The most troubling thing about summer, besides unbearable heat, is the bugs. From mosquitoes to aphids, the summer nights can both be ruined by either buzzing or a loss of blood. However, even when I smack a mosquitoes filled with blood-staining my arm with metallic smelling blood-I thank my stars that we live in a world without man sized mantises. The prospect of Scyther as a possible summer time pest/predator (what do these things eat anyway?) is terrifying, but with the introduction of a potential alpha predator comes with it the undeniable protector of the Pokemon world: the iron dinosaur, the steel armour monster,
Lairon!
“ARMOR, n. The kind of clothing worn by a man whose tailor is a blacksmith.”
To counter the Swords Dance Scyther I would suggest that one would utilize the often over looked middle evolutionary Pokemon Lairon. Lairon acts as a hard counter to Scyther. Not only can Lairon act as an aggressive counter to Sword Dance Scyther, killing it out right with a vast variety with super effective STAB Rock moves, but it can also act as a more passive counter to Sword Dance Scyther, through the use of support moves that this Steel Dinosaur has access to. For the purpose of he first par of this post we will be focusing on a set I occasionally break out in NU and PU games: Hyper Aggressive Tank.
Mark VII (Lairon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Rock Head
EVs: 52 HP / 200 Atk / 252 Def
Impish Nature
- Head Smash
- Heavy Slam
- Hone Claws
- Rock Polish
The above set uses the inability of Scyther to break through the Steel-Rock Defensive Wall of Lairon to set up its own stat boosts in Attack, Speed and Accuracy. The vast majority of this set is rather self explanatory: the ability Rock Head is needed to allow Lairon access to some of its most damaging STAB moves without endangering its durability, the moves chosen allow Lairon to become a Bulky Offensive threat with one or two Rock Polishes or even after a single Hone Claws. The stat distribution of Lairon is also rather simple, it aims at being both a Defensive and Offensive threat. While this does lead to some sacrifices in Speed and HP I felt it payed off more to be more prevalent as a durable attacker, rather than being solely focused on either Offense or Defense. As a result of this desire to be both the sword and shield on the team I have chosen to give Lairon Leftovers over Eviolite for two reasons. First, its grants Lairon the reliable recovery it desperately needs. Second, while Eviolite does provide bulk I found that it limited the move pool greatly, as two moves would have to be dedicated to being able to recover HP and not be helpless in the process (Rest and Sleep Talk).
Thus, we have reached the end of the reasonings for why we have built the Scyther counter this way, leaving me with the difficult task of proving that this set works to not only counter Swords Dance Scyther, but build off the weaknesses of the giant bladed mantis and become a true threat to the opposing team.
First, we have to assume that Lairon is switching into Scyther, thus giving it a free Swords Dance.
Turn 1:
Scyther:
+2 252 Atk Technician Scyther Bug Bite vs. 52 HP / 252+ Def Lairon: 74-87 (27 - 31.7%) -- 100% chance to 3HKO after Stealth Rock, 3 layers of Spikes, and Leftovers recovery (If you had been unable to keep your field clean)
-or-
+2 252 Atk Technician Scyther Bug Bite vs. 52 HP / 252+ Def Lairon: 74-87 (27 - 31.7%) -- 36% chance to 4HKO after Leftovers recovery (if you managed your field with care and dedication)
Lairon:
200 Atk Lairon Head Smash vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Scyther: 580-688 (206.4 - 244.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
It is obvious that Lairon can use this window to set up either a Hone Claws or Rock Polish within this turn or simply finish off the Mantis. However, it is obvious from these calcs that either Scyther has to switch, giving Lairon a window to set up, or it has to be KO'ed by a recoil-less Head Smash. A lose-lose for the opponent and a win-win for us.
Now, while I mentioned that this is only one way in which the Prehistoric Iron monster can counter Scyther I would like to briefly post and explain the second set that Lairon can use to exterminate Scyther, cementing its status as a hard counter to Scyther. I give you, the Artillery Platform.
Pom-Pom (Lairon) @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish Nature
- Toxic
- Roar
- Stealth Rock
- Substitute
This set works on the fact that Lairon can set up Rocks in the window offered by Scyther's retreat or flailing against the iron hide of Lairon or it can heavily cripple the mantis with a toxic. Both of these options heavily limit Scyther's ability to fight against our team. Not only does this limit the switches Scyther can preform, but it also limits Scyther's sweeping potential, as Scyther cannot sustain a dedicated sweep due to ramping poison damage. This set can also play on the fact that if Scyther switches or continues to dance with sabers, Lairon can use this time to set up a substitute or Roar out the Pokemon trying so diligently to set up. The only point remaining to explain is the ability and stat distribution. Sturdy is chosen to ensure that Lairon can get up its Stealth Rocks no matter what and the the stat distribution is chosen to ensure that this Lairon is as durable as possible.
With this brief reasoning stated it is time to prove that this Lairon set can not only withstand Scyther, but can use this window to crippling the opposing team through status ailment or rocks.
Turn 1:
Scyther:
+2 252 Atk Technician Scyther Bug Bite vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Lairon: 74-87 (22.8 - 26.8%) -- guaranteed 4HKO after Stealth Rock, 3 layers of Spikes, and Leftovers recovery
-or-
+2 252 Atk Technician Scyther Bug Bite vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Lairon: 74-87 (22.8 - 26.8%) -- possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
From both sets' calculations and the versatile role that Lairon can play on a team it is evident that Lairon is a hard counter to Scyther and can be included on many teams without hindering the adopting team too much. It is for these reasons of versatility and aggression that we consider Lairon as a hard counter to Scyther in the NU tier.
