[SET]
name: Offensive Swords Dance (Bug)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Bullet Punch
move 3: Bug Bite / Dual Wingbeat
move 4: Superpower / Knock Off
item: Scizorite
ability: Technician
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Its high Attack stat, great defensive typing, good overall bulk, and priority STAB in Bullet Punch alongside Swords Dance make Mega Scizor a threatening setup sweeper. Swords Dance allows Mega Scizor to boost its already great Attack stat to even greater heights, making it capable of threatening types like Fairy, Normal, and Dragon after a single boost. A STAB move in priority Bullet Punch, which is further boosted by its ability Technician, allows it to sweep teams easily once boosted. Additionally, it also lets Mega Scizor bypass its mediocre Speed stat and take care of faster Pokemon like Landorus, Tapu Koko, and Mega Medicham. Bug Bite lets Mega Scizor deal with Pokemon that resist Bullet Punch such as Rotom-W, Gastrodon, and Swampert. Dual Wingbeat is an option that allows Mega Scizor to score crucial rolls such as the 2HKO on Toxapex, OHKO on Mega Venusaur at +2, and OHKO on Keldeo and Urshifu-R while unboosted. Superpower when boosted lets Mega Scizor deal with some of its checks like Skarmory, Celesteela, and Porygon2. Knock Off can be used as well to remove items from defensive Pokemon such as Porygon2 and Galarian Corsola, which makes it easier for Mega Scizor to deal with them late-game. Knock Off also hits Aegislash hard, which otherwise takes little damage from its other moves. Maximum Attack investment with an Adamant nature allows Mega Scizor to hit as hard as possible, whereas maximum Speed investment lets it outspeed Pokemon such as Mandibuzz and Rotom-W. Scizorite as item lets Scizor Mega Evolve to gain additional bulk and power.
Volcarona appreciates Mega Scizor as a teammate greatly, since Mega Scizor can deal with special walls and faster Rock-types such as Blissey, Tyranitar, and Nihilego, respectively, that can be an obstacle for Volcarona. In return, Volcarona takes care of Steel-types such as Corviknight, Celesteela, and Skarmory that are hard for Mega Scizor to get past. It can also specifically beat Zapdos, which otherwise checks Mega Scizor comfortably. Araquanid can sponge Fire-type attacks aimed at Mega Scizor from Pokemon such as Heatran, Mega Charizard Y, and Volcarona while also providing Sticky Web support so that Mega Scizor can outspeed more threats. Buzzwole and Heracross with a Choice Scarf and Stone Edge can take on threats like Choice Band Victini and Mega Charizard Y for the team, and they also appreciate Mega Scizor breaking down walls like Hippowdon when boosted by Swords Dance and make cleaning late-game much easier for the aforementioned revenge killers. Galvantula does well against Water- and Flying-type teams that are usually a trouble for Mega Scizor; it can provide Sticky Web support, too. Forretress can provide entry hazard support in the form of Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes while also providing hazard removal in the form of Rapid Spin and Volt Switch support to bring Mega Scizor safely into the battle. Guts Heracross as a teammate can soften walls like Mandibuzz and Toxapex for an easier Mega Scizor sweep while absorbing troublesome burns for it.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bug
U-turn as an option over Bug Bite or Dual Wingbeat can hit hard and generate momentum simultaneously, but Mega Scizor usually prefers the latter one because of its wallbreaking capabilities.
Checks and Counters
===================
Bug
**Fire-types and Fire-type Coverage**: Fire-types such as Cinderace and Victini can very easily take care of Mega Scizor, as they can shrug off Bullet Punch and OHKO it due to its massive weakness to Fire. Additionally, Pokemon that use Fire-type coverage moves like Dragonite, Garchomp, and Mega Venusaur can also beat Mega Scizor.
**Status**: Being a physical attacker, Mega Scizor is highly susceptible to burns, since it halves its Attack stat and makes it much more easier to handle. Pokemon such as Galarian Corsola and Mega Sableye as well as Scald burns from Toxapex are some things Mega Scizor should watch out for. Paralysis also cripples Mega Scizor, forcing it to use its coverage moves last.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Sturdy physical walls like Porygon2 and Toxapex can take care of Mega Scizor rather easily with Hidden Power Fire from the former and Haze or Scald burn from the latter. However, Porygon2 should watch out for a boosted Superpower, while Toxapex should be careful of boosted Dual Wingbeat, which cleanly 2HKOes it.
**Steel-types **: Mega Scizor has a lot of trouble getting past certain Steel-types like Celesteela, Skarmory, and Magnezone. Celesteela and Skarmory can beat it with Flamethrower and Whirlwind + Rocky Helmet chip damage, respectively, while Magnezone can trap and beat it with Hidden Power Fire.
**Zapdos**: Zapdos is a good check to Mega Scizor, as it resists all of its moves except Knock Off, which does not OHKO it after a Swords Dance boost, and it can cleanly OHKO Mega Scizor with Heat Wave.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Harpp, 320110]]
- Quality checked by: [[Mateeus, 321991], [Maple, 473171]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732]]
Last edited:
