viivian
OU's sweetheart
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/
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/
Last edited: