Skarmory
Its sturdy wings look heavy, but they are actually hollow and light, allowing it to fly freely in the sky.
Base Stats
Best Moveset
Move Breakdown
As Skarmory's trusted Steel STAB option, Flash Cannon benefits from the 1.5x damage multiplier. This move should be your go-to attack in most situations, especially against opponents vulnerable to Steel types.
Fly rounds out the moveset with Normal-type coverage. Use this move when Skarmory's STAB attacks would be resisted, as it can hit targets that would otherwise wall Skarmory's primary attacks.
Iron Tail serves as Skarmory's main Steel-type STAB attack. The same-type bonus increases its effective power by 50%, and with Skarmory's Attack of 80, it can threaten significant damage against anything weak to Steel.
Metal Claw is the STAB anchor of this set. The Steel-type damage combined with the 50% same-type bonus makes it Skarmory's most consistent damage output, particularly when targeting opponents with Steel weaknesses.
Strengths
- ▸Thanks to its Steel/Flying typing, Skarmory can leverage STAB-boosted Flash Cannon and Iron Tail to punch through opponents weak to Steel attacks
- ▸Skarmory's Steel/Flying typing naturally reduces incoming Bug, Dragon, Fairy damage, extending its survivability on the field
- ▸Skarmory takes zero damage from Ground, Poison type moves, creating free switch-in opportunities
- ▸Skarmory's defense stat of 140 is a defining feature that shapes its competitive identity
Weaknesses
- ▸Vulnerability to Electric, Fire types means Skarmory must avoid switching into these attack types
- ▸An below-average spAtk (40) means Skarmory is vulnerable when facing attacks targeting this stat
- ▸Limited coverage options restrict Skarmory's ability to handle diverse threats
Pro Tips
Build Skarmory as a physical attacker with Attack VP investment and a beneficial nature like Adamant. Sitrus Berry or Recovery items help Skarmory sustain through extended battles. Use Skarmory's resistances to Bug, Dragon to find safe entry points. Coordinate Skarmory with teammates that can set up hazards or provide speed control.
Competitive Role
Skarmory occupies the balanced utility Pokemon niche in the Pokemon Champions metagame. The 465 BST distribution, highlighted by 140 defense, defines how Skarmory should be built and deployed. Its Steel/Flying typing creates vulnerabilities to Electric, Fire types, requiring careful team support to cover these gaps. Conversely, resistances to Bug, Dragon, Fairy provide switch-in opportunities. When used correctly, Skarmory can hold its own in the right team.
Detailed Strategy Analysis
At 465 BST, Skarmory sits in the mid-range of competitive viability. The recommended moveset combines STAB options (Flash Cannon, Iron Tail) with coverage moves (Fly), giving Skarmory answers to a wide range of opponents. Type weaknesses to Electric, Fire mean Skarmory must be played carefully against these matchups. Resistances to Bug, Dragon, Fairy provide safe switch-in opportunities. Immunity to Ground, Poison gives Skarmory a unique defensive advantage. The Tier B rating indicates Skarmory is a viable mid-tier pick that needs the right team to shine. For optimal performance, build Skarmory with physical Attack investment, pairing it with a nature that boosts Attack or Speed.
Key Matchup Notes
Against Electric-type opponents: Skarmory is at a severe disadvantage. Never leave Skarmory in against Electric types—switch immediately to a teammate that resists Electric. If forced to fight, use Flash Cannon and hope for a KO before taking a hit. Against Bug-type opponents: Skarmory has the advantage here. Its Steel typing reduces incoming Bug damage, allowing Skarmory to tank hits and retaliate with Flash Cannon. Use these matchups to gain momentum. Against Ground-type moves: Skarmory is completely immune, making it a perfect switch-in. Predict Ground attacks and bring Skarmory in for free, then capitalize on the tempo swing. Against Fire-type opponents: Skarmory has the offensive advantage. Its STAB Steel moves deal super-effective damage to Fire types, making these favorable matchups. Lead with Skarmory when you expect Fire types on the opponent's team.
Battle Strategy Guide
When starting a battle with Skarmory, your first priority is establishing board position.
As a supportive role player with 465 total base stats, Skarmory should be brought in when you can predict a favorable matchup.
If the opponent has Electric coverage, save Skarmory for later in the match.
The opening moves should focus on dealing damage with Flash Cannon and Fly while assessing the opponent's team composition.
Mid-game is where Skarmory needs to make its biggest impact.
With moves like Fly and Iron Tail, Skarmory can adapt to different threats.
If the opponent brings out a Electric type, immediately switch to a teammate that resists it.
Remember that Skarmory's defense of 140 is its greatest asset—play to that strength.
In the final stages of battle, Skarmory can contribute by softening up the opponent's last Pokemon.
Don't expect Skarmory to sweep—it should set up the KO for a stronger teammate.
Use resistances to Bug, Dragon to tank a hit, then strike with Flash Cannon before switching out.
Team Synergy
- ▸Pair Skarmory with a Electric-type partner to absorb Electric attacks that Skarmory is weak to
- ▸Add a cleric (Heal Bell, Aromatherapy) to remove status conditions that would cripple Skarmory
- ▸A Steel-type-only partner can cover Skarmory's secondary Flying weaknesses while sharing STAB coverage
How to Counter
- ▸Opponents with Electric coverage moves should target Skarmory immediately for a guaranteed KO
- ▸Faster attackers can freely hit Skarmory before it gets a chance to act
- ▸Paralysis halves Skarmory's Speed and may cause it to lose turns, neutralizing its offensive threat
Team Composition Ideas
Balance Core: Pair Skarmory with a Electric-type Pokemon that can switch into Electric attacks. This defensive core covers Skarmory's primary weakness while Skarmory handles the matchups its partner struggles with.
Support Core: Use Skarmory alongside a heavy hitter that benefits from Skarmory's defensive typing. Switch Skarmory in to absorb hits with its Bug, Dragon resistances, then pivot to your attacker for damage.
Weather Team: If building a weather team, Skarmory's Steel/Flying typing provides neutral coverage regardless of weather. Add a weather setter and Pokemon that benefit from the same conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:Is Skarmory good in Pokemon Champions?
A:Skarmory is a mid-tier option in Pokemon Champions (Tier B). Its 465 base stat total and Steel/Flying typing give it a niche, but it requires careful team building to succeed. Consider Skarmory if you need its specific typing coverage or if you enjoy using unconventional picks.
Q:What's the best item for Skarmory?
A:Skarmory benefits from Focus Sash (to survive a hit), Expert Belt (for coverage damage), or Life Orb (for a general power boost). Since Skarmory has balanced stats, the item should fill whatever gap your team needs—damage, survivability, or utility.
Q:What nature should I use for Skarmory?
A:Adamant (+Attack, -Special Attack) is the best nature for Skarmory, maximizing its physical damage output. Alternatively, Jolly (+Speed, -Special Attack) works if you need Skarmory to outspeed specific threats. Since Skarmory's Attack (80) exceeds its Special Attack (40), always favor physical builds.
Q:How do I counter Skarmory?
A:Skarmory's biggest counters are Electric-type Pokemon, who exploit its typing weakness for super-effective damage. Other threats include faster Pokemon that can KO Skarmory before it acts, especially given its 70 Speed. To beat Skarmory, use Electric STAB moves or priority attacks to bypass its speed.
Skarmory Competitive Depth Guide
Competitive Overview
Skarmory is the premier physical wall in Pokemon Champions, with 140 base Defense and the Steel/Flying typing that provides nine resistances, two immunities (Poison, Ground), and only two weaknesses (Fire, Electric). Sturdy is Skarmory's best ability, guaranteeing it survives any attack with at least 1 HP when at full health. This effectively gives Skarmory a free turn to set up Spikes, use Whirlwind, or Roost. Skarmory's 65 base HP is low for a wall, but 140 Defense compensates, and Roost provides 50% HP recovery. The Steel/Flying typing is arguably the best defensive combination in the game: it resists Normal, Flying, Bug, Steel, Grass, Psychic, Ice, Dragon, and Fairy, while being immune to Poison and Ground. This means Skarmory can switch into a vast majority of attacks for minimal damage. Skarmory's main offensive tool is Brave Bird, a 120 base power Flying STAB that deals respectable damage despite Skarmory's 80 base Attack. Whirlwind phazes setup sweepers, ruining their stat boosts.
Recommended Build
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Impish (+Defense, -Special Attack)
Leftovers or Rocky Helmet
Sturdy
Steel or Flying
Moveset Analysis
Flying STAB at 120 base power. Despite Skarmory's modest 80 Attack, this deals enough damage to 2HKO Fighting and Bug types. The 33% recoil is manageable with Roost.
Heals 50% of max HP. Skarmory's sustain move. Roost also removes the Flying typing for one turn, changing resistances temporarily.
Whirlwind forces the opponent to switch, phazing setup sweepers and racking up Spikes/Stealth Rock damage. Spikes layers entry hazards that chip switching Pokemon.
Protect scouts Choice-locked moves and gains Leftovers recovery. Iron Defense doubles Defense, making Skarmory nearly impenetrable physically.
Key Matchup Analysis
Excellent. Skarmory resists Outrage and takes minimal damage from Earthquake. Whirlwind phazes Dragonite, removing its Dragon Dance boosts. This is a hard counter.
Unfavorable. Fire is 2x super-effective, and Skarmory's Special Defense is weak. Special Fire moves 2HKO. Switch to a Water type or use Tera to survive.
Excellent. Skarmory resists Fighting 4x, taking almost no damage from Dynamic Punch. Brave Bird 2HKOs Machamp. This is one of Skarmory's best matchups.
Favorable. Skarmory resists Rock Slide and Crunch. Brave Bird 2HKOs Tyranitar. Watch for Thunder Wave or Fire Blast coverage.
Team Archetypes
Spikes Stack
Skarmory sets up 3 layers of Spikes, then uses Whirlwind to shuffle the opponent's team through the hazards. Pair with a phazing partner like Hippowdon.
Physical Wall Pivot
Skarmory as the team's physical wall. Switch in against physical attackers, tank hits, and use Roost. Pair with Blissey for complete defensive coverage.
Rocky Helmet Punisher
Skarmory with Rocky Helmet punishes contact moves, dealing 1/8 max HP damage to the attacker. Excellent against U-turn Scizor and physical attackers.
Advanced Strategy Tips
Skarmory's Sturdy ability is one of the most valuable defensive tools in the game. It guarantees Skarmory survives any attack with at least 1 HP when at full health, effectively giving it a Focus Sash built into its ability. This means Skarmory can tank any single attack, even a 4x super-effective Fire Blast, and use Roost or Whirlwind in response. The key to maintaining Sturdy is keeping Skarmory at full HP: entry hazards break Sturdy, so Heavy-Duty Boots is an alternative item if hazards are prevalent. Rocky Helmet is the standard item for punishing contact moves: U-turn Scizor, Close Combat Machamp, and Dynamic Punch Machamp all take 1/8 max HP recoil from Rocky Helmet, which adds up over a long game. Whirlwind is Skarmory's most strategic move: it forces the opponent to switch, removing their stat boosts and racking up entry hazard damage. In combination with Spikes, Whirlwind can deal 25-37.5% damage per switch-in, slowly wearing down the opponent's entire team. Roost has a unique mechanic: it removes the Flying typing for one turn, meaning Skarmory becomes pure Steel. This removes the Electric and Ice weaknesses but adds a Fighting weakness and removes the Ground immunity. Timing Roost carefully is essential for skilled Skarmory play. The Skarmory + Blissey core is the gold standard defensive pairing: Skarmory handles physical attacks, Blissey handles special attacks, and both have reliable recovery.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Using Roost when the opponent has an Electric or Ice type on the field, losing the Flying typing's resistances at the wrong time
- ✗Setting up Spikes without checking for Rapid Spin users on the opponent's team
- ✗Forgetting that Sturdy only works at full HP, letting entry hazards break it
- ✗Using Brave Bird too aggressively, taking unnecessary recoil damage that limits Skarmory's longevity