When should you use Sky Drop and Why?

Question

Most Pokémon that learn it at level 50 or so. That’s a high level for a 60 base power move. It’s not like moving the target up for one turn is useful, right? Why not like Air Slash or Brave Bird.

Comments

What makes you think there might be any good reason to use sky drop?

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I'd imagine it could be used as a pseudo Fake Out in doubles if the Pokémon using it is fast enough. Although I know that it at one point was banned from most cartridge formats due to a gamebreaking glitch that could activate when it was used, and I'm not sure if that glitch was fixed or if it was unbanned.

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It is used quite a bit in Doubles

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The glitch existed only in Generation 5.

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Just looked it up, and there was another glitch in Gen 7 with Sky Drop, although it's much harder to activate: https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/List_of_glitches_in_Generation_VII#Spiky_Shield_Sky_Drop_glitch

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Almost all AV Tapu Koko have Sky Drop.

Answer 1

In Doubles UU, sky drop is kind of like a combination of protect and fake out. If you expect the opponent to double-target your sky drop user, then you can use sky drop to waste a turn. If your opponent has a support Pokemon and a support receiving Pokemon, then you can use sky drop on the supporter and disrupt the support. Additionally, sky drop is a real move, unlike fake out :P. Here's a sample set.

Thundurus @ Mago berry
Ability: prankster
EVs: 224 HP / 32 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid nature
- thunder wave
- protect
- thunderbolt
- sky drop

I would recommend not using it in Doubles OU or VGC19. There are too many better fake out users and flying attacks in those formats.