Overview
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Starly's great ability, Reckless, coupled with strong STAB moves boosted by it in Brave Bird and Double-Edge, allows it to quickly punch holes in the opposing team. However, that is Starly's only niche, as its reliance on recoil moves to do damage quickly wears it down. It also needs Choice Scarf to function effectively because it's slow and frail, but without a boosting item it lacks the power to defeat bulkier Pokemon. Also, most teams contain Fletchling checks, which also check Starly. Finally, Starly is outclassed by most other offensive Flying-types, including Fletchling, Doduo, and Archen.
Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Double-Edge
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Steel Wing
ability: Reckless
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 36 SpA / 196 Spe
nature: Naive / Jolly
Moves
========
Brave Bird and Double-Edge are strong STAB moves that are boosted by Reckless. U-turn allows Starly to escape unfavorable matchups and can also be used to scout switch-ins and generate momentum; it is also the only reason to use Starly over Doduo, which has better all-around stats and access to Knock Off. The last move should be one that, while not great to be locked into, can be helpful in certain situations. Hidden Power Grass hits Tirtouga and most other Rock-types for lots of damage; it is used because Starly's other options bar Steel Wing are not very effective against Rock-types, and Tirtouga takes neutral damage from Steel Wing. Steel Wing is also generally less effective than Hidden Power Grass because Rock-types are usually physically bulky; however, Steel Wing does still hit Archen.
Set Details
========
Reckless is the only ability of any use, boosting Brave Bird and Double-Edge to frightening levels of power. Choice Scarf lets Starly move first most of the time, allowing it to punch holes in the opposing team or quickly U-turn out. A Speed-boosting nature is used to maximize the effects of Choice Scarf. Use a Naive nature if using Hidden Power Grass and a Jolly nature if not. Attack-boosting natures can be used for more power, but Starly will be outsped by Jolly Choice Scarf Cranidos and Bunnelby, as well as Modest Clamperl and Jolly Tirtouga after Shell Smash, all of which can easily KO it. The EVs maximize Speed and Attack while slightly increasing HP and Special Attack to accommodate the use of recoil moves and Hidden Power Grass, respectively. If using a physical coverage move and a Jolly nature, move the 36 Special Attack EVs to Defense so that Starly takes less damage from priority moves.
Usage Tips
========
Starly can be brought in at any time in the game, provided it is safe to do so, but try to bring it in late-game as a suicidal cleaner when all of its checks are gone. Because it's so frail, bring it in through slow pivoting moves, such as Volt Switch from Chinchou or U-turn from Mienfoo, or into a predicted Ground- or Ghost-type move so that it doesn't take damage. Don't switch Starly into Stealth Rock too many times, as it will quickly be worn down. Starly is also not a good wallbreaker, so don't play it as one.
Team Options
========
Stealth Rock removers such as Drilbur, Archen, and Staryu are a must, as they prevent a quarter of Starly's health from being stripped off every time it enters the field. Ground-types such as Drilbur and Diglett can get rid of the Steel- and Rock-type Pokemon that resist Starly's STAB moves. Drilbur can also Rapid Spin away Stealth Rock, while Diglett can trap grounded Pokemon that trouble Starly. Starly can be used in a VoltTurn core with pivots such as Chinchou, Larvesta, Magnemite, and Mienfoo, or in a bird spam core with other Flying-types, such as Fletchling, Doduo, and Archen. Finally, entry hazards from setters such as Dwebble and Drilbur can help Starly clean up late-game.
Other Options
########
With Choice Scarf, Starly's Endeavor will nearly always go first, letting it deal a lot of damage to an opposing Pokemon when it's low on health, but Starly isn't able to switch moves at the crucial time to properly cripple foes with Endeavor. Choice Band or Life Orb can be used for more power; however, Starly is too slow to use them because its low Speed means that it must take hits, which hamper its ability to sweep because it uses recoil moves to deal damage. Sleep Talk can be used to allow Starly to act as a pseudo-sleep absorber and fire off random moves, though its circumstantiality makes it unreliable.
Revenge hits Steel- and Rock-types hard, but it has negative priority, so Starly will be open to taking hits. Pursuit can be used to hit Ghost- and Psychic-types super effectively, but it's weak, and U-turn gains more momentum on a switching foe anyway. Thief is more powerful than Pursuit and can steal an enemy's item, though most Pokemon can KO Starly with Knock Off already. Quick Attack can help in a pinch against foes on their last legs, as Starly will usually outprioritize opposing Pokemon due to its Choice Scarf, but it is weak and otherwise useless. Hidden Power Fighting can be used to hit Pawniard and other Steel-types, but it has no function outside of this, and Hidden Power Grass is usually better for hitting Rock-types. Hidden Power Ground and Heat Wave are super effective against Pokemon that resist Brave Bird, but other special options are usually better, and Heat Wave is incompatible with Reckless.
Checks & Counters
########
**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist both of Starly's STAB moves in addition to everything listed on the main set. Pawniard has priority in Sucker Punch and can Knock Off Starly's Choice Scarf, Magnemite 4x resists Brave Bird and can punish Starly with a super effective Electric-type move, and Ferroseed can set Stealth Rock while dealing recoil damage to Starly with Iron Barbs.
**Priority**: Because it is so frail, a weakened Starly is easily KOed by priority attacks, which bypass its Choice Scarf. Examples of strong priority moves are Zigzagoon's Extreme Speed, Fletchling's Acrobatics, Pawniard's Sucker Punch, and Carvanha's Aqua Jet, all of which can outprioritize and KO Starly after some prior damage; Acrobatics and Sucker Punch even have a chance to OHKO it.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types such as Archen, Dwebble, and Tirtouga resist both of Starly's STAB moves and can hit back with super effective STAB moves. Starly can punish most of them with Hidden Power Grass or Steel Wing, though.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Starly is unable to break through certain Pokemon, such as Vullaby, Snubbull, and Porygon, that invest in Defense and are not weak to Brave Bird. Additionally, even some Pokemon weak to Brave Bird can avoid the OHKO and hit Starly back hard.
########
Starly's great ability, Reckless, coupled with strong STAB moves boosted by it in Brave Bird and Double-Edge, allows it to quickly punch holes in the opposing team. However, that is Starly's only niche, as its reliance on recoil moves to do damage quickly wears it down. It also needs Choice Scarf to function effectively because it's slow and frail, but without a boosting item it lacks the power to defeat bulkier Pokemon. Also, most teams contain Fletchling checks, which also check Starly. Finally, Starly is outclassed by most other offensive Flying-types, including Fletchling, Doduo, and Archen.
Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Double-Edge
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Steel Wing
ability: Reckless
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 36 SpA / 196 Spe
nature: Naive / Jolly
Moves
========
Brave Bird and Double-Edge are strong STAB moves that are boosted by Reckless. U-turn allows Starly to escape unfavorable matchups and can also be used to scout switch-ins and generate momentum; it is also the only reason to use Starly over Doduo, which has better all-around stats and access to Knock Off. The last move should be one that, while not great to be locked into, can be helpful in certain situations. Hidden Power Grass hits Tirtouga and most other Rock-types for lots of damage; it is used because Starly's other options bar Steel Wing are not very effective against Rock-types, and Tirtouga takes neutral damage from Steel Wing. Steel Wing is also generally less effective than Hidden Power Grass because Rock-types are usually physically bulky; however, Steel Wing does still hit Archen.
Set Details
========
Reckless is the only ability of any use, boosting Brave Bird and Double-Edge to frightening levels of power. Choice Scarf lets Starly move first most of the time, allowing it to punch holes in the opposing team or quickly U-turn out. A Speed-boosting nature is used to maximize the effects of Choice Scarf. Use a Naive nature if using Hidden Power Grass and a Jolly nature if not. Attack-boosting natures can be used for more power, but Starly will be outsped by Jolly Choice Scarf Cranidos and Bunnelby, as well as Modest Clamperl and Jolly Tirtouga after Shell Smash, all of which can easily KO it. The EVs maximize Speed and Attack while slightly increasing HP and Special Attack to accommodate the use of recoil moves and Hidden Power Grass, respectively. If using a physical coverage move and a Jolly nature, move the 36 Special Attack EVs to Defense so that Starly takes less damage from priority moves.
Usage Tips
========
Starly can be brought in at any time in the game, provided it is safe to do so, but try to bring it in late-game as a suicidal cleaner when all of its checks are gone. Because it's so frail, bring it in through slow pivoting moves, such as Volt Switch from Chinchou or U-turn from Mienfoo, or into a predicted Ground- or Ghost-type move so that it doesn't take damage. Don't switch Starly into Stealth Rock too many times, as it will quickly be worn down. Starly is also not a good wallbreaker, so don't play it as one.
Team Options
========
Stealth Rock removers such as Drilbur, Archen, and Staryu are a must, as they prevent a quarter of Starly's health from being stripped off every time it enters the field. Ground-types such as Drilbur and Diglett can get rid of the Steel- and Rock-type Pokemon that resist Starly's STAB moves. Drilbur can also Rapid Spin away Stealth Rock, while Diglett can trap grounded Pokemon that trouble Starly. Starly can be used in a VoltTurn core with pivots such as Chinchou, Larvesta, Magnemite, and Mienfoo, or in a bird spam core with other Flying-types, such as Fletchling, Doduo, and Archen. Finally, entry hazards from setters such as Dwebble and Drilbur can help Starly clean up late-game.
Other Options
########
With Choice Scarf, Starly's Endeavor will nearly always go first, letting it deal a lot of damage to an opposing Pokemon when it's low on health, but Starly isn't able to switch moves at the crucial time to properly cripple foes with Endeavor. Choice Band or Life Orb can be used for more power; however, Starly is too slow to use them because its low Speed means that it must take hits, which hamper its ability to sweep because it uses recoil moves to deal damage. Sleep Talk can be used to allow Starly to act as a pseudo-sleep absorber and fire off random moves, though its circumstantiality makes it unreliable.
Revenge hits Steel- and Rock-types hard, but it has negative priority, so Starly will be open to taking hits. Pursuit can be used to hit Ghost- and Psychic-types super effectively, but it's weak, and U-turn gains more momentum on a switching foe anyway. Thief is more powerful than Pursuit and can steal an enemy's item, though most Pokemon can KO Starly with Knock Off already. Quick Attack can help in a pinch against foes on their last legs, as Starly will usually outprioritize opposing Pokemon due to its Choice Scarf, but it is weak and otherwise useless. Hidden Power Fighting can be used to hit Pawniard and other Steel-types, but it has no function outside of this, and Hidden Power Grass is usually better for hitting Rock-types. Hidden Power Ground and Heat Wave are super effective against Pokemon that resist Brave Bird, but other special options are usually better, and Heat Wave is incompatible with Reckless.
Checks & Counters
########
**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist both of Starly's STAB moves in addition to everything listed on the main set. Pawniard has priority in Sucker Punch and can Knock Off Starly's Choice Scarf, Magnemite 4x resists Brave Bird and can punish Starly with a super effective Electric-type move, and Ferroseed can set Stealth Rock while dealing recoil damage to Starly with Iron Barbs.
**Priority**: Because it is so frail, a weakened Starly is easily KOed by priority attacks, which bypass its Choice Scarf. Examples of strong priority moves are Zigzagoon's Extreme Speed, Fletchling's Acrobatics, Pawniard's Sucker Punch, and Carvanha's Aqua Jet, all of which can outprioritize and KO Starly after some prior damage; Acrobatics and Sucker Punch even have a chance to OHKO it.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types such as Archen, Dwebble, and Tirtouga resist both of Starly's STAB moves and can hit back with super effective STAB moves. Starly can punish most of them with Hidden Power Grass or Steel Wing, though.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Starly is unable to break through certain Pokemon, such as Vullaby, Snubbull, and Porygon, that invest in Defense and are not weak to Brave Bird. Additionally, even some Pokemon weak to Brave Bird can avoid the OHKO and hit Starly back hard.
Overview
########
+Good ability in Reckless; Brave Bird and Double-Edge are strong STABs with recoil that it can use to quickly punch holes in the opposing team
+Great at revenging stuff weak to Brave Bird
-Its sets revolve around killing itself
-Needs Scarf or it dies anyway because frail, but without Band/LO it lacks the power to kill stuff not weak to Brave Bird
-Most Fletch checks check Starly as well, and most teams have Fletch checks
-Overshadowed by Fletchling, Doduo, Archen, and most other Flying-types
Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Double-Edge
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Steel Wing / Pursuit
ability: Reckless
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 36 SpA / 196 Spe
nature: Naive / Jolly
Moves
========
-Brave Bird and Double-Edge are strong STAB moves with recoil to get the Reckless boost
-U-turn allows Starly to escape unfavorable matchups; it can also be used to scout switch-ins and generate momentum
-U-turn is also the only reason to use Starly over Doduo, which has better all-around stats and gets Knock Off
-The last moveslot is mostly filler and not that great to be locked into
-HP Grass hits Tirtouga and most other Rock-types (which are usually more physically bulky, so Steel Wing would be less effective) for big damage, as all of Starly's other options can't really touch it
-Pursuit and Steel Wing are other coverage options, the former to hit the tier's Psychic- and Ghost-types Starly (sometimes) forces out, the latter to hit the Rock-types that resist both Starly's STAB moves (and Archen, which HP Grass doesn't)
-Quick Attack is priority that can help in a pinch but otherwise isn't that great
-HP Fighting can be used to hit Pawniard and other Steel- or Rock-types, but that's really all it does, and HP Grass is generally better for hitting the latter
-Sleep Talk can be used to allow Starly to act as a pseudo-sleep absorber and fire off random moves at foes that try to set up while it's "helpless". While its situationality makes it unreliable, it's still an option
Set Details
========
-Jolly and Naive increase Speed to maximize the potential of Choice Scarf
-Use Naive if using a Hidden Power, but use Jolly if using a physical coverage move, to maximize Starly's "bulk"
-Positive Attack natures can be used for more power but then Starly is outsped by Jolly Scarf Cranidos and Bunnelby, and Modest Clamperl and Jolly Tirtouga after Shell Smash, all of which can easily KO it
-EVs maximize Speed and Attack first before increasing HP to allow Starly to deal 3 points more damage before it faints from recoil; then they increase Special Attack so it does more damage with the Hidden Power of choice. If using Jolly, move the 36 SpA EVs to Defense so Starly takes less damage from pesky priority
-Choice Scarf allows Starly to move first much of the time, allowing it to punch holes in an opposing team before it dies, or quickly U-turn out
-Reckless is the only ability of any use, boosting Brave Bird and Double-Edge to frightening levels of power
Usage Tips
========
-You can bring it in at any point provided it is safe to do so, but try to bring it in late-game as a suicidal cleaner, when everything that checks it is gone
-Since it's so frail, bring it in through slow Volt Switch/U-turn or in on a predicted Ground-type move so that it doesn't take damage, because most moves will OHKO it
-Don't switch it in too many times when SR is up
-Not a great wallbreaker
Team Options
========
-stealth rock removers (Drilbur, Archen, Staryu)
-Ground-types (Drilbur, Diglett) get rid of things that resist Brave Bird - Drilbur can also Rapid Spin away Stealth Rock, while Diglett traps things
-voltturn core (Chinchou, Larvesta, Magnemite, Mienfoo)
-bird spam (Fletchling, Doduo, Archen)
-entry hazards (Dwebble, Drilbur) help it sweep
Other Options
########
-Choice Band/LO for more power - Starly is too slow to use them, so it must take hits, which lower its ability to sweep since it uses recoil moves to deal damage
-Revenge hits Steel- and Rock-types hard but is -priority, so they'll usually kill it first
-Thief is more powerful than Pursuit and can steal a foe's item
-Hidden Power Ground and Heat Wave can hit things that resist Brave Bird pretty hard, but since Starly's Special Attack is so low, they won't be doing much even if they're super effective, and Heat Wave is incompatible with Reckless.
-with Scarf, Starly's Endeavor will nearly always go first, letting it cripple something heavily when it's low on health; however, Starly won't be able to switch moves at the crucial time to properly cripple things with it
Checks & Counters
########
**Priority**: Since Starly is so frail, once it's weakened it's easily revenged by priority attacks, which bypass its Choice Scarf. Examples of strong priority moves are Zigzagoon's Extreme Speed, Fletchling's Acrobatics, Pawniard's Sucker Punch, and Carvanha's Aqua Jet, all of which can KO Starly before it can move.
**Pokemon that resist Brave Bird**: Starly simply does not have the power to break through Steel-, Rock-, and Electric-type Pokemon, the latter two of which can hit it back hard with super effective STAB attacks. Pokemon of the first two types are also usually physically bulky.
**Physically bulky Pokemon**: Starly is unable to break through certain Pokemon that invest in Defense and are not weak to Brave Bird. Additionally, even some Pokemon weak to Brave Bird can hold Eviolite to avoid the OHKO, hitting Starly back hard.
########
+Good ability in Reckless; Brave Bird and Double-Edge are strong STABs with recoil that it can use to quickly punch holes in the opposing team
+Great at revenging stuff weak to Brave Bird
-Its sets revolve around killing itself
-Needs Scarf or it dies anyway because frail, but without Band/LO it lacks the power to kill stuff not weak to Brave Bird
-Most Fletch checks check Starly as well, and most teams have Fletch checks
-Overshadowed by Fletchling, Doduo, Archen, and most other Flying-types
Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Double-Edge
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Steel Wing / Pursuit
ability: Reckless
item: Choice Scarf
evs: 36 HP / 236 Atk / 36 SpA / 196 Spe
nature: Naive / Jolly
Moves
========
-Brave Bird and Double-Edge are strong STAB moves with recoil to get the Reckless boost
-U-turn allows Starly to escape unfavorable matchups; it can also be used to scout switch-ins and generate momentum
-U-turn is also the only reason to use Starly over Doduo, which has better all-around stats and gets Knock Off
-The last moveslot is mostly filler and not that great to be locked into
-HP Grass hits Tirtouga and most other Rock-types (which are usually more physically bulky, so Steel Wing would be less effective) for big damage, as all of Starly's other options can't really touch it
-Pursuit and Steel Wing are other coverage options, the former to hit the tier's Psychic- and Ghost-types Starly (sometimes) forces out, the latter to hit the Rock-types that resist both Starly's STAB moves (and Archen, which HP Grass doesn't)
-Quick Attack is priority that can help in a pinch but otherwise isn't that great
-HP Fighting can be used to hit Pawniard and other Steel- or Rock-types, but that's really all it does, and HP Grass is generally better for hitting the latter
-Sleep Talk can be used to allow Starly to act as a pseudo-sleep absorber and fire off random moves at foes that try to set up while it's "helpless". While its situationality makes it unreliable, it's still an option
Set Details
========
-Jolly and Naive increase Speed to maximize the potential of Choice Scarf
-Use Naive if using a Hidden Power, but use Jolly if using a physical coverage move, to maximize Starly's "bulk"
-Positive Attack natures can be used for more power but then Starly is outsped by Jolly Scarf Cranidos and Bunnelby, and Modest Clamperl and Jolly Tirtouga after Shell Smash, all of which can easily KO it
-EVs maximize Speed and Attack first before increasing HP to allow Starly to deal 3 points more damage before it faints from recoil; then they increase Special Attack so it does more damage with the Hidden Power of choice. If using Jolly, move the 36 SpA EVs to Defense so Starly takes less damage from pesky priority
-Choice Scarf allows Starly to move first much of the time, allowing it to punch holes in an opposing team before it dies, or quickly U-turn out
-Reckless is the only ability of any use, boosting Brave Bird and Double-Edge to frightening levels of power
Usage Tips
========
-You can bring it in at any point provided it is safe to do so, but try to bring it in late-game as a suicidal cleaner, when everything that checks it is gone
-Since it's so frail, bring it in through slow Volt Switch/U-turn or in on a predicted Ground-type move so that it doesn't take damage, because most moves will OHKO it
-Don't switch it in too many times when SR is up
-Not a great wallbreaker
Team Options
========
-stealth rock removers (Drilbur, Archen, Staryu)
-Ground-types (Drilbur, Diglett) get rid of things that resist Brave Bird - Drilbur can also Rapid Spin away Stealth Rock, while Diglett traps things
-voltturn core (Chinchou, Larvesta, Magnemite, Mienfoo)
-bird spam (Fletchling, Doduo, Archen)
-entry hazards (Dwebble, Drilbur) help it sweep
Other Options
########
-Choice Band/LO for more power - Starly is too slow to use them, so it must take hits, which lower its ability to sweep since it uses recoil moves to deal damage
-Revenge hits Steel- and Rock-types hard but is -priority, so they'll usually kill it first
-Thief is more powerful than Pursuit and can steal a foe's item
-Hidden Power Ground and Heat Wave can hit things that resist Brave Bird pretty hard, but since Starly's Special Attack is so low, they won't be doing much even if they're super effective, and Heat Wave is incompatible with Reckless.
-with Scarf, Starly's Endeavor will nearly always go first, letting it cripple something heavily when it's low on health; however, Starly won't be able to switch moves at the crucial time to properly cripple things with it
Checks & Counters
########
**Priority**: Since Starly is so frail, once it's weakened it's easily revenged by priority attacks, which bypass its Choice Scarf. Examples of strong priority moves are Zigzagoon's Extreme Speed, Fletchling's Acrobatics, Pawniard's Sucker Punch, and Carvanha's Aqua Jet, all of which can KO Starly before it can move.
**Pokemon that resist Brave Bird**: Starly simply does not have the power to break through Steel-, Rock-, and Electric-type Pokemon, the latter two of which can hit it back hard with super effective STAB attacks. Pokemon of the first two types are also usually physically bulky.
**Physically bulky Pokemon**: Starly is unable to break through certain Pokemon that invest in Defense and are not weak to Brave Bird. Additionally, even some Pokemon weak to Brave Bird can hold Eviolite to avoid the OHKO, hitting Starly back hard.
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