PokédexTeam 0/6
Back to the Pokédex
Official artwork of Scolipede

#0545

Scolipede

Gen V

Megapede Pokémon

BugPoison

Pokédex entry · Black

With quick movements, it chases down its foes, attacking relentlessly with its horns until it prevails.

Height
2.5 m
Weight
200.5 kg
Base EXP
218
Growth
Medium slow
Catch rate

45/255Medium

Friendship

70/255

Base stats

HP60Attack100Defense89Speed112Sp. Def69Sp. Atk55
HP
60
Attack
100
Defense
89
Speed★
112
Sp. Def
69
Sp. Atk
55

Total 485

High

EV yield +3 Speed

Real ranges (IV 0–31 · EV 0–252 · nature included)

MinMax
HP120167
Attack94167
Defense84155
Speed105180
Sp. Def66133
Sp. Atk54117
Total523919

About Scolipede

In forests and areas of dense vegetation, Scolipede moves close to the ground with the front of its body raised, like a centipede ready to charge. Its claws, located on either side of its neck, hold its prey until it is immobilised and then inject venom. It also uses its horns to corner, impale and slam its rivals into the ground. It does not back down from a fight as long as it remains able to attack.

Its segmented body and horns give it the appearance of a giant centipede, although its way of moving and the sturdiness of its silhouette also bring to mind an armoured mount. Territorial disputes with Centiskorch reach an unusual level of violence: the loser ends up serving as food for the winner.

It occupies the final position in its evolutionary line. Venipede evolves into Whirlipede, which in turn becomes Scolipede upon reaching level 30. Compared with the rounded shape of its middle stage, it regains a more elongated and offensive posture, with the neck claws ready to inject venom.

Combat analysis

×2

Weakness

FireFlyingPsychicRock
×½

Resistance

PoisonBugFairy
×¼

Double resistance

GrassFighting

Scolipede in depth

A centipede with a mount-like silhouette

The design is based on a centipede, particularly the Scolopendra family, and adds features from other large myriapods. The neck claws represent the mechanism it uses to catch prey and inject venom, while the front and rear horns reinforce its appearance as an animal prepared to charge. The raised silhouette also calls to mind a horse, an association related to the Japanese name Pendror, derived from Scolopendra and with a sound that maintains this equestrian idea.

The English name Scolipede combines Scolopendra with centipede or millipede. The species was designed by Tomohiro Kitakaze along with its previous stages, which explains why Venipede, Whirlipede and Scolipede share their colour, rings and progression from a small larva to an armoured predator.

From the fifth generation to Sword and Shield

Scolipede debuted in the fifth generation as Venipede’s final evolution. From the start, it stood out for unusual Speed for a creature with such a heavy appearance and for access to Speed Boost. In later generations, it retained its Bug/Poison typing, its three Abilities and its offensive role, although the availability of moves and battle systems has changed depending on the game. In Sword and Shield, it keeps tools such as Swords Dance, Spikes, Toxic Spikes, Protect and Megahorn.

The line also has a recorded Mega form, separate from the normal form. That variant takes the armour concept further and reinforces the visual connection between the segmented body, a war mount and metal protection.

The turn it needs to get going

In battle, Speed Boost makes the difference. One protected turn is enough to improve its Speed without spending a setup move, after which it can choose between attacking or continuing to build an advantage. Swords Dance offers more power, but requires finding an opening; Spikes and Toxic Spikes are more useful when the team is already geared towards wearing the opponent down. Megahorn hits extremely hard, although its lower accuracy than other physical attacks introduces a clear risk.

The choice between Megahorn and X-Scissor depends on how highly power is valued over reliability. Poison Jab covers Fairy and takes advantage of Poison STAB, while Earthquake helps against types that resist its main attacks. Protect lets it activate Speed Boost, but giving the opponent a free turn can be dangerous if hazards are on the field.

What stops it from sticking around

89 Defense does not make up for 60 HP and 69 Special Defense. Fire-, Flying-, Psychic- and Rock-type attacks force it to switch in carefully, and Stealth Rock further reduces its opportunities. In addition, its 100 Attack is good, but it is not enough to brute-force its way through every wall after a single boost.

Compared with the species in the same line, Scolipede abandons Whirlipede’s compact form and gains Speed, offensive reach and access to Megahorn. Compared with Centiskorch, it shares the image of a venomous predator and the territorial rivalry described in Pokédex entries, but it does not occupy the same niche: Scolipede depends on the pace of each turn, while Centiskorch bases its presence on a different build and its own selection of attacks.

TCG cards

0%