Scolipede
Pokedex Number: 545
Type: Bug/Poison
Base stats: 60/100/89/55/69/112 *Base attack increased to 100 as of Gen VI
Abilities: Poison Point/Swarm Hidden: Speed Boost (replaces Quick Feet)
Notable Moves:
Level Up
- Protect
- Baton Pass
- Megahorn
- Spikes
- Toxic Spikes
- Swords Dance
- Substitute
- Earthquake
- Rock Slike
- X-Scissor
- Poison Jab
- Aqua Tail
- Iron Tail
- Iron Defense
- Superpower
General Analysis:
The fifth Generation may have introduced a slew of Bug pokemon, but its metagame wasn't exactly kind of to most to of them. While Volcarona reigned terror in OU, the its siblings struggled to compete for niches against pokemon of the previous generations and inevitably fell to the depths of RU and NU.
The XY generation gives Scolipede, the fastest NU spikes setter, a new lease at life with Speed Boost. With Speed Boost, Scolipede has everything it needs to fill a variety of roles. Spikes and Toxic Spikes allow Scolipede to set up and build momentum with Speed Boosts, while Baton Pass allows it to pass that momentum along to team mates.
While Speed Boost is a great addition to Scolipede's arsenal, it only helps to round out the pokemon's many weakeness, not eliminate them. Pitiful 60/89/69 defenses easily fall prey to priority attacks. While Bug Poison grants Scolipede a handy 4x resistance to fighting and grass types, it is weak to attacks commonly carried by other leads. Weakness to Stealth Rock prevents Scolipede from switching in too often. Scolipede's overall frailty greatly reduces the number of opportunities it has to set up.
Potential Sets
Offensive Support
Scolipede@Black Sludge / Focus Sash
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 34 HP / 252 Atk / 224 Spe or 252 HP / 34 Def / 224 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Megahorn
- Swords Dance / Earthquake / Spikes / Toxic Spikes
- Protect
- Baton Pass
This set aims to take full advantage of Scolipede's speed boosts while allowing it to support in various ways. Megahorn is Scolipede's go-to STAB attack. It can OHKO Azelf and 2HKO Uxie and Mespirit, all of which are common leads. Protect is useful for both scouting Choice Leads and ensuring a speed boost, while 224 EVs in Speed and Jolly nature allow Scolipede to out-speed scarfed 108 base speed Pokemon after one boost. The choice between Swords Dance, Earthquake and Spikes depends largely on the needs of the rest of the team.
Using this set simple. Lead with Spikes/Swords Dance and Baton Pass to a teammate when finished. If the opponent leads with a faster Pokemon or potential scarfer, use Protect to out-speed it next turn and pass to the appropriate team member.
Offensive EVs should be used the player chooses Earthquake. Megahorn should KO the lake trio just as effectively without the EV investment.
!00 Ways to Baton Pass (as suggested by Bluemoon, but with some tweaks)
Scolipede@B Mental herb/ Black Sludge / Focus Sash
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 34 Def / 224 Spe or 252 HP / 96 Def / 160 Spe (Without Protect) or 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Atk (Impish Nature)
Jolly Nature
- Megahorn / Spikes / Toxic Spikes
- Protect / Swords Dance
- Substitute / Iron Defense
- Baton Pass
Scolipede has as many support options as it does legs. and this set aims to make the best use of them along with the Amazing Benefits of Speed boost. There are so many options in fact that it's difficult to fit them into all into one set, but I'll try anyway! Using this set is easy, but picking among the many options is very difficult.
Megahorn prevents Scolipede from becoming Taunt Bait, and is able to deal decent damage even without investment.
Spikes and Toxic Spikes are useful to have on the field, considering how Scolipede and the threat it poses can bluff many switches.
Protect and 224 Spe EVs is, as previously mentioned, useful for scouting 108 base speed scarf pokemon who would otherwise force Scolipede out. Otherwise 160 Spe EVs will let Scolipede out-speed common 100 base speed pokemon. No Spe investments will still allow it to outspeed most pokemon not wearing scarf.
Swords Dance is always a useful options for physically oriented teams.
Substitute protects Scolipede from Status while setting up, especially paralysis.
Iron Defense may seem like a gimmicky option, but it should allow Scolipede more turns to set up against physical attackers, and is more reliable for stalling thanks to the nerf to critical attacks in Gen VI.
Sweeper/Cleaner (Some moves not available until December)
Scolipede@Black Sludge / Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly/Adamant Nature
- Megahorn
- Earthquake / Superpower/ Poison Jab
- Aqua Tail / Iron Tail / Rock Slide / Baton Pass
- Swords Dance
With Speed Boost and Swords Dance Scolipede has the potential to become a powerful sweeper. Megahorn is powerful primary STAB useful for any set, while the choice between Scolipedes other moves depends wholly on your team's coverage. Baton Pass maintains momentum in case Scolipede is walled and should generally be used if your other team members good enough coverage and bulk to switch in.
Checks and Counters
Sableye's shenanigans put a complete halt to Scolipede. Priority Taunt prevents scolipede from passing on its boosts to teammates while Will-o-Wisps cripples Scolipede offensively. Whenever Sableye switches into Scolipede, the only safe option is for Scolipede to switch out manually. Talonflame is another counter s it boasts 4x resistance against Megahorn, and its priority Acrobatics will threaten to OHKO Scolipede. Skarmory (if Scolipede ever makes it to OU) takes a pittance even from boosted attacks and can 2HKO with Brave Bird or Whirlwind him away.
Checks include physically defensive pokemon able tank Megahorn or Earthquake and spank Scolipede, who will likely die due to its low defenses, or able to phase it out. Taunt users outside of Sableye are unreliable due to Scolipede's Speed, but they can stop Scolipede in its tracks if they manage to Taunt before it sets up.
Conclusion
Speed boosts gives Scolipede, an already decent but outclassed pokemon, potential to differentiate itself from its unfortunate bug-type brethren, potential that will hopefully be enough to shake up the metagame.
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