[Pros]
<ul>
<li>Scizor has the most powerful U-turn in OU.</li>
<li>Scizor also has powerful priority in the form of Bullet Punch.</li>
<li>Its great typing leaves Scizor with only one weakness.</li>
<li>Scizor has incredible mixed bulk and great defensive typing.</li>
<li>Scizor is also a great Swords Dance Sweeper.</li>
</ul>
[Cons]
<ul>
<li>Scizor can no longer check Dark- and Ghost-types as well as it could.</li>
<li>Scizor is 4x weak to Fire-type attacks.</li>
<li>It's pretty predictable.</li>
</ul>
<p>Scizor @ Choice Band<br />
Ability: Technician<br />
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 SpD<br />
Adamant Nature<br />
- U-turn<br />
- Bullet Punch<br />
- Pursuit / Quick Attack<br />
- Brick Break<br />
<p>Scizor is a great Choice Band user, mainly because of its typing, high Attack, and access to useful moves. U-turn gains momentum in the form of switch advantage, and works nicely with Scizor's low Speed stat. Bullet Punch allows Scizor to pick off Pokemon such as Gengar and Salamence. Brick Break offers coverage for Scizor, as it hits Steel-types such as Magnezone, who would otherwise wall this set. Brick break also wrecks Dual Screen-based offensive teams, as it shatters the opponent's defensive barriers. Pursuit allows Scizor to trap Psychic- and Ghost-types such asGengar and Starmie, eliminating them from the game completely. However, Quick Attack is an option to pick off Gyarados and Volcarona. The given EV spread maximises Scizor's bulk while maintaining his incredible power.</p>
<p>Rotom-W forms an incredible Volt-Turn core, as Rotom-W can beat all of Scizor's checks, namely Skarmory, Gyarados, and Tentacruel. Scizor, on the other hand can handle the Grass-types and specially defensive Pokemon that check Rotom-W, mainly Ferrothorn, Blissey, and Mega Venusaur. Becausethis set is often switching, Rapid Spin or Defog support is very important. This means Starmie and Skarmory make for good partners. Finally, Blaziken appreciates Scizor's ability to remove Ghost- and Psychic-types, giving Blaziken a clear sweep.</p>
<p>Scizor @ Life Orb<br />
Ability: Technician<br />
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe<br />
Adamant Nature<br />
- Swords Dance<br />
- X-Scissor<br />
- Bullet Punch<br />
- Brick Break<br />
<p>Scizor can also run a really nice Swords Dance set. Swords Dance is used to boost Scizor's attack to very respectable levels. Bullet Punch offers strong priority, allowing Scizor to sweep through faster Pokemon such as Salamence and Gengar. Brick Break again offers coverage, nailing Magnezone. Finally, X-Scissor is listed for its consistency and STAB. A Life Orb is used to maximise power output - the EVs are designed to achieve the same goal.</p>
<p>Lucario pairs really nicely with this set, as they together break down each other's counters nicely for the other to sweep. Blaziken is also a great partner, as Blaziken can muscle through the Steel-types that can potentially wall Scizor, such as Skarmory. As always, Rotom-W is a great partner, because of the amazing synergy they both share.</p>
<p>Scizor @ Choice Scarf<br />
Ability: Technician<br />
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe<br />
Jolly Nature<br />
- U-turn<br />
- Bullet Punch / Iron Head<br />
- Pursuit<br />
- Brick Break<br />
<p>Although Scizor is generally seen with a Choice Band, Scizor can also pull off a very effective Choice Scarf set. With fully invested Speed, Scizor can out speed Alakazam and anything slower, meaning Choice Scarf Scizor is one of the best checks to Alakazam, Starmie, and Gengar, regardless of whether they haveHidden Power Fire or not. A fast U-turn is very helpful for hitting Starmie and Alakazam before they can hit Scizor first. Bullet Punch is still very useful as it's strong priority, but the power output compared to the other sets is very different, meaning Iron Head is an option for more solid power and 30% chance for flinch. Pursuit traps Psychic-types trying to switch, removing them from the game completely. Finally, Brick Break nails Scizor's general switch-ins such asMagnezone for solid damage.</p>
<p>This set fits best on hyper offensive teams that appreciate Starmie being eliminated from the game. Gengar and Custap Berry Skarmory are the best partners for this set, as Gengar is the premium spinblocker for hyper offensive teams, meaning Skarmory will be able to keep its hazards up for the rest of the game. Lucario and Dragonite also make for good partners as they really appreciate Stealth Rock staying on the field, as it helps wear down their counters for a sweep.</p>
<p>Scizor @ Life Orb / Assualt Vest<br />
Ability: Technician<br />
EVs: 248 HP / 112 Atk / 148 SpD<br />
Adamant Nature<br />
- Pursuit<br />
- Bullet Punch<br />
- U-turn<br />
- Roost / Brick Break<br />
<p>This Scizor set is designed to trap and eliminate a few troublesome Pokemon. The key differences between this set and the Choice Band set is that Choice Band Scizor is often setup bait for a lot of sweepers once it's locked into Pursuit. The EVs are used to give Scizor surprisingly good bulk on the Special side, and with Roost, Scizor can easily take on attacks such as Draco Meteor, Giga Drain, and Psychic repeatedly. Although Pursuit is the most important move for this set, it retains Bullet Punch for priority, and U-turn to gain momentum for Scizor's team mates. Roost is used to keep Scizor healthy throughout the match, and somewhat negates Life Orb recoil.</p>
<p>If Scizor is using an Assault Vest, 248 HP / 196 Atk / 64 SpD is the optimal spread, as this avoids the 2HKO from Life Orb Gengar's Focus Blast after Stealth Rock 100% of the time. Because you can't use status moves when using Assault Vest, Brick Break is the next best option over Roost.</p>
<p>This set works best with Fighting-type Pokemon, as Scizor does a great job in eliminating the Ghost- and Psychic-types that can potentially block a sweep. Strong attackers such as Lucario and Mienshao come to mind for this reason.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Fire-type moves hit Scizor for 4x damage and Fire-type Pokemon resist Scizor's STABs. Blaziken, Volcarona, Talonflame are all good examples. Steel-types resist both of Scizor's STABs and can use it as setup bait. Skarmory, Aegislash, and Magnezone are examples of this. Bulky Water-types are generally nice checks, so Tentacruel and Gyarados are great teammates. Bulky Ground-types such as Hippowdon and Gliscor do nicely versus Scizor. Finally, Pokemon that are faster than Scizor and resist Bullet Punch can easily revenge kill Scizor. Starmie, Jolteon, and Choice Scarf Politoed all fit this category.</p>
[Set Recommendations]
<p>Scizor @ Scizorite<br />
Ability: Technician<br />
EVs: 252 HP / 12 Atk / 244 SpD<br />
Adamant Nature<br />
- Swords Dance<br />
- Roost<br />
- Bullet Punch<br />
- X-Scissor<br />
<p>Scizor also gains a Mega Evolution, which is bulkier than normal Scizor. With access to Roost, great defensive typing, and nice bulk, Scizor can pull off a bulky Swords Dance set nicely. With HP and Special Defense investment, Scizor can often find opportunities to start setting up. With 252 HP / 244 SpD investment, Scizor always avoids the 2HKO from Mega Gengar's Shadow Ball, while always 2HKOing back with Bullet Punch. Swords Dance boosts Scizor's attack, and after two or three boosts, it's hard to stop Scizor from sweeping. Roost keeps Scizor nice and healthy as it sets up, and allows Scizor to act as a tankmid-game for special attackers. Bullet Punch is STAB and offers nice general coverage, while X-Scissor is also STAB and and has consistent power and accuracy.</p>
<p>This Swords Dance sweeper is generally aimed at balanced teams, meaning bulky Grass-types that check bulky Water-types make for good partners. Amoonguss and Breloom are the best choices. Starmie makes for a good partner, - Scizor and Starmie have good synergy in terms of the Pokemon they can remove for each other, alongside Starmie's ability to clear the field with Rapid Spin. Lucario and Blaziken also complement Scizor nicely; Blaziken especially, as it can tear through Pokemon such as Skarmory, who would wall Scizor to no end. As always, Rotom-W is a great partner, thanks to their coverage and shared resistances.</p>
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