Why you need a Scyther in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Scyther is one of the most important monsters in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Here's why he deserves a spot on your team.
scyther pokemon legends arcues

Scyther might not be the most popular Pokemon on the Pokemon Legends: Arceus roster, but regardless of how much you like the sword-wielding bug, it’s hard to deny just how important the Pokemon is to the entire game.

You can find Scyther flying around the Obsidian Fieldlands early in your adventure – but it is a fairly tough catch because it’s hyper sensitive to player movement. You’ll either have to sneak up behind it very slowly, or face it in battle with a semi high-powered fire Pokemon. If you miss it the first time, you can also find higher-levelled Scyther in the Coronet Highlands, near the Primeval Grotto.

While Bug types don’t tend to be very effective against most other Pokemon types, Scyther excels for another, essential reason: it’s one of few Pokemon in Arceus that can learn False Swipe.

Why you need a Pokemon with False Swipe

False Swipe is an essential Pokemon move that always leaves an opponent with 1 HP left over. That means if you’re facing down a rare Pokemon – like a shiny, or a Legendary – you’ll always have a much better chance of weakening them and catching them without accidentally causing a KO.

If you hit a rare Pokemon with a regular move, you’ll usually faint them completely and have to go on another hunt. False Swipe is a great move that’ll save you a lot of pain, particularly in the game’s final quests, which require you to catch special Pokemon in the wild.

Read: 7 things I wish I knew before starting Pokemon Legends: Arceus

While Scyther isn’t the only Pokemon that can learn False Swipe, it is the most common and easiest to catch.

That said, you do have a few options if you want to make your life a little more challenging.

Here’s every Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Arceus that can learn False Swipe:

false swipe pokemon legends arceus
Image: The Pokemon Company
  • Rowlet / Dartrix / Decidueye
  • Oshawott / Dewott / Samurott
  • Sneasel / Weavile / Sneasler
  • Scyther / Scizor / Kleavor
  • Heracross
  • Skorupi / Drapion
  • Gilgar / Gliscor
  • Gallade
  • Paras / Parasect
  • Garchomp

There are around twenty choices, all of which are valid – but you can’t go wrong with Scyther.

How to teach a Pokemon False Swipe in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

To teach your chosen Pokemon False Swipe, you’ll need to head to the Move Shop.

The Move Shop is found at the far end of Jubilife Village, within the Training Grounds. Speak to the red-headed Zisu when you have your chosen Pokemon, and she’ll be able to teach them False Swipe as soon as you’re ready.

Make sure you add your Pokemon to your main party before you set off on your next adventure, and you’ll find catching rare Pokemon much easier with them by your side.

This will come in very handy for the post-game content, and also for filling out the remainder of your Pokedex. With Scyther (or another False Swipe Pokemon) by your side, you can’t go wrong.

Leah J. Williams is a gaming and entertainment journalist who's spent years writing about the games industry, her love for The Sims 2 on Nintendo DS and every piece of weird history she knows. You can find her tweeting @legenette most days.