[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Bullet Punch
move 3: Knock Off / U-turn
move 4: Roost
item: Scizorite
ability: Light Metal
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 64 Atk / 124 Def / 16 SpD / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance raises Mega Scizor's Attack by two stages, allowing it to sweep under the right conditions. Bullet Punch packs both priority to threaten Pokemon such as Mega Diancie and Tapu Bulu and impressive power after a Swords Dance boost. Knock Off is a great coverage move to complement Bullet Punch, as it removes Leftovers from Celesteela, Heatran, and Zapdos, making them much easier to wear down throughout the course of the game. It also hits specially defensive Toxapex for high amounts of damage. Roost rounds off the set, allowing Mega Scizor to heal off passive damage and set up multiple Swords Dances on Pokemon such as defensive Landorus-T and Ferrothorn. U-turn is an option over Knock Off to net momentum for teammates, but Knock Off is generally more useful so Mega Scizor can set up a sweep for itself.
Set Details
========
Running 64 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature secures the 2HKO on uninvested Zygarde with Bullet Punch, preventing Choice Band and offensive Dragon Dance variants from netting too much damage on Mega Scizor. 56 Speed EVs are needed so Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch goes before neutral-natured Mega Mawile's Sucker Punch. 16 EVs are allocated into Special Defense to let Mega Scizor avoid the 2HKO from Magearna's +1 Thunderbolt. The remaining EVs are placed into HP and Defense to set up as reliably as possible on Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Tapu Bulu. A more offensive spread with maximum Attack can be utilized to hit as hard as possible. For example, with this spread, a +2 Bullet Punch will easily rip through Tapu Koko and Mega Charizard Y after Stealth Rock damage, and Knock Off will do much more damage to Pokemon such as Toxapex and Celesteela. Finally, Mega Scizor can run 136 Speed EVs to outpace Modest Magnezone, but this comes at the cost of a lot of bulk. Light Metal is the best ability because Scizor should always Mega Evolve right away, and it has the best situational use against Trace users such as Mega Alakazam and the rare Low Kick Greninja.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Scizor should use Knock Off early-game to remove items from Pokemon such as Heatran and Zapdos, allowing Mega Scizor to slowly defeat these Pokemon. Once these Pokemon are in range of being KOed by Bullet Punch, Mega Scizor should attempt to set up for a sweep with Swords Dance. Swords Dance has other applications as well, such as letting Mega Scizor defeat threats such as Magearna and Ferrothorn one-on-one even if Mega Scizor is not trying to sweep at that point of the game. Similarly, Mega Scizor can be used to check Pokemon such as Mega Diancie, Tapu Bulu, Clefable, and Weavile earlier on in the game.
Team Options
========
Mega Scizor can wear down its checks in Zapdos, Celesteela, and Heatran throughout the course of the game, but it is important to have answers to these Pokemon. Zapdos can be capitalized on with Pokemon such as Choice Band Tyranitar, Calm Mind Latios, Tapu Koko, and Kyurem-B. Tangrowth is an excellent stop to Celesteela, preventing it from recovering with Leech Seed. Heatran is the hardest to stop, but Pokemon such as Zygarde, Tapu Fini, Garchomp, and Dugtrio are fine teammates for this purpose. Other Pokemon that deal with Fire-types are appreciated teammates, such as Toxapex and Mantine.
Spikes support greatly increases Mega Scizor's chance to sweep, making it easier to wear down Pokemon such as Heatran and Toxapex. Greninja and Ferrothorn are the premier Spikes users in the tier. Lures to some of Mega Scizor's answers can make its goal of sweeping much easier. Psychium Z Volcarona for Toxapex and Surf Latios for Heatran are solid choices. Pokemon that work well with Defog Mega Scizor work well with Swords Dance Mega Scizor as well. Clefable sets up Stealth Rock and wears down Pokemon such as Heatran and Celesteela after they have lost their items to Knock Off. Zygarde pressures a lot of Mega Scizor's answers, while Heatran is a great team option because it takes advantage of some of Mega Scizor's lesser-seen answers in Mega Venusaur and Skarmory.
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Bullet Punch
move 3: Knock Off / U-turn
move 4: Roost
item: Scizorite
ability: Light Metal
nature: Adamant
evs: 248 HP / 64 Atk / 124 Def / 16 SpD / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance raises Mega Scizor's Attack by two stages, allowing it to sweep under the right conditions. Bullet Punch packs both priority to threaten Pokemon such as Mega Diancie and Tapu Bulu and impressive power after a Swords Dance boost. Knock Off is a great coverage move to complement Bullet Punch, as it removes Leftovers from Celesteela, Heatran, and Zapdos, making them much easier to wear down throughout the course of the game. It also hits specially defensive Toxapex for high amounts of damage. Roost rounds off the set, allowing Mega Scizor to heal off passive damage and set up multiple Swords Dances on Pokemon such as defensive Landorus-T and Ferrothorn. U-turn is an option over Knock Off to net momentum for teammates, but Knock Off is generally more useful so Mega Scizor can set up a sweep for itself.
Set Details
========
Running 64 Attack EVs and an Adamant nature secures the 2HKO on uninvested Zygarde with Bullet Punch, preventing Choice Band and offensive Dragon Dance variants from netting too much damage on Mega Scizor. 56 Speed EVs are needed so Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch goes before neutral-natured Mega Mawile's Sucker Punch. 16 EVs are allocated into Special Defense to let Mega Scizor avoid the 2HKO from Magearna's +1 Thunderbolt. The remaining EVs are placed into HP and Defense to set up as reliably as possible on Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Tapu Bulu. A more offensive spread with maximum Attack can be utilized to hit as hard as possible. For example, with this spread, a +2 Bullet Punch will easily rip through Tapu Koko and Mega Charizard Y after Stealth Rock damage, and Knock Off will do much more damage to Pokemon such as Toxapex and Celesteela. Finally, Mega Scizor can run 136 Speed EVs to outpace Modest Magnezone, but this comes at the cost of a lot of bulk. Light Metal is the best ability because Scizor should always Mega Evolve right away, and it has the best situational use against Trace users such as Mega Alakazam and the rare Low Kick Greninja.
Usage Tips
========
Mega Scizor should use Knock Off early-game to remove items from Pokemon such as Heatran and Zapdos, allowing Mega Scizor to slowly defeat these Pokemon. Once these Pokemon are in range of being KOed by Bullet Punch, Mega Scizor should attempt to set up for a sweep with Swords Dance. Swords Dance has other applications as well, such as letting Mega Scizor defeat threats such as Magearna and Ferrothorn one-on-one even if Mega Scizor is not trying to sweep at that point of the game. Similarly, Mega Scizor can be used to check Pokemon such as Mega Diancie, Tapu Bulu, Clefable, and Weavile earlier on in the game.
Team Options
========
Mega Scizor can wear down its checks in Zapdos, Celesteela, and Heatran throughout the course of the game, but it is important to have answers to these Pokemon. Zapdos can be capitalized on with Pokemon such as Choice Band Tyranitar, Calm Mind Latios, Tapu Koko, and Kyurem-B. Tangrowth is an excellent stop to Celesteela, preventing it from recovering with Leech Seed. Heatran is the hardest to stop, but Pokemon such as Zygarde, Tapu Fini, Garchomp, and Dugtrio are fine teammates for this purpose. Other Pokemon that deal with Fire-types are appreciated teammates, such as Toxapex and Mantine.
Spikes support greatly increases Mega Scizor's chance to sweep, making it easier to wear down Pokemon such as Heatran and Toxapex. Greninja and Ferrothorn are the premier Spikes users in the tier. Lures to some of Mega Scizor's answers can make its goal of sweeping much easier. Psychium Z Volcarona for Toxapex and Surf Latios for Heatran are solid choices. Pokemon that work well with Defog Mega Scizor work well with Swords Dance Mega Scizor as well. Clefable sets up Stealth Rock and wears down Pokemon such as Heatran and Celesteela after they have lost their items to Knock Off. Zygarde pressures a lot of Mega Scizor's answers, while Heatran is a great team option because it takes advantage of some of Mega Scizor's lesser-seen answers in Mega Venusaur and Skarmory.
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