Is Skarmory viable in Gen 6 OU?

Skarmory is ranked #23 in Gen 6 OU with 9.50% usage according to Smogon Feb 2026 - Apr 2026 data.

What beats Skarmory in Gen 6 OU?

The best counter for Skarmory in Gen 6 OU is Zapdos with a 65.9% win rate when they meet. Based on Smogon's Feb 2026 - Apr 2026 usage data, the top Pokémon that beat Skarmory include Zapdos, Gliscor, Clefable, Excadrill, Scizor-Mega.

What is the best counter for Skarmory in Gen 6 OU?

Zapdos is the best counter for Skarmory in Gen 6 OU, KOing or forcing it out in 65.9% of their encounters.

Skarmory counters

Gen 6 OU · Sorted by reliability score · Smogon · Feb 2026 - Apr 2026

#0227 Skarmory

SteelFlying

USAGE 9.5% #23

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

Roost 98.0% Spikes 87.5% Whirlwind 71.6% Defog 39.2% Brave Bird 29.9% Counter 25.8% Iron Head 23.0% Stealth Rock 8.3%

Items

Rocky Helmet 91.7% Leftovers 3.8% Shed Shell 2.1% Custap Berry 2.0% Life Orb 0.2% Salac Berry 0.1% Mental Herb 0.0% Lum Berry 0.0%

Abilities

Sturdy99.3%Keen Eye0.6%Weak Armor0.2%

Common Teammates

Checks & Counters

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

# Checker Encounters Reliability KO Rate

Zapdos

ElectricFlying OFFENSIVE CHECK

33.254

65.9% dies 8.22%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Skarmory: 284-336 (85 - 100.5%) -- 6.3% chance to OHKO

View Zapdos counters → Teams with Zapdos →

Gliscor

GroundFlying SOFT CHECK

32.566

37.5% dies 8.48%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Gliscor Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Skarmory: 70-83 (20.9 - 24.8%) -- guaranteed 5HKO

View Gliscor counters → Teams with Gliscor →

Clefable

Fairy SOFT CHECK

33.354

24.9% dies 7.49%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ SpA Clefable Flamethrower vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Skarmory: 158-186 (47.3 - 55.6%) -- 75% chance to 2HKO

View Clefable counters → Teams with Clefable →

Excadrill

GroundSteel SOFT CHECK

118.492

16.2% dies 5.82%

DAMAGE CALC

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

View Excadrill counters → Teams with Excadrill →

Scizor-Mega

BugSteel SOFT CHECK

22.121

14.2% dies 7.42%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Scizor-Mega Superpower vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Skarmory: 119-141 (35.6 - 42.2%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

View Scizor-Mega counters → Teams with Scizor-Mega →

Ranked #23 with 9.50% usage. Sorted by reliability score.