[OVERVIEW]
Mega Scizor is a strong Pokemon in the metagame due to a number of traits. Its typing and bulk grant it a crucial defensive utility in checking common and dangerous Pokemon like Mega Metagross, Clefable, Weavile, Mega Alakazam, and Latios. Mega Scizor boasts strong offensive capabilities as well, with its Technician-boosted Bullet Punch, other coverage options, and Swords Dance. Bullet Punch notably enables Mega Scizor to function as a revenge killer, picking off the likes of Tyranitar, Latios, and Mega Lopunny; in conjunction with Swords Dance, it also turns Mega Scizor into one of the scariest setup sweepers. Mega Scizor's Speed, however, leaves a lot to be desired and makes it prone to faster Pokemon such as Keldeo and Thundurus. Its typing, while is excellent defensively, still leaves it vulnerable to dangerous Fire-types like Heatran and Mega Charizard Y, Magnezone, and occasional Fire-type coverage from the likes of Clefable and Garchomp, which is not a rare sighting.
[SET]
name: Bulky Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Bullet Punch
move 3: Superpower / Knock Off
move 4: Roost
item: Scizorite
ability: Light Metal
nature: Adamant
evs:
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance enables Mega Scizor to enhance its offensive presence and, alongside Bullet Punch, turns it into a strong cleaner. Superpower targets Heatran and Excadrill as well as dents Ferrothorn and snipes Magnezone, although it leaves Mega Scizor helpless against Slowbro. Knock Off, on the other hand, weakens Mega Scizor's checks by removing their items and hits Slowbro and Jellicent, unlike Superpower. Roost keeps Mega Scizor healthy, which is important for it to handle Pokemon it is supposed to check.
Set Details
========
The choice of Scizor's pre-Mega ability doesn't really matter, since it should Mega Evolve and get Technician immediately anyway. The given EV spread
Usage Tips
========
This Mega Scizor can be used in various ways. Early-game, you can spam U-turn to grab momentum and chip down the opposition. If the opposing team doesn't have immediate threats to Mega Scizor like Zapdos and Mega Charizard Y, you may use Swords Dance in order to dish out a stronger U-turn. You are free to use Mega Scizor as a revenge killer with Bullet Punch as well if you need to pick up a weakened offensive threat such as Mega Lopunny and Mega Medicham. Mid- or late-game, when Mega Scizor's checks are invalidated, seek for a setup opportunity; for that, you can use passive Pokemon like non-Flamethrower Clefable and Mega Latias or offensive Pokemon that struggle to break past it, such as Mega Metagross, Latios, and Mega Alakazam. Do not hesitate to use Mega Scizor defensively and send it into the likes of Weavile, Mega Metagross, and Latios. Keep Mega Scizor on high HP via Roost so it can check offensive threats reliably. You must be very careful with Mega Scizor against teams featuring Magnezone. Think twice before sending it in defensively, since your opponent will likely try to lure Mega Scizor out and double switch into Magnezone. If your Mega Scizor carries Superpower, you can get rid of a careless Magnezone which comes into a predicted Roost.
Team Options
========
Mega Scizor fits bets on balanced teams looking for a strong countermeasure to threats like Mega Metagross, Weavile, and Latias and a reliable win condition. Fire-type checks are absolutely mandatory alongside Mega Scizor; bulky Water-types like Slowbro, Gastrodon, and Jellicent make for a good example, all of which also can check Keldeo. The likes of Gliscor and Keldeo are good at this role too. Something that takes advantage of Magnezone is appreciated by Mega Scizor. These Pokemon include Gliscor and Heatran. Pokemon such as Slowbro, Amoonguss, and Gastrodon that check threats Mega Scizor fails to handle, like Keldeo and Thundurus, are good teammates as well. Hazard removers like Zapdos and Starmie can ease Mega Scizor's job in checking various Pokemon, preventing it from getting overwhelmed. Offensively, Mega Scizor enjoys having powerful breakers in the team; Pokemon like Keldeo, Latios, and Heatran weaken down the opposition, contributing to the Mega Scizor sweep. Entry hazards are hugely appreciated by Mega Scizor, so setters such as Ferrothorn, Heatran, and Gliscor are nice partners to it.
[SET]
name: Offensive Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Bullet Punch
move 3: Bug Bite
move 4: Superpower
item: Scizorite
ability: Light Metal
nature: Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance is needed to turn Mega Scizor into a deadly sweeper. Bug Bite is a reliable secondary STAB move which also gets a Technician boost; it complements Bullet Punch well, hitting Pokemon like Slowbro, Rotom-W, and Tangrowth, which can eat Bullet Punch relatively easily. Superpower rounds out the set, dealing with Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Heatran, Magnezone, and Excadrill.
Set Details
========
Scizor should Mega Evolve immediately and regain Technician, so the pre-Mega ability choice isn't important. Full Attack and Speed EV investment alongside an Adamant nature maximize Mega Scizor's offensive prowess.
Usage Tips
========
This Mega Scizor's main purpose is to set up and sweep the opposing team. This is usually done mid- to late-game, once its checks are weakened enough or eliminated. Sometimes Mega Scizor may be used as an early-game wallbreaker, trading itself for a huge damage to the opponent's team. You can do that only if your opponent lacks a strong offensive check to Mega Scizor like Keldeo, Zapdos, and Mega Charizard Y, however. Try to bring Mega Scizor on the field safely, via a sacrifice or a double switch, since it doesn't have a lot of staying power due to zero defensive investment and the lack of Roost. Mega Scizor still can take a hit or two in a pinch, though. The best opportunity for Mega Scizor to set up is on passive Pokemon like non-Flamethrower Clefable, Mega Latias, and Ferrothorn.
Team Options
========
This Mega Scizor belongs to hyper offensive teams with multiple breaking and sweeping options. Thundurus is a notable teammate, since it can deal with majority of Mega Scizor's checks like Jellicent, Keldeo, and Zapdos as well as potentially spread paralysis. Offensive Water-types such as Azumarill and Manaphy can beat the likes of Mega Charizard Y and Heatran for Mega Scizor; together they can also overwhelm its checks like Zapdos and Keldeo. Bisharp has a lot of shared checks with Mega Scizor, like Zapdos, Heatran, and Keldeo, and together these two are able to blow past them. Entry hazards are very helpful for Mega Scizor, making setters like Garchomp and Shuckle good partners. The latter is an especially notable lead for hyper offenses containing Mega Scizor, as it can set Sticky Web, which enables Mega Scizor to rely on Bullet Punch less and significantly cuts possible offensive counterplay to it.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Bullet Punch
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Swords Dance / Pursuit / Defog
move 4: Roost
item: Scizorite
ability: Light Metal
nature:
evs:
[SET COMMENTS]
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bug Bite is a stronger and more consistent option over U-turn on the bulky Swords Dance set, but the loss of utility of U-turn generally isn't worth it. Pursuit sets might see usage on specific teams, as they can dispose of Mega Alakazam, Latios, and Mega Latias quite effectively. Mega Scizor may run Defog if your team really needs a sturdy hazard remover, but its matchup against prominent hazard setters like Heatran and Ferrothorn leaves a lot to be desired. Besides, the lack of Swords Dance reduces Mega Scizor's offensive potential a lot.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-type Pokemon and Coverage**: Fire-type Pokemon such as Heatran, Mega Charizard Y, and Volcarona resist both STAB moves of Mega Scizor and can easily kill it with their Fire-type STAB moves, though the former dislikes eating Superpower. Fire-type coverage like Flamethrower on Clefable and Heat Wave on Tornadus also threaten Mega Scizor a lot, preventing it from setting up on them.
**Magnezone**: Magnezone is a unique answer to Mega Scizor, since it is able to trap it and deal heavy damage, almost guaranteeing its removal. Magnezone is prone to Superpower, however, and thus should be careful about hard switching into Mega Scizor.
**Bulky Water-types**: The likes of Rotom-W, Jellicent, Gastrodon, and Suicune resist Mega Scizor's Bullet Punch and cat take multiple U-turns. They all also threaten Mega Scizor with a burn from Scald or Will-O-Wisp.
**Electric-types**: Pokemon such as Zapdos, Thundurus, and Mega Manectric resist Bullet Punch and retaliate with their powerful Electric-type STAB moves or Fire-type coverage, in case of Zapdos and Mega Manectric. The former is one of the strongest counters to Mega Scizor, as it can heal itself with Roost, resist all of Mega Scizor's attacks bar the relatively rare Knock Off, and can eliminate Mega Scizor with Heat Wave.
**Bulky Ground-types**: Mega Scizor has a hard time against physically defensive Ground-types, namely Garchomp and Hippowdon. The former can deal a lot of damage to Mega Scizor via the combination of Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet while threatening to KO it with Fire Blast, while the latter has an access to a reliable recovery and prevent Mega Scizor from setting up on it with Whirlwind.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Egor, 439341]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
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