Overview
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With the new generation and multiple changes to our metagame, Starmie isn't as effective as it once used to be. Defog is often the more preferred method of removing hazards, and Excadrill is the prime OU offensive Rapid Spinner, leaving little room for Starmie to flourish. However, it still has great base 115 speed and amazing coverage, allowing Starmie to still be a threat, and it has access to a great ability in Analytic. However, Starmie's typing leaves it vulnerable to common attacks such as Pursuit, U-turn, and Volt Switch. Play to Starmie's good points however, and it can be a great asset.
Offensive Spinner
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name: Offensive Spinner
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Psyshock / Thunderbolt
move 4: Rapid Spin
ability: Analytic
item: Life Orb
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Moves
========
This set plays to Starmie's natural offensive capabilities. Analytic is the ability of Choice for it's incredible power boost on the switch. Hydro Pump is STAB and hits stupidly hard on the switch, thanks to the boost Analytic provides and it's awesome base power. Ice Beam provides nice coverage for Grass and Dragon types. Psychock is the main option for Starmie as it's STAB and hits Mega-Venusaur and Chansey for nice damage. Psyshock has a slim chance to OHKO Conkeldurr, which is a big threat in the metagame right now. Thunderbolt however offers more coverage, which allows Starmie to hit Water types, and creates the infamous "Bolt-beam" coverage. Finally, Rapid Spin is used as it supports the team by removing hazards.
Set Details
========
The EVs are used for maximum power and speed. Surf can be used for more consistency, but overall Hydro Pump is generally better. You might think an all out attacking set could be useful, but Starmie is mainly used for it's ability to Rapid Spin. Recover can also be an option, but Starmie really needs to coverage in order to be threatening. Analytic is the preferred ability, because of the power boost it provides on the switch, allowing Starmie to 2HKO nearly everything in the tier with the right coverage move. Timid is a must, since Starmie is all about Speed, and being out speed by Keldeo, Terrakion, Latios, other top threats just isn't worth it.
Usage Tips
========
This set is more suited to offensive teams that rely on Volt-turn or a late game sweeper that's weak to entry hazards (Talonflame, Volcarona, Dragonite, etc), so pairing it up with said Pokemon is a good idea. Starmie's main role of the game is to generally Rapid Spin, so make they your first priority over hitting something hard on the switch. If the removal of hazards isn't the number one priority, then generally spamming Hydro Pump is a good idea.
Team Options
========
As already stated, the best partners for Starmie are powerful sweepers that are weak to entry hazards, making Volcarona, Dragonite, and Talonflame your best options. Starmie is also pretty popular on Volt turn teams for it's ability to effectively remove hazards, so good partners include Scizor. Scizor can beat all of Starmie's checks (Tyranitar, Blissey, etc), while Starmie can easily beat Scizor's checks (Heatran, Skarmory, etc).
Other Options
========
A full out attacker set can be considered, as it gives you incredible coverage, but the main reason to use Starmie it's for it's ability to Rapid Spin. Choice Specs Starmie with Trick is a pretty fun set to try out, as it can cripple Chansey and Ferrothorn very nicely with a well timed Trick. The Power out put is also solid. Starmie generally prefers the ability to switch moves however. Starmie can potentially run a Reflect type set, as it beats most of Starmie's checks, like Ferrothorn and Tyranitar, but it's kinda gimmicky, and Starmie doesn't have much room to run it. Hidden Power Fire is a coverage option that an be considered for it's ability to hit Ferrothorn and Scizor for solid damage, but outside of that there's little use for it. Thunder Wave is a neat option to use on Starmie to cripple fast Pokemon like Keldeo and Latias.
Checks and Counters
========
**Pursuit Trappers**: Pursuit trappers can eliminate Starmie from the game. Tyranitar, Weavile, Bisharp, and Scizor all make for good Pursuit users.
**Special Walls**: Blissey, Chansey, and other special walls can tank anything Starme throws at them, but they can't stop Starmie from Rapid Spinning.
**Ghost types**: Ghost types stop Starmie from Spinning, so Gourgiest, Trevenent, and Aegislash can all be considered checks, and they also can hit Starmie for solid damage with their respective STAB attacks.
**Bulky Grass types**: Bulky Grass types can usually take on Starmie easily. Mega Venusaur and Amoonguss can easily stand up to Starmie if it isn't running Psyshock, while Celebi and Ferrothorn counter it regardless.
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With the new generation and multiple changes to our metagame, Starmie isn't as effective as it once used to be. Defog is often the more preferred method of removing hazards, and Excadrill is the prime OU offensive Rapid Spinner, leaving little room for Starmie to flourish. However, it still has great base 115 speed and amazing coverage, allowing Starmie to still be a threat, and it has access to a great ability in Analytic. However, Starmie's typing leaves it vulnerable to common attacks such as Pursuit, U-turn, and Volt Switch. Play to Starmie's good points however, and it can be a great asset.
Offensive Spinner
########
name: Offensive Spinner
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Psyshock / Thunderbolt
move 4: Rapid Spin
ability: Analytic
item: Life Orb
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Moves
========
This set plays to Starmie's natural offensive capabilities. Analytic is the ability of Choice for it's incredible power boost on the switch. Hydro Pump is STAB and hits stupidly hard on the switch, thanks to the boost Analytic provides and it's awesome base power. Ice Beam provides nice coverage for Grass and Dragon types. Psychock is the main option for Starmie as it's STAB and hits Mega-Venusaur and Chansey for nice damage. Psyshock has a slim chance to OHKO Conkeldurr, which is a big threat in the metagame right now. Thunderbolt however offers more coverage, which allows Starmie to hit Water types, and creates the infamous "Bolt-beam" coverage. Finally, Rapid Spin is used as it supports the team by removing hazards.
Set Details
========
The EVs are used for maximum power and speed. Surf can be used for more consistency, but overall Hydro Pump is generally better. You might think an all out attacking set could be useful, but Starmie is mainly used for it's ability to Rapid Spin. Recover can also be an option, but Starmie really needs to coverage in order to be threatening. Analytic is the preferred ability, because of the power boost it provides on the switch, allowing Starmie to 2HKO nearly everything in the tier with the right coverage move. Timid is a must, since Starmie is all about Speed, and being out speed by Keldeo, Terrakion, Latios, other top threats just isn't worth it.
Usage Tips
========
This set is more suited to offensive teams that rely on Volt-turn or a late game sweeper that's weak to entry hazards (Talonflame, Volcarona, Dragonite, etc), so pairing it up with said Pokemon is a good idea. Starmie's main role of the game is to generally Rapid Spin, so make they your first priority over hitting something hard on the switch. If the removal of hazards isn't the number one priority, then generally spamming Hydro Pump is a good idea.
Team Options
========
As already stated, the best partners for Starmie are powerful sweepers that are weak to entry hazards, making Volcarona, Dragonite, and Talonflame your best options. Starmie is also pretty popular on Volt turn teams for it's ability to effectively remove hazards, so good partners include Scizor. Scizor can beat all of Starmie's checks (Tyranitar, Blissey, etc), while Starmie can easily beat Scizor's checks (Heatran, Skarmory, etc).
Other Options
========
A full out attacker set can be considered, as it gives you incredible coverage, but the main reason to use Starmie it's for it's ability to Rapid Spin. Choice Specs Starmie with Trick is a pretty fun set to try out, as it can cripple Chansey and Ferrothorn very nicely with a well timed Trick. The Power out put is also solid. Starmie generally prefers the ability to switch moves however. Starmie can potentially run a Reflect type set, as it beats most of Starmie's checks, like Ferrothorn and Tyranitar, but it's kinda gimmicky, and Starmie doesn't have much room to run it. Hidden Power Fire is a coverage option that an be considered for it's ability to hit Ferrothorn and Scizor for solid damage, but outside of that there's little use for it. Thunder Wave is a neat option to use on Starmie to cripple fast Pokemon like Keldeo and Latias.
Checks and Counters
========
**Pursuit Trappers**: Pursuit trappers can eliminate Starmie from the game. Tyranitar, Weavile, Bisharp, and Scizor all make for good Pursuit users.
**Special Walls**: Blissey, Chansey, and other special walls can tank anything Starme throws at them, but they can't stop Starmie from Rapid Spinning.
**Ghost types**: Ghost types stop Starmie from Spinning, so Gourgiest, Trevenent, and Aegislash can all be considered checks, and they also can hit Starmie for solid damage with their respective STAB attacks.
**Bulky Grass types**: Bulky Grass types can usually take on Starmie easily. Mega Venusaur and Amoonguss can easily stand up to Starmie if it isn't running Psyshock, while Celebi and Ferrothorn counter it regardless.
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