Sceptile [QC 2/3] Written

[OVERVIEW]

While not a top pick, Mega Sceptile is still a decent revenge killer in the OU metagame. Its high Special Attack and Speed stats allow it to outpace almost the entire unboosted metagame and dent several Pokemon. It also has a decent variety of coverage options to cover various threats, such as Focus Blast and Earthquake. With its decent typing and ability, it has key 4x resistances to Water and Grass and an immunity to Electric, which can allow for it to decently function as a check to threats like Ash-Greninja, Keldeo, Mega Manectric, Rotom-W, and Serperior. It struggles to break past most Steel-types, most notably Magearna and Celesteela, due to their high special bulk and resistances to its STAB attacks. Its extremely frail, and thus vulnerable to Pokemon with priority, faster foes, and Pokemon that can take a hit and hit hard in return, such as Bisharp, Mega Alakazam, and Clefable, respectively. It also faces heavy competition from Tapu Bulu as an offensive Grass-type, due to its inability to utilize an attack boosting item.

[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Leaf Storm
move 2: Dragon Pulse
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Earthquake
item: Sceptilite
ability: Overgrow
nature: Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

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

Leaf Storm is powerful STAB that heavily dents a large portion of the tier, but also drops Sceptile's Special Attack by two stages upon being used. Dragon Pulse is a nice secondary STAB attack, allowing for Mega Sceptile to break past Dragon-type foes like Zygarde, Kyurem-B, and Garchomp. Hidden Power Fire hits Steel-types that would otherwise wall Mega Sceptile, most notably Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor, which are both 2HKOed. Earthquake hits Steel-types that can tank Hidden Power Fire, like Magnezone, Heatran, and Magearna, for good damage. It also hits Assault Vest Alolan Muk, which otherwise walls Mega Sceptile. Giga Drain can be used over Leaf Storm for its passive recovery, but generally isn't worth it due to its much worse base power. Focus Blast is also an option due to its ability to hit threats like Bisharp as hard as possible, but isn't as preferred due to its worse coverage overall.

Set Details
========

Maximum investment in Special Attack gives Mega Sceptile's attacks considerable power, while Maximum Speed investment give it good enough Speed to revenge kill most unboosted threats with ease. The remaining EVs are invested in Attack to slightly boost the power of Earthquake. A Naive nature is preferred if Earthquake is being run to give Mega Sceptile as much Speed as possible without decreasing its Attack, though if Focus Blast is used over Earthquake, Timid is a better option for allowing Mega Sceptile to retain a small amount of physical bulk.

Usage Tips
========

Mega Sceptile's good Speed should be taken full advantage of by revenge killing foes. When a foe has been weakened into range of fainting from Dragon Pulse, it is best that Mega Sceptile is then brought out, though Leaf Storm can be used to revenge kill Pokemon that are closer to full health. Due to its frailty, Mega Sceptile should be wary of switching into very many attacks. Being brought in with support from a pivot or after a teammate has fainted is optimal. Mega Sceptile can, however, take advantage of some of its resistances to find a switch-in opportunity. It can make use of Lightning Rod to switch into and nullify Volt Switch from Pokemon like Magnezone, Mega Manectric, Tapu Koko, and Rotom-W. This is, however, slightly risky, due to the fact that Tapu Koko and Mega Manectric often carry Hidden Power Ice as coverage and Rotom-W can cripple Mega Sceptile's Earthquake with Will-O-Wisp. It can also switch in one Water- and Grass-types like Choice-locked Ash Greninja, Keldeo, and Serperior, but should be wary of Ice-type coverage that these Pokemon are likely to carry. Threats that can't likely be KOed should be switched out of, as Mega Sceptile often won't have the bulk to reliably tank a hit.

Team Options
========

Checks to Steel-types, who heavily pressure Mega Sceptile defensively, are useful for their ability to take some weight of its shoulders, examples including Heatran, Alolan Marowak, Zygarde, and Garchomp. Fairy-type checks are also important due to Mega Sceptile's lack of an ability to adequately deal with most Fairy-type Pokemon. This makes the likes of Magearna, Celesteela, and Gengar decent partners. Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Mega Manectric either outspeed or tank hits from Flying-types, and proceed to OHKO them with super effective STAB attacks, which makes them decent teammates. Magnezone in particular is useful due to its ability to trap Celesteela, which is Mega Sceptile's biggest check, and remove it from play. Slow pivots like Magnezone, Landorus-T, and Zapdos are decent as partners as well due to their ability to safely bring Mega Sceptile into play. Pokemon that need faster threats revenge killed, like Gengar and Tapu Lele, generally appreciate Mega Sceptile due to its good Speed and offensive presence.

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

Substitute is an option for taking advantage of the switches Mega Sceptile can force, but isn't worth it over otherwise valuable coverage. Energy Ball is a powerful STAB option that doesn't drop Special Attack like Leaf Storm and is more powerful than Giga Drain, but usually isn't worth it due to Sceptile's need for as much power as possible, or its enjoyment of passive recovery. Rock Slide hits Volcarona and Mega Charizard Y hard, but gives up more valuable coverage most of the time.

Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Threats and Choice Scarf Users**: Mega Sceptile's poor bulk and lack of recovery prevents it from doing anything to threats capable of outspeeding and KOing it, such as Mega Alakazam, Mega Aerodactyl, and Choice Scarf users like Garchomp, Tapu Lele, and Greninja.

**Steel-types**: Some Steel-types are capable of completely walling Mega Sceptile, which keeps it from doing much if one is on the opponents team. Examples include Magearna and particularly Celesteela, which takes minimal damage from any of Mega Sceptile's attacks.

**Bulky Grass-types**: Assault Vest Tangrowth, Mega Venusaur, and Amoonguss can all repeatedly tank Mega Sceptile's hits while wearing it down and recovering health in return.

**Fire-types**: Volcarona can use Mega Sceptile as setup fodder and threaten it out with STAB Bug Buzz, while Mega Charizard-Y is also troublesome due to its ability to tank a hit and OHKO Mega Sceptile in return.

**Fairy-types**: Most Fairy-types, like Clefable, Tapu Lele, and Magearna, are bulky enough to tank a hit and in return, OHKO Mega Sceptile with super effective STAB attacks.

**Flying-types** Flying-types like Zapdos and Mega Pinsir resist Mega Sceptile's Grass-types attacks, and upon tanking its attacks, can retaliate with OHKOs from super effective STAB.

**Ice-types**: Two of the tier's most common Ice-types in Mamoswine and Weavile commonly use Ice Shard, which can be used to easily pick off Mega Sceptile.

**Chansey**: Chansey comfortably sponges all of Mega Sceptile's hits, while in return wearing it down with Toxic and Seismic Toss.
 
Last edited:

Gary

Can be abrasive at times (no joke)
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[OVERVIEW]

* While not a top pick, Mega Sceptile is still a fearsome decent revenge killer and wallbreaker in the OU metagame. (it's not really an amazing wallbreaker considering how much walls it)
* Its high Special Attack and Speed stats allow it to outpace almost the entire unboosted metagame, which allows for easy revenge kills
* It also has a decent variety of coverage options to cover various threats, such as Focus Blast, Earthquake, and Dragon Pulse (Dragon Pulse isn't considered coverage because it's a STAB move).
* With its decent typing and ability, it has key 4x resistances to Water and Grass and an immunity to Electric, which can allow for it to decently function as a check to threats like Tangrowth (AV Growth beats it), Keldeo, Ash Greninja, and Rotom-W.
* It struggles to break past most Steel-types due to their high special bulk and resistances to its STAB attacks (mention examples such as Magearna, Celesteela, and Skarmory).
* Its extremely frail, and thus vulnerable to priority, faster foes, and Pokemon that can take a hit and hit hard in return. (such as....)
*Add that it faces heavy competition from Serperior and Tapu Bulu as offensive Grass-type


[SET]
name: All-out Attacker
move 1: Leaf Storm / Energy Ball
move 2: Dragon Pulse
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Earthquake / Focus Blast
item: Sceptilite
ability: Lightning Rod
nature: Hasty / Timid (mention running Timid in set details if not running EQ)
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

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

* Leaf Storm is powerful STAB that heavily dents a large portion of the tier, but also drops Sceptile's Special Attack by two stages upon being used.
* Energy Ball has a worse damage output than Leaf Storm, but can be used due to its still decent power and better consistency.
* Dragon Pulse is a nice secondary STAB attack, allowing for Mega Sceptile to break past Dragon-type foes like Zygarde, Kyurem-B, and Garchomp.
* Hidden Power Fire hits Steel-types that would otherwise wall Mega Sceptile, most notably Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor, which are both 2HKOed.
* Earthquake hits Steel-types that can tank Hidden Power Fire, like Magnezone, Heatran, and Magearna, (mention AV Muk too) for good damage, while Focus Blast is also an option due to its ability to hit threats like Bisharp and Excadrill (Drill is hit hard enough by Leaf Storm) as hard as possible.

(Leave Leaf Storm the only slash, because Sceptile absolutely needs it in order to do much damage. Mention Giga Drain > Energy Ball in set comments instead. Leave EQ as the lone slash as well, because it is crucial for AV Magearna, which completely walls it otherwise, as well as Hetran which can take a hit from Focus Blast and threaten it back. Just mention Focus in set comments too.)

Set Details
========

* Maximum investment in Special Attack gives Mega Sceptile's attacks considerable power, while Maximum Speed investment give it good enough Speed to revenge kill most unboosted threats with ease.
* The remaining EVs are invested in Attack to slightly boost the power of Earthquake.
* A Hasty nature is preferred if Earthquake is being run to give Mega Sceptile as much Speed as possible without decreasing its Attack, though if Focus Blast is used over Earthquake, Timid is a better option for allowing Mega Sceptile to retain a small amount of physical bulk.

Usage Tips
========

* Mega Sceptile's good Speed should be taken full advantage of by revenge killing foes. When a foe has been weakened into range of fainting from Dragon Pulse, it is best that Mega Sceptile is then brought out, though Leaf Storm can be used to revenge kill Pokemon that are closer to full health.
* Due to its frailty, Mega Sceptile should be wary of switching into very many attacks. Being brought in with support from a pivot or after a teammate has fainted is optimal.
* Mega Sceptile can, however, take advantage of some of its resistances to find a switch-in opportunity. It can make use of Lightning Rod to switch into and nullify Volt Switch from Pokemon like Magnezone, Tapu Koko, and Rotom-W. (make sure to stress how this is risky)
* It can also switch in one Water- and Grass-types like Choice-locked Ash Greninja, Keldeo, and Serperior, but should be wary of Ice-type coverage that these Pokemon are likely to carry.
* Threats that can't likely be KOed should be switched out of, as Mega Sceptile often won't have the bulk to reliably tank a hit.

Team Options
========

* Checks to Steel-types, who heavily pressure Mega Sceptile defensively, are useful for their ability to take some weight of its shoulders, examples including Heatran, Alolan Marowak, Zygarde, and Garchomp.
* Fairy-type checks are also important due to Mega Sceptile's lack of an ability to adequately deal with most Fairy-type Pokemon. This makes the likes of Magearna, Celesteela, and Gengar decent partners.
* Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Magnezone either outspeed or tank hits from Flying-types, and proceed to OHKO them with super effective STAB attacks, which makes them decent teammates. (Magnezone is a very good partner for its ability to trap Steela and Skarm, so I would definitely mention this specifically)
* Slow pivots like Magnezone, Landorus-T, and Zapdos are decent as partners as well due to their ability to safely bring Mega Sceptile into play.
* Pokemon that need faster threats revenge killed generally appreciate Mega Sceptile due to its good Speed and offensive presence. (examples)


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

* A Swords Dance set is viable due to Mega Sceptile's decent Attack. However, it lacks the bulk needed to reliably set up, and is walled by common threats in Tangrowth and Celesteela after a boost. (this set is bad just remove it)
* Substitute is also an option for taking advantage of the switches Mega Sceptile can force, but isn't worth it over otherwise valuable coverage.
* Giga Drain recovers health while doing decent damage, but usually won't compare to the power of moves like Leaf Storm and Energy Ball. (replace this with Energy Ball and move Giga Drain to set comments)
Mention Rock Slide


Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Threats and Choice Scarf Users**: Mega Sceptile's poor bulk and lack of recovery prevents it from doing anything to threats capable of outspeeding and KOing it, such as Mega Alakazam, Mega Aerodactyl, and Choice Scarf users like Garchomp, Hoopa-U Tapu Lele, and Greninja.

**Steel-types**: Some Steel-types are capable of completely walling Mega Sceptile, which keeps it from doing much if one is on the opponents team. Examples include Magearna and particularly Celesteela, which takes minimal damage from any of Mega Sceptile's attacks. (mention SpD Skarmory as well)

**Fairy-types**: Most Fairy-types, like Clefable, Tapu Lele, and Magearna, are bulky enough to tank a hit and in return, OHKO Mega Sceptile with super effective STAB attacks.

**Bulky Grass-types**: Mention Pokemon such as AV Tangrowth, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur, which all wall it to hell

**Fire-types**: Mention Volcarona, which uses it as set up fodder, and Mega Charizard-Y which can easily take a hit from it and scare it out


**Flying-types** Flying-types like Zapdos and Mega Pinsir resist Mega Sceptile's Grass-types attacks, and upon tanking its attacks, can retaliate with OHKOs from super effective STAB (Zapdos never carries Flying moves, so just mention that they can threaten back with Hidden Power Ice and Quick Attack respectively. Mention AV Tornadus-T as well).

**Ice-types**: Two of the tier's most common Ice-types in Mamoswine and Weavile commonly use Ice Shard, which can be used to easily pick off Mega Sceptile.

**Chansey**: Chansey comfortably sponges all of Mega Sceptile's hits, while in return wearing it down with Toxic and Seismic Toss.


QC 1/3
 

Gary

Can be abrasive at times (no joke)
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
You forgot to remove the Timid slash and just move it to set details. There's no need to keep it slashed if Focus Blast isn't a main set move.
 

Colonel M

I COULD BE BORED!
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Overview

- Mega Sceptile is definitely not a wallbreaker. Remove the mention.
* With its decent typing and ability, it has key 4x resistances to Water and Grass and an immunity to Electric, which can allow for it to decently function as a check to threats like Serperior, Keldeo, Ash Greninja, and Rotom-W.
I feel the order should be Ash-Greninja, Keldeo, Rotom-W, and Serperior. Serperior is a rarity in the meta as is Rotom-W. Ash-Greninja and Keldeo are far more common. You can also mention it checks Mega Manectric since the only move Mega Sceptile should be wary of is Hidden Power Ice.

Mention Bulu first in the last sentence, not Serperior.

Set should have Giga Drain not in the slashes. Place the comment in Moves right above the mention of Focus Blast.

* Mega Sceptile can, however, take advantage of some of its resistances to find a switch-in opportunity. It can make use of Lightning Rod to switch into and nullify Volt Switch from Pokemon like Magnezone, Tapu Koko, and Rotom-W. This is, however, slightly risky, due to these Pokemon's tendency to carry Hidden Power Ice as coverage at times.
Uhhhh

Well okay I'll give you Koko and Mega Manectric (a Pokemon that should be added) definitely do carry HP Ice, but Magnezone carries HP Fire (but still hits hard with Flash Cannon) and Rotom-W can cripple Mega Sceptile's Earthquake with Will-O-Wisp.

2/3
 

Martin

A monoid in the category of endofunctors
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Minor note, but the ability should be Overgrow: not LRod

Also is there a reason why hasty>naive when basically all neutral priority is physical? If there is, mention it! If not, I think it should be changed.
 
Maybe it's me but I don't get this sentence: "A Naive nature is preferred if Earthquake is being run to give Mega Sceptile as much Speed as possible without decreasing its Attack, though if Focus Blast is used over Earthquake, Timid is a better option for allowing Mega Sceptile to retain a small amount of physical bulk." How does a timid nature retain physical bulk when it was Naive?
 
Giga Drain can be used over Leaf Storm for its passive recovery
Rephrase this. Giga Drain isn't a passive recovery option. It's a recovery option but saying it's passive isn't true, passive recovery would be something like Leftovers.

Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Mega Manectric either outspeed or tank hits from Flying-types
Remove Mega Manectric from teammates for obvious reasons.


Everything else seems fine. 3/3
 

Gary

Can be abrasive at times (no joke)
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
This mon might be getting unranked so hold off on doing anything else.
 
Last edited:

Gary

Can be abrasive at times (no joke)
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
Mega Sceptile has been unranked, so there is no need for this analysis anymore. Sorry to waste your time writing this lol.
 

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