Skarmory

Skarmory's excellent defensive typing and impressive physical bulk give it an important role in BDSP OU as a check to some of the tier's most common physical attackers like Breloom and Weavile. It is a great Spiker due to its ridiculous physical bulk, longevity, and its ability to beat common Defoggers like Gliscor and Scizor. Whirlwind further cements Skarmory as an excellent defensive centerpiece against the onslaught of physical sweepers common to the tier like Lucario and Feraligatr. Skarmory is not even limited to a defensive role; it also fits on common hyper offense structures as a dedicated lead due to its access to the combination of Spikes, Stealth Rock, and Taunt, ensuring that it can get up as many entry hazards as it can while denying opposing entry hazards. Despite its strength as a wall, Skarmory can be taken advantage of by special attackers like Latias and Starmie; Starmie can even spin its Spikes away. Skarmory is often forced to Whirlwind setup sweepers like Garchomp, leaving it weakened. It is weak to common coverage types in Electric and Fire, and it is extremely vulnerable to the ever-present Magnezone if its Shed Shell is removed. Furthermore, its face stiff competition as a suicide lead from Azelf, which boasts higher Speed and Explosion.