Taste the sword, motherfucker
QC Approvals: aim, alexwolf, Jukain
GP Approvals: Jukain, Weebl
-------------------------------------------------------
- SD is incredibly easy to set up and pass thanks to Mega Scizor's enormous bulk
- Also because Scizor can get multiple boosts, it can also sweep by itself, so it's not totally helpless like other Baton Pass users
- Sets up completely against big guys like Azumarill and Landorus-T, and can recover stall/beat them when necessary
- Doesn't give a shit about issues that normal SD sets run into, like faster Will-o-Wisp users and possible coverage problems.
- Gives humongous power to already powerful threats that need that extra push. Imagine stuff like +2 Entei and Kyurem-B.
- guys, no, seriously, this is a good set. Like, really good. I didn't expect it to perform as well as it did for me
Baton Pass
########
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Roost
move 4: Bullet Punch
ability: Light Metal
item: Scizorite
evs: 248 HP / 236 Def / 24 Spe
nature: Impish
Moves
========
Swords Dance, Roost, and Bullet Punch are all fairly standard. The first boosts Scizor's Attack to higher levels, the second restores half of Scizor's health instantly and complements its supreme bulk, and the third is a potent priority move that works extremely well with the Attack boosts Scizor acquires. The real magic of this set lies in Baton Pass, which, when combined with Swords Dance, can turn faster and more powerful physically threatening teammates into killing machines in a matter of a couple of turns. Baton Pass can also be used as a pseudo U-turn to scout and escape from predicted switch-ins and otherwise dangerous threats.
Set Details
========
A slow, defensive spread is recommended in order to obtain more setup opportunities so Scizor can pull off a slow Baton Pass, preventing the recipient from taking damage. With the given HP and Defense EVs along with an Impish nature, many fierce physical OU threats, such as Azumarill, Bisharp, Conkeldurr, Dragonite, Excadrill, Garchomp, Kyurem-B, Landorus-T, and Terrakion, fail to 2HKO Mega Scizor even after Stealth Rock damage, effectively rendering them as non-threats and setup bait. A specially defensive spread is worth consideration in order to take weaker Hidden Power Fires and other odd special attacks, such as Greninja's Hydro Pump and Latios's Thunderbolt or Surf, better. However, Scizor is simply more adept at tanking physical hits overall. 24 Speed EVs are used to outrun uninvested Spe Heatran so that Mega Scizor can use Baton Pass before being hit by Lava Plume.
Scizorite is the item of choice, as it improves all of Scizor's relevant stats, especially its defenses. If you plan on using another Mega Evolution and don't Scizor having a slight drop in defense, then Leftovers and Occa Berry are also viable options. Non-Mega Scizor should use Technician over Light Metal.
Usage Tips
========
Setting up Swords Dance and passing it to a teammate is incredibly easy thanks to Scizor's great bulk and access to reliable recovery. Foes with Fire-type attacks limit Scizor's ability to do this, as they can KO Scizor before it can pull off a pass. Before attempting to perform this set's strategy, ensure Scizor is protected against such attacks; this can be done with field support such as Light Screen and rain, or by simply knocking out Scizor's main counters, such as both Mega Charizard formes, Heatran, and Mega Manectric, beforehand. Getting rid of these counters also makes it very possible for Scizor to set up and sweep by itself with just Bullet Punch, as it has very few other notable weaknesses aside from a vulnerability to being burned.
The element of surprise is somewhat—but not fully—instrumental to this set's success. Opponents usually don't expect Baton Pass Scizor very often, granting Scizor many opportunities to set up and pass to other a teammate. Notably, this set doesn't mind burn and other status as much as other Swords Dance sets, as it can simply pass its Attack boosts to something else. Therefore, it can set up in front of status-reliant foes such as Rotom-W and Ferrothorn. Keep in mind, however, that Scizor itself also benefits from Attack boosts and can sweep on its own if given the chance, so be careful when deciding if it should absorb a burn or not. Additionally, while Baton Pass can be used to scout out switch-ins, it might be a dead giveaway to this set's purpose, so be wary of revealing Baton Pass too early if the set's surprise factor is particularly important to you.
Team Options
========
As the Pokemon this set's is supposed to provide support for, fast and powerful physical attackers are required teammates. Ideally, Scizor should be paired with Pokemon that can act independently from it, as it is not guaranteed to successfully or properly pull off a Baton Pass in every match. Several great examples include Focus Sash Terrakion, Scolipede, Aqua Jet Sharpedo, which requires the priority move to outprioritize foes and outspeed Talonflame after a Speed boost, and Life Orb Entei. Kyurem-B is an exceptional possibility, as it has dangerously high Attack and defenses, and its ability, Mold Breaker, enables it to punch past stall-based Pokemon that are reliant on their abilities to wall physical attackers, especially Sturdy Skarmory, Unaware Clefable, and Unaware Quagsire. Basically, as long as your team covers its weaknesses, isn't weak to priority, and isn't too reliant on Scizor, anything goes!
Scizor itself doesn't require too much support aside from Pokemon that can protect it from Fire-type attacks. Mainly, Scizor will want to watch out for both Mega Evolutions of Charizard, Heatran, and Talonflame amongst other Fire-type foes, as well as other attackers that carry Fire-type coverage attacks. An effective way to lure and defeat Heatran and Talonflame is by using a Natural Gift Talonflame of your own; specifically, its Natural Gift set is designed to outrun other Talonflame and defeat Heatran with a boosted Fighting- or Ground-type attack. Choice Scarf Tyranitar and Landorus-T are also worth consideration, as they can lure in and revenge kill common Fire-types, amongst other targets, and punch massive holes with fast and monstrous boosted STAB attacks after Baton Pass. Defensive protection from Fire-type attacks can be achieved by setting up dual screens or Drizzle support, both of which enable Scizor to take at least one Fire-type attack with ease. To this extent, Kabutops is also a valuable teammate, as it can use Swift Swim to sweep and revenge kill in the rain, benefits from Attack boosts, and can tank Talonflame's main attacks.
Baton Pass
########
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Roost
move 4: Bullet Punch
ability: Light Metal
item: Scizorite
evs: 248 HP / 236 Def / 24 Spe
nature: Impish
Moves
========
Set Details
========
========
Team Options
========
########
name: Baton Pass
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Roost
move 4: Bullet Punch
ability: Light Metal
item: Scizorite
evs: 248 HP / 236 Def / 24 Spe
nature: Impish
Moves
========
- Swords Dance + Baton Pass turns other fellow physical attackers into compasionless killing machines in a matter of seconds.
- Roost recovers health.
- Bullet Punch is great because it nullifies Scizor's low Speed and allows it to go on mini-sweeps if needed. It needs a couple of Swords Dances to actually get going though.
Set Details
========
- Being physically defensive is recommended to obtain more setup opportunities; fierce physical opponents such as Excadrill, Azumarill, Bisharp, opposing Scizor, Fire Punch-less Dragonite, defensive charizard-X, and Landorus-T pose no threat at all as their attacks fail to deal over half damage to Mega Scizor, and thus become setup bait.
- 24 Spe EVs to outrun 0 Spe Heatran
- Scizorite enables Scizor to gain massive defenses after mega evolving
- You can run a specially defensive spread so survive random HP Fires and other special attackers
- Technician + Leftovers or Occa Berry can be used if you want to use another Mega Pokemon
========
- Setting up Swords Dance is incredibly easy; the only time when you can't do it is when opponents with Fire-type attacks are present. Deal with counters like Manectric and Heatran beforehand.
- Use the element of surprise; players don't expect Baton Pass very often, so this gives you lots of opportunities to set up and pass. Of course, Scizor can use Baton Pass multiple times after.
- This set doesn't mind burn and other status as much as other Swords Dance sets, as it can pass its boosts to something else. Therefore, you can also set up in front of status-reliant opponents such as Rotom-W. There are times, however, when Scizor itself can just sweep on its own, so be vigilant.
Team Options
========
- Obviously wants other physical attackers as teammates. Examples include Focus Sash Terrakion, Speed Boost Scolipede, Speed Boost Sharpedo with Aqua Jet (to beat other priority users like Talonflame), Kyurem-B, Talonflame (preferably jolly to beat other Talonflames), and Entei.
- Use Pokemon that can operate independently from Scizor as well, as you're not guarunteed to successfully set up Baton Pass every match.
- Doesn't actually need that much support aside from stuff that beats fire-types. If you want a lure for opposing Talonflame and Heatran, Salac Berry + Natural Gift Talonflame is your man. Offensive Earth Power Tran is also kinda cool.
- Healing Wish Latias offers good special offense and can heal Scizor up for another Pass or sweep.
- Politoed's Drizzle helps Scizor take some Fire-type attacks. To this extent, Kabutops is also a valuable teammate because Swift Swim sweep at +2 is fucking scary, and can act as a crutch revenge killer in rain.
Last edited:
