[OVERVIEW]
Bug
========
Scolipede's ability in Speed Boost and access to Swords Dance make it a dangerous sweeper with great matchups against Poison, Fire, and Psychic teams. This is further bolstered by its decent movepool, particularly its access to Earthquake and Rock Slide, allowing it to take on huge threats for Bug teams such as Heatran, Mega Charizard Y, and Toxapex. Its high Speed allows it to outspeed common threats like Latios and Mega Diancie. However, Scolipede misses out on a lot of important KOs and needs its checks and counters severely weakened to sweep, although Swords Dance can remediate this problem. Its coverage has limited range, as it can't hit common Pokemon such as Celesteela, Gliscor, and Porygon2 too hard. Scolipede also has mediocre bulk and is susceptible to all entry hazards bar Toxic Spikes, which means it can only come in via aggressive double switches or after a Pokemon has fainted. This also leaves it easily revenge killed by priority moves users like Mega Pinsir, Azumarill, and Scizor. Lastly, it suffers from competition from other, more reliable setup sweepers like Mega Scizor and Mega Pinsir. However, unlike them, Scolipede doesn't waste a Mega slot.
[SET]
name: Sweeper (Bug)
move 1: Megahorn
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Protect / Swords Dance
item: Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Megahorn is Scolipede's main STAB attack and allows it to threaten walls such as Swampert and Mega Venusaur. It also targets Psychic-types such as Latios and Mew, which could otherwise deal with Scolipede. Earthquake hits Poison-, Steel-, Fire-, and Rock-types such as Toxapex, Excadrill, Heatran, and Nihilego. Rock Slide hits troublesome Flying-types like Zapdos, Mega Charizard Y, and Mantine. Protect allows Scolipede to safely gain a Speed boost and revenge kill threats such as Choice Scarf Latios. Alternatively, Swords Dance allows Scolipede to muscle through its checks such as Porygon2 and Toxapex more easily.
Set Details
========
The given EV investment allows Scolipede to hit as hard as possible and outspeed threats such as Kyurem-B and Excadrill. Life Orb gives Scolipede's moves an extremely important boost in power, allowing it to check threats such as Mega Charizard X and Victini more easily. Speed Boost increases Scolipede's Speed every turn, making it a potent cleaner and revenge killer. A Jolly nature allows Scolipede to outspeed threats like Latios, Victini, and Nihilego. Adamant can also be used, as it lets Scolipede hit harder, notably allowing it to 2HKO threats such as Mandibuzz, Staraptor, and Victini after Stealth Rock damage, as well as Swampert, at the cost of being slower.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Scolipede's poor bulk, it should never be brought it in directly; only bring it in after a Pokemon faints, with an aggressive double switch, or through pivoting moves such as U-turn and Volt Switch. It should set up with Swords Dance when it forces out the foe with its offensive presence. While its primary use is to sweep, it can make use of its ability early- and mid-game to revenge kill threats such as Choice Scarf Latios, Victini, and Nihilego. Scolipede should only try to set up and sweep once its checks, such as Mandibuzz and Ferrothorn, are weakened. Scolipede's large movepool makes it extremely important in matchups against Flying, Poison, Steel, and Fire teams. Due to this, it should be played conservatively in these matchups. Scolipede shouldn't be sent on the field if entry hazards are up, so using Rapid Spin with a teammate beforehand is recommended. Avoid both burn and paralysis, as they greatly cripple Scolipede and make it much harder for it to clean. As a result, it shouldn't be switched into Pokemon that could cripple it with these ailments, such as Toxapex and Lanturn.
Team Options
========
Volcarona can deal with the vast majority of Scolipede's checks, such as Hippowdon, Staraptor, and most Steel-types, and appreciates Scolipede's ability to deal with its checks like Chansey. Galvantula and Araquanid are other good partners, as they provide Sticky Web support, which allows Scolipede to outspeed threats like Mew without needing a Speed boost. Galvantula can also deal with some of Scolipede's checks, such as Staraptor, while Araquanid is able to check troublesome Fire-types and can trap and beat some of Scolipede's other checks, such as Celesteela and physically defensive Toxapex. In return, Scolipede deals with some of Galvantula's checks, like Lanturn. Choice Band Scizor, Mega Scizor, Choice Scarf Heracross, and Mega Pinsir can wear down shared checks with Scolipede, such as Gliscor, Celesteela, Hippowdon, Staraptor, and Porygon2. Due to its susceptibility to most entry hazards, Armaldo and Forretress are amazing partners. Not only can they remove entry hazards, but they can also set Stealth Rock or Spikes in the case of the latter, allowing Scolipede to clean more easily late-game. Armaldo is a better check to Flying-types like Mega Charizard Y and provides some utility with Knock Off, which allows Scolipede to get past walls like Toxapex more easily. Forretress checks Rock-types such as Terrakion and can safely bring Scolipede on the field with Volt Switch. It can also set Reflect and Light Screen, making up for Scolipede's poor bulk.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bug
--------
If running Swords Dance, Waterium Z coupled with Aqua Tail is an option over Rock Slide, as it allows Scolipede to hit Ground-types such as Gliscor, Hippowdon, and Landorus and other threats such as Celesteela harder. However, it misses out on Pokemon like Mega Charizard Y when unboosted, Zapdos, and Staraptor. Scolipede's access to Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Endeavor makes it a capable suicide lead, but it suffers from competition from both Armaldo and Forretress, which have access to Rapid Spin, better defensive typings, and greater utility in general. Poison Jab allows Scolipede to get past Fairy-types such as Azumarill more easily and is a more reliable STAB move than Megahorn.
Checks and Counters
===================
Bug
--------
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Celesteela, Ferrothorn, and Mega Scizor can comfortably tank any of Scolipede's attacks and 2HKO it. Moreover, Ferrothorn can set up Spikes on Scolipede, and Swords Dance Mega Scizor can also use it as setup fodder. If it still has its Air Balloon, Heatran is also a massive issue, as it can easily OHKO Scolipede with Magma Storm.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Walls like Gliscor, Hippowdon, Celesteela, and Quagsire can completely shut Scolipede down, the last even having Unaware. Scolipede also struggles to beat threats such as Porygon2 and Staraptor, although they can struggle against a boosted Scolipede.
**Residual Damage**: Entry hazards combined with Life Orb chip away at Scolipede quite a bit and immensely hinder its ability to set up and sweep.
**Priority Moves**: Priority moves, such as Scizor's Bullet Punch, Mega Pinsir's Quick Attack, Lucario's Extreme Speed, and Azumarill's Aqua Jet, can pick off a weakened Scolipede and stop it from sweeping.
**Status**: Burn makes Scolipede walled more easily, and paralysis makes it susceptible to threats such as Victini and Latios.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[gum, 434150]]
- Bug analysis by: [[gum, 434150]]
- Quality checked by: [[maroon, 305839], [Havens, 391540], [Decem, 362454]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Empress, 175616], [deetah, 297659]]
Bug
========
Scolipede's ability in Speed Boost and access to Swords Dance make it a dangerous sweeper with great matchups against Poison, Fire, and Psychic teams. This is further bolstered by its decent movepool, particularly its access to Earthquake and Rock Slide, allowing it to take on huge threats for Bug teams such as Heatran, Mega Charizard Y, and Toxapex. Its high Speed allows it to outspeed common threats like Latios and Mega Diancie. However, Scolipede misses out on a lot of important KOs and needs its checks and counters severely weakened to sweep, although Swords Dance can remediate this problem. Its coverage has limited range, as it can't hit common Pokemon such as Celesteela, Gliscor, and Porygon2 too hard. Scolipede also has mediocre bulk and is susceptible to all entry hazards bar Toxic Spikes, which means it can only come in via aggressive double switches or after a Pokemon has fainted. This also leaves it easily revenge killed by priority moves users like Mega Pinsir, Azumarill, and Scizor. Lastly, it suffers from competition from other, more reliable setup sweepers like Mega Scizor and Mega Pinsir. However, unlike them, Scolipede doesn't waste a Mega slot.
[SET]
name: Sweeper (Bug)
move 1: Megahorn
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Protect / Swords Dance
item: Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Megahorn is Scolipede's main STAB attack and allows it to threaten walls such as Swampert and Mega Venusaur. It also targets Psychic-types such as Latios and Mew, which could otherwise deal with Scolipede. Earthquake hits Poison-, Steel-, Fire-, and Rock-types such as Toxapex, Excadrill, Heatran, and Nihilego. Rock Slide hits troublesome Flying-types like Zapdos, Mega Charizard Y, and Mantine. Protect allows Scolipede to safely gain a Speed boost and revenge kill threats such as Choice Scarf Latios. Alternatively, Swords Dance allows Scolipede to muscle through its checks such as Porygon2 and Toxapex more easily.
Set Details
========
The given EV investment allows Scolipede to hit as hard as possible and outspeed threats such as Kyurem-B and Excadrill. Life Orb gives Scolipede's moves an extremely important boost in power, allowing it to check threats such as Mega Charizard X and Victini more easily. Speed Boost increases Scolipede's Speed every turn, making it a potent cleaner and revenge killer. A Jolly nature allows Scolipede to outspeed threats like Latios, Victini, and Nihilego. Adamant can also be used, as it lets Scolipede hit harder, notably allowing it to 2HKO threats such as Mandibuzz, Staraptor, and Victini after Stealth Rock damage, as well as Swampert, at the cost of being slower.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Scolipede's poor bulk, it should never be brought it in directly; only bring it in after a Pokemon faints, with an aggressive double switch, or through pivoting moves such as U-turn and Volt Switch. It should set up with Swords Dance when it forces out the foe with its offensive presence. While its primary use is to sweep, it can make use of its ability early- and mid-game to revenge kill threats such as Choice Scarf Latios, Victini, and Nihilego. Scolipede should only try to set up and sweep once its checks, such as Mandibuzz and Ferrothorn, are weakened. Scolipede's large movepool makes it extremely important in matchups against Flying, Poison, Steel, and Fire teams. Due to this, it should be played conservatively in these matchups. Scolipede shouldn't be sent on the field if entry hazards are up, so using Rapid Spin with a teammate beforehand is recommended. Avoid both burn and paralysis, as they greatly cripple Scolipede and make it much harder for it to clean. As a result, it shouldn't be switched into Pokemon that could cripple it with these ailments, such as Toxapex and Lanturn.
Team Options
========
Volcarona can deal with the vast majority of Scolipede's checks, such as Hippowdon, Staraptor, and most Steel-types, and appreciates Scolipede's ability to deal with its checks like Chansey. Galvantula and Araquanid are other good partners, as they provide Sticky Web support, which allows Scolipede to outspeed threats like Mew without needing a Speed boost. Galvantula can also deal with some of Scolipede's checks, such as Staraptor, while Araquanid is able to check troublesome Fire-types and can trap and beat some of Scolipede's other checks, such as Celesteela and physically defensive Toxapex. In return, Scolipede deals with some of Galvantula's checks, like Lanturn. Choice Band Scizor, Mega Scizor, Choice Scarf Heracross, and Mega Pinsir can wear down shared checks with Scolipede, such as Gliscor, Celesteela, Hippowdon, Staraptor, and Porygon2. Due to its susceptibility to most entry hazards, Armaldo and Forretress are amazing partners. Not only can they remove entry hazards, but they can also set Stealth Rock or Spikes in the case of the latter, allowing Scolipede to clean more easily late-game. Armaldo is a better check to Flying-types like Mega Charizard Y and provides some utility with Knock Off, which allows Scolipede to get past walls like Toxapex more easily. Forretress checks Rock-types such as Terrakion and can safely bring Scolipede on the field with Volt Switch. It can also set Reflect and Light Screen, making up for Scolipede's poor bulk.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bug
--------
If running Swords Dance, Waterium Z coupled with Aqua Tail is an option over Rock Slide, as it allows Scolipede to hit Ground-types such as Gliscor, Hippowdon, and Landorus and other threats such as Celesteela harder. However, it misses out on Pokemon like Mega Charizard Y when unboosted, Zapdos, and Staraptor. Scolipede's access to Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Endeavor makes it a capable suicide lead, but it suffers from competition from both Armaldo and Forretress, which have access to Rapid Spin, better defensive typings, and greater utility in general. Poison Jab allows Scolipede to get past Fairy-types such as Azumarill more easily and is a more reliable STAB move than Megahorn.
Checks and Counters
===================
Bug
--------
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Celesteela, Ferrothorn, and Mega Scizor can comfortably tank any of Scolipede's attacks and 2HKO it. Moreover, Ferrothorn can set up Spikes on Scolipede, and Swords Dance Mega Scizor can also use it as setup fodder. If it still has its Air Balloon, Heatran is also a massive issue, as it can easily OHKO Scolipede with Magma Storm.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Walls like Gliscor, Hippowdon, Celesteela, and Quagsire can completely shut Scolipede down, the last even having Unaware. Scolipede also struggles to beat threats such as Porygon2 and Staraptor, although they can struggle against a boosted Scolipede.
**Residual Damage**: Entry hazards combined with Life Orb chip away at Scolipede quite a bit and immensely hinder its ability to set up and sweep.
**Priority Moves**: Priority moves, such as Scizor's Bullet Punch, Mega Pinsir's Quick Attack, Lucario's Extreme Speed, and Azumarill's Aqua Jet, can pick off a weakened Scolipede and stop it from sweeping.
**Status**: Burn makes Scolipede walled more easily, and paralysis makes it susceptible to threats such as Victini and Latios.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[gum, 434150]]
- Bug analysis by: [[gum, 434150]]
- Quality checked by: [[maroon, 305839], [Havens, 391540], [Decem, 362454]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Empress, 175616], [deetah, 297659]]
Last edited:
