Is Skarmory viable in Gen 5 OU?

Skarmory is ranked #14 in Gen 5 OU with 16.47% usage according to Smogon Jul 2026 - Sep 2026 data.

What beats Skarmory in Gen 5 OU?

Latios has the strongest conservative score in this observed Jul 2026 - Sep 2026 sample. The target was knocked out or switched out in 66.2% of 32.55850754850182 relevant encounters. Standard error is 8.3 points. Sets and switch conditions can change the result.

How are Skarmory matchup checks ranked in Gen 5 OU?

They are ranked by p minus four standard errors. Here, p is the observed fraction of relevant encounters where Skarmory was knocked out or switched out. This is not a set-specific battle guarantee.

Skarmory counters

Gen 5 OU · Smogon source period Jul 2026 - Sep 2026

#0227 Skarmory

SteelFlying

USAGE 16.5% #14

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 99.1% Brave Bird 84.0% Roost 78.2% Whirlwind 77.5% Stealth Rock 28.5% Taunt 24.0% Counter 4.9% Drill Peck 2.0%

Items

Rocky Helmet 52.6% Custap Berry 19.4% Leftovers 17.1% Shed Shell 6.4% Salac Berry 2.5% Red Card 1.3% Mental Herb 0.6% Iron Ball 0.0%

Abilities

Sturdy99.8%Keen Eye0.1%Weak Armor0.1%

Common Teammates

Browse Gen 5 OU teams using Skarmory →

Explore Skarmory + Latios teams 33 score Explore Skarmory + Politoed teams 7 score Explore Skarmory + Excadrill teams 2 score Explore Skarmory + Alakazam teams -5 score Explore Skarmory + Tyranitar teams -8 score

Leading observed checks

Open a matchup for a separate set-based damage estimate, or browse uploaded teams with both Pokémon.

Team core to explore

Skarmory + Alakazam 54.0% teammate usage Explore teams →

Checks & Counters

Observed target KO or switch rate is upstream p: the fraction of relevant encounters where the target was knocked out or switched out. Standard error is upstream d. The conservative score is p − 4d. These ladder observations do not prove a set-specific counter.

How to read this table

Use encounter count and standard error to judge the sample. Damage estimates below use inferred sets and remain separate from the observed ladder metric.

# Checker Encounters Conservative score Target KO or switch rate

Latios

DragonPsychic OFFENSIVE CHECK View matchup

32.559

33.0

66.2% Standard error 8.29 points

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 →

Politoed

Water SOFT CHECK View matchup

20.443

6.7

51.0% Standard error 11.06 points

DAMAGE CALCRain

252+ SpA Politoed Hydro Pump vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Skarmory in Rain: 226-267 (67.6 - 79.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

View Politoed counters → Teams with Politoed →

Excadrill

GroundSteel SOFT CHECK View matchup

22.878

1.6

43.0% Standard error 10.35 points

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 →

Alakazam

Psychic SOFT CHECK View matchup

27.331

-4.6

30.6% Standard error 8.82 points

DAMAGE CALC

252+ SpA Alakazam Hidden Power Fire vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Skarmory: 156-184 (46.7 - 55%) -- 66.8% chance to 2HKO

View Alakazam counters → Teams with Alakazam →

Tyranitar

RockDark SOFT CHECK View matchup

22.952

-7.7

30.8% Standard error 9.64 points

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 →

Ranked #14 with 16.47% usage. Sorted by conservative score.