Skarmory [4N] - Torment Spiker

Lord Liam

STATUS: Ready to be uploaded to the site! I think the text is too big though, won't let me size it down.


Hello everyone! For the last little while, I've been wanting to contribute more to the Smogon University. I figured that a good way to help out would be to write analysises in C&C, and that's what I'll do. This is the first analysis I've ever written, so cut me a bit of slack if it isn't perfect.

Anyways, onto Skarmory itself, Earthworm inspired me to use this set. I had a game with him last night and he used a Skarmory very similar to this one, it was a pain to take down. It didn't take long for this Pokemon to get 3 layers of Spikes up, and even almost stalled by Heatran out of PP. So, without further ado, I present to you Torment Spiker Skarmory.

dpmfa227.png

http://www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/skarmory

[SET]
Name: Torment Spiker
Move 1: Torment
Move 2: Protect
Move 3: Spikes
Move 4: Roost / Taunt / Whirlwind / Substitute
Nature: Impish
Ability: Keen Eye
Item: Leftovers / Shed Shell
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Spe / 240 Def

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>In GSC and ADV play, Skarmory was often hailed as the best physical wall because it had great typing and a gigantic 140 base Defense. In DPP however, Skarmory finds competition in Gliscor, Hippowdon, and Forretress for being the best physical wall. This set separates itself from the other physical walls because it can set up on many common switch-ins, including Infernape and Gengar.</p>

<p>The idea of this set is to use Torment as your opponent switches to their Skarmory counter. Then simply Protect to block the opposing Pokemon's attack and be free to set up Spikes while your opponent is forced to switch attacks thanks to your Torment. It should be noted that this set absolutely destroys Choiced Pokemon, as Skarmory can set up on them with impunity.<p>

<p>Roost is the best option in the fourth slot to give Skarmory a healing move. However, if you have another Pokemon with Wish to heal Skarmory on your team, Taunt can be used in place of Roost to screw with your opponent's Pokemon even further. It can mess with Pokemon like Blissey and DDTar, preventing them from setting up while you use Spikes. Taunt also stops Calm Mind users from walking over you and giving them a free set-up. Another decent option is Whirlwind, which can do some major damage once three layers of Spikes are out, but it is not recommended as this set in particular focuses on setting up Spikes rather than team shuffling. Finally, Substitute is a solid option for this set, as it allows you to beat Pokemon that will not use their super effective hit while you Protect.</p>

<p>The EVs are pretty self explanatory, 252 HP allows you to take hits from attacks both the physical and special sides. 16 Speed EVs let Skarmory outrun Tyranitar with 80 Spe EVs and use Torment to PP stall it out of Stone Edge, which can be extremely helpful later in the match. 16 Speed also lets you outrun max speed Rhyperior. 240 Defense EVs are given to be able to take physical hits better.</p>

<p>While this set is effective by itself, it is best paired with something that can destroy Taunt users. Scarfed Tyranitar is a prime example of something that can fill this position. It has the ability to defeat every common user of Taunt, including Gyarados (Stone Edge or Thunderbolt), Gliscor (Aqua Tail or Ice Beam), and Heatran (Aqua Tail or Earthquake). Tyranitar also has the ability to generate a sandstorm, which adds more effectiveness to this set. Another great partner for Skarmory is Blissey. They form the legendary "SkarmBliss" combo together. Blissey can soak up the special hits that Skarmory lures and vice versa, all the while setting up Spikes. Swampert also makes a fine partner to this set, as it can switch into Stone Edges, Flamethrowers, and Thunderbolts aimed at Skarmory. This set is even more annoying with Toxic Spikes, and it is highly recommended you play this set with them. Kingdra pairs well with Skarmory due to the x4 Fire resist. After stepping into a Fire-type attack from a slower or choiced Pokemon, Kingdra can attempt to Dragon Dance and sweep. Kingdra's sweep is easier to do thanks to the chip damage Spikes provides. Finally, playing this Pokemon with a spin blocker could be beneficial, especially if played on stall. With the right support, this Skarmory becomes an impenetrable wall that will more than likely force a ragequit.</p>

(This is not part of the analysis)
Any nitpicks to this would be nice, as my grammar isn't perfect. I'm sure someone could go through there and find a few errors. I know it's a bit small, so anything that could lengthen it would also be acceptable.
Thanks for reading.
 
You need Team Options btw. The set itself is dead weight vs. Taunt users. You might want to elaborate to how you'll beat Taunt sweepers like Gyarados and which Pokemon pairs with it. It sounds like a gimmick, but its too early to judge, I'll give this a try
 
franky said:
You need Team Options btw. The set itself is dead weight vs. Taunt users. You might want to elaborate to how you'll beat Taunt sweepers like Gyarados and which Pokemon pairs with it. It sounds like a gimmick, but its too early to judge, I'll give this a try
Click to expand...

Multiple sets are susceptible to taunt users, doesn't make them un viable. I watched EW for about an hour late last night, I can attest that this set is pretty effective, although I'm not sure how happy EW is to let his secret out! BTW, this can beat taunt users, torment on the switch, protect on the taunt, and you can get up a layer of spikes, rinse, repeat. Also, there aren't that many great taunt users, even gyarados doesn't run it that often anymore.

EDIT: Team options do need to be addressed, ttar for the obvious reasons should be included. And this is the same set EW runs, dunno about the evs/nature though.
 
Just posting to say that this set annoys the fuck out of me. I've battled this Skarmory set a few times on the ladder, and my current team carries zero Taunt users (probably something I should fix, eh.) so it can be difficult for me to handle.

I think this set works quite well alongside Tyranitar for two reasons: A) Sandstream wears your opponent down while you Toment/Roost/Protect, set up spikes, or whatever. and B) It can pursuit things like Rotom and Jolteon that force Skarmory out. Water types work well aslongside this aswell, even though they share an electric weakness because they can switch in on things like Infernape and Heatran who also scare Skarmory.
 
Scofield, I don't believe this is the same set EW runs. I made my own set last night after I saw EW's Torment/Protect combo. EW's might be more effective than this one, I dunno, because I don't know his EVs/4th move.

Edit: I could always add team options, as TTar looks like a good partner to this Skarmory, being able to waste many common Taunt users and take powerful special attacks well, while being able to supply a Sandstorm.
 
@ sco

I'm just saying, he needs to elaborate on team options to how your going to beat Taunt users. I know this set can beat it, but it still doesn't stop Gyarados from coming in on a predicted Spike and grab a free Taunt followed up by Dragon Dance. As for the set.. it seems alot can attest to the effectiveness of it, so I might give this a go

@ liam

I'll do grammar check later, alot of things are wrong on the write-up
 
Just posting to say that in order to format this correctly, you should see what other sets do. You need the <p> and </p> at the begging and end of each paragraph, as well as a section describing how to work other pokemon with this on your team, ie what supports it and what does this support.
 
Thanks Franky.

RB Golbat, I made SDS nitpick through this to see if anything was wrong with formatting, and he said I could remove those <p>s, weird.
Guess I'll re-add them now.

I'll also try and add a support and team options section.

Thanks for the comments guys.

Edit: I believe I'd made an effective support section.
 
Lord Liam said:
[SET]
Name: Torment Spiker
Move 1: Torment
Move 2: Protect
Move 3: Spikes
Move 4: Roost
Nature: Impish
Ability: Sturdy
Item: Leftovers / Shed Shell
EVs: 252 HP / 16 Spe / 240 Def

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>In GSC and ADV play, Skarmory was often hailed as the best physical wall, because it has great typing and a gigantic 140 Base Defense. In DPP play however, Skarmory finds competition in Gliscor and Foretress for being the best physical wall. This set seperates itself from the other physical walls, because it can setup on many common switch-ins to these walls, including Infernape and Gengar.</p>

<p>The idea of this set is to come in on Pokemon that Skarmory usually walls (Metagross and Swampert, for example) and use Torment as they switch-in to their Skarmory counter. Skarmory can use Protect while they use their super effective move, and use Spike while they are forced to use something else, thanks to Torment.</p>

<p>Roost is the best option in the 4th slot to give Skarmory a healing move. However, if you have another Pokemon with Wish to heal Skarmory on your team, Taunt could be used in place of Roost to screw with your opponent's Pokemon even further. (elaborate) Taunt also stops Calm Mind users from walking over you and giving them a free set-up. Another decent option would be Whirlwind, which could do some major damage once three layers of Spikes are layed out, but it is not recommended as this set in particular focuses on setting up Spikes rather than team shuffling. (reworded)</p>

<p>The EVs are pretty self explanatory, 252 HP allows you to take hits from both physical and special, and is a given on most walls. 16 Speed are given to outrun 80 Speed Tyranitar and use Torment to PP stall it out of Stone Edge, which can be extremely helpful in the match. 16 Speed also lets you outrun max speed Rhyperior (ommited extra words). 240 Defense EVs are given so that you can take physical hits better.</p>

<p>While Leftovers is the recommended item to improve Skarmory's survivability, Shed Shell is also a viable alternative to escape from Magnezone. It should be noted that Skarmory can easily Torment lock Magnezone (without HP Fire) switch-ins and Spike with ease.</p>
(ommited last words)
Click to expand...

my 2 cents. comments in parathesis
 
Its just some incomplete sentences and some error on the standard things to capitalize and stuff. Pretty good tho.
 
Looks like a cool and original set... Just three things I wanted to say real quick. One, Hippowdon should probably be mentioned as a rival physical wall alongside Gliscor and Forretress. Two, Swampert would make a good partner to this Skarmory (really, to most Skarmory sets) for its ability to switch into Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, and Stone Edge and start Roaring opponents around, perhaps also throwing Stealth Rock into the mix first. And three, mention that Scarf Magnezone is still a threat to Leftovers Skarmory.
 
Hey Aquamentus.
Hippo should also be in the rival physical walls section as the beginning, I'll add that. Pert also looks like a good partner, so he'll be added. I've already put mentoin of Zone in the items section.
 
I think you shouldn't say things about what the "best physical wall" is. Also, i question whether it is a good idea to actually outrun rhyperior. If it begins stone edging, you will eventually need to roost then it can earthquake you while you roost. Other than that everything looks fine.
 
Why would I need to Roost against it? After it Stone Edges, I can easily stall him with taking little to no damage at all. This gives me a prime opportunity to spike. So, it is important.
 
Hmm looks very interesting and innovative, and would definately work well tormenting a Scarf-Tran/Zone on the switch in forcing it to struggle on you, but what about a situation like this:

X Sends out Skarmory
y Sends out Z

y withdraws Z sends out Heatran (not Scarved)
Skarmory uses Torment

Skarmory uses Protect
Heatran use Fire Blast

Heatran uses Dragon Pulse
Skarmory uses Spikes

Skarmory uses Protect
Heatran uses Earth Power

Heatran uses Fire Blast
Skarmory is Thanksgiving Dinner

Something like that isnt too hard to do, and once the opponant figures out what your doing its not that hard just to work it till your roasting that bird up. I suppose you could switch in Blissey of course, but what if its Tyranitar who just keeps DDancing up on you while you protect and if its carrying Aqua Tail then not even Hippowdon is safe from its wrath. Other setupers can do similar to Skarmory without whirlwind.
 
I realise they can catch on to the strategy, which is why Blissey was suggested as a partner. Another reason Toxic Spikes helps is to wear down the pokemon that can threaten quickly

I realise other Mons can setup on me, which is why I sugggested Taunt as an option over Roost. If you're worried about setup sweeper, it's a fine option for this Skarmory.
 
I agree, once you see a Skarmory use Torment it should be obvious what it's gonna do, so not using your Skarmory-roasting move first should be obvious.
And I'd say you should remove the opening paragraph all together. A sentence like that is mostly for the first set, to introduce the Pokemon, and I doubt this'll become the new Standard.

EDIT: Hmm, I think I know where Earthworm got his idea from...
RSE Skarmory Analysis said:
"Torment is generally annoying, and Protect + Torment can stop Electric Pokémon and Fire Blast Snorlax from destroying you. Protect on Thunderbolts, Spike on Hidden Power."
Click to expand...
 
I doubt anyone would use this set not on a stall team so Blissey seems a given, but the more i think about it it still seems like a very good set.

Another problem i can see for this set is Starmie. With the Spinner set, it can easily take turns TBolting you and Rapid spinning your spikes away. With enough SpA Evs it can also 2HKO Rotom the promary Spin Blocker, making all your Spike work useless. It also doesnt mind Blissey much, even though it cant do much to it, Blisseys status wont hurt the natural cure poke, and IB/FT are resisted with ST doing recoverable damage, letting you eventually get a free switch into a threatening physical attacker such as Scizor who can just U-Turn out of Skarmory and back to another Special threat. Bit of a long explanation, but Starmie really beats this set (specially with the STAB Water move also doing lot of damage).

I would also recommend slashing in Taunt of WW over Roost, to stop aforementioned setup sweepers, and with WW Skarmorys job isnt basically done once spikes are up, and stating that w/o Roost Wish support is really needed for team support

Sorry if its a bit longwinded but its 3 AM and when im tired i never know when to shut up lol
 
I don't think talking about counters for a Pokemon really helps this thread. I could say that Latias beats Infernape in an Infernape analysis, and it wouldn't really contribute anything. But yes, Starmie does hurt this set, but Spin ones are getting rarer and rarer, all I ever see is Specs/Scarfed ones.

I've added Taunt and Whirlwind in slashes beside Roost, I should've done that before.

Thanks for the numerous comments people.
 
Alright, now that ive eaten and am no longer food deprived (still sleep deprived lol), when i said Starmie beats this set easily i was more thinking you should add in the teamates section something like Spiritomb, who can block the spin as well as take on several special threats including Starmie that could threaten Skamory (and PP stalling something like Jolteons O TBolt isnt really gonna work to well).

Another pokemon that can shit on this set (and Skarmory in general) is Infernape especiall NP versions, so another teamate you coud mention is Tentacruel who can easily take it out, can beat up Heatran, and lay TSpikes out that helps this set out alot, even though you add another Electric weakness
 
nice set this is way better than my first analysis

the current skamory analysis has shed shell as the main option leftovers second (because magnezone is in the top 20 and beats this set regardless unless choice scarf or choice spec) so for consistancy replace leftovers with shed shell unless you feel leftovers is more usefull on this set, if so explain that better in the analysis.

example: you stated that scarf magnezone can be easily beaten with protect + torment, however magnet rise variety will set up along side you (substitute and magnet rise) then beat you with thunderbolt.
 
I like having Leftovers as the 1st option, because the recovery is extremely useful especially if you're playing Taunt or Whirlwind in the 4th spot. I've added how Magnet Rise Magnezone can setup on this certain mon.
 
Hey Lord Liam, nice analysis. I just have a quick add-on regarding Magnezone. Without Shed Shell and/or Taunt / WW, this set could also become set up fodder for the dual screen variant, potentially costing you a match depending on what they bring in afterwards.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top