[OVERVIEW]
Skarmory is simultaneously the tier's premier Spikes user and a heavily utilized physical wall, using its access to Toxic and Roar among other moves to distinguish itself from other Spikers. Its Steel / Flying typing is also perfect for its role as a wall, leaving it without any physical weaknesses and with a resistance to all but two physically attacking types, namely Rock and Fighting. However, two exploitable weaknesses to specially attacking types make it vulnerable to Fire- and Electric-type attacks. Despite this, Skarmory is an incredible floor-raising Pokemon that should be considered on everything from Spikes stall to offensive Spikes teams.
[SET]
name: Standard
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Roar
move 3: Drill Peck / Toxic
move 4: Protect / Toxic / Taunt / Thief
item: Leftovers
ability: Keen Eye
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Spikes allows Skarmory to apply residual damage to the opposing team and is the primary reason to use Skarmory. Roar is another reason to use Skarmory over other Spikers because it allows Skarmory to be used offensively as a Spikes shuffler and to phaze dangerous set-up threats. Drill peck is the most versatile move for the third slot, allowing Skarmory to check Fighting-types and chip incoming Gengar, Celebi, Starmie, Claydol, Forretress, and Snorlax. The ability to hit Gengar is particularly important, as Gengar would otherwise wall Skarmory entirely, applying more pressure to Skarmory's teammates. Protect gives Skarmory an extra turn of Leftovers recovery and is quite effective at ensuring recovery due to Skarmory's immunity to Toxic, sand damage, and Spikes. It also gives Skarmory a method of scouting for unexpected Fire- and Electric-type attacks. Toxic allows Skarmory to threaten spinners such as Cloyster and non-Refresh Claydol, both of which can switch in and remove Spikes without fear. It also allows Skarmory to threaten many other Pokemon such as Tyranitar, Swampert, Zapdos, Salamence, Suicune, Jolteon, and Porygon2 as long as none are using status-healing moves; however, it comes with the downside of requiring support to deal with Gengar, Refresh Claydol, and Pokemon with Natural Cure . In extremely rare cases, Skarmory may drop Roar to run a set utilizing Spikes, Drill Peck, Toxic, and Protect, requiring significant compensation in the teambuilder.
Taunt allows Skarmory to stop Spikers from laying Spikes, as well as hindering setup in a pinch from slower foes such as Suicune and Dragon Dance Tyranitar. Thief can also be used to remove opposing Skarmory's Leftovers, and it is also effective in targeting other Leftovers users.
The EVs maximize Skarmory's special bulk. This allows it to take advantage of weak special attackers such as defensive Swampert with ease. It also gives Skarmory a better chance to survive Magneton's Thunderbolt. When Taunt is used, it is recommended to invest in Speed to outspeed opposing Skarmory and other defensive Pokemon as desired. Outspeeding Refresh Claydol and Milotic is useful for faster-paced teams, so even Skarmory without taunt may opt for some Speed investment.
Team Options
=========
Spikes wears down grounded walls and makes powerful attackers such as Tyranitar more difficult to switch into. Blissey forms a fearsome core with Skarmory: Blissey can handle special attackers that trouble Skarmory, while Skarmory can handle physical attackers such as Snorlax that take advantage of Blissey. Defensive Pokemon such as Blissey, Milotic, Gengar, and defensive Jirachi that carry status moves are also immediately more threatening with Spikes down, as the foes that would usually pivot into status to shrug it off are damaged upon switching in. Gengar not only takes advantage of Skarmory's Spikes but also has the added benefit of being able to block Rapid Spin, which makes it a great teammate. Swampert can back Skarmory up as a physical wall and run Roar to utilize Spikes even better. Fast revenge killers such as offensive Starmie and Aerodactyl and setup sweepers such as Dragon Dance Salamence appreciate Spikes wearing down the opponent's team so that they can clean late-game. Pokemon such as Jolteon that force a lot of switches are also great with Spikes support, as the switches they force become much more potent with the additional residual damage. Dugtrio or Hidden Power Fire Magneton can trap opposing Magneton, which can often be disastrous for teams that rely on it to check Skarmory. At the very least, they can revenge kill Magneton after it has trapped Skarmory, making a one-for-one trade. If not using Taunt or thief, opposing Skarmory will be able to heal damage and lay down spikes, so it is also essential for a Skarmory team to either commit either to KOing opposing Skarmory early, having a spinner, or be on a composition that can minimize the long-term damage taken by having Spikes down on its side of the field.
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zac.517019/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/giraffefromholland.561770/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
Skarmory is simultaneously the tier's premier Spikes user and a heavily utilized physical wall, using its access to Toxic and Roar among other moves to distinguish itself from other Spikers. Its Steel / Flying typing is also perfect for its role as a wall, leaving it without any physical weaknesses and with a resistance to all but two physically attacking types, namely Rock and Fighting. However, two exploitable weaknesses to specially attacking types make it vulnerable to Fire- and Electric-type attacks. Despite this, Skarmory is an incredible floor-raising Pokemon that should be considered on everything from Spikes stall to offensive Spikes teams.
[SET]
name: Standard
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Roar
move 3: Drill Peck / Toxic
move 4: Protect / Toxic / Taunt / Thief
item: Leftovers
ability: Keen Eye
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Spikes allows Skarmory to apply residual damage to the opposing team and is the primary reason to use Skarmory. Roar is another reason to use Skarmory over other Spikers because it allows Skarmory to be used offensively as a Spikes shuffler and to phaze dangerous set-up threats. Drill peck is the most versatile move for the third slot, allowing Skarmory to check Fighting-types and chip incoming Gengar, Celebi, Starmie, Claydol, Forretress, and Snorlax. The ability to hit Gengar is particularly important, as Gengar would otherwise wall Skarmory entirely, applying more pressure to Skarmory's teammates. Protect gives Skarmory an extra turn of Leftovers recovery and is quite effective at ensuring recovery due to Skarmory's immunity to Toxic, sand damage, and Spikes. It also gives Skarmory a method of scouting for unexpected Fire- and Electric-type attacks. Toxic allows Skarmory to threaten spinners such as Cloyster and non-Refresh Claydol, both of which can switch in and remove Spikes without fear. It also allows Skarmory to threaten many other Pokemon such as Tyranitar, Swampert, Zapdos, Salamence, Suicune, Jolteon, and Porygon2 as long as none are using status-healing moves; however, it comes with the downside of requiring support to deal with Gengar, Refresh Claydol, and Pokemon with Natural Cure . In extremely rare cases, Skarmory may drop Roar to run a set utilizing Spikes, Drill Peck, Toxic, and Protect, requiring significant compensation in the teambuilder.
Taunt allows Skarmory to stop Spikers from laying Spikes, as well as hindering setup in a pinch from slower foes such as Suicune and Dragon Dance Tyranitar. Thief can also be used to remove opposing Skarmory's Leftovers, and it is also effective in targeting other Leftovers users.
The EVs maximize Skarmory's special bulk. This allows it to take advantage of weak special attackers such as defensive Swampert with ease. It also gives Skarmory a better chance to survive Magneton's Thunderbolt. When Taunt is used, it is recommended to invest in Speed to outspeed opposing Skarmory and other defensive Pokemon as desired. Outspeeding Refresh Claydol and Milotic is useful for faster-paced teams, so even Skarmory without taunt may opt for some Speed investment.
Team Options
=========
Spikes wears down grounded walls and makes powerful attackers such as Tyranitar more difficult to switch into. Blissey forms a fearsome core with Skarmory: Blissey can handle special attackers that trouble Skarmory, while Skarmory can handle physical attackers such as Snorlax that take advantage of Blissey. Defensive Pokemon such as Blissey, Milotic, Gengar, and defensive Jirachi that carry status moves are also immediately more threatening with Spikes down, as the foes that would usually pivot into status to shrug it off are damaged upon switching in. Gengar not only takes advantage of Skarmory's Spikes but also has the added benefit of being able to block Rapid Spin, which makes it a great teammate. Swampert can back Skarmory up as a physical wall and run Roar to utilize Spikes even better. Fast revenge killers such as offensive Starmie and Aerodactyl and setup sweepers such as Dragon Dance Salamence appreciate Spikes wearing down the opponent's team so that they can clean late-game. Pokemon such as Jolteon that force a lot of switches are also great with Spikes support, as the switches they force become much more potent with the additional residual damage. Dugtrio or Hidden Power Fire Magneton can trap opposing Magneton, which can often be disastrous for teams that rely on it to check Skarmory. At the very least, they can revenge kill Magneton after it has trapped Skarmory, making a one-for-one trade. If not using Taunt or thief, opposing Skarmory will be able to heal damage and lay down spikes, so it is also essential for a Skarmory team to either commit either to KOing opposing Skarmory early, having a spinner, or be on a composition that can minimize the long-term damage taken by having Spikes down on its side of the field.
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zac.517019/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/giraffefromholland.561770/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
Last edited:
