Monotype Scizor (Steel)

QC: Misaka Mikoto / Eien / iLlama
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack / Fireflame479

[OVERVIEW]

Steel
========

Mega Scizor's great Bug / Steel typing, which grants it a neutrality to Ground- and Fighting-type moves, combined with its great overall bulk and access to Swords Dance makes it a fantastic setup sweeper. Its bulk allows it to pivot into many threats to Steel teams like Mega Alakazam, Meloetta, and Alolan Raichu. Mega Scizor has a wide movepool that includes coverage options like Knock Off and reliable recovery in Roost. It can also pivot with U-turn, supporting setup sweepers like Bisharp. In addition to this, Mega Scizor has access to a great Technician-boosted STAB move in Bullet Punch, which, being a priority move, makes Mega Scizor hard to revenge kill once it has set up. However, Mega Scizor has an extremely exploitable weakness to Fire-type moves, which means Pokemon carrying Fire-type coverage like Garchomp can easily take it out. Its Steel typing also means that Magnezone can trap it and take it out with Hidden Power Fire. Furthermore, Fire-types resist Scizor's STAB moves, making it next to useless in the Fire-type matchup. Mega Scizor also sits at a below-average Speed tier, which means it can be easily revenge killed by faster Pokemon that resist Bullet Punch, like Keldeo and Infernape.

[SET]
name: Defensive Swords Dance (Steel)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Bullet Punch
move 3: Roost
move 4: U-turn
item: Scizorite
ability: Light Metal
nature: Careful
evs: 248 HP / 48 Def / 212 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Swords Dance boosts Mega Scizor's Attack and helps it maintain offensive presence. Bullet Punch is a strong STAB priority move that lets Mega Scizor pick off weakened Pokemon and clean up late-game. Roost gives Mega Scizor a reliable form of recovery that helps it pivot into threats like Mega Alakazam more easily. U-turn is a secondary STAB move that allows Mega Scizor to take advantage of forced switches and pivot into its teammates. Knock Off is an option over U-turn and gives Mega Scizor general utility in getting rid of the items of its switch-ins, like Porygon2 and Doublade.

Set Details
========

The investments in HP and Special Defense along with a Careful nature let Scizor switch into Modest Mega Alakazam's Focus Blast in regular forme and avoid the KO after Mega Evolving. Life Orb Alolan Raichu's Thunderbolt also fails 2HKO Mega Scizor even after Stealth Rock damage. The rest of the EVs are put into Defense to take physical hits from Pokemon like Choice Scarf Terrakion better. Light Metal is the ability of choice, as it reduces the power of Low Kick prior to Mega Evolving. Mega Scizor gains Technician after Mega Evolving, which boosts the power of its Bullet Punch.

Usage Tips
========

Mega Evolve Scizor as soon as possible in order to gain the extra bulk and Technician. Use Mega Scizor primarily as a pivot early-game in order to weaken its checks and bring its teammates in safely. Mega Scizor can switch into threats like Mega Alakazam, Life Orb Alolan Raichu, and Meloetta and threaten them out with U-turn or Knock Off. Don't be afraid to set up Swords Dance and U-turn right out. Setting up with Mega Scizor makes gaining momentum with U-turn much more effective. However, be careful of using U-turn on Rocky Helmet users like Skarmory and Pokemon like Garchomp, as the chip damage can wear Mega Scizor down quickly. Freely spam Bullet Punch towards the end of the game once all of its checks have been weakened. If Knock Off is used, use it as much as possible early-game to remove the foe's item. Use Roost liberally to keep Mega Scizor healthy to check threats like Mega Gardevoir. Avoid letting Mega Scizor get burned, as this halves its Attack and prevents it from cleaning up. Be wary of giving Magnezone a free switch into Mega Scizor, as it can trap Mega Scizor and remove it with Hidden Power Fire. Mega Scizor should use U-turn on a predicted switch to Magnezone in this situation.

Team Options
========

Heatran is fantastic teammate for Mega Scizor due to its ability to switch into Fire-type moves. It can also remove walls like Skarmory. In return, Mega Scizor can check Fighting-types that threaten Heatran like Terrakion and Heracross while being able to handle Ground-types decently well. Skarmory's Ground immunity allows it to check strong Ground-type wallbreakers like Choice Band Excadrill and Diggersby. It can also set Spikes and Stealth Rock, which help Mega Scizor clean up more easily. Ferrothorn can set entry hazards like Spikes and Stealth Rock while also being able to check Water-types like Kingdra. Celesteela can help deal with Steel-types like Heatran and Ferrothorn with Earthquake and Flamethrower. It can also wear down checks to Mega Scizor with Leech Seed + Protect. Magnezone traps and removes Steel-types like Skarmory and Celesteela for Mega Scizor. It also checks Water-types like Keldeo and forms a great VoltTurn core with Mega Scizor. Excadrill can surprise Mega Sableye with Toxic and clear hazards with Rapid Spin, letting Mega Scizor pivot freely, while also checking Fire- and Electric-types thanks to its Ground typing. Setup sweepers like Bisharp also appreciate Mega Scizor's slow U-turn.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Steel
--------
Pursuit is an option to prevent threats that Mega Scizor checks from switching out, like Mega Alakazam, Meloetta, and Alolan Raichu. However, the utility provided by U-turn and Knock Off is more useful. An offensive Swords Dance set can be used with Bug Bite and Superpower on more offensive teams. Defog is an option on Mega Scizor; however, most Steel teams rely on stacking entry hazards, which makes Defog counterproductive.

Checks and Counters
===================

Steel
--------

**Fire-types**: Fire-types resist Bullet Punch and take little damage from Mega Scizor's other moves. In return, they can use their 4x super effective STAB moves to easily OHKO Mega Scizor.

**Skarmory**: Skarmory completely walls Mega Scizor and can just phaze it or use it as bait to set Spikes or Stealth Rock.

**Toxapex**: Toxapex completely walls Mega Scizor and can clear its stat boosts with Haze. Toxapex can repeatedly recover health with Recover and fish for burns with Scald.

**Magnezone**: Magnezone can trap Mega Scizor thanks to Magnet Pull and KO it with Hidden Power Fire.

**Water-types**: Almost all Water-types can easily take a boosted Bullet Punch. Defensive Water-types can threaten Mega Scizor with Scald, while wallbreakers like Keldeo can 2HKO it without trouble.

**Steel-resistant Pokemon**: Steel- and Electric-types, such as Heatran and Zapdos, can easily take a boosted Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor and outspeed and KO it in return.

**Super Effective Coverage**: Pokemon like Dragonite, Garchomp, and Greninja can survive a boosted Bullet Punch and take Mega Scizor out with their respective Fire-type coverage moves. Fairy-types like Clefable and Togekiss that carry Babiri Berry can surprise Mega Scizor and take it out with Fire Blast.

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Porygon2, Swampert, and Hippowdon can take a boosted hit from Mega Scizor and can take it out with Hidden Power Fire, threaten it with a Scald burn, or phaze it, respectively.
 
Last edited:
Hey Izaya it's been a couple of weeks since last edit. I know this is almost a double analysis, and it's a long one at that, but could we get some progress in the next few days?

e: He's on vacation and will finish as soon as he's back.
 
Last edited:
Only two additions:

Toxic Excadrill for Mega Sableye
Water-types in Checks and Counters

Good work QC 2/3
 
I actually have Water-types under 'Steel-resistant Pokemon'. Did you want me to make a separate section?
Edit: Clarified and separated Water-types from Steel-resistant Pokemon
 
Last edited:

Lumari

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GP 1/2
[OVERVIEW]

Steel
========

Mega Scizor's great Bug / Steel typing, which grants it a neutrality to Ground- and Fighting-type moves, combined with its great overall bulk and access to Swords Dance makes it a fantastic setup sweeper. Its bulk allows it to pivot into many threats to Steel teams like Mega Alakazam, Meloetta, and Alolan Raichu. Mega Scizor has a wide movepool that includes coverage options like Knock Off and an access to reliable recovery in Roost. It can also pivot with U-turn, supporting setup sweepers like Bisharp. In addition to this, Mega Scizor has access to a great Technician-boosted STAB move in Bullet Punch, which, being a priority move, makes Mega Scizor hard to revenge kill once it has set up. However, Mega Scizor has an extremely exploitable weakness to Fire-type moves, which means Pokemon carrying Fire-type coverage moves like Garchomp can easily take it out. Its Steel typing also means that Magnezone can trap it and take it out with Hidden Power Fire. Furthermore, Fire-types resist Scizor's STAB moves, making it next to useless in the Fire-type matchup. Mega Scizor also sits at a below average Speed tier, which means it can be easily revenge killed by faster Pokemon that resist Bullet Punch, like Keldeo and Infernape.

[SET]
name: Defensive Swords Dance (Steel)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Bullet Punch
move 3: Roost
move 4: U-turn
item: Scizorite
ability: Light Metal
nature: Careful
evs: 248 HP / 48 Def / 212 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Swords Dance boosts Mega Scizor's Attack and helps it maintain an offensive presence. Bullet Punch is a strong STAB priority move that lets Mega Scizor pick off weakened Pokemon and clean up late-game. Roost gives Mega Scizor a reliable form of recovery that helps it pivot into threats like Mega Alakazam more easily. U-turn is a secondary STAB move that allows Mega Scizor to take advantage of forced switches and pivot into its teammates. Knock Off is an option over U-turn that gives Mega Scizor general utility in getting rid of the items of its switch-ins, like Porygon2 and Doublade.

Set Details
========

The invesments investments in HP and Special Defense along with a Careful nature let Scizor switch into Modest Mega Alakazam's Focus Blast in regular forme and avoid the KO after Mega Evolving. Life Orb Alolan Raichu's Thunderbolt also fails 2HKO Mega Scizor even after Stealth Rock damage. The rest of the EVs are put into Defense to take physical hits from Pokemon like Choice Scarf Terrakion better. Light Metal is the ability of choice, as it reduces the power of Low Kick prior to Mega Evolving. Mega Scizor gains Technician after Mega Evolving, which boosts the power of its Bullet Punch.

Usage Tips
========

Mega Evolve Scizor as soon as possible in order to gain the extra bulk and Technician. Use Mega Scizor primarily as a pivot early-game in order to weaken its checks and bring its teammates in safely. Mega Scizor can switch into threats like Mega Alakazam, Life Orb Alolan Raichu, and Meloetta and threaten them out with U-turn or Knock Off. Don't be afraid to set up Swords Dance and U-turn right out. Setting up with Mega Scizor makes gaining momentum with U-turn much more effective. However, be careful of using U-turn on Rocky Helmet users like Skarmory and Pokemon like Garchomp, as the chip damage can wear it down quickly. Freely spam Bullet Punch towards the end of the game once all of its checks have been weakened. If Knock Off is used, use it as much as possible early-game to remove the foe's item. Use Roost liberally to keep Mega Scizor healthy to check threats like Mega Gardevoir. Avoid letting Mega Scizor get burned, as it this halves Mega Scizor's its Attack and prevents it from cleaning up. Be wary of giving Magnezone a free switch into Mega Scizor, as it can trap Mega Scizor and remove Mega Scizor it with Hidden Power Fire. Mega Scizor should use U-turn on a predicted switch to Magnezone in this situation.

Team Options
========

Heatran is fantastic teammate for Mega Scizor due to its ability to switch into Fire-type moves. It can also remove walls like Skarmory. In return, Mega Scizor can check Fighting-types that threaten Heatran like Terrakion and Heracross while being able to handle Ground-types decently well. Skarmory provides a Ground immunity that allows it to check strong Ground-type wallbreakers like Choice Band Excadrill and Diggersby. It can also set Spikes and Stealth Rock, which help Mega Scizor clean up more easily. Ferrothorn can set entry hazards like Spikes and Stealth Rock while also being able to check Water-types like Kingdra. Celesteela can help deal with Steel-types like Heatran and Ferrothorn with Earthquake and Flamethrower. It can also wear down checks to Mega Scizor with Leech Seed + Protect. Magnezone traps and removes Steel-types like Skarmory and Celesteela for Mega Scizor. It also checks Water-types like Keldeo and forms a great VoltTurn core with Mega Scizor. Excadrill can surprise Mega Sableye with Toxic and clear hazards with Rapid Spin, letting Mega Scizor pivot freely, while also checking Fire- and Electric-types thanks to its Ground typing. Setup sweepers like Bisharp also appreciate Mega Scizor's slow U-turn.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Steel
--------
Pursuit is an option to prevent threats that Mega Scizor checks from switching out, like Mega Alakazam, Meloetta, and Alolan Raichu. However, the utility provided by U-turn and Knock Off is more useful. An offensive Swords Dance set can be used with Bug Bite and Superpower on more offensive teams. Defog is an option on Mega Scizor; however, most Steel teams rely on stacking entry hazards, which makes Defog counterproductive.

Checks and Counters
===================

Steel
--------

**Fire-types**: Fire-types resist Bullet Punch and take little from Mega Scizor's other moves. In return, they can use their 4x effective STAB moves to easily OHKO Mega Scizor.

**Skarmory**: Skarmory completely walls Mega Scizor and can just phaze it out or use it as bait to set Spikes or Stealth Rock.

**Toxapex**: Toxapex completely walls Mega Scizor and can clear its stat boosts with Haze. Toxapex can repeatedly recover health with Recover and fish for burns with Scald.

**Magnezone**: Magnezone can trap Mega Scizor thanks to Magnet Pull and KO it with Hidden Power Fire.

**Water-types**: Almost all Water-types can easily take a boosted Bullet Punch. Defensive Water-types can threaten Mega Scizor with Scald, while wallbreakers like Keldeo can 2HKO it without trouble.

**Steel-resistant Pokemon**: Steel- and Electric-types, such as Heatran and Zapdos, can easily live take a boosted Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor and outspeed and KO it in return.

**Super Effective Coverage**: Pokemon like Dragonite, Garchomp, and Greninja can live survive a boosted Bullet Punch and take Mega Scizor out with their respective Fire-type coverage moves. Fairy-types like Clefable and Togekiss that carry Babiri Berry can surprise Mega Scizor and take it out with Fire Blast.

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Porygon2, Swampert, and Hippowdon can take a boosted hit from Mega Scizor and can take it out with Hidden Power Fire, threaten it with a Scald burn, or phaze it out, respectively.
 
Last edited:

Fireflame

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[OVERVIEW]

Steel
========

Mega Scizor's great Bug / Steel typing, which grants it a neutrality to Ground- and Fighting-type moves, combined with its great overall bulk and access to Swords Dance makes it a fantastic setup sweeper. Its bulk allows it to pivot into many threats to Steel teams like Mega Alakazam, Meloetta, and Alolan Raichu. Mega Scizor has a wide movepool that includes coverage options like Knock Off and reliable recovery in Roost. It can also pivot with U-turn, supporting setup sweepers like Bisharp. In addition to this, Mega Scizor has access to a great Technician-boosted STAB move in Bullet Punch, which, being a priority move, makes Mega Scizor hard to revenge kill once it has set up. However, Mega Scizor has an extremely exploitable weakness to Fire-type moves, which means Pokemon carrying Fire-type coverage moves like Garchomp can easily take it out. Its Steel typing also means that Magnezone can trap it and take it out with Hidden Power Fire. Furthermore, Fire-types resist Scizor's STAB moves, making it next to useless in the Fire-type matchup. Mega Scizor also sits at a below-(AH)average Speed tier, which means it can be easily revenge killed by faster Pokemon that resist Bullet Punch, like Keldeo and Infernape.

[SET]
name: Defensive Swords Dance (Steel)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Bullet Punch
move 3: Roost
move 4: U-turn
item: Scizorite
ability: Light Metal
nature: Careful
evs: 248 HP / 48 Def / 212 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Swords Dance boosts Mega Scizor's Attack and helps it maintain an offensive presence. Bullet Punch is a strong STAB priority move that lets Mega Scizor pick off weakened Pokemon and clean up late-game. Roost gives Mega Scizor a reliable form of recovery that helps it pivot into threats like Mega Alakazam more easily. U-turn is a secondary STAB move that allows Mega Scizor to take advantage of forced switches and pivot into its teammates. Knock Off is an option over U-turn that and gives Mega Scizor general utility in getting rid of the items of its switch-ins, like Porygon2 and Doublade.

Set Details
========

The investments in HP and Special Defense along with a Careful nature let Scizor switch into Modest Mega Alakazam's Focus Blast in regular forme and avoid the KO after Mega Evolving. Life Orb Alolan Raichu's Thunderbolt also fails 2HKO Mega Scizor even after Stealth Rock damage. The rest of the EVs are put into Defense to take physical hits from Pokemon like Choice Scarf Terrakion better. Light Metal is the ability of choice, as it reduces the power of Low Kick prior to Mega Evolving. Mega Scizor gains Technician after Mega Evolving, which boosts the power of its Bullet Punch.

Usage Tips
========

Mega Evolve Scizor as soon as possible in order to gain the extra bulk and Technician. Use Mega Scizor primarily as a pivot early-game in order to weaken its checks and bring its teammates in safely. Mega Scizor can switch into threats like Mega Alakazam, Life Orb Alolan Raichu, and Meloetta and threaten them out with U-turn or Knock Off. Don't be afraid to set up Swords Dance and U-turn right out. Setting up with Mega Scizor makes gaining momentum with U-turn much more effective. However, be careful of using U-turn on Rocky Helmet users like Skarmory and Pokemon like Garchomp, as the chip damage can wear it Mega Scizor down quickly. Freely spam Bullet Punch towards the end of the game once all of its checks have been weakened. If Knock Off is used, use it as much as possible early-game to remove the foe's item. Use Roost liberally to keep Mega Scizor healthy to check threats like Mega Gardevoir. Avoid letting Mega Scizor get burned, as this halves its Attack and prevents it from cleaning up. Be wary of giving Magnezone a free switch into Mega Scizor, as it can trap Mega Scizor and remove it with Hidden Power Fire. Mega Scizor should use U-turn on a predicted switch to Magnezone in this situation.

Team Options
========

Heatran is fantastic teammate for Mega Scizor due to its ability to switch into Fire-type moves. It can also remove walls like Skarmory. In return, Mega Scizor can check Fighting-types that threaten Heatran like Terrakion and Heracross while being able to handle Ground-types decently well. Skarmory provides a Skarmory's Ground immunity that allows it to check strong Ground-type wallbreakers like Choice Band Excadrill and Diggersby. It can also set Spikes and Stealth Rock, which help Mega Scizor clean up more easily. Ferrothorn can set entry hazards like Spikes and Stealth Rock while also being able to check Water-types like Kingdra. Celesteela can help deal with Steel-types like Heatran and Ferrothorn with Earthquake and Flamethrower. It can also wear down checks to Mega Scizor with Leech Seed + Protect. Magnezone traps and removes Steel-types like Skarmory and Celesteela for Mega Scizor. It also checks Water-types like Keldeo and forms a great VoltTurn core with Mega Scizor. Excadrill can surprise Mega Sableye with Toxic and clear hazards with Rapid Spin, letting Mega Scizor pivot freely, while also checking Fire- and Electric-types thanks to its Ground typing. Setup sweepers like Bisharp also appreciate Mega Scizor's slow U-turn.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Steel
--------
Pursuit is an option to prevent threats that Mega Scizor checks from switching out, like Mega Alakazam, Meloetta, and Alolan Raichu. However, the utility provided by U-turn and Knock Off is more useful. An offensive Swords Dance set can be used with Bug Bite and Superpower on more offensive teams. Defog is an option on Mega Scizor; however, most Steel teams rely on stacking entry hazards, which makes Defog counterproductive.

Checks and Counters
===================

Steel
--------

**Fire-types**: Fire-types resist Bullet Punch and take little damage from Mega Scizor's other moves. In return, they can use their 4x super effective STAB moves to easily OHKO Mega Scizor.

**Skarmory**: Skarmory completely walls Mega Scizor and can just phaze it or use it as bait to set Spikes or Stealth Rock.

**Toxapex**: Toxapex completely walls Mega Scizor and can clear its stat boosts with Haze. Toxapex can repeatedly recover health with Recover and fish for burns with Scald.

**Magnezone**: Magnezone can trap Mega Scizor thanks to Magnet Pull and KO it with Hidden Power Fire.

**Water-types**: Almost all Water-types can easily take a boosted Bullet Punch. Defensive Water-types can threaten Mega Scizor with Scald, while wallbreakers like Keldeo can 2HKO it without trouble.

**Steel-resistant Pokemon**: Steel- and Electric-types, such as Heatran and Zapdos, can easily take a boosted Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor and outspeed and KO it in return.

**Super Effective Coverage**: Pokemon like Dragonite, Garchomp, and Greninja can survive a boosted Bullet Punch and take Mega Scizor out with their respective Fire-type coverage moves. Fairy-types like Clefable and Togekiss that carry Babiri Berry can surprise Mega Scizor and take it out with Fire Blast.

**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Pokemon like Porygon2, Swampert, and Hippowdon can take a boosted hit from Mega Scizor and can take it out with Hidden Power Fire, threaten it with a Scald burn, or phaze it, respectively.
GP 2/2
 

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