[SET]
Defensive (Skeledirge) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD OR 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Tera Type: Fairy / Water
Calm Nature
- Torch Song
- Will-O-Wisp
- Slack Off
- Hex / Earth Power
[SET COMMENTS]
With its good bulk, unique typing, and Unaware, Skeledirge has a decent niche as a defensive wall that can deny setup. Torch Song is a fantastic signature move that turns Skeledirge into a potent wincon. Torch Song also bypasses Substitute, punishing users of the move like Serperior, Kyurem, and Zamazenta. Will-O-Wisp lets Skeledirge hinder physical atackers like Zamazenta, Dragonite, and Mega Lopunny. Slack Off is required in order to take on the Pokemon it can check reliably. Hex is a strong STAB move that pairs well alongside Will-O-Wisp. Hex is also great when paired with Pokemon that have an easy time spreading status like Clefable and Toxapex, and it hits Gliscor for huge damage as well. Earth Power lets Skeledirge punish Heatran predicting a Torch Song or Will-O-Wisp while also hitting Gouging Fire, Mega Tyranitar, and Garganacl much harder. Specially defensive Skeledirge is a well-rounded tank, capable of taking on Volcarona, Iron Valiant lacking Shadow Ball, and Iron Crown. Physically defensive Skeledirge focuses purely on its physical walling capabilities, most notably against the likes of Zamazenta, Dragonite, physical variants of Iron Valiant, and Mega Lopunny. Tera Fairy provides an appreciated resistance to Dark and Immunity to Dragon, allowing specially defensive variants to handle the likes of Darkrai and Raging Bolt, while physically defensive variants are able to beat Mega Tyranitar and Weavile. Tera Water lets Skeledirge play more effectively against rain sweepers like Mega Swampert and Barraskewda and hinder them with Will-O-Wisp. It can also tackle Urshifu-R and Hisuian Samurott, all while having a great defensive typing in Water. Skeledirge is a good pick for certain balance and stall teams that appreciate its unique traits. Due to its vulnerability to Knock Off, Skeledirge really appreciates Pokemon that can absorb the move for it, so Pokemon like Gliscor, Clefable, and Mega Tyranitar are solid partners for it. Pokemon that resist Water like Toxapex and Alomomola are welcomed editions, and the latter appreciates Skeledirge's ability to handle Grass-types. Checks to Darkrai and Weavile like Mega Tyranitar and Zamazenta also help Skeledirge greatly, and in return, it's able to beat some of their answers, such as opposing Zamazenta and Clefable. Mega Lopunny in particular synergizes greatly with Skeledirge; it provides solid speed control and can switch into Knock Off, while Skeledirge provides a burn immunity and serves as a defensive backbone, which helps against the likes of Zamazenta and Mega Scizor that Mega Lopunny can otherwise struggle with.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/chilli-dewd.573392/
Quality Checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/oblivion-wing.609346/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/omarsgarciav.526618/
Grammar Checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/clouds.356215/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zrp200.327515/
Defensive (Skeledirge) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD OR 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Tera Type: Fairy / Water
Calm Nature
- Torch Song
- Will-O-Wisp
- Slack Off
- Hex / Earth Power
[SET COMMENTS]
With its good bulk, unique typing, and Unaware, Skeledirge has a decent niche as a defensive wall that can deny setup. Torch Song is a fantastic signature move that turns Skeledirge into a potent wincon. Torch Song also bypasses Substitute, punishing users of the move like Serperior, Kyurem, and Zamazenta. Will-O-Wisp lets Skeledirge hinder physical atackers like Zamazenta, Dragonite, and Mega Lopunny. Slack Off is required in order to take on the Pokemon it can check reliably. Hex is a strong STAB move that pairs well alongside Will-O-Wisp. Hex is also great when paired with Pokemon that have an easy time spreading status like Clefable and Toxapex, and it hits Gliscor for huge damage as well. Earth Power lets Skeledirge punish Heatran predicting a Torch Song or Will-O-Wisp while also hitting Gouging Fire, Mega Tyranitar, and Garganacl much harder. Specially defensive Skeledirge is a well-rounded tank, capable of taking on Volcarona, Iron Valiant lacking Shadow Ball, and Iron Crown. Physically defensive Skeledirge focuses purely on its physical walling capabilities, most notably against the likes of Zamazenta, Dragonite, physical variants of Iron Valiant, and Mega Lopunny. Tera Fairy provides an appreciated resistance to Dark and Immunity to Dragon, allowing specially defensive variants to handle the likes of Darkrai and Raging Bolt, while physically defensive variants are able to beat Mega Tyranitar and Weavile. Tera Water lets Skeledirge play more effectively against rain sweepers like Mega Swampert and Barraskewda and hinder them with Will-O-Wisp. It can also tackle Urshifu-R and Hisuian Samurott, all while having a great defensive typing in Water. Skeledirge is a good pick for certain balance and stall teams that appreciate its unique traits. Due to its vulnerability to Knock Off, Skeledirge really appreciates Pokemon that can absorb the move for it, so Pokemon like Gliscor, Clefable, and Mega Tyranitar are solid partners for it. Pokemon that resist Water like Toxapex and Alomomola are welcomed editions, and the latter appreciates Skeledirge's ability to handle Grass-types. Checks to Darkrai and Weavile like Mega Tyranitar and Zamazenta also help Skeledirge greatly, and in return, it's able to beat some of their answers, such as opposing Zamazenta and Clefable. Mega Lopunny in particular synergizes greatly with Skeledirge; it provides solid speed control and can switch into Knock Off, while Skeledirge provides a burn immunity and serves as a defensive backbone, which helps against the likes of Zamazenta and Mega Scizor that Mega Lopunny can otherwise struggle with.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/chilli-dewd.573392/
Quality Checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/oblivion-wing.609346/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/omarsgarciav.526618/
Grammar Checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/clouds.356215/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zrp200.327515/
Last edited: