[OVERVIEW]
Scyther has a potent combination of great offensive presence and substantial defensive utility with usable bulk and access to Roost. Its Bug / Flying typing lets it heavily pressure relevant threats like Mesprit, Gurdurr, and Lilligant as well as take on powerful Fighting- and Grass-type attacks from Pokemon like Primeape and Alolan Exeggutor. Scyther is also quite flexible with items; it can run Eviolite to augment its bulk and function as a potent bulky setup sweeper, Choice Scarf to act as a great revenge killer that can punish premier weather threats like Ludicolo, Alolan Sandslash, and Victreebel, and Choice Band to function as a powerful wallbreaker that is efficient at pressuring certain switch-ins like Togedemaru and Oricorio-E. Scyther's great Speed and excellent offensive presence make it a top-notch way to generate momentum for offensive teams with its strong and quick U-turn. However, despite Scyther's strong typing, it is plagued by a severe Stealth Rock weakness that limits its ability in play, although bulky Swords Dance sets with Roost can slightly mitigate this. This same 4x weakness causes it to have difficulty dealing with the prominent Rock-types in the tier, including Regirock, Aggron, and Lycanroc. It also renders Scyther inconsistent in checking many of those same Fighting-type Pokemon it regularly pressures, as well as other Pokemon like Lilligant that can run Rock-type coverage to threaten it. Scyther's other weaknesses include Ice and Electric, leaving it vulnerable to faster Pokemon like Froslass and Choice Scarf Togedemaru. Despite its offensive prowess, Scyther's inability to blast through Pokemon in the way that Aggron and Aurorus can often leaves it reliant on support to deal with physical walls like the aforementioned Regirock, Sableye, Pyukumuku, and Weezing. Regardless, Scyther's offensive and defensive capabilities combined with its good item flexibility give it all the tools it needs to be a potent team player in the PU metagame.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Roost
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Aerial Ace
item: Eviolite
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance gradually increases Scyther's threat level by boosting its Attack two stages, allowing it to use its bulk to take advantage of and break through bulky Pokemon such as Tangela, Gurdurr, and Clefairy. Roost lets Scyther stay healthy throughout the match, which allows it to mitigate its Stealth Rock weakness and liberally check Pokemon such as Gurdurr and Lurantis. Roost temporarily removing Scyther's Flying typing also helps it safely recover against coverage options from Pokemon like Hitmonchan. U-turn applies great offensive pressure while allowing Scyther to pivot out of and weaken checks such as Regirock, Weezing, and Mudsdale so that it can sweep more easily late-game. Aerial Ace is Scyther'sstrongest cleaning tool with the best neutral coverage. Its coverage is also great for threatening Hitmonchan, Gurdurr, and opposing Scyther. Brick Break can work for hitting Aggron and Alolan Sandslash if Scyther wants stronger coverage overall at the cost of sacrificing U-turn's utility.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature is crucial to make sure Scyther fast as possible, allowing it to threaten notable Pokemon such as Jynx and Lilligant before they can retaliate. 248 HP EVs let Scyther maximize its health to give it as much mixed bulk as possible while also ensuring that it can switch into Stealth Rock at least twice. Eviolite further bolsters Scyther's defenses, allowing it to pivot into Pokemon like Hitmonchan and Mesprit more comfortably and set up or heal against them. Technician boosts the Base Power of Scyther's main attacking move, Aerial Ace, to a high 90.
Usage Tips
========
This set uses its bulk to switch into Pokemon that struggle to threaten it like Clefairy, Tangela, and defensive Mesprit and either sets up or pivots out appropriately. Scyther can act as a Fighting-type check that can pivot into and either heal up against or threaten Hitmonchan, Gurdurr, and Primeape, but it must be wary of coverage moves like Stone Edge that can often take it out with prediction. Otherwise, Scyther should dedicate its early- to mid-game presence to weakening checks like Regirock, Mudsdale and Togedemaru with U-turn and keeping up momentum for its team before attempting a sweep. Setting up Swords Dance does not have to be purely for sweeping, as weakening checks early-game can work if they aren't brought in initially, but this is often situational. It is also useful for breaking through bulky Pokemon such as Altaria. Scyther can use its Speed to pick off weakened Pokemon like Haunter, Kangaskhan, and Jynx. Scyther should avoid switching into Stealth Rock, as the 50% damage can often force situations where it must use Roost initially as opposed to setting up, which could cost momentum. Preserving Scyther's health with Roost is always key for always keeping it above the range of Stealth Rock damage and staying healthy. This also gives it longevity for checking Grass- and Fighting-type Pokemon, sheds its Flying typing to scout for moves like Lanturn's Volt Switch and Hitmonchan's Thunder Punch, dodges Sucker Punch from users like Absol, and takes advantage of Pokemon that can't do any significant damage such as Lurantis and Skuntank. Scyther should avoid status ailments whenever possible, and thus it must be wary when being used to take advantage of Pokemon like Poliwrath and Gourgeist-XL, as they often have options for crippling it in a way that severely hinders its effectiveness throughout the match.
Team Options
========
Swords Dance Scyther operates well on offensive and balanced teams that appreciate its ability to not only check threats but also function as a proactive pivot and late-game sweeper. Defoggers such as Silvally-Water and -Dragon can pressure Scyther's defensive checks like Regirock, defensive Carracosta, and Mudsdale and appreciate Scyther's ability to take advantage of Pokemon like Lurantis, Hitmonchan, and Clefairy. They also offer Parting Shot for momentum and ease in setting up. Rapid Spin support, while not as optimal as Defog, can be used instead to preserve any entry hazards set by Scyther's team. Hitmonchan and Choice Scarf Kabutops have good synergy with Scyther, threatening Pokemon such as Regirock and Aggron. Scyther can form strong pivoting cores with a lot of Pokemon, ideally Pokemon such as Lanturn and Eelektross that add pressure to Pokemon like Qwilfish, Regirock, and Mudsdale. Lanturn also baits in Grass-types, while Eelektross invites in Hitmonchan for Scyther to pressure. Fighting-types like Gurdurr and Hitmonchan are good at pressuring Rock- and Steel-types like Aggron, Lycanroc, and Togedemaru, while Primeape forms a pivoting core and can capitalize on Qwilfish's Intimidate. Wallbreakers like Aggron and Aurorus can punish the defensive teams that Scyther needs support to break through while appreciating Scyther bringing them in safely with U-turn. Power-Up Punch Kangaskhan with Fightinium Z is a notable option for luring Regirock. Hazard support, while difficult to accommodate for while also keeping hazards off your side of the field, can be helpful in taking advantage of the switches that Scyther can force early- to mid-game. Froslass and Qwilfish can apply pressure to defensive teams with Taunt to force switches and have access to Spikes to rack up chip damage.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Aerial Ace
move 3: Brick Break
move 4: Knock Off / Bug Bite / Toxic
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
U-turn is Scyther's primary Bug-type STAB attack and fast pivoting option that works well in forcing out Pokemon like Lilligant and Jynx. Aerial Ace is Scyther's strongest and most reliable Flying-type STAB move with great neutral coverage that allows it to clean efficiently, and it deals solid damage to opposing Scyther and Fighting-types like Hitmonchan. Brick Break lets Scyther revenge kill Alolan Sandslash under hail thanks to Choice Scarf and is otherwise great for hitting Togedemaru and non-Chople Berry Aggron and Probopass. It can also also OHKO Aurorus and hit Omastar harder. Knock Off can cripple defensive switch-ins like Altaria by removing their items. Bug Bite is a strong STAB move that doesn't force Scyther out and can 2HKO defensive Mesprit and Assault Vest Lanturn. Toxic can cripple predicted defensive switch-ins like Regirock, Sableye, Pyukumuku, and Mudsdale, which all typically mind being badly poisoned more than losing their item.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment with a Jolly nature and Choice Scarf lets Scyther outspeed nearly every other Choice Scarf user save other Scyther and Manectric. Scyther can also outspeed potent weather sweepers like Ludicolo, Alolan Sandslash, and Victreebel as well as other setup sweepers such as +1 Lilligant, +2 Omastar, and +1 Jynx. The remaining EVs go to Attack to maximize Scyther's offensive presence. Technician is integral in boosting the Base Power of Aerial Ace and Bug Bite.
Usage Tips
========
Scyther should mostly pivot with U-turn early-game to gain momentum, chip away at its switch-ins, and safely bring in teammates that can threaten them. Knock Off and Toxic can be good for crippling defensive checks early-game; one must be cautious about locking into Toxic, however, as it can be a major momentum drain if the opponent switches to Weezing, Qwilfish, or Aggron. Although Scyther can pivot into resisted hits from foes like Lilligant and Hitmonchan, it lacks the bulk required to take repeated or neutral hits, meaning that it should only do so if necessary. As a Choice Scarf user, Scyther outspeeds the vast majority of the metagame, including weather threats like Alolan Sandslash, Ludicolo, and Victreebel, and it can be dependable in revenge killing virtually any weakened offensive Pokemon. Be careful about using Aerial Ace and Bug Bite with healthy defensive checks on the field, as the loss in momentum can be disadvantageous. Once they're weakened or removed, Scyther will be able to use these moves more liberally to pressure the opposing team.
Team Options
========
Defog support is critical for keeping Scyther healthy, as it is often pivoting with U-turn. Lurantis is amazing at pressuring standard checks like Mudsdale, Sableye, and Regirock while threatening bulky teams with its Contrary-boosted attacks. Skuntank can pressure bulky Ghost-types and weaken offensive threats like Stoutland and Togedemaru with Sucker Punch and Aftermath for Scyther to pick them off later. Entry hazard support can pressure switch-ins more effectively, with Regirock appreciating Scyther presence for checking Grass- and Fighting-types like Lilligant and Hitmonchan. Qwilfish and Froslass can set Spikes and have the option of preventing opposing hazards and pressuring defensive Pokemonwith recovery like Pyukumuku thanks to Taunt. Pokemon such as Aurorus, Alolan Exeggutor, and Drampa are all extremely powerful special wallbreakers that can heavily damage physically bulky checks to Scyther and enjoy the momentum that Scyther gives to bring them in safely. Aggron is also relatively strong at wearing down Scyther's checks, especially considering how often mutual checks like Mudsdale are forced in to check it. Fighting-types such as Gurdurr, Hitmonchan, and Assault Vest Crabominable offer great synergy, as they can break through and defensively check Rock- and Steel-types like Aurorus, Lycanroc, Aggron, and Alolan Sandslash to varying levels. More sources of momentum for a strong pivoting core include Lanturn and Eelektross, both of which can pressure Qwilfish, defensive Carracosta, and Mudsdale. Primeape can threaten Rock- and Steel-types and is a Fighting-type that can break through Qwilfish thanks to Defiant.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: U-turn
move 2: Aerial Ace
move 3: Brick Break
move 4: Knock Off / Pursuit
item: Choice Band
ability: Technician
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scyther's Choice Band-boosted U-turn is a strong option for providing momentum for teammates and weakening checks and can force out Pokemon weak to Bug like Mesprit, Shiftry, and Bellossom. Aerial Ace is a secondary STAB attack with good neutral coverage that does not force Scyther out and heavily punishes Fighting-, Bug-, and Grass-types like Poliwrath, Pinsir, and Lurantis. Brick Break rounds out Scyther's coverage, OHKOing Togedemaru, Probopass, and Aggron after Stealth Rock damage. Knock Off reduces the longevity of bulky Pokemon by removingtheir items, which is great for crippling switch-ins like Regirock, Mudsdale, and defensive Carracosta. Pursuit traps and heavily damages Ghost- and Psychic-types like Mesprit and Haunter and is adept at picking off a weakened bulky Oricorio-G.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment combined with Choice Band maximizes Scyther's immediate power, which works well with U-turn in chipping switch-ins. Speed investment is maximized to outspeed as many foes as possible and to Speed tie opposing Scyther and Manectric. Technician is the best option for powering up Aerial Ace and boosting the power of Pursuit when the foe stays in.
Usage Tips
========
Scyther should prioritize a hit-and-run strategy with powerful U-turns to weaken checks like Sableye and Qwilfish early- to mid-game. While Scyther shouldn't be too aggressive when switching into what it checks due to its lacking longevity, it is decent for pivoting into the resisted hits from offensive threats like Gurdurr, Bellossom, and Primeape. It can also pivot into defensive threats like Mesprit and Clefairy but must be wary of Thunder Wave. Scyther can and should make use of its high Speed to revenge kill threats like Swanna and Aurorus. Scyther can use Pursuit when predicting a switch and when the Pokemon is threatened by Scyther such as non-Choice Scarf Haunter and Jynx. Choice Band Scyther can be especially potent in situations where its set is not yet revealed. Given that Steel-types are common initial switch-ins to Scyther, predicting targets like Aggron and Alolan Sandslash to switch in and breaking through them with Brick Break can be great for enabling Scyther to wallbreak or sweep with Aerial Ace later. Do note, however, that the damage output of this set can reveal Scyther's set earlier than intended.
Team Options
========
Entry hazard removal support, preferably from Defoggers like Silvally-Water, Altaria, and Lurantis, is optimal to keep Scyther healthy once it comes in on the field. They all also have alternate ways of supporting Scyther: Silvally-Water and Lurantis heavily pressure bulky Rock-types and Mudsdale, Silvally-Water can pivot alongside Scyther with Parting Shot, and Lurantis can better break through physically defensive Pokemon with Contrary Leaf Storm. Altaria can absorb status ailments that Scyther likes to avoid thanks to Natural Cure and is great for wearing down opposing physically defensive Pokemon like Regirock and Mudsdale with Toxic. Spinners are an alternate form of hazard control, with a Pokemon like Kabutops being a good option, as it can also pressure Rock- and Steel-types. Volt Switch and U-turn users that offer good synergy and are good at pressuring Scyther's defensive checks work solidly, with Lanturn and Eelektross being prime candidates for pressuring the likes of Weezing and Regirock. Fighting-types like Hitmonchan, Gurdurr, and Primeape can break through the defensive Rock- and Steel-types that Scyther can struggle against, and they all work for checking offensive checks like Kabutops and Lycanroc. Hitmonchan can also act as a secondary form of hazard control, Gurdurr can function as a bulky sweeper that absorbs status and is the best defensive switch-in to these Rock-types, and Primeape can form a solid offensive pivoting core with Scyther. Late-game cleaners that appreciate Choice Band Scyther's large damage output include Lilligant, Lycanroc, and Combusken, as Scyther is great for breaking through Pokemon like Clefairy, Hitmonchan, Gurdurr, and Qwilfish that can otherwise stop their sweep. Pokemon that can appreciate foes like Ghost-types and Jynx being trapped include the aforementioned Lilligant, as well as Pokemon like Mesprit and Oricorio-G. Secondary wallbreakers that can break through physically defensive checks better and appreciate gaining momentum like Aurorus, Haunter, and Drampa also pair well with Scyther.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Minor deviations of the Swords Dance set include a fully offensive spread with Eviolite, which comes at the cost of some bulk. Similarly, offensive Swords Dance sets with Buginium Z or Fightinium Z can potentially do a fair job of breaking through traditional defensive checks like Mudsdale, Carracosta, and Regirock, but such sets forgo a lot of Scyther's defensive utility and can't really fit Roost without sacrifice coverage, limiting their breaking potential. Technician-boosted Quick Attack offers Scyther a strong priority option for picking off faster threats like Floatzel and Choice Scarf Primeape, but these threats are already outsped by Choice Scarf sets, and Quick Attack offers less utility than moves like Knock Off otherwise. Tailwind is a niche utility move that Scyther can use to speed up its teammates for a few turns but is very situational and is otherwise outclassed by Scyther's other utility options.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Stealth Rock**: Scyther's 4x weakness to Rock means that it loses half of its HP when switching in with Stealth Rock on the field, greatly reducing its effectiveness and often putting it in a position where it would be forced to Roost to stay healthy.
**Rock-types**: Bulky Rock-types such as Regirock, Aggron, and Carracosta have little issues comfortably taking Scyther's attacks barring the occasional Brick Break in Aggron's case, and they all scare it out with the threat of an OHKO with their STAB moves. More offensive variants include Pokemon like Lycanroc and Choice Scarf Kabutops, both of which can usually take a hit and force Scyther out. Omastar is a particularly notable mention, as defensive sets can easily sponge Scyther's hits and offensive sets can easily use Scyther as setup fodder in a one-on-one scenario.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon** Scyther has serious issues breaking past Pokemon such as Sableye, Weezing, and defensive Mudsdale, as they can all comfortably take its boosted and unboosted hits and retaliate with the appropriate status or coverage option such as Will-O-Wisp, Toxic, or Rock Slide. Pyukumuku comfortably walls Scyther regardless of the set and ignores any Swords Dance boosts thanks to Unaware while being able to stall it out in return with Toxic.
**Steel-types**: Pokemon such as Alolan Sandslash and Probopass are resilient to any attack aside from Brick Break and can threaten Scyther with their respective STAB attacks. Choice Scarf Togedemaru can outspeed Scyther and use its Electric-type STAB attacks to directly threaten it, but it much be wary of Choice variants of Scyther, as Choice Scarf sets can outspeed and threaten it with Brick Break. Togedemaru also does not switch in well against Choice Band Scyther, being potentially 2HKOed by U-turn with entry hazards up and OHKOed by Brick Break.
**Faster Pokemon**: Scyther is prone to being threatened by many offensive Pokemon such as Froslass and Alolan Raichu, all of which are naturally faster and can hit Scyther super effectively with their STAB options. Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Aurorus and Manectric are similarly problematic in that regard.
**Status**: Toxic puts Swords Dance Scyther on a timer, which limits its ability to stick around to set up in situations where it can remain on the field. Thunder Wave from Mesprit and Clefairy, two Pokemon that Scyther is good at taking advantage of, heavily cripples Scyther, as paralysis makes it much more susceptible to getting revenge killed. Burns also heavily cripple Scyther for obvious reasons, and Scyther must be wary of Pokemon like Poliwrath and Gourgeist-XL that it otherwise capitalizes on because of Scald and Will-O-Wisp. Neither Pokemon wants to directly switch into Scyther, though, as they are weak to Aerial Ace.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[jklioe, 424692]]
- Quality checked by: [[Darkinium, 448296], [allstarapology, 400292], [TONE, 213583]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [A Cake Wearing A Hat, 388157]]
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