[OVERVIEW]
Steel
========
With the highest physical bulk of any available Ground-immune Pokemon and longevity thanks to Roost, Skarmory finds a spot on almost every Steel team as a premier physical wall. Its Flying typing doesn't just let it check Ground-types; a powerful STAB Brave Bird and a neutrality to Fighting make Skarmory a reliable Fighting check as well. Skarmory also packs much utility in the form of Spikes and Stealth Rock, allowing it to provide whichever entry hazard the team needs most. It can also run Whirlwind to phaze sweepers and even Defog to remove Sticky Web and stop Spikes stacking. What makes using these utility moves even easier is Sturdy, which allows Skarmory to be a last-minute check to setup sweepers or the best suicide lead that is capable of setting multiple layers of hazards and using Taunt. Unfortunately, Skarmory has rather below average HP and Special Defense, meaning most special attackers lay waste to it. Celesteela, sporting much better mixed bulk, thus finds a way to compete with Skarmory and can take on the Ground-immune teamslot with its Assault Vest set on more offensive teams.
[SET]
name: Defensive (Steel)
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Spikes / Stealth Rock
move 3: Roost
move 4: Whirlwind
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 224 HP / 252 Def / 32 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Brave Bird hits Fighting-types for super effective damage and prevents Skarmory from being complete Taunt bait. Spikes wears down grounded Pokemon when they switch in and outdamages Stealth Rock against Fighting- and Ground-types in particular. If no other teammate can provide Stealth Rock, Skarmory should use it instead of Spikes. However, it prefers to use Spikes in most cases for the greater utility and exclusivity. Roost provides reliable recovery, which allows Skarmory to effectively serve as a wall and Ground-immune Pokemon. Whirlwind prevents setup sweepers from easily setting up on Skarmory.
Set Details
========
Leftovers is the preferred item for the minor healing every turn helping keep Skarmory healthy. However, Rocky Helmet is an option in order to suicide check physical threats like Mega Charizard X or punish the likes of Choice Scarf Terrakion. 224 HP EVs allow Skarmory to restore Sturdy after taking Stealth Rock damage by healing over two turns with Leftovers. If using Rocky Helmet, though, maximum HP investment should be used instead. 32 Special Defense EVs combine with the HP investment to prevent Choice Scarf Kyurem-B's Ice Beam from 2HKOing Skarmory and allow Skarmory to take some weaker special attacks more easily. Maximum Defense EVs are used to make Skarmory one of the bulkiest physical walls in the metagame. Sturdy guarantees Skarmory can use Whirlwind or Brave Bird to check most setup sweepers like Porygon-Z and Volcarona.
Usage Tips
========
Skarmory should pivot into physical attackers whenever possible to get opportunities to set up entry hazards. Make sure to use Roost as often as is needed after switching in to keep it healthy enough to switch in over and over, as that is its most important role. Do be careful of attackers like Garchomp, which often carry Fire Blast specifically to nail Skarmory on the switch, though. Against setup sweepers, Skarmory should try to switch in immediately to use Whirlwind, but if they can take Skarmory on, it may be better to preserve Sturdy by getting it in safely. While Skarmory has almost no way to touch opposing walls directly, it can set up all three layers of Spikes against them with almost no fear. As a result, Skarmory should look to switch into passive Pokemon like Chansey in order to use Spikes freely. After setting up hazards, Whirlwind is most useful to rack up damage as the opponent tries to send in a check. Whirlwind should also be used whenever you predict a trapper to switch in to rack up crucial damage, as Skarmory cannot beat any trapper one-on-one. Be careful of Taunt users; while Skarmory's Attack is not bad, Brave Bird fails to do much to most stallbreakers, and it should often switch out to a check when against them. In a similar fashion, Taunt Gyarados can potentially set up on a weakened Skarmory. Roost temporarily removes Skarmory's Flying typing, so watch out for slow Ground- and Fighting-types that can take advantage of this property such as Hippowdon and Bewear.
Team Options
========
Steel-types in general almost always need Skarmory's help to take Ground-type attacks and check Fighting-types safely. Heatran is a mandatory teammate for Skarmory, as it is immune to the Fire-type attacks that Skarmory is so fearful of. It carries Stealth Rock most of the time, which makes it easier for Skarmory to use Spikes. Ferrothorn supports Skarmory along with Heatran by covering both Water- and Electric-types such as Kingdra and Tapu Koko, forming a powerful Steel-type defensive core. If Skarmory carries Spikes, Ferrothorn can freely use more useful utility moves. Celesteela can be used as a supplementary Ground-immune Pokemon that takes on Landorus and Nidoking to some extent in support of Skarmory for balance- and stall-like teams. Mega Scizor's great physical bulk and neutrality to both Ground and Fighting mean it can take on some of Skarmory's burdens. Thanks to the threat of Swords Dance and the power of U-turn, Mega Scizor is also very capable of forcing switches and making the most out of Skarmory's Spikes. Choice Scarf Excadrill pressures Fire teams with its EdgeQuake coverage and breaks Electric teams with Mold Breaker Earthquake. It can also use Toxic to beat Mega Sableye.
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead (Steel)
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Brave Bird
item: Salac Berry
ability: Sturdy
nature: Hasty
evs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 HP / 0 Def / 0 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
As a suicide lead that can reliably set multiple layers of entry hazards, Skarmory should use both Stealth Rock and Spikes. Taunt stops Defoggers and prevents other leads from setting their own hazards. Brave Bird deals considerable damage and allows Skarmory to cause itself to faint, blocking spinners from erasing its hard work.
Set Details
========
Sturdy lets Skarmory survive any one attack to set up extra entry hazards. Salac Berry allows Skarmory to outspeed many leads that would otherwise be faster in order to get off a surprise second move. Maximum Speed investment and a Speed-boosting nature make Skarmory as fast as possible and allow it to use Taunt on Pokemon as fast as defensive Zapdos. A Hasty nature is used along with 0 IVs in the defensive stats in order to activate Sturdy as reliably as possible to eat Salac Berry and suicide with Brave Bird. The rest of the EVs are put in Attack to make Skarmory's Brave Bird deal as much damage as possible.
Usage Tips
========
Skarmory should be used as a lead in almost every situation. However, against Mega Sableye and defensive spinners, Skarmory should be saved for later in the battle instead, as it cannot reliably set entry hazards against them. Unless the opposing team resists Rock, Stealth Rock is often the better entry hazard to use first. Additional layers of Spikes have diminishing returns, so it's best to have one of each in most cases over two layers of Spikes. While it is nice to have many layers, make absolutely sure to use Taunt on opposing hazard users and Defoggers. Brave Bird should only be used when Skarmory is ready to suicide in almost every situation, as it otherwise breaks Sturdy and makes the defenseless Skarmory vulnerable to being KOed. If the opposing team has very reliable hazard control, it may be better to keep Skarmory around to set hazards again later instead of suiciding early.
Team Options
========
Suicide lead Skarmory should only be used on hyper offense teams that appreciate the entry hazards it can set. Taunt Heatran is useful for keeping the hazards on the opponent's side of the field. It also takes out most Defoggers and spinners with Magma Storm and Earth Power. Because Skarmory intends to suicide in most cases, Air Balloon Heatran is very useful for a temporary Ground-immune Pokemon. Mold Breaker + Toxic Excadrill is almost necessary for its ability to beat Mega Sableye, which counters this set. Bisharp can use Defiant to discourage Defoggers from removing Skarmory's hazards. Similarly, Doublade spinblocks and sets up on most spinners. Both are great setup sweepers that can take advantage of free turns. Assault Vest Celesteela is a reliable Ground-immune option that can support the team after Skarmory faints.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Steel
--------
Defog allows Skarmory to provide entry hazard removal, but Excadrill often carries Rapid Spin, making this utility redundant for most teams. If Excadrill wishes to run Toxic, though, it is recommended to carry Defog to remove Sticky Web. Toxic is a decent utility option that cripples both walls and setup sweepers but is difficult to justify over Whirlwind for fear of the most threatening setup sweepers such as Porygon-Z. Shed Shell is a good option for teams that fear trappers such as Gothitelle, Magnezone, and Alolan Golem. Suicide leads can opt to run Focus Sash + Weak Armor to be even faster than Salac Berry sets and avoid being KOed by Teravolt Kyurem-B, but it's less reliable in general. Mental Herb is another possibility to beat opposing Taunt users, but makes Skarmory less useful in most matchups.
Checks and Counters
===================
Steel
--------
**Mega Sableye**: Thanks to Magic Bounce, Mega Sableye completely walls all Skarmory variants.
**Taunt**: Taunt users such as Mew and Gliscor prevent Skarmory from using its utility moves. Taunt setup sweepers are also threatening, as they prevent Skarmory from phazing them.
**Fire- and Electric-types**: Fire- and Electric-types such as Victini and Tapu Koko can hit Skarmory super effectively, allowing them to easily take it out.
**Wallbreakers**: Almost any special wallbreaker can beat Skarmory, as can the most powerful physical wallbreakers such as Choice Band Terrakion.
**Special Attackers**: Special attackers like Mega Alakazam and Mega Pidgeot take advantage of Skarmory's lower Special Defense to 2HKO it.
**Trappers**: Gothitelle, Alolan Golem, and Magnezone can prevent Skarmory from switching out and OHKO it. However, if Sturdy is intact, Skarmory can use Whirlwind to force them out and switch out, albeit at 1 HP.
Steel
========
With the highest physical bulk of any available Ground-immune Pokemon and longevity thanks to Roost, Skarmory finds a spot on almost every Steel team as a premier physical wall. Its Flying typing doesn't just let it check Ground-types; a powerful STAB Brave Bird and a neutrality to Fighting make Skarmory a reliable Fighting check as well. Skarmory also packs much utility in the form of Spikes and Stealth Rock, allowing it to provide whichever entry hazard the team needs most. It can also run Whirlwind to phaze sweepers and even Defog to remove Sticky Web and stop Spikes stacking. What makes using these utility moves even easier is Sturdy, which allows Skarmory to be a last-minute check to setup sweepers or the best suicide lead that is capable of setting multiple layers of hazards and using Taunt. Unfortunately, Skarmory has rather below average HP and Special Defense, meaning most special attackers lay waste to it. Celesteela, sporting much better mixed bulk, thus finds a way to compete with Skarmory and can take on the Ground-immune teamslot with its Assault Vest set on more offensive teams.
[SET]
name: Defensive (Steel)
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Spikes / Stealth Rock
move 3: Roost
move 4: Whirlwind
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 224 HP / 252 Def / 32 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Brave Bird hits Fighting-types for super effective damage and prevents Skarmory from being complete Taunt bait. Spikes wears down grounded Pokemon when they switch in and outdamages Stealth Rock against Fighting- and Ground-types in particular. If no other teammate can provide Stealth Rock, Skarmory should use it instead of Spikes. However, it prefers to use Spikes in most cases for the greater utility and exclusivity. Roost provides reliable recovery, which allows Skarmory to effectively serve as a wall and Ground-immune Pokemon. Whirlwind prevents setup sweepers from easily setting up on Skarmory.
Set Details
========
Leftovers is the preferred item for the minor healing every turn helping keep Skarmory healthy. However, Rocky Helmet is an option in order to suicide check physical threats like Mega Charizard X or punish the likes of Choice Scarf Terrakion. 224 HP EVs allow Skarmory to restore Sturdy after taking Stealth Rock damage by healing over two turns with Leftovers. If using Rocky Helmet, though, maximum HP investment should be used instead. 32 Special Defense EVs combine with the HP investment to prevent Choice Scarf Kyurem-B's Ice Beam from 2HKOing Skarmory and allow Skarmory to take some weaker special attacks more easily. Maximum Defense EVs are used to make Skarmory one of the bulkiest physical walls in the metagame. Sturdy guarantees Skarmory can use Whirlwind or Brave Bird to check most setup sweepers like Porygon-Z and Volcarona.
Usage Tips
========
Skarmory should pivot into physical attackers whenever possible to get opportunities to set up entry hazards. Make sure to use Roost as often as is needed after switching in to keep it healthy enough to switch in over and over, as that is its most important role. Do be careful of attackers like Garchomp, which often carry Fire Blast specifically to nail Skarmory on the switch, though. Against setup sweepers, Skarmory should try to switch in immediately to use Whirlwind, but if they can take Skarmory on, it may be better to preserve Sturdy by getting it in safely. While Skarmory has almost no way to touch opposing walls directly, it can set up all three layers of Spikes against them with almost no fear. As a result, Skarmory should look to switch into passive Pokemon like Chansey in order to use Spikes freely. After setting up hazards, Whirlwind is most useful to rack up damage as the opponent tries to send in a check. Whirlwind should also be used whenever you predict a trapper to switch in to rack up crucial damage, as Skarmory cannot beat any trapper one-on-one. Be careful of Taunt users; while Skarmory's Attack is not bad, Brave Bird fails to do much to most stallbreakers, and it should often switch out to a check when against them. In a similar fashion, Taunt Gyarados can potentially set up on a weakened Skarmory. Roost temporarily removes Skarmory's Flying typing, so watch out for slow Ground- and Fighting-types that can take advantage of this property such as Hippowdon and Bewear.
Team Options
========
Steel-types in general almost always need Skarmory's help to take Ground-type attacks and check Fighting-types safely. Heatran is a mandatory teammate for Skarmory, as it is immune to the Fire-type attacks that Skarmory is so fearful of. It carries Stealth Rock most of the time, which makes it easier for Skarmory to use Spikes. Ferrothorn supports Skarmory along with Heatran by covering both Water- and Electric-types such as Kingdra and Tapu Koko, forming a powerful Steel-type defensive core. If Skarmory carries Spikes, Ferrothorn can freely use more useful utility moves. Celesteela can be used as a supplementary Ground-immune Pokemon that takes on Landorus and Nidoking to some extent in support of Skarmory for balance- and stall-like teams. Mega Scizor's great physical bulk and neutrality to both Ground and Fighting mean it can take on some of Skarmory's burdens. Thanks to the threat of Swords Dance and the power of U-turn, Mega Scizor is also very capable of forcing switches and making the most out of Skarmory's Spikes. Choice Scarf Excadrill pressures Fire teams with its EdgeQuake coverage and breaks Electric teams with Mold Breaker Earthquake. It can also use Toxic to beat Mega Sableye.
[SET]
name: Suicide Lead (Steel)
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Taunt
move 4: Brave Bird
item: Salac Berry
ability: Sturdy
nature: Hasty
evs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe
ivs: 0 HP / 0 Def / 0 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
As a suicide lead that can reliably set multiple layers of entry hazards, Skarmory should use both Stealth Rock and Spikes. Taunt stops Defoggers and prevents other leads from setting their own hazards. Brave Bird deals considerable damage and allows Skarmory to cause itself to faint, blocking spinners from erasing its hard work.
Set Details
========
Sturdy lets Skarmory survive any one attack to set up extra entry hazards. Salac Berry allows Skarmory to outspeed many leads that would otherwise be faster in order to get off a surprise second move. Maximum Speed investment and a Speed-boosting nature make Skarmory as fast as possible and allow it to use Taunt on Pokemon as fast as defensive Zapdos. A Hasty nature is used along with 0 IVs in the defensive stats in order to activate Sturdy as reliably as possible to eat Salac Berry and suicide with Brave Bird. The rest of the EVs are put in Attack to make Skarmory's Brave Bird deal as much damage as possible.
Usage Tips
========
Skarmory should be used as a lead in almost every situation. However, against Mega Sableye and defensive spinners, Skarmory should be saved for later in the battle instead, as it cannot reliably set entry hazards against them. Unless the opposing team resists Rock, Stealth Rock is often the better entry hazard to use first. Additional layers of Spikes have diminishing returns, so it's best to have one of each in most cases over two layers of Spikes. While it is nice to have many layers, make absolutely sure to use Taunt on opposing hazard users and Defoggers. Brave Bird should only be used when Skarmory is ready to suicide in almost every situation, as it otherwise breaks Sturdy and makes the defenseless Skarmory vulnerable to being KOed. If the opposing team has very reliable hazard control, it may be better to keep Skarmory around to set hazards again later instead of suiciding early.
Team Options
========
Suicide lead Skarmory should only be used on hyper offense teams that appreciate the entry hazards it can set. Taunt Heatran is useful for keeping the hazards on the opponent's side of the field. It also takes out most Defoggers and spinners with Magma Storm and Earth Power. Because Skarmory intends to suicide in most cases, Air Balloon Heatran is very useful for a temporary Ground-immune Pokemon. Mold Breaker + Toxic Excadrill is almost necessary for its ability to beat Mega Sableye, which counters this set. Bisharp can use Defiant to discourage Defoggers from removing Skarmory's hazards. Similarly, Doublade spinblocks and sets up on most spinners. Both are great setup sweepers that can take advantage of free turns. Assault Vest Celesteela is a reliable Ground-immune option that can support the team after Skarmory faints.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Steel
--------
Defog allows Skarmory to provide entry hazard removal, but Excadrill often carries Rapid Spin, making this utility redundant for most teams. If Excadrill wishes to run Toxic, though, it is recommended to carry Defog to remove Sticky Web. Toxic is a decent utility option that cripples both walls and setup sweepers but is difficult to justify over Whirlwind for fear of the most threatening setup sweepers such as Porygon-Z. Shed Shell is a good option for teams that fear trappers such as Gothitelle, Magnezone, and Alolan Golem. Suicide leads can opt to run Focus Sash + Weak Armor to be even faster than Salac Berry sets and avoid being KOed by Teravolt Kyurem-B, but it's less reliable in general. Mental Herb is another possibility to beat opposing Taunt users, but makes Skarmory less useful in most matchups.
Checks and Counters
===================
Steel
--------
**Mega Sableye**: Thanks to Magic Bounce, Mega Sableye completely walls all Skarmory variants.
**Taunt**: Taunt users such as Mew and Gliscor prevent Skarmory from using its utility moves. Taunt setup sweepers are also threatening, as they prevent Skarmory from phazing them.
**Fire- and Electric-types**: Fire- and Electric-types such as Victini and Tapu Koko can hit Skarmory super effectively, allowing them to easily take it out.
**Wallbreakers**: Almost any special wallbreaker can beat Skarmory, as can the most powerful physical wallbreakers such as Choice Band Terrakion.
**Special Attackers**: Special attackers like Mega Alakazam and Mega Pidgeot take advantage of Skarmory's lower Special Defense to 2HKO it.
**Trappers**: Gothitelle, Alolan Golem, and Magnezone can prevent Skarmory from switching out and OHKO it. However, if Sturdy is intact, Skarmory can use Whirlwind to force them out and switch out, albeit at 1 HP.
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