( ͡° ʖ̯ ͡°) burd originally by magnemite @_@
Overview
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Staraptor is one of the strongest wallbreakers in the OU metagame, boasting a solid base 120 Attack and a decent base 100 Speed backed up by a great ability in Reckless and a movepool that contains all the tools it needs to dismantle defensive cores. In addition to this, it can run Choice items effectively to either function as a powerful wallbreaker or a great revenge killer. However, Staraptor's dependency on recoil moves wears it down quickly, and its below average defenses means that it cannot take many hits before going down. Staraptor's common weaknesses and the ubiquity of Stealth Rock means that it also has limited switch-in opportunities.
Choice Band
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name: Choice Band
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Double-Edge
move 3: Final Gambit / Close Combat / Quick Attack
move 4: U-turn
ability: Reckless
item: Choice Band
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant / Jolly
Moves
========
Brave Bird and Double-Edge are Staraptor's strongest STAB attacks, chunking even Pokemon which resist them. The third moveslot contains the surprise factor of this set. Final Gambit is usually the best option, allowing Staraptor to sacrifice itself to chunk would-be counters such as Skarmory, and let a teammate clean up afterwards. Close Combat allows Staraptor to handle Tyranitar as well as other Rock- and Steel-types, whereas Quick Attack lets it pick off a weakened enemy. U-turn is used in the final slot to gain momentum and capitalize on the switches that Staraptor forces.
Set Details
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This set makes the most of Staraptor's offensive capabilities, using maximum investment in Attack and Speed to hit hard and fast. A Choice Band dramatically increases Staraptor's damage output, allowing it to break past some otherwise good checks such as Heatran. Reckless is used to boost the power of Staraptor's STAB moves. An Adamant nature is recommended for the chance to OHKO Rotom-W and the extra power in general, but a Jolly nature can be used to Speed tie with other base 100s such as Mega Gardevoir and Mega Medicham.
Usage Tips
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Staraptor works best when brought in unscathed, allowing it to chunk whatever comes in. Close Combat, if elected, should only be used when absolutely necessary, as it allows common sweepers, such as Mega Pinsir and Gyarados, to set up for free. Staraptor should also be used early-game to punch holes in the opponent's team and pave the way for a mid- to late-game sweep by teammates.
Team Options
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Mega Pinsir and Talonflame form a great offensive 'birdspam' core, weakening each other's checks and counters. Any Pokemon that appreciates walls removed works well with Staraptor, as it performs its wallbreaking duties very well. Entry hazard setters, such as Garchomp, Landorus-T, and Ferrothorn, as well as removers, such as Latios and Starmie, also pair well with Staraptor, allowing it to wallbreak and switch in more easily, respectively. Magnezone also pairs well with Staraptor, trapping Skarmory and offensive checks such as Mega Scizor.
Choice Scarf
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name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Double-Edge
move 3: Close Combat / Final Gambit
move 4: U-turn
ability: Reckless
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly / Adamant
Moves
========
This set works similarly to the Choice Band set, utilizing its STAB combination to revenge kill a multitude of threats in the tier. Close Combat is used to revenge kill Mega Tyranitar and Mega Gyarados at +1, but Final Gambit can be used to quickly dent a wall. U-turn is used to gain momentum on forced switches.
Set Details
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Maximum investment in Attack and Speed allow Staraptor to revenge kill very effectively. An Jolly nature is recommended to outspeed as many threats as possible, although an Adamant nature can be used for more power; it notably has the chance to OHKO Terrakion and 2HKO Choice Scarf Landorus-T. A Choice Scarf is used to boost Staraptor's Speed and allow it to revenge kill faster threats. Reckless is used to boost the power of Staraptor's STAB moves.
Usage Tips
========
Staraptor still works well with Talonflame and Mega Pinsir in a 'birdspam' offensive core to break down each other's checks. U-turn is great to use early-game to get advantageous matchups and chip damage on some opponents. Staraptor is a neat revenge killer, due to its high-powered Reckless-boosted moves which allow it to take out many threats with minimal prior damage. This set is primarily used as a revenge killer, but it can also act as a late-game cleaner or a lead to punch holes early-game, especially against defensive teams.
Team Options
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Entry hazard removers, such as Latios and Starmie, are crucial to allow Staraptor to switch in more often and revenge kill opponents. Rotom-W, Celebi, and Keldeo are great partners to handle Staraptor's checks such as Rhyperior, Mega Aerodactyl, and Skarmory.
Other Options
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A SubRoost Life Orb set can be used to take advantage of all the switches Staraptor forces, mitigating recoil damage and the HP lost from Substitute. Tailwind is also a feasible option to use on this set.
Checks & Counters
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**Skarmory**: Skarmory avoids the 2HKO from all of Staraptor's moves, although switching in with Stealth Rock on the field is somewhat risky. However, Skarmory must be wary of Final Gambit.
**Faster Pokemon**: If Staraptor is not running Choice Scarf, anything faster can usually dent or outright KO it, due to its general fragility.
**Recoil and Residual Damage**: Staraptor's use of recoil moves means that it's worn down extremely quickly, and if combined with damage from Ferrothorn's Iron Barbs and Garchomp's Rough Skin, it can cause Staraptor to faint prematurely.
**Dedicated Physical Walls**: Pokemon such as Doublade, Rhyperior, Jirachi, and Magnezone can wall Staraptor most of the time, although all of them except for Doublade must be wary of Final Gambit. Depending on what move Staraptor is Choice-locked into, certain Pokemon, such as Rotom-W, Zapdos, and Landorus-T, can also switch in relatively well.
Overview
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- reckless + STAB brave bird and double-edge demolishes so many things
- close combat breaks steel- and rock-types which wall its STAB moves
- base 120 Attack and base 100 Speed is pretty good for an offensive mon
- dual bird core with talonflame shreds a lot of stuff and flying spam is very good
- relatively frail, common weaknesses, not exactly a good typing, even struggles to take resisted hits
- SR weakness means it can't switch in as often as it'd like to
- recoil causes it to faint pretty quickly
Choice Band
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name: Choice Band
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Double Edge
move 3: Final Gambit / Close Combat / Quick Attack
move 4: U-turn
ability: Reckless
item: Choice Band
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant / Jolly
Moves
========
- destroy stuff with dual stabs
- u-turn to run away
- final gambit to chunk something real hard if you have hp to spare, and doesn't hand the opponent any momentum. also seriously screws with all hard counters, and can even open up paths for teammates to clean up
- cc is garb move to be locked into, but dents things like ttar, magnezone, and heatran
- quick attack for priority
Set Details
========
- max speed and attack EVs to hit stuff hard and fast
- reckless because double-edge and brave bird
- choice band because double-edge and brave bird
- adamant because the power, but a jolly nature can be used to speed tie with other base 100s such as megacham, megazard x + y, and megagarde
Usage Tips
========
- obliterate things with stabs before falling
- only use cc on things like ttar if you must, since it gives free setup to things like pinsir and gyarados
- can't switch in much due to frailty + SR weakness
- use early-game to punch holes and clear the way for a potential mid- to late-game sweep
Team Options
========
- mega pinsir / tflame because dual flying core really does work; weaken each other's checks and counters
- anything that needs walls to die, because staraptor does that well
- hazard setters like garchomp, lando-t, and ferrothorn to turn a few 2hkos into ohkos
- hazard removers like the lati twins and starmie so SR doesn't cut into survivability
- scarfzone forms a voltturn core with raptor, and traps steel-types such as skarmory and checks most of raptor's offensive checks such as megazor
Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Double Edge
move 3: Close Combat / Final Gambit
move 4: U-turn
ability: Reckless
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly / Adamant
Moves
========
- destroy stuff with dual stabs
- destroy other stuff with cc
- scout with u-turn
- final gambit to chunk something if needed
Set Details
========
- max speed and attack EVs to hit stuff hard and fast
- reckless because double-edge and brave bird
- choice scarf to outspeed a lot of stuff and hit em real good
- jolly because base 100 is a pretty crowded speed tier and there are even common scarfers at 100
- adamant can be used for a higher chance to OHKO Pokemon such as terrakion and notably the chance to 2HKO scarfed landorus-t
Usage Tips
========
- u-turn to scout if needed early-game
- makes a really good revenge killer for things like +1 mega gyarados and megatar
- best used as a revenge killer or a late-game cleaner, due to its excellent speed + power, but it can also be used as a lead with final gambit, especially against defensive teams
Team Options
========
- band tflame and scarf raptor make really good late-game cleaners, pooping on each other's checks
- hazard removers, since SR limits switch-ins
- rotom-w, celebi, and keldeo make great partners, as they are able to handle most of raptor's checks such as skarmory, rhyperior, megazor, megadactyl, and ttar
Other Options
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- LO + SubRoost
- tailwind on LO sets
Checks & Counters
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- skarmory can stall with roost and isn't 2hko'd by any of staraptor's moves, meaning it can switch in
- anything faster can dent staraptor because it's pretty frail
- rocky helmet, iron barbs, and rough skin can rack up along with the recoil from dual stabs if locked into the wrong move, so it's worn down pretty easily
- most dedicated physical walls which resist staraptor's moves can force it out such as rhyperior, megadactyl, jirachi, doublade, lando-t, and magnezone, although they must be wary of cc and final gambit
- pokemon which can take advantage of raptor being locked into a move such as zapdos, scarf magnezone, and rotom-w can also force it out
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- reckless + STAB brave bird and double-edge demolishes so many things
- close combat breaks steel- and rock-types which wall its STAB moves
- base 120 Attack and base 100 Speed is pretty good for an offensive mon
- dual bird core with talonflame shreds a lot of stuff and flying spam is very good
- relatively frail, common weaknesses, not exactly a good typing, even struggles to take resisted hits
- SR weakness means it can't switch in as often as it'd like to
- recoil causes it to faint pretty quickly
Choice Band
########
name: Choice Band
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Double Edge
move 3: Final Gambit / Close Combat / Quick Attack
move 4: U-turn
ability: Reckless
item: Choice Band
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Adamant / Jolly
Moves
========
- destroy stuff with dual stabs
- u-turn to run away
- final gambit to chunk something real hard if you have hp to spare, and doesn't hand the opponent any momentum. also seriously screws with all hard counters, and can even open up paths for teammates to clean up
- cc is garb move to be locked into, but dents things like ttar, magnezone, and heatran
- quick attack for priority
Set Details
========
- max speed and attack EVs to hit stuff hard and fast
- reckless because double-edge and brave bird
- choice band because double-edge and brave bird
- adamant because the power, but a jolly nature can be used to speed tie with other base 100s such as megacham, megazard x + y, and megagarde
Usage Tips
========
- obliterate things with stabs before falling
- only use cc on things like ttar if you must, since it gives free setup to things like pinsir and gyarados
- can't switch in much due to frailty + SR weakness
- use early-game to punch holes and clear the way for a potential mid- to late-game sweep
Team Options
========
- mega pinsir / tflame because dual flying core really does work; weaken each other's checks and counters
- anything that needs walls to die, because staraptor does that well
- hazard setters like garchomp, lando-t, and ferrothorn to turn a few 2hkos into ohkos
- hazard removers like the lati twins and starmie so SR doesn't cut into survivability
- scarfzone forms a voltturn core with raptor, and traps steel-types such as skarmory and checks most of raptor's offensive checks such as megazor
Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Double Edge
move 3: Close Combat / Final Gambit
move 4: U-turn
ability: Reckless
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
nature: Jolly / Adamant
Moves
========
- destroy stuff with dual stabs
- destroy other stuff with cc
- scout with u-turn
- final gambit to chunk something if needed
Set Details
========
- max speed and attack EVs to hit stuff hard and fast
- reckless because double-edge and brave bird
- choice scarf to outspeed a lot of stuff and hit em real good
- jolly because base 100 is a pretty crowded speed tier and there are even common scarfers at 100
- adamant can be used for a higher chance to OHKO Pokemon such as terrakion and notably the chance to 2HKO scarfed landorus-t
Usage Tips
========
- u-turn to scout if needed early-game
- makes a really good revenge killer for things like +1 mega gyarados and megatar
- best used as a revenge killer or a late-game cleaner, due to its excellent speed + power, but it can also be used as a lead with final gambit, especially against defensive teams
Team Options
========
- band tflame and scarf raptor make really good late-game cleaners, pooping on each other's checks
- hazard removers, since SR limits switch-ins
- rotom-w, celebi, and keldeo make great partners, as they are able to handle most of raptor's checks such as skarmory, rhyperior, megazor, megadactyl, and ttar
Other Options
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- LO + SubRoost
- tailwind on LO sets
Checks & Counters
########
- skarmory can stall with roost and isn't 2hko'd by any of staraptor's moves, meaning it can switch in
- anything faster can dent staraptor because it's pretty frail
- rocky helmet, iron barbs, and rough skin can rack up along with the recoil from dual stabs if locked into the wrong move, so it's worn down pretty easily
- most dedicated physical walls which resist staraptor's moves can force it out such as rhyperior, megadactyl, jirachi, doublade, lando-t, and magnezone, although they must be wary of cc and final gambit
- pokemon which can take advantage of raptor being locked into a move such as zapdos, scarf magnezone, and rotom-w can also force it out
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