden Power Fire are the only variants of Xerneas that Mega Scizor cannot switch into. Scizor can only serve as a revenge killer to it, so Scizor's teammates should weaken Xerneas enough for it to be in Bullet Punch's KO range.
* Due to its typing, Mega Scizor is able to switch into defensive and support Pokemon that rely on Toxic to do damage, such as Necrozma-DM, Lugia, and support Arceus formes like Arceus-Water, though it can be a good idea to scout support Arceus formes that may carry Fire Blast.
* Scizor can also be switched into predicted Ice-type coverage from various foes, such as Ice Beam from Arceus formes.
* Avoid letting Mega Scizor get burned, as it reduces Scizor's longevity and severely weakens Bullet Punch and thus Mega Scizor's ability to check Xerneas.
* Bullet Punch should be used mostly to threaten Xerneas, but it can also pick off weakened frail attackers.
* U-turn should be used early- and mid-game to generate momentum for your team while keeping Mega Scizor safe from threats.
* Use Roost liberally to keep Mega Scizor healthy to check what it needs to, especially if there is a Xerneas on the opposing team.
* If running Swords Dance, use it conservatively, mostly to ward off and break down Z-Geomancy and defensive Xerneas. Using it excessively wastes momentum from U-turn and leaves Mega Scizor vulnerable.
* Mega Scizor can potentially sweep with Swords Dance but only if the opposing team is extremely weakened.
Team Options
========
* Mega Scizor should be used on teams that require a reliable and consistent check to Xerneas. Pokemon that appreciate a Xerneas check include Yveltal, Rayquaza, Zygarde-C, and Arceus-Dark.
* Primal Kyogre appreciates Mega Scizor's ability to draw in Primal Groudon and then pivot out into it. Primal Kyogre is also immune to Fire-type attacks and can check Fire-types.
* Mega Scizor appreciates Pokemon that check Primal Groudon like Lugia, Zygarde-C, Arceus-Water, and Arceus-Ground.
* Primal Groudon and Arceus-Rock threaten Ho-Oh.
* Secondary Xerneas checks such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh take pressure off Mega Scizor and threaten the Steel-types that wall it. They can also deal with Hidden Power Fire Xerneas variants.
* Entry hazard removal from the likes of Arceus-Water, Giratina-O, defensive Yveltal, and defensive Xerneas is appreciated. Mega Scizor can handle Xerneas for them in return.
* Powerful wallbreakers and sweepers such as Necrozma-DM, Xerneas, Extreme Killer Arceus, Deoxys-A, Naganadel, and Mewtwo appreciate the slow U-turn that Mega Scizor provides.
* Mega Scizor can deal with Ultra Necrozma lacking Heat Wave and Mewtwo lacking Fire Blast for Naganadel in particular.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Mega Scizor can utilize Defog to remove entry hazards, but Giratina-O and support Arceus formes like Arceus-Water and Arceus-Fairy are better Defoggers.
* Scizor can Pursuit trap Deoxys-A, Lunala, non-Fire Blast Mewtwo, and non-Heat Wave Ultra Necrozma, but Tyranitar, Alolan Muk, and Deoxys-A are better Pursuit users.
* Knock Off gives Mega Scizor utility in removing items, hits Steel- and Fire-types for neutral damage, and KOes Lunala if its Shadow Shield is down; however, it is tough to fit when the standard moves are so valuable.
* Superpower deals with Extreme Killer Arceus and Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Necrozma-DM, and Celesteela.
* Hidden Power Ice 2HKOes Mega Salamence that may use Scizor as setup fodder and also dents Zygarde-C.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh resist both of Mega Scizor's STAB moves and can OHKO it with their 4x super effective Fire-type attacks. However, Mega Scizor can use U-turn on the turn they switch in to pivot into a check, and none of them appreciate a potential Toxic.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, Necrozma-DM, Mega Lucario, Aegislash, Solgaleo, Skarmory, Dialga, and Celesteela can easily take Mega Scizor's attacks and are immune to Toxic. Solgaleo and Dialga can hit Mega Scizor with Fire-type coverage, while Skarmory and Ferrothorn can set up entry hazards against it. Mega Lucario and offensive Necrozma-DM sets can also use Mega Scizor as setup fodder. However, defensive Steel-types that don't carry Fire-type coverage can't do much damage back to Mega Scizor, as it's also resistant to Steel and immune to Toxic. Mega Scizor can also U-turn out into a teammate or potentially hit them with Superpower.
**Fire-type Coverage**: Many Pokemon in the tier, including Naganadel, Fire Blast Mewtwo, Heat Wave Ultra Necrozma, V-create Rayquaza, and Inferno Overdrive Darkrai, carry super effective Fire-type coverage that can KO Mega Scizor. Various support Arceus formes such as Arceus-Water may also carry Fire Blast.
**Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre resists Bullet Punch and can hit Mega Scizor hard with Origin Pulse or Liquidation or potentially burn it with Scald, and RestTalk variants don't care about Toxic. However, non-RestTalk variants must watch out for Toxic, and Mega Scizor's U-turn does decent chip damage.
**Bulkier Attackers**: Zygarde-C, Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Ghost, Necrozma-DW, and bulky variants of Mega Salamence and Arceus can use Mega Scizor as setup fodder, while Yveltal and Lunala can take Mega Scizor's attacks and retaliate. Zygarde-C can shrug off Mega Scizor's Toxic using Rest, and Mega Salamence can get rid of Toxic poison with Refresh or take advantage of Toxic poison if it is running Facade. However, the rest of these bulky attackers hate being hit with Toxic, and Arceus and Lunala must watch out for Superpower and Knock Off, respectively.
**Will-O-Wisp**: Will-O-Wisp from Mega Sableye, Mega Gengar, Giratina-O, and support Arceus formes cripples Mega Scizor, reducing its longevity, damage, and ability to check Xerneas.
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