Cut Down the Competition with Scizor Prime!

Steelix Prime (HS—Unleashed, 87/95) has been getting plenty of attention as the tough new Metal-type Pokémon, but there's another Metal—type Pokémon that just might give it a run for its money. Scizor Prime (HS—Undaunted, 84/90) has the potential to be a heavy hitter, especially with plenty of support from other recent cards that we'll look at.

Scizor Prime has only one attack, Metal Scissors, but this attack has unlimited potential in terms of damage. Metal Scissors does 30 damage plus an extra 20 damage for each Metal Energy attached to Scizor Prime. For example, if you have 3 Metal Energy attached to Scizor Prime, you'll do 30 damage plus 60 damage for those Metal Energy, for a total of 90 damage. If you're not doing enough damage per turn, just tack on a couple more Metal Energy to this Pokémon!

Scizor Prime has 100 HP, which is fairly average, but in this day where doing 100 damage in a turn isn't uncommon, it's nice to have a little extra defense. Fortunately, the HS—Undaunted expansion includes Metal Special Energy, which works perfectly with Scizor Prime. Metal Special Energy reduces damage done to Scizor Prime by 10, and it's accumulative: if you have 4 Metal Special Energy attached, the damage done to Scizor Prime is reduced by 40! At the same time, if you have 4 Metal Special Energy attached to Scizor Prime, Metal Scissors does 110 damage, enough to Knock Out many Pokémon in one blow.

And getting Metal Special Energy attached to Scizor Prime has been made easier with a few recent cards. Skarmory (HS—Undaunted, 21/90) is an excellent complement to Scizor Prime. Its Steel Coat attack lets you search your deck for a Metal Energy card and attach it to 1 of your Pokémon. Plus, Skarmory is a Basic Pokémon with 80 HP, so it's easy to play and somewhat tough to Knock Out; let it sit in the Active spot while you prep your Scizor Prime for attack. Interviewer's Questions (HS—Unleashed, 77/95) lets you look at the top eight cards on your deck and keep any Energy cards you find. Note that this does not just apply to Basic Energy but to Special Energy as well. You can also use Energy Exchanger (HS—Undaunted, 73/90) to trade a regular Metal Energy for a Special Metal Energy if you'd like.

Scizor Prime also has an excellent defensive ability, especially in this era where virtually every deck uses Special Energy. Its Red Armor Poké-Body prevents all damage from attacks to Scizor Prime from Pokémon that have Special Energy attached to them: so, Double Colorless, Rainbow, or any other Special Energy your opponent is using will work in your favor when Scizor Prime is in play!

As a Stage 1 Pokémon, Scizor Prime doesn't take long to get ready for battle. It evolves from Scyther, a Grass-type Pokémon, of which there are two to choose from in HS—Undaunted. For the purposes of getting Scizor Prime out, Scyther (HS—Undaunted, 36/90) is your better choice. Its Afterimage Strike attack does 20 damage and can nullify damage during your opponent's next turn on a coin flip. Afterimage Strike also requires only Colorless Energy, so you can put Metal Energy on the Pokémon right away to make it effective now and in the future. The other Scyther (HS—Undaunted, 65/90) has the Slashing Strike attack, which does a decent 50 damage, but it requires a Grass Energy to use. Unless you're planning on adding a contingent of Grass Pokémon to your deck, that attack will not be worth supporting.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for Scizor Prime. With some practice and some creative thinking, make a Scizor Prime deck of your own and start winning battles!