Dr Ciel
Banned deucer.
I like birds.
[Pros]
<ul>
<li>It checks a majority of physical Pokemon due to a high Defense stat.</li>
<li>Its fantastic typing gives it only 2 weaknesses.</li>
<li>Its access to Roost and no Stealth Rock weakness makes it hard to wear down.</li>
</ul>
[Cons]
<ul>
<li>It's weak to common special attackers.</li>
<li>It's unable to stomach boosted physical attacks.</li>
<li>New Defog mechanics have devalued Spikes.</li>
</ul>
<p>Skarmory @ Leftovers / Shed Shell<br />
<p>Ability: Sturdy<br />
<p>EVs: 224 HP / 252 Def / 32 SpD<br />
<p>Impish Nature<br />
- Spikes<br />
- Roost<br />
- Whirlwind<br />
- Brave Bird / Taunt</p>
<p>Despite the introduction of several new offensive threats, Skarmory still stands out as an excellent check to a vast majority of them. With this set, Skarmory aims to wall a vast majority of physical attackers in the metagame and with its massive base 140 Defense, several Pokemon will struggle to bring it down . Spikes is the basis of this set, laying down critical entry hazards to wear down all grounded Pokemon. Roost is another critical move, as it provides Skarmory with reliable recovery as well as the ability to wear down Life Orb users. Whirlwind makes Skarmory an effective phazer, especially against setup sweepers. Brave Bird ties down this set by giving Skarmory a solid STAB move that handles most threats. However, Taunt prevents Skarmory from being set up on, especially by Wobbuffet</p>
<p>Skarmory @ Leftovers<br />
<p>Ability: Sturdy<br />
<p>EVs: 224 HP / 32 Def / 252 SpD<br />
<p>Careful / Impish Nature<br />
- Spikes<br />
- Roost<br />
- Whirlwind<br />
- Brave Bird / Taunt<br />
<p>Skarmory's naturally high base Defense allows it to invest fully in Special Defense in order to take on several Pokemon, including specially based Grass- and Dragon-types and Togekiss, as well provide Skarmory with excellent opportunities to set up Spikes and bulky Water types. Once again, Spikes is the basis of the set, wearing down all grounded opponents. Roost is good for wearing down Pokemon that carry Life Orb as well for stalling out the PP of low power moves such as Hydro Pump, Blizzard and others. Whirlwind helps Skarmory become an effective phazer for setup sweepers, while also having use for shuffling around the opponent's team, racking up entry hazard damage. Brave Bird once again prevents Skarmory from being Taunt bait and provides it with a STAB move. Taunt helps Skarmory shut down opposing Pokémon that might want to set up</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Magnezone is the textbook counter for Skarmory, trapping and killing it while resisting every move in its arsenal, and outside of Shed Shell, Skarmory can only hope to Whirlwind it away if Sturdy is intact.
All of the Rotom formes are immune to Spikes and can use Will-O-Wisp to nullify Sturdy followed by a Thunderbolt to take Skarmory out.
<p>Starmie can use Rapid Spin to remove Skarmory's entry hazards altogether and Brave Bird doesn't hurt it much due to Recover.
Although both of them hate taking a Brave Bird, Espeon and Xatu can reflect entry hazards back by way of Magic Bounce.</p>
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