One of Diamond & Pearl's best physical walls at S-Tier, Skarmory stacks Stealth Rock plus Spikes and uses Whirlwind to force damage. Sturdy is a last-resort safety net.
Ability 1Keen EyeAbility 1Prevents accuracy from being lowered.Ability 2SturdyAbility 2Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
465HP65Attack80Defense140Speed70Sp.Def70Sp.Atk40
Weak to
Physical
Hazard Setter
70Speed · Below Avg

Is Skarmory Good in Diamond & Pearl Playthrough?

Steel/Flying caught on Route 227 and at Stark Mountain after the Hall of Fame. AbilityKeen Eye stops foes from lowering its accuracy. Skarmory's physical Defense is among the highest available. Sets MoveSpikes for team support. Solid pick for defensive teams.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGSSGSESESGEGGSGERoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2MayleneGym 3Crasher WakeGym 4FantinaGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4MarsBossJupiterBossSaturnBossCynthiaChamp*SkarmoryCatchable
Roark
Gym 1
Good

Skarmory has the type edge here and should clean up Roark's team.

You Win
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
You Win
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
Easy KO
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Strong

Skarmory resists most of Gardenia's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Cherubi
Lv 19
Grass
Chlorophyll
Grass KnotLeech SeedGrowthSafeguard
Easy KO
Turtwig
Lv 19
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafWithdrawReflect
You Win
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Maylene
Gym 3
Strong

Skarmory resists most of Maylene's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Meditite
Lv 27
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionMeditateDetect
Easy KO
Machoke
Lv 27
Fighting
Guts
Brick BreakRock TombLeerForesight
You Win
Lucario
Lv 30
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 4
Good

Skarmory has the type edge here and should clean up Crasher Wake's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 27
WaterFlying
Intimidate
BrineDragon RageBiteSwagger
You Win
Quagsire
Lv 27
WaterGround
Damp
Mud BombSlamMud SportTail Whip
You Win
Floatzel
Lv 30
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangPursuitSwift
Fantina
Gym 5
Strong

Skarmory resists most of Fantina's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Drifblim
Lv 32
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Ominous WindGustAstonishMinimize
Easy KO
Gengar
Lv 34
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow ClawPoison JabSpiteConfuse Ray
You Win
Mismagius
Lv 36
Ghost
Levitate
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Byron
Gym 6
Even

Skarmory trades roughly evenly with Byron's team.

Even
Bronzor
Lv 36
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Flash CannonExtrasensoryConfuse RayHypnosis
Even
Steelix
Lv 36
SteelGround
Rock Head
Gyro BallIce FangDragon BreathSandstorm
You Win
Bastiodon
Lv 39
RockSteel
Sturdy
Flash CannonAncient PowerIron DefenseRest
Candice
Gym 7
Strong

Skarmory resists most of Candice's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Snover
Lv 38
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheRazor LeafIngrainLeer
Easy KO
Sneasel
Lv 38
DarkIce
Inner Focus
AvalancheSlashFeint AttackTaunt
Easy KO
Medicham
Lv 40
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Ice PunchForce PalmDetectBulk Up
Easy KO
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerGrass WhistleSwagger
Volkner
Gym 8
Even

Skarmory trades roughly evenly with Volkner's team.

Risky
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamBrick BreakThunder WaveLight Screen
You Win
Ambipom
Lv 47
Normal
Technician
Shock WaveAgilityNasty PlotBaton Pass
Even
Octillery
Lv 47
Water
Suction Cups
Charge BeamOctazookaAurora BeamBullet Seed
Risky
Luxray
Lv 49
Electric
Rivalry
Charge BeamThunder FangCrunchThunder Wave
Aaron
Elite Four
Strong

Skarmory resists most of Aaron's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Dustox
Lv 53
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ToxicBug BuzzDouble TeamLight Screen
Easy KO
Beautifly
Lv 53
BugFlying
Swarm
Energy BallBug BuzzPsychicShadow Ball
Easy KO
Vespiquen
Lv 54
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
Easy KO
Heracross
Lv 54
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
Even
Drapion
Lv 57
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Good

Skarmory has the type edge here and should clean up Bertha's team.

You Win
Quagsire
Lv 55
WaterGround
Damp
DigDouble TeamProtectSandstorm
You Win
Sudowoodo
Lv 56
Rock
Sturdy
EarthquakeSucker PunchHammer ArmSandstorm
You Win
Golem
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeGyro BallBrick BreakSandstorm
Even
Whiscash
Lv 55
WaterGround
Oblivious
FissureAqua TailZen HeadbuttRock Slide
Even
Hippowdon
Lv 59
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchCurse
Flint
Elite Four
Even

Skarmory trades roughly evenly with Flint's team.

Even
Rapidash
Lv 58
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
Even
Steelix
Lv 57
SteelGround
Rock Head
Fire FangRock TombScreechSunny Day
You Win
Drifblim
Lv 58
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Will O WispOminous WindDouble TeamBaton Pass
You Win
Lopunny
Lv 57
Normal
Cute Charm
Fire PunchCharmMirror CoatSunny Day
Even
Infernape
Lv 61
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
Lucian
Elite Four
Good

Skarmory has the type edge here and should clean up Lucian's team.

Even
Mr Mime
Lv 59
Psychic
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
You Win
Girafarig
Lv 59
NormalPsychic
Inner Focus
PsychicShadow BallDouble HitCrunch
You Win
Medicham
Lv 60
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchFire PunchThunder PunchIce Punch
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 60
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Risky
Bronzong
Lv 63
SteelPsychic
Levitate
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
Mars
Commander
Good

Skarmory has the type edge here and should clean up Mars's team.

You Win
Golbat
Lv 37
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBiteToxicSupersonic
Even
Bronzor
Lv 37
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Gyro BallExtrasensoryIron DefenseConfuse Ray
You Win
Purugly
Lv 39
Normal
Thick Fat
SlashFeint AttackHypnosisFake Out
Jupiter
Commander
Strong

Skarmory resists most of Jupiter's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Zubat
Lv 18
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Giga DrainWing AttackBite
You Win
Skuntank
Lv 20
PoisonDark
Stench
Night SlashPoison GasScreechSmokescreen
Saturn
Commander
Good

Skarmory has the type edge here and should clean up Saturn's team.

You Win
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShock WaveRecoverEmbargo
Even
Bronzor
Lv 38
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Gyro BallExtrasensoryShadow BallConfuse Ray
Easy KO
Toxicroak
Lv 40
PoisonFighting
Anticipation
Poison JabBrick BreakX ScissorSwagger
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Skarmory trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

You Win
Spiritomb
Lv 61
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindEmbargo
Easy KO
Roserade
Lv 60
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombShadow BallExtrasensory
You Win
Gastrodon
Lv 60
WaterGround
Sticky Hold
Muddy WaterEarthquakeStone EdgeSludge Bomb
Even
Lucario
Lv 63
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereDragon PulsePsychicEarthquake
Even
Milotic
Lv 63
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatAqua Ring
Even
Garchomp
Lv 66
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeBrick BreakGiga Impact

Catchable

Post-game only
Type
SteelFlying
Tier
S

Catch Skarmory on Route 227 (walking, Lv 56, rare).

View Skarmory locations

Diamond & Pearl Skarmory Locations

Skarmory soars two postgame areas, rare at level 56 in both. The steel bird sticks to the late routes near Stark Mountain, so it is one of the last wild catches you will reach.

2 locations to catch Skarmory

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 8
Post-Game

Best Locations to Catch Skarmory in Diamond & Pearl

How to Get Shiny Skarmory in Diamond & Pearl

Skarmory soars over Route 227 and Stark Mountain, where a PokeRadar chain in that grass is what lands its shiny. Compare Shiny Skarmory odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Skarmory in Diamond & PearlNormal
Shiny Skarmory in Diamond & Pearl Shiny
Color ShiftGraytoBrown
Shiny TierA Tier Shiny

Shiny Skarmory Evolution

Does Not Evolve
Skarmory does not evolve
Single-stage PokemonView Full Evolution Chart

Diamond & Pearl Shiny Skarmory Calculator

3 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is PokeRadar Chain at full boosts, about 1 in 200 on each try. Tune it below.

Step 1 · Encounter Method3 in Diamond & Pearl

PokeRadar Chain: Chain shaking-grass patches without breaking the combo. The rate peaks at a chain of 40.

Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

Step 2 · Boost Your Oddstap to add
00

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 200PokeRadar Chain
Chance By Now50.2%at 139 encountersAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few22----
25%one in four58----
50%coin flip139----
90%very likely460----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

For time estimates and charm math, open the Diamond & Pearl shiny odds calculator with Skarmory already selected.

Skarmory Weakness

Skarmory's Steel/Flying typing leaves it vulnerable to Fire and Electric. 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.

Skarmory Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Fire, Electric
0.5x (Resist)Normal, Flying, Psychic, Ghost, Dragon, Dark, Steel
0.25x (Resist)Grass, Bug
0x (Immune)Poison, Ground
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Skarmory Weak Against

Fortress
2Weak
9Resist
2Immune
Score+13

What is Skarmory Strong Against

5Strong
2Resisted
0Immune
Score+3
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Skarmory

Heatran
Heatran
FireSteel
S
Magnezone
Magnezone
ElectricSteel
A
Infernape
Infernape
FireFighting
A
C
Camerupt
Camerupt
FireGround
C

Skarmory Evolutions

Skarmory is what you get. No evolutions, but it breeds through one egg group with a decent partner pool. Its eggs take an average time to hatch. It's got 7 egg moves worth looking into. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Skarmory
#227Skarmory
Does not evolve

Breeding

Easy

Breed Skarmory easily with 31 breeding partners from the Flying egg group. Pass egg moves like Assurance, Brave Bird, Curse and 4 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Flying
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
25 cycles·6,425 steps
Moderate~6 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
7moves
Breed With (best first)
togekisstogeticaltariapelipperfarfetchdswabluwingullcrobathonchkrowstaraptorpidgeotdodrio

DP Skarmory Best Moveset

140 Defense on a Steel/Flying type that blocks virtually every physical attacker in the game. The moveset sets MoveStealth Rock and MoveSpikes while phasing opponents out with MoveWhirlwind, and MoveRoost keeps HP full. Physical teams without a special Fire or Electric answer simply cannot break through.

Best Build

Experimental
Wall
Ability
Keen Eye
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Skarmory
Impish+DEF

Skarmory best EVs are HP and Defense

EVs

Wall Moveset

  • SpikesHazard
  • RoostRecovery
  • WhirlwindSLOW -6Utility
  • Brave BirdSTAB

Moves List

You'll want to breed for Assurance and Brave Bird on Skarmory. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Sky Attack and Brave Bird, they expand what Skarmory can actually threaten in practice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
——10030Normal
Lv 1
Peck
D5210035Flying
Lv 7
Sand Attack
D—10015Ground
Lv 11
Swift
—60—20Normal
Lv 14
Agility
C——30Psychic
Lv 20
Fury Attack
D158520Normal
Lv 24
Air Cutter
D829525Flying
Lv 27
Spikes
B——20Ground
Lv 33
Metal Sound
——8540Steel
Lv 38
Steel Wing
C1059025Steel
Lv 40
Air Slash
D1129520Flying
Lv 46
Slash
—7010020Normal
Lv 50
Night Slash
D7010015Dark

TM Moves

38 of 39 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM40
Aerial AceRoute 213badge 2
C90—20Flying
TM45
AttractAmity Squarebadge 2
——10015Normal
TM78
CaptivateRoute 204badge 2
——10020Normal
HM01
CutEterna Citybadge 1
—509530Normal
TM79
Dark PulseVictory Roadnot until badge 8
D8010015Dark
HM05
DefogGreat Marshbadge 3
D——15Flying
TM32
Double TeamWayward Cavebadge 2
———15Normal
TM58
Endure+4Veilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM42
FacadeSurvival Area
D7010020Normal
TM70
FlashVeilstone Department Storebadge 1
D—10020Normal
TM91
Flash CannonPrize for defeating Byronbadge 6
D12010010Steel
HM02
FlyInside the Galactic Warehouse in Veilstone Citybadge 3
C1359515Flying
TM21
FrustrationVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
D—10020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerVeilstone Game Corner
D6010015Normal
TM83
Natural GiftVeilstone Department Storebadge 2
D—10015Normal
TM66
PaybackRoute 215badge 2
D5010010Dark
TM88
PluckFloaroma Townbadge 1
C9010020Flying
TM17
Protect+4Veilstone Department Storebadge 2
C——10Normal
TM44
RestVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
D—10020Normal
TM05
Roar-6Route 213not until badge 7
C——20Normal
TM80
Rock SlideMt. Coronetnot until badge 7
D759010Rock
HM06
Rock SmashOreburgh Gate
D4010015Fighting
TM39
Rock TombRavaged Pathbadge 1
D609510Rock
TM51
RoostRoute 210badge 2
B——10Flying
TM43
Secret PowerAmity Squarebadge 2
—7010020Normal
TM82
Sleep TalkEterna Forestbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM76
Stealth RockPrize for defeating Roarkbadge 1
A——20Rock
TM47
Steel WingRoute 209badge 2
C1059025Steel
TM90
SubstituteVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM87
SwaggerTM in Mr Backlot office in the Pokémon Mansion on Route 212badge 2
——9015Normal
TM75
Swords DanceVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——30Normal
TM12
TauntRoute 211badge 1
A—10020Dark
TM46
ThiefEterna Citybadge 2
D6010025Dark
TM41
TormentVictory Roadnot until badge 8
D—10015Dark
TM06
ToxicRoute 212badge 2
C—8510Poison
TM81
X-ScissorRoute 221badge 5
C8010015Bug

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Assurance
—5010010Dark
Egg
Brave Bird
B18010015Flying
Egg
Curse
C——10Ghost
Egg
Drill Peck
C12010020Flying
Egg
Pursuit
D4010020Dark
Egg
Sky Attack
B210905Flying
Egg
Whirlwind-6
B——20Normal

Tutor Moves

Skarmory can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen
Gen 3
Counter-5
D—10020Fighting
Gen 3
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
———10Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP65
C
Attack80
C
Defense140
A
Sp. Atk40
D
Sp. Def70
C
Speed70
C
Total465
Details
Catch Rate
Difficult25 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.7 m
Weight50.5 kg
Base XP163
Abilities
Keen Eye
Prevents accuracy from being lowered.
Sturdy
Prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. Protects against the one-hit KO moves regardless of HP.
EV Yield
HPAtkDef+2SpASpDSpe
Defense training target
Pokedex Entry

Despite being clad entirely in iron-hard armor, it flies at speeds over 180 mph.

Pokemon Diamond / Pokemon Pearl

Skarmory Diamond & Pearl Guide

  • Yes. Skarmory is a post-game Pokemon. You need to defeat the Elite Four and enter the Hall of Fame first. Skarmory becomes available after the main story is complete in Diamond & Pearl.

  • In Diamond & Pearl, use Skarmory as a hazard setter. Physical side carries the damage. Speed is middling,

  • For Diamond & Pearl, build your team around Tyranitar, Latias, and Jirachi. These have the highest co-usage rates with Skarmory in competitive formats. They cover each other's weaknesses.

  • For Diamond & Pearl, run Impish on Skarmory. +Defense is what matters, and the -Sp. Atk cut doesn't hurt this set. Fits the hazard setter role.

Game Availability

Debuting in Gold & Silver, Skarmory appears in 18 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through wild encounters.

Explore

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