Skarmory (Uber Analysis)

hamiltonion

hamiltonion

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Skarmory

Credits go to firecape for writing the skeleton.( firecape thank trickroom for this !)

[Overview]

<p>One of the best physical walls of last generation returns to protect its team from the assault of physical attackers such as Groudon and Excadrill. Skarmory is still a prominent walling force, and is even more useful this generation with the rise of the powerful Extreme Killer Arceus. It has everything a dedicated wall could possibly dream of: a set of useful resistances, immunity to Ground-type moves, access to reliable recovery in the form of Roost, and the ability to phaze out boosting sweepers with Whirlwind. It can ably support its team by laying entry hazards, phazing boosting sweepers with Whirlwind, and taking powerful Dragon-type attacks, which are very common in Ubers. However, Skarmory's defenses are extremely lopsided, and almost any powerful special attack will bring Skarmory to the verge of death. If you can keep Skarmory away from special attacks, it will work wonders for your team, be it stall or offensive.</p>

[SET]
name: Uber Specially Defensive
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Roost
move 3: Whirlwind
move 4: Taunt / Brave Bird / Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Careful / Impish
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Skarmory's impenetrable base 140 Defense allows it to invest completely in Special Defense, making it a much more balanced wall. Of particular note is its Dragon-type resistance, which is incidentally the most common attacking type in Ubers. Skarmory's Dragon-type resistance allows it to nonchalantly stroll into Outrage and Choice-locked Dragon-type moves. Spikes are great for team support, as they limit the number of switches an opponent can perform, and hinder hit-and-run attackers such as Choice Band Scizor and Choice Scarf Kyogre. Whirlwind compliments Spikes quite nicely, as it allows Skarmory to phaze out threats and rack up some damage. Even Extreme Killer Arceus and Rock Polish Groudon are brought to a grinding halt by Skarmory. Skarmory resists all the possible moves the aforementioned Pokemon carry, and if either Arceus or Groudon gets greedy, Skarmory can just Whirlwind them away. Roost allows Skarmory to heal itself, making it very difficult to take down. Toxic allows Skarmory to cripple walls such as Groudon and Lugia, and can also be used in tandem with Roost to stall out opponents. Taunt helps Skarmory shut down Ferrothorn and other slower Pokemon which may try to set up on Skarmory.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Skarmory is quite capable of setting up Stealth Rock if it cannot be fit onto any other member of the team. Brave Bird can be used over Toxic or Taunt to dish out some damage. When running Brave Bird, 16 Attack EVs should be shifted over from Special Defense, so that Brave Bird can break Jolly Gliscor's Substitutes. It must be noted that without Brave Bird, Gliscor completely shuts down Skarmory with Taunt. An Impish nature can be used for more physical bulk, and some EVs can be shifted from Special Defense to Defense so that Skarmory takes physical hits even better. If Skarmory is not running Brave Bird, then the nature can be changed to Calm or Bold so that Skarmory takes less damage from confusion.</p>

<p>Giratina can easily take Fire- and Electric-type attacks aimed at Skarmory. Giratina's colossal Defense also shields Skarmory from Swords Dance Terrakion, Ho-Oh, and Groudon with Fire Punch, who can be threats to Skarmory. Giratina also blocks Rapid Spin, and if Skarmory Taunts Forretress, it can't set up Spikes on Giratina. This can be an effective strategy since Forretress loves to come in on Skarmory. While Skarmory can take physical attacks well, most powerful special attackers give Skarmory a run for its money, so Blissey and Chansey make good teammates. Kyogre can weaken the power of Fire-type attacks aimed at Skarmory, and checks the multitude of Fire-types that give it trouble. Almost every sweeper likes Spikes support, so Skarmory is a good partner to them all. Skarmory is best used on a team with an extra phazer or two sweepers that benefit from Spikes support, so its talents aren't wasted.</p>

<p>A Ground-type such as Excadrill, Groudon, Garchomp, or Ground Arceus can switch into Electric-type attacks and proceed to set up. Garchomp is especially good, since it also resists Fire-type attacks, and and can take out Reshiram or Zekrom with STAB Earthquake. Garchomp also outspeeds Rayquaza (without Dragon Dance) and can OHKO it with Outrage. Scarf variants can outspeed Rayquaza even when it is at +1. Tyranitar can provide sandstorm to power up the aforementioned Excadrill, and inflict more residual damage upon the opponent. Skarmory also needs a Pokemon to take Fire-type attacks for it, which Tyranitar can handily do.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>A physically defensive set with 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD can always be used. This variant will take physical hits like there's no tomorrow, but will easily fall to any special move. A gimmicky Swords Dance set can be used, but with Skarmory's modest base 80 Attack, it is easily walled. With Sturdy, Skarmory can also be used as a lead, as it will always get a layer of Spikes down, barring Taunt or status.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Most powerful special attackers such as Kyogre, Reshiram, Palkia, and Calm Mind Arceus give Skarmory a run for its money. Also, Taunt completely shuts down Skarmory unless it carries Brave Bird, so Pokemon such as Mewtwo and Mew, who often carry Taunt, will have a field day. Zekrom, though seen as a physical attacker, can threaten Skarmory thanks to its STAB Bolt Strike. A Choice Band-boosted Bolt Strike will easily OHKO Skarmory, while an un-boosted Bolt Strike will 2HKO. Reshiram, the other new Dragon-type, can even get a Speed boost off of Skarmory with Flame Charge. Ho-Oh is also troublesome, since it is immune to any Spikes Skarmory sets up, and can roast Skarmory with a sun-boosted Sacred Fire (though it is not always a OHKO).</p>
 
Slash in Taunt over Brave Bird. In fact I think Taunt is better than Brave Bird because it shuts Ferrothorn down and prevents walls from healing. Skarmory isn't hurting much with its low attack in Ubers.

Mention Giratina is a very good partner because it can easily absorb Fire or Electric attacks aimed at Skarmory, while Skarmory can swallow physical Dragon and Dark attacks targeted at Giratina. Giratina's colossal defense also allows shields Skarmory from SD Terakion, Ho-Oh and Fire Punch Groudon who can a threat to Skarmory. Giratina also blocks spin and if Skarmory Taunts Forretress, it can't set up Spikes on Giratina. This can be an effective strategy since Forretress loves to come in on Skarmory and got Taunted instead. Forretress can't spin either if Skarmory is partnered with Giratina.

Garchomp needs to be mentioned more as a partner because it resists both of Skarmory's weaknesses while Skarmory resists Dragon. Garchomp can immediately threaten both Reshiram and Zekrom with Earthquake or Outrage. Garchomp can also stop Rayquaza who might fry Skarmory with Overheat or Fire Blast.

Blissey and Chansey are always great partners to Skarmory for obvious reasons and they still work well together in Ubers.

The analysis is great other than those.

contrib_qc.png


QC APPROVED (1/2)
 
Hehehehe, notice how quickly trickroom flies over to a defensive Pokemon, like a moth to a flame.

I prefer Toxic / Taunt to the be moves on the 4th slot. Skarm is weak as shit without investment, so Brave Bird isn't hurting anything. Taunt isn't all that common these days, and the Pokemon you would hurt are setting up on you or killing you anyways (Mew, Mewtwo). Make sure to mention that Toxic is should be used in like 90% of circumstances since the pretty much only thing Taunt will be helping you with is Wobbuffet, Forretress and Ferrothorn, who are all dealt reasonably easily through other means. Without Toxic, something like a last Pokemon Extremekiller will laugh at you. Mention Stealth Rock in AC or OC just in case you have no other Pokemon you want to set it up with.

Oh, since you are running no attack moves if you follow what I say (of course you should =D), change the nature to Calm / Bold, since you take less damage through confusion. Not that important, but hey, it refines the set.
 
contrib_qc.png


I'll comment more on this after Im done with a certain thread Im working on, but Skarmory is always useful in a metagame with SD Arceus!
 
Deletions
Additions / Corrections
Comments

[Overview]

<p>One of the best physical walls of last generation returns to protect its team from the assault of physical attackers such as Groudon and Excadrill. Skarmory is still a prominent walling force, and is even more useful this generation with the rise of the powerful Extreme Killer Arceus. Skarmory It has everything a dedicated wall could dream possibly dream about, from a set of useful resistances, immunity to Ground-type moves, access to reliable recovery in the form of Roost, and being able to the ability to phaze out boosting sweepers with Whirlwind. It is a great in supporting the team thanks to its ability to set lay down Spikes and Stealth Rock, the ability to phaze and being resistant to Dragon, which is the most common attacking type in the tier It can ably support its team by laying entry hazards, phazing boosting sweepers with Whirlwind, and taking powerful Dragon-type attacks, which are very common in Ubers. However, Skarmory's defenses are extremely lopsided, and almost any powerful Special Attack will bring Skarmory to the verge of death. However, keep Skarmory away from special attacks, and it will work wonders for your team, be it stall or offensive.</p>

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Roost
move 3: Whirlwind
move 4: Toxic / Taunt
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Careful / Impish
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Skarmory's impenetrable base 140 Defense allows it to invest completely in Special Defense, making it to a much more balanced wall. Of particular note is its Dragon-type resistance to the Dragon-type, which is incidentally the most common attacking type in Ubers. Skarmory's Dragon-type resistance allows it to nonchalantly stroll into Outrages or and Choice-locked Dragon-type moves. Spikes are great for team support, and as they limit the number of switches an opponent can perform, and hinder hit-and-run attackers such as Choice Band Scizor and Choice Scarf Kyogre. Whirlwind compliments Spikes quite nicely, as it allows Skarmory to phaze out threats and rack up some damage. Even Extremekiller Arceus and Rock Polish Groudon are brought to a grinding halt by Skarmory. Skarmory resists all the possible moves the aforementioned Pokemon carry, and if either Arceus or Groudon gets greedy, Skarmory can just Whirlwind them away. Roost allows Skarmory to heal itself, making it very difficult to take down. Toxic allows Skarmory to cripple walls like such as Groudon and Lugia, and can also be used in tandem with Roost to stall out opponents. Taunt helps Skarmory shut down Ferrothorn and other slower Pokemon which may try to set up on Skarmory.</p>
(remove space)
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Skarmory is quite capable of setting up Stealth Rock if it cannot be fitted onto any other member of the team. Brave Bird can be used over Toxic or Taunt to dish out some damage. However, without investment, Skarmory will do paltry damage. An Impish nature can be used for more physical bulk, and some EVs can be shifted from Special Defense to Defense so that Skarmory takes physical hits even better. However, if Skarmory is not running Brave Bird, then the nature can be changed to Calm or Bold so that Skarmory takes less damage from confusion.</p>

<p>Giratina can easily take the Fire- and Electric-type attacks aimed at Skarmory. Giratina's colossal Defense also allows shields Skarmory from Swords Dance Terakion, Ho-Oh, and Fire Punch Groudon with Fire Punch, who can be a threats to Skarmory. Giratina also blocks Rapid Spin, and if Skarmory Taunts Forretress, it can't set up Spikes on Giratina. This can be an effective strategy since Forretress lo ves to come in on Skarmory. Forretress can't spin either if Skarmory is partnered with Giratina. While Skarmory can take physical attacks well, most powerful special attackers give Skarmory a run for its money, so Blissey and Chansey with their humungous Special Defense stats make good teammates. Kyogre can weaken the power of Fire-type attacks aimed at Skarmory, and checks the multitude of Fire-types that give it trouble. Almost every sweeper likes Spikes support, so Skarmory is a good partner to them all. Skarmory is best used on a team with an extra phazer or two or sweepers that benefit from Spikes support, so its talents aren't wasted.</p>

<p>A Ground-type such as Doryuuzu Excadrill, Groudon, Garchomp, and Ground Arceus can switch into Electric-type attacks and proceed to set up. Garchomp is especially good, since it also resists the Fire-type attacks, and and can take out Reshiram or Zekrom with STAB Earthquake. Garchomp also outspeeds Rayquaza (without Dragon Dance) and can OHKO it with Outrage. Scarf variants can outspeed Rayquaza even when it is at +1 .Tyranitar can provide a sandstorm to power up the aforementioned Doryuuzu Excadrill, and inflict more residual damage upon the opponent. Skarmory also needs a Pokemon to take Fire-type attacks for it, which Tyranitar can handily do.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>A physically defensive set with 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD can always be used. This variant will take physical hits like there's no tomorrow, but will easily fall to any special move. A gimmicky Swords Dance set can be used, but with Skarmory's modest base 80 Attack, it is easily walled. A Lead set with Sturdy can be used With Sturdy, Skarmory can also be used as a lead, as it will always get off a layer of Spikes down, barring Taunt or status.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Most powerful special attackers such as Kyogre, Reshiram, Palkia, and Calm Mind Arceus give Skarmory a run for its money. Also, Taunt completely shuts down Skarmory unless it carries Brave Bird, so Pokemon, like such as Mewtwo and Mew, who often carry Taunt, will have a field day. Zekrom, though seen as a physical attacker, can threaten Skarmory out thanks to its STAB Bolt Strike. A Choice Band-boosted Bolt Strike will easily OHKO Skarmory, while a Scarfed one Scarf Zekrom will 2HKO. Reshiram, the other new Dragon-type, can even get a Speed boost off Skarmory with Flame Charge. Ho-Oh is also troublesome, since it is immune to any Spikes Skarmory sets up, and can roast Skarmory with a sun-boosted Sacred Fire (though it is not always an OHKO).</p>

[Dream World]

<p>Skarmory gets the ability Weak Armour from Dream World. Whenever Skarmory takes a physical hit, it boosts Skarmory's Speed and lowers it Defense by one stage each. One look at Skarmory's base stats tells this ability is rather out of place on Skarmory, which has sub-par offenses and a poor Speed stat. Also, the only reason to use Skarmory is for its Defense, so an ability which lowers the Defense stat itself defeats the purpose of using Skarmory.</p>

gpstamp


GP 1 / 2
 
What link?

Anyway, not a member of the GP team, but here's an unofficial check.

Deletions
Additions/Corrections
(Comments)

I fully highlighted words that need capitalization changes, because highlighting only one letter make them easy to miss.

[Overview]

<p>One of the best physical walls of last generation returns to protect its team from the assault of physical attackers such as Groudon and Excadrill. Skarmory is still a prominent walling force, and is even more useful this generation with the rise of the powerful Extreme Killer Arceus. Skarmory It has everything a dedicated wall could possibly dream about, from of: a set of useful resistances, immunity to Ground-type moves, access to reliable recovery in the form of Roost, and the ability to phaze out boosting sweepers with Whirlwind. It can ably support its team by laying entry hazards, phazing boosting sweepers with Whirlwind, and taking powerful Dragon-type attacks, which are very common in Ubers. However, Skarmory's defenses are extremely lopsided, and almost any powerful special attack will bring Skarmory to the verge of death. However, If you can keep Skarmory away from special attacks, and it will work wonders for your team, be it stall or offensive.</p>

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Roost
move 3: Whirlwind
move 4: Toxic / Taunt
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Careful / Impish
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Skarmory's impenetrable base 140 Defense allows it to invest completely in Special Defense, making it a much more balanced wall. Of particular note is its Dragon-type resistance, which is incidentally the most common attacking type in Ubers. Skarmory's Dragon-type resistance allows it to nonchalantly stroll into Outrage and Choice-locked Dragon-type moves. Spikes are great for team support, as they limit the number of switches an opponent can perform, and hinder hit-and-run attackers such as Choice Band Scizor and Choice Scarf Kyogre. Whirlwind compliments Spikes quite nicely, as it allows Skarmory to phaze out threats and rack up some damage. Even Extreme Killer (that's how you said it before) Arceus and Rock Polish Groudon are brought to a grinding halt by Skarmory. Skarmory resists all the possible moves the aforementioned Pokemon carry, and if either Arceus or Groudon gets greedy, Skarmory can just Whirlwind them away. Roost allows Skarmory to heal itself, making it very difficult to take down. Toxic allows Skarmory to cripple walls such as Groudon and Lugia, and can also be used in tandem with Roost to stall out opponents. Taunt helps Skarmory shut down Ferrothorn and other slower Pokemon which may try to set up on Skarmory.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Skarmory is quite capable of setting up Stealth Rock if it cannot be fitted onto any other member of the team. Brave Bird can be used over Toxic or Taunt to dish out some damage. However, without investment, Skarmory will do paltry damage. An Impish nature can be used for more physical bulk, and some EVs can be shifted from Special Defense to Defense so that Skarmory takes physical hits even better. However, if Skarmory is not running Brave Bird, then the nature can be changed to Calm or Bold so that Skarmory takes less damage from confusion.</p>

<p>Giratina can easily take Fire- and Electric-type attacks aimed at Skarmory. Giratina's colossal Defense also shields Skarmory from Swords Dance Terakion Terrakion, Ho-Oh, and Groudon with Fire Punch, who can be threats to Skarmory. Giratina also blocks Rapid Spin, and if Skarmory Taunts Forretress, it can't set up Spikes on Giratina. This can be an effective strategy since Forretress loves (space in the middle of the word) to come in on Skarmory. While Skarmory can take physical attacks well, most powerful special attackers give Skarmory a run for its money, so Blissey and Chansey with their humungous humongous Special Defense stats make good teammates. Kyogre can weaken the power of Fire-type attacks aimed at Skarmory, and checks the multitude of Fire-types that give it trouble. Almost every sweeper likes Spikes support, so Skarmory is a good partner to them all. Skarmory is best used on a team with an extra phazer or two sweepers that benefit from Spikes support, so its talents aren't wasted.</p>

<p>A Ground-type such as Excadrill, Groudon, Garchomp, and Ground Arceus can switch into Electric-type attacks and proceed to set up. Garchomp is especially good, since it also resists Fire-type attacks, and and can take out Reshiram or Zekrom with STAB Earthquake. Garchomp also outspeeds Rayquaza (without Dragon Dance) and can OHKO it with Outrage. Scarf variants can outspeed Rayquaza even when it is at +1. Tyranitar (period in wrong place, watch out) can provide sandstorm to power up the aforementioned Excadrill, and inflict more residual damage upon the opponent. Skarmory also needs a Pokemon to take Fire-type attacks for it, which Tyranitar can handily do.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>A physically defensive set with 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD can always be used. This variant will take physical hits like there's no tomorrow, but will easily fall to any special move. A gimmicky Swords Dance set can be used, but with Skarmory's modest base 80 Attack, it is easily walled. With Sturdy, Skarmory can also be used as a lead, as it will always get off a layer of Spikes down, barring Taunt or status.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Most powerful special attackers such as Kyogre, Reshiram, Palkia, and Calm Mind Arceus give Skarmory a run for its money. Also, Taunt completely shuts down Skarmory unless it carries Brave Bird, so Pokemon such as Mewtwo and Mew, who often carry Taunt, will have a field day. Zekrom, though seen as a physical attacker, can threaten Skarmory out thanks to its STAB Bolt Strike. A Choice Band-boosted Bolt Strike will easily OHKO Skarmory, while Scarf Zekrom will 2HKO. Reshiram, the other new Dragon-type, can even get a Speed boost off of Skarmory with Flame Charge. Ho-Oh is also troublesome, since it is immune to any Spikes Skarmory sets up, and can roast Skarmory with a sun-boosted Sacred Fire (though it is not always an OHKO).</p>

[Dream World]

<p>Skarmory gets the ability Weak Armour Armor from Dream World. Whenever Skarmory takes a physical hit, it boosts Skarmory's Speed and lowers Defense by one stage each. One look at Skarmory's base stats tells this ability is rather out of place on Skarmory, which has sub-par offenses and a poor Speed stat. Also, the only reason to use Skarmory is for its Defense, so an ability which lowers the Defense stat itself defeats the purpose of using Skarmory.</p>

Just a few misspellings here and there, pretty good.
 
wekhter said:
What link?

Anyway, not a member of the GP team, but here's an unofficial check.

Deletions
Additions/Corrections
(Comments)

I fully highlighted words that need capitalization changes, because highlighting only one letter make them easy to miss.

[Overview]

<p>One of the best physical walls of last generation returns to protect its team from the assault of physical attackers such as Groudon and Excadrill. Skarmory is still a prominent walling force, and is even more useful this generation with the rise of the powerful Extreme Killer Arceus. Skarmory It has everything a dedicated wall could possibly dream about, from of: a set of useful resistances, immunity to Ground-type moves, access to reliable recovery in the form of Roost, and the ability to phaze out boosting sweepers with Whirlwind. It can ably support its team by laying entry hazards, phazing boosting sweepers with Whirlwind, and taking powerful Dragon-type attacks, which are very common in Ubers. However, Skarmory's defenses are extremely lopsided, and almost any powerful special attack will bring Skarmory to the verge of death. However, If you can keep Skarmory away from special attacks, and it will work wonders for your team, be it stall or offensive.</p>

[SET]
name: Specially Defensive
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Roost
move 3: Whirlwind
move 4: Toxic / Taunt
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Careful / Impish
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Skarmory's impenetrable base 140 Defense allows it to invest completely in Special Defense, making it a much more balanced wall. Of particular note is its Dragon-type resistance, which is incidentally the most common attacking type in Ubers. Skarmory's Dragon-type resistance allows it to nonchalantly stroll into Outrage and Choice-locked Dragon-type moves. Spikes are great for team support, as they limit the number of switches an opponent can perform, and hinder hit-and-run attackers such as Choice Band Scizor and Choice Scarf Kyogre. Whirlwind compliments Spikes quite nicely, as it allows Skarmory to phaze out threats and rack up some damage. Even Extreme Killer (that's how you said it before) Arceus and Rock Polish Groudon are brought to a grinding halt by Skarmory. Skarmory resists all the possible moves the aforementioned Pokemon carry, and if either Arceus or Groudon gets greedy, Skarmory can just Whirlwind them away. Roost allows Skarmory to heal itself, making it very difficult to take down. Toxic allows Skarmory to cripple walls such as Groudon and Lugia, and can also be used in tandem with Roost to stall out opponents. Taunt helps Skarmory shut down Ferrothorn and other slower Pokemon which may try to set up on Skarmory.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Skarmory is quite capable of setting up Stealth Rock if it cannot be fitted onto any other member of the team. Brave Bird can be used over Toxic or Taunt to dish out some damage. However, without investment, Skarmory will do paltry damage. An Impish nature can be used for more physical bulk, and some EVs can be shifted from Special Defense to Defense so that Skarmory takes physical hits even better. However, If Skarmory is not running Brave Bird, then the nature can be changed to Calm or Bold so that Skarmory takes less damage from confusion.</p>

<p>Giratina can easily take Fire- and Electric-type attacks aimed at Skarmory. Giratina's colossal Defense also shields Skarmory from Swords Dance Terakion Terrakion, Ho-Oh, and Groudon with Fire Punch, who can be threats to Skarmory. Giratina also blocks Rapid Spin, and if Skarmory Taunts Forretress, it can't set up Spikes on Giratina. This can be an effective strategy since Forretress loves (space in the middle of the word) to come in on Skarmory. While Skarmory can take physical attacks well, most powerful special attackers give Skarmory a run for its money, so Blissey and Chansey with their humungous humongous Special Defense stats make good teammates. Kyogre can weaken the power of Fire-type attacks aimed at Skarmory, and checks the multitude of Fire-types that give it trouble. Almost every sweeper likes Spikes support, so Skarmory is a good partner to them all. Skarmory is best used on a team with an extra phazer or two sweepers that benefit from Spikes support, so its talents aren't wasted.</p>

<p>A Ground-type such as Excadrill, Groudon, Garchomp, and or Ground Arceus can switch into Electric-type attacks and proceed to set up. Garchomp is especially good, since it also resists Fire-type attacks, and and can take out Reshiram or Zekrom with STAB Earthquake. Garchomp also outspeeds Rayquaza (without Dragon Dance) and can OHKO it with Outrage. Scarf variants can outspeed Rayquaza even when it is at +1. Tyranitar (period in wrong place, watch out) can provide sandstorm to power up the aforementioned Excadrill, and inflict more residual damage upon the opponent. Skarmory also needs a Pokemon to take Fire-type attacks for it, which Tyranitar can handily do.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>A physically defensive set with 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD can always be used. This variant will take physical hits like there's no tomorrow, but will easily fall to any special move. A gimmicky Swords Dance set can be used, but with Skarmory's modest base 80 Attack, it is easily walled. With Sturdy, Skarmory can also be used as a lead, as it will always get off a layer of Spikes down, barring Taunt or status.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>Most powerful special attackers such as Kyogre, Reshiram, Palkia, and Calm Mind Arceus give Skarmory a run for its money. Also, Taunt completely shuts down Skarmory unless it carries Brave Bird, so Pokemon such as Mewtwo and Mew, who often carry Taunt, will have a field day. Zekrom, though seen as a physical attacker, can threaten Skarmory out thanks to its STAB Bolt Strike. A Choice Band-boosted Bolt Strike will easily OHKO Skarmory, while Scarf Zekrom an un-boosted Bolt Strike will 2HKO. Reshiram, the other new Dragon-type, can even get a Speed boost off of Skarmory with Flame Charge. Ho-Oh is also troublesome, since it is immune to any Spikes Skarmory sets up, and can roast Skarmory with a sun-boosted Sacred Fire (though it is not always an OHKO).</p>

[Dream World]

<p>Skarmory gets the ability Weak Armour Armor from Dream World. Whenever Skarmory takes a physical hit, it boosts Skarmory's Speed and lowers Defense by one stage each. One look at Skarmory's base stats tells this ability is rather out of place on Skarmory, who has sub-par offenses and a poor Speed stat. Also, the only reason to use Skarmory is for its Defense, so an ability which lowers the Defense stat itself defeats the purpose of using Skarmory.</p>

Just a few misspellings here and there, pretty good.
Click to expand...

gpstamp


Just a few changes I made on top of Wehkter's
 
Wait... why is there no mention of shed shell anywhere? Magnezone and shadow tag users (well, really just chandelure in DW) still exist, so it needs an AC mention, especially considering swords dance is listed...
 
I'm confused. The analysis doesn't slash in Brave Bird, yet the main natures are Careful/Impish?

Well anyways, I would probably slash Brave Bird back in. It's power isn't outright terrible and lets it deal a decent chip damage to the likes of Kyogre if needed (~35%-41% to 4/0 Kyogre). But perhaps more importantly, it prevents Skarmory from being a complete Gliscor bait, as Brave Bird with 16 Atk EVs break Jolly Gliscor's subs 100% of the time (you're going to need more if you run into Impish though...)
 
-Slashed Brave Bird back in. Mentioned about the 16 Atk EVs in AC. Also spoke of Jolly Gliscor and subs.


-"When running Brave Bird, 16 Attack EVs can be shifted over from Special Defense, so that Brave Bird can break Jolly Gliscor's substitutes."
This is a new sentence i added. Could someone please GP this ?.

-Nearly Done.
 
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