Import-only without Technician (that's Gen 4), Scyther's Speed and Swords Dance still earn it A-Tier in Emerald. Trade with Metal Coat for Scizor.
Ability 1SwarmAbility 1Strengthens bug moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
500HP70Attack110Defense80Speed105Sp.Def80Sp.Atk55
Scyther
Scizor
Weak to
Physical
Sweeper
105Speed · Fast

Is Scyther Good in Emerald Playthrough?

Scyther has high Attack and Speed on a Bug/Flying frame. AbilitySwarm boosts Bug at low HP. The problem: Bug is Special in Gen 3, so the Attack stat doesn't power Bug moves. Scizor via Metal Coat trade changes to Bug/Steel. Without the trade, Scyther is a mismatch victim.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEGEEGEGGSEGEERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7JuanGym 8ScytherTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Even

Scyther trades roughly evenly with Roxanne's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
BlockHardenTackleRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Good

Scyther has the type edge here and should clean up Brawly's team.

You Win
Machop
Lv 16
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopLow KickSeismic TossBulk Up
Even
Meditite
Lv 16
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Focus PunchLight ScreenReflectBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 19
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustVital ThrowReversalBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Scyther trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

You Win
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSparkSelf DestructShock Wave
You Win
Electrike
Lv 20
Electric
Static
Shock WaveLeerQuick AttackHowl
Even
Magneton
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicShock WaveThunder WaveSonic Boom
Even
Manectric
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveShock WaveHowl
Flannery
Gym 4
Even

Scyther trades roughly evenly with Flannery's team.

Even
Numel
Lv 24
FireGround
Oblivious
OverheatTake DownMagnitudeSunny Day
Even
Slugma
Lv 24
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Camerupt
Lv 26
FireGround
Magma Armor
OverheatTackleSunny DayAttract
Risky
Torkoal
Lv 29
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatSunny DayBody SlamAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Good

Scyther has the type edge here and should clean up Norman's team.

You Win
Spinda
Lv 27
Normal
Own Tempo
Teeter DancePsybeamFacadeEncore
You Win
Vigoroth
Lv 27
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFacadeEncoreFeint Attack
You Win
Linoone
Lv 29
Normal
Pickup
SlashBelly DrumFacadeHeadbutt
Even
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
CounterYawnFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Even

Scyther trades roughly evenly with Winona's team.

You Win
Swablu
Lv 29
NormalFlying
Natural Cure
Perish SongMirror MoveSafeguardAerial Ace
Easy KO
Tropius
Lv 29
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayAerial AceSolar BeamSynthesis
Even
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Risky
Skarmory
Lv 31
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
Even
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Good

Scyther has the type edge here and should clean up Tate & Liza's team.

You Win
Claydol
Lv 41
GroundPsychic
Levitate
EarthquakeAncient PowerPsychicLight Screen
Even
Xatu
Lv 41
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
PsychicSunny DayConfuse RayCalm Mind
You Win
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
You Win
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Juan
Gym 8
Good

Scyther has the type edge here and should clean up Juan's team.

You Win
Luvdisc
Lv 41
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
You Win
Whiscash
Lv 41
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 43
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
Easy KO
Crawdaunt
Lv 43
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
Water PulseCrabhammerTauntLeer
Even
Kingdra
Lv 46
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
Water PulseDouble TeamIce BeamRest
Sidney
Elite Four
Strong

Scyther resists most of Sidney's coverage and hits back hard.

You Win
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarDouble EdgeSand AttackCrunch
Easy KO
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
TormentDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
Easy KO
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
You Win
Crawdaunt
Lv 48
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
SurfSwords DanceStrengthFacade
You Win
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceRock SlideSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Scyther trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

Even
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseProtect
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallGrudgeWill O WispFeint Attack
You Win
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallDouble TeamNight ShadeFeint Attack
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicThunderboltFacade
Risky
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamRock SlideEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Good

Scyther has the type edge here and should clean up Glacia's team.

You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamHailIce Ball
You Win
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchIcy WindIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDouble EdgeHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallExplosionHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamIce BeamSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Even

Scyther trades roughly evenly with Drake's team.

Even
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectDouble Edge
Even
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Double EdgeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Even
Kingdra
Lv 53
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenDragon DanceSurfBody Slam
Even
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathEarthquake
Risky
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawRock SlideCrunch
Wallace
Champion
Even

Scyther trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

Even
Wailord
Lv 57
Water
Water Veil
Rain DanceWater SpoutDouble EdgeBlizzard
Even
Tentacruel
Lv 55
WaterPoison
Clear Body
ToxicHydro PumpSludge BombIce Beam
Easy KO
Ludicolo
Lv 56
WaterGrass
Swift Swim
Giga DrainSurfLeech SeedDouble Team
Even
Whiscash
Lv 56
WaterGround
Oblivious
EarthquakeSurfAmnesiaHyper Beam
Even
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon DanceEarthquakeHyper BeamSurf
Even
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverSurfIce BeamToxic

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
BugFlying
Tier
A

Scyther cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.

View Scyther locations

How to Get Scyther in Emerald

Scyther is a transfer-only catch in Emerald, since no wild mantis flies any local route. A traded Metal Coat later turns it into Scizor, the same item the Onix line wants.

How to Obtain Scyther in E

  1. Scyther
    Step 1Scyther ✓
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    Available
    Catch in FireRed & LeafGreen via Walking · Safari Zone, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Red & Blue via Walking · Safari Zone. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Yellow
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Yellow via Gift · Celadon City · 6,500 Coins. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Gold & Silver via Walking · National Park · Bug-Catching Contest only, on Tuesdays, Thursdays. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Crystal
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Crystal via Walking · National Park · Bug-Catching Contest only, on Tuesdays, Thursdays. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Route 229. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Platinum via Walking · Route 210. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Scizor
    Step 2Evolve into Scizor

How to Get Shiny Scyther in Emerald

Scyther skips Emerald entirely, so trade one in from FireRed, where it darts through the Safari Zone grass, and its shiny sheen carries over on arrival. See every game where Shiny Scyther can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Scyther in EmeraldNormal
Shiny Scyther in Emerald Shiny
Color ShiftGreen
Shiny TierA Tier Shiny

Shiny Scyther Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Scyther Weakness

Scyther's Bug/Flying typing leaves it vulnerable to Rock, Fire, Electric, Ice, and Flying. Rock hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. It shrugs off Ground-type attacks completely.

Scyther Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
4x (Critical)Rock
2x (Weak)Fire, Electric, Ice, Flying
0.5x (Resist)Bug
0.25x (Resist)Grass, Fighting
0x (Immune)Ground
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Scyther Weak Against

Vulnerable
5Weak
3Resist
1Immune
Score-4
4xCritical
½xResist
¼xResist
0xImmune

What is Scyther Strong Against

5Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+4
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Scyther

Ho-Oh
Ho-Oh
FireFlying
S
Rayquaza
Rayquaza
DragonFlying
S
C
Blaziken
Blaziken
FireFighting
B
Aggron
Aggron
SteelRock
B

Scyther Evolutions

Evolving Scyther into Scizor takes a trade. It's not a simple level-up, so check the chain details below. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Scyther
BugFlying
Scizor
BugSteel
HP
70
70
ATK
110
130+20
DEF
80
100+20
SP.ATK
55
55
SP.DEF
80
80
SPE
105
65-40
BST
500A-Tier
500A-Tier
ROLE
Sweeper
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Easy

Breed Scyther easily with 37 breeding partners from the Bug egg group. Pass egg moves like Baton Pass, Counter, Endure and 5 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Bug
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
25 cycles·6,425 steps
Moderate~6 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
8moves
Breed With (best first)
flygonmasquerainvolbeatillumiseparasectvibravaparastrapinchsurskitshuckleforretressvenomoth

E Scyther Best Moveset

Scyther serves teams as a MoveSwords Dance passer, boosting Attack to +2 then transferring it via MoveBaton Pass to a teammate with better coverage. AbilitySwarm boosts Bug moves at low HP, but the moveset's primary value is setup passing rather than attacking directly. 110 Attack at 105 Speed also threatens with MoveAerial Ace if the pass is blocked.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Setup Sweeper
Ability
Swarm
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Scyther
Jolly+SPE

Scyther best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • Swords Dance
  • SubstituteUtility
  • Silver WindSTAB
  • Aerial AceSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Moves List

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 Wing Attack and Aerial Ace, they expand what Scyther can actually threaten in practice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
D—10030Normal
Lv 1
Quick Attack+1
D4010030Normal
Lv 6
Focus Energy
D——30Normal
Lv 11
Pursuit
D4010020Dark
Lv 16
False Swipe
—4010040Normal
Lv 21
Agility
C——30Psychic
Lv 26
Wing Attack
—9010035Flying
Lv 31
Slash
C7010020Normal
Lv 36
Swords Dance
B——30Normal
Lv 41
Double Team
———15Normal
Lv 46
Fury Cutter
—159520Bug

TM Moves

All 18 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40A90—20Flying
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42C7010020Normal
TM21
FrustrationPacifidlog Townbadge 5
D—10020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper BeamLilycove Department Storebadge 5
C150905Normal
TM17C——10Normal
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
HM06D2010015Fighting
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
TM47
Steel WingGranite Cavebadge 1
C709025Steel
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM46
ThiefSlateport Citybadge 1
C6010025Dark
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Baton Pass
A——40Normal
Egg
Counter-5
D—10020Fighting
Egg
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Egg
Light Screen
C——30Psychic
Egg
Razor Wind
—8010010Normal
Egg
Reversal
D—10015Fighting
Egg
Safeguard
D——25Normal
Egg
Silver Wind
A901005Bug

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Counter-5
D—10020Fighting
Tutor
Double-Edge
A12010015Normal
Tutor
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Tutor
Fury Cutter
—159520Bug
Tutor
Mimic
D——10Normal
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D——10Normal
Tutor
Snore
—4010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
A——10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D—9015Normal
Tutor
Swift
—60—20Normal
Tutor
Swords Dance
B——30Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
High
HP70
C
Attack110
B
Defense80
C
Sp. Atk55
D
Sp. Def80
C
Speed105
B
Total500
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.5 m
Weight56.0 kg
Base XP100
Abilities
Swarm
Strengthens bug moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less.
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

Its blindingly fast speed adds to the sharpness of its twin forearm scythes. The scythes can slice through thick logs in one wicked stroke.

Pokemon Emerald

Scyther Emerald Guide

  • Scyther isn't catchable in Emerald. Catch one in FireRed, then trade it to Emerald.

  • In Emerald, Scyther has 500 BST and evolves into Scizor. Compare the two forms before you give either one a team slot.

  • In Emerald, use Scyther as a sweeper. Physical side carries the damage. It outspeeds most threats,

  • For Emerald, run Jolly on Scyther. +Speed is what matters, and the -Sp. Atk cut doesn't hurt this set. Fits the sweeper role.

  • For Emerald, build your team around Metagross and Magneton. These have the highest co-usage rates with Scyther in competitive formats. They cover each other's weaknesses.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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