:origin()/pre03/bd2b/th/pre/i/2015/044/5/a/staraptor_by_uraharataichou-d8hurdf.png)
[OVERVIEW]
Normal
========
* Staraptor is one of the most fantastic assets to Normal teams, providing multiple roles in being a defensive support or an offensive attacker.
* Staraptor's Flying typing grants it a neutrality to Fighting-type attacks, a resistance to Bug- and Grass- moves, as well as an immunity to Ground-type attacks, which allows Staraptor to take on these types.
* Staraptor's physical bulk coupled with Intimidate makes it viable to take on the role of an excellent Defogger.
* Staraptor has a decent movepool, having two strong STAB moves boosted by Reckless, Close Combat to hit Steel-types, a great pivoting move in U-turn, and utility in Roost and Defog.
* Thanks to its splendid Attack and Speed stat alongside the ability Reckless, Staraptor can also function well as both a wallbreaker and revenge killer, dealing massive damage to opposing teams with Brave Bird and Double-Edge.
* Staraptor's Flying typing gives it a weakness to Stealth Rock, making it difficult to find opportunities to switch in and to use Defog.
* Staraptor's physical bulk is not great; it's only a good physical switch-in because of Intimidate.
* Staraptor's Special Defense is mediocre and can't take multiple hits from special attackers from threats such as Magearna.
* Staraptor has to rely on recoil moves such as Double Edge and Brave Bird as its STAB moves, which wears it down very easily
* Despite Staraptor's high Attack stat, it still has trouble breaking through physically defensive threats such as Slowbro, Skarmory, and Hippowdon.
[SET]
name: Defensive Defogger (Normal)
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Roost
move 3: Defog
move 4: Close Combat / U-turn
item: Leftovers
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Brave Bird is Staraptor's main STAB move, hitting targets that don't resist the attack hard while hitting Bug-, Fighting-, and Grass-types such as Mega Pinsir, Buzzwole, and Mega Venusaur.
* Roost is a reliable recovery move that replenishes Staraptor's health, prolonging its longevity throughout the match.
* Defog grants Staraptor support in clearing the field of entry hazards for itself and teammates.
* Close Combat hits Steel-types such as Bisharp, which would otherwise be difficult for Normal teams to deal with after a Swords Dance boost.
* U-turn can be used instead of Close Combat to gain momentum for Staraptor's team while safely switching its teammates in.
Set Details
========
* 240 HP EVs give Staraptor a Stealth Rock number in minimizing the damage it takes from switching in while gaining maximum recovery from Leftovers.
* 252 Defense EVs with an Impish nature maximize Staraptor's defensive capabilities in taking physical attacks better.
* 16 Speed EVs allow Staraptor to outspeed Adamant Bisharp and Breloom, which is very useful in avoiding Bisharp's Iron Head and Knock Off and Breloom's Spore.
* Intimidate provides support for Staraptor and its teammates in tanking attacks from physical attackers more effectively.
* Leftovers grants passive recovery each turn, which Staraptor highly appreciates.
Usage Tips
========
* Bring Staraptor into physical attackers that it's able to take on and cripple with Intimidate such as Choice Scarf Excadrill and Buzzwole.
* Thanks to Staraptor's reliable recovery in Roost and Intimiate, it's able to continuously switch into physical attackers, so it's always best to keep to Staraptor healthy by using Roost frequently.
* Staraptor needs to be cautious about physical attackers switching into it because Intimidate will not activate, as it's sometimes forced to switch out and have one of its teammates take a hit from the opposing side. For example, while Staraptor is on the field, Choice Band Dragonite can switch in without worrying about a decrease in Attack and proceed to use Outrage, which forces Staraptor to switch into Porygon2 to tank Dragonite's attack.
* Staraptor needs to be careful about Intimidate activating while switching into Bisharp to use Close Combat to check it, as Adamant Bisharp can OHKO Staraptor with Sucker Punch after a Swords Dance boost, while Jolly Bisharp outspeeds it.
* While Staraptor can check many physical attackers, most setup sweepers such as Landorus-T use Staraptor as setup bait, so it needs to be careful.
* It's very important that Staraptor keeps Stealth Rock off the field as much as possible, as it limits it from taking hits from physical attackers, so switch Staraptor in as soon as the foe sets Stealth Rock to avoid taking damage, and use Defog afterwards.
* Do not be afraid to use Roost as a means of scouting a strong physical attack, as Staraptor appreciates staying on the field longer for use later in the game.
* Staraptor should never be used to tank any special attacks; its teammate, Chansey,(AC) should.
* Staraptor should switch into defensive Pokemon such as Skarmory, Forretress, and opposing Chansey to remove entry hazards with Defog. However, it hates being hit by Toxic from the likes of Mandibuzz and has no way to spread status, so it loses to most walls one-on-one.
Team Options
========
* Together, Chansey and Porygon2 create an outstanding defensive core with Staraptor.
* All teammates appreciate Staraptor's ability to soften physical attacks for its team, neutrality to Fighting-type attacks, and ability to remove entry hazards.
* Chansey is a great partner for Staraptor, as it can sponge special attacks, set up Stealth Rock, switch into status thanks to Natural Cure, spread status with Toxic, and cure Staraptor of any status with Heal Bell. In return, Staraptor can take on physical attackers and Fighting-types.
* Porygon2 also capitalizes on Staraptor's physical bulk in being another physically defensive tank. Porygon2 can punish setup sweepers such as Mega Scizor with Foul Play and spread status such as Toxic.
* Porygon-Z appreciates Staraptor's ability to remove entry hazards, increasing its chances to take a hit without receiving chip damage so it can sweep easier.
* Alongside Staraptor, Meloetta is also another reliable check to Fighting teams thanks to its Psychic typing, and it is able to wallbreak other teams. Meloetta appreciates Staraptor switching into physical attackers that it's weak to, such as Heracross.
* Diggersby can break through walls for Staraptor thanks to Huge Power. Diggersby's Ground typing grants it an immunity to Electric-types alongside switching into Thunder Wave users such as Klefki and Ferrothorn. Diggersby can also take on Steel-types such as Heatran.
* Setup sweepers such as Mega Charizard X are always a problem for Staraptor, so Choice Scarf Ditto serves as a great way in eliminating them due to Imposter and copying stat changes.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf (Normal)
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Double-Edge
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: U-turn
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Reckless
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Brave Bird has great damage output, dealing massive damage to targets that don't resist it and OHKOing Tapu Bulu and Mega Venusaur.
* Double-Edge hits Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Xurkitree, which would otherwise resist its Brave Bird.
* Close Combat is Staraptor's main coverage move in hitting Tyranitar while checking Steel-types such as Bisharp and Excadrill.
* U-turn provides its teammates with momentum while dealing damage. It's also great when the opposing team chooses to switch out, as Staraptor can switch into a reasonable check or counter.
Set Details
========
* Maximum Speed EVs with a Jolly nature allow Staraptor to be as fast as possible.
* 252 Attack EVs increase Staraptor's damage output, which helps in revenge killing easier.
* Choice Scarf is required for Staraptor to become a threatening revenge killer, outspeeding other Choice Scarf users such as Kyurem-B, Excadrill, and Hydreigon.
* Reckless increases the power of Brave Bird and Double-Edge, dealing more damage to foes.
Usage Tips
========
* This set mainly utilizes Staraptor's role as a revenge killer to remove threats such as Keldeo. It can also be a great late-game cleaner once all of its checks and counters are eliminated.
* Thanks to Staraptor's excellent offensive presence and Reckless, it can be brought in early-game to wallbreak as much as possible to support its teammates.
* Make sure to have Staraptor come in after a fainted teammate or a double switch to avoid taking any unnecessary damage.
* Staraptor needs to avoid status at all cost, as they ruin its role as a revenge killer.
* Be cautious about letting Staraptor get chipped down quickly, as it's weak to Stealth Rock, and recoil from Double-Edge and Brave Bird can really shorten its longevity.
* Staraptor should also avoid switching into Stealth Rock often, as the damage is severe and wears it down very fast.
* Do not take Staraptor's role for granted when it's against a wall it can't break such as Skarmory or Hippowdon. Instead, Staraptor should consider using U-turn to pivot out to deal a bit of damage while switching into a more appropriate counter to be preserved for later in the game.
Team Options
========
* Staraptor appreciates Sticky Web support from the likes of Smeargle, which provides Speed control for Staraptor.
* Porygon-Z is a great special sweeper, assisting Staraptor in checking Fighting teams and breaking through other teams with their offensive presence. Staraptor's ability to revenge kill and wallbreak can open up opportunities for Porygon-Z to sweep.
* Choice Specs Meloetta serves as a great wallbreaker to physically defensive foes that would otherwise wall Staraptor. Meloetta can alleviate pressure off Staraptor in taking on Fighting teams.
* Heliolisk can form a nice VoltTurn core alongside Staraptor, as they can both pivot each other and apply pressure while Stealth Rock and Sticky Web are on the field.
* Diggersby is another great physical wallbreaker that accompanies Staraptor, as it can take on Steel-types such as Celesteela.
* Ditto is a fantastic partner for Staraptor, checking strong setup sweepers such as Mega Charizard X and Dragonite.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Normal
--------
* A Choice Band with an Adamant nature can be used with Reckless, as it not only maximizes Staraptor's damage output but also Brave Bird and Double-Edge's power, making Staraptor even more of a wallbreaker; however, Staraptor prefers to run Defog to remove entry hazards, and it loses out on revenge killing if used over a Choice Scarf.
* Rocky Helmet can punish physical attackers upon contact, but Leftovers is more reliable for giving Staraptor recovery.
* Whirlwind is good for phazing setup sweepers such as Mega Scizor and Dragonite while getting chip damage when Stealth Rock is on the field; however, Staraptor can't find much use for it, and Porygon2 helps check them.
* Toxic can be used to put a timer on defensive walls, making it easier to wear them down; however, Chansey and Porygon2 fit that role much better, and it wastes a moveslot for something better that Staraptor can use.
* Feather Dance can be used to cripple physical attackers and allow Staraptor to recover more easily with Roost. However, the move is useless against Defiant Bisharp and Mega Scizor, which can keep using Swords Dance.
Checks and Counters
===================
Normal
--------
**Physically Defensive Walls**: Physically defensive Pokemon such as Skarmory, Hippowdon, and Mega Slowbro can easily tank Staraptor's attacks and recover any damage they took, especially against the Choice Scarf set to stall it out, as Staraptor will constantly take recoil damage.
**Special Attackers**: Due to Staraptor's subpar special bulk, special attackers such as Magearna and Nihilego can easily pressure Staraptor and KO it.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Celesteela, Bisharp, and Mega Scizor can give Staraptor trouble. Celesteela can take multiple Close Combats from Staraptor and proceed to stall with Leech Seed, Mega Scizor can tank a Brave Bird and KO it back with Bullet Punch, and Bisharp can take on defensive Staraptor given that it received a Defiant boost from Intimidate.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Xurkitree can easily KO Staraptor with their STAB moves; however, they need to be wary of Choice Scarf Double-Edge, while Magnezone need to be careful of Close Combat.
**Rock-types**: Staraptor is usually forced to switch against Rock-types out or rely on KOing them with Close Combat. Terrakion, Rhyperior, and Nihilego can pressure Staraptor with their Rock-type attacks.
**Residual Damage**: Staraptor does not appreciate taking any sort of residual damage; Stealth Rock will wear it down, finding it difficult to use Defog to preserve it for later in the game. Poison shortens Staraptor's longevity, while burns decrease its Attack.
**Status**: Staraptor hates being inflicted by status; Toxic wears down both sets fast, paralysis cripples Choice Scarf Staraptor, and burns decrease its attacking power.
**Wallbreakers**: Staraptor cannot switch into wallbreakers such as Choice Band Dragonite even after an Intimidate, as it outspeeds Staraptor and 2HKOes with Outrage. Landorus-T can easily break through Staraptor with Stone Edge after a Swords Dance boost.
Last edited:
