Staryu (Analysis)

[Overview]

<p>Staryu is one of the best special sweepers in Little Cup, carrying impressive stats, including the very important 19 Speed, and a movepool that provides very broad coverage. Unfortunately for Staryu the introduction of Evolite makes it difficult for Staryu to gain the OHKOs and 2HKOs it used to nab with ease. However, its coverage is still impeccable and it can clean weakened teams very well. Staryu can also support its team with Rapid Spin, giving bruisers like Murkrow more breathing room while also providing an excellent tool to help deal with stall teams. Staryu can also benefit from Evolite itself thanks to its typing and access to Recover.</p>

[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Surf / Hydro Pump
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Rapid Spin / Ice Beam / Substitute
item: Life Orb
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 200 SpA / 240 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>With a Life Orb equipped Staryu becomes very dangerous with its fantastic Speed and very good Special Attack. Surf is the STAB-move of choice because of its reliability., but Hydro Pump provides more power and correspondingly more KOs, but at the cost of potentially crucial misses. Thunderbolt provides excellent coverage alongside Surf, being resisted only by Grass- and Dragon-types. Hidden Power Fire is used to kill Ferroseed and Snover, and also makes Grass-types wary of switching in in order to absorb a Surf. All of the options for the last moveslot take advantage of the switches Staryu forces. Rapid Spin is great for offensively-based teams that carry multiple Stealth Rock-weak Pokemon such as Houndour and Murkrow. Ice Beam can be used for additional coverage and also gives a guaranteed OHKO on Gligar instead of relying on an 80% accurate move when running Hydro Pump. Another option is Substitute, which eases prediction and can be used to escape Murkrow's Sucker Punch.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Timid nature with 240 Speed EVs gives Staryu 19 Speed while running Hidden Power Fire. The rest of the EVs are dumped into Special Attack to maximize offensivese capability. Life Orb is necessary in order to score certain KOs. While running Hidden Power Fire Staryu is forced to sacrifice the EVs necessary to gain a point in either defensive stat in order to patch up its Speed and Special Attack. If Hidden Power Fire is not being used the EVs should be adjusted to 76 Def / 196 SpA / 236 Spe in order to take priority attacks slightly better. Recover can be used to heal off Life Orb recoil, but without Evolution Stone Evolite Staryu has a hard time taking advantage of it. Toxic can be used to deal with Pokemon that Staryu would normally not be able to touch, such as Munchlax, Chinchou, and Lileep.</p>

<p>Ferroseed can take Electric- and Grass-type attacks aimed at Staryu while also setting up Spikes or Stealth Rock, which Staryu greatly appreciates. Staryu also takes Fire-type moves for Ferroseed well. On that note Staryu likes field hazard support in general, as they make it much more difficult for it to be walled. Pokemon that benefit from having specially-defensive walls weakened also pair well with Staryu. Chinchou shares similar checks and appreciates having them worn down, and can absorb Electric-type attacks heading toward Staryu for free recovery. However, there are some special walls that Staryu cannot punch through and needs team support to deal with them without difficulty. Staryu benefits from having Munchlax removed, so powerful Pursuit-users are appreciated. Houndour does this job well and also benefits from Rapid Spin if Staryu is running it. Houndour can also trap and kill Ghost-types like Misdreavus, allowing Staryu to Rapid Spin without any impedement.</p>

[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Scald / Surf
move 3: Thunderbolt / Thunder Wave
move 4: Recover
item: Evolite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 96 HP / 156 Def / 236 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This version of Staryu varies from the one above in that it is meant to aid its team rather than attempt to sweep. Rapid Spin is the crux of the set, removing entry hazards and giving Staryu's teammates more breathing room when switching in. Staryu also has the benefit of Natural Cure, allowing it to spin away Toxic Spikes and remove its own poison status by switching out. Scald is the preferred STAB-move, making it more difficult for physical attackers to deal significant damage to Staryu with its 30% chance of a burn. Alternatively, Surf can be used for slightly more power, but generally Scald is more useful. Thunderbolt is used to help Staryu deal with offensive threats weak to Electric-type such as Life Orb Murkrow. It also can let it beat Frillish, although this results in a PP war as both sides can heal off the damage done to them. Frillish has an advantage in being immune to Scald and consequently burns its burns, and can use Scald itself or Will-o-Wisp to burn Staryu and pressure it into switching out. Therefor Thunder Wave is a viable option in order to cripple offensive threats, with the Pokemon immune to it, such as Gligar, weak to Scald and hesistant to switch in in an attempt to absorb it only to recieve a large amount of damage and possibly a burn and is particularly effective since Ground-types generally have great difficulty switching into Staryu and its Scald. Recover is the last move, allowing Staryu to switch in multiple times in order to Rapid Spin while also allowing it to wall some threats.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Timid nature with 236 Speed EVs gives Staryu 19 Speed, allowing it to potentially burn threats like Murkrow before they attack, as well as allowing it to fire off one last Rapid Spin at low health before dying. Evolite is used to maximize bulk, and as Staryu learns Recover, Oran Berry shouldn't even be considered. The rest of the EVs are used to increase Staryu's bulk, allowing it to take hits more easily. 156 Defense EVs give Staryu an extra point from Evolution Stone Evolite, and the remainder are placed in HP. Hidden Power Fire can be used over Thunderbolt in order to deal with Ferroseed, but this is not advised as Staryu should generally not be staying in on Ferroseed, unless it manages to burns it with Scald. Additionally Staryu can come back in later and spin away any hazards Ferroseed managed to set up.</p>

<p>This set fits in better on a more defensively-oriented team, and is at its best when being used to spin away hazards for Pokemon that need to switch in constantly. However, it faces competition for a slot on a stall team with Tentacool and Frillish, the first of whom, in addition to also learning Rapid Spin, can remove Toxic Spikes just by switching in and set them itself the former being able to remove toxic spikes simply by switching in and can further set them itself in addition to learning Rapid Spin, and the latter serving as a spinblocker and special wall. Therefore Staryu is best used on a bulky offense team, making it difficult for the opponent to wear down its partners. Like the previous set, Staryu pairs well with Ferroseed, moreso here as its increased bulk allows it to sponge hits aimed at Ferroseed more easily. Staryu needs Ghost-types removed in order to Rapid Spin, and as such it is recommended that a Pursuiter be carried. Houndour can net a Flash Fire-boost by switching in on Will-o-Wisp and can entrap Ghost-types with the dilemma of switching out and being KO'd or crippled by Pursuit or staying in and facing the same result with Crunch or a boosted Fire Blast. Munchlax can also trap Ghost-types while providing special bulk.</p>

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 200 SpA / 240 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Staryu can reliably revenge kill most Chlorophyll sweepers when equipped with a Choice Scarf, something few other Scarfers can boast. Hydro Pump is the best choice for a STAB-move since power is desperately needed due to the lack of Life Orb, but Surf can be equally important for guaranteeing a crucial kill. Hidden Power Fire will kill just about any non-Evolution Stone Evolite Chlorophyll sweeper after Stealth Rock. Ice Beam is used to revenge kill Dragon Dance Dratini and others while Thunderbolt revenges Swift Swimmers. Rapid Spin is an alternative, as a quick Rapid Spin makes life much easier for its teammates. It also prevents Staryu from being dead weight against Stall, a situation most other Scarfers find themselves in. However, it requires the sacrifice of a coverage move, and should only be used if the rest of the team can easily deal with a certain weather or Dragon-types corresponding set of threats.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>19 Speed with a Timid nature may seem excessive on a Choice Scarf set, but it is necessary to revenge-kill Chlorophyll and Swift Swim sweepers. This, along with Natural Cure and Rapid Spin, is Staryu's primary niche make up Staryu's primary advantages over Chinchou, who mostly outclasses it in this role with its Electric-type immunity and STAB Thunderbolt. Staryu relies on super effective coverage in order to deal with threats, and should be used only when a target has been worn down to OHKO range, as Staryu is in that case usually the only thing standing between it and a sweep. Staryu can also run both Hydro Pump and Surf on the same set to have both power and accuracy at its access accessible. The coverage move that should be dropped depends on what the team deals with most easily.</p>

<p>Pokemon that struggle with sun teams benefit the most from partnering with this set, although it should be noted that Deerling can outspeed and OHKO Staryu under the sun. Furthermore, In addition most Swift Swimmers can outspeed Staryu with a plus-Speed nature. Staryu desperately needs entry hazard support to revenge-kill effectively, and as explained before once more making the afformentioned Ferrothorn makes the best a terrific partner in this regard. Pokemon that can trap and kill Wynaut, who in turn can trap and kill Staryu, are much appreciated, Houndour being the prime candidate as it benefits from Rapid Spin and can switch between Crunch and Fire Blast in order to keep Wynaught guessing or trap it as it flees with Pursuit, forcing Wynaut to Encore or risk being KO'd without doing anything. Due to its vulnerability to being trapped and killed by Wynaut, Staryu greatly appreciates teammates who return the favor with Pursuit. Houndour is a primary candidate with its powerful STAB Pursuit and Special Fire Attacks. Being a Dark Type, Houndour is immune to Mirror Coat, making Wynaut helpless before Houndour's powerful Fire Blasts. Houndour can also trap and kill Frillish, against whom Staryu can do nothing a Pokemon that perfectly walls Staryu.</p>

[SET]
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 3: Thunder
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Ice Beam
item: Life Orb / Damp Rock
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 200 SpA / 240 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Staryu can take advatange of Rain Dance in order to boost its damage output tremendously., to such an extent that a To illustrate the boost in Power, Life Orb-boosted Hydro Pump in the rain 2HKOs Evolite Munchlax after Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes. Unlike on the standard offensive set, Hydro Pump is the preferred STAB-move here, simply due to the raw power being more than worth an occasional miss because of the dramatic increase of power from rain (including rain and STAB, Hydro Pump is the equivalent of a 270 base power move, where as Surf weighs in at a much weaker 214). Surf can still be used for its consistency, but it misses out on KOs Hydro Pump could easily give. Thunder can now be used as well, since the perfect accuracy under rain, increased base power, and 30% chance of paralyzing an opponent are all helpful. Hidden Power Fire is mainly used to remove Ferroseed and Snover, and is necessary for this set. despite being almost useless under rain. However, this problem is mostly mitigated by its two primary targets, as Ferroseed is still taking effectively Super Effective damage under rain and Snover automatically induces hail. Despite the severe cut in power it suffers under Rain, its value in removing the two aforementioned specific targets cannot be over emphasized. Team Preview goes a long way in combating Ferroseed—just refrain from using Rain Dance until you have killed it. Odds are, it will try switching into Starmie sooner rather than later. As for Snover, it lends a hand by starting a hail, removing rain, and generously exposing itself to the full power of Hidden Power Fire. @font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }@font-face { font-family: "Lucida Grande"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }Ice Beam can be used instead for near-perfect coverage, but it doesn't do enough does unsubstantial damage to Ferroseed or Snover.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>Just like the Life Orb set this set runs a Timid nature and maximum Special Attack and Speed in order to give as much The EVs are identical to the Life Orb set in order to maximize sweeping potential as possible. Life Orb is the preferred item, but Damp Rock can also be run in order to extend Rain Dance's duration and give other partnered rain sweepers a widened longer interval to wreak havoc in. If Hidden Power Fire is not being used, an EV spread of 76 Def / 196 SpA / 236 Spe should be used instead as Staryu no longer needs to sacrifice 8 EVs to fix its SpA and Spe stats. Thunderbolt can be used over Thunder for more reliability outside of rain, but Thunder's benefits generally far outweigh it and it is rarely worth using on this set the value of this added consistency. Rapid Spin can be used over Hidden Power Fire or Rain Dance in order to remove Stealth Rock, which would normally hinder a partnered Mantyke.</p> (don't mention removing Rain Dance, as without it, this set is identical to the first one!)

<p>This set benefits from having the opponent's weather-inducers removed. Wynaut makes an excellent partner as it can trap and kill Vulpix, Snover, and Hippopotas, making it far easier to keep rain going. It can also trap and lock Ferroseed into a move, allowing a partnered Pokemon to set-up on it, allowing Hidden Power Fire-less Staryu to sweep more easily. Along the same line of thought Magnemite can be used to trap and kill Ferroseed, making a sweep for Staryu much easier. It is highly recommended that Staryu be paired with other rain sweepers such as Mantyke, Chinchou, and Elekid. This Abusing "double rain sweeper" makes it easier to break through the opponent's checks to Staryu. It is also highly recommended that field hazards be used. Bronzor can set up both Stealth Rock and Rain Dance and loves losing its Fire-type weakness. It can even set up dual screens to improve the team's logevity. Ferroseed can lay both Spikes and Stealth Rock, and greatly appreciates having its Fire-type weakness reduced. It can also absorb Grass- and Electric-type attacks that rain sweepers generally have a hard time dealing with.</p>

[Team Options]

<p>The Pokemon that benefit the most from Staryu are those that are checked by the same things. For example, Agility Chinchou loves having Munchlax and Ferroseed weakened. Pokemon that hate Stealth Rock love Staryu's Rapid Spin. Murkrow, Houndour, and Taillow are all top-notch offensive threats that become much more threatening when they don't have to deal with losing 1/4th of their HP every time they switch in. Pokemon weak to Fire-, Water-, Steel-, and Ice-type moves can take advantage of Staryu's resistances. For example, Larvitar can lure in Water-, Ice-, and Steel-type moves while providing an immunity to Electric-type moves, and also benefits from having Gligar removed. Likewise Pokemon that resist Electric- and Grass-type moves can take moves aimed at Staryu. Ferroseed is the best example as it resists both types and can set up entry hazards. </p>

[Other Options]

<p>Thunder Wave can be used on offensive sets to catch switch-ins off guard, but it isn't really necessary due to Staryu's high base Speed. Cosmic Power can be used on a defensive set alongside Toxic Spikes support, making it very difficult to break through Staryu without a critical hit or a phazing move. However, Staryu can't do much back to threats outside of Scald, meaning it can wind up as dead weight. Brine can be used to deal major damage to weakened threats, but by the time the opponent's Pokemon reaches a point where Brine's power is doubled Hydro Pump is usually just as effective. Gravity can be used alongside Hydro Pump, Thunder, and Blizzard for a boost in the base power of to abuse Staryu's more powerful moves. Dual screens can be used, but Staryu is generally outclassed at this by other Pokemon, such as Natu. Flash Cannon can be used on the rain support set in order to 2HKO Evolution Stone Snover after Stealth Rock and OHKO Scarfed Snover most of the time after Stealth Rock, but Hidden Power Fire is generally superior. Toxic can be used as a stall-breaking move, allowing Staryu to damage Pokemon such as Lileep, Munchlax, and Frillish, with whom it would normally struggle which are normally problematic enemies. Analyze boosts Staryu's power when it moves second, but Staryu is usually moving first. and consequentally Analyze is generally outclassed by Natural Cure.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p> Evolite Munchlax can and will wall Staryu all day, at worst fearing a burn from the support set. It can even use Stockpile to prevent the Rain Dance set from breaking through. Chinchou can take anything that Staryu has to throw at it and KO back with Thunderbolt. Ferroseed doesn't like Hidden Power Fire, but it can take anything else Staryu has to give. Storm Drain Lileep in the Sand can Stockpile up on Staryu with absolutely no consequence. Dragon-types like Dratini and Bagon can Dragon Dance on any Staryu that doesn't carry Ice Beam.</p>

Changes in bold
Removals in red
Comments in bold red

[Overview]

<p>Staryu is one of the best special sweepers in Little Cup, carrying impressive stats, including the very important 19 Speed, and a movepool that provides very broad coverage. Unfortunately for Staryu the introduction of Eviolite makes it difficult for it to gain the OHKOs and 2HKOs it used to nab with ease. However, its coverage is impeccable and it can still clean weakened teams very well. Staryu can also support its team with Rapid Spin, giving bruisers such as Houndour more breathing room while also providing an excellent tool to help deal with stall teams. Staryu can also benefit from Eviolite itself thanks to its typing and access to Recover.</p>

[SET]
(backspace)
name: Life Orb
move 1: Surf / Hydro Pump
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Rapid Spin / Ice Beam / Substitute
item: Life Orb
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 200 SpA / 240 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>With a Life Orb equipped, (comma) Staryu becomes very dangerous with its fantastic Speed and very good Special Attack. Surf is the STAB move of choice because of its reliability. Hydro Pump provides more power and correspondingly more KOs, but at the cost of potentially crucial misses. Thunderbolt provides excellent coverage alongside Surf, being resisted only by Grass- and Dragon-types. Hidden Power Fire is for Ferroseed and Snover, and also makes Grass-types wary of switching in. All of the options for the last moveslot take advantage of the switches Staryu forces. Rapid Spin is great for offensively-based teams that carry multiple Stealth Rock-weak Pokemon, (comma) such as Houndour and Snover. Ice Beam can be used for additional coverage and also gives a guaranteed OHKO on Gligar instead of relying on an 80% accurate move when running Hydro Pump. Another option is Substitute, which eases prediction and can be used to dodge Sucker Punch.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>A Timid nature with 240 Speed EVs gives Staryu 19 Speed when running Hidden Power Fire. The rest of the EVs are dumped into Special Attack to maximize offensive capability. Life Orb is necessary in order to score certain KOs. While running Hidden Power Fire Staryu is forced to sacrifice the EVs necessary to gain a point in either defensive stat in order to patch up its Speed and Special Attack. If Hidden Power Fire is not being used the EVs should be adjusted to 76 Def / 196 SpA / 236 Spe in order to take priority attacks slightly better. Recover can be used to heal off Life Orb recoil, but without Eviolite Staryu has a hard time taking advantage of it. Toxic can be used to deal with Pokemon that Staryu would normally not be able to touch, such as Munchlax, Chinchou, and Lileep.</p>

<p>Ferroseed can take Electric- and Grass-type attacks aimed at Staryu while also setting up Spikes or Stealth Rock, which Staryu greatly appreciates. Staryu also takes Fire-type moves for Ferroseed well. On that note, (comma) Staryu likes field hazard support in general, as they make it much more difficult for it to be walled. Pokemon that benefit from having specially defensive walls weakened also pair well with Staryu. Chinchou shares similar checks and appreciates having them worn down, and can absorb Electric-type attacks heading toward Staryu for free recovery. However, there are some special walls that Staryu cannot punch through and needs team support to deal with them. Staryu benefits from having Munchlax removed, so powerful Pursuit users are appreciated. Houndour does this job well and also benefits from Rapid Spin if Staryu is running it. Houndour can also trap and kill Ghost-types like Misdreavus, allowing Staryu to Rapid Spin without any impedement.</p>

[SET]
(backspace)
name: Support
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Scald / Surf
move 3: Thunderbolt / Thunder Wave
move 4: Recover
item: Eviolite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 96 HP / 156 Def / 236 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>This version of Staryu varies from the one above in that it is meant to aid its team rather than attempt to sweep. Rapid Spin is the crux of the set, removing entry hazards and giving Staryu's teammates more breathing room when switching in. Staryu also has the benefit of Natural Cure, allowing it to spin away Toxic Spikes and remove its own poison status by switching out. Scald is the preferred STAB move, making it more difficult for physical attackers to deal significant damage to Staryu with its 30% chance of a burn. Alternatively, Surf can be used for slightly more power, but generally Scald is more useful. Thunderbolt is used to help Staryu deal with offensive threats weak to Electric-type moves, such as Life Orb Carvanha. It also can let it beat Frillish, although this results in a PP war as both sides can heal off the damage done to them. Frillish has an advantage in being immune to Scald and its burns, and can use Scald itself or Will-O-Wisp to burn Staryu and pressure it into switching out. Thunder Wave is a viable option in order to cripple offensive threats, and is particularly effective since Ground-types generally have a great difficulty switching into Staryu and its Scald. Recover is the last move, allowing Staryu to switch in multiple times in order to Rapid Spin while also allowing it to wall some threats with greater ease.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>A Timid nature with 236 Speed EVs gives Staryu 19 Speed, allowing it to potentially burn quick threats such as Doduo before they can attack, as well as allowing it to fire off one last Rapid Spin at low health before dying. Eviolite is used to maximize bulk, and since Staryu learns Recover, (comma) Oran Berry shouldn't even be considered. The rest of the EVs are used to increase Staryu's bulk, allowing it to take hits more easily. 156 Defense EVs give Staryu an extra point from Eviolite, and the remainder are placed in HP. Hidden Power Fire can be used over Thunderbolt in order to deal with Ferroseed, but this is not advised as Staryu should generally not be staying in on Ferroseed, unless it manages to burn it with Scald. Additionally Staryu can come back in later and spin away any hazards Ferroseed managed to set up anyway.</p>

<p>This set fits in better on a more defensively-oriented team, and is at its best when being used to spin away hazards for Pokemon that need to switch in constantly. However, it faces competition for a slot on a stall team with Tentacool and Frillish, the former being able to remove Toxic Spikes simply by switching in and can furthermore set them up itself in addition to learning Rapid Spin, and the latter serving as a spinblocker and special wall. Therefore, (comma) Staryu is best used on a bulky offensive teams, making it difficult for the opponent to wear down its partners. Like the previous set, (comma) Staryu pairs well with Ferroseed, moreso here as its increased bulk allows it to sponge hits aimed at Ferroseed more easily. Staryu needs Ghost-types removed in order to Rapid Spin, and as such it is recommended that a Pursuit user be carried. Houndour can net a Flash Fire boost by switching in on Will-O-Wisp and can entrap Ghost-types with the dilemma of switching out and being KOed or crippled by Pursuit or staying in and facing the same result with Crunch or a boosted Fire Blast. Munchlax can also trap Ghost-types while providing special bulk.</p>

[SET]
(backspace)
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Hidden Power Fire
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 200 SpA / 240 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Staryu can reliably revenge kill most Chlorophyll sweepers when equipped with a Choice Scarf, something few other Choice Scarf Pokemon can boast. Hydro Pump is the best choice for a STAB move since power is desperately needed due to the lack of Life Orb, but Surf can be equally important for guaranteeing a crucial kill. Hidden Power Fire will kill just about any non-Eviolite Chlorophyll sweeper after Stealth Rock. Ice Beam is used to revenge kill Dragon Dance Dratini and others while Thunderbolt gets Swift Swim Pokemon. Rapid Spin is an alternative, as a quick Rapid Spin makes life much easier for its teammates. It also prevents Staryu from being dead weight against stall, a situation most other Scarf users find themselves in. However, it requires the sacrifice of a coverage move, and should only be used if the rest of the team can easily deal with the corresponding set of threats.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>19 Speed with a Timid nature may seem excessive on a Choice Scarf set, but it is necessary to revenge kill Chlorophyll and Swift Swim sweepers. This, along with Natural Cure and Rapid Spin, make up Staryu's primary advantages over Chinchou, who mostly outclasses it in this role with its Electric-type immunity and STAB Thunderbolt. Staryu relies on super effective coverage in order to deal with threats, and should be used only when a target has been worn down to OHKO range. Staryu can also run both Hydro Pump and Surf on the same set to have both power and accuracy accessible. The coverage move that should be dropped depends on what the team deals with most easily.</p>

<p>Pokemon that struggle with sun teams benefit the most from partnering with this set, although it should be noted that Deerling can outspeed and OHKO Staryu under the sun. Furthermore Most Swift Swim sweepers can also outspeed Staryu with a Speed-boosting nature. Staryu desperately needs entry hazard support to revenge kill effectively, once more making the aforementioned Ferrothorn a terrific partner. Due to its vulnerability to being trapped and killed by Wynaut, Staryu greatly appreciates teammates who can return the favor with Pursuit. Houndour is a primary candidate with its powerful STAB Pursuit and Special Fire Attacks. Being a Dark Type, Houndour is immune to Mirror Coat, making Wynaut helpless before Houndour's powerful Fire Blasts. Houndour can also trap and kill Frillish, a Pokemon that perfectly walls Staryu.</p>

[SET]
(backspace)
name: Rain Sweeper
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 3: Thunder
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Ice Beam
item: Life Orb / Damp Rock
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 200 SpA / 240 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]

<p>Staryu can take advatange of Rain Dance in order to boost its damage output tremendously. To illustrate the boost in power, a Life Orb-boosted Hydro Pump in the rain 2HKOs Eviolite Munchlax after Stealth Rock and a layer of Spikes. Unlike on the standard offensive set, Hydro Pump is the preferred STAB move because of the dramatic increase of power from rain (including rain and STAB, Hydro Pump is the equivalent of a 270 base power move, where as Surf weighs in at a much weaker 214). Surf can still be used for its consistency, but it misses out on KOs Hydro Pump could easily give. Thunder can now be used as well, since the perfect accuracy under rain, increased Base Power, and 30% chance of paralyzing an opponent are all helpful. Hidden Power Fire is mainly used to remove Ferroseed and Snover, and is necessary for this set. Despite the severe cut in power it suffers under rain, its value in removing the two aforementioned specific targets cannot be over emphasized. Team preview goes a long way in combating Ferroseed—just refrain from using Rain Dance until you have killed it. Odds are, it will try switching into Starmie sooner rather than later. As for Snover, it lends a hand by starting hail, removing rain, and generously exposing itself to the full power of Hidden Power Fire. Ice Beam can be used instead for near-perfect coverage, but it does unsubstantial damage to Ferroseed and Snover.</p>

[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]

<p>The EVs are identical to the Life Orb set in order to maximize sweeping potential. Life Orb is the preferred item, but Damp Rock can also be run in order to extend Rain Dance's duration and give other partnered rain sweepers a longer interval to wreak havoc. If Hidden Power Fire is not being used, an EV spread of 76 Def / 196 SpA / 236 Spe should be used instead as Staryu no longer needs to sacrifice 8 EVs to fix its SpA and Spe stats. Thunderbolt can be used over Thunder for more reliability outside of rain, but Thunder's benefits generally far outweigh the value of this added consistency. Rapid Spin can be used over Hidden Power Fire in order to remove Stealth Rock, which would normally hinder a partnered Mantyke.</p>

<p>This set benefits from having the opponent's own weather-inducers removed. Wynaut makes an excellent partner as it can trap and kill Vulpix, Snover, and Hippopotas, making it far easier to keep rain going. It can also trap and lock Ferroseed into a move, allowing a partnered Pokemon to set up on it, allowing Hidden Power Fire-less Staryu to sweep more easily. Along the same line of thought, (comma) Magnemite can be used to trap and kill Ferroseed, making a sweep for Staryu much easier. It is highly recommended that Staryu be paired with other rain sweepers such as Mantyke, Chinchou, and Elekid. Abusing "double rain sweeper" makes it easier to break through the opponent's checks to Staryu. It is also highly recommended that field hazards be used. Bronzor can set up both Stealth Rock and Rain Dance and loves losing its Fire-type weakness. It can even set up dual screens to improve the team's longevity. Ferroseed can lay both Spikes and Stealth Rock, and greatly appreciates having its Fire-type weakness reduced. It can also absorb the Grass- and Electric-type attacks that rain sweepers generally have a hard time dealing with.</p>

[Other Options]

<p>Thunder Wave can be used on offensive sets to catch switch-ins off guard, but it isn't really necessary due to Staryu's already high base Speed. Cosmic Power can be used on a defensive set alongside Toxic Spikes support, making it very difficult to break through Staryu without a critical hit or a phazing move. However, Staryu can't do much back to threats outside of Scald, meaning it can wind up as dead weight. Brine can be used to deal major damage to weakened threats, but by the time the opponent's Pokemon reaches a point where Brine's power is doubled Hydro Pump is usually just as effective. Gravity can be used alongside Hydro Pump, Thunder, and Blizzard to abuse Staryu's more powerful moves. Dual screens can be used, but Staryu is generally outclassed at this by other Pokemon, such as Natu. Flash Cannon can be used on the rain support set in order to 2HKO Evolution Stone Snover after Stealth Rock and OHKO offensive Snover most of the time after Stealth Rock, but Hidden Power Fire is generally superior. Toxic can be used as a stall-breaking move, allowing Staryu to damage Pokemon such as Lileep, Munchlax, and Frillish, which are normally problematic enemies. Analyze boosts Staryu's power when it moves second, but Staryu is usually moving first. Analyze is gnerally outclassed by Natural Cure. On that note Rest can be used on any set as switching out removes Staryu of its sleep status, but being forced to switch out brings momentum to a grinding halt. Recover is a far more reliable move and should almost always be used instead.</p>

[Checks and Counters]

<p>(backspace)Eviolite Munchlax can and will wall Staryu all day, at worst fearing a burn from the support set. It can even use Stockpile to prevent the Rain Dance set from breaking through. Chinchou can take anything that Staryu has to throw at it and KO back with Thunderbolt. Ferroseed doesn't like Hidden Power Fire, but it can take anything else Staryu has to give. Storm Drain Lileep in sandstorm can Stockpile up on Staryu with absolutely no consequence. Dragon-types like Dratini and Bagon can Dragon Dance on any Staryu that doesn't carry Ice Beam.</p>