When trying to come up with a good core for Scizor, I happened to notice a mon that doesn't see as much love these days as it once did. Keldeo + Scizor check a lot of each others' weaknesses very well. Based on this, I decided to build a team around it, and wanted to share the result. It has worked quite well for me so far:
The team was based around SD Knock Off Scizor:
Given its ability to sweep a little better than U-Turn Scizor and its decent ability to lure in Zapdos and Heatran in for a Knock Off, the team will be based around supporting this mon to sweep primarily, with other wincons added for good measure later on.
Next mon, is everyone's favorite Water Pony himself:
This mon does a few things for the team. It can come in on Heatran, has a great matchup versus fat teams with its Z set, and benefits greatly from its ability to take advantage of Scizor's presence, as it greatly neutralizes Tapu Bulu and keeps it from spamming Horn Leech on this team. Z Keldeo is also capable of running over Toxapex, which is a great mon to stop SD Scizor from sweeping. Keldeo is also the team's best bet versus Balance and Stall.
Next up, we have an old favorite that has picked up some notice, Tankchomp himself:
Garchomp synergises well here. It checks common U-Turners well, prevents Koko from spamming Volt Switch, can come in and punish U-Turn Scizor, Scarf Kartana and Heatran.. It also sets rocks and can soft-check non-Outrage Zygarde sets. It may seem weird to players not acquainted with the set, given Chomp's fall from grace, but it is a good set on some teams.
Next up is one of our pivots, Shuca Koko:
Shuca Koko has recently been on the rise in popularity. It checks Hawlucha, Pinsir, and Tornadus very well, and give the team a very reliable pivot. It also soft-checks Zygarde and Lando, and can help the team deal with those 2 if it comes down to it.
Due to Lele's ability to come in on predicted Scizor's BP, as well as overall checking most of this team offensively, as well as us having a Keldeo to soft-check Water moves and 2 good Heatran switch-ins, Magearna fits very well on this team:
AV Mag gives us an extra pivot, a general Special Tank, and a Lele check, which would be problematic for this team otherwise. We run Iron Head to check CM Lele and Magearna better (This is general knowledge, but some players aren't aware of Iron Head's superiority on AV sets).
Lastly, we need Hazard Control, a better Zygarde check (It's a terrifying mon rn), and speed control. This can only mean Bulky Scarf Lando:
This Lando gives us an extra soft-check to opposing Koko, a very good pivot, and overall good revenger overall.
This team has done very well so far. Possible bad matchups will be discussed bellow.
Bad Matchups:
1. Sub-Coil and Z Lando sets could be very annoying for this team, due to its lack of Ground resistances. It's not an impossible matchup, but it is a bad matchup nontheless.
2. Volcarona can set up on Magearna or Tapu Koko and sweep you. It can also live an EQ from Lando and KO back if Lando has taken some damage. Volcarona matchups in general are a deterrent, and require good doubles and wearing down Volcarona. Rocks should be a priority in these, which is good given Garchomp can phase out Volcarona if it tries to take advantage of it.
3. While you do have 2 Ground Types, Tapu Koko usually has a good matchup against teams with no Elec resists. This one has none, and with the right plays, your opponent can wear down your Magearna fast and catch your Lando and Garchomp with an HP Ice. Greninja can also be a problem, but Keldeo helps against this.
4. Toxic Heatran and Z Kartana can annoy this team, as they usually annoy most teams. You do have 2 checks for both of these mons, but these sets are just very good right now.
5. The team has a bit of a problem with initial power. While not weak and can get past most bulky teams with mons like Keldeo or Scizor after sufficient chip, it does not have an immediate breaker. Thankfully, Keldeo doesn't auto-lose to Unaware users in the meta, and can break past them, with Scizor being able to scare Clef in case Keldeo is not within KO range with Z or unboosted Hydro Pump. Specs Koko can be run instead of Shuca, but Pinsir and Torn will be difficult matchups if you do.
Do leave your suggestions or thoughts bellow!
Bullet Bill (Scizor-Mega) (M) @ Scizorite
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 124 Atk / 120 Def / 16 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off
- Roost
Rooster (Tapu Koko) @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 104 HP / 12 Def / 176 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Roost
- Volt Switch
Cynthia (Garchomp) (F) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 248 HP / 208 Def / 52 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Dragon Tail
- Fire Blast
Stallion (Keldeo) @ Waterium Z
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Secret Sword
- Calm Mind
- Taunt
Gear Head (Magearna) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Iron Head
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Jafar (Landorus-Therian) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 104 HP / 184 Def / 24 SpA / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
- Defog
Ability: Light Metal
EVs: 248 HP / 124 Atk / 120 Def / 16 SpD
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- Knock Off
- Roost
Rooster (Tapu Koko) @ Shuca Berry
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 104 HP / 12 Def / 176 SpA / 216 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Roost
- Volt Switch
Cynthia (Garchomp) (F) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 248 HP / 208 Def / 52 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Dragon Tail
- Fire Blast
Stallion (Keldeo) @ Waterium Z
Ability: Justified
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Hydro Pump
- Secret Sword
- Calm Mind
- Taunt
Gear Head (Magearna) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Iron Head
- Volt Switch
- Hidden Power [Fire]
Jafar (Landorus-Therian) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 104 HP / 184 Def / 24 SpA / 196 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- U-turn
- Defog
The team was based around SD Knock Off Scizor:
Given its ability to sweep a little better than U-Turn Scizor and its decent ability to lure in Zapdos and Heatran in for a Knock Off, the team will be based around supporting this mon to sweep primarily, with other wincons added for good measure later on.
Next mon, is everyone's favorite Water Pony himself:
This mon does a few things for the team. It can come in on Heatran, has a great matchup versus fat teams with its Z set, and benefits greatly from its ability to take advantage of Scizor's presence, as it greatly neutralizes Tapu Bulu and keeps it from spamming Horn Leech on this team. Z Keldeo is also capable of running over Toxapex, which is a great mon to stop SD Scizor from sweeping. Keldeo is also the team's best bet versus Balance and Stall.
Next up, we have an old favorite that has picked up some notice, Tankchomp himself:
Garchomp synergises well here. It checks common U-Turners well, prevents Koko from spamming Volt Switch, can come in and punish U-Turn Scizor, Scarf Kartana and Heatran.. It also sets rocks and can soft-check non-Outrage Zygarde sets. It may seem weird to players not acquainted with the set, given Chomp's fall from grace, but it is a good set on some teams.
Next up is one of our pivots, Shuca Koko:
Shuca Koko has recently been on the rise in popularity. It checks Hawlucha, Pinsir, and Tornadus very well, and give the team a very reliable pivot. It also soft-checks Zygarde and Lando, and can help the team deal with those 2 if it comes down to it.
Due to Lele's ability to come in on predicted Scizor's BP, as well as overall checking most of this team offensively, as well as us having a Keldeo to soft-check Water moves and 2 good Heatran switch-ins, Magearna fits very well on this team:
AV Mag gives us an extra pivot, a general Special Tank, and a Lele check, which would be problematic for this team otherwise. We run Iron Head to check CM Lele and Magearna better (This is general knowledge, but some players aren't aware of Iron Head's superiority on AV sets).
Lastly, we need Hazard Control, a better Zygarde check (It's a terrifying mon rn), and speed control. This can only mean Bulky Scarf Lando:
This Lando gives us an extra soft-check to opposing Koko, a very good pivot, and overall good revenger overall.
This team has done very well so far. Possible bad matchups will be discussed bellow.
Bad Matchups:
1. Sub-Coil and Z Lando sets could be very annoying for this team, due to its lack of Ground resistances. It's not an impossible matchup, but it is a bad matchup nontheless.
2. Volcarona can set up on Magearna or Tapu Koko and sweep you. It can also live an EQ from Lando and KO back if Lando has taken some damage. Volcarona matchups in general are a deterrent, and require good doubles and wearing down Volcarona. Rocks should be a priority in these, which is good given Garchomp can phase out Volcarona if it tries to take advantage of it.
3. While you do have 2 Ground Types, Tapu Koko usually has a good matchup against teams with no Elec resists. This one has none, and with the right plays, your opponent can wear down your Magearna fast and catch your Lando and Garchomp with an HP Ice. Greninja can also be a problem, but Keldeo helps against this.
4. Toxic Heatran and Z Kartana can annoy this team, as they usually annoy most teams. You do have 2 checks for both of these mons, but these sets are just very good right now.
5. The team has a bit of a problem with initial power. While not weak and can get past most bulky teams with mons like Keldeo or Scizor after sufficient chip, it does not have an immediate breaker. Thankfully, Keldeo doesn't auto-lose to Unaware users in the meta, and can break past them, with Scizor being able to scare Clef in case Keldeo is not within KO range with Z or unboosted Hydro Pump. Specs Koko can be run instead of Shuca, but Pinsir and Torn will be difficult matchups if you do.
Do leave your suggestions or thoughts bellow!
