This is part of a project to get rid of the poor quality, misinformation-ridden RBY analyses from over a decade ago. These works are low-priority and should be treated as such.
[OVERVIEW]
Scyther has a few traits that may make it appear desirable in the RBY UU metagame. Most notably, it boasts a base Speed greater than 100 and has access to intimidating options like Slash and Swords Dance. Unfortunately, Scyther’s few positive traits are heavily outweighed by its flaws. Scyther has very little bulk, a typing that is very easy to exploit, and essentially no coverage moves to work with. It is almost entirely outclassed by Persian; Persian has a stronger Slash thanks to STAB, an even greater Speed, and an array of coverage moves that make it much harder to check. Other Pokemon, such as Dodrio, Kangaskhan, and even Pinsir, also give Scyther pretty stiff competition and are virtually always preferred as wallbreakers, revenge killers, or sweepers. Scyther is generally not recommended in the RBY UU metagame.
[SET]
name: Setup Sweeper
move 1: Slash
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Hyper Beam
move 4: Agility / Double-Edge / Toxic
[SET COMMENTS]
Access to Slash is Scyther’s most desirable trait. The move virtually always lands a critical hit, allowing it to deal consistent damage even against foes that may have raised their Defense with a move like Reflect, Barrier, or Acid Armor. Scyther is the fastest Pokemon with access to Swords Dance, which ostensibly makes it a more threatening attacker. Swords Dance strengthens Scyther’s Hyper Beam significantly, but it unfortunately does nothing to benefit Slash, and it is rather difficult to use due to Scyther’s low bulk and weakness to common attacking types including Ice, Electric, and Rock. Scyther lacks a good movepool, so the final move comes down mostly to preference. Agility allows Scyther to outpace every unboosted Pokemon in the metagame and ignore the Speed drop from paralysis. Double-Edge is another move that can be used to take advantage of Swords Dance, and, unlike Hyper Beam, it has near perfect accuracy and never risks a recharge turn. Finally, Toxic gives Scyther the ability to punish Dragonite seeking to set up with Agility and allows it to do something when facing its hard counters, namely Omastar, Golem, and Aerodactyl.
Scyther has a few other potential moves for the last slot. Wing Attack is another move that receives the Attack boost from Swords Dance and also grants Scyther the ability to deal damage to Haunter. However, its usefulness is severely limited due to its pitifully low Base Power. Substitute is mildly useful in some niche situations where Scyther can force a switch or doesn't want to predict.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Volk, 530877]]
- Quality checked by: [[phoopes, 96315], [Amaranth, 265630]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
[OVERVIEW]
Scyther has a few traits that may make it appear desirable in the RBY UU metagame. Most notably, it boasts a base Speed greater than 100 and has access to intimidating options like Slash and Swords Dance. Unfortunately, Scyther’s few positive traits are heavily outweighed by its flaws. Scyther has very little bulk, a typing that is very easy to exploit, and essentially no coverage moves to work with. It is almost entirely outclassed by Persian; Persian has a stronger Slash thanks to STAB, an even greater Speed, and an array of coverage moves that make it much harder to check. Other Pokemon, such as Dodrio, Kangaskhan, and even Pinsir, also give Scyther pretty stiff competition and are virtually always preferred as wallbreakers, revenge killers, or sweepers. Scyther is generally not recommended in the RBY UU metagame.
[SET]
name: Setup Sweeper
move 1: Slash
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Hyper Beam
move 4: Agility / Double-Edge / Toxic
[SET COMMENTS]
Access to Slash is Scyther’s most desirable trait. The move virtually always lands a critical hit, allowing it to deal consistent damage even against foes that may have raised their Defense with a move like Reflect, Barrier, or Acid Armor. Scyther is the fastest Pokemon with access to Swords Dance, which ostensibly makes it a more threatening attacker. Swords Dance strengthens Scyther’s Hyper Beam significantly, but it unfortunately does nothing to benefit Slash, and it is rather difficult to use due to Scyther’s low bulk and weakness to common attacking types including Ice, Electric, and Rock. Scyther lacks a good movepool, so the final move comes down mostly to preference. Agility allows Scyther to outpace every unboosted Pokemon in the metagame and ignore the Speed drop from paralysis. Double-Edge is another move that can be used to take advantage of Swords Dance, and, unlike Hyper Beam, it has near perfect accuracy and never risks a recharge turn. Finally, Toxic gives Scyther the ability to punish Dragonite seeking to set up with Agility and allows it to do something when facing its hard counters, namely Omastar, Golem, and Aerodactyl.
Scyther has a few other potential moves for the last slot. Wing Attack is another move that receives the Attack boost from Swords Dance and also grants Scyther the ability to deal damage to Haunter. However, its usefulness is severely limited due to its pitifully low Base Power. Substitute is mildly useful in some niche situations where Scyther can force a switch or doesn't want to predict.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Volk, 530877]]
- Quality checked by: [[phoopes, 96315], [Amaranth, 265630]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
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