canno
formerly The Reptile
QC Checks [3/3]
baconbagon / Scyther NO Swiping / The Reptile
GP Checks [2/2]
fleurdyleurse / Walrein and Snobalt
baconbagon / Scyther NO Swiping / The Reptile
GP Checks [2/2]
fleurdyleurse / Walrein and Snobalt
FELIZ NAVIDAD
[OVERVIEW]
Mega Sceptile can be extremely problematic for offensive teams due to its blisteringly high Speed and decent Special Attack. Mega Sceptile is the fastest Dragon-type, such as Garchomp, Latios, and Mega Charizard X, with Dragon Pulse. It also has a powerful STAB move in Seed Flare, which allows it to revenge kill fast threats such as Mega Manectric; Seed Flare in combination with Mega Sceptile's typing also allows it to easily deal with Water-types such as Rotom-W, Keldeo, and Slowbro. Another advantage its Grass typing brings is an immunity to Spore, which Mega Sceptile is also one the fastest users of. Furthermore, Lightning Rod also gives it an immunity to moves like Thundurus's Thunder Wave and Rotom-W's Volt Switch. However, due to its frailty, it is easily picked off by Choice Scarf users and priority moves, such as the common combination of Fake Out and Extreme Speed. This is compounded by its relatively bad defensive typing, which notably leaves it 4x weak to Ice Shard. It also doesn't have a very potent offensive typing and its strongest STAB move is widely resisted; thus, it often finds itself strained for coverage. Mega Sceptile also struggles against stall teams, as they tend to carry specific walls that Mega Sceptile cannot deal with easily.
[SET]
name: All-Out Attacker
move 1: Spore
move 2: Seed Flare
move 3: Dragon Pulse
move 4: Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fire
item: Sceptilite
ability: Overgrow
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Spore allows Mega Sceptile to put fast offensive Pokemon, such as Latios, Thundurus, Raikou, and Alakazam, to sleep. Seed Flare lets Mega Sceptile heavily damage its foes, especially Water-types such as Quagsire and Rotom-W. It also has a very high chance to drop the foe's Special Defense by two stages, allowing it to break through walls it would otherwise struggle against. Dragon Pulse allows Mega Sceptile to revenge kill Dragon-types such as Latios and Garchomp. It is also more reliable than Seed Flare in terms of accuracy and PP. Focus Blast grants Mega Sceptile the best possible coverage alongside its STAB combination, as it hits almost all Steel-types at least neutrally. However, if certain Steel-types that are not hit hard by Focus Blast, such as Scizor and Skarmory, are an issue, and if Heatran is not much of a problem, Hidden Power Fire can be used instead.
Set Details
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A Timid nature is recommended, as Mega Sceptile would otherwise miss out on outspeeding fast threats such as Aerodactyl and Mega Manectric, which can heavily damage Mega Sceptile with Dragon Ascent and Hidden Power Ice, respectively. Maximum Speed and Special Attack investment is used to be as fast and powerful as possible. Lightning Rod allows Mega Sceptile to absorb Electric-type moves such as Thunder Wave and Volt Switch from the likes of Rotom-W.
Usage Tips
========
It is important to Mega Evolve as soon as possible, though that is easy to do thanks to Sceptile's high Speed. The extra power is appreciated, while the extra Speed is needed to revenge kill faster Pokemon, such as Aerodactyl and Mega Manectric. Lightning Rod is also important to check Electric-types and gain immunity to Thunder Wave. Mega Sceptile should be used both to revenge kill and to put key threats to sleep. While it might seem appealing at first, Spore should not be used early in the match, but rather on Mega Sceptile's counters or a fast Pokemon that threatens the rest of the team. You can also pivot Mega Sceptile into Water-types such as Rotom-W thanks to its 4x resistance to Water and blow them back with a Grass-type STAB move. However, Mega Sceptile should be wary about Ice Beam which will OHKO it. Mega Sceptile's typing lets it pivot into Electric-type Pokemon such as Raikou and force them out with its superior speed; however, Mega Sceptile must be careful about Hidden Power Ice or powerful secondary STAB moves. Mega Sceptile can pivot into Spore from the likes of Tangrowth and certain Ferrothorn sets, although it is not advised to stay in unless they take a decent amount from Dragon Pulse, as they can threaten Mega Sceptile out with their secondary STAB moves. Be careful when using Seed Flare, as it has a low 8 PP despite being easy to spam.
Team Options
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Pokemon that can handle Fairy-types, such as Dragalge and Gengar, make for good teammates, as Mega Sceptile is weak to Fairy-type attacks, while Fairy-types are not hit hard by its moves due to their generally high Special Defense. Pokemon that can remove Grass-types, such as Talonflame, Heatran, Rotom-H, and Gyarados, are great teammates to Mega Sceptile, as Grass-types can easily absorb Spore and force Mega Sceptile to use its weaker Dragon Pulse. Checks to Flying-types, such as Raikou and Rotom-H, are good teammates too, as Flying-types are generally able to survive Seed Flare and can retaliate with a super effective STAB move. Heatran can notably check Flying-types in addition to Grass-types. Talonflame is a good partner, as Mega Sceptile can deal with Pokemon that check it such as Rotom-W and Tyranitar. Any Pokemon that hates Rotom-W and other bulky Water-types such as Slowbro appreciate the presence of Mega Sceptile in general; examples of such Pokemon are Terrakion and Gyarados. Wallbreakers such as Hoopa-U and Choice Specs Dragalge can help Mega Sceptile clean up. Pokemon that appreciate the removal of bulky Ground-types, such as Tyranitar and Excadrill, also make for fine teammates. Entry hazard setters such as Heatran and Jirachi are also useful, as they wear down foes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Mega Sceptile can use Energy Ball or Giga Drain alongside or over Seed Flare and Focus Blast for more reliable Grass-type STAB moves that also preserve Seed Flare's PP, but Mega Sceptile's coverage or power will be compromised. Earthquake with a Naive nature is a fine option that can deal with Steel-types if Heatran is particularly problematic or if hitting specially defensive Jirachi a bit harder is wanted. However, outside of its niche targets, Earthquake is generally inferior to Focus Blast and Hidden Power Fire as a coverage move. Substitute is a powerful tool on Mega Sceptile, as it provides protection from priority and can generate free turns by forcing Water-types out or by simply putting something to sleep. However, it will have to give up either the utility of Spore or coverage, and Mega Sceptile already struggles with its limited movepool. A Swords Dance set can be used, as Mega Sceptile has access to Power Whip, which provides a strong physical STAB move, and Spore, which eases setup; it also possesses a usable base 110 Attack and a good physical movepool. However, other Dragon-type sweepers such as Mega Charizard X, Garchomp, and Haxorus outclass it in that area.
Checks and Counters
========
**Flying-types**: Bulky Flying-types are a problem for Mega Sceptile, as they can usually survive Seed Flare and heavily damage it with a STAB move in return. Togekiss is particularly troublesome for it, as Mega Sceptile usually runs nothing in the way of coverage against it and can potentially allow it to set up. Mandibuzz, while not as common, takes all of Mega Sceptile's moves. To make matters worse, Mandibuzz has Overcoat, meaning that Spore is completely useless against it. Other Flying-types, such as Assault Vest Thundurus-T and Talonflame, also cause problems for Mega Sceptile, although they do not appreciate Spore.
**Revenge Killers**: Priority moves such as Fake Out + Extreme Speed, Talonflame's Brave Bird, and Ice Shard from Kyurem-B and Weavile give Mega Sceptile problems due to its low bulk. Choice Scarf users that can outspeed Mega Sceptile, such as Thundurus-T and Terrakion, are also problematic.
**Bulky Steel-types**: As long as Mega Sceptile does not have a coverage move to hit them, bulky Steel-types are an issue. For example, Mega Scizor walls Mega Sceptile without Hidden Power Fire. Some Steel-types are not bothered by Mega Sceptile's coverage moves; such Pokemon include Klefki and Jirachi, which both can easily survive a Hidden Power Fire.
**Bulky Grass-types**: While not that common, bulky Grass-types are an issue for Mega Sceptile, as they are immune to Spore. This problem is exacerbated if Mega Sceptile lacks Hidden Power Fire or other means to hit them. Pokemon like Assault Vest Tangrowth, Mega Venusaur, Amoonguss, and Ferrothorn are examples of these.
**Special Walls**: Special walls such as Chansey, Clefable, and Porygon2 can easily take all of Mega Sceptile's moves, especially if it has already put something to sleep with Spore. Assault Vest users such as Meloetta and Thundurus-T cause the same problems for Mega Sceptile, being able to survive any hit Mega Sceptile can dish out and deal massive damage in return.
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