A special attacker Mega Sceptile that maxes out Sp.Atk and Speed and forces powerful special moves off its high Sp.Atk. The pivot move that cuts its own HP to leave behind a Substitute, Shed Tail, and also serves a support function, deploying teammates safely while attacking itself — its composition.

Alternative Move Options

Grass Knot and Energy Ball are also options

Leaf Storm can deal high damage, but it has drawbacks such as the Sp. Atk drop recoil and shaky accuracy. As a replacement option, whose power scales with the opponent's weight, Grass Knot or the easy-to-use Energy Ball are also recommended.

Shed Tail Special Attacker Role

• Force in powerful Grass moves with high Speed
• Board control with Shed Tail
• Cut off Electric coverage with the Lightning Rod ability

Moving first thanks to its high Speed, it uses high-power STAB movesLeaf Storm to pressure opponents — that is its main role. The ability Lightning Rod can cover allies' Electric weakness, and in unfavorable matchups it can Shed Tail pass the board over to an ally, among other things, taking on the role of controlling the match with flexible play.

Favorable Matchups

Pokémon Whose Weakness It Can Hit First

Mega Sceptile is favored against Pokémon whose weakness it can hit first. Mega Sceptile's base Speed of 145 is extremely high, and even a Basculegion holding a Choice Scarf can be outsped and OHKO'd.

Threats

Bulky Pokémon That Resist Grass Moves

Since Mega Sceptile has no setup move to raise its Sp. Atk, it struggles to break through bulky Pokémon that resist its main weapon, Grass moves. When facing one, Shed Tail or switch out and leave it to a teammate in reserve.

Max Sp.Atk/Spe EVs, Focus Sash to survive the opponent's attack, then the ability Unburden is triggered — this Sceptile build. After Focus Sash leaves it at 1 HP, forcibly chip the opponent's HP with Endeavor, then finish it off with a priority move or similar — its composition.

Alternative Move Options

Quick Guard is also recommended as a counter to priority moves

Since it is often finished off by a priority move when Focus Sash leaves it at 1 HP, Upper Hand is also a recommended option.Use it when you can predict the opponent's priority move to deal damage.

Focus Sash Endeavor Attacker Role

Focus Sash guarantees survival and the ability boosts Speed, leveraging both to reliably chip down whatever it faces — its role. Beyond pressuring with high-power special moves from its high Speed, force its way through the matchup with the combination of Endeavor and Vacuum Wave — core gameplay.

Threats

Weak to opponents that bypass Focus Sash

This Sceptile Focus Sash is a build that survives and fights, so multi-hit moves or Stealth Rock and the like, is weak to opponents that bypass Focus Sash. It can sometimes be knocked out without doing anything, so consider whether to bring it depending on the opponent.