http://www.smogon.com/bw/pokemon/sceptile
I'm doing the write up for Heysup, so credit to him for the Skeleton. As much as this is lacking some information, I'll add it in the write up.
[Overview]
<p>Sceptile stands out as the fastest Grass-type in the RU tier, and one of the fastest unboosted Pokemon, only beaten by Accelgor (and to a lesser extent Electrode and Ninjask). Its attacking stats are both above average, and its defenses aren't terrible either, which allows it to take on a variety of roles. Sceptile's movepool is pretty good; its physical movepool contains gems such as Earthquake, Acrobatics, and Leaf Blade, while its special movepool has powerful attacks such as Leaf Storm, Focus Blast, and Hidden Power.It also has a variety of non-attacking moves such as Swords Dance, Leech Seed, and Substitute, making it an ideal SubSeeder or Swords Dance sweeper. Sceptile faces stiff competition from other Grass-types, such as Lilligant, who can abuse Sleep Powder and Quiver Dance, though Sceptile's type coverage is far superior and its Speed is much higher to begin with. Use Sceptile's Speed to your advantage, because that's what sets it apart from other Grass-types.</p>
[SET]
name: SubSeed
move 1: Leech Seed
move 2: Substitute
move 3: Giga Drain / Leaf Storm
move 4: Focus Blast / Hidden Power Fire
item: Leftovers
ability: Overgrow
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Sceptile's amazing Speed and ability to force switches just screams for a SubSeeder set. The idea behind this set is to switch into a Pokemon Sceptile can force out, such as Claydol, and set up a Substitute while the opponent switches. After a Substitute is in place, Sceptile can continue with a combination of Leech Seed and Substitute until the opponent is in KO range, then strike with one of its attacks. Giga Drain acts as a reliable STAB, and it also recovers some of Sceptile's health. Leaf Storm is another option for the third slot, though it usually forces Sceptile to switch after use because of its Special Attack-lowering side effect. Focus Blast can be used in the last slot to hit Steel-types super effectively, though its imperfect accuracy is a turn off. Hidden Power Fire is a viable alternative that OHKOes Ferroseed, but the imperfect IV required leaves Sceptile with only 371 Speed.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Sceptile is one of the fastest Pokemon in the tier, and its EVs reflect that. Maximum Speed and Special Attack allow Sceptile to pose a decent offensive threat, while it can also set up a Substitute before most opponents can attack. There is no point in HP investment as the lower Sceptile's HP is, the higher the percentage it recovers with Leech Seed. If Hidden Power Fire is used in the last slot, a spread of 76 Def / 252 SpA / 180 Spe is recommended to cover for the lost Speed IV. With this spread, Sceptile doesn't miss out on any Speed tiers, and it still outruns base 110 Speed Pokemon such as Archeops.</p>
<p>If Sceptile isn't using Hidden Power Fire, Ferroseed can cause problems, and even set up on Sceptile. Magneton can switch into any of Ferroseed's moves bar Thunder Wave, trap it with Magnet Pull, and KO it with Hidden Power Fire. Entry hazard support is helpful, as this set will be causing a lot of switches. Uxie can set up Stealth Rock, support your team with dual screens, and utilize Memento, which provides a safe switch in for a teammate. Alternatively, a Ferroseed of your own can be used to set up both Spikes and Stealth Rock, though it shares a nasty Fire-type weakness with Sceptile. When using entry hazards, a spinblocker, such as Dusknoir or Cofagrigus, should be used to keep them on the field as long as possible.</p>
<p>Pokemon that can switch into Sceptile's weaknesses are helpful. Water-types, such as Poliwrath and Samurott, can switch into Fire-type moves aimed at Sceptile, and threaten Fire-types with their STAB moves. Aggron can switch into Ice-, Bug-, and Flying-type moves aimed at Sceptile, and it becomes a fearsome sweeper after a Rock Polish boost. Water-types are also amazing lures; the opponent will usually attack Water-types with Electric- or Grass-type moves, and Sceptile can switch into these moves with little trouble. Opposing Grass-types can be troublesome, so pairing Sceptile with a Fire- or Flying-type such as Entei or Charizard will make it easier to sweep.</p>
[SET]
name: Special Sweeper
move 1: Giga Drain
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Rock
move 4: Leaf Storm / Synthesis
item: Life Orb / Choice Specs
ability: Overgrow
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Sceptile's high Speed, great Special Attack, and relatively good movepool make it an ideal candidate for an offensive set, and a force to be reckoned with. Giga Drain is used for reliable STAB, and it also counteracts any damage from entry hazards or Life Orb recoil. Focus Blast deals a lot of damage to Steel-types and Clefable, while Leaf Storm is powerful enough to OHKO Pokemon such as Rotom and Hitmonlee. Synthesis is used for healing Sceptile, and it's a great alternative over Leaf Storm if you dislike the Special Attack drop. Sceptile is usually fast enough to move before the opponent, so it can recover before taking a hit. The choice of Hidden Power is down to personal preference; Hidden Power Ice deals more damage to opposing Grass-types, such as Lilligant, while Hidden Power Rock will smack Fire-types, such as Moltres and Entei.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs focus on Sceptile's massive Speed and Special Attack stats. If you decide to use Hidden Power Rock, a spread of 76 Def / 252 SpA / 180 Spe should be used to cover for the lost Speed IV. Although it's a little slower, Sceptile still has the ability to outrun base 110 Speed Pokemon such as Archeops. Life Orb is the preferred item as it gives Sceptile the freedom to switch moves, and also allows it to use Synthesis freely. Choice Specs gives Sceptile more power, in addition to keeping its HP high thanks to no recoil damage.</p>
<p>Due to its offensive nature, this set greatly appreciates support from entry hazards. Scolipede is an excellent Spikes user, and it can absorb Toxic Spikes for your team. Ferroseed is another great choice as it can set up Stealth Rock and Spikes, and cripple opponents with Thunder Wave and Leech Seed. However, Ferroseed shares a Fire-type weakness with Sceptile. When entry hazards are on the field, it's a good idea to use a spinblocker to keep them around. Cofagrigus is an excellent choice due to its defensive nature and access to Will-O-Wisp, while Rotom can use Substitute and Pain Split to wear down the opponent.</p>
<p>As this set is so great at removing Water-types, Fire-types, such as Entei, Moltres, and Charizard, make excellent teammates. Rock-types such as Aggron and Ground-types such as Krookodile have an easier time sweeping as well. It may be worth considering a Water-type of your own to get past Moltres, but it gets seriously maimed by Stealth Rock as it is. Poliwrath and Samurott should both be considered thanks to their bulk and good non-attacking moves such as Encore.</p>
[SET]
name: Unburden Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Leaf Blade
move 3: Brick Break
move 4: Acrobatics
item: Flying Gem
ability: Unburden
nature: Adamant
evs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Although you may think Sceptile is primarily a special sweeper, it can also use Swords Dance effectively. Before bringing Swords Dance Sceptile into battle, you should ensure that all powerful priority users are removed, and overly defensive Pokemon are severely weakened. This set works best as a late-game sweeper, wiping out theremnantsof your opponent's weakened team. Leaf Blade is used for physical STAB, and it becomes incredibly powerful after a Swords Dance boost. Acrobatics is used to hit other Grass-types such as Lilligant, and it can OHKO Moltres with Flying Gem. In addition, the use of Flying Gem raises Sceptile's Speed, making it the fastest Pokemon in the tier. Brick Break is mainly used for coverage, and deals heavy damage to Steel-types such as Ferroseed.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>This set is EVed to outrun base 100 Speed Pokemon, such as Typhlosion and Entei. Maximum Attack and an Adamant nature are used to give Sceptile as much power as possible. The remaining EVs are placed in HP, providing extra bulk, and giving Sceptile an easier time setting up. A Jolly nature can be used if you require more Speed, though this severely reduces Sceptile's attacking power. The only advantage of running a Jolly nature is outspeeding Archeops, and that in itself is fairly pointless because it's the only Pokemon in its Speed tier, and it isn't that common anyway.</p>
<p>Pokemon who can set up entry hazards make excellent teammates for this set. Steelix can set up Stealth Rock and abuse Roar to phaze the opponent's team, though unfortunately it shares a common Fire-type weakness. Uxie is another great choice as it has massive defenses, access to Stealth Rock, dual screens, and U-turn, while it only shares a weakness to Bug-type moves. Drapion can be used to set up Toxic Spikes, and its access to Taunt will stop any attempt of inflicting status or phazing Sceptile. Drapion also has access to Whirlwind, which can be used to spread poison status throughout your opponent's team. If you decide to set up entry hazards, you should always consider a Ghost-type to keep them on the field. Cofagrigus and Dusknoir are both defensive behemoths, and they can switch in over and over again without going down.</p>
<p>Pokemon who can severely dent the opponent's walls deserve a mention, as they give Sceptile a much easier time sweeping. Honchkrow is probably one of the best choices as it can hit Psychic- and Ghost-types, such as Uxie and Cofagrigus, with its STAB Dark-type moves, and it can maim Steelix and Ferroseed with Heat Wave. Electivire is another great choice as it can hit a wide range of Pokemon super effectively with its immense type coverage, and it may be lucky enough to nab a Motor Drive boost.</p>
[SET]
name: Life Orb Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Leaf Blade
move 3: Rock Slide
move 4: Drain Punch / Earthquake
item: Life Orb
ability: Overgrow
nature: Jolly / Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set plays differently from the above; instead of using Unburden and a single use item, Sceptile uses a Life Orb. The advantage is that Sceptile has much more power right off the bat; furthermore, Unburden's boost is removed after Sceptile switches out, so it's only good for one sweep. Leaf Blade gives Sceptile a reliable STAB move, Rock Slide is used to hit Moltres super effectively, Drain Punch deals a lot of damage to Steel-types and recovers Sceptile's HP, and Earthquake deals more damage to the likes of Entei, Manectric, and Typhlosion. Using Overgrow can also give Sceptile an extra boost to Leaf Blade after it's taken plenty of damage from entry hazards and Life Orb recoil.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>These EVs allow Sceptile to outrun everything in the RU tier, bar Accelgor. Maximum Attack and a Jolly nature give Sceptile some firepower, and the remaining EVs are placed in Defense, giving Sceptile a little extra bulk. An Adamant nature can be used if you require more power, though this makes Sceptile slower and more vulnerable to Choice Scarf users.</p>
<p>Because of its offensive nature, this set appreciates support from entry hazards. Crustle can set up Stealth Rock and Spikes, and it shares good defensive synergy with Sceptile. Uxie can use Stealth Rock, dual screens, and U-turn, while it only shares a weakness to Bug-type moves. Scolipede can set up Toxic Spikes, and its ability to absorb Toxic Spikes can help Sceptile survive longer. If you set up entry hazards, a Ghost-type should be used to keep them on the field. Cofagrigus and Dusknoir can switch in over and over again, and they have access to great support moves such as Haze and Will-O-Wisp, respectively.</p>
<p>Pokemon who appreciate the removal of Water-types are excellent partners, greatly increasing their chance to sweep. Ground-types such as Krookodile and Gligar can take advantage of a team without Water-types as they can sweep a lot easier, or set up with Rock Polish and Swords Dance, respectively. Fire-types such as Entei also appreciate the removal of Water-types, as they can spam their STAB Fire-type moves,which are hard to survive it you have nothing to resist them. If you decide to use a Fire-type along with Sceptile, you should also consider a Water-type of your own to create an excellent offensive corefor your team.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Sceptile's movepool isn't too shabby, so there a few more options it can use. A mixed attacking set can be used to break through walls, but unfortunately it doesn't share the raw power the other sets provide. Hidden Power Rock can hit Moltres and Charizard super effectively, but it doesn't provide amazing coverage. GrassWhistle is an option to put an opponent to sleep, though its 55% accuracy is a major turn off. A SunnyBeamer set can be used with SolarBeam and Hidden Power Fire, though Fire-types such as Moltres and Chlorophyll users pull this off better. Roar can be used to phaze opponents and rack up damage from entry hazards; just make sure you have teammates who can set them up. X-Scissor can be used to deal more damage to Psychic-types such as Uxie and other Grass-types, but its type coverage isn't spectacular. Finally, Energy Ball can be used instead of Giga Drain for more power, and it has the chance to lower the opponent's Special Defense as well.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Due to Sceptile's versatility, it can be very difficult to counter. Ferroseed can take on most sets, though Hidden Power Fire will KO it, and a boosted Brick Break will deal in excess of 70%. Clefable can take on any of the special sets, though it needs to watch out for repeated hits from Focus Blast, and the Swords Dance set will usually destroy it. Munchlax is in a similar boat; it has excellent defensive stats, though Swords Dance boosted Drain Punch will put an end to it. Grass-types such as Lilligant can switch into Giga Drain and Leaf Storm, but they take a large chunk from Hidden Power Ice and Acrobatics. Fire-types, such as Entei and Moltres, fare well against Sceptile, though repeated switch ins to Stealth Rock will make them easier to KO.</p>
