Skarmory is a silver-gray, avian Pokémon with a long, metallic blue neck, legs, and tail. It has yellow eyes, a pointed beak with several pointed teeth, and a triangular crest on its head. There are red feathers under the sheaths that cover its sharp wings, and each feather can be moved independently. Its wings are actually hollow, allowing it to travel up to 180 mph (300 km/h). Its feet have three toes on them, two in front and one in back, and its tail has hooked ends.
Its steel wings become tattered and bashed in from repeated battles, but once a year the battered wings grow back completely. This process restores the cutting edges. Its feathers are sharp enough to be used as blades. Its skin and feathers are solid because it lives and is raised in very harsh conditions. Its nests are usually found in thorn bushes, where continual scratching of its skin will eventually harden it into an iron-like state. However, water can cause Skarmory's hard body to rust easily, so it stays in its nest on rainy days. In ancient Alola, warriors would use the sharp feathers that fell off Skarmory as swords.
Skarmory debuted in Hot Matches!, under the ownership of Miki. She used it to battle Brock's Vulpix, which it defeated with Steel Wing. It then battled Ash's Cyndaquil, but the battle was interrupted by Team Rocket. After Team Rocket was sent blasting off, Skarmory and Cyndaquil resumed their battle the next day, during which Skarmory was defeated by Cyndaquil's Flamethrower.
In the Hoopa's Surprise Ring Adventures short Flying in the Air, Hoopa summoned a Skarmory to create wind for Ash and Pikachu, but their combined Gust was too much for them and sent them blasting off.
Team Rocket pulled a Skarmory from the Rocket Prize Master in JN020. It was used to battle Ash and Goh after the trio's attempts to catch Pikachu, Raboot, and Yamper failed. However, it was soon defeated.
Skarmory served in the armies that were eventually placated by Sir Aaron in the distant prologue of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew. Three Skarmory had attacked him and his Pidgeot just before.
Falkner's father, Walker, owns a Skarmory. In Scrappy Skarmory, he rode it to visit Chuck in Cianwood City. He was attacked by Suicune on the way, so he teamed up with Chuck in an attempt to capture it, but failed.
In the Pokémon Stadium 2, 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.
Trophy information
"An Armor Bird Pokémon with a steel-hard body and wings. It flies at speeds up to 186 miles per hour and slices enemies with sharp steel wings that grow dull over time. It grows new wings once a year, which regain their original sharpness. It's said that people used to use fallen wings for swords and knives. It can fly so quickly and freely because it has light, hollow bones."
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.
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.
Skarmory has much in common with the Andean condor and cranes, birds that are held in high esteem in Japan. It is also similar to many mythological, metallic birds such as the Stymphalian birds, the Gagana, and the Alicanto. In addition, its design resembles a wyvern.
Its concept could also be a pun on 鶴 tsuru (crane), referencing a paper crane, and 剣 tsurugi (sword). Its wings also resemble a Japanese paper hand fan.
Name origin
Skarmory is a combination of sky and armory or armor. It may also include scar, given how its sharp body could easily wound its prey and even leave them with scars; scar may also refer to Skarmory's own skin, being cut repeatedly in brambles when it is young and building up the harder, callused or scar-like tissue which makes up its steely hide as an adult.
Airmd may be based on air or a pun on armed or armored.