QC: Nayrz / Minority / Dominatio
GP: GatoDelFuego / P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
Mega Scizor's great bulk combined with its Bug / Steel typing allows it to check Xerneas as well as Deoxys-A, Extreme Killer Arceus, and defensive Pokemon reliant on Toxic like Lugia and support Arceus formes. It also sports key resistances to Dragon, Ice, Fairy, and Steel, as well as an immunity to Toxic. Mega Scizor's advantage over other Steel-type Xerneas checks is its access to reliable recovery in Roost, giving it more longevity. U-turn allows Mega Scizor to function as a bulky pivot that is capable of pivoting out of threats like Primal Groudon into teammates that check them. Technician-boosted STAB Bullet Punch enables Mega Scizor to consistently check Xerneas, 2HKOing offensive variants unboosted and defensive variants at +2; it is also good for picking off weakened foes. Furthermore, Mega Scizor is able to punish many of its switch-ins with Toxic, such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh. Mega Scizor also has options like Pursuit, Knock Off, and Superpower to further support its team in team-specific requirements. However, Mega Scizor's typing leaves it with a glaring weakness to Fire, making it extremely vulnerable to major and prominent threats in the metagame, particularly Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh. Many Pokemon like Mega Mewtwo Y, Calm Mind Arceus formes, Dialga, and Rayquaza carry Fire-type coverage, which limits Mega Scizor's opportunities to switch in throughout the game. Lastly, Mega Scizor's STAB combination is resisted by many threats in the tier, which makes it passive at times, and it can become setup fodder for Pokemon that don't care about Mega Scizor's moves, like Primal Groudon and Mega Salamence.
[SET]
name: Bulky Pivot
move 1: Bullet Punch
move 2: Roost
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Swords Dance / Toxic
item: Scizorite
ability: Light Metal
nature: Brave
evs: 252 HP / 108 Atk / 148 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Bullet Punch is necessary for Mega Scizor to check Xerneas and Mega Gengar while also OHKOing Deoxys-A and revenge killing many frail Pokemon like Tapu Koko, Pheromosa, and Darkrai. Roost keeps Mega Scizor consistently healthy throughout the match, allowing it to check what it needs to. U-turn provides momentum for Mega Scizor's team and allows it to pivot out of Fire- and Steel-type switch-ins. Swords Dance enables Mega Scizor to deal with +1 Z-Geomancy Xerneas, 2HKOing it. Swords Dance can also give Mega Scizor a chance to sweep should the opposing team be weakened enough. Toxic allows Mega Scizor to cripple many of its switch-ins on the switch, such as Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, support Arceus formes, and Mega Salamence.
Set Details
========
108 Attack EVs with a Brave nature ensure that Bullet Punch 2HKOes standard Geomancy Xerneas and Mega Gengar unboosted while 2HKOing +1 Z-Geomancy Xerneas around 80% of the time and OHKOing Mega Gengar after a Swords Dance. A Brave nature and 0 Speed IVs are chosen over Adamant to make Mega Scizor as slow as possible so it can be almost guaranteed to go last while using U-turn, being able to underspeed Skarmory and Blissey. Alternatively, an Adamant nature with full Speed IVs can be utilized so Mega Scizor can use Roost against Skarmory, Magearna, and Celesteela. The rest of the EVs are put into special bulk, which allows Mega Scizor to check Xerneas much easier, surviving a +2 Focus Blast from offensive Geomancy Xerneas. Light Metal is used as the pre-Mega ability to come in on Low Kick more easily; Scizor gains Technician upon Mega Evolution anyway.
Usage Tips
========
Scizor should Mega Evolve as soon as possible to gain Technician and increased bulk. Mega Scizor should be switched into Pokemon it checks such as Deoxys-A and, most importantly, Xerneas. In the Xerneas matchup, Mega Scizor is able to consistently switch into Xerneas fairly easily and heal up the damage it takes with Roost. It should be more careful against Choice Specs Xerneas, though, as it has a small chance to be 2HKOed by Moonblast. Due to Mega Scizor's typing, it is also able to switch into defensive and support Pokemon that rely on Toxic to do damage, such as Lugia, Bronzong, Arceus-Water, and other support Arceus formes that usually don't run Will-O-Wisp. It can also be switched into predicted Ice-type coverage from various foes. Once in, Bullet Punch should be used mostly against Xerneas to threaten it, but it can also pick off weakened frail attackers like Tapu Koko and Darkrai. U-turn should be used early- and mid-game to generate momentum for your team while keeping Mega Scizor safe from threats. Toxic should be used to cripple Mega Scizor's switch-ins like Primal Groudon, Ho-Oh, and support Arceus formes. Use Roost liberally to keep Mega Scizor healthy throughout the match, especially if there is a Xerneas on the opposing team. If running Swords Dance, use it conservatively, mostly only to ward off and break down Z-Geomancy Xerneas. It should not be overly used, as using it wastes momentum from U-turn or a potential Toxic on a threat while also leaving Mega Scizor vulnerable. Mega Scizor can sweep with Swords Dance but only if the opposing team is extremely weakened. Mega Scizor should avoid being burned, as it reduces its longevity and severely weakens Bullet Punch and thus Mega Scizor's ability to check Xerneas.
Team Options
========
Mega Scizor should be used on teams that require a check to Xerneas. Pokemon that appreciate a Xerneas check include Yveltal, Rayquaza, Darkrai, Arceus-Dark, and Zygarde-C. Primal Kyogre appreciates Mega Scizor's ability to draw in Primal Groudon and then pivot out into it. Primal Kyogre is also immune to Fire-type attacks when it switches in and can check Fire-types, something that Mega Scizor values. Aside from Primal Kyogre, Mega Scizor appreciates Pokemon that check Primal Groudon like Lugia, Zygarde-C, Arceus-Water, and Arceus-Ground. Other Fire-type checks like Primal Groudon and Arceus-Rock are able to threaten Ho-Oh. Secondary Xerneas checks such as Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh relieve pressure off of Mega Scizor. They also threaten Steel-types that wall Mega Scizor. Because entry hazards can wear Mega Scizor down, hazard removal from the likes of Arceus-Water and Giratina-O is appreciated. In return, Mega Scizor can handle Xerneas for them. Powerful wallbreakers and sweepers such as Extreme Killer Arceus, Xerneas, Deoxys-A, and Mewtwo appreciate the slow U-turn that Mega Scizor provides.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Mega Scizor has access to Defog to remove entry hazards, but support Arceus formes like Arceus-Water are better Defoggers. Mega Scizor can Pursuit trap Deoxys-A, Lunala, and Mewtwo variants that lack Fire Blast; however, Tyranitar, Deoxys-A, and Alolan Muk are better Pursuit users. Knock Off gives Mega Scizor a way to hit Steel- and Fire-types for neutral damage and Lunala for super effective damage while having utility in removing items, but it is tough to fit on its moveset. Superpower allows Mega Scizor to deal with Extreme Killer Arceus better as well as Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Celesteela.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types like Primal Groudon and Ho-Oh resist both of Mega Scizor's STAB moves and can OHKO it with their 4x super effective Fire-type attacks. However, none of them appreciate switching into Toxic, and Mega Scizor can use U-turn on the turn they switch in, bringing in a check.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, Mega Lucario, Aegislash, Solgaleo, Skarmory, Dialga, and Celesteela can easily take Mega Scizor's attacks and are immune to Toxic. Solgaleo and Dialga can hit Mega Scizor with Fire-type coverage, while Skarmory and Ferrothorn can set up entry hazards. Mega Lucario can also use Mega Scizor as setup fodder. However, defensive Steel-types that don't carry Fire-type coverage can't do much damage back to Mega Scizor, as it's resistant to Steel and immune to Toxic. Mega Scizor can also U-turn out into a teammate or potentially hit them with Superpower.
**Fire-type Coverage**: Many Pokemon in the tier, including Fire Blast Mewtwo, V-create Rayquaza, Incinerate Darkrai, and Flare Blitz Solgaleo, carry super effective Fire-type coverage that can KO Mega Scizor.
**Primal Kyogre**: Primal Kyogre resists Bullet Punch and can hit Mega Scizor hard with Origin Pulse or potentially burn it with Scald, and RestTalk variants don't care about Toxic. However, non-RestTalk variants must watch out for Toxic, and Mega Scizor's U-turn does decent chip damage.
**Bulkier Attackers**: Zygarde-C, Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Ghost, and bulky variants of Mega Salamence and Arceus can use Mega Scizor as setup fodder, while Yveltal and Lunala can take Mega Scizor's attacks and recover off the damage. Zygarde-C can get rid of Mega Scizor's Toxic using Rest, while Mega Salamence can get rid of Toxic with Refresh or take advantage of Toxic if it is running Facade. However, Arceus-Ground, Arceus-Ghost, Lunala, and Yveltal hate being hit with it, while Arceus and Lunala must watch out for Superpower and Knock Off, respectively.
**Will-O-Wisp**: Will-O-Wisp from the likes of Mega Sableye, Mega Gengar, Giratina-O, and support Arceus formes will cripple Mega Scizor, reducing its longevity, damage, and ability to check Xerneas.
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