[OVERVIEW]
Scizor cements itself as one of BDSP OU's most important Pokemon thanks to its solid stats and defensively useful typing, letting it fit on many teams with ease. It is by far the most common check to offensive threats such as Latias, Weavile, and Alakazam. It can act as a defensive pivot thanks to a slow U-turn, helping position its teammates that would have issues hitting the field, and with a Technician-boosted Bullet Punch, it can revenge kill weakened foes. Swords Dance gives Scizor's defensive sets a stronger late-game presence and turns offensive sets into unparalleled threats. However, Scizor's 4x weakness to Fire makes it extremely vulnerable to metagame staples such as Heatran and Infernape as well as leaving it prone to Fire-type coverage from the likes of Garchomp, Mew, and Togekiss. Scizor is also deathly afraid of Magnezone, which can trap it with Magnet Pull and cleanly 2HKO it with Thunderbolt.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Bullet Punch
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Roost
move 4: Swords Dance
item: Leftovers
ability: Technician
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 132 Def / 128 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Defensive Scizor is a great choice on bulky offense and balance teams, which appreciate the defensive utility it brings to the table as well as the role compression it offers as an excellent slow, defensive pivot and wincon in one slot. Technician-boosted Bullet Punch is a great tool for revenge killing purposes, which also helps Scizor compensate for its low Speed. Swords Dance lets Scizor serve as a solid sweeper, with its boosted Bullet Punch being difficult to stop late-game. Swords Dance is also helpful for letting Scizor break past foes it would otherwise struggle to do meaningful damage to one-on-one such as Gliscor and opposing Scizor. The given EV spread ensures Scizor survives two Throat Chops from Choice Band Weavile from full health while also guaranteeing it can withstand two Surfs from Choice Specs Latias after Stealth Rock damage. A Relaxed nature can be considered instead of an Impish nature alongside lowered Speed IVs in order to underspeed opposing Scizor and retain the momentum advantage in mirror matches. Scizor would still want to be faster than Tangrowth though, as it would allow Scizor to pivot out with U-turn before it could be hit with Knock Off or Sleep Powder, which puts Scizor's ability to act as a wincon in jeopardy.
Team Options
========
Water-type Pokemon such as Rotom-W, Starmie, and Crawdaunt make for excellent partners, as they are able to threaten Fire-types such as Heatran and Infernape, which Scizor often tends to invite in. Ground-types such as Garchomp and Gliscor also serve as good partners to Scizor for similar reasons while also being able to provide entry hazard support, either by setting them up or in the case of the latter, removing them with Defog. Other pivots such as the aforementioned Rotom-W and Gliscor as well as the likes of Infernape and Celebi make for good partners, as they are able to rack up tons of damage against opponents in a VoltTurn chain in conjunction with hazards. Pokemon that can threaten Unaware Clefable are also appreciated, as Scizor can have difficulty breaking past it one-on-one when not running any Attack investment. Heatran and Roserade are two prime examples of such Pokemon, as they are both able to threaten Clefable directly with their STAB moves as well as reliably lay down hazards that help wear it down. Roserade can also help wear down bulky Water-types that would otherwise annoy Scizor. Frail offensive teammates such as Weavile and offensive Starmie also appreciate Scizor's slow pivoting capabilities, seeing as they would otherwise struggle to hit the field consistently.
[SET]
name: Offensive Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Bullet Punch
move 3: Brick Break
move 4: Quick Attack / X-Scissor
item: Life Orb
ability: Technician
nature: Adamant
evs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Offensive Scizor is a solid choice for hyper offensive teams that want to make use of its typing and plethora of powerful priority moves to pummel opposing teams into a paste after a Swords Dance boost. Bullet Punch is Scizor's main move, being able to OHKO even the likes of Garchomp after a boost and a bit of entry hazard chip damage. Brick Break is useful coverage in order to hit Steel-types such as Heatran, Magnezone, Skarmory, and opposing Scizor, with it being able to OHKO the former two and 2HKO defensive Scizor after a boost. Quick Attack is another Technician-boosted priority move that targets faster Steel-resistant threats such as Infernape and offensive Starmie, OHKOing them at +2 after Stealth Rock damage. X-Scissor can be considered over Quick Attack in order to help Scizor break past slower, bulkier Pokemon that would otherwise be able to withstand its other moves such as Milotic, defensive Rotom-W, and Tangrowth. The listed EV spread maximizes Scizor's Attack while also ensuring it outspeeds Modest Magnezone; 32 HP EVs boost Scizor's bulk a little bit while also minimizing recoil damage from Life Orb, with the last remaining EVs dumped into its Special Defense.
Team Options
========
Hyper offense leads such as Focus Sash Azelf and Custap Berry Skarmory make for good partners, as the entry hazards they lay down are instrumental in chipping down foes, making it easier for Scizor to sweep teams. Similarly, Scizor appreciates teammates such as Azelf, Latias, and Espeon that can set up dual screens to let it set up more safely. Latias's access to Healing Wish also benefits Scizor, as it can give it a second shot at threatening the opposing team. Teammates that can pressure Heatran and Magnezone such as Lucario, Garchomp, Dragonite, and Belly Drum Azumarill are especially valuable for Scizor, as its sweeps are otherwise cut short by the presence of these two Pokemon. Scizor, in turn, aids its teammates by checking Pokemon its allies would otherwise struggle with such as Unaware Clefable and Weavile for Garchomp and Dragonite as well as Grass-types and Latias for Azumarill.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
With some Attack investment and a Metal Coat as its item, Scizor can run a set functionally similar to the defensive set, trading bulk and Leftovers recovery for more immediate power and greater sweeping potential. Similarly, a Choice Band set with maximum Attack and Speed investment can be used to give Scizor immediate power and maximize its revenge killing capabilities with Bullet Punch. However, the lack of bulk investment and inability to heal with Roost makes such a set difficult to fit on teams and wield effectively, seeing as it cannot perform its defensive duties when doing so. Defog can be used over Swords Dance on the defensive set if Scizor's team is in need of entry hazard removal. Without access to Swords Dance, Scizor can more freely run minimum Speed, as it isn't filling the role of a wincon and is thus not as bothered by Tangrowth's Knock Off and Sleep Powder. This, however, is generally not recommended, as Scizor can be quite passive without the ability to boost its Attack with Swords Dance, and its poor matchups against common hazard setters such as Heatran and Garchomp make it difficult for Scizor to keep hazards off the field. A fully specially defensive spread with a Careful or Sassy nature can also be considered when running Defog if the team is in need of a sturdier check to Life Orb Alakazam.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-type Pokemon and Coverage**: Common Fire-type Pokemon such as Heatran and Infernape resist Scizor's STAB moves and can threaten to OHKO it in return with their own STAB moves. Heatran in particular is capable of punishing Scizor's contact moves with a potential burn thanks to its Flame Body ability. In addition, Pokemon such as Garchomp, Togekiss, Mew, and more can opt to run Fire-type coverage in order to reliably threaten Scizor and other Steel-types.
**Magnezone**: Magnezone is able to trap Scizor with its Magnet Pull ability and force large amounts of damage onto it, being able to cleanly 2HKO defensive variants and OHKO offensive variants with minimal chip damage from entry hazards.
**Bulky Water-type Pokemon**: Water-types such as Rotom-W, Suicune, and Milotic can take Scizor's Bullet Punch with ease and can threaten to cripple it with a burn from Will-O-Wisp or, in the case of the latter two, Scald. Rotom-W can also cripple Scizor with a Choice item thanks to Trick. However, they all must be wary of switching into U-turn, especially the former two, as they lack recovery outside of Leftovers.
**Skarmory**: Skarmory's exceptional physical bulk and typing make it a solid answer to Scizor, as it walls the defensive set and uses it as an opportunity to lay down entry hazards. It can also act as a stopgap to the offensive Swords Dance set, taking less than half from +2 Brick Break and phazing Scizor with Whirlwind.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/igiveuponaname.593115/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tycarter.327020/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/skitty-skittyrox.600739/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Scizor cements itself as one of BDSP OU's most important Pokemon thanks to its solid stats and defensively useful typing, letting it fit on many teams with ease. It is by far the most common check to offensive threats such as Latias, Weavile, and Alakazam. It can act as a defensive pivot thanks to a slow U-turn, helping position its teammates that would have issues hitting the field, and with a Technician-boosted Bullet Punch, it can revenge kill weakened foes. Swords Dance gives Scizor's defensive sets a stronger late-game presence and turns offensive sets into unparalleled threats. However, Scizor's 4x weakness to Fire makes it extremely vulnerable to metagame staples such as Heatran and Infernape as well as leaving it prone to Fire-type coverage from the likes of Garchomp, Mew, and Togekiss. Scizor is also deathly afraid of Magnezone, which can trap it with Magnet Pull and cleanly 2HKO it with Thunderbolt.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Bullet Punch
move 2: U-turn
move 3: Roost
move 4: Swords Dance
item: Leftovers
ability: Technician
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 132 Def / 128 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Defensive Scizor is a great choice on bulky offense and balance teams, which appreciate the defensive utility it brings to the table as well as the role compression it offers as an excellent slow, defensive pivot and wincon in one slot. Technician-boosted Bullet Punch is a great tool for revenge killing purposes, which also helps Scizor compensate for its low Speed. Swords Dance lets Scizor serve as a solid sweeper, with its boosted Bullet Punch being difficult to stop late-game. Swords Dance is also helpful for letting Scizor break past foes it would otherwise struggle to do meaningful damage to one-on-one such as Gliscor and opposing Scizor. The given EV spread ensures Scizor survives two Throat Chops from Choice Band Weavile from full health while also guaranteeing it can withstand two Surfs from Choice Specs Latias after Stealth Rock damage. A Relaxed nature can be considered instead of an Impish nature alongside lowered Speed IVs in order to underspeed opposing Scizor and retain the momentum advantage in mirror matches. Scizor would still want to be faster than Tangrowth though, as it would allow Scizor to pivot out with U-turn before it could be hit with Knock Off or Sleep Powder, which puts Scizor's ability to act as a wincon in jeopardy.
Team Options
========
Water-type Pokemon such as Rotom-W, Starmie, and Crawdaunt make for excellent partners, as they are able to threaten Fire-types such as Heatran and Infernape, which Scizor often tends to invite in. Ground-types such as Garchomp and Gliscor also serve as good partners to Scizor for similar reasons while also being able to provide entry hazard support, either by setting them up or in the case of the latter, removing them with Defog. Other pivots such as the aforementioned Rotom-W and Gliscor as well as the likes of Infernape and Celebi make for good partners, as they are able to rack up tons of damage against opponents in a VoltTurn chain in conjunction with hazards. Pokemon that can threaten Unaware Clefable are also appreciated, as Scizor can have difficulty breaking past it one-on-one when not running any Attack investment. Heatran and Roserade are two prime examples of such Pokemon, as they are both able to threaten Clefable directly with their STAB moves as well as reliably lay down hazards that help wear it down. Roserade can also help wear down bulky Water-types that would otherwise annoy Scizor. Frail offensive teammates such as Weavile and offensive Starmie also appreciate Scizor's slow pivoting capabilities, seeing as they would otherwise struggle to hit the field consistently.
[SET]
name: Offensive Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Bullet Punch
move 3: Brick Break
move 4: Quick Attack / X-Scissor
item: Life Orb
ability: Technician
nature: Adamant
evs: 32 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD / 216 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Offensive Scizor is a solid choice for hyper offensive teams that want to make use of its typing and plethora of powerful priority moves to pummel opposing teams into a paste after a Swords Dance boost. Bullet Punch is Scizor's main move, being able to OHKO even the likes of Garchomp after a boost and a bit of entry hazard chip damage. Brick Break is useful coverage in order to hit Steel-types such as Heatran, Magnezone, Skarmory, and opposing Scizor, with it being able to OHKO the former two and 2HKO defensive Scizor after a boost. Quick Attack is another Technician-boosted priority move that targets faster Steel-resistant threats such as Infernape and offensive Starmie, OHKOing them at +2 after Stealth Rock damage. X-Scissor can be considered over Quick Attack in order to help Scizor break past slower, bulkier Pokemon that would otherwise be able to withstand its other moves such as Milotic, defensive Rotom-W, and Tangrowth. The listed EV spread maximizes Scizor's Attack while also ensuring it outspeeds Modest Magnezone; 32 HP EVs boost Scizor's bulk a little bit while also minimizing recoil damage from Life Orb, with the last remaining EVs dumped into its Special Defense.
Team Options
========
Hyper offense leads such as Focus Sash Azelf and Custap Berry Skarmory make for good partners, as the entry hazards they lay down are instrumental in chipping down foes, making it easier for Scizor to sweep teams. Similarly, Scizor appreciates teammates such as Azelf, Latias, and Espeon that can set up dual screens to let it set up more safely. Latias's access to Healing Wish also benefits Scizor, as it can give it a second shot at threatening the opposing team. Teammates that can pressure Heatran and Magnezone such as Lucario, Garchomp, Dragonite, and Belly Drum Azumarill are especially valuable for Scizor, as its sweeps are otherwise cut short by the presence of these two Pokemon. Scizor, in turn, aids its teammates by checking Pokemon its allies would otherwise struggle with such as Unaware Clefable and Weavile for Garchomp and Dragonite as well as Grass-types and Latias for Azumarill.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
With some Attack investment and a Metal Coat as its item, Scizor can run a set functionally similar to the defensive set, trading bulk and Leftovers recovery for more immediate power and greater sweeping potential. Similarly, a Choice Band set with maximum Attack and Speed investment can be used to give Scizor immediate power and maximize its revenge killing capabilities with Bullet Punch. However, the lack of bulk investment and inability to heal with Roost makes such a set difficult to fit on teams and wield effectively, seeing as it cannot perform its defensive duties when doing so. Defog can be used over Swords Dance on the defensive set if Scizor's team is in need of entry hazard removal. Without access to Swords Dance, Scizor can more freely run minimum Speed, as it isn't filling the role of a wincon and is thus not as bothered by Tangrowth's Knock Off and Sleep Powder. This, however, is generally not recommended, as Scizor can be quite passive without the ability to boost its Attack with Swords Dance, and its poor matchups against common hazard setters such as Heatran and Garchomp make it difficult for Scizor to keep hazards off the field. A fully specially defensive spread with a Careful or Sassy nature can also be considered when running Defog if the team is in need of a sturdier check to Life Orb Alakazam.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-type Pokemon and Coverage**: Common Fire-type Pokemon such as Heatran and Infernape resist Scizor's STAB moves and can threaten to OHKO it in return with their own STAB moves. Heatran in particular is capable of punishing Scizor's contact moves with a potential burn thanks to its Flame Body ability. In addition, Pokemon such as Garchomp, Togekiss, Mew, and more can opt to run Fire-type coverage in order to reliably threaten Scizor and other Steel-types.
**Magnezone**: Magnezone is able to trap Scizor with its Magnet Pull ability and force large amounts of damage onto it, being able to cleanly 2HKO defensive variants and OHKO offensive variants with minimal chip damage from entry hazards.
**Bulky Water-type Pokemon**: Water-types such as Rotom-W, Suicune, and Milotic can take Scizor's Bullet Punch with ease and can threaten to cripple it with a burn from Will-O-Wisp or, in the case of the latter two, Scald. Rotom-W can also cripple Scizor with a Choice item thanks to Trick. However, they all must be wary of switching into U-turn, especially the former two, as they lack recovery outside of Leftovers.
**Skarmory**: Skarmory's exceptional physical bulk and typing make it a solid answer to Scizor, as it walls the defensive set and uses it as an opportunity to lay down entry hazards. It can also act as a stopgap to the offensive Swords Dance set, taking less than half from +2 Brick Break and phazing Scizor with Whirlwind.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/igiveuponaname.593115/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tycarter.327020/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/skitty-skittyrox.600739/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Last edited:
