[OVERVIEW]
Being one of the few Pokemon with access to both Brave Bird and Swords Dance, Skarmory is one of the best Gale Wings users in AAA. Possessing priority on Flying-type moves on its offensive set and considerable bulk on its defensive set in combination with a typing that provides it an immunity to Spikes and Toxic Spikes as well as a neutrality to Stealth Rock, Skarmory is also arguably the best Defog user in the metagame. In addition, its fantastic defensive typing and Defense stat allow it to both wall most opposing Gale Wings users and use many commonly used Pokemon in the metagame as setup fodder, further increasing both its defensive and offensive prowess. As if these traits weren't enough, Skarmory's ability to run both defensive and offensive sets often means the opponent cannot discern Skarmory's role on Team Preview, allowing it to potentially surprise the opponent. However, Skarmory's low HP and Special Defense stats prevent it from standing up to most special attackers, and it is easily eliminated by Magnet Pull Pokemon if it opts not to run a Shed Shell. Its low Attack stat among Gale Wings users also leaves it relatively weak before boosting, meaning it faces competition from Braviary, Staraptor, and Honchkrow, all of which can deal lots of damage right off the bat using a Choice Band. Finally, Skarmory lacks meaningful coverage moves outside of its Flying-type STAB moves, meaning it is easily walled by any Pokemon that resists Flying and has a means of fighting back.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance Skarmory
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Roost
move 4: Defog / Whirlwind / Taunt
item: Sharp Beak / Shed Shell / Leftovers
ability: Gale Wings
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance doubles Skarmory's Attack stat, turning it into a dangerous offensive threat. Brave Bird gains priority due to Gale Wings, and when backed up by Swords Dance and potentially Sharp Beak, it allows Skarmory to sweep most teams after their answer to Gale Wings users has been taken care of. Roost allows Skarmory, with priority, to heal damage it takes both from the opposing Pokemon and from Brave Bird recoil. Given that due to its priority its secondary effect of removing Skarmory's Flying typing will always activate, it is, however, important to watch out for Ground-type and Fighting-type moves on the turn Roost is used. Priority Defog lets Skarmory remove entry hazards from the field extremely easily, given apart from opposing priority it will be impossible to prevent Skarmory from Defogging once it enters the field of play. It also allows Skarmory to get rid of dual screens. If hazard control is not needed or your own team is hazard centric, Whirlwind can be used over Defog to both accumulate hazard damage on Skarmory's counters and allow Skarmory to beat opposing Gale Wings Skarmory and Snorlax. It also allows Skarmory to defeat opposing Roar or Whirlwind Pokemon, as it's faster than most of them. Taunt shuts down Pokemon that cannot threaten Skarmory outside of status or setup moves, such as Doublade and opposing Skarmory, in addition to making it far more difficult for defensive teams to handle. Iron Head is another possible move in the final slot that allows Skarmory to get through Rock-types, but it does little other than that, making it generally inferior to the utility of the other options.
Set Details
========
An Adamant nature with maximum Attack investment ensures Skarmory hits as hard as possible. The remaining EVs are dumped into HP and Defense to increase Skarmory's physical bulk as much as possible in order to take on opposing Gale Wings users better, allow Skarmory to take more recoil, and afford it more setup opportunities. Gale Wings gives priority to Brave Bird, Roost, and Defog, allowing Skarmory to attack, heal, and remove entry hazards with priority. Sharp Beak increases Skarmory's damage output and thus both its sweeping and revenge killing capabilities. Shed Shell removes Skarmory's Magnet Pull weakness but wastes its item slot against teams lacking Magnet Pull. As a final option, Leftovers helps Skarmory with Brave Bird recoil and makes setting up easier.
Usage Tips
========
Skarmory is mainly a setup sweeper, but it can function as a revenge killer as well given it is capable of forcing out Pokemon weak to Flying or with little physical bulk, Shaymin-S and Gengar being more popular examples. Weakened Pokemon are also vulnerable to revenge killing. Skarmory's other major role is countering opposing physical Gale Wings Pokemon such as Braviary and Honchkrow. Try to find Skarmory opportunities to set up against physical attackers that cannot threaten it, such as Regirock, or Pokemon that it forces out, such as the aforementioned Shaymin-S and Gengar. Due to its Toxic immunity, Skarmory can also set up on its fair share of walls, such as Chansey, which rely on Toxic to pose a threat. When removing entry hazards, make sure you have a way of dealing with potential Defiant and Competitive users that the opponent may have on their team to take advantage of Defog. Finally, do not let Skarmory get burned or risk taking a burn from moves such as Scald, as the residual damage and Attack drop caused by the status are extremely detrimental to Skarmory's walling and sweeping capabilities.
Team Options
========
Ground-types such as Garchomp or Pokemon with Motor Drive such as Manaphy are heavily recommended to help Skarmory deal with Electric-types that come in and force it out with Volt Switch, both countering it and gaining momentum in the process. Entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Deoxys-S and Ferrothorn greatly aids Skarmory's task, allowing it to revenge kill a far larger pool of Pokemon. It is, however, recommended to eschew using Defog with such partners, as it is counterproductive. Unaware Pokemon to take on Defiant and Competitive users when using Defog on Skarmory are excellent teammates, as they take almost all of the risk out of using Defog. Magnet Pull Pokemon such as Infernape and Heatran help remove Steel-types for Skarmory and therefore are great partners. Special sponges that can take special attacks aimed at Skarmory, such as Snorlax and Chansey, help alleviate Skarmory's low special bulk. Physical wallbreakers that lure in and KO Skarmory's counters, such as Heracross and Pangoro, work very well alongside Skarmory.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Roost
move 2: Whirlwind / Taunt
move 3: Defog / Spikes / Stealth Rock
move 4: Brave Bird / Counter
item: Shed Shell / Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Intimidate / Flash Fire / Unaware
nature: Impish / Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Roost provides Skarmory with reliable recovery and helps it prolong its stint on the battlefield. Whirlwind allows Skarmory to phaze otherwise problematic sweepers and accumulate entry hazard damage if used alongside Spikes or Stealth Rock. Defog allows Skarmory to support the team with valuable entry hazard removal, though if it is not needed, Spikes lets Skarmory set entry hazards of its own and complements Whirlwind fairly nicely. Stealth Rock can also be used in this slot if your team lacks a Stealth Rock user, but it has a more widespread pool of users than Spikes does. Brave Bird means Skarmory can both act under Taunt and threaten Magic Bounce users, and it deals quite a bit of damage despite Skarmory's low Attack stat thanks to its high Base Power. Counter is an alternative to Brave Bird that gives Skarmory the ability to deal massive damage to physical attackers with correct prediction, but Skarmory is completely shut down by Taunt and Magic Bounce when using the move. Should Counter be run, Taunt is an option in the second slot to force physical attackers to attack Skarmory and shut down defensive Pokemon.
Set Details
========
Skarmory's EV spread and nature maximize its physical bulk, making it as sturdy of a physical wall as possible. A Bold nature is preferred over an Impish one when using Counter, however, as it minimizes damage from confusion and Foul Play. Intimidate increases Skarmory's physical bulk even further against Pokemon it switches into, making it that much more difficult to breach with physical attacks and allowing it to take on Pokemon it otherwise would not be able to wall such as Tough Claws Dragonite. Flash Fire is another viable ability that removes Skarmory's weakness to Fire, leaving it with a sole weakness to Electric-type moves and letting it handle attackers it otherwise would not be able to counter, such as Heatran, Entei, and Garchomp. Unaware on the other hand allows Skarmory to counter most physical sweepers, Swords Dance Doublade and Sneasel being common examples. Shed Shell removes Skarmory's Magnet Pull weakness, making it a more consistent wall overall despite losing out on an item slot against teams lacking Magnet Pull. For this reason, it is the recommended item on stall teams. Rocky Helmet accumulates considerable damage on physical attackers and U-turn Pokemon without Skarmory needing to devote any time to dishing it out, while Leftovers prolongs Skarmory's longevity and makes it more difficult to wear down.
Usage Tips
========
This variant of Skarmory functions as a physical wall for stall and balanced teams, shutting down some of the metagame's most prominent physical attackers. Watch out for Knock Off users if you're using Shed Shell and you know the opponent has a Pokemon with Magnet Pull, as without its Shed Shell, Skarmory will not be able to get into play without risking getting trapped and KOed. Try to keep Skarmory alive as long as the opponent has a Pokemon that can lay down entry hazards, as if Skarmory faints, said Pokemon will be able to set up its entry hazards for the remainder of the match. Finally, watch out for Magic Bounce Pokemon when using Spikes or Stealth Rock, as the opponent getting free entry hazards on your side of the field can be catastrophic.
Team Options
========
Special walls such as Chansey, Goodra, and Meloetta perform excellently with Skarmory, as they can absorb special attacks targeted at Skarmory while Skarmory can take physical attacks aimed at them. If Skarmory is not using Flash Fire, other Pokemon resistant or immune to Fire such as Poison Heal Suicune and Flash Fire Doublade are ideal partners to take on Fire-type attackers that Skarmory cannot wall, such as Victini. Pokemon that benefit from entry hazard removal such as Victini and Braviary appreciate Skarmory's Defog support.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Mold Breaker set with both Stealth Rock and Spikes is an option for offensive teams that want an entry hazard setter, but more often than not Deoxys-S does this job better. Magic Bounce can be run on Skarmory, but Skarmory is for the most part outclassed by other Magic Bounce users. Delta Stream removes Skarmory's Electric-type weakness and makes it resistant to Rock-type and Ice-type moves, though this change doesn't let it wall any additional notable Pokemon. Thick Fat is an alternative over Flash Fire that also makes Skarmory resistant to Ice, but Flash Fire is generally better because most Fire-type attackers can still break Skarmory if it runs Thick Fat. Tailwind is an option in the last slot on the Swords Dance set to support the team, but it is generally inferior to the utility of other moves. Finally, Toxic is an alternative to Brave Bird on the physically defensive set to spread status, but Skarmory becomes extremely passive when using the move.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Electric-type Pokemon have no trouble at all switching into the Swords Dance set and can force Skarmory out with the threat of a powerful Volt Switch, conserving momentum while doing so.
**Rock-types and Steel-types**: While some of these Pokemon are setup fodder for Skarmory, Rock-types and Steel-types that can fight back such as Tyrantrum, Aegislash, Heatran, and Mega Metagross using Thunder Punch are all excellent checks to the Swords Dance set.
**Unaware Pokemon**: Without its Swords Dance boost being felt, Skarmory's Brave Bird is rather underwhelming, meaning Unaware users have a rather easy time with the Swords Dance set. Suicune, Cresselia, and Skarmory itself are all common examples of prominent Unaware Pokemon that handle Skarmory with relative ease, though Cresselia and Skarmory must keep an eye out for Taunt variants.
**Powerful Physical Attackers**: While with Intimidate Skarmory is very physically bulky, some physical attackers such as Lucario, Heracross, and Tyrantrum are still too much for Skarmory to handle.
**Special Attackers**: Skarmory cannot take many special attacks, meaning it usually runs at the sight of most strong special attackers with neutral coverage.
**Magic Bounce and Taunt**: Because Whirlwind cannot force out Pokemon with Magic Bounce, Skarmory's physically defensive set can at best use an uninvested Brave Bird to fight back against these Pokemon, making it far easier to eliminate. A well-timed Taunt from Pokemon such as Honchkrow and Haxorus has the same effect but also removes Roost from Skarmory's pool of options.
**Magnet Pull**: If Skarmory doesn't run Shed Shell, Magnet Pull users such as Heatran and Rotom-W can easily dispose of it. It is important to note that said Pokemon must be able to take a Swords Dance-boosted Brave Bird to trap and KO the Swords Dance set, however.
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