Scizor (Choice Scarf)

[Zystral]

SoT has given me permission to write this up in his stead.
He is the one who came up with the set in the first place, and all debate and discussion relating to the set can be found here.

Status: Awaiting Upload

http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/scizor

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Pursuit
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Bullet Punch / Iron Head
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Jolly
ability: Technician
evs: 12 HP / 252 Atk / 244 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Despite having Bullet Punch to overcome his low Speed, Scizor can often find himself requiring more Speed than the Choice Band set provides. This is most notable against Pokemon such as Starmie, Gengar, and Rotom, all of whom have a chance to OHKO you before you can U-turn or Pursuit them. With a Choice Scarf equipped, Scizor is able to outspeed all of the aforementioned Pokemon and OHKO them with the appropriate move. Having such a fast and powerful U-turn also makes Choice Scarf Scizor an effective scout, able to avoid taking damage should the opponent refuse to switch.</p>

<p>This set may lack the power of Choice Band, but it does not attempt to overpower the opponent like the Choice Band set does. Rather, Scizor is scouting the early-game with a fast U-turn before coming back in on a revenge kill to put someone into a checkmate position with Pursuit or Bullet Punch. This set's boosted Speed stat additionally allows it to check threats such as Swords Dance Lucario and non-Choice Scarf Heatran.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The given EVs allow it to outspeed positive-nature base 120 Speed Pokemon, which is all Scizor needs. Only 216 Speed EVs are need to beat Starmie, if you'd like to give Scizor a little extra bulk. Bullet Punch is the main option as this allows you to nab some damage on the likes of Mach Punch Breloom and Infernape, Ice Shard Mamoswine, or ExtremeSpeed Dragonite and Lucario. Iron Head can be used instead for more power if such priority is not a concern. Night Slash is an option for hitting defensive Rotom-A as is Aerial Ace for hitting Breloom, Infernape, and Machamp. Even if you are running Iron Head over Bullet Punch, Technician is still the ability to use, since the power of Scizor's Pursuit rivals that of Choice Scarf Tyranitar's, which is especially important if your opponent does not switch.</p>

<p>Since this set can take out Starmie and Rotom-A with ease, having partners who can sweep with these Pokemon removed is recommended. Heatran, Gyarados, and Dragonite make good partners, since they can switch in on the Fire-type moves aimed at Scizor. Gyarados, in particular, enjoys having Rotom-A removed from the picture. Alternatively, Swampert and Suicune make good choices since they can switch in on Fire-type moves and force the opponent out. Tyranitar earns a special mention since Scizor and Tyranitar have good synergy, and Scizor can U-turn to Tyranitar whose Pursuit can finish off the Rotom-A and Gengar weakened by Scizor. Since the loss of power from Choice Band means that Scizor won't be hitting as hard, bulky walls such as Skarmory, Swampert, and Suicune can often wall it. In the case of Suicune and Skarmory, they can often recover off the damage from Scizor's U-turn or Superpower, although with U-turn you can always switch to a counter without Scizor taking damage. It is good to have high-powered Electric-type attacks to help deal with these threats. Good Pokemon for the job include Jolteon and your own Rotom-A.</p>

 

[Snorlaxe]

permission to proofread?

pink for grammar edits
blue for prose/content edits


[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Pursuit
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Bullet Punch / Iron Head
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Jolly
ability: Technician
evs: 12 HP / 252 Atk / 244 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Despite having Bullet Punch to overcome its low Speed, Scizor can often find itself requiring more Speed than the Choice Band set. This is most notable against Pokemon such as Starmie, Gengar, and Rotom, all of whom have a chance to potentially OHKO you before you can U-turn or Pursuit to KO them. With a Choice Scarf equipped, Scizor is able to outspeed all of the aforementioned Pokemon and then KO with Pursuit or U-turn. Having such a fast and powerful U-turn also makes Choice Scarf Scizor an effective scout, being able to avoid taking damage should the opponent refuse to switch.</p>

<p>This set may lack the power of Choice Band, but it does not attempt to sweep like the Choice Band set does. Rather, you are scouting early game with a fast U-turn before coming back in on a revenge kill to put someone into a checkmate position with Pursuit or Bullet Punch. This set's Speed allows it to check threats such as Swords Dance Lucario, Non-Choice Scarf Heatran, and even MixMence.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The given EVs allow Scizor to outspeed Timid Starmie and any Pokemon below, which is all Scizor needs, although max Speed can be used to outpace some base 120 Speed Pokemon. Bullet Punch is the main option as this allows you to nab some damage on the likes of Mach Punch Breloom or Infernape, Ice Shard Mamoswine, ExtremeSpeed Dragonite or Lucario, and even Salamence after a Dragon Dance; however, Iron Head can be used for more power if such priority is not a worry, as it will guarantee the KO on Pokemon such as MixMence. Night Slash and Aerial Ace are other options for hitting defensive Rotom-A and Breloom, Infernape or Machamp respectively. Even if you are running Iron Head over Bullet Punch, Technician is still the ability to use, since the power of Scizor's Pursuit rivals that of Tyranitar's, which is especially important if your opponent does not switch.</p>

<p>Since this set can take out Starmie and Rotom easily, having partners who can sweep with these Pokemon removed from the match is helpful. Heatran and Salamence are good choices for this since they can switch in on the Fire-type moves aimed at Scizor. Alternatively, Swampert and Suicune make good choices since they can also switch in on Fire-type moves and force the opponent out. Tyranitar earns a special mention since Scizor and Tyranitar have good synergy, and Scizor can U-turn to Tyranitar whose Pursuit can finish off the Rotom-A and Gengar weakened by Scizor. Since the loss of power from Choice Band means that Scizor won't be hitting as hard, bulky walls such as Skarmory, Swampert, and Suicune can often wall it, and in the case of Suicune and Skarmory, often recover off the damage from Scizor's U-turn or Superpower, although with U-turn you can always switch to a counter without Scizor taking damage.</p>


Nice write-up boi ^_^

 

[Zystral]

I disagree with

Dragon Dance; however, Iron Head

but otherwise, thanks.

 

[jc104]

I have assumed all of Snorlaxe's edits:

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Pursuit
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Bullet Punch / Iron Head
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Jolly
ability: Technician
evs: 12 HP / 252 Atk / 244 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Despite having Bullet Punch to overcome his low Speed, Scizor can often find himself requiring more Speedthan the Choice Band set. This is most notable against Pokemonsuch as Starmie, Gengar, and Rotom, all of whom have a chance to potentially OHKO you before you can U-turn or Pursuit to KO them. With a Choice Scarf equipped, Scizor is able to outspeed all of the aforementioned Pokemon and then KO with Pursuit or U-turn. Having such a fast and powerfulU-turn also makes Choice Scarf Scizor an effective scout, being able to avoid taking damage should the opponent refuse to switch.</p>

<p>This set may lack the power of Choice Band, but it does not attempt to sweep like the Choice Band setdoes (The CB set does not sweep very often). Rather, you are scouting early in the game (or “early-game”) with a fast U-turn before coming back in on a revenge kill to put someone into a checkmate position with Pursuit or Bullet Punch. This set's Speed allows it to check threats such as Swords Dance Lucario, Non-Choice Scarf Heatran, and even MixMence.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The given EVs allow Scizor to outspeedTimid Sceptile (IIRC it outruns Sceptile) andany Pokemon below, which is all Scizor needs, although max Speed can be used to outpace some base 120 Speed Pokemon guarantee a tie with other scarf Scizor (could mention reducing speed to that which outruns timid Starmie). Bullet Punch is the main option as this allows you to nab some damage on the likes of Mach Punch Breloom and Infernape, Ice Shard Mamoswine, ExtremeSpeed Dragonite and Lucario, and even Salamence after a DragonDance; however, Iron Head can be used for more power if such priority is not a worry, as it will guarantee the KO on Pokemon such as MixMence. Night Slash and Aerial Ace are other options for hitting defensive Rotom-A and Breloom, Infernape or Machamp respectively. Night Slash is an option for hitting defensive Rotom-A, as is Aerial Ace for hitting Breloom, Infernape, and Machamp. Even if you are running Iron Head over Bullet Punch, Technician is still the ability to use, since the power of Scizor's Pursuit rivals that of Scarf Tyranitar's, which is especially important if your opponent does not switch.</p>

<p>Since this set can take out Starmie and Rotom easily, having partners who can sweep with these Pokemon removed from the match is helpful. Heatran (Snorlaxe missed a space here) and Salamence are good choices for this since they can switch in on the Fire-type moves aimed at Scizor. Alternatively, Swampert and Suicune make good choices since they can also switch in on Fire-type moves and force the opponent out. Tyranitar earns a special mention since Scizor and Tyranitar have good synergy, and Scizor can U-turn to Tyranitar whose Pursuit can finish off the Rotom-A and Gengar weakened by Scizor. Since the loss of power from Choice Band means that Scizor won't be hitting as hard, bulky walls such as Skarmory, Swampert, and Suicune can often wall it. and In the case of Suicune and Skarmory, they often recover off the damage from Scizor's U-turn or Superpower, although with U-turn you can always switch to a counter without Scizor taking damage.</p>

My changes are in bold and my removals in red.

GP Check 1/2 (I feel this only needs 2)

Edit - I'd just go for two sentences: "Dragon Dance. (However) Iron Head..." It seems to me as though the sentence is too long to remain unbroken.

 

[Zystral]

Thanks jc, added all changes except for Sceptile. Scizor needs 252 in order to beat Sceptile, and 244 is needed to outspeed Starmie. If you look through the original thread there was discussion about the EV spread.

 

[jc104]

The spread got updated without the skeleton itself being updated. 244 spe outruns Sceptile. Check it yourself using a calculator.

 

[Zystral]

you're absolutely correct. my apologies. edited accordingly.

 

[Aura Guardian]

This set's Speed allows it to check threats such as Swords Dance Lucario, Non-Choice Scarf Heatran, and even MixMence.

Iron Head vs New Mixmence/Dragon Dance/Mixed Dancer/most offensive sets: 48-56.5%
Bullet Punch: 35.6 - 42.6%

I'm not sold on the checking Salamence - unless its come in on SR twice and attacked once, suffered Sandstorm once or something like that. (Or your opponent doesn't know that you have a Scarf instead of a Band, which is unlikely if you've used this set earlier in the battle and outsped cetain threats with U-turn)

Bullet Punch is the main option as this allows you to nab some damage on the likes of Mach Punch Breloom and Infernape, Ice Shard Mamoswine, ExtremeSpeed Dragonite and Lucario

Any reason why Superpower can't be used on Lucario, who does low damage with ExtremeSpeed?

 

[ARandomDude]

Tiny nitpick

Despite having Bullet Punch to overcome his low Speed, Scizor can often find himself requiring more Speed than the Choice Band set has.

 

[Rising_Dusk]

Additions in bold, removals in red.

Hide

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Pursuit
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Bullet Punch / Iron Head
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Jolly
ability: Technician
evs: 12 HP / 252 Atk / 244 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Despite having Bullet Punch to overcome his low Speed, Scizor can often find himself requiring more Speed than the Choice Band set provides has. This is most notable against Pokemon such as Starmie, Gengar, and Rotom, all of whom have a chance to OHKO you before you can U-turn or Pursuit to KO them. With a Choice Scarf equipped, Scizor is able to outspeed all of the aforementioned Pokemon and OHKO them with the appropriate move, and then KO with Pursuit or U-turn. Having such a fast and powerful U-turn also makes Choice Scarf Scizor an effective scout, able to avoid taking damage should the opponent refuse to switch.</p>

<p>This set may lack the power of Choice Band, but it does not attempt to hurt overpower the opponent like the Choice Band set does. Rather, you Scizor are is scouting the early-game with a fast U-turn before coming back in on a revenge kill to put someone into a checkmate position with Pursuit or Bullet Punch. This set's Speed additionally allows it to check threats such as Swords Dance Lucario, Non-Choice Scarf Heatran, and even MixMence.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The given EVs allow it to outspeed positive-nature base 120 Speed Pokemon Timid Sceptile and any Pokemon below, which is all Scizor needs., although you can afford to drop down to 216 Speed to beatStarmie. Only 216 Speed EVs are needed to beat Starmie, if you'd like Scizor to have a bit of extra bulk. Bullet Punch is the main option as this allows you to nab some damage on the likes of Mach Punch Breloom and Infernape, Ice Shard Mamoswine, ExtremeSpeed Dragonite and Lucario, and even Salamence after a Dragon Dance., while Iron Head can be used instead for more power if such priority is not a concern worry, as it will guarantee the can OHKO on Pokemon such as MixMence after Stealth Rock damage. Night Slash is an option for hitting defensive Rotom-A, as is Aerial Ace for hitting Breloom, Infernape, and Machamp. Even if you are running Iron Head over Bullet Punch, Technician is still the ability to use, since the power of Scizor's Pursuit rivals that of Choice Scarf Tyranitar's, which is especially important if your opponent does not switch.</p>

<p>Since this set can take out Starmie and Rotom-A with ease easily, having partners who can sweep with these Pokemon removed is recommended from the game is helpful. Heatran, Gyarados, and Salamence make good partners, since they can switch in on the Fire-type moves aimed at Scizor. Gyarados, in particular, enjoys having Rotom-A removed from the picture. Alternatively, Swampert and Suicune make good choices since they can also switch in on Fire-type moves and force the opponent out. Tyranitar earns a special mention since Scizor and Tyranitar have good synergy, and Scizor can U-turn to Tyranitar whose Pursuit can finish off the Rotom-A and Gengar weakened by Scizor. Since the loss of power from Choice Band means that Scizor won't be hitting as hard, bulky walls such as Skarmory, Swampert, and Suicune can often wall it. In the case of Suicune and Skarmory, they can often recover off the damage from Scizor's U-turn or Superpower, although with U-turn you can always switch to a counter without Scizor taking damage. It is good to have high-powered Electric-type attacks to help deal with these threats. Good Pokemon for the job include Jolteon and your own Rotom-A.</p>

I added a bit at the end for ways to deal with the things that trouble this set. I also fixed a few prose errors, but really, there weren't that many issues with it. Nice write-up.

GP Check 2/2

 

[Zystral]

Thanks a lot Dusk. Good catch with Gyarados and Rotom-A.

This is now ready for upload.

 

[jc104]

Iron Head can be used instead for more power if such priority is not a concern, as it is an OHKO on Pokemon such as MixMence after Stealth Rock damage

Don't know where that came from. Could say "it can OHKO Pokemon ..." either.

 

[Rising_Dusk]

He forgot the word "can" and forgot to remove "on" like I suggested so it would be:

Iron Head can be used instead for more power if such priority is not a concern, as it can OHKO on Pokemon such as MixMence after Stealth Rock damage.

 

[Zystral]

duly noted. thanks guys.

 

[Aeron Ee1]

Is anyone gonna edit out the references to Mence now? Since he's banned and all that..

 

[Zystral]

I completely forgot. Thanks for that.

 

[bojangles]

Uploaded. Moving to archive.