[OVERVIEW]
Scizor is arguably one of the best momentum grabbers in Battle Spot Singles thanks to its high Attack and STAB U-turn that allows you to keep up offensive pressure. Scizor can fulfill a variety of roles such as a setup sweeper, revenge killer, and physical or special sponge, but it is generally found on balance and stall teams mainly due to its low Speed but superb defensive typing. Having access to a priority move in Technician-boosted Bullet Punch really helps a slow Pokemon like Scizor. With only one weakness in Fire and excellent bulk, Scizor is able to switch into many powerful special attackers such as Mega Gardevoir, Sylveon, Gengar, and Latios. Its Mega Evolution further increases its Scizor's already impressive defenses, and reliable recovery in Roost makes Scizor extremely difficult to take down without a Fire-type move. However, Scizor is often at the mercy of Fire-types commonly seen on Battle Spot such as Blaziken, Talonflame, and Mega Charizard X and Y, as they are all able to get a free turn without being threatened. Other dangerous foes include Zapdos and Thundurus, which can both beat Scizor one-on-one. Scizor is often seen as outclassed by other powerful Steel-types in the metagame such as Aegislash and Mega Mawile, with both having better typing and being overall more powerful, but access to Roost, which the other offensive Steel-types lack, allows Scizor to last much longer in battle.
[SET]
name: Standard
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Roost
move 3: Bullet Punch
move 4: Knock Off / U-turn / Bug Bite / Superpower
item: Scizorite / Life Orb
ability: Technician / Light Metal
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 108 Atk / 28 Def / 116 SpD / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance is required on Scizor due to its relatively limited coverage options outside of its STAB moves and to make Scizor more threatening. Roost increases Scizor's longevity to allow it to switch in more or to grab more boosts with Swords Dance. Bullet Punch is Scizor's STAB move of choice, as it gets boosted by Technician and is very spammable against Fairy-types such as Sylveon and Mega Gardevoir. Thanks to the priority, Scizor doesn't need to worry about its low Speed to sweep against faster threats like Gengar and Mamoswine. Knock Off provides Scizor with Dark-type coverage to hit threats such as Aegislash and Gengar and gets rid of their item for non-Mega variants of Gengar; it can also OHKO Thundurus after one Swords Dance boost. U-turn can be used over Knock Off to allow Scizor to scout for Fire-types so that the team can have a better matchup against potentially dangerous threats. Bug Bite is a reliable STAB move that is boosted by Technician and more powerful than U-turn; however, it is generally not recommended because it doesn't offer Scizor momentum when Fire-types come in. Nevertheless, it does remove potential Berries from Pokemon such as Sitrus Berry Rotom-W and allows Scizor to keep its boosts during the match. Superpower is a viable option in the last slot to hit Mega Kangaskhan, Ferrothorn, and Mega Lucario.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in HP makes Scizor as bulky as possible because Speed isn't that important with priority moves and reliable recovery. Allocating 28 EVs into Defense allows Scizor to survive two Earthquakes from Adamant Landorus-T, while 116 Special Defense EVs help it survive two Shadow Balls from maximum Special Attack Mega Gengar. The rest of the EVs are allocated into Attack to allow Scizor to benefit as much as possible from an Adamant nature. Given how the mechanics of EVs work at level 50, the remaining 4 should be allocated to Speed so no points are wasted. Scizorite is necessary, as it not only improves Scizor's defenses but also makes it less susceptible to moves such as Knock Off and Trick. Life Orb is an alternative if you already plan to bring other Mega Evolutions and should be used with a more offensive spread of 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe for maximum damage output. This setup offers Scizor massive offensive potential at the cost of significant bulk. Technician not only is the best ability for Scizor in general but also lets you feign a non-Mega Scizor set, which is especially useful if your team has more than one potential Mega Evolution. However, Light Metal is a viable alternative prior to Mega Evolution, as Scizor will take less damage from moves such as Low Kick when switching in.
Usage Tips
========
Don't bring Scizor into the match if Team Preview is very unfavorable, such as when half the team is a major threat, like when you see Salamence, Volcarona, and Suicune on one team. However, Scizor does have a favorable matchup against Trick Room teams because of its ability to remove Cresselia and its low Speed, but it must be wary of Heatran. Always Mega Evolve Scizor as early as possible, especially when running Light Metal because Scizor really needs the extra bulk. Scizor may be used as a lead if there are no Fire-types because it has a good matchup against other potential leads such as Landorus-T, Mamoswine, and Ferrothorn and is able to U-turn out to maintain momentum against these foes. Swords Dance should only be used in later stages when most of the opponent's team has been revealed, especially when running Knock Off or Superpower over U-turn. Never overestimate Mega Scizor's bulk, and always scout for potential Hidden Power Fire from common users such as Mega Venusaur and Serperior; however, the latter can only OHKO at +2 and is destroyed by Mega Scizor's Bug-type STAB moves.
Team Options
========
Latios and Scizor have near-perfect synergy, with Latios taking on Fire-types and Scizor taking on Dragon- and Fairy-types while also eliminating Dark-types that threaten Latios like Tyranitar. Spamming Choice Specs Draco Meteor with Latios could also weaken the opposing team enough for Scizor to sweep. Garchomp is able to provide Stealth Rock support while Scizor comfortably takes Ice- and Fairy-type attacks for it. Dragonite is able to set up on every Fire-type that takes out Scizor without fearing status as much due to Lum Berry. Powerful Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir and Sylveon can eliminate Mega Sableye, one of Scizor's main checks, while also completing a popular Dragon / Fairy / Steel core. Tyranitar helps Scizor eliminate Talonflame and Mega Charizard Y and has the ability to change the weather to sand, which is more favorable to Scizor. Blaziken is able to Baton Pass Speed boosts to Scizor, which could really use the Speed because it's so slow, while Scizor has a better matchup against Azumarill and Slowbro, which all threaten Blaziken. Gastrodon is a counter to many Electric-types such as Mega Manectric and Raikou and gets Special Attack boosts from Scalds aimed at Scizor. Thundurus pairs well with Scizor because its paralysis support helps alleviate Scizor's low Speed and it can eliminiate Flying-types like Talonflame and Mega Charizard Y with relative ease.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Bullet Punch
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Superpower
move 4: Knock Off / Pursuit
item: Choice Band
ability: Technician
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bullet Punch provides Scizor with a powerful STAB move, priority, and revenge killing capabilities against Fairy-types and weakened teams. U-turn is a must for Scizor, as it cannot afford to stay in on potential Fire-types while being locked into one move and ensures momentum is maintained to allow for a more positive matchup. Superpower is able to OHKO Mega Kangaskhan and Heatran and cleanly achieves the 2HKO on other threats such as Mega Mawile and Porygon2. Knock Off is able to cripple switch-ins by removing items such as Leftovers, Rocky Helmet, and Eviolite while dealing a nice amount of damage. Pursuit can be used over Knock Off as an alternative Dark-type coverage move that can trap Gengar and Latios and also helps weaken bulky Psychic-types like Cresselia.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in HP and Attack with an Adamant nature allows Scizor to hit as hard as possible without losing much bulk. The remaining 4 EVs are not as important but can be allocated to Speed to outspeed other uninvested Scizor. Choice Band is the best-suited item for this set; along with Scizor's high base Attack, it allows it to dish out huge amounts of damage with its STAB moves alone. Technician should be used over any other abilities when using non-Mega Scizor because Bullet Punch can benefit greatly from the ability.
Usage Tips
========
If there are no Fire-types in Team Preview, Scizor makes for a decent lead to hit the foe hard with an appropriate move. U-turn should always be used at the early stages to scout for potential checks and counters, as Scizor cannot afford to be Choice-locked into Bullet Punch against foes that resist it. As this set doesn't have the bulk and recovery to take repeated hits, it's best to send it out on Fairy-types and other defensive foes like Cresselia and Ferrothorn or come in on a free turn. It might also be a good idea to use U-turn on obvious switches against Fairy-types because there is no drawback in doing so and it will help weaken the opponent's team enough for Bullet Punch to clean.
Team Options
========
Landorus-T forms a nice U-turn core with Scizor, as Scizor takes Ice-type attacks while Landorus-T helps eliminate Fire-types with its EdgeQuake combination. Garchomp provides Stealth Rock support while also eliminating Heatran and Magnezone, which are huge threats to Scizor. Hydreigon enjoys Fairy-types being threatened and removed by Scizor while threatening Scizor's checks through sheer power in return. Rotom-W is a nice teammate for Scizor, being able to take on Fire-types well while forming a solid VoltTurn core. Mega Salamence pairs well with non-Mega Scizor, being able to threaten opposing physical Fire-types with Intimidate. Chansey appreciates Scizor's ability to Pursuit trap Gengar, one of Chansey's counters, while easily absorbing special Fire-type moves aimed at Scizor. Thundurus is helpful for being able to paralyze Fire-type sweepers such as Blaziken, Mega Charizard X, and Volcarona with Prankster Thunder Wave while also eliminating Talonflame and Mega Charizard Y for Scizor to function with less fear.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Bullet Punch
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Roost
move 4: Toxic / Knock Off
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Technician
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bullet Punch is Scizor's main STAB move and also has priority to pick off weakened targets, and it hits Fairy-types for decent damage even without investment. U-turn is Scizor's secondary STAB move, allowing it to gain more favorable matchups against its checks and counters through switching out as they switch in. Roost is necessary to heal off damage, allowing Scizor to further rack up damage to physical threats such as Mega Kangaskhan through Rocky Helmet. Toxic should be used in the fourth slot because it can help Scizor wear down defensive foes such as Garchomp and Landorus-T, especially because this Scizor has no means to do so otherwise. However, Knock Off is a viable alternative that removes items from foes while offering some coverage for those that resist Bug and Steel, like Thundurus and Heatran, on the switch.
Set Details
========
An Impish nature is used as well as maximum investment in HP and Defense in order to get the most use of Rocky Helmet and take on physical attackers as effectively as possible. Rocky Helmet inflicts extra damage on physical attackers whenever they make contact, which is especially helpful against Mega Kangaskhan due to Parental Bond letting it hit twice every turn. Scizorite is an alternative to Rocky Helmet that gives Scizor a large boost in Defense and Special Defense, but losing the passive damage from Rocky Helmet may be unappealing. Technician is Scizor's best ability and should always be used over other abilities unless you're using Mega Scizor, in which case Light Metal can be used to soften damage from attacks like Low Kick.
Usage Tips
========
Scizor can be sent in on powerful physical attackers such as Mega Heracross, Mega Kangaskhan, and Mamoswine. U-turn should always have priority over Roost if Scizor is decently healthy, in case there is a Fire-type at the back, as Scizor cannot afford to stay in on one and potentially allow free boosts. As this set lacks any Attack investment and doesn't run any boosting moves, it heavily relies on Toxic and Rocky Helmet to do most of the damage. Status such as burn, paralysis, and confusion from Swagger doesn't cripple this Scizor as much as other sets due to the passive damage Rocky Helmet and Toxic still offer. Despite not having any investment in Special Defense, Scizor is still able to beat Fairy-types such as Mega Gardevoir.
Team Options
========
Raikou forms a nice VoltTurn core with Scizor due to the latter's ability to switch into powerful Earthquakes for Raikou and spread Toxic to weaken Raikou's checks. Mega Kangaskhan pairs well with Scizor due to its ability to counter Cresselia, which is one of the best checks to Kangaskhan. Salamence enjoys the removal of Mamoswine, and its Intimidate also helps Scizor take physical attacks better to rack up more damage from Rocky Helmet. Volcarona is a decent partner for Scizor, as Chansey is a huge threat to it and Scizor can Knock Off its item or cripple it with Toxic. Scizor can help Mega Charizard X take on Landorus-T and cripple Hippowdon and Unaware Quagsire with Toxic, which are major nuisances to Mega Charizard X.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Swords Dance / Iron Defense
move 2: Roost
move 3: Bullet Punch
move 4: Knock Off / U-turn / Toxic
item: Scizorite / Lum Berry
ability: Technician
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 52 Def / 204 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance is used to boost Scizor's Attack quickly, as it wouldn't be able to do much damage due to the lack of investment in Attack. Iron Defense may be used over Swords Dance as an alternative setup move that makes Scizor very hard to take down with both physical and special attacks after a single boost. Roost provides Scizor with instant recovery to allow it more opportunities to set up. Knock Off offers nice coverage against Ghost-types like Aegislash and is mainly used to threaten Fire-type switch-ins that carry items. U-turn is a strong STAB attack Scizor can use to maintain momentum while also checking to see if it's safe to set up during the earlier stages of the match. Toxic is a nice option in the final slot that can be used to wear down defensive foes such as Cresselia and Porygon2, which would not take much from Scizor's STAB moves when it is not using Swords Dance.
Set Details
========
A Careful nature with maximum investment in HP is needed to make Scizor as specially bulky as possible. Allocating 204 EVs into Special Defense allows Mega Scizor to survive two Thunderbolt from Life Orb Thundurus. Maximum Special Defense investment can also be used so that Hydro Pump Greninja only has a 2% chance to 2HKO Mega Scizor. Scizorite should be used with the given spread, as it offers Scizor significantly more bulk to ease setup. Lum Berry is an option to grab a boost before getting crippled by burn or paralysis. Light Metal can be used if using Mega Scizor, but Technician should always be the ability for Scizor when it is running Lum Berry.
Usage Tips
========
Swords Dance and Iron Defense Scizor function very differently; Swords Dance Scizor is used like a sweeper, while the Iron Defense variant relies more on Toxic to stall out the foe. Scizor can easily set up on Pokemon that cannot touch it, such as Fairy-types like non-Hidden Power Fire Sylveon and Mega Gardevoir. When running Iron Defense, Scizor can set up on special attackers to prevent physical threats such as Garchomp and Landorus-T from threatening it out when they switch in. Scizor should be sent in to sponge powerful special attacks, notably from Gengar, Greninja, and Mega Gardevoir, and proceed to set up on them. Due to the little investment in Defense, Scizor is rather vulnerable to physical attacks without Iron Defense boosts. Iron Defense works best with Toxic on the same set, as the lack of Attack investment means Bullet Punch won't be threatening.
Team Options
========
Gliscor makes for a fantastic partner for Scizor, having good physical bulk and functioning as a decent status absorber, while Scizor can easily help Gliscor take super effective Ice- and Water-type attacks. Slowbro is another nice physical wall to cover Scizor's physical weakness and helps Scizor remove Fire-types such as Blaziken and Talonflame with relative ease. Mega Kangaskhan appreciates Scizor's ability to remove Rocky Helmet from Cresselia and Eviolite from Porygon2 so that Kangashan has an easier time breaking through physical walls that annoy it. Azumarill works great with Scizor due to its ability to come in on many Electric-, Grass-, and Poison-type attacks, while Azumarill can help absorb Fire-type attacks and retaliate with powerful STAB moves. Talonflame doesn't offer as much defensive synergy as Azumarill, but it still resists Fire and is able to revenge kill Blaziken. Physically defensive Rotom-W also has very nice synergy with Scizor, being able to cripple physical threats to allow Scizor more opportunities to set up while potentially completing a VoltTurn core if Scizor is using U-turn.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Lum Berry is a viable option over Choice Band if you don't wish to be locked into one move, allowing Scizor to better check Gengar without fearing burn and remove items from Rotom-W and Thundurus before receiving nasty status. Scizorite is a viable option over Choice Band that gives Scizor the option to freely switch moves and a great increase in bulk at the cost of some power. Occa Berry can be used in conjunction with Counter to score surprising KOs against certain foes such as Fire Fang Garchomp and Mega Mawile. Leftovers is a viable option when running maximum Special Defense if you wish to bring Scizor along with another Mega Evolution. Quick Attack is another priority move boosted by Technician that allows Scizor to hit foes that resist Bullet Punch such as Talonflame, Mega Charizard Y, and Volcarona. Feint functions in a similar manner to Quick Attack but with a higher priority bracket, allowing Scizor to hit Talonflame before it can use Brave Bird or Roost. Aerial Ace is a Technician-boosted move that can be used in the last slot to hit Breloom, Chesnaught, Heracross, and Blaziken on the switch for super effective damage. Facade is an option to take advantage of status such as burn and paralysis so Scizor can deal massive damage to Rotom-W, which often takes advantage of a burned Scizor and stays in. Finally, a Jolly nature is an option over Adamant to hit neutral Speed Heatran with Superpower, but be aware that some Heatran run Timid anyway.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Dangerous Fire-types such as Blaziken, Heatran, Talonflame, Mega Charizard X and Y, and Volcarona are all able to freely use Scizor as setup bait while Scizor can't do anything in return. Talonflame and some Mega Charizard X variants are also able to freely spam Will-O-Wisp.
**Electric-types**: Zapdos resists Scizor's STAB types and has access to Heat Wave, Magnezone can trap Scizor and eliminate it with Hidden Power Fire, and Mega Manectric has access to Intimidate and Flamethrower and Overheat. Bulky Thundurus with Nasty Plot and, potentially, Taunt also poses a huge threat to Scizor.
**Water-types**: Scizor can't do much to Suicune and risks getting a Scald burn, Rotom-W is able to cripple Scizor with Will-O-Wisp, and Gyarados has Intimidate, resists Scizor's STAB types, and can freely set up on it.
**Steel-types**: Aegislash and Skarmory can easily wall Scizor with their astronomical Defense, Mega Mawile has Intimidate and access to Fire Fang to threaten Scizor, and Heatran is able to outspeed and Scizor OHKO it with its Fire-type STAB move of choice.
**Mega Salamence**: Intimidate and its Dragon / Flying typing allow Salamence to freely set up on Scizor, (AC) while its access to utility moves such as Roost and Substitute means Scizor won't be able to do much back even after a Swords Dance boost.
**Mega Sableye**: Due to its typing and Magic Bounce ability, Mega Sableye doesn't take much from any of Scizor's coverage moves, and it can threaten to burn or proceed to set up Calm Mind.
**Burn Inducers**: Common Will-O-Wisp users include Rotom-W, Talonflame, and Gengar. Scizor relies on physical moves for damage output most of the time, so a burn will severely decrease Scizor's ability to deal damage while also putting a timer on it.
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