#0227

Skarmory

Best moveset, PvP rankings, counters & stats for Pokemon GO.

Max CP 2,383 Steel Wing + Brave Bird Snow Windy
Skarmory Pokemon GO sprite

Skarmory is a Steel/Flying-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO, originally from the Johto region (#227, Generation 2). With a max CP of 2,383 and base stats of 148/226/163 (Atk/Def/Sta), Skarmory has a total stat product of 537.

Skarmory is weak to Electric, Fire-type moves. It resists Bug, Grass, Poison, Dragon, Fairy, Flying, Ground, Normal, Psychic, Steel-type attacks. Skarmory is a 5.0 km buddy Pokemon. Skarmory can currently be hatched from 5km eggs. Skarmory is currently available as a 3-Star Raids raid boss.

Stats

Max CP
2,383
Lv.40: 2,108 Lv.50: 2,383
Attack 148
Defense 226
Stamina 163
Total 537
Buddy 5.0 km Gen 2 · Johto 2nd Move: 75,000 Dust · 75 Candy

Moves

Fast Moves

Flying
Air Slash STAB
12
DPS
12.0 PWR 8 EN 1.0s DUR 8 EPS Windy
Steel
Steel Wing STAB
14
DPS
14.0 PWR 8 EN 1.0s DUR 8 EPS Snow

Charged Moves

Flying
Brave Bird STAB Buff
65
DPS
130.0 PWR 100 EN 2.0s DUR
Steel
40
DPS
100.0 PWR 100 EN 2.5s DUR
Flying
Sky Attack STAB
40
DPS
80.0 PWR 50 EN 2.0s DUR

Best Moveset Analysis

Among fast moves, the highest DPS option is Steel Wing (14 DPS), while Air Slash generates energy the fastest (8 EPS).

Raid Guide

How to Get Skarmory

Skarmory can be encountered in the wild in Pokemon GO.

Skarmory can currently be hatched from 5km eggs, and the hatched Skarmory has a chance to be shiny.

Skarmory is currently available as a 3-Star Raids raid boss. After defeating it in a raid, you can catch it at level 20 (1204 CP for a perfect 15/15/15 IV) or level 25 with weather boost (1506 CP).

A Shadow version of Skarmory is available from Team GO Rocket. Shadow Skarmory knows Frustration as its charged move, which can be removed with a Charged TM. Purifying costs 5,000 Stardust and 5 Candy, and the purified form learns Return. Walking Skarmory as your buddy earns 1 candy every 5.0 km.

Skarmory Catch CP

These are the possible CP values when encountering Skarmory in different scenarios. The range shows minimum (lowest IV floor) to maximum (100% perfect IV).

Wild Catch
Level 1–30
51 – 1,822 CP
Wild (Weather Boost)
Level 1–35
51 – 1,973 CP
Raid Catch
Level 20
1,167 – 1,234 CP
Raid (Weather Boost)
Level 25
1,452 – 1,536 CP
Egg Hatch
Level 20
1,167 – 1,234 CP
Research Encounter
Level 15
883 – 933 CP
GO Battle League
Level 20
1,167 – 1,234 CP

A 100% IV Skarmory from raids or eggs will show 1,204 CP at level 20. If you see this number, don't hesitate — it's a perfect catch!

Trainer Tips

Skarmory is a Steel/Flying-type Pokemon with a stat total of 537. With its bulk spread of 226 Defense and 163 Stamina, Skarmory has solid survivability in battles.

Watch out for Electric, Fire-type moves when using Skarmory. These types deal super effective damage that can cut into Skarmory's performance.

Skarmory's moves get a damage boost in Snow and Windy weather. Take advantage of weather conditions to maximize your DPS in raids and gym battles.

Unlocking a second charged move costs 75,000 Stardust and 75 Candy. With 3 charged moves available, a second move gives Skarmory much better coverage in PvP battles.

Should I Invest in Skarmory?

Power-Up Costs

Level 20 → 40 (Standard)
135,000 Stardust
15 Candy
Level 40 → 50 (XL Candy)
0 Stardust
0 XL Candy
Total (20 → 50)
135,000 Stardust

Verdict

Collector's Pick
Skarmory is a Steel/Flying-type Pokemon with base stats of 148/226/163 (Atk/Def/Sta) and a max CP of 2,383. While it doesn't currently rank among the top raid attackers or PvP contenders, every Pokemon has its place in a trainer's collection. Skarmory may shine during specific events, in limited-format cups, or when new moves are added in future updates. For now, hold onto a good IV specimen but save your Stardust and Candy for more impactful investments unless you're a dedicated fan of this Pokemon.

Shadow vs Regular: Shadow Skarmory deals 20% more damage but takes ~20% more. For raids, Shadow is generally the better investment. For PvP, evaluate matchups carefully — the bulk loss can be significant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best moveset for Skarmory in Pokemon GO?
Skarmory has multiple viable movesets depending on the battle format. The ideal moveset varies based on whether you are using Skarmory for raids, gym battles, or PvP — check the moves section above for a full breakdown of each move's DPS, energy cost, and coverage.
What are Skarmory's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?
Skarmory is weak to Electric, Fire-type moves. On the other hand, Skarmory resists Bug, Grass, Poison, Dragon, Fairy, Flying, Ground, Normal, Psychic, Steel-type attacks, so avoid using those types against it. To counter Skarmory effectively in raids and gyms, build a team using its weakest type matchups and pick attackers that have STAB moves of those types.
What is Skarmory's max CP in Pokemon GO?
Skarmory's maximum CP is 2,383 at level 50 (with XL Candy), or 2,108 at level 40. Reaching level 50 requires XL Candy, which is only available to trainers level 31 and above — earning XL Candy involves catching, hatching, transferring, and walking Pokemon. Skarmory's CP is calculated from its base stats: 148 Attack, 226 Defense, and 163 Stamina. Powering up from level 40 to 50 requires a significant investment of XL Candy and Stardust, so plan your resources carefully. A 100% IV Skarmory caught from raids or eggs (level 20) will have 1,204 CP, or 1,506 CP with weather boost (level 25).
What CP is a 100% IV Skarmory?
A perfect 15/15/15 IV Skarmory has the following CP at key levels: 903 CP at level 15 (research encounters), 1,204 CP at level 20 (raid and egg catches), 1,506 CP at level 25 (weather-boosted raids), and 2,383 CP at level 50 fully powered up. If you catch a perfect IV Skarmory, it is worth investing Stardust and Candy to power it up, especially if Skarmory ranks well in raids or PvP. A 100% IV (also called a "hundo") is the rarest IV combination, so tag and favorite it to make sure you don't accidentally transfer it.
Is Shadow Skarmory better than regular?
Shadow Skarmory deals 20% more damage than its regular counterpart but also takes 20% more damage. For raids, Shadow Skarmory is generally better due to the higher DPS output. For PvP, it depends on the matchup — the extra damage taken can be a significant drawback in extended battles where survivability matters. Shadow Skarmory comes with Frustration, which should be replaced with a Charged TM before powering up.
How to get Skarmory in Pokemon GO?
Skarmory can be found in the wild, though it may be rare depending on your biome and current events. It is also available from 5km eggs. Currently available as a 3-Star Raids raid boss. Skarmory can also be obtained through trading with other trainers.
Can Skarmory be shiny in Pokemon GO?
Yes, shiny Skarmory is available in Pokemon GO. You can encounter shiny Skarmory in the wild, from eggs, research encounters, and raids when it is available as a raid boss. Shiny rates vary by encounter method — raids and Community Day events typically offer boosted shiny rates compared to standard wild encounters. The shiny form has a different color palette, so keep an eye out for the sparkle animation when encountering Skarmory.

Max CP per Level

L1 29 CP
L5 284 CP
L10 602 CP
L15 903 CP
L20 1,204 CP
L25 1,506 CP
L30 1,807 CP
L35 1,958 CP
L40 2,108 CP
L50 2,383 CP

Pokedex Info

Pokedex Number #227
Generation Gen 2
Region Johto
Height 1.70 m
Weight 50.50 kg
Buddy Distance 5.0 km
Tradable Yes
2nd Charged Move 75,000 Dust / 75 Candy
Shadow Move Frustration
Purified Move Return
Purification Cost 5,000 Dust / 5 Candy
Egg Distance 5 km · Shiny Eligible