SS OU Soaring Spikes Skarmory (1770 peak)

Introduction

Hi! Welcome to my RMT :)

After the Cinderance/Magearna ban I was motivated to make a spikes focused team around Skarmory, so I built accordingly based this mon.


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Red (Heatran) @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Stealth Rock
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Taunt

Stealth Rocker and Trapper to get rid of Blissey/Toxapex and occasionally Slowking-G. Max Speed and SpA for damage. Taunt is useful when trapping.

Stealth Rock: Hazard Damage
Magma Storm: STAB Trapping move
Earth Power: Hits Ground weak mons like Toxapex and Slowing-G after trapped
Taunt: Prevent opponent recovery



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Green (Rillaboom) @ Choice Band
Ability: Grassy Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Grassy Glide
- Knock Off
- U-turn
- Wood Hammer

Choiced for maximum damage and good priority. However I feel its only useful against rain and struggles against Corvinight so I would like suggestions for another physical attacker :)

Grassy Glide: Priority STAB
Knock Off: Item remover to help hazards
U Turn: Hit and run
Wood Hammer: For Clef and extremely strong STAB when not resisted

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Silver (Skarmory) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 Spe
Impish Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spikes
- Body Press
- Whirlwind
- Roost

Skarmory was a favourite mon of mine that I often tried to build around as I enjoy its ground immunity and ability to stack Spikes. After the Cinderace/Magearna ban I feel there are greater opportunities to let it come in especially on Landorous/Kartana/Non Fire Blast Garchomp and stack hazards. Whirlwind is necessary IMO as you can rack up damage/phaze out set up sweepers.

Note that this team does not have hazard removal so you want to whirlwind when they switch in their Defogger to accumulate damage.

TLDR:
Spikes: Favourite hazard
Body Press: For Excadrill and Ferrothorn
Whirlwind: Phazing
Roost: Recovery


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Gold (Zeraora) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Volt Absorb
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Plasma Fists
- Knock Off
- Close Combat
- Volt Switch

Originally Magnezone but I found Zeroara to be a better choice.
Zeraora's job is to be a fast electric immunity that can knock off Heavy Duty Boots on the switch. This team doesn't have a ground type so it is essential to absorb stray electric moves directed at Skarmory.

TLDR:
Plasma Fists: STAB
Knock off: Essential to remove HDB and items
Close Combat: Hits steels and electric immunities
Volt Switch: Special STAB to hit and run



1614515357736.png

Blue (Slowbro) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk / 0 Spe
- Scald
- Future Sight
- Slack Off
- Teleport

Slowbro is a fat pivot and necessary to take physical hits especially from Urshifu-R/Barraskewda. Standard but effective set that can check a lot of physical mons in the tier and much better after the two recent bans.

TLDR:
Scald: For cheap burns especially against Corvinight and water STAB
Future Sight: Encourages opponent switches which compliments Spikes support
Slack Off: Recovery
Teleport: Escape button

242-0.png

White (Blissey) (F) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
- Toxic
- Seismic Toss
- Teleport
- Soft-Boiled

Fat special wall for Nidoking and secondary Volccarona check. Teleport is amazing to escape and Toxic is used to rack extra damage especially against defoggers.

TLDR:
Toxic: Gradual damage
Seismic Toss: Fixed damage
Teleport: Escape button
Soft-Boiled: Recovery



Feedback would be much appreciated!

Replays:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1291290759-wgcl9bbmk1wu3ed7k1gsxor0gbrmb26pw (1770 peak)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1291449655-fr650qz07wwlaar4gi0vk9eku7kjp8ppw (vs stall)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1291290759-wgcl9bbmk1wu3ed7k1gsxor0gbrmb26pw (vs balance)
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8ou-1289969549-bkg787bukbk0kzoyiw4i8umfhj0cux6pw (vs offence)

Team: Importable
 
Last edited:
I have a few issues:

1. For Heatran, that isn't a very good set. It struggles with staying in on mons it is supposed to trap, plus you didn't use the last EV towards on either HP, SpD, or Def, which is a wasted and possibly important stat for riskier interactions. You should be running 252 HP / 128 SpD / 128 Spe, don't question the EV spread, I'm not the one who made it. Of course, it can be adjusted to you liking on interactions.

2. You already function with plenty of status, and Zeraora kinda has a niche as being a Toxic/Knock Off fringe mon in the tier. Specifically stating, it is only used in a very small pool of, if any, viable teams. This team does not complement it, even with Rilla's terrain, Slowbro's bulk, and Skarmory's flying typing, there isn't enough support on the team to justify it taking up a slot.

3. The team has 0 fighting type coverage, I can imagine your team has a lot of trouble with Thunderous Kick Zapdos, as well as Setup Hawlucha. They are very big threats to unprepared team like this one, and generally force a hard 4/5/6-0 by the end of the game. Sure Zeraora can "cover" them, although there are many answers for Zeraora and as stated this team does not do will with Supporting Zera well.

4. You have no Rapid Spin or Defog on a team who's offensive threats have no recovery, ouch. Not a good idea to rely on Skarmory either, being as although most slower mons will be forced out of Whirlwind, eventually Skarmory has to come out unless your opponent's team is built horrendously. Hazards will come in, and eventually yo get really chipped down. Plus, having to use HDB on all your supports is not the most optimal build, and seeing as again Skarmory has to come in, your team gets ripped apart after Knock Offs are landed and forced KO's are taken.

5. Rillaboom, as you stated, is not a great mon in this team. Although ironically, you need it to reduce EQ damage and deal with threats like Garchomp, which you only have 2 answers to, one by typing. Even then, Skarmory just gets worn down by Rough Skin and +2 SE. If you manage to get away with a Whirlwind that's great and all, but then they can take advantage of Skarmory for its weaknesses to faster threats, and it can't keep going forever with only Spikes, being as they cannot hit HDB, Levitate, or Flying mons (although you have Heatran, but that doesn't go much after as it doesn't have good recovery from its threats and Slowbro + Blissey are typically better coverage). As for Slowbro, it doesn't carry Ice Beam (which would work even better for flying coverage since you lack that as well). That is only one example of where Rilla's terrain comes in handy.

6. Your team is very momentum based for not taking advantage of its turns with proper team building (I.E. having a defoggers, setup threats), perhaps fixing this will work out better for the team, look to #7.

7. Possibly a complete restructure/start-over of the team? It looks like the creation process went all over the place at some point and led down a path of no return and unpatchable holes, Skarmory Spikes is far better in a team that already utilizes a Stealth Rocks mon, especially with that set, it's like only getting the back end of the horse. Typically teams that use Skarmory or in general Spikes + Stealth Rock are stall or teams that utilize niche mons in the meta which take advantage of hazards and coverage from partners.

I understand if some of this isn't 100% direct to the issues I want to address, but I also don't want to be up until midnight. Hopefully the issues listed give some insight into what needs to be changed, have fun. :Smogjynx:

:mad:
 
I have a few issues:

1. For Heatran, that isn't a very good set. It struggles with staying in on mons it is supposed to trap, plus you didn't use the last EV towards on either HP, SpD, or Def, which is a wasted and possibly important stat for riskier interactions. You should be running 252 HP / 128 SpD / 128 Spe, don't question the EV spread, I'm not the one who made it. Of course, it can be adjusted to you liking on interactions.

2. You already function with plenty of status, and Zeraora kinda has a niche as being a Toxic/Knock Off fringe mon in the tier. Specifically stating, it is only used in a very small pool of, if any, viable teams. This team does not complement it, even with Rilla's terrain, Slowbro's bulk, and Skarmory's flying typing, there isn't enough support on the team to justify it taking up a slot.

3. The team has 0 fighting type coverage, I can imagine your team has a lot of trouble with Thunderous Kick Zapdos, as well as Setup Hawlucha. They are very big threats to unprepared team like this one, and generally force a hard 4/5/6-0 by the end of the game. Sure Zeraora can "cover" them, although there are many answers for Zeraora and as stated this team does not do will with Supporting Zera well.

4. You have no Rapid Spin or Defog on a team who's offensive threats have no recovery, ouch. Not a good idea to rely on Skarmory either, being as although most slower mons will be forced out of Whirlwind, eventually Skarmory has to come out unless your opponent's team is built horrendously. Hazards will come in, and eventually yo get really chipped down. Plus, having to use HDB on all your supports is not the most optimal build, and seeing as again Skarmory has to come in, your team gets ripped apart after Knock Offs are landed and forced KO's are taken.

5. Rillaboom, as you stated, is not a great mon in this team. Although ironically, you need it to reduce EQ damage and deal with threats like Garchomp, which you only have 2 answers to, one by typing. Even then, Skarmory just gets worn down by Rough Skin and +2 SE. If you manage to get away with a Whirlwind that's great and all, but then they can take advantage of Skarmory for its weaknesses to faster threats, and it can't keep going forever with only Spikes, being as they cannot hit HDB, Levitate, or Flying mons (although you have Heatran, but that doesn't go much after as it doesn't have good recovery from its threats and Slowbro + Blissey are typically better coverage). As for Slowbro, it doesn't carry Ice Beam (which would work even better for flying coverage since you lack that as well). That is only one example of where Rilla's terrain comes in handy.

6. Your team is very momentum based for not taking advantage of its turns with proper team building (I.E. having a defoggers, setup threats), perhaps fixing this will work out better for the team, look to #7.

7. Possibly a complete restructure/start-over of the team? It looks like the creation process went all over the place at some point and led down a path of no return and unpatchable holes, Skarmory Spikes is far better in a team that already utilizes a Stealth Rocks mon, especially with that set, it's like only getting the back end of the horse. Typically teams that use Skarmory or in general Spikes + Stealth Rock are stall or teams that utilize niche mons in the meta which take advantage of hazards and coverage from partners.

I understand if some of this isn't 100% direct to the issues I want to address, but I also don't want to be up until midnight. Hopefully the issues listed give some insight into what needs to be changed, have fun. :Smogjynx:

:mad:
Thanks for taking the time to review my team Smashburn. I agree with a lot of the points you brought up, and what alternative mons do you suggest working well with Skarmory to support a spikes play style? And are you still running Timid Heatran with that EV spread?
 
Thanks for taking the time to review my team Smashburn. I agree with a lot of the points you brought up, and what alternative mons do you suggest working well with Skarmory to support a spikes play style? And are you still running Timid Heatran with that EV spread?
Ah, that's what I forgot to mention. In that Heatran spread, you use the Calm Nature. Also, Hazards work best with momentum, chipping, and status. I recommend partners like Ttar, which has high SpD coverage, or Hippowdon and switching the playstyle to stall. Both get rocks an are supported by / support Skarmory's typing. The only issue I have with Skarmory in stall is that it falls short in momentum by comparison to Corviknight, and Hippowdon already can fill the role of Whirlwind threat. Not even to mention that Ttar just doesn't really show up in stall, given its weaknesses and lack of recovery. Although, I see Skarmory with Ttar as more of a niche core in teams that need the Dark, Ghost, Fire, Rock, Psychic, Flying, Ice, and Poison coverage while not wanting to give up the Whirlwind + dual hazards. Past those points, you can begin rebuilding the team core to your liking.
 
the problem with giving advice here is that the team is stuck between being an offensive team and a defensive team, and it's kinda hard to say which you were trying to go for. But I can drop some advice for either

for offensive spikes: mons that are really good on such spike teams are defiant users like bisharp and galarian zapdos, because the enemy is pressured to defog all your hazards, you can get a free SD anytime they try to do so, also combined with future sight support, they become very hard to wall. both banded,LO, and scarf versions can work here, depending on your preferences and what the team needs. Fast pivots are also great with spikes as they force constant switches to try to check your current pivot, while you just bring in another one. One such core might be zeraora+dragapult.

for defensive spikes: future sight is not what you are looking for here, as such teams are too weak offensively to take advantage of it. a decent thing to go for here is to try to get a regenerator core that walls a large part of the meta by picking out 2-3 of the following: pex,glowking,tangrowth,tornadus-t(if you need defog)... then you patch up the rest of your holes with other defensive mons. heatran can work on such teams if you can manage to take out their defogger with it, but is otherwise too easy to wear down. The most important thing to get here is a sturdy and resilient core that can outlast the opposing team(you want mons with reliable recovery, stuff like heatran is admiteddly kinda tanky, but it can't last if the game goes too long)
 
Hey dude, I really like your team. As such I feel its difficult to play against opposing taunt heatran especially if its paired with something like nidoking. Here are some ideas if you are trying for an offensive build.

Changes:
:Slowbro: -> :swampert:
Swampert @ Leftovers
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 HP / 24 Def / 232 SpD
Careful Nature
- Stealth Rock
- High Horsepower/Protect
- Flip Turn
- Toxic/Protect

Spdef swampert helps you to check heatran and nidoking while maintaining momentum with flip turn especially vs defoggers. It has great longevity with grassy terrain support from rillaboom. High horsepower kills tran with not being affected by terrain, dropping it for getting both toxic and protect is a good option here as with slow flip turn u can always force out tran with kartana (change mentioned below).

:zeraora: -> :kartana:
Kartana @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Leaf Blade
- Smart Strike
- Knock Off
- Sacred Sword

Choice scarf kartana is a good late game cleaner and should pair well with grassy terrain and spikes. It also gives you sufficient speed control while giving another mon with knock off. With rilla and kart with protect on pert/tran you can beat rain to a certain extent.

:Blissey: -> :Tornadus-therian: / :zapdos:
Tornadus-Therian (M) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Knock Off/Defog
- Hurricane
- Heat Wave

Zapdos @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Static
EVs: 248 HP / 220 Def / 40 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Discharge
- Heat Wave
- Defog/Volt Switch/Hurricane
- Roost


The team after my proposed changes is quite fighting weak and things like kartana spamming sacred sword. It also gives you a set up win condition and a knock/defog user. Heat wave helps to wear down things like corviknight and ferrothorn helping rilla and kart to force progress.
Zapdos is also something you can consider in this slot as it can wear down things like corviknight and can potentially catch swift swimmers like barraskewda or other speed controls with static.
I don't know if defog was intentionally left out on the original team as it was a centered around spike stacking , I have put other moves as options for the same.

Changes to tran set:

:heatran:
Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flame Body
EVs: 248 HP / 208 SpD / 52 Spe
Calm Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Protect/Taunt
- Toxic


Spdef heatran helps you vs pult while doing its job of clearing steels , trapping pex , checking volc etc. protect can be used if you want to delay weather turns, get more damage out of toxic or help switch around kyurem while taunt lets u trap mons like slowtwins, prevent clef from CMing which shouldnt be a problem with rilla and kart.

Also change rillaboom to adamant.

As for other changes zapdos can be a bit of a problem to deal with the team but u can always set up rocks vs it with pert and if u have toxic you can wear it down especially if its knocked.
Toxic over whirlwind on skarmory is also an option.

Rain matchup can be a bit tricky with choiced rilla and kart but it is manageable if you play offensively. I would suggest getting rocks up at the earliest for the same.

Venusaur is a threat with sun up similar to other rillakart teams. Moltres can be irritating but if you get a knock on it. Kingdra in rain is a bit of a threat depending on what it comes in but you can revenge it with grassy glide as it has good odds after rocks. If you don't have taunt on tran, CM clef might be a bit trouble some but it can be revenge killed/ forced out. If you still find it troublesome try heavy slam on tran. Specs Kyurem is a threat but having protect on pert/tran helps this matchup.

As for the final team:
Click for imports
:heatran::Rillaboom::Skarmory::Swampert::Tornadus-therian::kartana: - Tornadus version
:heatran::Rillaboom::Skarmory::Swampert::Zapdos::kartana: - Zapdos version

Here are some versions with slowking which I think are also decent
:heatran::Rillaboom::Skarmory::Slowking::Landorus-therian::zeraora: - Version with slowking (mandi is also an option over skarmory on this team I think to make it better off vs pult and giving an option for defog I have kept it as skarmory was the main mon for the team)
:heatran::rillaboom::mandibuzz::Slowking::Landorus-therian::Zeraora: - version with mandi

These may not be perfect as I am also a new player but I have tried to keep the main goal of the team, hope you like some of these suggestions. Thanks for reading :).
 
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