Skorupi Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Toxic Spikes is for spreading status throughout the opposing team and for limiting the switch-ins your opponent can make. Normally, only one layer should be set due to the fast-paced nature of Little Cup. Taunt is a very valuable move that allows Skorupi to block other entry hazard setters, such as Ferroseed and Dwebble. Poison Jab is a reliable STAB move that allows Skorupi to hit Fairy- and Grass-types, most notably Cottonee, hard. Lastly, Knock Off is a great utility move that can remove Eviolite and Life Orb as well as do a great deal of damage to Ghost- and Psychic-type Pokemon. Set Details 196 EVs go into HP for a decent amount of bulk, while 36 EVs in both Attack and Defense give a small boost for both stats. The last 236 EVs are invested in Speed and, when paired with a Jolly nature, allow Skorupi to hit 17 Speed, which is a very valuable Speed tier for a Taunt user. The ability of choice, Battle Armor, prevents any surprise critical hits. Lastly, Eviolite bolsters defenses, furthering Skorupi's defensive presence. Usage Tips Skorupi can be used as a sort of suicide lead, since it isn't providing much offensive leverage unless your opponent carries Fairy-types. As a lead, Skorupi likes to Taunt other leads and gain momentum by spreading status amongst your opponent's team via Toxic Spikes. It should watch out for STAB Rock-type attacks, however. If you have set up a layer of Toxic Spikes, you can go for a Knock Off, Skorupi's go-to utility move, to cripple your foe. Finally, always try to stay away from special attackers, as Skorupi's ability to take special hits isn't quite as good as its ability to take physical ones because its Special Defense is very low. Team Options Gothita makes an exceptional teammate, as it traps and eliminates any Poison-type Pokemon that try to absorb Skorupi's Toxic Spikes. Ground-types such as Diglett work well to beat opposing Rock- and Fire-type Pokemon. Chinchou makes a great teammate, checking threatening Flying- and Fire-type Pokemon for Skorupi. Munchlax makes for an excellent teammate, as it resists Fire-type moves thanks to Thick Fat and can take special moves for Skorupi. Additionally, it can Pursuit trap threatening Psychic-types for Skorupi, while Skorupi walls Fighting-types in return. Rock-types such as Onix and Aron make good teammates, as they can cover Skorupi's Flying- and Fire-type weaknesses. Additionally, Onix is a cool partner for Skorupi because its Stealth Rock complements Skorupi's Toxic Spikes. Rapid Spinners such as Drilbur and Staryu make good teammates to spin away hazards that bother Skorupi. Additionally, Drilbur and Staryu can handle the Fire- and Rock-types that might give Skorupi trouble with their STAB attacks.

This set is probably Skorupi's best in terms of being able to pull off a late-game sweep. The use of Agility, along with its awesome ability, Sniper, helps remedy Skorupi's mediocre Speed stat and enables it to hit hard. Moves like Cross Poison and Night Slash, which greatly benefit from Skorupi's ability since they already have high critical hit ratios, maximize Skorupi's efficiency as a late-game cleaner. Agility is a staple on this set, since it boosts Skorupi's less than impressive Speed. The given attacking moves are of the utmost necessity, so as to maximize this set's effectiveness. The former two, Cross Poison and Night Slash, benefit immensely from Skorupi's ability, Sniper. Aqua Tail is used simply for coverage, as Cross Poison and Night Slash are quite redundant together in terms of coverage. Aqua Tail provides unresisted coverage in Little Cup, barring Croagunk, whose unique typing allows it to resist all three of Skorupi's attacks; to remedy the Croagunk problems, you can use Aerial Ace over Aqua Tail. The EVs given maximize Attack, so as to fully release Skorupi's potential; EV investments have also been made in HP and Defense so as to make Skorupi more durable, making sure that its sweep is not prematurely ended by priority attacks. An Adamant nature is advised, as Skorupi will scarcely need the Speed granted by a Jolly nature due to Agility; it basically needs all the firepower it can get its pincers on. Lastly, an Oran Berry is recommended as this will prolong Skorupi's sweep, although Scope Lens can be utilized if you wish to increase Skorupi's overall damage output.

Unlike the previous set , which focused on Skorupi's ability to clean up late-game through the use of its ability and specific moves, this set revolves around sheer power granted through the use of Swords Dance. Due to its great bulk, coupled with its passable offensive prowess and Speed, Skorupi can efficiently play the role of a sweeper, in any phase of a battle, as long as necessary support has been provided by its teammates. Just like the Agility set, this set utilizes a combination of moves that provides almost unresisted coverage in Little Cup, Croagunk being the only exception. However, unlike the previous set, this one does not emphasize Skorupi's ability, so instead of moves that benefit from Sniper, stronger alternatives are advised in this set. Crunch is recommended over Night Slash, and likewise Poison Jab over Cross Poison. In both cases, the higher Base Power is more lucrative than the increased critical hit chance. Finally, Aqua Tail was left on the set due to great coverage with the rest of Skorupi's moves in addition to its already good Base Power. Just like the previous set, Aerial Ace can be used over Aqua Tail if you want a way to deal with Croagunk. On this set, either an Adamant or Jolly nature can be utilized, with both having their merits. Although an Adamant nature greatly increases Skorupi's damage output, often the extra Speed granted by a Jolly nature is needed more. The EVs given are distributed to maximize Skorupi's offensive prowess while also investing in HP and defenses to prolong Skorupi's sweep in a battle. No Speed EVs have been suggested as there is nothing to boost Skorupi's mediocre Speed. Oran Berry is recommended once again in order to prolong Skorupi's sweep, but if you prefer the extra power given by a Life Orb, go for it. Lastly, the ability comes down to personal preference: usually, Battle Armor is the better choice on this set, although Sniper can be used if you like the elevated critical hit ratio. However, if you're going to use Sniper, it would probably be best to utilize Cross Poison and Night Slash, as they are the better moves in such a scenario.