Is Skarmory viable in Gen 8 OU?

Skarmory is ranked #32 in Gen 8 OU with 5.95% usage according to Smogon Feb 2026 - Apr 2026 data.

What beats Skarmory in Gen 8 OU?

The best counter for Skarmory in Gen 8 OU is Zapdos with a 81.3% win rate when they meet. Based on Smogon's Feb 2026 - Apr 2026 usage data, the top Pokémon that beat Skarmory include Zapdos, Heatran, Tornadus-Therian, Clefable, Kartana.

What is the best counter for Skarmory in Gen 8 OU?

Zapdos is the best counter for Skarmory in Gen 8 OU, KOing or forcing it out in 81.3% of their encounters.

Skarmory counters

Gen 8 OU · Sorted by reliability score · Smogon · Feb 2026 - Apr 2026

#0227 Skarmory

SteelFlying

USAGE 5.9% #32

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 98.4% Spikes 97.9% Body Press 96.1% Toxic 49.2% Iron Defense 36.8% Whirlwind 10.2% Stealth Rock 4.0% Brave Bird 3.2%

Items

Rocky Helmet 93.6% Heavy-Duty Boots 1.9% Shed Shell 1.7% Custap Berry 1.6% Leftovers 1.2% White Herb 0.0% Eject Button 0.0% Weakness Policy 0.0%

Abilities

Sturdy99.2%Keen Eye0.8%Weak Armor0.0%

Common Teammates

Tornadus-Therian26.8%

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

21.515

81.3% dies 8.40%

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 →

Heatran

FireSteel OFFENSIVE CHECK

24.586

79.1% dies 8.20%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ SpA Heatran Magma Storm vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Skarmory: 324-384 (97 - 114.9%) -- 81.3% chance to OHKO (guaranteed OHKO after trapping damage)

View Heatran counters → Teams with Heatran →

Tornadus-Therian

Flying OFFENSIVE CHECK

35.078

63.1% dies 8.15%

DAMAGE CALC

0- SpA Tornadus-Therian Heat Wave vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Skarmory: 122-144 (36.5 - 43.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

View Tornadus-Therian counters → Teams with Tornadus-Therian →

Clefable

Fairy DEFENSIVE COUNTER

23.99

56.1% dies 10.13%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Skarmory Brave Bird vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable: 136-162 (34.5 - 41.1%) -- 64.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery

View Clefable counters → Teams with Clefable →

Kartana

GrassSteel SOFT CHECK

20.873

29.9% dies 10.02%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Kartana Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Skarmory: 112-132 (33.5 - 39.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

View Kartana counters → Teams with Kartana →

Landorus-Therian

GroundFlying SOFT CHECK

31.04

7.9% dies 4.85%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Skarmory: 97-115 (29 - 34.4%) -- 4.4% chance to 3HKO

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

Ranked #32 with 5.95% usage. Sorted by reliability score.