Looking for a defensive powerhouse with devastating offensive potential? Meet Scolipede, the Bug/Poison-type centipede from Gen 5 that transforms into an absolute tank in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. With access to Mega Evolution and a killer moveset, this overlooked Pokémon becomes a competitive beast when built correctly!
Scolipede Stats Comparison
| Stat | Base Scolipede | Mega Scolipede | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP | 60 | 60 | — |
| Attack | 100 | 140 | +40 ⚔️ |
| Defense | 89 | 149 | +60 🛡️ |
| Sp. Attack | 55 | 75 | +20 |
| Sp. Defense | 69 | 99 | +30 |
| Speed | 112 | 62 | -50 ⚡ |
Key Takeaway: Mega Scolipede trades its blazing 112 Speed for incredible bulk, transforming from a speedy sweeper into an impenetrable defensive wall with massive Attack power. This makes it perfect for tanking hits while dishing out devastating Poison and Bug-type moves.
Optimal Moveset for Scolipede
The Perfect Four-Move Setup
| Move | Type | Power | How to Obtain | Strategic Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunk Shot | Poison | 120 | TM100 (Defeat Corbeau) | Primary STAB nuke |
| Megahorn | Bug | 120 | Level 56 (Natural) | Secondary STAB attack |
| Iron Defense | Steel | — | Level 1 (Natural) | Defense stacking |
| Toxic | Poison | — | Level 36 (Natural) | Poison status ailment |
Move-by-Move Strategy
Gunk Shot – Your primary offensive weapon. This Poison-type powerhouse deals 120 base damage with STAB bonus and has a 30% chance of poisoning the target. After obtaining TM100 by defeating Corbeau during the main story, teach this move immediately. While it won’t poison Poison- or Steel-types (or Pokémon behind Substitute), it annihilates Fairy, Grass, and Psychic-types that stand in your way.
Megahorn – Your Bug-type coverage move learned naturally at level 56. With 120 base power and STAB multiplier, this move destroys Dark, Psychic, and Grass-types. The Z-Move effect boosts its base power to an incredible 190, making it a late-game win condition. The high power compensates for its slightly lower accuracy.
Iron Defense – The cornerstone of Scolipede’s defensive strategy. This Steel-type move increases Defense by two stages per use, allowing you to max out the stat (sixth stage) in just three turns. Combined with Mega Scolipede’s already impressive 149 base Defense, you become virtually untouchable by physical attackers. Use this during setup opportunities or against opponents you counter.
Toxic – Your stall and pressure tool. This Poison-type move inflicts badly poisoned status, causing escalating damage each turn (1/16, 2/16, 3/16, etc.). Learned naturally at level 36, Toxic synergizes perfectly with Scolipede’s defensive playstyle. Toxic an opponent, then use Iron Defense to stall while they slowly faint. This strategy works exceptionally well in the real-time battle system of Legends Z-A.
Best Nature: Adamant
Since Scolipede focuses primarily on physical Attack, the Adamant Nature (+Attack, -Special Attack) is the optimal choice. This maximizes your damage output from Gunk Shot and Megahorn while dumping the useless Special Attack stat.
How to Get Adamant Mint
Purchase the Adamant Mint from a vendor in Rogue Sector 1 (just left of Wild Zone 3) for 20,000 Poké Dollars. Stock up on these mints early by battling trainers and completing side quests to optimize your entire team.
How to Get Scolipede
Evolution Path
- Venipede → Evolves into Whirlipede at Level 22
- Whirlipede → Evolves into Scolipede at Level 30
Wild Encounter Location
You can also catch Scolipede directly in Wild Zone 15 during Main Mission 19, saving you the time of evolving from Venipede if you’re late into the game.
Mega Evolution Setup
To unlock Mega Scolipede’s defensive fortress form, you’ll need Scolipite, available at Quasartico Inc. for 240 Mega Shards.
Mega Scolipede Strategy: Once Mega Evolved, prioritize Iron Defense stacking immediately. Your reduced Speed (62) means you’ll often move second, but your 149 base Defense (potentially 894 at max stage with Iron Defense) makes you nearly invincible to physical attacks. Use this durability to set up, then sweep with boosted Attack moves.
Best Battle Strategy
Setup Phase (Turns 1-3)
- Mega Evolve immediately if facing physical attackers
- Use Iron Defense 2-3 times depending on threat level
- Apply Toxic to bulky opponents who can’t threaten you
Sweeping Phase (Turns 4+)
- Launch Gunk Shot against Fairy/Grass/Psychic types
- Use Megahorn against Dark/Psychic types
- Reapply Toxic if needed for stall strategies
- Continue Iron Defense if opponents switch to special attackers
For more advanced battle tactics and team composition guides, explore our Pokémon Legends Z-A competitive section and discover how to build balanced teams that dominate the Z-A Royale meta.
Scolipede’s Role in Team Composition
Scolipede excels as:
- Physical Wall – Tanks physical attackers after Iron Defense stacks
- Fairy Counter – Gunk Shot demolishes Fairy-types threatening your team
- Status Spreader – Toxic pressure forces switches and chip damage
- Late-Game Closer – After opponents are weakened, sweep with boosted moves
Ideal Team Partners:
- Special Walls (to cover your weaker Sp. Defense)
- Hazard Setters (Stealth Rock/Spikes to complement Toxic stall)
- Clerics (to remove status conditions from Scolipede)
Check out our team building guide for comprehensive synergy strategies and type coverage analysis to round out your roster.
Alternative Move Options
Depending on your strategy, consider these alternatives:
- Earthquake – Coverage against Poison and Steel-types
- Rock Slide – Hits Flying-types that resist your STAB moves
- Protect – Scouts opponent moves and stalls Toxic damage
- Swords Dance – For an offensive sweeper build (instead of Iron Defense)
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Incredible Defense potential with Iron Defense + Mega Evolution
- Dual 120-power STAB moves for massive damage
- Toxic stalling capability
- Speed advantage in base form (112)
Weaknesses:
- Weak to Fire, Flying, Psychic, and Rock-type moves
- Low HP stat (60) limits overall bulk
- Vulnerable to special attackers without defensive boosts
- Mega form’s reduced Speed makes it slower
Master every Pokémon in Legends Z-A! Follow TechnoSports for comprehensive guides, optimal builds, and competitive strategies for conquering Lumiose City!
FAQs
Q: Should I use base Scolipede or Mega Scolipede in competitive battles?
A: It depends on your team strategy. Base Scolipede with 112 Speed works as a fast offensive sweeper that outspeeds most threats and hits hard before taking damage. Mega Scolipede functions as a defensive wall that can set up Iron Defense and stall with Toxic. For most competitive scenarios, Mega Scolipede is superior because its massive Defense (149 base) combined with Iron Defense makes it nearly unkillable by physical attackers, and you can still hit hard with 140 base Attack. However, if your team needs a fast Poison-type to handle Fairy threats quickly, keep it in base form.
Q: Can Scolipede learn any moves to handle its Fire and Psychic weaknesses?
A: Unfortunately, Scolipede has limited coverage options for its Fire and Psychic weaknesses in Pokémon Legends Z-A. While it can learn Earthquake via TM to hit Fire-types for neutral damage, it has no super-effective moves against Psychic-types. Your best strategy is to pair Scolipede with teammates who counter these types—Dark-types handle Psychic threats, while Water or Rock-types deal with Fire-types. Alternatively, use Toxic to apply pressure and switch out to appropriate counters rather than trying to handle everything with Scolipede alone.
