Scyther is an excellent Bug/Flying Pokemon with a physical attacking moveset. It evolves into the stronger, tankier, and slower, Scizor. This guide will explain how to get a Scyther and how to evolve it into Scizor. While Scyther does have another evolution in the form of the Bug/Rock Pokemon Kleavor, this evolution cannot be performed in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, and Kleavor must instead be transferred from Pokemon Legends: Arceus using Pokemon Home.
In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, Scyther and Scizor can be excellent additions to a team. Scyther learns a variety of useful physical damage moves through level-up, including Fury Cutter, Wing Attack, and X-Scissor, all of which it has STAB when using. Focus Energy is an excellent option for improving its critical hit rate, and it can also learn Acrobatics, Brick Break, and Close Combat via TM for an even better variety of physical attacks. Swords Dance is also available through level-up or TM and provides Scyther with a very useful buff move. After evolving, Scizor has access to Bullet Punch and Metal Claw via level-up for some fantastic Steel-type damage moves.
How to Catch Scyther
Scyther can be found most easily in the area west of Glaseado Mountain, especially near water like the Casseroya Lake. Players earlier in the game might instead wish to search in South Province Area 4 near the smaller ponds and near the land bridge connecting South Province Area 2 to Area 4. They can also be located near small ponds in North Province Area 2.
How to Evolve Scyther into Scizor
The trick to evolving Scyther into Scizor is that it requires both trading and a special item to achieve. The item in question is called the Metal Coat and can be obtained in a few different ways. The most reliable method of acquiring the Metal Coat is by purchasing it from a Delibird Presents shop, in the battle items tab, for 3,000 Poke Dollars. It can also be acquired in the auction, though this isn't as reliable a method.
Once players have a Metal Coat, they'll need to give it to their Scyther to hold via the menu. With Scyther holding a Metal Coat, players will need to find a friend to trade with since trading Scyther with the Metal Coat will trigger the evolution. So find a friend to swap Scyther back and forth, and the job's done.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.