OU Defensive Skeledirge

[viivian]

Defensive (Skeledirge) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD OR 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Tera Type: Fairy / Water
Calm / Bold Nature
- Torch Song
- Hex / Alluring Voice / Scorching Sands
- Slack Off
- Will-O-Wisp

Due to its great natural bulk, unique defensive typing, and access to Unaware, Skeledirge manages to be a fantastic defensive presence that is able to stave off the likes of Volcarona, Iron Valiant, and Zamazenta. Torch Song is a phenomenal Fire-type STAB move that allows Skeledirge to exert offensive pressure while still providing a defensive backbone. Hex is an incredibly strong and spammable Ghost-type STAB move that synergizes amazingly with Will-O-Wisp; Alluring Voice allows Skeledirge to threaten Roaring Moon and Dragonite in addition to being a respectably strong STAB move with the use of Tera Fairy; Scorching Sands can be considered as it can threaten Heatran and Gouging Fire, as well as being an alternative method of spreading burn. Slack Off lets Skeledirge stay healthy throughout the game, giving it multiple opportunities to switch in on powerful offensive threats such as Iron Moth and Zamazenta. Will-O-Wisp quickly neutralizes physical attackers like Dragonite, in addition to powering up Skeledirge's Hex. Maximizing its HP and Special Defense enables Skeledirge to more reliably check special attackers, notably Volcarona and Latias; conversely, maximizing its HP and Defense turns Skeledirge into an immensely sturdy physical wall, forgoing its reliance on spreading burn by leveraging its raw physical bulk to check potent setup sweepers, particularly Dragonite and Swords Dance Iron Valiant. Tera Fairy provides Skeledirge with a much-appreciated resistance to Dark, allowing it to safely check Pokemon such as Meowscarada and Roaring Moon, in addition to always checking Volcarona regardless of its Tera type; conversely, Tera Water allows Skeledirge to sit in front of powerful wallbreakers, notably Calm Mind Primarina and Gouging Fire, and its neutral defensive profile allows it to safely check Pokemon like Kingambit.

Skeledirge fits on balance and bulky offense teams that appreciate its ability to force progress while staving off opposing threats. It dislikes taking Knock Off due to its reliance on Heavy-Duty Boots, so it appreciates teammates such as Clefable and Skarmory that can safely switch into Knock Off from Weavile and Iron Valiant. Skeledirge also enjoys having Clefable in particular absorb Salt Cure from Garganacl; Clefable also appreciates Skeledirge's reliability in forcing out Galarian Slowking and Iron Moth. Rillaboom and Galarian Slowking are much-appreciated teammates for Skeledirge, as Rillaboom provides Skeledirge with Grassy Terrain to bolster its longevity in addition to forcing out Ogerpon-W that would otherwise threaten it, whereas Galarian Slowking can pivot into and around powerful wallbreakers such as Kyurem and Walking Wake. It also enjoys entry hazard support from Gliscor and Skarmory wearing down Pokemon such as Choice Specs Kyurem that would otherwise threaten Skeledirge and its team. Skarmory also assists Skeledirge in answering Choice Band Rillaboom, which otherwise threatens it with Knock Off, reliably checks Kingambit for it and appreciates having a consistent check to Volcarona and Gouging Fire. Gliscor can spread status with Toxic to power up Skeledirge's Hex and relishes in having a sturdy switch-in to Serperior. Skeledirge also benefits from pairing with fast wallbreakers such as Weavile, Dragapult, and Ogerpon-W, providing them with a sturdy defensive backbone and appreciating having them weaken the opposing team's defenses, as they open up Skeledirge to sweep late-game with Torch Song; it also greatly enjoys pairing with Dragapult in particular, as Dragapult is capable of spreading status effects to a multitude of Pokemon such as Great Tusk and Landorus-T for Skeledirge to take advantage of with its Hex, as well as handling faster threats such as Roaring Moon and Iron Boulder.

[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/viivian.584916/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/kd458.633798/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zastra.558636/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/

 

[kd458]

QC Edits (Comments)
Formatting Edits (Comments)
Remove

QC check, Defensive Skeledirge

Defensive (Skeledirge) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD OR 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Tera Type: Fairy / Water
Calm / Bold Nature
- Torch Song
- Hex / Earth Power
- Slack Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Hex / Alluring Voice / Scorching Sands (Discussed this a little in cord, we'll run with this for now - Alluring Voice is good with Tera Fairy and beats Taunt Roaring Moon, Scorching Sands hits most things that EP does with a burn chance although EP is a potential option for the 2HKO on SpDef Heatran)

Due to its great natural bulk, unique defensive typing and access to Unaware, Skeledirge manages to be a fantastic defensive presence that is able to stave off the likes of Volcarona, Iron Valiant and Zamazenta. Torch Song is a phenomenal Fire-type STAB move that allows Skeledirge to stack Special Attack boosts in addition to providing its team with a strong defensive backbone. Hex is an incredibly strong and spammable Ghost-type STAB move that synergizes amazingly with Will-O-Wisp; however, Earth Power can be considered as an alternative option that can threaten Garganacl and Heatran with heavy damage after a boost. (Changed up the alternatives a little to better reflect both usage and viability so this should be changed to represent that ^^ also reordered the moves within the set to reflect move importance) Slack Off lets Skeledirge stay healthy throughout the game, giving it multiple opportunities to switch in on powerful offensive threats such as Blaziken and Iron Moth. (Dirge does handle these, but they're pretty low usage Pokemon (particularly Blaziken), so examples like Zama might be better though I like Moth's inclusion) Will-O-Wisp quickly neutralizes physical attackers like Rillaboom and Dragonite, in addition to powering up Skeledirge's Hex. Maximizing its HP and Special Defense enables Skeledirge to more reliably check special attackers, notably Volcarona and Latias; conversely, maximizing its HP and Defense turns Skeledirge into an immensely sturdy physical wall, forgoing its reliance on spreading burns by leveraging its raw physical bulk to check potent setup sweepers, particularly Swords Dance Iron Valiant and Gouging Fire. (Gouging Fire is a little shaky of an interaction, as EQ forces Skeledirge to Tera - could instead include Gouging as something that Tera Water is useful to answer and list Zamazenta here instead) Tera Fairy provides Skeledirge with a much-appreciated resistance to Dark, allowing it to safely check Pokemon such as Meowscarada, Roaring Moon and non-Life Orb Darkrai (Maybe note that this is allows for you to beat Volcarona regardless of their Tera. Also, the MU into Lorb-less Sludge Bomb Darkrai is still kinda sketchy since they 2HKO if they Poison); conversely, Tera Water allows Skeledirge to sit in front of powerful wallbreakers including Barraskewda, Primarina and Gholdengo. (Water is also pretty useful neutral defensive typing, good against Gouging and lets you safely take a hit from and Wisp Kingambit)

Skeledirge fits on balance and bulky offense teams that appreciate its ability to force progress while staving off opposing threats. Skeledirge dislikes taking Knock Off due to its reliance on Heavy-Duty Boots, thus it appreciates teammates such as Clefable that can safely switch into Knock Off from Weavile and Iron Valiant. (Could include Skarmory / Corviknight as Knock absorbers too, though ik they've been mentioned later) Clefable also appreciates Skeledirge's reliability in forcing out Iron Moth and Iron Crown. Hydrapple and Galarian Slowking (I'd reorder these as Slowking-G is a much more viable teammate) are much-appreciated teammates for Skeledirge due to them checking Water-type attackers for it; (Note that Slowking-G doesn't really check Water-type attackers, it only really helps with Wake) with the former being capable of forcing out Barraskewda and Ogerpon-W, and the latter being capable of pivoting around Walking Wake. It also enjoys entry hazard support from Gliscor and Skarmory wearing down Pokemon such as Choice Specs Kyurem that would otherwise threaten Skeledirge and its team. Skarmory can also assist Skeledirge in answering Choice Band Rillaboom (Kingambit is something else that Skarmory helps checking for Skeledirge) and appreciates having a consistent check to Volcarona and Gouging Fire, while Gliscor can spread status with Toxic to power up Skeledirge's Hex and relishes in having a sturdy switch-in to Serperior and Enamorus. Lastly, Skeledirge benefits from pairing with fast wallbreakers such as Weavile, Dragapult and Ogerpon-W, providing them with a sturdy defensive backbone and appreciates having them cripple or weaken the opposing team's defenses, as it opens up for Skeledirge to sweep in late-game with Torch Song; it also greatly enjoys pairing with Dragapult in particular, as it is capable of spreading status effects to a multitude of Pokemon for Skeledirge to take advantage of with its Hex. (Which Pokemon does Dragapult help you status spam against that Dirge can't Wisp?)

(Could maybe mention Great Tusk as a Kingambit switch-in, and Rilla is a solid pairing that helps by weakening EQ from Tusk / Gouging with Grassy Terrain while providing an Ogerpon-W check, but I'll leave this up to you as the partners listed are already great)

[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/viivian.584916/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/username.XXXXXX/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/username.XXXXXX/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/username.XXXXXX/

Great writeup, let me know when this is implemented! Also feel free to discuss the slashing of alternative moves in the cord, as this is still pretty open for discussion / not set in stone and I'd love to hear some more opinions on this ^^

 

[viivian]

kd458 implemented!

 

[kd458]

QC Edits (Comments)
Formatting Edits (Comments)
Remove

QC check, Defensive Skeledirge

Defensive (Skeledirge) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD OR 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Tera Type: Fairy / Water
Calm / Bold Nature
- Torch Song
- Hex / Alluring Voice / Scorching Sands
- Slack Off
- Will-O-Wisp

Due to its great natural bulk, unique defensive typing and access to Unaware, Skeledirge manages to be a fantastic defensive presence that is able to stave off the likes of Volcarona, Iron Valiant and Zamazenta. Torch Song is a phenomenal Fire-type STAB move that allows Skeledirge to stack Special Attack boosts in addition to providing its team with a strong defensive backbone. Hex is an incredibly strong and spammable Ghost-type STAB move that synergizes amazingly with Will-O-Wisp; Alluring Voice allows Skeledirge to threaten Dragonite and Roaring Moon, (Maybe prioritise Roaring Moon as it's the main target here, particularly as Taunt Moon otherwise shuts down Skeledirge entirely - could even go as far as noting this set in particular imo) becoming a respectably strong STAB move with the use of Tera Fairy; Scorching Sands can be considered as it can threaten Heatran with heavy damage after a boost (Could drop this as you don't get a boost against Flash Fire Heatran, also note that it's your strongest move vs Gouging Fire), in addition to being an alternative method of spreading burn. Slack Off lets Skeledirge stay healthy throughout the game, giving it multiple opportunities to switch in on powerful offensive threats such as Iron Moth and Zamazenta. Will-O-Wisp quickly neutralizes physical attackers like Rillaboom, in addition to powering up Skeledirge's Hex. Maximizing its HP and Special Defense enables Skeledirge to more reliably check special attackers, notably Volcarona and Latias; conversely, maximizing its HP and Defense turns Skeledirge into an immensely sturdy physical wall, forgoing its reliance on spreading burns by leveraging its raw physical bulk to check potent setup sweepers, particularly Dragonite and Swords Dance Iron Valiant. Tera Fairy provides Skeledirge with a much-appreciated resistance to Dark, allowing it to safely check Pokemon such as Meowscarada and Roaring Moon, in addition to always checking Volcarona regardless of its Tera; conversely, Tera Water allows Skeledirge to sit in front of powerful wallbreakers, notably Primarina and Gouging Fire, and its neutral defensive profile allows it to safely check Pokemon like Kingambit and Great Tusk. (Tera Fairy also works against Tusk, so it's prob not worth noting as specific to Tera Water here)

Skeledirge fits on balance and bulky offense teams that appreciate its ability to force progress while staving off opposing threats. Skeledirge dislikes taking Knock Off due to its reliance on Heavy-Duty Boots, thus it appreciates teammates such as Clefable that can safely switch into Knock Off from Weavile and Iron Valiant. Clefable also appreciates Skeledirge's reliability in forcing out Iron Moth and Iron Crown. Galarian Slowking and Hydrapple are much-appreciated teammates for Skeledirge as they provide it with a safe switch-in to Pokemon like Walking Wake and Ogerpon-W that would otherwise threaten it. It also enjoys entry hazard support from Gliscor and Skarmory wearing down Pokemon such as Choice Specs Kyurem that would otherwise threaten Skeledirge and its team. Skarmory can also assist Skeledirge in answering Choice Band Rillaboom in addition to checking Kingambit, and appreciates having a consistent check to Volcarona and Gouging Fire. Gliscor can spread status with Toxic to power up Skeledirge's Hex and relishes in having a sturdy switch-in to Serperior and Enamorus. (Dirge isn't the greatest Enam switch-in as EP does near half to SpDef) Skeledirge also benefits from pairing with fast wallbreakers such as Weavile, Dragapult and Ogerpon-W, providing them with a sturdy defensive backbone and appreciates having them cripple or weaken the opposing team's defenses, as it opens up for Skeledirge to sweep in late-game with Torch Song; it also greatly enjoys pairing with Dragapult in particular, as it is capable of spreading status effects to a multitude of Pokemon such as Great Tusk and Landorus-Therian for Skeledirge to take advantage of with its Hex. (Not 100% but I do think Rillaboom would be a good mention somewhere here)

[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/viivian.584916/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/kd458.633798/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/username.XXXXXX/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/username.XXXXXX/

Really good work, QC 1/2!

 

[zastra]

add | remove | comment | highlight

Hide

[SET]
Defensive (Skeledirge) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD OR 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Tera Type: Fairy / Water
Calm / Bold Nature
- Torch Song
- Hex / Alluring Voice / Scorching Sands
- Slack Off
- Will-O-Wisp

[SET COMMENTS]
Due to its great natural bulk, unique defensive typing and access to Unaware, Skeledirge manages to be a fantastic defensive presence that is able to stave off the likes of Volcarona, Iron Valiant, (AC) and Zamazenta. Torch Song is a phenomenal Fire-type STAB move that allows Skeledirge to stack Special Attack boosts in addition to providing its team with a strong defensive backbone (dex info, no need to explain basic stab). Hex is an incredibly strong and spammable Ghost-type STAB move that synergizes amazingly with Will-O-Wisp; Alluring Voice allows Skeledirge to threaten Roaring Moon and Dragonite in addition to being a respectably strong STAB move with the use of Tera Fairy; Scorching Sands can be considered as it can threaten Heatran and Gouging Fire, as well as being an alternative method of spreading burn. Slack Off lets Skeledirge stay healthy throughout the game, giving it multiple opportunities to switch in on powerful offensive threats such as Iron Moth and Zamazenta (iron moth is uu now so id pick a different example here). Will-O-Wisp quickly neutralizes physical attackers like Rillaboom (im not sure about this example as you can just tsong the rilla, id pick different & a couple more examples here-- maybe just say stuff like maybe rmoon trying to switch-in or something. dnite can be another good one ig), in addition to powering up Skeledirge's Hex (does 130 hex reach any notable kos?). Maximizing its HP and Special Defense enables Skeledirge to more reliably check special attackers, notably Volcarona and Latias; conversely, maximizing its HP and Defense turns Skeledirge into an immensely sturdy physical wall, forgoing its reliance on spreading burns by leveraging its raw physical bulk to check potent setup sweepers, particularly Dragonite and Swords Dance Iron Valiant. Tera Fairy provides Skeledirge with a much-appreciated resistance to Dark, allowing it to safely check Pokemon such as Meowscarada and Roaring Moon, in addition to always checking Volcarona regardless of its Tera; conversely, Tera Water allows Skeledirge to sit in front of powerful wallbreakers, notably Calm Mind Primarina and Gouging Fire, and its neutral defensive profile allows it to safely check Pokemon like Kingambit.

Skeledirge fits on balance and bulky offense teams that appreciate its ability to force progress while staving off opposing threats. Skeledirge dislikes taking Knock Off due to its reliance on Heavy-Duty Boots, thus it appreciates teammates such as Clefable that can safely switch into Knock Off from Weavile and Iron Valiant (also takes salt cure). Clefable also appreciates Skeledirge's reliability in forcing out Iron Moth and Iron Crown (both are uu mons so im a bit hesitant in including this part; maybe just include another ou pick like maybe gking). Galarian Slowking and Hydrapple are much-appreciated teammates for Skeledirge as they provide it with a safe switch-in to Pokemon like Walking Wake and Ogerpon-W that would otherwise threaten it (hydra is like a stall pick and u say dirge fits on balance+bo, so its counterintuitive. id include a dragon / rilla here probably. rilla also gives it longetivity w gt cuz it cant run lefties). It also enjoys entry hazard support from Gliscor and Skarmory wearing down Pokemon such as Choice Specs Kyurem that would otherwise threaten Skeledirge and its team. Skarmory can also assist Skeledirge in answering Choice Band Rillaboom (which otherwise threatens with knock off, maybe briefly include that info so that the reader understands why dirge needs support to handle a grass; skarm is also nice vs weavile and rmoon) in addition to checking Kingambit, and appreciates having a consistent check to Volcarona and Gouging Fire. Gliscor can spread status with Toxic to power up Skeledirge's Hex and relishes in having a sturdy switch-in to Serperior. Skeledirge also benefits from pairing with fast wallbreakers such as Weavile, Dragapult, (AC) and Ogerpon-W, providing them with a sturdy defensive backbone and appreciates having them cripple or weaken the opposing team's defenses, as it opens up for Skeledirge to sweep in late-game with Torch Song; it also greatly enjoys pairing with Dragapult in particular, as it is capable of spreading status effects to a multitude of Pokemon such as Great Tusk and Landorus-Therian Landorus-T for Skeledirge to take advantage of with its Hex (pult is also nice into waters like ogerpon). (can also add ting-lu somewhere as it can support it with hazards+deal with ghosts for dirge. can add checks to garganacl in this para cuz dirge is p bad into it // u can also try to elaborate a little more on how offensive mons benefit from dirge wisping like u did for pult. for example if dirge manages to wisp a wellspring things like ghold might have an easier time-- up to u if u wanna elaborate on that stuff)

[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/viivian.584916/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/kd458.633798/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/username.XXXXXX/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/username.XXXXXX/

QC 2/2, great work done

 

[viivian]

GP Team

 

[SolarBeam]

1/1, GP Team done

singing reptile 2

blue = add
red = remove
(orange) = comment

Defensive (Skeledirge) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Unaware
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD OR 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Tera Type: Fairy / Water
Calm / Bold Nature
- Torch Song
- Hex / Alluring Voice / Scorching Sands
- Slack Off
- Will-O-Wisp

Due to its great natural bulk, unique defensive typing, (AC) and access to Unaware, Skeledirge manages to be a fantastic defensive presence that is able to stave off the likes of Volcarona, Iron Valiant, (AC) and Zamazenta. Torch Song is a phenomenal Fire-type STAB move that allows Skeledirge to exert offensive pressure while still providing a defensive backbone. Hex is an incredibly strong and spammable Ghost-type STAB move that synergizes amazingly with Will-O-Wisp; Alluring Voice allows Skeledirge to threaten Roaring Moon and Dragonite in addition to being a respectably strong STAB move with the use of Tera Fairy; Scorching Sands can be considered as it can threaten Heatran and Gouging Fire, as well as being an alternative method of spreading burn. Slack Off lets Skeledirge stay healthy throughout the game, giving it multiple opportunities to switch in on powerful offensive threats such as Iron Moth and Zamazenta. Will-O-Wisp quickly neutralizes physical attackers like Dragonite, in addition to powering up Skeledirge's Hex. Maximizing its HP and Special Defense enables Skeledirge to more reliably check special attackers, notably Volcarona and Latias; conversely, maximizing its HP and Defense turns Skeledirge into an immensely sturdy physical wall, forgoing its reliance on spreading burns burn by leveraging its raw physical bulk to check potent setup sweepers, particularly Dragonite and Swords Dance Iron Valiant. Tera Fairy provides Skeledirge with a much-appreciated resistance to Dark, allowing it to safely check Pokemon such as Meowscarada and Roaring Moon, in addition to always checking Volcarona regardless of its Tera type; conversely, Tera Water allows Skeledirge to sit in front of powerful wallbreakers, notably Calm Mind Primarina and Gouging Fire, and its neutral defensive profile allows it to safely check Pokemon like Kingambit.

Skeledirge fits on balance and bulky offense teams that appreciate its ability to force progress while staving off opposing threats. Skeledirge It dislikes taking Knock Off due to its reliance on Heavy-Duty Boots, thus so it appreciates teammates such as Clefable that can safely switch into Knock Off and Salt Cure from Weavile and Iron Valiant. (replaced comma with period) and Skeledirge enjoys having Clefable in particular absorb Salt Cure from Garganacl; (replaced period with semicolon- for this section, going from a general example to a specific one w/ Clefable, so best to separate the general + specific and relate the two Clef-specific sentences) Clefable also appreciates Skeledirge's reliability in forcing out Galarian Slowking and Iron Moth. Rillaboom and Galarian Slowking are much-appreciated teammates for Skeledirge, as Rillaboom provides Skeledirge with Grassy Terrain to bolster its longevity in addition to forcing out Ogerpon-W that would otherwise threaten it, whereas Galarian Slowking can pivot into and around powerful wallbreakers such as Kyurem and Walking Wake. It also enjoys entry hazard support from Gliscor and Skarmory wearing down Pokemon such as Choice Specs Kyurem that would otherwise threaten Skeledirge and its team. Skarmory can also assist assists (parallelism) Skeledirge in answering Choice Band Rillaboom, (AC) which otherwise threatens it with Knock Off, can reliably check checks Kingambit for it, (AC) and appreciates having a consistent check to Volcarona and Gouging Fire. Gliscor can spread status with Toxic to power up Skeledirge's Hex and relishes in having a sturdy switch-in to Serperior. Skeledirge also benefits from pairing with fast wallbreakers such as Weavile, Dragapult, and Ogerpon-W, providing them with a sturdy defensive backbone and appreciates appreciating (parallelism) having them weaken the opposing team's defenses, as it opens they open up for Skeledirge to sweep in late-game with Torch Song; it also greatly enjoys pairing with Dragapult in particular, as it Dragapult is capable of spreading status effects to a multitude of Pokemon such as Great Tusk and Landorus-T for Skeledirge to take advantage of with its Hex, as well as handling faster threats such as Roaring Moon and Iron Boulder.

[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/viivian.584916/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/kd458.633798/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zastra.558636/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/solarbeam.470115/