Message #153098

[Dudebot5000]

Quoted from Smogon.

Name “It’s a Trap!”
Item: Life Orb / Expert Belt
Ability: Technician
Nature: Adamant 
Moveset
~ Pursuit
~ U-turn
~ Roost
~ Bullet Punch
EVs 176 HP / 100 Atk / 176 SpD / 56 Spe 

Scizor is a perfect choice for a Pokémon that can put its opponents into a checkmate position. With Technician, Pursuit becomes a 60 base power move if the opponent decides to stay and fight. If the opponent decides to flee, Pursuit’s base power will double from 40 to 80. This set is tailored for the Uber environment where many of the physically frail Psychic-types are either hit hard by U-turn when staying in or Pursuit when attempting to escape. In the OU environment, this set is capable of handling threats such as Gengar, Starmie, and Celebi.

The given EVs allows Scizor a balance of offense and defense. With the Special Defense EVs, Scizor has the ability to switch into Dragon and Dark Pulses from Latias and Darkrai, respectively. Scizor must be aware of Latias in the rain as a boosted Thunder will 2HKO Scizor. With only one weakness, it is easy for Scizor to step into many of these threats and force them to switch out. This makes Roost an excellent option to recover damage from switching in and out or from constant Life Orb recoil. The 100 Attack EVs will OHKO standard Mewtwo, Latias, and Darkrai most of the time with U-turn unless they invest a ridiculous amount of EVs in their HP and Defense stats. Bullet Punch will hamper not only Deoxys-A, but also Darkrai since it resists Pursuit anyway. On top of that, a 379 HP / 216 Def Rayquaza suffers 36 – 43% from Scizor’s Bullet Punch, or a 95% chance of a 2HKO with Stealth Rock taken into account. Finally, the Speed EVs will outpace and trap Shedinja before it can attempt to use Will-O-Wisp (provided that Shedinja lacks its Focus Sash beforehand).

Life Orb is the best item for this set. It guarantees the OHKOs and 2HKOs listed above. If the recoil from Life Orb is a problem, Expert Belt is a fine option to remedy it. Unfortunately, not many Pokémon are hit for super effective damage from Bullet Punch. The only residual damage Scizor should really worry about is indirect damage from Stealth Rock and Spikes or Hail.