Physical
Sweeper
105Speed · Fast

Is Scyther Good in Diamond & Pearl Playthrough?

Diamond-exclusive through postgame routes. AbilityTechnician is new in Gen 4 and boosts low-power moves by 50%. Trade Scyther with Metal Coat for Scizor, where Technician turns priority MoveBullet Punch into a devastating combo. The trade evolution is the entire point.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGSGEGGSEGGEGERoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2MayleneGym 3ScytherCatchableScizorEvolveCrasher WakeGym 4FantinaGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4CynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Good

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

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowStealth Rock
Even
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowScreechStealth Rock
You Win
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Strong

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

Easy KO
Cherubi
Lv 19
Grass
Chlorophyll
Grass KnotLeech SeedSafeguardGrowth
Easy KO
Turtwig
Lv 19
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafWithdrawReflect
Easy KO
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Maylene
Gym 3
Good

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

Easy KO
Meditite
Lv 27
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionDetectMeditate
You Win
Machoke
Lv 27
Fighting
Guts
Brick BreakLeerForesightRock Tomb
You Win
Lucario
Lv 30
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchMetal ClawBone RushForce Palm
Crasher Wake
Gym 4
Even

Scizor trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 27
WaterFlying
Intimidate
BrineBiteDragon RageSwagger
Even
Quagsire
Lv 27
WaterGround
Damp
SlamMud BombMud SportTail Whip
Even
Floatzel
Lv 30
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangPursuitSwift
Fantina
Gym 5
Good

Scizor has the type edge here and should clean up Fantina's team.

You Win
Drifblim
Lv 32
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Ominous WindGustAstonishMinimize
You Win
Gengar
Lv 34
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow ClawPoison JabConfuse RaySpite
Even
Mismagius
Lv 36
Ghost
Levitate
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Byron
Gym 6
Good

Scizor has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.

Even
Bronzor
Lv 36
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Flash CannonExtrasensoryConfuse RayHypnosis
Even
Steelix
Lv 36
SteelGround
Rock Head
Gyro BallDragonbreathIce FangSandstorm
You Win
Bastiodon
Lv 39
RockSteel
Sturdy
Flash CannonAncientpowerIron DefenseRest
Candice
Gym 7
Strong

Scizor resists most of Candice's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Snover
Lv 38
GrassIce
Snow Warning
Razor LeafAvalancheIngrainLeer
Easy KO
Sneasel
Lv 38
DarkIce
Inner Focus
Feint AttackSlashTauntAvalanche
You Win
Medicham
Lv 40
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Force PalmBulk UpDetectIce Punch
You Win
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
Wood HammerSwaggerGrasswhistleAvalanche
Volkner
Gym 8
Even

Scizor trades roughly evenly with Volkner's team.

Even
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamBrick BreakLight ScreenThunder Wave
You Win
Ambipom
Lv 47
Normal
Technician
Shock WaveNasty PlotAgilityBaton Pass
Even
Octillery
Lv 47
Water
Suction Cups
Charge BeamOctazookaAurora BeamBullet Seed
Risky
Luxray
Lv 49
Electric
Rivalry
Charge BeamThunder WaveThunder FangCrunch
Aaron
Elite Four
Good

Scizor has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.

You Win
Dustox
Lv 53
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ToxicBug BuzzDouble TeamLight Screen
You Win
Beautifly
Lv 53
BugFlying
Swarm
Energy BallBug BuzzPsychicShadow Ball
You Win
Heracross
Lv 54
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
You Win
Vespiquen
Lv 54
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
Even
Drapion
Lv 57
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Good

Scizor has the type edge here and should clean up Bertha's team.

Even
Quagsire
Lv 55
WaterGround
Damp
DigDouble TeamProtectSandstorm
Even
Whiscash
Lv 55
WaterGround
Oblivious
FissureAqua TailZen HeadbuttRock Slide
You Win
Golem
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeGyro BallBrick BreakSandstorm
Easy KO
Sudowoodo
Lv 56
Rock
Sturdy
EarthquakeSucker PunchHammer ArmSandstorm
Even
Hippowdon
Lv 59
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchCurse
Flint
Elite Four
Even

Scizor trades roughly evenly with Flint's team.

Risky
Rapidash
Lv 58
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolarbeamBounceSunny Day
Risky
Steelix
Lv 57
SteelGround
Rock Head
Fire FangRock TombScreechSunny Day
You Win
Lopunny
Lv 57
Normal
Cute Charm
Fire PunchCharmMirror CoatSunny Day
You Win
Drifblim
Lv 58
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Will O WispOminous WindDouble TeamBaton Pass
Risky
Infernape
Lv 61
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunderpunchMach PunchEarthquake
Lucian
Elite Four
Good

Scizor has the type edge here and should clean up Lucian's team.

You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 59
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
You Win
Girafarig
Lv 59
NormalPsychic
Inner Focus
PsychicShadow BallDouble HitCrunch
You Win
Medicham
Lv 60
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchFire PunchThunderpunchIce Punch
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 60
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Even
Bronzong
Lv 63
SteelPsychic
Levitate
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Scizor trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

You Win
Spiritomb
Lv 61
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindEmbargo
Even
Gastrodon
Lv 60
WaterGround
Sticky Hold
Muddy WaterEarthquakeStone EdgeSludge Bomb
You Win
Roserade
Lv 60
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombShadow BallExtrasensory
Risky
Milotic
Lv 63
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatAqua Ring
Even
Lucario
Lv 63
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereDragon PulsePsychicEarthquake
Even
Garchomp
Lv 66
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeBrick BreakGiga Impact
Catchable
Available after Badge 3
Type
BugFlying
Tier
A

Catch Scyther on Route 210 (walking, Lv 27-29).

View Scyther locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Gardenia
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
  • After Crasher Wake
    • TM89BugU-turn105100%20
    • TM40FlyingAerial Ace90100%20
    • TM62BugSilver Wind90100%5
    • TM68NormalGiga Impact15090%5
    • LV 41BugX-Scissor120100%15
    • LV 53FlyingAir Slash11395%15
    • LV 57NormalSwords Dance100%20
Evolve Scyther to Scizor
Trade holding Metal Coat
Type
BugSteel
Tier
S

Most players are ready to trade before reaching Crasher Wake.

Recommended Moves
  • After Gardenia
    • TM47SteelSteel Wing10590%25
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
  • After Crasher Wake
    • TM89BugU-turn105100%20
    • TM68NormalGiga Impact15090%5
  • After Byron
    • TM91SteelFlash Cannon120100%10
    • LV 41BugX-Scissor120100%15
    • LV 53SteelIron Head120100%15
    • LV 57NormalSwords Dance100%20

How to Get Scyther in Diamond & Pearl

The chain to Scyther requires a trade evolution through a trade. Catch Scyther in the wild and level through the stages, but line up the trade first. The rest of the chain runs on levels alone.

Diamond Exclusive — Trade with Pearl for Pinsir

Where To Catch Scyther in DP

To get Scyther, start by catching Scyther through walking encounters at Lv. 27-52. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.

  1. Scyther
    Step 1Scyther
    Route 210 - North
    Lv.27-29Grass
    Rate 15%
    Morning
    Route 210 - North
    Lv.27-29Grass
    Rate 5%
    Day
    Route 210 - North
    Lv.29Grass
    Rate 5%
    Night
    Route 229
    Lv.52Grass
    DiamondRate 5%
  2. Scizor
    Step 2Evolve into Scizor
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Scizor egg.

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 IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

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

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
Scyther
#123Scyther
Trade + Metal Coat
Trade + Metal Coat
Scizor
#212Scizor
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
500C-Tier
500A-Tier
ROLE
Sweeper
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Easy

Breed Scyther easily with 48 breeding partners from the Bug egg group. Pass egg moves like Baton Pass, Bug Buzz, Counter and 7 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
25 cycles·6,425 steps
Moderate~6 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
10moves
Breed With (best first)
flygondrapionmasquerainvolbeatillumiseparasectvibravaskorupiparastrapinchsurskitshuckle

DP Scyther Best Moveset

Brand new AbilityTechnician boosts moves under 60 base power by 50%, turning quick attacks into serious threats when backed by 110 Attack. 105 Speed outpaces most of the field, and the moveset runs boosted physical Bug and Flying hits that land hard despite their lower base power. 25% from MoveStealth Rock per switch is the tax.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Setup Sweeper
Ability
Technician
Item
Muscle Band
Best Nature for Scyther
Jolly+SPE

Scyther best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset

  • U TurnSTAB
  • Aerial AceSTAB
  • Swords Dance
  • Night Slash

Moves List

You'll want to breed for Baton Pass and Bug Buzz on Scyther. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Bug Buzz and X-Scissor, they expand what Scyther can actually threaten in practice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
10030Normal
Lv 1
Quick Attack+1
A4010030Normal
Lv 5
Focus Energy
30Normal
Lv 9
Pursuit
D4010020Dark
Lv 13
False Swipe
4010040Normal
Lv 17
Agility
C30Psychic
Lv 21
Wing Attack
C9010035Flying
Lv 25
Fury Cutter
159520Bug
Lv 29
Slash
7010020Normal
Lv 33
Razor Wind
8010010Normal
Lv 37
Double Team
15Normal
Lv 41
X-Scissor
A12010015Bug
Lv 45
Night Slash
B7010015Dark
Lv 49
Double Hit
D359010Normal
Lv 53
Air Slash
D1129520Flying
Lv 57
Swords Dance
B30Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM40
Aerial Ace
B9020Flying
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM31
Brick Break
A7510015Fighting
TM78
Captivate
10020Normal
HM01
Cut
509530Normal
HM05
Defog
D15Flying
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM58
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM42
Facade
C7010020Normal
TM54
False Swipe
4010040Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
B150905Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
D6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM83
Natural Gift
D10015Normal
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
D4010015Fighting
TM51
Roost
C10Flying
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM62
Silver Wind
D901005Bug
TM82
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM47
Steel Wing
C709025Steel
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM75
Swords Dance
B30Normal
TM46
Thief
C6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison
TM89
U-turn
B10510020Bug
TM81
X-Scissor
A12010015Bug

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Baton Pass
C40Normal
Egg
Bug Buzz
C13510010Bug
Egg
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Egg
Endure+4
C10Normal
Egg
Light Screen
C30Psychic
Egg
Night Slash
B7010015Dark
Egg
Razor Wind
8010010Normal
Egg
Reversal
10015Fighting
Egg
Safeguard
D25Normal
Egg
Silver Wind
D901005Bug

Tutor Moves

Scyther can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen
Gen 3
Double-Edge
B12010015Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
10Normal

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.
Technician
Strengthens moves of 60 base power or less to 1.5× their power.
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

It is nearly impossible to parry its attacking scythes. Its movements are like a ninja’s.

Pokemon Diamond / Pokemon Pearl

Scyther Diamond & Pearl Guide

  • In Diamond & Pearl, Scyther isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Scizor to unlock its full potential. At 500 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.

  • In Diamond & Pearl, watch for Aerodactyl (Rock), Arcanine (Fire), and Jolteon (Electric) when using Scyther. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Aerodactyl is the most dangerous since Rock moves deal 4x damage. Ice and Flying-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.

  • No. Scyther only evolves into Scizor through a real trade. There is no in-game alternative in Diamond & Pearl. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Scyther to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required. The Metal Coat must be held during the trade. Bring one over from a sibling Gen 3 game if needed.

  • In Diamond & Pearl, Run Technician on Scyther. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Scyther also gets Swarm, but they don't compare. With base 105 Speed, Technician gives Scyther an edge before opponents can react.

  • In Diamond & Pearl, Scyther fills the sweeper role. It's a physical attacker with base 110 Attack. Base 105 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.

Game Availability

Scyther has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 22 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.

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