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[OVERVIEW]
Flying
========
Skarmory is the premier physical wall on Flying teams because of its high Defense stat allowing it to take powerful physical attacks with ease. It has an amazing support movepool that includes Defog, Whirlwind, and Stealth Rock. Skarmory also has a handy resistance to Dragon-type attacks, allowing it to check powerful Dragon-types such as Salamence and Garchomp. Along with this, it has a key neutrality to Ice-type attacks, which allows it to counter powerful Ice-types such as Mamoswine and Weavile. Skarmory also has reliable recovery in Roost, giving it sustainability, which allows it to counter physical attackers such as Salamence and Weavile while giving it more opportunities to remove entry hazards with Defog. However, Skarmory has a mediocre Special Defense stat, meaning that it often needs to switch out against strong special attackers such as Tapu Koko and Greninja. It is also susceptible to common Electric- and Fire-type attacks, making it somewhat difficult to preserve Skarmory's HP. It also doesn't have much of an offensive presence because of its average Attack stat, which leaves it susceptible to Taunt users such as Mega Gyarados and Smeargle.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Brave Bird / Iron Head
move 2: Roost
move 3: Whirlwind
move 4: Defog / Stealth Rock
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 224 HP / 252 Def / 32 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Brave Bird is used to hit Fighting-, Bug-, and Grass-types such as Keldeo, Heracross, and Breloom while also giving Skarmory an offensive presence. Iron Head allows Skarmory to hit Ice-, Fairy-, and Rock-types such as Weavile, Clefable, and Tyranitar. Roost allows Skarmory to recover its HP, giving it sustainability. Whirlwind allows Skarmory to phaze setup sweepers such as Salamence and Landorus-T. Defog enables Skarmory to remove Stealth Rock for Flying-type teams, forming an excellent hazard control core with Mantine. Stealth Rock is an option to pressure Flying-, Fire-, and Ice-types that threaten Flying-type teams, but Skarmory is outclassed by other Stealth Rock users such as Gliscor, Landorus, and Landorus-T, and opting for Stealth Rock over Defog in the last slot forces teammate Zapdos to run Defog.
Set Details
========
224 HP EVs allow Skarmory to always be at full HP after two turns of Leftovers recovery after Stealth Rock damage. Maximum Defense investment along with an Impish nature ensures that Skarmory is as physically bulky as possible. Sturdy allows Skarmory to survive any hit if it is at full health. Leftovers allows Skarmory to recover a bit of its HP each turn. Alternatively, Rocky Helmet can be used to punish users of contact attacks such as U-turn Landorus-T and Mega Beedrill.
Usage Tips
========
If Skarmory is running Defog and Stealth Rock is up on your side, it is usually best to use Defog to remove it as soon possible so that Skarmory's teammates don't take unnecessary damage. It is usually best to set up Stealth Rock as early as possible to pressure Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-types. Preserve Skarmory's HP because it needs to be at full HP to check powerful physical attackers such as Mamoswine and Garchomp. If Skarmory is using Rocky Helmet, it is a great idea to switch it in against U-turn users such as Landorus-T and Jirachi to rack up residual damage. Skarmory should avoid getting burned, as burn halves Skarmory's average Attack stat and leaves it with no offensive presence while also negating its Leftovers recovery. If Stealth Rock is up on the opponent's side, it is typically a good idea to spam Whirlwind to potentially force in a Pokemon that is weak to Stealth Rock. Be extremely careful against trappers such as Magnezone and Gothitelle because they can easily trap and KO Skarmory. Skarmory should be careful against Pokemon that tend to carry special Fire-type coverage such as Garchomp and Tyranitar. It should also be kept away from special attackers such as Mega Charizard Y and Zapdos because of its poor Special Defense stat. Skarmory should immediately phaze setup sweepers such as Salamence and Scizor, as they can KO Skarmory if they acquire multiple boosts. Use pivots such as Volt Switch Zapdos and U-turn Landorus-T to allow Skarmory to use Defog safely. Skarmory should switch into physical attackers such as Mamoswine and Heracross because it can easily set up hazards or use Defog on them while also beating them one-on-one.
Team Options
========
Mantine can take special Fire- and Ice-type attacks for Skarmory while also being a reliable Defog user, forming a hazard control core. Zapdos can take Electric-type attacks for Skarmory and run a Substitute + Toxic set to cripple bulky Pokemon that wall Skarmory such as Chansey and Porygon2. Zapdos and Mantine can also take special attacks for Skarmory, while Skarmory can take physical attacks for them. Stealth Rock users such as Gliscor, Landorus, and Landorus-T allow Skarmory to run Defog. Landorus and Mega Charizard Y appreciate Stealth Rock from Skarmory because it allows them to net certain KOs, and the latter also appreciates Defog support. However, Mega Charizard Y sets up sun with Drought, meaning that Skarmory can be KOed by Fire Punch Dragonite and Fire Blast Garchomp. Landorus-T can use U-turn to bring in Skarmory safely and is immune to Electric-type attacks. Gliscor has an Electric-type immunity while also being able an effective stallbreaker because of Taunt. Skarmory can take Ice-type attacks for Gliscor in return. Salamence and Gyarados appreciate Stealth Rock from Skarmory because it enables them to sweep with ease. Togekiss can revenge kill threats such as Greninja and Infernape, while Skarmory can set up Stealth Rock to make it much easier for Togekiss to sweep late-game. Dragonite appreciates Stealth Rock from Skarmory because it lets it pick off threats such as Greninja with Extreme Speed. Dragonite also appreciates Defog support because it preserves Dragonite's Multiscale.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Flying
--------
Suicide lead Skarmory with Brave Bird / Stealth Rock / Spikes / Taunt can be used, but Aerodactyl is a better suicide lead on Flying-type teams. Toxic can be used to better deal with bulkier Pokemon such as Swampert and Chansey, but Skarmory usually doesn't have room for it. Spikes can be used over Stealth Rock or Defog to allow Skarmory to pressure Fairy- and Normal-type teams, but most Flying-type teams have greater need for a Defog or Stealth Rock user. Shed Shell makes it so Skarmory cannot be trapped by Magnezone and Gothitelle, but the passive recovery of Leftovers is better.
Checks and Counters
===================
Flying
--------
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Zapdos, Tapu Koko, and Xurkitree can switch into Skarmory and KO it with their Electric-type attacks.
**Trappers**: Trappers such as Magnezone and Gothitelle can trap and KO Skarmory.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Mega Charizard Y, Torkoal, and Victini KO Skarmory with their Fire-type attacks. However, they need to be wary of Stealth Rock.
**Stallbreakers**: Stallbreakers such as Mew and Gliscor can use Taunt on Skarmory, rendering it useless.
**Wallbreakers**: Wallbreakers such as Landorus and Manaphy can easily break Skarmory with their powerful attacks.
**Special Attackers** Since Skarmory has a poor Special Defense stat, powerful special attackers such as Nidoking and Keldeo can easily KO it.
Flying
========
Skarmory is the premier physical wall on Flying teams because of its high Defense stat allowing it to take powerful physical attacks with ease. It has an amazing support movepool that includes Defog, Whirlwind, and Stealth Rock. Skarmory also has a handy resistance to Dragon-type attacks, allowing it to check powerful Dragon-types such as Salamence and Garchomp. Along with this, it has a key neutrality to Ice-type attacks, which allows it to counter powerful Ice-types such as Mamoswine and Weavile. Skarmory also has reliable recovery in Roost, giving it sustainability, which allows it to counter physical attackers such as Salamence and Weavile while giving it more opportunities to remove entry hazards with Defog. However, Skarmory has a mediocre Special Defense stat, meaning that it often needs to switch out against strong special attackers such as Tapu Koko and Greninja. It is also susceptible to common Electric- and Fire-type attacks, making it somewhat difficult to preserve Skarmory's HP. It also doesn't have much of an offensive presence because of its average Attack stat, which leaves it susceptible to Taunt users such as Mega Gyarados and Smeargle.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Brave Bird / Iron Head
move 2: Roost
move 3: Whirlwind
move 4: Defog / Stealth Rock
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 224 HP / 252 Def / 32 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Brave Bird is used to hit Fighting-, Bug-, and Grass-types such as Keldeo, Heracross, and Breloom while also giving Skarmory an offensive presence. Iron Head allows Skarmory to hit Ice-, Fairy-, and Rock-types such as Weavile, Clefable, and Tyranitar. Roost allows Skarmory to recover its HP, giving it sustainability. Whirlwind allows Skarmory to phaze setup sweepers such as Salamence and Landorus-T. Defog enables Skarmory to remove Stealth Rock for Flying-type teams, forming an excellent hazard control core with Mantine. Stealth Rock is an option to pressure Flying-, Fire-, and Ice-types that threaten Flying-type teams, but Skarmory is outclassed by other Stealth Rock users such as Gliscor, Landorus, and Landorus-T, and opting for Stealth Rock over Defog in the last slot forces teammate Zapdos to run Defog.
Set Details
========
224 HP EVs allow Skarmory to always be at full HP after two turns of Leftovers recovery after Stealth Rock damage. Maximum Defense investment along with an Impish nature ensures that Skarmory is as physically bulky as possible. Sturdy allows Skarmory to survive any hit if it is at full health. Leftovers allows Skarmory to recover a bit of its HP each turn. Alternatively, Rocky Helmet can be used to punish users of contact attacks such as U-turn Landorus-T and Mega Beedrill.
Usage Tips
========
If Skarmory is running Defog and Stealth Rock is up on your side, it is usually best to use Defog to remove it as soon possible so that Skarmory's teammates don't take unnecessary damage. It is usually best to set up Stealth Rock as early as possible to pressure Fire-, Flying-, and Ice-types. Preserve Skarmory's HP because it needs to be at full HP to check powerful physical attackers such as Mamoswine and Garchomp. If Skarmory is using Rocky Helmet, it is a great idea to switch it in against U-turn users such as Landorus-T and Jirachi to rack up residual damage. Skarmory should avoid getting burned, as burn halves Skarmory's average Attack stat and leaves it with no offensive presence while also negating its Leftovers recovery. If Stealth Rock is up on the opponent's side, it is typically a good idea to spam Whirlwind to potentially force in a Pokemon that is weak to Stealth Rock. Be extremely careful against trappers such as Magnezone and Gothitelle because they can easily trap and KO Skarmory. Skarmory should be careful against Pokemon that tend to carry special Fire-type coverage such as Garchomp and Tyranitar. It should also be kept away from special attackers such as Mega Charizard Y and Zapdos because of its poor Special Defense stat. Skarmory should immediately phaze setup sweepers such as Salamence and Scizor, as they can KO Skarmory if they acquire multiple boosts. Use pivots such as Volt Switch Zapdos and U-turn Landorus-T to allow Skarmory to use Defog safely. Skarmory should switch into physical attackers such as Mamoswine and Heracross because it can easily set up hazards or use Defog on them while also beating them one-on-one.
Team Options
========
Mantine can take special Fire- and Ice-type attacks for Skarmory while also being a reliable Defog user, forming a hazard control core. Zapdos can take Electric-type attacks for Skarmory and run a Substitute + Toxic set to cripple bulky Pokemon that wall Skarmory such as Chansey and Porygon2. Zapdos and Mantine can also take special attacks for Skarmory, while Skarmory can take physical attacks for them. Stealth Rock users such as Gliscor, Landorus, and Landorus-T allow Skarmory to run Defog. Landorus and Mega Charizard Y appreciate Stealth Rock from Skarmory because it allows them to net certain KOs, and the latter also appreciates Defog support. However, Mega Charizard Y sets up sun with Drought, meaning that Skarmory can be KOed by Fire Punch Dragonite and Fire Blast Garchomp. Landorus-T can use U-turn to bring in Skarmory safely and is immune to Electric-type attacks. Gliscor has an Electric-type immunity while also being able an effective stallbreaker because of Taunt. Skarmory can take Ice-type attacks for Gliscor in return. Salamence and Gyarados appreciate Stealth Rock from Skarmory because it enables them to sweep with ease. Togekiss can revenge kill threats such as Greninja and Infernape, while Skarmory can set up Stealth Rock to make it much easier for Togekiss to sweep late-game. Dragonite appreciates Stealth Rock from Skarmory because it lets it pick off threats such as Greninja with Extreme Speed. Dragonite also appreciates Defog support because it preserves Dragonite's Multiscale.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Flying
--------
Suicide lead Skarmory with Brave Bird / Stealth Rock / Spikes / Taunt can be used, but Aerodactyl is a better suicide lead on Flying-type teams. Toxic can be used to better deal with bulkier Pokemon such as Swampert and Chansey, but Skarmory usually doesn't have room for it. Spikes can be used over Stealth Rock or Defog to allow Skarmory to pressure Fairy- and Normal-type teams, but most Flying-type teams have greater need for a Defog or Stealth Rock user. Shed Shell makes it so Skarmory cannot be trapped by Magnezone and Gothitelle, but the passive recovery of Leftovers is better.
Checks and Counters
===================
Flying
--------
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Zapdos, Tapu Koko, and Xurkitree can switch into Skarmory and KO it with their Electric-type attacks.
**Trappers**: Trappers such as Magnezone and Gothitelle can trap and KO Skarmory.
**Fire-types**: Fire-types such as Mega Charizard Y, Torkoal, and Victini KO Skarmory with their Fire-type attacks. However, they need to be wary of Stealth Rock.
**Stallbreakers**: Stallbreakers such as Mew and Gliscor can use Taunt on Skarmory, rendering it useless.
**Wallbreakers**: Wallbreakers such as Landorus and Manaphy can easily break Skarmory with their powerful attacks.
**Special Attackers** Since Skarmory has a poor Special Defense stat, powerful special attackers such as Nidoking and Keldeo can easily KO it.
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