Skarmory are tall birds with long necks and long legs. They have red feathers under sheathes that cover their wings. Their skin is hard because they live and are raised in very harsh conditions. Their nests are usually found in thorn bushes where no other Pokémon can get their young. Its because of the continual scratching of their skin that leaves it so hard eventually. Skarmory, like most Steel Pokémon, are silver-gray except for their red feathers and its yellow eyes. Their feet both have two toes on them and their tail has a hooked end. Their head is streamlined and their body is actually light despite their appearance, allowing them to travel up to 180mph.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
Despite being covered in extremely durable armor, they are also surprisingly swift in flight.
Behavior
Skarmory are highly territorial and will attack anyone who threatens them. They also choose to build their nests out of sharp brambles.
Skarmory like to live in tough terrain, often near volcanic areas and large mountains. They always build their nests in thorns and brambles. This ensures their offspring's safety as no other Pokémon can get near and their offspring's skin will be scratched until it is hard like its parents.
In the Pokémon Stadium 2 stage, a Skarmory can be seen flying on the Flying Terrain. Other guest Pokémon found in the Flying Terrain include a Drifloon and a Hoppip drifting in the distance.
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Skarmory resides at the top of Mt. Steel where it does not like being disturbed. Skarmory holds a Diglett captive and attacks the player. After being defeated, it flies away and doesn't return. However, the player can have a Skarmory join their team after beating the game in the following dungeons: Western Cave 40F-49F; Wish Cave 18F-19F.
Pokémon Ranger: Skarmory is Elita's partner Pokémon. The player also sees it at the Grassland Challenge.
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Skarmory is entirely encased in hard, protective armor. This Pokémon flies at close to 190 mph. It slashes foes with its wings that possess swordlike cutting edges.
Skarmory's steel wings become tattered and bashed in from repeated battles. Once a year, the battered wings grow back completely, restoring the cutting edges to their pristine state.
No other Pokémon has the same type combination as Skarmory.
In both its Gold and Silver Version sprites, Skarmory has two tails. This was fixed from Crystal Version onwards.
Skarmory has kidnapped more Pokémon and people in the anime than any other Pokémon, with the possible exception of Meowth. It has kidnapped Jessie's Wobbuffet, May, an Azumarill, Meowth, and in the Mystery Dungeon special it also kidnapped Pichu and Pikachu.
Skarmory's high defense power and immunity to ground moves make it a popular Pokémon in competitive play.
Skarmory is the only Pokémon to learn Steel Wing by level up.
Origin
Skarmory has much in common with the Andean Condor. It also shares characteristics of cranes, birds which are held in high esteem in Japan; such characteristics include a long neck and long legs, and a daggerlike beak. It is also similar to the Stymphalian Birds in the Greek story The Twelve Labors of Hercules. Skarmory is also believed to be based off of an armored knight.
Name origin
Skarmory is a combination of sky and armory. Its Japanese name is likely based on air or a pun on armored.
In other languages
German: Panzaeron - From panzer, meaning "tank", and the Latin root aero-, referring to air.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
For other sprites and images, please see Skarmory images on Bulbagarden Archives.
