Scolipede, The Megapede Pokémon. It clasps its prey with the claws on its neck until it stops moving. Then it finishes it off with deadly poison. With quick movements, it chases down its foes, attacking relentlessly with its horns until it prevails.
Overview
One of the generic duo bugs of BW, Scolipede was meant to be the Weedle of the game. However, Scolipede gets access to one of the best abilities in the game, Speed Boost giving it a +1 to Speed at the end of the turn. This, in combination with its access to Swords Dance and Poison typing in a Fairy dominated metagame make Scolipede a terrifying sweeper and wallbreaker in standard play.
Positives
+Speed Boost - Speed Boost is up in the top of abilities and its impact on Scolipede's usability can't be understated. This combined with Scolipede's excellent base Speed in general makes Scolipede a prime user of this ability.
+Workable Movepool/Offensive Stats - While Speed Boost is a major part of the success of Scolipede, Scolipede has both a useable movepool and offensive stats, unlike the original Speed Booster, Ninjask (though its movepool is support based anyway). Scolipede has access to two powerful STAB moves with Poison Jab and Megahorn backed with a base 100 Attack. After this Scolipede has access to some strong coverage moves with moves such as Earthquake, Aqua Tail, and Rock Slide allowing it to hit the types that it can't cover with its STAB moves.
Negatives
-Poor STAB combination - It's a good thing Scolipede has good coverage because its STABs provide generally subpar coverage, namely its Bug-type STAB. This means for a large chunk of OU, Scolipede has to lean on a coverage move, and Scolipede has only one option due to its need to carry Swords Dance.
-Low bulk - Scolipede has low bulk overall, 60 base HP really hurts Scolipede. This is compounded by Scolipede's average base 89 Defense and terrible base 59 Special Defense, meaning Scolipede is easy to revenge kill or just be KOed by anything that can survive a hit.
Abilities
Swarm - Raises Bug type moves by 50% when below 33% health - Overall a sub par ability as the only move that gains the buff is Megahorn and Scolipede is already frail. Still a better option than Poison Point.
Poison Point - 30% chance to poison when hit with a contact move - A passable ability, on a tank Pokemon with no better options. On an offensive cannon like Scolipede, it has no home.
Speed Boost - Raises Speed by on stage at the end of the turn - This is one of the best offensive abilities in the game, a free boost to Speed for surviving is amazing and is the core reason Scolipede is so threatening.
Movesets
Wall Breaker
- Megahorn
- Swords Dance
- Aqua Tail
- Poison Jab
Item Attached: Waterium Z
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs and Nature:
252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
The most common set Scolipede runs, this set aims to sweep or break through walls and allow someone else to sweep. Swords Dance is the core move of the set, boosting Scolipede's Attack and allowing to really apply pressure. Poison Jab is the main STAB move, allowing Scolipede to pressure out the Tapus that are everywhere. Megahorn is a nice neutral STAB move and allows Scolipede to break Grass-type walls such as Tangrowth and Ferrothorn. Aqua Tail is the best coverage move, allowing Scolipede to handle Landorus Therian, one of the most common threats in OU, as well as any Pokemon that resists both of Scolipede STABs. Waterium Z is to guarantee to OHKO Landorus Therian at +1.
Hazare Lead
- Spikes / Toxic Spikes
- Endeavor
- Megahorn
- Protect / Toxic Spikes / Poison Jab
Item Attached: Focus Sash
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs and Nature:
252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
With Scolipede's access to both Spikes and Toxic Spikes, Scolipede can act as a suicide lead. As such Spikes is a core move, though Toxic Spikes is also an option as Scolipede will almost always get off two layers of hazards, meaning 2 layers of Spikes, 2 layers of Toxic Spikes (which applies Toxic), or one of each. Endeavor is the other core move as it allows Scolipede to “take down” the other Pokemon with it after setting hazards. Megahorn or Poison Jab are other options for the last slot as both are powerful STAB options. Lastly, a Focus Sash is needed to make sure Scolipede will survive a hit.
Other Options and Partners
Savage Spin-Out - An option as another Z-Crystal, Savage Spin-Out allows Scolipede to just break threats with a +2 STAB Bug-type move. However, it forgoes the power of Hydro Vortex, which would allow Scolipede to OHKO Landorus Therian.
Earthquake - Another coverage option, this allows Scolipede to handle Steel-types a little better due to its higher base power, but it leaves Scolipede walled by Landorus Therian and Skarmory.
Hazard Control - Scolipede struggles with Stealth Rock, limiting its already limited chances to set up Swords Dance. As such a form of hazard control is really helpful for Scolipede. Tapu Fini is a nice option with its access to Defog and ability to break threats such as Scizor and Skarmory with Nature's Madness. Mew is another good option as well, having access to U-Turn and Volt Switch which grants Scolipede a free switch in. Lastly Zapdos is strong option as well because like Mew, it has access to Volt Switch while also checking Steel threats, namely Mega Scizor.
Physical Attackers - With Scolipede's ability to pressure out a lot of physical walls, again namely Landorus Therian, a lot of other physical attackers really benefit from Scolipede. Mega Charizard X is one of the strong contenders with its ability to switch in on some of Scolipede's main answers such as Mega Scizor and Skarmory, and really likes Landorus Therian being removed from the field. Gyarados and Mega Gyarados are both good for similar reasons, as prior to mega evolving Mega Scizor can't really hurt it. However, both struggle with Ferrothorn.
Volt Switch/U-turn- With how frail Scolipede is overall, Volt Switch/U-Turn support is really nice to have. As stated above, Mew and Zapdos are both good options as they provide Defog support as well. Scizor is also nice, and its Mega form as well, as it can both U-Turn into Scolipede as well as apply pressure or sweep, especially with its mega form. Mega Manectric is a nice lower tier pick as most of its checks are Grass threats such as Tangrowth, and can check Steels when using Fire-type coverage.
VGC & Double Battle Options
Scolipede is a tough sell for the Doubles format, as it is rather lackluster in terms of its stats. To function properly it must receive adequate support, and have the chance to set up at least one Swords Dance. Otherwise, it won't be causing that much a commotion.
Dancing with Sharp Objects
- Swords Dance
- Poison Jab
- Earthquake
- Protect / Aqua Tail
Item Attached: Life Orb
Ability: Speed Boost
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
Scolipede has a few niches in its own right, becoming a potent sweeper after setting up Swords Dance. Given the proper support, Scolipede can make use of Poison Jab given the number of Fairy-types that plague the Doubles format. Earthquake deals decent spread damage, potentially nabbing a KO from Volcanion if it is boosted. Protect eases prediction, while Aqua Tail offers additional coverage that might be useful against Landorus Therian, who is ubiquitous within the format. Life Orb provides a much needed power boost, as Scolipede's Attack is fairly lacking without it.
Other Options & Team Ideas
- Waterium Z could offer a potential water nuke if paired up with Aqua Tail, allowing Scolipede to deal with Landorus-T more directly and having very small chance to OHKO Celesteela after a Swords Dance boost.
- Megahorn offers a stronger STAB move, destroying the likes of Hoopa-Unbound, while offering a stronger option against Ferrothorn.
- Incineroar's Intimadiate + Fake Out makes for great partner, allowing for Scolipede to better set up his own sweep.
Checks & Counters
Priority - Due to Scolipede's low bulk, priority is a big problem for it. Mega Scizor is the prime problem as it resists both of Scolipede's STAB moves and Scolipede lacks a super effective option to break through even with Hydro Vortex. Dragonite and Zygarde with a Choice Band are both strong answers as well as they resist one of Scolipede's STABs, Megahorn and Poison Jab respectfully.
Steel types - Scolipede struggles to handle Steel-types as a whole. Scizor has already been mentioned with its powerful priority, but Ferrothorn is also hard for Scolipede without Swords DAnce as it can just stall out Scolipede via Leech Seed and Iron Barbs. Finally, while not as common as prior generations, Skarmory is a big problem for Scolipede as its very physically bulky but isn't weak to Aqua Tail and can just KO or phase away Scolipede.
Stealth Rock - Stealth Rock is a major issue for Scolipede as it cuts away at Scolipede's already low health pool, making really hard to pull off the necessary Swords Dance to go for the sweep or break through walls.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game
Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Not in game
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Not in game
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Not in game
Colosseum/XD:
Not in game
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Not in game
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Not in game
Black/White:
Evolve Whirlipede
Black 2/White 2:
Evolve Whirlipede
X/Y:
Evolve Whirlipede
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Trade from X & Y
Sun/Moon:
Evolve Whirlipede
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Trade from Sun & Moon
Animé Appearences
