Scizor Meta Analysis: Made Like A Bug, Goes Like A Bullet Punch

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Scizor BugSteel

The Bug and Steel types…

One happens to be one of the most despised Pokémon types in battle and the other… one of the best, whether you like it or not. 

And ah, no prizes for guessing which statement refers to which type. 

While Steel types are the best defensive type in the game and are often considered one of the top tier types overall, the Bug types are often considered one of the weakest types. 

Gen 1 has quite a few bugs in its meta and while there are some undoubtedly well-designed ones, none managed to truly make an impact on the meta (until mega evolutions hit the scene, of course).

But despite the rather underwhelming reception to the bugs of Gen 1, one Pokémon, in particular, stood out for straight-up being badass: Scyther

If the badass-ery wasn’t enough already, Gen 2 blessed Scyther with a truly wicked evolution: Scizor. 

There are a lot of interesting things going on with Scizor. 

For one, it’s a dual typing of Bug and Steel, two types which together look like an oxymoron because of the inherent contrast in their powers. 

But this red hot metallic monster does full justice to its typing and is one of the most threatening Pokémon in any meta. 

It’s not exactly a master of anything, but rather a jack of all trades… more appropriately, a Technician (see what I did there?)

Scizor is one of the earliest Steel types in the game and also one of the first Bug types to show people how formidable bugs can really be. 

With a typing that actually ends up being amazing, pretty good stats, loads of resistances, an impressive move pool and a deadly mega evolution on the horizon, Scizor is undoubtedly a monster worthy of being in your radar. 

Let’s zoom into the red orbit of Scizor and see how it can really bug the meta!

Typing and Match-ups

Scizor has a Maximum CP of 3001 at Level 40. It has a dual typing of Bug and Steel and as such, is blessed with just a single weakness to the Fire type, although it’s a quadruple weakness.

Scizor’s phenomenal type combination gives it 9 whole resistances!

Phew! Whoever thought a Bug type could go on steroids with the Steel type reinforcement?

Scizor’s resistance chart
Grass Poison Bug Dragon Fairy Ice Normal Psychic Steel

 

Stats

Scizor has the following stat distribution in Pokémon Go:

Scizor BugSteel
Max CP 3001
ATK 236 DEF 181 HP 172
Weak to Strong Against
 Fire Dark Grass Psychic Ice Rock Fairy

Moveset Analysis

Scizor can learn the following moves in Pokémon Go:

Fast Moves Charged Moves
  • Fury Cutter Bug
  • Bullet Punch Steel
  • X-Scissor Bug
  • Iron Head Steel
  • Night Slash Dark

Note: I’m not covering Frustration or Return here, as they simply suck on Scizor and are not worth covering.

Fury Cutter is a flagship Bug type fast move that charges up your moves super fast. Scizor benefits tremendously from it.  

Bullet Punch is a pretty impressive Steel type fast move that charges decently fast and does good damage.

X-Scissor is a very low-cost charge move, requiring only 33 and 35 energy in PvE and PvP respectively.

Iron Head does good Steel type damage at a relatively low energy cost of 50. Pretty good Steel type charge move that’s not called Meteor Mash. 

Night Slash is rather underwhelming in PvE but in PvP, it is the closest to Swords Dance that Scizor can get in Pokémon Go. Though it only has a 12% chance of boosting Scizor’s ATK stat sharply, it requires low energy, does decent damage and with one boost, can make Scizor go Super Saiyan on its unfortunate opponents.

Scizor’s Ideal Moveset

The ideal moveset for Scizor would be Fury Cutter paired with Iron Head and Night Slash.

Straight off the bat, the combination of Iron Head and Night Slash is a must as it comes with the distinct and much-coveted advantage of dishing out damage and burning shields. 

While Fury Cutter and Bullet Punch are both viable, the better viability and power of Bullet Punch is instrumental in avoiding Scizor falling into a hot soup. 

At the same time, Fury Cutter offers better coverage of the ‘meta threats’ and also helps you reach Scizor’s already low-cost charge moves at the snap of a finger.

Blink and you miss

Scizor looks fast and should be fast. 

While this metal bug isn’t particularly fast in the competitive scene, it is pretty fast in Pokémon Go courtesy of Fury Cutter and X-Scissor

Both of these moves aren’t particularly powerful, you can get to some good damage and shield baits real quick

It’s lit… or not? 

Scizor has only a single weakness to the hot Fire type

This, combined with its impressive list of resistances and shield baiting potential, makes Scizor a very safe Pokémon to start your PvP matches with.

Rocket, PVPer, Scizor

The Team Go Rocket leaders are particularly notorious for using shields for their illegally OP shadow Pokémon.

So how about burning their shields ASAP?

With the exception of a fire lead, Scizor is good enough to not only make those crooks burn their shields, but also help you do considerable damage to their lead Pokémon.

Performance in Trainer Battles

Ultra League and Master League

Scizor is a spicy pick in the UL and ML meta. 

Shield baiting? Check. Meta coverage? Check. A chance at stat boosts? Check. Good moveset? Check. Resistances? Check.

Indeed! It packs a lot of good stuff per se but doesn’t particularly excel at anything. 

All in all, a really good Pokémon to use in PvP as long as you keep it away from the flames.

Team Go Rocket Battles

This has been mentioned earlier and I wouldn’t mind doing it again: Scizor is a badass in Team Go Rocket battles. 

It helps that much of the Pokémon roster used by them can be shredded apart really well by Scizor (no wonder Arlo’s ace is a Scizor as well).

Performance in PvE

Raids

As a Steel type, Scizor acts as a budget Metagross. That’s about it as the metallic pseudo legendary does all steely stuff much better. 

As a Bug type, however, Scizor can really trouble Grass Dark and Psychic type raid bosses by constantly dealing damage with its super-fast moves.

Gyms

Access to fact charging moves and numerous resistances makes Scizor function as a serious pest infestation for any gym out there, as long as the gym is not on fire lol.

Mega Scizor: Iron Pokémon bit by a super bug? 

Spoiler alert: Mega Scizor will help us decide whether Scizor is a better Bug type or a Steel type

As a Steel type, Mega Scizor could possibly find it difficult to even compete with base Metagross! 

However, that remains to be seen. But suffice to say, it doesn’t really look like an exciting affair for Mega Scizor as a Steel type as the pseudo legendary metal arachnoid is just better. Period.  

It does do really well as a Bug type though. While its DPS would undoubtedly be lower than other bugs such as Mega Beedrill and Mega Pinsir, Mega Scizor’s better bulk and useful resistances would make it more viable in battles.

Conclusion

Scizor is a classic case of being a Jack of all trades and a master of none. 

It fits into specific niches quite well and doesn’t disappoint, but doesn’t really dominate in any broad spectrum. 

The mega evolution is pretty underwhelming in my opinion. Being totally crushed by the base form of Metagross and being totally obliterated by Mega Metagross, this bug simply rusts in the Steel type meta. 

It services well in the Bug type department and undoubtedly makes this rather neglected type a formidable one. 

But it simply cannot be neglected that Scizor is a perfect example of how to make good type combinations in Pokémon. 

If used well, this Bug and Steel Pokémon could be dangerous. 

An awesome design, an awesome shiny and an awesome Pokémon at the end of the day. 

STAB & Scizor make a good monster slashing pair, anyday.  

Cut.

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MeteorAsh15
MeteorAsh15
My name is Niladri Sarkar. A Team Valor Trainer, I'm a Pokémon Battle Mechanics Specialist & a Dragon Master on Smogon's Pokémon Showdown where I particularly excel with Dragon types and Weather teams in Ubers / OU. I love to apply my vast knowledge and experience to the ever changing meta of Pokémon Go, specialising in DPS/TDO math, movesets, the Master League and Dragon types. Garchomp is my best Pokémon pal through and through.

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