Day 30: Scizor

(BGM: Ilex Forest from Heart Gold & Soul Silver)

Alright, it's time to talk about my favorite Johto Pokemon and my second favorite Bug type Pokemon. I meant what I said back when I talked about Heracross; when Game Freak makes a banger Bug-type, they really hit it out of the park.

I want to say that Generation 2 is when Bug-types really started to get good; not perfect, but it's clear that Bug was starting to become a more respected type and Pinsir and Scyther weren't the type's only saving graces.

We already talked about Heracross and how much he rocked, but now we're about to talk about Johto's best Bug-type and best Pokemon in general…well, for me at least.

With that said, my favorite Johto Pokemon is the Bug-Steel type with the big meaty claws…

Scizor!

(Insert Scizor cry here)

(BGM: Ho-oh Battle Theme from Heart Gold & Soul Silver)

Fitting how I mentioned Scyther earlier as Scizor is Scyther's evolution. Yup, if you have a Metal Coat and you have your Scyther hold it during a trade, you get this big red S.O.B, and the typically weak Bug-Flying turns into the impressively strong Bug-Steel.

Bug-Steel is without a doubt one of, if not, the best type combos you could have. With this typing, Scizor resists most types of moves and is immune to Poison moves, leaving the only thing that can truly hurt him being Fire-type moves. Yeah, this thing has only one weakness, something that is rarely seen in most Pokemon, making Scizor a viable option for taking out most opponents.

Going into Scizor's design more, it is hands down one of the coolest designs I've seen on not just a bug-type, but on a Pokemon in general. He's basically an armored mantis with lobster claws, and as someone whose favorite color is red, let me assure you that Scizor knows how to grab one's attention. Fearsome yet graceful, badass yet honorable, this is one Pokemon that, based on appearance, should be feared and respected.

But apparently Game Freak didn't think Scizor looked badass enough because they gave him a Mega Evolution in Generation 6, where the bits of yellow on his claws and eyes turn into a cool shade of blue, his legs now look like swords, and his claws become far more deadly. One of my favorite looking Megas, hands down.

Interestingly enough, though, despite being a Scyther evolution, both Scyther and Scizor's BST remain at a total of 500. But, given that upon evolution, Scizor gains an increase in attack and physical defense, as well as other previously mentioned factors like a Mega Evolution and great type combo, why wouldn't you want to evolve your Scyther into a Scizor. Especially since when Mega Evolved, Scizor gains a significant boost in both Physical attack and both types of defenses.

His abilities are pretty neat too. Scizor can have either Swarm, which raises the power of Bug type moves when low on health, Technician, which increases the power of moves at 60 power or lower by 50%, or his hidden ability Light Metal, which halves Scizor's total weight, which can be very helpful in certain situations. Although given that Scizor can learn moves like Bullet Punch and Double Hit, Technician is the correct answer if you're looking to raise a Scizor of your own. And clearly Game Freak thinks so too because Technician is Mega Scizor's default ability. Now you have no excuse to kick ass.

And on that note, let's talk about his moves. Other than Bullet Punch and Double Hit, Scizor can learn Slash, Iron Head, X-Scissor, Air Slash, Night Slash, Acrobatics, Aerial Ace, Brick Break, Giga Impact, Close Combat, Bug Buzz, and it can even learn moves like Agility and Swords Dance to take care of his lower Speed Stat, and boost his already awesome Physical Attack stat.

All in all, Scizor is one of the first examples I think of when I hear 'Good Bug Pokemon' and/or 'Johto Pokemon'. He's just such an amazing Pokemon that I see no problem in crowning him Johto's best.