Skeledirge Movesets and Best Builds

This is a guide to movesets and best builds for using Skeledirge in competitive play for the games Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (SV). Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, Tera Type, and Held Items to use with Skeledirge, as well as its strengths and weaknesses.

Skeledirge - Related Guides
Evolution and Learnset	Moveset for Ranked Battle	Tera Raid Build

Skeledirge Base Stats, Type, Abilities and Weaknesses

Paldea #6		Type
Skeledirge
		Abilities
		Blaze Unaware (Hidden)
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
	(0.25x)
Immune to:	(0x)

What is Type Effectiveness?

Base Stats

Best Nature for Skeledirge

What are Natures?

Singles Movesets for Skeledirge

Defensive Attacker Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Bold (+Def, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Def 252 / Sp. Atk 4
Final Stat Values	HP 211 / Def 167 / Sp. Atk 131 / Sp. Def 95 / Speed 86
Ability	Unaware
Tera Type
Held Item	Leftovers
Moveset	・ Torch Song ・ Hex ・ Will-O-Wisp ・ Slack Off

Summary

Ignores opponent's stat boosts thanks to Unaware. Good recovery between Leftovers and Slack Off. Will-O-Wisp burn halves the Attack stat of the opponent.

Ability and Held Item

Ability	Held Item
Unaware	Leftovers

Unaware is the best ability for this build because it makes Skeledirge ignore any stat changes on the opponent's side. Note that this means that it will also ignore stat drops from moves like Close Combat or Make It Rain.

Leftovers is used so that Skeledirge can passively heal itself and increase its survivability.

Moves Breakdown

Torch Song is Skeledirge's best Fire-type STAB move because it increases its Sp. Atk stat by one stage every time it's used. This is important because this build has a minimal investment in Skeledirge's Sp. Atk.

Hex is its strongest Ghost-type STAB move whenever a target is inflicted with a status effect.

Will-O-Wisp is used to cause burns on physical attackers and reduce their Attack stat by half. A burn also means that Hex's base damage is doubled against that target.

Slack Off gives Skeledirge a way to recover half of its max HP without having to wait for Leftovers healing.

Best Tera Type: Fairy

Fairy Tera Type Matchup
Weak to:
	(2x)
Damaged Normally By:	(1x)
Resists:	(0.5x)
Immune to:	(0x)

Fairy is the best Tera Type for this build because it is one of the best defensive typings in the game. Its main weakness is Steel is also normally countered by Skeledirge without Terastallization.

Best Fairy Type Pokemon

EV Spread and Nature

A full 252 EVs are put into its HP and Defense to make Skeledirge as bulky as possible against physical attackers. The extra 4 EVs are placed into its Sp. Atk to slightly boost its damage output.

A Bold nature is preferred to maximize Skeledirge's Defense stat.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

Damage Dealt by Skeledirge
80 HP | 96 Sp. Def No Defensive EV Investment Item: Hearthflame Mask	Torch Song 51-61 (32.9 - 39.3%) Guaranteed 2HKO after +1 Sp. Atk boost
55 HP｜135 Sp. Def No Defensive EV Investment Item: Booster Energy	Hex 66-78 (50.7 - 60%) Guaranteed 2HKO
87 HP｜91 Sp. Def No Defensive EV Investment Item: Choice Specs	+1 Torch Song 162-192 (100 - 118.5%) Guaranteed OHKO
100 HP｜60 Sp. Def No Defensive EV Investment Item: Punching Glove	Hex (Burned) 120-142 (68.5 - 81.1%) Guaranteed 2HKO OHKOs if +1 Sp. Atk
Damage Received by Skeledirge
120 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk Item: Hearthflame Mask	Ivy Cudgel 47-56 (22.2 - 26.5%) Possible 5HKO after Leftovers recovery
135 Sp. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp. Atk Item: Booster Energy	Shadow Ball 180-212 (85.3 - 100.4%) 6.3% Chance to OHKO
130 Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Atk Item: Punching Glove	Surging Strikes 162-198 (76.7 - 93.8%) Guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Game8's Competitive Damage Calculator

Assault Vest Attacker Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Modest (+Sp.Atk, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 220 / Sp.Atk 252 / Sp.Def 36
Final Stat Values	HP 207 / Def 120 / 178 / 100 / 86
Ability	Unaware
Tera Type
Held Item	Assault Vest
Moveset	・ Torch Song ・ Shadow Ball ・ Earth Power ・ Overheat

Skeledirge's natural bulk and respectable dual typing make it a great Assault Vest user, allowing it to comfortably take on Fairy, Grass, and Steel-types with its dual STAB moves. Its Unaware Ability also allows it to ignore stat boosts from opposing Pokemon.

Torch Song is its main STAB move that boosts its Sp.Atk by 1 stage, and also bypasses Substitute. Shadow Ball is its secondary STAB and lets it hit Psychic and opposing Ghost-types for super effective damage.

Earth Power is its main coverage move that allows it to hit Toxapex who will otherwise wall Skeledirge, while Overheat is a stronger Fire STAB that's best used if you're switching it out on the next turn.

We're using Fire Tera-type for this build to further boost the power of Torch Song and Overheat.

Other Viable Moves

Yawn Phazer Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Bold (+Def, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 252 / Def 252 / Sp. Def 4
Final Stat Values	HP 211 / Def 167 / Sp.Atk 130 / Sp.Def 96 / Spe 86
Ability	Unaware
Tera Type
Held Item	Leftovers
Moveset	・ Torch Song ・ Tera Blast ・ Slack Off ・ Yawn

Thanks to its Unaware Ability that allows it to ignore the opposing Pokemon's stat boots, Skeledirge makes a great phazer with Yawn and Slack Off.

It's best to bring out Skeledirge against setup sweepers such as Garchomp and Dragonite, using Yawn to force them out while hitting switch-ins with Torch Song.

Tera Fairy and Tera Blast give Skeledirge a resistance to Dark-type moves, as well as giving it an option to hit and potentially KO Dark and Dragon-types.

Other Viable Moves

Doubles Movesets for Skeledirge

Bulky Special Attacker Moveset & Best Build

Nature	Modest (+Sp.Atk, -Atk)
EV Spread	HP 244 / Def 4 / Sp. Atk 52 / Sp. Def 204 / Spe 4
Final Stat Values	HP 210 / Def 121 / Sp. Atk 150 / Sp, Def 121 / Spe 87
Ability	Unaware
Tera Type
Held Item	Sitrus Berry
Moveset	・ Torch Song ・ Tera Blast ・ Slack Off ・ Yawn

Summary

Unaware ignores opponent's Stat boosts, most notably Dondozo's omni-boost from Tatsugiri. Matches up favorably against Gholdengo. Outstanding bulk with recovery through Slack Off.

Ability and Held Item

Unaware ignores opponent's Stat boosts, most notably Dondozo's omni-boost from Tatsugiri. Do watch out for moves like Draco Meteor and Make it Rain (when Skeledirge is Terastallized) because Unaware will also ignore their stat decreases.

Sitrus Berry gives Skeledirge a reliable way to recover HP, which when coupled with Slack Off makes for a Pokemon that's difficult to take down.

Moves Breakdown

Torch Song is Skeledirge's main STAB Move, which positions it to be a potent Special Attacker after one successful usage. Tera Blast is most useful after Skeledirge Terastallizes, being able to hit Murkrow, Garchomp, and Hydreigon for super-effective damage.

Slack Off and Sitrus Berry give Skeledirge even more staying power, making it even more difficult to KO.

Yawn is good for putting opposing Pokemon into difficult situations, often forcing them to switch.

Best Tera Type

Terastallizing into a Fairy-type and using Tera Blast lets Skeledirge hit the likes of Garchomp and Murkrow for super-effective damage. Opting not to Terastallize lets Skeledirge take Gholdengo's Make it Rain and hit back with Torch Song. Skeledirge also hard counters Garganacl who has no reliable way to deal damage to it.

Tera Fairy further pushes the Dondozo matchup in your favour, giving Skeledirge an immunity to Order Up.

EV Spread and Nature

HP and Defensive EVs are split up so that Skeledirge has as much bulk as possible with more emphasis on Special Bulk to help it survive super-effective Special Moves. A Modest Nature makes it so Skeledirge can inflict more damage with its Special Moves with minimal Special Attack EV investment.

Other Viable Moves

Key Damage Calculations

Damage Dealt by Skeledirge
87 HP｜91 Sp. Def Defensive EV Investment: 4 HP Item: Choice Specs	Torch Song 122 ~ 146 (74.8 ~ 89.5%) Guaranteed 2-Hit KO
87 HP｜91 Sp. Def Defensive EV Investment: 4 HP Item: Choice Specs	+1 Torch Song 168 ~ 218 (114.1 ~ 133.7%) Guaranteed OHKO
105 HP｜101 Sp. Def No Defensive EV Investment Item: Booster Energy	Tera Type: Tera Blast 228 ~ 268 (119.3 ~ 140.3%) Guaranteed OHKO
Damage Received by Skeledirge
133 Sp. Atk Offensive EV Investment: 252 Sp. Atk Tera Type: Item: Choice Specs	Make it Rain 85 ~ 100 (40.4 ~ 47.6%) Guaranteed 3-Hit KO

How to Use Skeledirge Effectively

A Bulky Special Attacker

Skeledirge's respectable natural bulk and great offensive dual typing make it a great choice for more balanced and defensive teams that need to round off their coverage.

Since Torch Song also increases its Sp. Atk, it's also difficult for defensive Pokemon to stay in the field against it!

A Great Defensive Pivot with Yawn

The combination of Yawn and its Unaware Ability also make it a great phazer as it completely ignores stat boosts. Attackers that rely on boosting moves such as Garchomp and Gallade will find it difficult to stay in the field as they also risk getting inflicted by sleep or burns.

How to Build a Team with Skeledirge

Skeledirge's natural bulk and great offensive typing make it easy to fit into balanced teams that need extra coverage or phazing.

Sample Singles Team

Offensive Lead	Physical Wall	Lategame Sweeper
Rillaboom	Skeledirge	Bloodmoon Ursaluna

Rillaboom can set up Grassy Terrain to give Skeledirge even more healing and survivability. The combination of these two Pokemon are used to slowly chip away at the enemy while also covering for each other's weaknesses.

Once Rilaboom and Skeledirge have dealt with the problem Pokemon for Bloodmoon Ursaluna, it will have a clear path for an endgame sweep.

Sample Doubles Team

Physical Attacker	Support
Garchomp	Murkrow
Special Attacker	Support
Skeledirge	Grimmsnarl

Skeledirge is best positioned at the back of teams with front ends that are heavily offensive.

Offensive Leads can often pave the way for an endgame that involves Skeledirge being impossible to KO. It is an added bonus if the lead Attacker does not rely on Terastallizing as much, like Garchomp who can deal massive damage by itself.

Grimmsnarl is a great Pokemon to have alongside Skeledirge because it can further boost Skeledirge's defenses with its Dual Screens.

Counters for Skeledirge

Wear it Down with Super Effective Attacks

Skeledirge's relatively low Special Defense means that it's easily checked by faster or bulky special attackers who can take advantage of its rather common weaknesses. Faster, aggressive attackers will force it to use Slack Off every turn or risk getting worn down and KO'd.

Best Pokemon to Use

Pokemon	Description
Chi-Yu	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Beads of Ruin lowers Skeledirge's Special Defense by 25%. ・Can OHKO defensive Skeledirge with STAB Dark Pulse.
Iron Bundle	Ranking: ★★★★★ ・Can use Taunt to prevent Skeledirge from using Slack Off. ・Easily KOs defensive Skeledirge with Hydro Pump even without a Quark Drive boost. ▶️Iron Bundle Best Movesets
Hydreigon	Ranking: ★★★★ ・Can 2HKO Skeledirge with STAB Dark Pulse. ・Resists Skeledirge's dual STAB moves. ▶️Hydreigon Best Movesets

How to Get Skeledirge's Curse Egg Move

Skeledirge learns Curse as an egg move, so in order to get Curse on Skeledirge, first you need a Pokemon that knows the move. You will then need to make sure Skeledirge has an empty move slot and give it a Mirror Herb.

Finally, set up a picnic with both Skeledirge and the Pokemon that knows the egg move in your party and the move will be transferred to Skeledirge (the other Pokemon still retains its moveset). Unlike previous generations, egg moves can now be transferred regardless of egg group, species or gender.
How to Learn and Transfer Egg Moves

Pokemon That Learn Curse

Learn by Default

Slowpoke	Galarian Slowpoke	Slowbro	Galarian Slowbro
Slowking	Galarian Slowking	Zangoose	Chandelure

Learn by Level Up

Gastly	Haunter	Gengar	Pineco
Forretress	Numel	Camerupt	Torkoal
Shuppet	Banette	Duskull	Dusclops
Regirock	Regice	Registeel	Turtwig
Grotle	Torterra	Spiritomb	Dusknoir
Hisuian Zorua	Hisuian Zoroark	Litwick	Lampent
Golett	Golurk	Goomy	Sliggoo
Hisuian Sliggoo	Goodra	Hisuian Goodra	Phantump
Trevenant	Bergmite	Avalugg	Hisuian Avalugg
Appletun	Polteageist	Pincurchin	Bramblin
Brambleghast

Learn by Evolution

Learn by TM

Bulbasaur	Ivysaur	Venusaur	Sandshrew
Alolan Sandshrew	Sandslash	Alolan Sandslash	Diglett
Dugtrio	Alolan Dugtrio	Alolan Meowth	Galarian Meowth
Alolan Persian	Mankey	Primeape	Growlithe
Arcanine	Geodude	Alolan Geodude	Graveler
Alolan Graveler	Golem	Alolan Golem	Slowpoke
Galarian Slowpoke	Slowbro	Galarian Slowbro	Seel
Dewgong	Grimer	Alolan Grimer	Muk
Alolan Muk	Gastly	Haunter	Gengar
Drowzee	Hypno	Electrode	Hisuian Electrode
Exeggcute	Exeggutor	Alolan Exeggutor	Koffing
Weezing	Galarian Weezing	Rhyhorn	Rhydon
Magmar	Tauros	Paldean Tauros (Fighting Form)	Paldean Tauros (Fighting/Fire Form)
Paldean Tauros (Fighting/Water Form)	Lapras	Eevee	Vaporeon
Jolteon	Flareon	Snorlax	Mewtwo
Mew	Chikorita	Bayleef	Meganium
Cyndaquil	Quilava	Typhlosion	Hisuian Typhlosion
Totodile	Croconaw	Feraligatr	Noctowl
Chinchou	Lanturn	Sudowoodo	Sunkern
Sunflora	Wooper	Paldean Wooper	Quagsire
Espeon	Umbreon	Slowking	Galarian Slowking
Misdreavus	Pineco	Forretress	Dunsparce
Snubbull	Granbull	Qwilfish	Hisuian Qwilfish
Scizor	Heracross	Slugma	Magcargo
Swinub	Piloswine	Skarmory	Phanpy
Donphan	Stantler	Magby	Larvitar
Pupitar	Tyranitar	Lugia	Torchic
Combusken	Blaziken	Mudkip	Marshtomp
Swampert	Seedot	Nuzleaf	Shiftry
Slakoth	Vigoroth	Slaking	Hariyama
Nosepass	Gulpin	Swalot	Numel
Camerupt	Torkoal	Cacnea	Cacturne
Zangoose	Seviper	Whiscash	Shuppet
Banette	Duskull	Dusclops	Tropius
Chimecho	Regirock	Regice	Registeel
Turtwig	Grotle	Torterra	Cranidos
Rampardos	Shieldon	Bastiodon	Shellos (East Sea)
Gastrodon (East Sea)	Drifloon	Drifblim	Mismagius
Chingling	Bonsly	Spiritomb	Munchlax
Hippopotas	Hippowdon	Snover	Abomasnow
Rhyperior	Magmortar	Leafeon	Glaceon
Mamoswine	Probopass	Dusknoir	Froslass
Giratina (Altered Forme)	Giratina (Origin Forme)	Darkrai	Tepig
Pignite	Emboar	Drilbur	Excadrill
Timburr	Gurdurr	Conkeldurr	Sandile
Krokorok	Krookodile	Scraggy	Scrafty
Hisuian Zorua	Hisuian Zoroark	Sawsbuck	Litwick
Lampent	Chandelure	Beartic	Golett
Golurk	Chespin	Quilladin	Chesnaught
Sylveon	Goomy	Sliggoo	Hisuian Sliggoo
Goodra	Hisuian Goodra	Phantump	Trevenant
Bergmite	Avalugg	Hisuian Avalugg	Decidueye
Gumshoos	Mudbray	Mudsdale	Passimian
Sandygast	Palossand	Komala	Mimikyu
Skwovet	Greedent	Corviknight	Rolycoly
Carkol	Coalossal	Appletun	Sinistea
Polteageist	Perrserker	Pincurchin	Stonjourner
Cufant	Copperajah	Dreepy	Drakloak
Dragapult	Glastrier	Spectrier	Calyrex (Ice Rider)
Calyrex (Shadow Rider)	Wyrdeer	Ursaluna	Overqwil
Fuecoco	Crocalor	Skeledirge	Lechonk
Oinkologne (Female)	Oinkologne (Male)	Nacli	Naclstack
Garganacl	Ceruledge	Mabosstiff	Bramblin
Brambleghast	Bombirdier	Varoom	Revavroom
Orthworm	Cetoddle	Cetitan	Dondozo
Annihilape	Clodsire	Farigiraf	Dudunsparce
Slither Wing	Iron Thorns	Poltchageist	Sinistcha
Okidogi	Hydrapple	Pecharunt

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