Scizor (BC # 94) {11/13/12}

[Vulpix Yolk]

Card of the Day: Scizor​

 

[Machamp The Champion]

I don't really see any point to this card. I mean, yeah, EX immunity is great, but what's the difference between this and Sigilyph? Sigilyph's a basic, and doesn't need to attack to wall against EX's, and Sigilyph does more damage. Which is sad, because of how weak Sigilyph already is (in my opinion at least). I guess it's Slashing Strike attack helps a little bit, that plus a Steel Slash is enough to KO most non EX attackers, but then you're open to EX's which will most likely one shot you.

Playability: 4/10
Artwork: 7/10 (I have the card in real life, and the Slash looks really cool on the Holo background)

 

[PMJ]

In a format with Catcher, this card is entirely worthless. Less than worthless because Sigilyph does it better as a Basic with no need to actually attack to get the protection.

 

[grantm1999]

It would be really good with just 10 more HP because then it really would kill Darkrai/Hydreigon. Have a Giant Cape and the main attackers (Darkrai, Mewtwo, Shaymin) can do nothing and Hydreigon cannot OHKO, and they'd have to waste 2 Energy just to attack you, which is bad when it's not OHKOing. You could argue Catcher but that doesn't work (and neither does Raikou) if Scizor is the only one in play. Also when attacked you could just Max Potion and reattach a DCE.

But it only has 120 HP so it sucks

 

[9Tailz]

Scizor is Stage 1 that evolves from Scyther. Neither Scyther is remarkably good, but the BCR version is better than the DEX version because it can attack on the first turn, possibly placing crucial damage for later KOs (who knows?), doesn't discard your Energy (if for whatever reason it hasn't evolved by then), and while it doesn't have as much HP, the difference between 70 and 80 isn't that signifigant. It has 120 HP, which is okay for a fully evolved Stage 1. It has an uncommon Weakness to Fire, a good Resistance to Psychic, and an unsurprising Retreat Cost of 2. Its first attack, Steel Blade, deals a pitiful 40 damage, as well as granting Scizor an immunity to EX attacks during your opponent's next turn at the cost of CC. This attack, on its own, isn't good at all. You are, at best, 5HKOing an EX with the usual 170-180 HP. While your opponent can't KO you with an EX, chances are your opponent will have non-EX Pokemon that can KO you. Slashing Strike, its second attack, does 100 damage with the drawback of not being able to use it the next turn. This attack is decent and not very helpful considering you can only use it every other turn. So, Scizor is a failure of a card, right? Actually, there's this card called Aerodactyl DEX. It makes all of your attacks do 10 more damage for each Aerodactyl you have in play. I can see the gears turning your head doing the math- 2 Aerodactyl means you can 3HKO an EX while maintaining your EX immunity. 120 damage with Slashing Strike lets you but a nice dent in any Pokemon you're trying to take down. Add Terrakion, and look what you have- a partially EX-immune, revenge killing deck that bypasses Darkrai EXs' Eviolites with Aerodactyl, and consistent on top of that! Well, not so much the Aerodactyl, but between Twist Mountain and Old Amber Aerodactyl, you should have 2-3 out per game. But, as we all know, every deck has flaws. The biggest one in this deck is probably its weakness to anything that's not an EX that can OHKO Scizor. This includes Hydreigon and Blastoise, who unfortunately play important roles in two decks that are going to be popular during the Cities season. Thankfully, you can easily tech in counters, as this deck (or at least my build) has plenty of space to spare. Thankfully, there are 2 great cards with qualities that make them the prime candidates for the job.m With 3 Aerodactyl in play, Virizion NVI OHKOs Blastoise without using Leaf Wallop the previous turn. It also KOs a Keldeo EX, provided you used Leaf Wallop during the previous turn and have an Aerodactyl in play. It's an effective strategy against Keldeo EX decks, since unless they previously have a Keldeo EX with 4 Energy attached (Resistance), they can't prevent Virizion from sweeping their field without a Pokemon like Mewtwo EX or Kyurem, but in Mewtwo's case you can use Scizor, and Kyurem isn't a challenge to KO, especially considering you should have 3 Aerodactyl in play by that point unless you have insanely bad luck, and Kyurem isn't that hard to KO regardless. As for Hydreigon, your best bet is Rayquaza SR. Rayquaza SR can one-shot a Hydreigon in one attack for 3 Energy, while it can also two-shot one for 1 Energy. Even if you are revenge KOed by a second one's Dragonblast or you had to use Dragon Pulse without 3 Aerodactyl, it's easy to finish up the job with a Slashing Strike from Scizor. Keep in mind that, should you manage to get 4 Aerodactyl in play, you can OHKO a Blastoise with Slashing Strike, although that is very unlikely. Also, if you made it all the way through the wall of text I wrote, you get 819 cookies.
TL;DR: Scizor is good with the right support.
On its own, I'd give it a 2/10. With the support I've listed, it's worthy of a 8/10. As for art, it's okay. Scyther BCR is about a billion times better.

 

[Dork Void]

It would be really good with just 10 more HP because then it really would kill Darkrai/Hydreigon. Have a Giant Cape and the main attackers (Darkrai, Mewtwo, Shaymin) can do nothing and Hydreigon cannot OHKO, and they'd have to waste 2 Energy just to attack you, which is bad when it's not OHKOing. You could argue Catcher but that doesn't work (and neither does Raikou) if Scizor is the only one in play. Also when attacked you could just Max Potion and reattach a DCE.

But it only has 120 HP so it sucks

Suddenly Tool Scrapper Hydreigon gg. Or Giratina EX. Or their Sigilyph. Or any Terrakion, Virizion, or any other non-EX techs they might run.

This card is terrible. Using it for its first attack makes it a much worse Sigilyph. Using it for its second attack makes it much worse than any common attacker in the format.

 

[pokedan24]

I haven't played this card, but it looks like another one of those stage 1s that would be good for novice play, but bad in competitive play. On the surface, it's not bad. The HP is above average for a stage 1, it can protect itself from EX attacks, and can hit for 100 (even with the drawback). But when you take into account catcher (which would make the first attack useless) and also sigilyph which doesn't need to use a subpar attack to block EXs, there's no reason to play this unless you don't have anything better.

Had it been a different format not dominated by very powerful basics, this might not be bad, but as it is, 5/10.

Artwork: 7/10

 

[RegiReal]

I would say this card could get support from the soon to be released Plasma Gale Klinklang, but then whats the point of attacking with this card, maybe some added insurance if they play Garbador to stop Klinklang's eff, but that is very situational and practically the only use, sadly this card will be piled together with the other B-grade cards. Its a pitty scizor is so cool.


Playablity: 4/10
Artwork: 7/10 ( i still kinda like how it looks though.)