[OVERVIEW]
Scolipede can fulfill the role of a cleaner and wallbreaker in one slot due to its access to Speed Boost and Swords Dance to threaten offensive and defensive teams. Functioning in these roles is enabled by decent Attack, good Speed, and a sufficient movepool, so Scolipede can utilize strong attacks and coverage moves such as Megahorn, Earthquake, and Aqua Tail. However, Scolipede's below average defenses mean Scolipede will require entry hazard removal to set up properly. Even if Scolipede manages to set up, it will often be in range of priority moves from Ash-Greninja, Zygarde, and Mega Mawile, for example, meaning its capabilities cannot be fully unleashed in practice.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Megahorn
move 3: Aqua Tail
move 4: Earthquake / Poison Jab
item: Waterium Z
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
With Swords Dance, Scolipede is able to punch holes into defensive teams or sweep. Megahorn is Scolipede's strongest attack; at +2, it is capable of OHKOing Pokemon such as Garchomp and Tapu Bulu. Aqua Tail pairs well with Megahorn, netting massive damage against Celesteela, Zapdos, and Mega Scizor when powered up by Waterium Z. Hydro Vortex, after Scolipede uses Swords Dance, also OHKOes defensive Landorus-T, one of the most common Pokemon in the tier. Earthquake rounds off Scolipede's coverage, defeating Heatran, Mega Mawile, and, more importantly, Toxapex. If paired with a solid Toxapex lure, Scolipede can run Poison Jab to hit Clefable, Tapu Fini, and Gyarados instead. However, the lack of Earthquake can still be troublesome, as Scolipede will be forced to use Hydro Vortex to take out Magnezone, for example. Spikes can be used in this slot as well to pressure switch-ins, but it is best used when Scolipede is on hyper offense teams because it will usually want to maximize its coverage.
Set Details
========
Waterium Z grants Scolipede a 175-Base Power Hydro Vortex so Scolipede can break defensive Landorus-T and take out a weakened Mega Scizor. Life Orb seems like an appealing option, but the recoil and lack of power makes it inferior. A Jolly nature and maximum Speed investment are required for Scolipede to outpace the faster Choice Scarf users in the tier such as Keldeo and Latios after a Speed Boost. The remaining EVs are invested in Attack so Scolipede can hit as hard as possible.
Usage Tips
========
Scolipede's typing allows it to get a free Swords Dance against Tapu Fini and most Grass-types such as Tapu Bulu and Tangrowth, so utilize these opportunities right away. Otherwise, Scolipede will be forced to take damage in order to set up. If this is the case, prioritize removing entry hazards so Scolipede can set up in front of Mega Scizor and defensive Landorus-T and stay out of the KO range of most priority.
If Scolipede cannot sweep, recklessly use Swords Dance and do massive damage to a check or counter shared by a teammate with a boosted Hydro Vortex. If Spikes is used on Scolipede, set up hazards and play aggressively to weaken defensive hazard removers such as Zapdos, Skarmory, and Mega Scizor with Hydro Vortex.
Team Options
========
Stealth Rock will cause Scolipede issues, so an entry hazard remover is recommended. Mew, Mega Scizor, Latios, and Tapu Fini are solid teammates, especially since Scolipede can preserve their health by absorbing Toxic Spikes. Scolipede will have limited setup opportunities outside of against bulky Grass-types and the aforementioned Tapu Fini, so VoltTurn users that can get Scolipede free switches on these Pokemon are nice. Tapu Koko, Ash-Greninja, and Mega Manectric are prime teammates.
Scolipede can support other physical sweepers because it breaks or wears down a lot of common answers to physical attackers such as Landorus-T. Swords Dance Mega Mawile, Dragon Dance Mega Charizard X, and Zygarde are solid teammates because of this. Greninja, while a special attacker, is a fine team option, as Scolipede forces in and wears down Celesteela and Ferrothorn, common checks to Ash-Greninja, and gives Protean Greninja the option to forego Hidden Power Fire. Finally, Scolipede can be used on rain teams, as the rain boost to Hydro Vortex and +2 Attack creates a lot of OHKOes on Pokemon such as Zapdos, Celesteela, and Clefable.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Savage Spin-Out is extremely powerful after a Swords Dance boost, OHKOing Pokemon such as Zygarde and Ferrothorn and even some resistant to the move such as Keldeo after Stealth Rock. However, the prevalence of Landorus-T and Celesteela make Hydro Vortex superior. Scolipede can be used as a suicide lead, stacking Spikes and Toxic Spikes and taking a Pokemon down with it using Endeavor.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Priority**: Getting off a big hit on Scolipede as it tries to set up and revenge killing it with priority is the most efficient way to handle Scolipede. Ash-Greninja, Mega Pinsir, Choice Band Zygarde, and Mega Mawile are examples of strong priority users.
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock reduces Scolipede's setup opportunities because of its poor bulk. Stealth Rock also places Scolipede in range of strong priority attacks from Ash-Greninja and Mega Pinsir.
**Playing Around Hydro Vortex**: Scolipede may be able to set up on Pokemon such as defensive Landorus-T, Mega Scizor, Tapu Fini, and bulky Grass-types when Stealth Rock is up. If this happens, baiting Hydro Vortex allows Pokemon such as Zapdos to reliably defeat Scolipede.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Ferrothorn, Toxapex, Alomomola, and Skarmory can take on and defeat Scolipedeone-on-one if they are not sufficiently weakened. Physically defensive Mantine and Clefable can also take on Scolipede lacking Poison Jab and then proceed to cripple it or knock it out.
Scolipede can fulfill the role of a cleaner and wallbreaker in one slot due to its access to Speed Boost and Swords Dance to threaten offensive and defensive teams. Functioning in these roles is enabled by decent Attack, good Speed, and a sufficient movepool, so Scolipede can utilize strong attacks and coverage moves such as Megahorn, Earthquake, and Aqua Tail. However, Scolipede's below average defenses mean Scolipede will require entry hazard removal to set up properly. Even if Scolipede manages to set up, it will often be in range of priority moves from Ash-Greninja, Zygarde, and Mega Mawile, for example, meaning its capabilities cannot be fully unleashed in practice.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Megahorn
move 3: Aqua Tail
move 4: Earthquake / Poison Jab
item: Waterium Z
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
With Swords Dance, Scolipede is able to punch holes into defensive teams or sweep. Megahorn is Scolipede's strongest attack; at +2, it is capable of OHKOing Pokemon such as Garchomp and Tapu Bulu. Aqua Tail pairs well with Megahorn, netting massive damage against Celesteela, Zapdos, and Mega Scizor when powered up by Waterium Z. Hydro Vortex, after Scolipede uses Swords Dance, also OHKOes defensive Landorus-T, one of the most common Pokemon in the tier. Earthquake rounds off Scolipede's coverage, defeating Heatran, Mega Mawile, and, more importantly, Toxapex. If paired with a solid Toxapex lure, Scolipede can run Poison Jab to hit Clefable, Tapu Fini, and Gyarados instead. However, the lack of Earthquake can still be troublesome, as Scolipede will be forced to use Hydro Vortex to take out Magnezone, for example. Spikes can be used in this slot as well to pressure switch-ins, but it is best used when Scolipede is on hyper offense teams because it will usually want to maximize its coverage.
Set Details
========
Waterium Z grants Scolipede a 175-Base Power Hydro Vortex so Scolipede can break defensive Landorus-T and take out a weakened Mega Scizor. Life Orb seems like an appealing option, but the recoil and lack of power makes it inferior. A Jolly nature and maximum Speed investment are required for Scolipede to outpace the faster Choice Scarf users in the tier such as Keldeo and Latios after a Speed Boost. The remaining EVs are invested in Attack so Scolipede can hit as hard as possible.
Usage Tips
========
Scolipede's typing allows it to get a free Swords Dance against Tapu Fini and most Grass-types such as Tapu Bulu and Tangrowth, so utilize these opportunities right away. Otherwise, Scolipede will be forced to take damage in order to set up. If this is the case, prioritize removing entry hazards so Scolipede can set up in front of Mega Scizor and defensive Landorus-T and stay out of the KO range of most priority.
If Scolipede cannot sweep, recklessly use Swords Dance and do massive damage to a check or counter shared by a teammate with a boosted Hydro Vortex. If Spikes is used on Scolipede, set up hazards and play aggressively to weaken defensive hazard removers such as Zapdos, Skarmory, and Mega Scizor with Hydro Vortex.
Team Options
========
Stealth Rock will cause Scolipede issues, so an entry hazard remover is recommended. Mew, Mega Scizor, Latios, and Tapu Fini are solid teammates, especially since Scolipede can preserve their health by absorbing Toxic Spikes. Scolipede will have limited setup opportunities outside of against bulky Grass-types and the aforementioned Tapu Fini, so VoltTurn users that can get Scolipede free switches on these Pokemon are nice. Tapu Koko, Ash-Greninja, and Mega Manectric are prime teammates.
Scolipede can support other physical sweepers because it breaks or wears down a lot of common answers to physical attackers such as Landorus-T. Swords Dance Mega Mawile, Dragon Dance Mega Charizard X, and Zygarde are solid teammates because of this. Greninja, while a special attacker, is a fine team option, as Scolipede forces in and wears down Celesteela and Ferrothorn, common checks to Ash-Greninja, and gives Protean Greninja the option to forego Hidden Power Fire. Finally, Scolipede can be used on rain teams, as the rain boost to Hydro Vortex and +2 Attack creates a lot of OHKOes on Pokemon such as Zapdos, Celesteela, and Clefable.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Savage Spin-Out is extremely powerful after a Swords Dance boost, OHKOing Pokemon such as Zygarde and Ferrothorn and even some resistant to the move such as Keldeo after Stealth Rock. However, the prevalence of Landorus-T and Celesteela make Hydro Vortex superior. Scolipede can be used as a suicide lead, stacking Spikes and Toxic Spikes and taking a Pokemon down with it using Endeavor.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Priority**: Getting off a big hit on Scolipede as it tries to set up and revenge killing it with priority is the most efficient way to handle Scolipede. Ash-Greninja, Mega Pinsir, Choice Band Zygarde, and Mega Mawile are examples of strong priority users.
**Stealth Rock**: Stealth Rock reduces Scolipede's setup opportunities because of its poor bulk. Stealth Rock also places Scolipede in range of strong priority attacks from Ash-Greninja and Mega Pinsir.
**Playing Around Hydro Vortex**: Scolipede may be able to set up on Pokemon such as defensive Landorus-T, Mega Scizor, Tapu Fini, and bulky Grass-types when Stealth Rock is up. If this happens, baiting Hydro Vortex allows Pokemon such as Zapdos to reliably defeat Scolipede.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Ferrothorn, Toxapex, Alomomola, and Skarmory can take on and defeat Scolipedeone-on-one if they are not sufficiently weakened. Physically defensive Mantine and Clefable can also take on Scolipede lacking Poison Jab and then proceed to cripple it or knock it out.
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