Pokemon Bootcamp Pt.15: Sceptile

The wheels of destiny have finally taken its turn as the new Pokemon game goes center stage to unleash its awesomeness! However, this doesn't mean Pokemon Bootcamp will go on vacation just because of that! The bootcamp has still a lot of things to do and the never-ending quest to exploit every Pokemon's potential continues!

WELCOME TO POKEMON BOOTCAMP!

Subject No. 15
Name: Sceptile
Species: The Forest Pokemon
Height: 5'1" (6'3" in Mega form)
Weight: 115.1 lbs. (121.7 lbs. in Mega form)
Type: Grass (Grass, Dragon during Mega form)
Possible Abilities: Overgrow, Unburden
Mega Ability: Lightning Rod
Smogon Tier: NeverUsed

Insights: Sceptile is just... a mixed bag of sorts. It has this particular niche of being a special nuke while being fast enough to do so. Another unique trait of Sceptile is that it is the fastest non-legendary Grass-type to ever exist in the current meta, meaning to say that it can go par with Greninja except the latter is 2 points faster than Sceptile, but at least there's potential. In addition, Sceptile is also one of the lucky ones to ever receive a Mega Evolution; gaining a Dragon typing as it evolves. Man, talk about a feisty lizard!

Recommended Ability: Unburden
Simply put, Sceptile's best Ability to have. This Ability allows Sceptile to outrun even the fastest of Choice Scarf users in its tier, and for a gecko that has a powerful move pool, it deserves such an Ability in the first place. It gains Lightning Rod as it Mega evolves; which adds more power to its key stat, Special Attack, into even more dangerous levels.

Recommended moves:
1. Leaf Storm - Sceptile's main STAB move that deals a hefty amount of damage but lowers its Special Attack in the process. Best used with White Herb and Unburden.

2. Giga Drain - another STAB move that grants this Pokemon some form of sustain while still dealing hefty damage to opponents.

3. Focus Blast - basically a coverage move against Steels that can otherwise shrug off your attacks with ease. The accuracy of this move is detrimental to its offensive promise, however.

4. Dragon Breath - damages foes as well as paralyzing them. Not bad, especially if it Mega Evolves.

5. Leech Seed - Sceptile's main set-up move that grants it more sustain against some nasty opponents that has lots of Health.

Other recommended moves:
1. Leaf Blade - Sceptile's main physical STAB. It has a greater chance to unleash a critical hit and capable of slicing baddies like churned butter.

2. Pursuit - deals more damage the moment your foe switches out. A pesky move against Psychic-types, but the absence of STAB makes the move detrimental.

3. X-Scissor - another decent move that takes care of Dark and Psychic-types with ease.

4. Energy Ball - decent STAB that also lowers the foe's Special Defense. Pretty nice move since it will allow Sceptile to hit even harder.

5. Grass Knot - gets rid of heavy Pokemon for heavy damage.

6. Solar Beam - heavy damage with sunlight support. It's a monstrous move no matter how you put it.

7. Fling - throws away certain items with additional effects depending on the item you are holding. It activates Unburden.

Recommended items:
1. White Herb - heals recoil coming from Leaf Storm while also activating Unburden as well.

2. Lum Berry - heals the first status ailment that may affect Sceptile and it activates Unburden, but keep in mind that subsequent status ailments will cripple Sceptile considerably.

3. Assault Vest - increases the user's Special Defense significantly. Use it on an Overgrow build since Unburden won't be doing much about it unless the item is Knocked off.

4. Life Orb - deals additional damage while sacrificing the speed boosts from Unburden.

Recommended nature: Timid or Modest
Sceptile's move pool is so diverse that it can either go physical or special sweeper very well regardless of the role. However, most people will prefer it to be a special nuke due to its wide array of special attacks and coverage moves. Thus, Timid or Modest are the preferred choice since both of these natures boosts Sceptile's key stat; Speed and Special Attack, respectively. In addition, the Mega Evolution will boosts these key stats to even greater heights.

Overall: Sceptile screams speed and power over anything else and it is also capable of dealing tons of damage while being agile enough to outrun certain threats in the higher tiers. The main problem with Sceptile is its typing; pure Grass just begs to get annihilated by the common types in the metagame (most notably Fire) and it's also frail enough to even withstand a neutral hit. Nevertheless, Sceptile remains to have this particular potential which is only hindered by bad typing and low defenses. However, with a variety of move sets, who cares?

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