[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Torch Song
move 2: Hex / Earth Power
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Slack Off
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Unaware
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
tera type: Fairy / Flying / Water
[SET COMMENTS]
* Skeledirge functions as a catch-all check to the strongest physical attackers in Ubers, notably taking on Koraidon, Zacian-C, and some variants of E-Killer Arceus.
* Unaware fully prevents Swords Dance Koraidon and Zacian-C from breaking down Skeledirge through pure force, in contrast to other physical walls like Groudon and Toxapex. Unaware even lets Skeledirge have some use against special attackers like Calm Mind + Will-O-Wisp Arceus-Fairy.
* Torch Song is a good STAB move that boosts Skeledirge's Special Attack each time it's used, making it a good way to force out foes and turning Skeledirge into a potential late-game wincon.
* There are two options for the secondary attacking move. Hex pairs very well with Will-O-Wisp, becoming a 130-Base Power STAB move. On the other hand, Earth Power is very useful against Pokemon that use Tera Fire to avoid burns, such as Koraidon, and it also hits Miraidon and Eternatus switch-ins hard.
* The combination of reliable recovery with Slack Off and Heavy-Duty Boots means that Skeledirge can easily stay healthy throughout the game and not worry about entry hazards.
* Tera Fairy is useful against Choice Band Koraidon in particular, as it can break through Skeledirge with Dragon Claw or Outrage; the downside is that Tera Fairy makes Skeledirge vulnerable to Zacian-C's Behemoth Blade. Tera Flying gives Skeledirge an immunity to Ground-type moves, which can be helpful against Arceus-Ground and Stomping Tantrum Koraidon. Tera Water provides a good all-around neutral defensive type to use which maintains an Ice-type resistance for Chien-Pao and Calyrex-I.
* Skeledirge offers a great deal of role compression to teams thanks to its ability to reliably check so many offensive threats.
* Skeledirge's main flaw is that it can be passive and vulnerable to double switches, U-turn, and Taunt.
* Koraidon can often take advantage of the predictable switch to Skeledirge to bring in deadly offensive threats such as Chi-Yu, Walking Wake, and Kyogre with U-turn. As a result, it may be advantageous to anticipate U-turn in these scenarios.
* Taunt is often employed as a method to bypass Skeledirge's Will-O-Wisp, especially by Koraidon and E-Killer Arceus. If you expect the foe to use Taunt, taking advantage of the situation and gaining Special Attack boosts with Torch Song is a great way to limit their ability to wallbreak.
* Ting-Lu and Clodsire are excellent teammates for Skeledirge, as they cover most of the special attackers that come in on it, especially Miraidon, while Skeledirge can in turn handle most physical threats. Together they form a solid defensive backbone.
* Skeledirge is unable to take on Ground-type physical attackers like Arceus-Ground, Tera Ground Zacian-C, and Groudon without using Tera itself. As a result, Pokemon that resist or are immune to Ground like Corviknight, Giratina-O, Landorus-T, and Arceus-Grass make for good partners. Corviknight has the additional benefit of solidifying the matchup against E-Killer Arceus.
* Arceus-Fairy is useful as a backup check to Koraidon, and it makes it much more difficult for Koraidon to get easy momentum with U-turn.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/manaphy.50695/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/corvere.306317/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/taka.595062/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/aurora.109385/
name: Defensive
move 1: Torch Song
move 2: Hex / Earth Power
move 3: Will-O-Wisp
move 4: Slack Off
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Unaware
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
tera type: Fairy / Flying / Water
[SET COMMENTS]
* Skeledirge functions as a catch-all check to the strongest physical attackers in Ubers, notably taking on Koraidon, Zacian-C, and some variants of E-Killer Arceus.
* Unaware fully prevents Swords Dance Koraidon and Zacian-C from breaking down Skeledirge through pure force, in contrast to other physical walls like Groudon and Toxapex. Unaware even lets Skeledirge have some use against special attackers like Calm Mind + Will-O-Wisp Arceus-Fairy.
* Torch Song is a good STAB move that boosts Skeledirge's Special Attack each time it's used, making it a good way to force out foes and turning Skeledirge into a potential late-game wincon.
* There are two options for the secondary attacking move. Hex pairs very well with Will-O-Wisp, becoming a 130-Base Power STAB move. On the other hand, Earth Power is very useful against Pokemon that use Tera Fire to avoid burns, such as Koraidon, and it also hits Miraidon and Eternatus switch-ins hard.
* The combination of reliable recovery with Slack Off and Heavy-Duty Boots means that Skeledirge can easily stay healthy throughout the game and not worry about entry hazards.
* Tera Fairy is useful against Choice Band Koraidon in particular, as it can break through Skeledirge with Dragon Claw or Outrage; the downside is that Tera Fairy makes Skeledirge vulnerable to Zacian-C's Behemoth Blade. Tera Flying gives Skeledirge an immunity to Ground-type moves, which can be helpful against Arceus-Ground and Stomping Tantrum Koraidon. Tera Water provides a good all-around neutral defensive type to use which maintains an Ice-type resistance for Chien-Pao and Calyrex-I.
* Skeledirge offers a great deal of role compression to teams thanks to its ability to reliably check so many offensive threats.
* Skeledirge's main flaw is that it can be passive and vulnerable to double switches, U-turn, and Taunt.
* Koraidon can often take advantage of the predictable switch to Skeledirge to bring in deadly offensive threats such as Chi-Yu, Walking Wake, and Kyogre with U-turn. As a result, it may be advantageous to anticipate U-turn in these scenarios.
* Taunt is often employed as a method to bypass Skeledirge's Will-O-Wisp, especially by Koraidon and E-Killer Arceus. If you expect the foe to use Taunt, taking advantage of the situation and gaining Special Attack boosts with Torch Song is a great way to limit their ability to wallbreak.
* Ting-Lu and Clodsire are excellent teammates for Skeledirge, as they cover most of the special attackers that come in on it, especially Miraidon, while Skeledirge can in turn handle most physical threats. Together they form a solid defensive backbone.
* Skeledirge is unable to take on Ground-type physical attackers like Arceus-Ground, Tera Ground Zacian-C, and Groudon without using Tera itself. As a result, Pokemon that resist or are immune to Ground like Corviknight, Giratina-O, Landorus-T, and Arceus-Grass make for good partners. Corviknight has the additional benefit of solidifying the matchup against E-Killer Arceus.
* Arceus-Fairy is useful as a backup check to Koraidon, and it makes it much more difficult for Koraidon to get easy momentum with U-turn.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/manaphy.50695/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/corvere.306317/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/taka.595062/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/aurora.109385/
Last edited: