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How to beat Skarmory

Skarmory has 4 versions in the 2026–27 Standard format, with up to 120 HP as a Metal Pokémon. Here's the maths for Knocking it Out — worked out from every Standard-legal card.

HP

120

Weakness

Lightning

Resistance

Fighting

Prizes

1

One-hit KOs

414

Fastest KO

0 Energy

Game plan

1. Hit its Weakness. Skarmory is weak to Lightning, so those attacks do double damage. 74 Standard cards can Knock it Out in one hit that way — the fastest needs just 1 Energy.
2. Don't over-invest. It only gives up 1 Prize card, so avoid spending a big two-Prize attacker on it if a cheaper Pokémon can do the job.
3. Avoid Fighting attacks. Skarmory resists them, so they do less damage.
4. Plan for its big hit. Its strongest printed attack is Big Storm for 90 (3 Energy). 930 Standard cards have enough HP to survive one hit — before any Weakness, + or × effects.
5. Watch the Retreat Cost. It costs 1 Energy to retreat. If it gets stuck in the Active Spot, that's your chance.

One-hit Knock Outs using Weakness

These Lightning attacks do at least 120 after Weakness. Fastest (fewest Energy) first.

One-hit Knock Outs without Weakness

Attacks with a printed 120+ damage (after Resistance).

Pokémon that survive its biggest attack

These can take a printed 90 from Big Storm and stay in play (Weakness included). Single-Prize Pokémon first.

Every Standard Skarmory card

Damage is the number printed on the card. Attacks marked + or × can do more, and Abilities, Tools and Stadiums can change the maths — always read the card. Energy letters: G Grass, R Fire, W Water, L Lightning, P Psychic, F Fighting, D Darkness, M Metal, N Dragon, C Colorless (any Energy).

Related: all Skarmory cards in Standard · how to knock out a 120 HP Pokémon · Lightning vs Metal · beating big Pokémon ex · more counter guides

Questions people ask

What is Skarmory weak to?

Skarmory is weak to Lightning, so those attacks do double damage (×2).

How much HP does Skarmory have?

Up to 120 HP in Standard (120 on the Pitch Black version, 120 on the Twilight Masquerade version, 110 on the Destined Rivals version, 110 on the Surging Sparks version).

How many Prize cards does Skarmory give up?

1 — it's a regular Pokémon.

What can one-hit KO Skarmory?

414 Standard cards can, going by printed damage. The fastest: Alolan Dugtrio's Trio-Cheehoo (0 Energy, 120 damage); Palafin ex's Giga Impact (1 Energy, 250 damage); Tinkaton's Windup Swing (1 Energy, 240 damage).

What is Skarmory's strongest attack?

Big Storm, which prints 90 damage for 3 Energy.

What does Skarmory resist?

Fighting — those attacks do less damage to it.