Is Skarmory viable in Gen 5 OU?

Skarmory is ranked #15 in Gen 5 OU with 14.43% usage according to Smogon Feb 2026 - Apr 2026 data.

What beats Skarmory in Gen 5 OU?

The best counter for Skarmory in Gen 5 OU is Starmie with a 86.7% win rate when they meet. Based on Smogon's Feb 2026 - Apr 2026 usage data, the top Pokémon that beat Skarmory include Starmie, Latios, Rotom-Wash, Excadrill, Ferrothorn.

What is the best counter for Skarmory in Gen 5 OU?

Starmie is the best counter for Skarmory in Gen 5 OU, KOing or forcing it out in 86.7% of their encounters.

Skarmory counters

Gen 5 OU · Sorted by reliability score · Smogon · Feb 2026 - Apr 2026

#0227 Skarmory

SteelFlying

USAGE 14.4% #15

ABILITYSturdy

BASE STATS

HP 65

ATK 80

DEF 140

SPA 40

SPD 70

SPE 70

BST465

TYPE MATCHUPS

2×

FireElectric

½×

NormalFlyingPsychicDragonSteelFairy

¼×

GrassBug

0×

PoisonGround

Moves

Spikes 99.3% Brave Bird 85.7% Roost 82.0% Whirlwind 52.4% Stealth Rock 46.2% Taunt 19.9% Drill Peck 7.7% Curse 2.7%

Items

Rocky Helmet 53.9% Leftovers 21.0% Custap Berry 14.6% Salac Berry 3.5% Shed Shell 2.7% Red Card 2.5% Mental Herb 1.3% Mail 0.3%

Abilities

Sturdy99.5%Keen Eye0.5%Weak Armor0.0%

Common Teammates

Checks & Counters

Ranked by reliability — blends KO rate with how often each Pokémon is matched up.

# Checker Encounters Reliability KO Rate

Starmie

WaterPsychic OFFENSIVE CHECK

24.036

86.7% dies 6.93%

DAMAGE CALC

0- SpA Starmie Thunder vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Skarmory: 140-166 (41.9 - 49.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

View Starmie counters → Teams with Starmie →

Latios

DragonPsychic OFFENSIVE CHECK

22.682

74.8% dies 9.11%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ SpA Choice Specs Latios Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Skarmory: 226-268 (67.6 - 80.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

View Latios counters → Teams with Latios →

Rotom-Wash

ElectricWater SOFT CHECK

23.013

39.7% dies 10.20%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ SpA Rotom-Wash Volt Switch vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Skarmory: 198-234 (59.2 - 70%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

View Rotom-Wash counters → Teams with Rotom-Wash →

Excadrill

GroundSteel SOFT CHECK

38.748

36.3% dies 7.72%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Excadrill Rock Slide vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Skarmory: 69-82 (20.6 - 24.5%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

View Excadrill counters → Teams with Excadrill →

Ferrothorn

GrassSteel SOFT CHECK

31.234

34.8% dies 8.52%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Ferrothorn Power Whip vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Skarmory: 32-38 (9.5 - 11.3%) -- possible 9HKO

View Ferrothorn counters → Teams with Ferrothorn →

Tyranitar

RockDark SOFT CHECK

27.24

26.9% dies 8.49%

DAMAGE CALCSand

0- SpA Tyranitar Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Skarmory: 136-160 (40.7 - 47.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

View Tyranitar counters → Teams with Tyranitar →

Landorus-Therian

GroundFlying SOFT CHECK

55.662

22.3% dies 7.75%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Explosion vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Skarmory: 121-142 (36.2 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

View Landorus-Therian counters → Teams with Landorus-Therian →

Ranked #15 with 14.43% usage. Sorted by reliability score.