Introduction
Sceptile is a speed class character in Pokkén Tournament and Pokkén Tournament DX. As a trapper and mix-up fighter, Sceptile's playstyle focuses on the following:
- Restricting the opponent's options with traps and punishing escape attempts on reaction
- Opening up opponents with frame traps, pokes, armored options and long combos
- Applying fast movement speed and feints to bait and punish opponents
Sceptile has average HP and slightly below average damage output. Sceptile requires higher than average execution in order to deal significant damage, maintain advantage, and avoid his weak disadvantage state. The best Sceptile players specialize in smooth movement, consistent execution ability, and reaction speed.
Sceptile is among the fastest characters in the game. Sceptile has access to top tier jump speed and counter attack dash cancel speed. In addition, many moves can be cancelled into quick dashes for mix-ups or combo follow-ups. By holding R while in the air, you can use Hang to halt your momentum instantly in mid-air and catch your opponent off guard. As Sceptile's attacks are not as fast as his movement speed, make good use of spacing, traps, dash cancels, and other tools to cover yourself after you attack.
For duel phase, Sceptile excels in neutral and advantage with long reaching pokes, traps, and a great bait and punish game. Sceptile's damage output can be enhanced by using 8Y to guarantee a minimum 6 second defense debuff. On knockdown, Sceptile can lie bullet seeds on top of the opponent for a scary 50/50 mix-up on wakeup, where the opponent must either block bullet seed, or throw crush if Sceptile cancels the bullet seed into a grab. However, in duel phase disadvantage state, Sceptile is hindered by his large hurtbox, lack of a grounded frame 11 attack (outside of grab), and riskier than average grab crushes. Sceptile's disadvantage state risks becoming predictable as Sceptile overwhelmingly favors jumping to escape, using 4X to crush throws and avoid highs, and relying on a strong CA that leads into a corner swap for an extended combo.
For field phase, Sceptile has great tools available including a low profile move, anti-airs, dash cancels, and trap setups. However, Sceptile's moves are more sluggish in this phase, either having increased startup or increased cooldown when compared to duel phase. Characters like Shadow Mewtwo and Braixen perform well against Sceptile in field phase thanks to their quick long ranged attacks and projectiles. Support picks like Emolga or Snivy can be useful for gaining the upper hand in field phase.
Sceptile's Burst Mode is one of the strongest in the game and benefits from versatility. It can be used offensively while in advantage to secure a round, or while in disadvantage to escape Sceptile's weak disadvantage state. Some unique Burst Mode benefits include but are not limited to increased Y+B grab damage for scarier grab mix-up potential, faster trap activation to apply more pressure, and a powerful CA burst attack dealing extra damage when used against attacks.
Sceptile rewards nimble players that are detail-oriented, express themselves through creative play, and that enjoy the mental-game aspects that come with playing a mix-up character. Sceptile enjoys a strong match-up spread against most fighters. His weaknesses can be mitigated if the player practices strong, consistent execution and smart use of traps.