[OVERVIEW]
* Scolipede's niche in OU is primarily due to its high base speed and access to Speed Boost
* Difficult to revenge kill and can get pasts common defensive cores with Hydro Vortex and Sword Dance
*Thanks to Speed Boost and its Bug/Poison typing Scolipede is the premier Speed Boost passer in the tier.
* Can set up on common Defensive Pokemon such as Tapu Fini or Tangrowth.
* Gets worn down easily between its Stealth Rock weakness and its medicore bulk.
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Megahorn
move 2: Poison Jab
move 3: Aqua Tail
move 4: Sword Dance
item: Waterium Z / Life Orb
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Megahorn is a staple since it provides a powerful STAB move with acceptable accuracy.
* Poison Jab is a more reliable, albeit less powerful STAB attack which also hits Fairies for super effective damage.
* Aqua Tail can deal with some Fire and Ground Types like Landorus and Heratran who resist Megahorn.
* With Waterium Z Aqua Tail turns into Hydro Vortex and flat out OHKOs most of the bulkier Bug/Posion resists at +1/+2.
* Sword Dance boosts Scolipedes attack and makes it much harder to wall.
Set Details
========
* 252 EVs in Attack are required for offensive sets since Scolipede needs every bit of power it can get.
* Jolly nature with maximum speed investment allows you to to outrun the likes of Latios and Terrakion even before Speed Boosts kicks in.
* Waterium Z is the Item of choice since it allows Scolipede to blow past Landorus-T, Gliscor, Magearna, Magnezone and other defensive mons at +2.
*Life Orb can be used if your team is already using a Z-move attacker, although it wears Scolipede down over time and does not archieve the same KOs as Hydro Vortex.
Usage Tips
========
* Very solid for cleaning weakened teams due its speed and reasonable attack. Safe Scolipede for the later stages of the game where it has a chance to actually clean.
* Aims set up on some defensive mons like Tapu Fini and Ferrothorn without Gyro Ball or Choice locked mons like Tapu Bulu or Tapu Lele
* Use Waterium Z to blast past defensive mons like Landorus-T,Magnezone,Heatran and AV Magearna who resist your STAB attacks.
* Can be used as lure to remove troublesome defensive Pokemons via Hydo Vortex who are otherwise unfazed by its presencse.
*Some defensive checks require prior damage before you can hammer them with Hydro Vortex.
* Can be used to check some dangerous attackers by the virtue of its typing. Notable examples are Serperior, Tapu Bulu and Pheromosa.
*Can tank most priority attacks once if neccesary, even Mega-Pinsirs Quick attack wont OHKO you at 100%.
Team Options
========
* Pokemon that can dent or remove the likes of Skarmory, Celesteela,Toxapex and Rotom are good teammates.
* Magnezone can remove Scizor, Celesteela and Skarmory via Magnet Pull, Dugdrio can eliminate Toxapex, Magnezone and Magearna.
* Stealth Rock and Spikes setters like Ferrothorn, Garchomp, Greninja and Excadrill are incredible useful to wear down the enemy team.
* Rapid Spinners and Defog uses are also appreciated to keep SR and Spikes off the field. Again Excadrill, Latios, Tapu Fini and Skarmory are good hazard removers
* Sweepers or Cleaners that enjoy Landorus-T, Heatran or AV Magearna gone will appreciate Scolipedes ability to hammer them with Hydro Vortex.
* Tapu Finis Misty Terrain protects Scolipede from any Status move,giving it an easier time to set up.
* Tapu Leles Psychic Terrain neuters strong priority users which would otherwise threaten a weakened Scolipede.
[SET]
name: SubPass
move 1: Baton Pass
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Protect
move 4: Megahorn / Poison Jab / Earthquake
item: Black Sludge
ability: Speed Boost
nature: Jolly
evs: 248 HP / 216 Def / 44 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Baton Pass is the move this set revolves around, you want to pass at least a +2 Speed Boost and ideally a Sub to a teammate.
* Protect allows you to stall turns for Speed Boosts and Black Sludge recovery.
* Substitute compliments Protect for turn stalling and can be given to your pass target if you use it on a switch.
* Megaghorn and Poison Jab can be used to revenge kill certain threaths and just give you some offensive presence.
* Earthquake can suprise some checks that resist Bug and Poison, mainly Heatran and Magnezone
Set Details
========
* Black Sludges passive recovery gives your more longevity and allows you to come in or use Substitute more often.
* Jolly nature with 44 Spe EVs outspeeds max Speed Pheromosa after one Speed Boost.
* Alternatively, 28 Spe EVs are enough to outspeed Mega Alakazam after one Speed Boost if you think that outspeeding Pheromosa is not very important.
* Remaining EVs are pumped into HP an Defense to bolster its better physical bulk and make it more resilent to priority.
Usage Tips
========
* Use Scolipede as a Lead to start a Baton Pass chain right away.
* This set can also use its typing and decent bulk to switch into resisted hits.
* Once Scolipede is switched in stall for at least +2 Speed boost via Substitute and Protect.
* Use Baton Pass to switch into a teammate that handles the opposing Pokemon well and has the best chances to sweep.
* Can revenge kill weakened sweepers or nail some of its usual switch-ins depending on your attacking move.
Team Options
========
* Multiple bulky or powerful attackers are advised since this set is designed to allow them to sweep. Mega Metagross, Kryuem-B,Manaphy,Thundurus-T ,Mega Garchomp and Hoopa-U are good choices.
*Pokemon that can create setup opportunities via Encore or Memento are welcome. Whimsicott is a great example here since it has access to Prankster and both Encore and Memento.
* Your recipients should complement each others typing so you have an easier time passing your speed boosts.
* Espeon is also helpful since it deals with Phazers and Haze user very well via Magic Bounce and can continue the BP chain.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* If you opt for Life Orb on the offensive set Earthquake can be used over Aqua Tail to deal with Magnezone,Toxapex and Magearna.
* Protect can also be used over Sword Dance on the Life Orb variants which gives you the ability to safely accumulate Speed Boost and allows Scolipede to revenge kill the majority of Scarfers.
* A Sash Lead with Spikes,Toxic Spikes,Endeavor and Megahorn could do well for a suicide set, using its blistering speed to get multiple layers of hazard of and cripples the enemy lead with Endeavor after is has been brought down to 1 HP. However, with the presence of Magic Bounce users and Defog it can be a wasted teamslot in some cases.
*Sword Dance cannot be used on Baton Pass sets since other stat boosting moves are not allowed on with Baton Pass.
Checks and Counters
===================
* **Physically Defensive Pokemon**: The likes of Skarmory, Toxapex and Ferrothorn with Gyro Ball have no trouble switching into Scolipedes STAB moves and can cripple it in return. They also live a +2 Hydro Vortex in a worst case scenario. Celesteela can also use Protect to exploit the one-time use nature of Hydro Vortex. If Scolipede uses its Z-move prematurely against another target, Ground types like Landours-T,Gliscor and Hippowdon will also be able to deal with it.
* **Priority Users**: Mega Pinsir can OHKO Scolipede with Quick Attack after one round of Stealth Rock, but i does not want to switch in. Mega Scizor can Ash-Greninja can also pick up a weakened Scolipede.
* **Status**: Burn and Sleep will practically neuter the Offensive set and Paralysis will also cripple it to some extend. Note that Scolipede can still set up on passive mons after a burn and paralysis effect on speed is somewhat less effective thanks to Speed Boost.
* **Phazers**: Skarmory, Hippowdon and Suicune are more than capable to take hits from the BP set and can neuter the chain thanks to their access to Whirlwind or Roar. Also Haze users like Toxapex and Mantine can reset any stat boosts accumulated.
* **Taunt users**: Thundurus and Sableye can taunt the BP set thanks to their priority on status moves and prevent it from doing anything.
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