Free switch-ins on Poison and Ground moves make Skarmory useful in any team that needs that coverage. Only 2 weaknesses keeps it safe in most matchups. Needs some investment to avoid getting outsped. Known as the Armor Bird Pokemon.
The stat bars tell the story: Defense carries everything and Sp. Atk's dead weight. But this Armor Bird Pokemon still yields 2 Defense EVs per fight on a slow 1.25M XP grind.
The feathers that it sheds are very sharp. It is said that people once used the feathers as swords.
Skarmory Weakness
FortressSkarmory's Steel/Flying typing leaves it vulnerable to Fire and Electric moves. It shrugs off Poison and Ground-type attacks completely. It resists 9 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. Skarmory's physical bulk (base 140 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
Skarmory is what you get. No evolutions, but it breeds through one egg group with a decent partner pool. Hatching is average hatch time. It's got 4 egg moves worth looking into.
How to Evolve
Breed Skarmory easily with 19 breeding partners from the Flying egg group. Pass egg moves like Drill Peck, Pursuit, Sky Attack and 1 more to offspring.
Leftovers and an ability form the backbone. Skarmory invests flexible EVs EVs to play its attacker role properly, and a nature nature pushes higher. Drill Peck handles the heavy lifting on offense. Utility options rounds it out.
Best Build
Best Skarmory Moveset
- Drill Peck
- Rest
- Curse
- Whirlwind
Recommended Teammates
You'll want to breed for Drill Peck and Pursuit on Skarmory. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Sky Attack and Fly, they expand what Skarmory can actually threaten in practice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Skarmory sits at moderate rates across 1 spots in mid-game routes. Pick one from the sorted list and commit to it. Jumping between areas wastes more time than waiting in the right location.
Best Locations
Skarmory works as a support with 465 BST behind it. A-Tier on our list — a strong competitive pick. That 140 base Defense does the heavy lifting.
Skarmory doesn't evolve and has no evolutionary line. It's a Steel/Flying-type Pokemon with a 465 base stat total.
Skarmory is leaning toward the physical side (base 80 Attack). Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 70 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. Fits the support role.
Skarmory appears in 18 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Debuting in Gold & Silver, Skarmory appears in 18 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through wild encounters.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A