Sceptile (BW2 Revamp) [QC 3/3] [GP 2/2]

Jukain

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[pimg]254[/pimg]
slice n dice

[Overview]

<p>Sceptile is very fast and has just enough power to send its foes packing. Boasting excellent coverage, Sceptile fares well against many OU threats. Due to its high Speed, Sceptile can revenge kill many rain threats, such as Keldeo, Tornadus, and Thundurus-T. It can also deal a ton of damage to weather inducers with its STAB Leaf Storm. Unfortunately, the good news ends there. Sceptile is the definition of a glass cannon, minus the cannon part, as Sceptile is frail and really not that powerful. For this reason, Sceptile is vulnerable to being both revenge killed and walled. It is walled by numerous common threats, including Celebi, Latias, and Latios. Despite all this, Sceptile manages to fill a niche, albeit a small one, as a fast offensive Grass-type.</p>

[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Focus Blast / Rock Slide
move 4: Earthquake
item: Life Orb
ability: Overgrow
nature: Hasty
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This set is the best Sceptile can muster in OU. The biggest issue is getting switching it in, as there is literally no move Sceptile can switch in on other than Rapid Spin, Scald, and entry hazards. Essentially, what you have to do is make smart double switches and utilize Pokemon that carry U-turn and Volt Switch. Once Sceptile is in, it should generally be hitting something and switching out, as Sceptile usually has to use Leaf Storm to leave much of a mark on the foe. For this reason, keeping constant pressure on the foe is necessary. It is imperative the opponent does not gain any momentum against Sceptile. Leaf Storm, as previously mentioned, is the move Sceptile will use most often, dealing heavy damage to numerous foes, including Jellicent, Rotom-W, Terrakion, Landorus-T, and Garchomp.</p>

<p>However, Leaf Storm doesn't have the best coverage. Hidden Power Ice and Focus Blast are generally the best choices for the second and third slots. Hidden Power Ice hits Latios, Salamence, and Dragonite hard while doing a decent amount of damage to Celebi that aren't running full Special Defense investment. Focus Blast OHKOes Tyranitar and allows Sceptile to hit Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Forretress, and other Steel-types for some damage. Hidden Power Fire and Rock Slide is another decent combination; the former does massive damage to Ferrothorn and Forretress, while the latter OHKOes Volcarona and hits Salamence, Dragonite, and Kyurem-B hard. Finally, Earthquake provides much-needed coverage against Heatran, Jirachi, and Magnezone (unless you wish to rely on Focus Blast).</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Hasty is chosen over Naive to allow Sceptile to switch in on Scald (one of the few moves it can switch in on). Priority attacks OHKO Sceptile in most cases anyway, so the Defense reduction doesn't make much of a difference. As with all OU Pokemon, the most important factor to consider with Sceptile is weather. Sun is helpful for Sceptile, as it turns Water-type attacks into switch-in opportunities. However, rain can also work well, as many Pokemon that help Sceptile thrive in rain. The biggest issue Sceptile has are priority users, such as Scizor, Mamoswine, and Breloom. A core of Keldeo and Latias can handle all of these threats; Keldeo can even take out pesky Ferrothorn, Volcarona (for non-Rock Slide Sceptile variants), Blissey, and Chansey. Magnezone is another choice to handle Ferrothorn and can also dispatch Scizor and Forretress. Choice Scarf users fall into a similar category as priority users; bulky Pokemon such as Jellicent, Jirachi, and Celebi will help you out on that front. Celebi is also a good Breloom counter. As previously mentioned, Volcarona is quite the menace to face for non-Rock Slide Sceptile, so the aforementioned Jellicent and Keldeo as well as Terrakion and Snorlax make good partners. Finally, entry hazard support is basically a necessity, as Sceptile needs to OHKO its foes in order to survive past one or two turns. Terrakion and Celebi can set up Stealth Rock, while Ferrothorn can set up Spikes.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Sceptile can run a SubSeed set to decent effect. The basic premise of the set is to set up a Substitute and stall with Leech Seed, which takes perfect advantage of Sceptile's blazing Speed. However, there are too many Pokemon that counter it in this metagame. Dragon-types, Volcarona, Landorus-T, Gliscor, Dugtrio, Mamoswine, and many others all counter SubSeed Sceptile, making it simply not worth the trouble of getting a free switch-in and setting up. If you do intend to use it, be sure to run a 7 HP IV, as this provides an optimal number for Leftovers recovery. A set with Unburden, a Petaya Berry, and Substitute is slightly more effective. After three Substitutes, Sceptile's Speed is so high that no Pokemon can revenge kill it. After the boost from Petaya Berry, Sceptile is also decently powerful. However, Sceptile's power (or lack thereof) lets it down. Sceptile fails to nab KOs on many threats, and two moves just isn't enough for coverage. An Unburden set with Grass Gem is also interesting, as a Grass Gem-boosted Leaf Storm deals massive damage to a number of Pokemon. However, Sceptile is really lackluster without any boosting item, so this set is not recommended. Finally, Endeavor with a Focus Sash is usable, but Sceptile lacks the movepool to take advantage of it properly.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>The real issue with Sceptile is that so much of OU can handle it. Despite its high Speed and decent power, many Pokemon simply demolish Sceptile. The easiest way to deal with Sceptile is your stock Choice Scarf or priority user. Examples of good Choice Scarf users that can handle Sceptile include Latios, Salamence, Garchomp, and Kyurem-B. Other variants of Kyurem-B also fare well against Sceptile, as no move Sceptile carries can OHKO Kyurem-B. Between Ice Beam and Dragon Claw, Sceptile is never safe from Kyurem-B's wrath. Yache Berry Garchomp can survive a Hidden Power Ice and hit back hard with Earthquake or Dragon Claw. Breloom and Scizor are the standard priority users, and they wreck Sceptile. Unless Sceptile carries Hidden Power Fire, it will lose 100% of the time to Scizor. Breloom isn't OHKOed by Hidden Power Ice and can therefore come in and Mach Punch Sceptile to death.</p>

<p>Sceptile also has some rather unfortunate issues with certain Pokemon. Basically all sun teams are well-equipped to fight Sceptile, as Pokemon such as Volcarona and Victini can put the hurt on it. Victini is a shaky check though, as Earthquake can KO it after Stealth Rock. Volcarona, on the other hand, only has to worry about the rare Rock Slide. Bulky Gyarados can shut down Sceptile and potentially, depending on the variant, set up on it. Tentacruel really can't do anything to Sceptile and is 2HKOed by Earthquake, but Sceptile can be worn down with Toxic through smart play. Celebi, a Pokemon that is becoming a staple on many teams, is a perfect counter to Sceptile, taking any attack with ease and being able to U-turn Sceptile into oblivion. Amoonguss works similarly. Skarmory can set up Spikes on Sceptile or Brave Bird it to death; Ferrothorn would be able to do the same, but weaknesses to Focus Blast and Hidden Power Fire make its life slightly more difficult. Metagross is bulky enough to take two Earthquakes and can kill Sceptile with a relatively powerful priority Bullet Punch. Gengar is a hard counter to Sceptile and is able to get up a free Substitute on it, which can mean doom for Sceptile's team. Finally, common special walls, such as Blissey, Chansey, Latias, and Zapdos, can take any attack Sceptile might use with ease. In all honesty, although some Pokemon simply cannot find a way to answer it, Sceptile isn't very difficult to beat.</p>
 
The LO set looks... strange. Foremost, is there any reason behind Focus Blast not being slashed with anything? Leaf Storm slaps TTar, and HP Fire is more than capable of dealing with Nattorei. Focus Blast being recommended as one of the main moves implies that Sceptile can and will greatly benefit from the risk of using it, which is definitely not true. Pokemon such as Alakazam and Gengar have more than enough incentive to run Focus Blast; they generally have enough power to blast through what Focus Blast is intended to hit, or are utilizing a tactic -- Substitute -- which makes tossing out risky attacks such as Focus Blast noticeably more safe. Granted, some KOs are pretty valuable, such as the OHKO on 4/0 Kyu-B after rocks, but generally Sceptile is taking a huge risk with meh payoff with using that attack. IMO, Focus Blast should be slashed after Earthquake and Dragon Pulse with HP Ice.

I don't see how HP Bug could potentially be THAT useful, considering that it's intended for a single target (and the Lati@s I guess, but one can shrug off HP Bug with ease while the other requires very good play to catch on the switch-in); by moving it to AC and slashing HP Ice with Dragon Pulse, you can make room for extra moves, such as HP Fire, Substitute, Protect, Giga Drain, and Rock Slide. Speaking of which, at the very least, please give Rock Slide a mention in OO. Volcarona tend to switch into Sceptile with earnest and a single Rock Slide from the LO set can quickly down it. Also, in the past, I'd found Gyarados to be an excellent partner for the LO set. Sceptile beats down most of what generally checks Gyarados while Gyarados can switch into and set up on a good portion of Sceptile's checks / counters / annoyances; it might be worth testing out and / or mentioning.

... just my 2 cents on this revamp.
 

Texas Cloverleaf

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There should be some Unburden mentions somewhere, using either a special grass gem, a physical flying gem or a special petaya set
 

Jukain

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Okay, I did a bit of testing. I changed up the Life Orb set a little, leaving Earthquake by itself, relegating HP Bug to AC, slashing HP Fire with HP Ice, and slashing Rock Slide with Focus Blast. First off, hitting Volcarona is really nice. In addition, Rock Slide still hits Salamence, Dragonite, Volcarona, and Kyurem-B for some damage. While, especially for Kyurem-B, it doesn't always do quite as much, it's reliable, which is nice.

I've also given Unburden an AC mention with some set ideas.
 

apt-get

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Okay, I did a bit of testing. I changed up the Life Orb set a little, leaving Earthquake by itself, relegating HP Bug to AC, slashing HP Fire with HP Ice, and slashing Rock Slide with Focus Blast. First off, hitting Volcarona is really nice. In addition, Rock Slide still hits Salamence, Dragonite, Volcarona, and Kyurem-B for some damage. While, especially for Kyurem-B, it doesn't always do quite as much, it's reliable, which is nice.

I've also given Unburden an AC mention with some set ideas.

I'm actually thinking some sort of Focus Sash + Petaya Berry with a spinner might work well. If Sceptile switches in and gets brought down to its sash, it boosts up to +2 Speed and +1 Special Attack. It sounds pretty nice in my head, thoughts?
How can you have two items at the same time...?
 

tehy

Banned deucer.
You know, Amoonguss is also a counter, and Roartran's pretty good against the SubSeed set. Also, latiOs is still pretty good against sceptile
 

PK Gaming

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I'm not too fond of the Substitute set, and i'm leaning towards rejecting it

It was a pain getting to work in practice. It struggles to "annoy" teams in a metagame where Ferrothorn & Roar Heatran are insanely common(and other random stuff like xatu), and I had trouble setting up against teams in general. Sub Sceptile was also huge liability against some of the most powerful threats in the games (Dragons, Heatran... anything that resisted the Grass+Fire combo) because simply leech seeding those threats wasn't enough to stop them.
 

Jukain

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I'm slow af but this is written. A lot of this was written on basically autopilot when I was half asleep, so feel free to tell me how drab it sounds.
 

AccidentalGreed

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Oh, this looks cool (in the aesthetic and competitive sense but did I ever have to specify that?).



QC APPROVED 3/3
 

tehy

Banned deucer.
So just from quick reading, it feels like so many of these sentences could be fused. And the starting sentence is a little weak, too. It's not necessarily bad but it just seems very matter-of-fact. I guess you really DO have zero bias.
 

Jukain

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A quick, concise statement describing the Pokémon; that's exactly what the opening sentence is and is supposed to be.

EDIT: also yay 1.5k ~(^.^)~
 
[Overview]

<p>Sceptile is very fast and has just enough power to send its foes packing. Boasting excellent coverage, Sceptile fares well against multiple OU threats. Because of its high Speed, Sceptile can revenge kill many rain threats, such as Keldeo, Tornadus, and Thundurus-T. It can also deal a ton of damage to weather inducers with its STAB Leaf Storm. Unfortunately, the good news ends there. Sceptile is the definition of a glass cannon, minus the cannon part, as Sceptile is frail and really not that powerful. For this reason, Sceptile is vulnerable to revenge killing and being walled being both revenge killed and walled. It is walled by numerous common threats, including Celebi, Latias, and Latios. Despite all this, Sceptile manages to fill a niche, albeit a small one, as a fast offensive Grass-type.</p>

[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Focus Blast / Rock Slide
move 4: Earthquake
item: Life Orb
ability: Overgrow
nature: Hasty
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This set is the best Sceptile can muster up in OU. The biggest issue is getting it in, as there is literally no move Sceptile can switch in on other than Rapid Spin, Scald, and entry hazards. Essentially, what you have to do is make smart double switches and utilize Pokemon that carry U-turn and Volt Switch. Once Sceptile is in, it should generally be hitting something and switching out, as Sceptile usually has to use Leaf Storm to leave much of a mark on the foe. For this reason, keeping constant pressure on the foe is necessary. It is imperative not to let the opponent gain any momentum against Sceptile, as otherwise, Sceptile is a wasted teamslot. Leaf Storm, as previously mentioned, is the move Sceptile will use most often; it can deal heavy damage to numerous foes, including Jellicent, Rotom-W, Terrakion, Landorus-T, and Garchomp.</p>

<p>However, Leaf Storm doesn't have the best of coverage, so coverage moves are needed. Hidden Power Ice and Focus Blast are generally the best choices for the second and third slots. Hidden Power Ice hits Latios, Salamence, and Dragonite hard while doing a decent amount of damage to Celebi that aren't running full Special Defense investment. Focus Blast nabs the OHKO on Tyranitar, which Leaf Storm fails to achieve, and allows Sceptile to hit Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Forretress, and other Steel-types for some damage. Hidden Power Fire and Rock Slide is another decent combination; the former does massive damage to Ferrothorn and Forretress, while the latter OHKOes Volcarona and hits Salamence, Dragonite, and Kyurem-B hard. Finally, Earthquake provides much-needed coverage against Heatran, Jirachi, and Magnezone (unless you wish to rely on Focus Blast).</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Hasty is chosen over Naive for the nature to allow Sceptile to actually switch in on Scald (one of the few moves it can switch in on). Priority attacks OHKO Sceptile in most cases anyway, so the Defense reduction doesn't make much of a difference. As with all OU Pokemon, the most important factor to consider with Sceptile is weather. Sun is helpful for Sceptile, as it turns Water-type attacks into switch-in opportunities. However, rain can also work well, as many Pokemon that help Sceptile thrive in rain. The biggest issue Sceptile has are priority users, such as Scizor, Mamoswine, and Breloom. A core of Keldeo and Latias can handle all of these threats; Keldeo can even take out pesky Ferrothorn, Volcarona (for non-Rock Slide Sceptile variants), Blissey, and Chansey. Magnezone is another choice to handle Ferrothorn and can also dispatch Scizor and Forretress. Choice Scarf users fall into a similar category as priority users; bulky Pokemon such as Jellicent, Jirachi, and Celebi will help you out on that front. Celebi is also a good Breloom counter. As previously mentioned, Volcarona is quite the menace to face for non-Rock Slide Sceptile, so the aforementioned Jellicent and Keldeo as well as Terrakion and Snorlax make good partners. Finally, entry hazard support is basically a necessity, as Sceptile needs to OHKO its foes in order to survive past one or two turns. Terrakion and Celebi can set up Stealth Rock, while Ferrothorn can set up Spikes.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Sceptile can run a SubSeed set to decent effect. The basic premise of the set is to set up a Substitute and stall with Leech Seed, which takes perfect advantage of Sceptile's blazing Speed. However, it really just falls short in this metagame, as there are too many Pokemon that counter it. Dragon-types, Volcarona, Landorus-T, Gliscor, Dugtrio, Mamoswine, and many others all counter SubSeed Sceptile, making it simply not worth the trouble of getting a free switch-in and setting up. If you do intend to use it, be sure to run a 7 HP IV, as this provides an optimal number for Leftovers recovery. A set with Unburden, a Petaya Berry, and Substitute is slightly more effective. After three Substitutes, Sceptile's Speed is so high that no Pokemon can revenge kill it. After the boost from Petaya Berry, Sceptile is also decently powerful. However, Sceptile's power (or lack thereof) lets it down. Sceptile fails to nab KOs on many threats, and two moves just isn't enough for coverage. An Unburden set with Grass Gem is also an interesting proposition, as a Grass Gem-boosted Leaf Storm deals massive damage to a number of Pokemon. However, Sceptile is really lackluster without any boosting item, so this set is not recommended. Finally, Endeavor with a Focus Sash is usable, but Sceptile lacks the movepool to take advantage of it properly.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>The real issue with Sceptile is that so much of OU can handle it. Despite its high Speed and decent power, many Pokemon simply demolish Sceptile. The easiest way to deal with Sceptile is your stock Choice Scarf or priority user. Examples of good Choice Scarf users that can handle Sceptile include Latios, Salamence, Garchomp, and Kyurem-B. Other variants of Kyurem-B also fares great fare well against Sceptile with other sets otherwise it's a bit ambiguous whose 'other sets' you're referring to, as no move Sceptile carries can OHKO Kyurem-B. Between Ice Beam and Dragon Claw, Sceptile is never safe from Kyurem-B's wrath. Yache Berry Garchomp can survive a Hidden Power Ice and hit back hard with Earthquake or Dragon Claw. Breloom and Scizor are the standard priority users, and they wreck Sceptile. Unless Sceptile carries Hidden Power Fire, it will lose 100% of the time against to Scizor. Breloom isn't OHKOed by Hidden Power Ice, which enables it to and can therefore come in and Mach Punch Sceptile to death.</p>

<p>Sceptile also has some rather unfortunate issues with certain Pokemon. Basically all sun teams are well-equipped to fight Sceptile, as Pokemon such as Volcarona and Victini can put the hurt on Sceptile it. Victini is a shaky check though, as Earthquake can KO it after Stealth Rock. Volcarona, on the other hand, only has to worry about the rare Rock Slide. Bulky Gyarados can shut down Sceptile and potentially, depending on the variant, set up on it. Tentacruel really can't do anything to Sceptile and is 2HKOed by Earthquake, but Sceptile can be worn down with Toxic through smart play. Celebi, a Pokemon which that is becoming a staple on many teams, is a perfect counter to Sceptile, taking any attack with ease and being able to U-turn Sceptile into oblivion. Amoonguss works similarly. Skarmory can set up Spikes on Sceptile or at least Brave Bird it to death; Ferrothorn would be able to do the same, but weaknesses to Focus Blast and Hidden Power Fire make its life slightly more difficult. Metagross is bulky enough to take two Earthquakes and can kill Sceptile with a relatively powerful priority Bullet Punch. Gengar, while not heralded for being that bulky its bulk, happens to be a hard counter to Sceptile and is able to get up a free Substitute on it, which can mean doom for the team Gengar is facing 'for Sceptile's team' is better imo. Finally, common special walls, such as Blissey, Chansey, Latias, and Zapdos, can take any attack Sceptile might use with ease. In all honesty, although some Pokemon simply cannot find a way to answer it, Sceptile isn't very difficult to beat, but some Pokemon simply cannot find a way to answer Sceptile.</p>
[gp]1/2[/gp]
 

GatoDelFuego

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REMOVE CHANGE COMMENTS

another crux check here
[Overview]

<p>Sceptile is very fast and has just enough power to send its foes packing. Boasting excellent coverage, Sceptile fares well against multiple many OU threats. Because of Due to its high Speed, Sceptile can revenge kill many rain threats, such as Keldeo, Tornadus, and Thundurus-T. It can also deal a ton of damage to weather inducers with its STAB Leaf Storm. Unfortunately, the good news ends there. Sceptile is the definition of a glass cannon, minus the cannon part, as Sceptile is frail and really not that powerful. For this reason, Sceptile is vulnerable to being both revenge killed and walled. It is walled by numerous common threats, including Celebi, Latias, and Latios. Despite all this, Sceptile manages to fill a niche, albeit a small one, as a fast offensive Grass-type.</p>

[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Focus Blast / Rock Slide
move 4: Earthquake
item: Life Orb
ability: Overgrow
nature: Hasty
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This set is the best Sceptile can muster up in OU. The biggest issue is getting switching it in, as there is literally no move Sceptile can switch in on other than Rapid Spin, Scald, and entry hazards. Essentially, what you have to do is make smart double switches and utilize Pokemon that carry U-turn and Volt Switch. Once Sceptile is in, it should generally be hitting something and switching out, as Sceptile usually has to use Leaf Storm to leave much of a mark on the foe. For this reason, keeping constant pressure on the foe is necessary. It is imperative not to let the opponent gain the opponent does not gain any momentum against Sceptile, as otherwise, Sceptile is a wasted teamslot. Leaf Storm, as previously mentioned, is the move Sceptile will use most often; it can , dealing heavy damage to numerous foes, including Jellicent, Rotom-W, Terrakion, Landorus-T, and Garchomp.</p>

<p>However, Leaf Storm doesn't have the best of coverage, so coverage moves are needed. Hidden Power Ice and Focus Blast are generally the best choices for the second and third slots. Hidden Power Ice hits Latios, Salamence, and Dragonite hard while doing a decent amount of damage to Celebi that aren't running full Special Defense investment. Focus Blast nabs the OHKOes on Tyranitar, which Leaf Storm fails to achieve, and allows Sceptile to hit Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Forretress, and other Steel-types for some damage. Hidden Power Fire and Rock Slide is another decent combination;, the former does massive damage to Ferrothorn and Forretress, while the latter OHKOes Volcarona and hits Salamence, Dragonite, and Kyurem-B hard. Finally, Earthquake provides much-needed coverage against Heatran, Jirachi, and Magnezone (unless you wish to rely on Focus Blast).</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Hasty is chosen over Naive to allow Sceptile to actually switch in on Scald (one of the few moves it can switch in on). Priority attacks OHKO Sceptile in most cases anyway, so the Defense reduction doesn't make much of a difference. As with all OU Pokemon, the most important factor to consider with Sceptile is weather. Sun is helpful for Sceptile, as it turns Water-type attacks into switch-in opportunities. However, rain can also work well, as many Pokemon that help Sceptile thrive in rain. The biggest issue Sceptile has are priority users, such as Scizor, Mamoswine, and Breloom. A core of Keldeo and Latias can handle all of these threats; Keldeo can even take out pesky Ferrothorn, Volcarona (for non-Rock Slide Sceptile variants), Blissey, and Chansey. Magnezone is another choice to handle Ferrothorn and can also dispatch Scizor and Forretress. Choice Scarf users fall into a similar category as priority users; b . Bulky Pokemon such as Jellicent, Jirachi, and Celebi will help you out on that front. Celebi is also a good Breloom counter. As previously mentioned, Volcarona is quite the menace to face for non-Rock Slide Sceptile, so the aforementioned Jellicent and Keldeo as well as Terrakion and Snorlax make good partners. Finally, entry hazard support is basically a necessity, as Sceptile needs to OHKO its foes in order to survive past one or two turns. Terrakion and Celebi can set up Stealth Rock, while Ferrothorn can set up Spikes.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Sceptile can run a SubSeed set to decent effect. The basic premise of the set is to set up a Substitute and stall with Leech Seed, which takes perfect advantage of Sceptile's blazing Speed. However, it really just falls short in this metagame, as there are too many Pokemon that counter it. Dragon-types, Volcarona, Landorus-T, Gliscor, Dugtrio, Mamoswine, and many others all counter SubSeed Sceptile, making it simply not worth the trouble of getting a free switch-in and setting up. If you do intend to use it, be sure to run a 7 HP IV, as this provides an optimal number for Leftovers recovery. A set with Unburden, a Petaya Berry, and Substitute is slightly more effective. After three Substitutes, Sceptile's Speed is so high that no Pokemon can revenge kill it. After the boost from Petaya Berry, Sceptile is also decently powerful. However, Sceptile's power (or lack thereof) lets it down. Sceptile fails to nab KOs on many threats, and two moves just isn't enough for coverage. An Unburden set with Grass Gem is also an interesting proposition, as a Grass Gem-boosted Leaf Storm deals massive damage to a number of Pokemon. However, Sceptile is really lackluster without any boosting item, so this set is not recommended. Finally, Endeavor with a Focus Sash is usable, but Sceptile lacks the movepool to take advantage of it properly.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>The real issue with Sceptile is that so much of OU can handle it. Despite its high Speed and decent power, many Pokemon simply demolish Sceptile. The easiest way to deal with Sceptile is your stock Choice Scarf or priority user. Examples of good Choice Scarf users that can handle Sceptile include Latios, Salamence, Garchomp, and Kyurem-B. Other variants of Kyurem-B also fare well against Sceptile, as no move Sceptile carries can OHKO Kyurem-B. Between Ice Beam and Dragon Claw, Sceptile is never safe from Kyurem-B's wrath. Yache Berry Garchomp can survive a Hidden Power Ice and hit back hard with Earthquake or Dragon Claw. Breloom and Scizor are the standard priority users, and they wreck Sceptile. Unless Sceptile carries Hidden Power Fire, it will lose 100% of the time to Scizor. Breloom isn't OHKOed by Hidden Power Ice and can therefore come in and Mach Punch Sceptile to death.</p>

<p>Sceptile also has some rather unfortunate issues with certain Pokemon. Basically all sun teams are well-equipped to fight Sceptile, as Pokemon such as Volcarona and Victini can put the hurt on it. Victini is a shaky check though, as Earthquake can KO it after Stealth Rock. Volcarona, on the other hand, only has to worry about the rare Rock Slide. Bulky Gyarados can shut down Sceptile and potentially, depending on the variant, set up on it. Tentacruel really can't do anything to Sceptile and is 2HKOed by Earthquake, but Sceptile can be worn down with Toxic through smart play. Celebi, a Pokemon that is becoming a staple on many teams, is a perfect counter to Sceptile, taking any attack with ease and being able to U-turn Sceptile into oblivion. Amoonguss works similarly. Skarmory can set up Spikes on Sceptile or at least Brave Bird it to death; Ferrothorn would be able to do the same, but weaknesses to Focus Blast and Hidden Power Fire make its life slightly more difficult. Metagross is bulky enough to take two Earthquakes and can kill Sceptile with a relatively powerful priority Bullet Punch. Gengar, while not heralded for its bulk, happens to be is a hard counter to Sceptile and is able to get up a free Substitute on it, which can mean doom for Sceptile's team. Finally, common special walls, such as Blissey, Chansey, Latias, and Zapdos, can take any attack Sceptile might use with ease. In all honesty, although some Pokemon simply cannot find a way to answer it, Sceptile isn't very difficult to beat.</p>


did you notice he does his checks by hand, and not with the diff app, like REAL GP members?
[gp]2/2[/gp]
 

Jukain

!_!
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnusis a Smogon Media Contributor Alumnus
implemented, but I'm pretty sure pk wants to look at this before it goes on-site.

iconic edit: UpLoAdInG.
 

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