[OVERVIEW]
Steel
========
Skarmory's typing allows it to easily find itself a spot in Steel teams for providing the much-needed Ground immunity and Fighting neutrality. Skarmory has access to Spikes, making it the primary setter for its team while freeing up Ferrothorn to run more utility options such as Thunder Wave and Stealth Rock. Its high Defense stat and great typing allow Skarmory to check various physically offensive Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Urshifu-R with the help of Roost, Rocky Helmet, and Toxic. Moreover, having (Lowercase) access to Roost and Toxic sets Skarmory apart from its competitors in Celesteela and Corviknight. Skarmory is an easy target for Electric-types such as Zapdos and Zeraora, which can grab momentum against Skarmory with their respective coverage. Furthermore, Skarmory can be trapped and eliminated by Magnezone, which enables a safer win route for Bulk Up Zeraora, and it is also vulnerable to Fire-type attacks from Pokemon such as Victini, Blacephalon, and Volcarona, which all pose a threat to it. Skarmory's Special Defense is low, making it weak to common special attackers in the tier such as Blacephalon, Dragapult, Hydreigon, and Kyurem. Being unable to touch any Ghost-type Pokemon outside of Toxic causes Skarmory to lose momentum heavily, especially against Substitute users such as non-Choice Specs Aegislash, Dragapult, and Spectrier, which all force it out.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive (Steel)
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Body Press
move 3: Roost
move 4: Whirlwind / Toxic
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Skarmory serves as the primary Spikes setter for its team, allowing offensive teammates such as Bisharp and Excadrill to wallbreak more consistently throughout the game. Body Press synergizes well with Skarmory's bulk and is especially helpful in the mirror matchup against Pokemon such as Bisharp, Ferrothorn, Melmetal, and Heatran on the switch, as well against Dark-types such as Weavile, Tyranitar, and Hydreigon. Roost helps Skarmory to stay healthy throughout the match against foes such as Urshifu-R, Excadrill, and Tyranitar. Whirlwind is used to prevent setup from Pokemon such as Garchomp and Dragapult while also generating passive chip damage if Spikes were set beforehand. Toxic can be used over Whirlwind to cripple Pokemon such as Mandibuzz and Mantine. Rocky Helmet complements Skarmory's physical bulk and typing excellently, as contact move users such as Urshifu-R and Weavile as well as U-turn and Flip Turn users such as Landorus-T, Scizor, Swampert, and Barraskewda will all be worn down by it. Sturdy allows Skarmory to set Spikes or use Toxic on a foe that can knock it out from full health if necessary. Furthermore, Sturdy allows Skarmory to deal damage against troublesome Pokemon that threaten Steel teams, such as Hydreigon. An Impish nature and maximum HP and Defense investment make Skarmory as tanky as possible against the aforementioned physical threats such as Urshifu-R, Excadrill, and Landorus-T.
Having access to Spikes makes Skarmory a valuable teammate, as it allows its offensive teammates such as Excadrill, Aegislash, Melmetal, and Bisharp to have an easier time against common walls such as Toxapex, Porygon2, and Ferrothorn. Ferrothorn is one of the best teammates for Skarmory, as the duo form an effective entry hazard-stacking core with Ferrothorn's Stealth Rock. Furthermore, Skarmory can make up for Ferrothorn's weakness to Fighting, while Ferrothorn takes care of Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Rotom-W for Skarmory and provides a resistance to Water. Heatran provides the much-needed Fire immunity against Pokemon like Blacephalon and Hydreigon, while Skarmory can take on Ground-type attacks such as Earthquake from Garchomp and Excadrill. Furthermore, Heatran's common moves in Toxic and Magma Storm can deal immense chip damage when combined with Skarmory's Spikes. Excadrill takes care of Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Zeraora if it is holding a Choice Scarf and can remove Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin to preserve Skarmory's Sturdy. Aegislash makes a good partner for Skarmory, as it relieves the pressure from Skarmory to handle Fighting-type attacks. This is especially important against Choice-locked foes such as Urshifu-R, which will have to avoid being heavily punished by Skarmory's Rocky Helmet. Furthermore, Aegislash helps greatly against Psychic-types such as Hatterene and Tapu Lele, which Skarmory generally struggle against. Bisharp's ability in Defiant also deters Defog from Pokemon such as Mantine and Zapdos, and its typing allows it to shine against Psychic- and Ghost-types such as Galarian Slowking, Slowking, Galarian Corsola, and Spectrier.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
In offensive structures, using Skarmory as a suicide lead with both Spikes and Stealth Rock paired with a Custap Berry allows it to set up entry hazards for its offensive teammates at the beginning of the game and apply pressure more easily.
Checks and Counters
===================
Steel
--------
**Ghost-types**: Skarmory's only attacking move is Body Press, which is blocked by every Ghost-type Pokemon in the metagame and causes Skarmory to be forced out, especially if it's lacking Whirlwind.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types can all force out Skarmory with their respective STAB moves. Zapdos and Rotom-W can remove Spikes with Defog, while Magnezone threatens Skarmory with trapping. However, Magnezone must be careful to not take a hit from Body Press on the switch.
**Fire-types**: Skarmory has no way of handling offensive Fire-types such as Blacephalon, Volcarona, and Heatran, and these Pokemon can easily take advantage of Skarmory. However, the former two need to be careful about Toxic and the latter must be aware of Body Press.
**Special Attackers**: Special attackers such as Hydreigon, Kyurem, Dragapult, Gengar, and Spectrier can easily break through Skarmory due to its low Special Defense.
**Taunt**: Fast Taunt users such as Tornadus-T, Tapu Fini, and Heatran can block Skarmory from using Spikes, Whirlwind, and Roost.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Perish Song, 419696]]
- Steel analysis by: [[Perish Song, 419696]]
- Quality checked by: [[Rotten, 491896], [maroon, 305839]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Milak, 262594], [deetah, 297659]]
Steel
========
Skarmory's typing allows it to easily find itself a spot in Steel teams for providing the much-needed Ground immunity and Fighting neutrality. Skarmory has access to Spikes, making it the primary setter for its team while freeing up Ferrothorn to run more utility options such as Thunder Wave and Stealth Rock. Its high Defense stat and great typing allow Skarmory to check various physically offensive Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Urshifu-R with the help of Roost, Rocky Helmet, and Toxic. Moreover, having (Lowercase) access to Roost and Toxic sets Skarmory apart from its competitors in Celesteela and Corviknight. Skarmory is an easy target for Electric-types such as Zapdos and Zeraora, which can grab momentum against Skarmory with their respective coverage. Furthermore, Skarmory can be trapped and eliminated by Magnezone, which enables a safer win route for Bulk Up Zeraora, and it is also vulnerable to Fire-type attacks from Pokemon such as Victini, Blacephalon, and Volcarona, which all pose a threat to it. Skarmory's Special Defense is low, making it weak to common special attackers in the tier such as Blacephalon, Dragapult, Hydreigon, and Kyurem. Being unable to touch any Ghost-type Pokemon outside of Toxic causes Skarmory to lose momentum heavily, especially against Substitute users such as non-Choice Specs Aegislash, Dragapult, and Spectrier, which all force it out.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive (Steel)
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Body Press
move 3: Roost
move 4: Whirlwind / Toxic
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Skarmory serves as the primary Spikes setter for its team, allowing offensive teammates such as Bisharp and Excadrill to wallbreak more consistently throughout the game. Body Press synergizes well with Skarmory's bulk and is especially helpful in the mirror matchup against Pokemon such as Bisharp, Ferrothorn, Melmetal, and Heatran on the switch, as well against Dark-types such as Weavile, Tyranitar, and Hydreigon. Roost helps Skarmory to stay healthy throughout the match against foes such as Urshifu-R, Excadrill, and Tyranitar. Whirlwind is used to prevent setup from Pokemon such as Garchomp and Dragapult while also generating passive chip damage if Spikes were set beforehand. Toxic can be used over Whirlwind to cripple Pokemon such as Mandibuzz and Mantine. Rocky Helmet complements Skarmory's physical bulk and typing excellently, as contact move users such as Urshifu-R and Weavile as well as U-turn and Flip Turn users such as Landorus-T, Scizor, Swampert, and Barraskewda will all be worn down by it. Sturdy allows Skarmory to set Spikes or use Toxic on a foe that can knock it out from full health if necessary. Furthermore, Sturdy allows Skarmory to deal damage against troublesome Pokemon that threaten Steel teams, such as Hydreigon. An Impish nature and maximum HP and Defense investment make Skarmory as tanky as possible against the aforementioned physical threats such as Urshifu-R, Excadrill, and Landorus-T.
Having access to Spikes makes Skarmory a valuable teammate, as it allows its offensive teammates such as Excadrill, Aegislash, Melmetal, and Bisharp to have an easier time against common walls such as Toxapex, Porygon2, and Ferrothorn. Ferrothorn is one of the best teammates for Skarmory, as the duo form an effective entry hazard-stacking core with Ferrothorn's Stealth Rock. Furthermore, Skarmory can make up for Ferrothorn's weakness to Fighting, while Ferrothorn takes care of Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Rotom-W for Skarmory and provides a resistance to Water. Heatran provides the much-needed Fire immunity against Pokemon like Blacephalon and Hydreigon, while Skarmory can take on Ground-type attacks such as Earthquake from Garchomp and Excadrill. Furthermore, Heatran's common moves in Toxic and Magma Storm can deal immense chip damage when combined with Skarmory's Spikes. Excadrill takes care of Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Zeraora if it is holding a Choice Scarf and can remove Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin to preserve Skarmory's Sturdy. Aegislash makes a good partner for Skarmory, as it relieves the pressure from Skarmory to handle Fighting-type attacks. This is especially important against Choice-locked foes such as Urshifu-R, which will have to avoid being heavily punished by Skarmory's Rocky Helmet. Furthermore, Aegislash helps greatly against Psychic-types such as Hatterene and Tapu Lele, which Skarmory generally struggle against. Bisharp's ability in Defiant also deters Defog from Pokemon such as Mantine and Zapdos, and its typing allows it to shine against Psychic- and Ghost-types such as Galarian Slowking, Slowking, Galarian Corsola, and Spectrier.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
In offensive structures, using Skarmory as a suicide lead with both Spikes and Stealth Rock paired with a Custap Berry allows it to set up entry hazards for its offensive teammates at the beginning of the game and apply pressure more easily.
Checks and Counters
===================
Steel
--------
**Ghost-types**: Skarmory's only attacking move is Body Press, which is blocked by every Ghost-type Pokemon in the metagame and causes Skarmory to be forced out, especially if it's lacking Whirlwind.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types can all force out Skarmory with their respective STAB moves. Zapdos and Rotom-W can remove Spikes with Defog, while Magnezone threatens Skarmory with trapping. However, Magnezone must be careful to not take a hit from Body Press on the switch.
**Fire-types**: Skarmory has no way of handling offensive Fire-types such as Blacephalon, Volcarona, and Heatran, and these Pokemon can easily take advantage of Skarmory. However, the former two need to be careful about Toxic and the latter must be aware of Body Press.
**Special Attackers**: Special attackers such as Hydreigon, Kyurem, Dragapult, Gengar, and Spectrier can easily break through Skarmory due to its low Special Defense.
**Taunt**: Fast Taunt users such as Tornadus-T, Tapu Fini, and Heatran can block Skarmory from using Spikes, Whirlwind, and Roost.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Perish Song, 419696]]
- Steel analysis by: [[Perish Song, 419696]]
- Quality checked by: [[Rotten, 491896], [maroon, 305839]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Milak, 262594], [deetah, 297659]]
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