Introduced in generation two, Scizor is a dual-type steel/bug Pokemon that evolves from Scyther. It evolves from Scyther when Scyther is traded with a metal coat item. Scizor also gained a mega evolution in generation six with Pokemon X and Y. As it debuted in generation two, it had many opportunities to appear in the anime. While not particularly powerful in terms of base stats, it still saw its fair share of competitive play. This guide will showcase Scizor’s capabilities in battle, its appearances in the anime, as well as other general facts about Scizor.
About Scizor
A Pokemon that evolves from trading, Scizor will evolve from Scyther when Scyther is traded holding a metal coat. This was a change from most level threshold evolutions from generation one. As Pokemon trading was a bit more archaic back in the day, it was difficult to have a Scizor for yourself. As it is a dual-type bug/steel Pokemon, many players were intrigued with its design to make use of the brand new type introduced in generation two. Since Scizor is a relatively older Pokemon, it has had many chances to appear in the anime series. It made a few appearances in the Pokemon movies like in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest, Zoroark: Master of Illusions, Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction, and many regular anime episodes as well.
| First appearance in anime | Pokemon Original Series Wired for Battle |
| First appearance in game | Pokemon Gold and Silver |
| Region | Johto |
| Evolution | Evolves from Scyther when traded with a metal coat |
| 1st Evo level | N/A |
| 2nd Evo level | N/A |
| Pokedex Entry | It swings its eye-patterned pincers up to scare its foes. This makes it look like it has three heads. |
Scizor Base Stats
| HP | 70 |
| ATTACK | 130 |
| DEFENCE | 100 |
| SP. ATTACK | 55 |
| SP. DEFENCE | 80 |
| SPEED | 65 |
| TOTAL | 500 |
Appearance of Scizor
True to its bug typing, it appears to be an armored praying mantis-like Pokemon. To indicate its steel typing, its body is covered in shiny red armor. Like its pre-evolution Scyther, it has two bug-like wings on its back. Scizor is a bipedal Pokemon with yellow eyes and two large rounded claws. The Pokedex states that these large claws can often confuse foes as it looks like it has three heads. Much of Scizor’s body is red, with a few dark gray accents and white claws at the base of its feet.
Behavior of Scizor
As the Pokedex states, it is a cunning hunter that uses its arms to deceive its opponents. Typical of bug behavior, it seems to have evolved to trick its opponents. The Pokedex also states that its wings are not used for flying, instead, they are used to cool down its body temperature. It seems that its body temperature becomes quite a problem for Scizor as it cannot maintain its mega evolution for too long without beginning to melt. Its pincers are capable of crushing its opponents into scraps.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Despite Scizor's relatively low base speed, it has made waves in competitive play. Thanks to its typing, it gains access to some of the more powerful moves, and with its high physical attack stat can make good use of many powerful moves. While Scizor is not particularly weak to many types, it does have a 4x weakness to fire being bug and steel type. Its bulky stats are moderately high with a solid base physical defense and respectable special defense. However, its health is somewhat low, so any fire-type move that connects will likely take a Scizor down.
Mega Scizor
Mega Scizor gains the benefit of 100 base stat boosts that most mega evolutions get to enjoy. Luckily for Mega Scizor, these stat boosts are all in places where it benefits Scizor. Mega Scizor’s physical attack and defense, special defense, and speed all benefit from its mega evolution. In its design, you can see that its pincers become more jagged and they still resemble two heads, although these heads are much more menacing. Mega Scizor also gets a black crest on its head and its legs become pointed. Although, not too much changes from Mega Scizor’s design to regular Scizor’s.
Shiny Scizor
Shiny Scizor is more of a callback to its pre-evolution, Scyther. Almost the entirety of Shiny Scizor’s body becomes green, even the dark gray accents become dark green. Not much else changes between Shiny Scizor and regular Scizor’s design, but it is a striking shiny palette. Unlike most lime green shinies, Shiny Scizor’s lime green appearance at least harkens back to its pre-evolution. Like all shiny Pokemon, Shiny Scizor will gain a starry animation upon entering battle.
Best Moveset for Scizor
While Scizor’s stat line would lead you to believe that Scizor’s performance in competitive battle would not be too exciting, it is actually OU (Over Used) and its moveset varies between generations. For the most part, you want to take advantage of STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves and Scizor’s high base physical attack. For moves, you will want Swords Dance, Roost, Bullet Punch, and a flip between Superpower and Knock Off. Swords Dance is taking advantage of Scizor’s high base physical attack, Roost will take advantage of its natural bulky stats, Bullet Punch gives Scizor some much-needed priority, and Superpower and Knock Off are for type coverage.
| Swords Dance | Roost |
| Bullet Punch | Knock Off/Superpower |
How to Catch Scizor in Pokemon Go
If you want a Scizor in Pokemon Go, you will need to start with catching a Scyther. Scizor does not naturally spawn in the wild and you will need to obtain a metal coat in order to evolve your Scyther. Luckily there is no trading involved with evolving Scyther in Pokemon Go, but you only have a 1% chance to obtain a metal coat from spinning a Pokestop or Gym. Once you have obtained 50 Scyther candies, a metal coat, and a Scyther you want to evolve, you can evolve it through regular means. It does not seem like Scizor is available in Pokemon Gym Raids, so you will have to grind out the candies and locate the metal coat.
Video Guide
Trivia
- Despite being the evolved form of Scyther, Scizor and Scyther both have identical total base stats.
- Scizor shares a lot of similarities between it and Steelix, which both require a metal coat and trade to evolve, and have obtained mega evolutions in generation six.
- Scizor’s name comes from scissor or a portmanteau of the words scissors and razor.
- Scizor gained a different sprite in generation six depending on whether it was male or female.
FAQs
Q. What’s better, Scyther or Scizor?
Interestingly enough, they both have identical total base stats. However, Scyther is faster while Scizor has higher physical attack and defense. In addition to higher offensive stats, Scizor also gains the steel typing making it more resilient to other types. Scizor also gains access to bullet punch with STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) which helps with its low-speed bracket.
Q. Is Scizor better than Steelix?
Scizor is a much better offensive Pokemon, while Steelix has one of the best physical defense stats in the entire game. It really depends on whether you need a bulky offensive Pokemon or a pure bulky wall type Pokemon. Scizor is better for offense while Steelix is much better for defense. It comes down to whichever you need on your team more.
Q. Is Scizor a Good Pokemon?
In both casual and competitive play, Scizor has proven its salt as a powerful Pokemon. As a resident of the OU (Over Used) bracket in competitive play, its access to bullet punch just makes it a solid physical attacking Pokemon capable of sweeping many teams. Since it has high physical attack and defense, it does not sacrifice much in terms of speed with a STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) priority move. Bullet Punch is really what makes Scizor from a decent to a great Pokemon.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you now know just about everything there is to know about this somewhat exclusive bug/steel Pokemon. If you grew up playing Pokemon you may recall the thrill of helping your friends complete the Pokedex by trading each other some interesting Pokemon. Scizor changed how fans thought about evolution and required some camaraderie in order to fully complete the national Pokedex. As a powerful option in competitive and casual play, with a beloved design to boot, Scizor is understandably a favorite Pokemon of many players.
