Moves
Megahorn is Scolipede's main STAB attack and allows it to threaten walls such as Swampert and Mega Venusaur. It also targets Psychic-types such as Latios and Mew, which could otherwise deal with Scolipede. Earthquake hits Poison-, Steel-, Fire-, and Rock-types such as Toxapex, Excadrill, Heatran, and Nihilego. Rock Slide hits troublesome Flying-types like Zapdos, Mega Charizard Y, and Mantine. Protect allows Scolipede to safely gain a Speed boost and revenge kill threats such as Choice Scarf Latios. Alternatively, Swords Dance allows Scolipede to muscle through its checks such as Porygon2 and Toxapex more easily.
Set Details
The given EV investment allows Scolipede to hit as hard as possible and outspeed threats such as Kyurem-B and Excadrill. Life Orb gives Scolipede's moves an extremely important boost in power, allowing it to check threats such as Mega Charizard X and Victini more easily. Speed Boost increases Scolipede's Speed every turn, making it a potent cleaner and revenge killer. A Jolly nature allows Scolipede to outspeed threats like Latios, Victini, and Nihilego. Adamant can also be used, as it lets Scolipede hit harder, notably allowing it to 2HKO threats such as Mandibuzz, Staraptor, and Victini after Stealth Rock damage, as well as Swampert, at the cost of being slower.
Usage Tips
Due to Scolipede's poor bulk, it should never be brought it in directly; only bring it in after a Pokemon faints, with an aggressive double switch, or through pivoting moves such as U-turn and Volt Switch. It should set up with Swords Dance when it forces out the foe with its offensive presence. While its primary use is to sweep, it can make use of its ability early- and mid-game to revenge kill threats such as Choice Scarf Latios, Victini, and Nihilego. Scolipede should only try to set up and sweep once its checks, such as Mandibuzz and Ferrothorn, are weakened. Scolipede's large movepool makes it extremely important in matchups against Flying, Poison, Steel, and Fire teams. Due to this, it should be played conservatively in these matchups. Scolipede shouldn't be sent on the field if entry hazards are up, so using Rapid Spin with a teammate beforehand is recommended. Avoid both burn and paralysis, as they greatly cripple Scolipede and make it much harder for it to clean. As a result, it shouldn't be switched into Pokemon that could cripple it with these ailments, such as Toxapex and Lanturn.
Team Options
Volcarona can deal with the vast majority of Scolipede's checks, such as Hippowdon, Staraptor, and most Steel-types, and appreciates Scolipede's ability to deal with its checks like Chansey. Galvantula and Araquanid are other good partners, as they provide Sticky Web support, which allows Scolipede to outspeed threats like Mew without needing a Speed boost. Galvantula can also deal with some of Scolipede's checks, such as Staraptor, while Araquanid is able to check troublesome Fire-types and can trap and beat some of Scolipede's other checks, such as Celesteela and physically defensive Toxapex. In return, Scolipede deals with some of Galvantula's checks, like Lanturn. Choice Band Scizor, Mega Scizor, Choice Scarf Heracross, and Mega Pinsir can wear down shared checks with Scolipede, such as Gliscor, Celesteela, Hippowdon, Staraptor, and Porygon2. Due to its susceptibility to most entry hazards, Armaldo and Forretress are amazing partners. Not only can they remove entry hazards, but they can also set Stealth Rock or Spikes in the case of the latter, allowing Scolipede to clean more easily late-game. Armaldo is a better check to Flying-types like Mega Charizard Y and provides some utility with Knock Off, which allows Scolipede to get past walls like Toxapex more easily. Forretress checks Rock-types such as Terrakion and can safely bring Scolipede on the field with Volt Switch. It can also set Reflect and Light Screen, making up for Scolipede's poor bulk.