While most trainers evolve Scyther into Scizor immediately, the unevolved form has a niche with Eviolite boosting its defenses. Ground moves can't touch it, which offsets the 5 weaknesses somewhat. Known as the Mantis Pokemon. The stat spread favors raw physical power.
Scyther's spread isn't flashy. Attack leads, Sp. Atk trails, 4 stats clear the bar. Tough to catch and worth 1 Attack EV, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It slashes through grass with its sharp scythes, moving too fast for the human eye to track.
The sharp scythes on its forearms become increasingly sharp by cutting through hard objects.
Scyther Weakness
VulnerableScyther's Bug/Flying typing leaves it vulnerable to Rock, Fire, Electric, Ice, and Flying moves. Rock hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Ground-type attacks completely.
Scyther's evolution chain splits 2 ways into Scizor and Kleavor. The method you choose determines which form you get.
How to Evolve
Breed Scyther easily with 91 breeding partners from the Bug egg group.
Find one free turn for Swords Dance and Scyther can run through teams. Jolly nature leans fast physical, Technician supports the sweep, and Grass coverage stops anything from walling it cleanly.
Best Build
Best Scyther Moveset
- Dual Wingbeat
- Swords Dance
- Close Combat
- Trailblaze
Recommended Teammates
Without TMs, Scyther's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Normal and Fighting coverage and more on top of Bug Buzz and X-Scissor for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Without TMs, Scyther's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Normal and Dark coverage and more on top of Bug Buzz and X-Scissor for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Scyther's movepool balances level-up moves with TM options. Consistent STAB comes from X-Scissor and Air Slash, and Normal and Fighting coverage and more keeps opponents from switching in for free. No major gaps here.
You'll want to breed for Baton Pass and Counter on Scyther. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Bug Buzz and X-Scissor, they expand what Scyther can actually threaten in practice.
Scyther is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 14 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations
14 walking encounters at Lv. 15-55 for Scyther across Scarlet and Violet. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
No wild encounters for Scyther in Legends: Z-A. It's available in Red, Yellow, or Sword and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
A few locations for Scyther with decent spawn rates across mid-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Best Locations
Scyther is available from mid-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 9 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations
9 walking spots from Lv. 16-63 for Scyther. Sorted by game progression with rates on each row, so you can compare without scrolling through everything.
Scyther isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Scizor to unlock its full potential. At 500 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Watch for Aerodactyl (Rock), Arcanine (Fire), and Jolteon (Electric) when using Scyther. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Aerodactyl is the most dangerous since Rock moves deal 4x damage. Ice and Flying-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Run Technician on Scyther. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Scyther also gets Swarm and Steadfast, but they don't compare. With base 105 Speed, Technician gives Scyther an edge before opponents can react.
Scyther fills the sweeper role. It's leaning toward the physical side (base 110 Attack). Base 105 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Scyther appears in 22 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Scyther has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 22 titles across all 9 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A