Skarmory

Steel

Skarmory's typing allows it to easily find itself a spot in Steel teams for providing the much-needed Ground immunity and Fighting neutrality. Skarmory has access to Spikes, making it the primary setter for its team while freeing up Ferrothorn to run more utility options such as Thunder Wave and Stealth Rock. Its high Defense stat and great typing allow Skarmory to check various physically offensive Pokemon such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Urshifu-R with the help of Roost, Rocky Helmet, and Toxic. Moreover, having access to Roost and Toxic sets Skarmory apart from its competitors in Celesteela and Corviknight. Skarmory is an easy target for Electric-types such as Zapdos and Zeraora, which can grab momentum against Skarmory with their respective coverage. Furthermore, Skarmory can be trapped and eliminated by Magnezone, which enables a safer win route for Bulk Up Zeraora, and it is also vulnerable to Fire-type attacks from Pokemon such as Victini, Blacephalon, and Volcarona, which all pose a threat to it. Skarmory's Special Defense is low, making it weak to common special attackers in the tier such as Blacephalon, Dragapult, Hydreigon, and Kyurem. Being unable to touch any Ghost-type Pokemon outside of Toxic causes Skarmory to lose momentum heavily, especially against Substitute users such as non-Choice Specs Aegislash, Dragapult, and Spectrier, which all force it out.

Flying

Often appearing on balance teams, Skarmory's incredible Defense stat allows it to check many physical attackers such as Melmetal and Bisharp for its teammates. Due to its excellent typing, Skarmory can provide a key neutrality to Ice-type attacks, allowing it to check powerful Ice-types such as Mamoswine and Weavile. Skarmory's access to Spikes, Whirlwind, and Roost allows it to carve out a niche for itself on Flying teams. As a result of its low HP and Special Defense, Skarmory is unable to tank resisted hits from special attackers such as Choice Specs Kyurem and Choice Specs Tapu Lele and can be worn down by walls using special attacking moves like Scald from Toxapex. Skarmory faces competition from Corviknight and Celesteela, as they both share the same typing. Corviknight and Celesteela can tank both physical and special attacks, while Skarmory is relegated to tanking physical attacks.