SCOLIPEDE
[Overview]
<p>Scolipede is pokemon with high speed (112), decent attack (90), an good but limited offensive movepool, and access to Swords Dance, making it a viable Setup Sweeper. It also has access to Spikes and Toxic Spikes, which when combined with it's high speed makes it a very reliable hazard setter. Unfortunately, It has terrible typing, and although it's Defense is good enough to survive a neutral hit or two, It's special defense is trash, getting easily killed by special attacks. However, when given the chance to set up, it can sweep pretty efficiently, or set up a good amount of hazards, becoming a pretty big pain in the ass.<p>
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[SET]
name: Dual Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Toxic Spikes
move 3: Megahorn
move 4: Rock Slide / Earthquake
item: Focus Sash / Leftovers
ability: Swarm
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Scolipede's greatest niche in RU is being able to set up Hazards. Scolipede has high speed as well as both Spikes and Toxic Spikes, letting be an extremely efficient setup lead. His ability to absorb toxic spikes is also very useful in the mirror match against stall. Megahorn, although comparatively weak off unboosted base 90, Is still a base 120 STAB that coupled with Scolipede's natural speed can help finish enemies off, as well as bring some pain to Uxie and Cresselia. Rock Slide/Earthquake is for predicted Fire Switch-ins such as Entei, Typhlosion, Moltres, among other big threats to Scolipede.<p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Instead of 252 ATK, you can run 252 HP if you favor bulk over the ability to finish enemies off. Although Scolipede has decent physical bulk, Focus Sash can almost guarantee a 2x Toxic Spikes setup, which is useful if you REALLY NEED Toxic Spikes up for your team to function. Leftovers is also an option, especially if you aren't leading with Scolipede, or want to run HP EVs, However, the sheer security of Focus Sash makes it more preferrable in most situations then Leftovers.</p>
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[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Megahorn
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Earthquake
item: Life Orb
ability: Swarm
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 ATK / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Swords Dance gets his attack up to 557, which coupled with 355 speed hurts quite a bit. Rock Slide and Earthquake are strong coverage moves, creating the "QuakeSlide" combination, which complements his powerful Bug STAB. Megahorn is the preferred STAB, as after one swords dance, coming off a 120 BP attack move, most things that do not 4x resist bug take serious damage. EVs are standard 252 ATK/252 Spe physical sweeper EVs.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Life Orb, which complements all of his attacks pretty well, is the preffered item. Swarm is the preferred ability, as Poison Point is pretty much useless, as well as Swarm making his STAB Megahorn hurt so much more.</p>
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[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Megahorn
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Pursuit
item: Choice Band
ability: Swarm
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Scolipede has high speed, especially in the relatively slow metagame of RU, making Scolipede a potent revenge killer. Choice band boosts it to good offensive levels, although not nearly as strongly as swords dance. Megahorn is for ridiculously strong STAB, Earthquake and Rock Slide are for generic coverage, and Pursuit to catch obvious switch-outs for heavy damage.<p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Choice Band is pretty obvious (Being a Choice Band set), Swarm is the generic ability, and the moves are really the best you can do with it's shallow movepool.<p>
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[Other Options]
<p>X-Scissor, Steamroller, and Poison Jab are alternate STABs with perfect accuracy, but the sheer lack of power and additional coverage from these moves makes them obsolete when compared to Megahorn, especially due to the lack of natural power Scolipede posesses (Base 90 ATK is not very impressive for a sweeper.) Baton pass is also an option, passing Swords Dance or Agility quite easily.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Anything faster and/or relatively strong can kill it easily. Stong Special attacks, even neutral can OHKO it. Rock Blast from Cinccino can break the sash and kill. It is easily revenged due to it's fraility, and although it has good Defence, a strong pursuit will easily finish it off. <p>
[Dream World]
<p>Scolipede gets Quick Feet in the Dream World. Generally a good ability, however it is a little wasted on Scolipede, as burn still lowers it's attack, and it is immune to toxic, which makes really not too viable outside of Paralysis immunity. Swarm overall outclasses that aspect however, by helping him overcome his meh attack stat.</p>