APPROVED BY HAUNTER
The XY OU Pokemon of the Week is an (obviously) weekly project I will be doing in the Overused forum. The idea originated from when I was reading many of the discussion threads, often the discussion is a bit lacking in the content department. My goal here to is to highlight a threat in the metagame that isn't as well known, or isn't used as much as it should be, and provide a concise amount of information about that Pokemon; this will encourage creativity during teambuilding, and it will also provide an instant wealth of knowledge about that particular threat. This will hopefully be more helpful to the massive influx of new players in the OU subforum and promote better discussion within the individual threads. In this thread though, the main point of discussion should be about experiences with that particular Pokemon and the sets featured, and how it has helped in some way during your battling. Niche sets and gimmicks can be mentioned as well, but bear in mind that this thread is mainly an informative source of knowledge through what is written in the OP; discussion is not its main focus, though it is most certainly allowed. Oh yeah, you can also choose what should the next POTW should be, bearing in mind that they will be on lesser-used threats, such as Chesnaught, Krookodile, or Cofagrigus.
Unfortunately, like all Pokemon, Staraptor has flaws, and rather glaring ones at that. A base 100 Speed, while not necessarily bad, isn't that good for an offensive Pokemon, making it prone to being outsped and revenge-killed by anything that is faster than it; this is quite debilitating when you realise that Staraptor is incredibly frail. In addition, both of its STAB moves inflict recoil, which in combination with Staraptor's Stealth Rock weakness makes it easy to wear down over time. Due to its frailty, it can't often find chances to switch in, and it has a large weakness to priority moves.
Staraptor @ Choice Band
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Nature: Adamant / Jolly
Ability: Reckless
-Brave Bird
-Close Combat
-Double Edge
-U-turn / Quick Attack
Choice Band Staraptor is a phenomenally hard-hitter in the metagame. CB Adamant Reckless Brave Bird is the definition of power; it is nearly as powerful as Kyurem-B's Outrage! It OHKOes Mega Venusaur and Clefable, 2HKOes Jirachi and Landorus-T, and basically just wrecks everything. Close Combat is for Rock- and Steel-types like Tyranitar and Heatran, while Double Edge deals massive damage to Rotom-W, a would-be counter. U-turn is for momentum, and to work around potential checks and counters, while Quick Attack is present if priority is helpful for the team; it is certainly good when Staraptor's average Speed isn't enough. Full investment in Attack and Speed is both standard and obvious, while 4 Defense EVs allow Staraptor to switch into Stealth Rock 5 times. The nature choice is up to personal preference; Adamant is seemingly the most obvious due to to the immense power it gives Staraptor, but a Jolly nature can be used to outspeed Genesect, Kyurem-B, and regular Lucario, the aforementioned all with Speed-boosting natures. The goal of the set is to break down defensive Pokemon early-game so that partners like Talonflame can clean up later. Like most Choiced Pokemon with U-turn, using it (U-turn) the majority of the early-game is great to scout the opponent.
Staraptor @ Choice Scarf
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly / Adamant
Ability: Reckless
-Brave Bird
-Close Combat
-Double Edge
-U-turn
Choice Scarf Staraptor plays very differently from the Choice Band set, even if it seems similar at first. Indeed, the set is almost exactly the same, aside from a lack of Quick Attack and a nature preference of Jolly, which is mainly just to outspeed Choice Scarf Genesect. An explanation of the moves isn't completely necessary as they all have the same uses as above, but regardless, Brave Bird is the main STAB move and most spammable move in most cases, Close Combat is for Tyranitar and Heatran, Double Edge is for Rotom-W, and U-turn is for scouting and obtaining momentum. Again, the EVs are exactly the same, which leads one to wonder, what makes it any different from the CB set? The answer, is simply its role to play. CB Staraptor wallbreaks through defensive cores so that a partner can clean up late-game, while Choice Scarf Staraptor is better against offensive teams, where the extra power isn't as necessary, but the extra Speed is.
Just as a side mention, Life Orb Staraptor can be used in order to switch moves, but really, because Staraptor is so specialized for doing the specific jobs that the set mentions, the only advantage it possesses is the move Roost, which really doesn't make up for the fact that it lacks enough power or Speed depending on the nature it is using. With Jolly, it can't 2HKO Hippowdon. With Adamant, it can't outspeed Kyurem-B with a speed boosting nature. Each of these scenarios are significant enough by themself to make Life Orb Staraptor less viable than Choice Band or Choice Scarf.
As mentioned before, one of the best partners for Staraptor is Talonflame. While initially seemingly like a similar Pokemon providing redundant STAB and exacerbating the teams weakness to Rock- and Electric-type moves, Talonflame is actually one of the main reasons why Staraptor is better this generation. Taking a leaf out of the "Double Dragon" core book, Staraptor, specifically the Choice Band set, has similar counters to Talonflame. However, Staraptor can actually do hefty damage to them with Brave Bird, Close Combat, and Double Edge, weakening them so that Talonflame can clean late-game. Examples of Pokemon that this core defeats using this method include Rotom-W, Tyranitar, Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Mandibuzz. Of course, due to both Staraptor and Talonflame's Stealth Rock weakness, a partner that can use Rapid Spin or Defog is mandatory. Latias, Mandibuzz, Starmie, and Excadrill can fill this role easily. Volt Switch and U-turn users are also nice to form a VoltTurn core with Staraptor (and potentially Talonflame), and to bring it in unscathed.
When playing against Staraptor, its reliance on recoil moves will be its downfall. In fact, Staraptor is vulnerable to all forms of chip damage except Spikes, such as sand, Leech Seed, Stealth Rock, and even the rare hail. When looking for actual specific Pokemon counters, Skarmory is the best, as it can wall Staraptor, use Roost to heal itself, and eventually Staraptor will be worn down with recoil damage. Bronzong and Jirachi with full defensive investment can avoid 2HKOs and cripple it with a status, but they must be running a specific physically defensive EV spread. Of course, Choice Band Staraptor can easily be revenge killed by faster Pokemon like Garchomp, Terrakion, and Thundurus. Choice Scarf Staraptor can be walled by even more Pokemon such as Hippowdon and Slowbro. Indeed, the best way of countering Staraptor is to figure out which set it is running, which isn't too hard considering its average Speed tier. Aegislash doesn't take much damage from any of Staraptor's attacks, and can use King's Shield to force it to switch out, while Rhyperior can switch in on anything other than CB Close Combat, and OHKO with Stone Edge. Choice Scarf Gothitelle can trap Staraptor if it is at 75% health or less, which is a common scenario considering Stealth Rock and its recoil moves, and KO it with Thunderbolt. Finally, after Staraptor is weakened almost all users of priority can take it down, this includes Azumarill's Aqua Jet, Mega Lucario's Bullet Punch, or Dragonite's Extreme Speed.
There we have it, the first Pokemon of the Week! Let me know whether this has helped you at all, and your results of testing these Staraptor sets on the ladder, as well as let me know what Pokemon you want to see next. I'm thinking Chesnaught, but all opinions are welcome, as well as opinions about the Pokemon of the Week format and any ideas you want to see implemented, as well as questions for me about either Staraptor or POTW itself. Go out there and try Staraptor now, and I'll see you next time!
The XY OU Pokemon of the Week is an (obviously) weekly project I will be doing in the Overused forum. The idea originated from when I was reading many of the discussion threads, often the discussion is a bit lacking in the content department. My goal here to is to highlight a threat in the metagame that isn't as well known, or isn't used as much as it should be, and provide a concise amount of information about that Pokemon; this will encourage creativity during teambuilding, and it will also provide an instant wealth of knowledge about that particular threat. This will hopefully be more helpful to the massive influx of new players in the OU subforum and promote better discussion within the individual threads. In this thread though, the main point of discussion should be about experiences with that particular Pokemon and the sets featured, and how it has helped in some way during your battling. Niche sets and gimmicks can be mentioned as well, but bear in mind that this thread is mainly an informative source of knowledge through what is written in the OP; discussion is not its main focus, though it is most certainly allowed. Oh yeah, you can also choose what should the next POTW should be, bearing in mind that they will be on lesser-used threats, such as Chesnaught, Krookodile, or Cofagrigus.
This week's Pokemon of the Week is Staraptor.
Staraptor
Type: Normal / Flying
Base Stats: 85 HP / 120 Atk / 70 Def / 50 SpA / 60 SpD / 100 Spe
Ability: Intimidate / Reckless
While most early-game birds in the Pokemon games are typically underwhelming in terms of competitive viability, Staraptor defies that trend, as it it one of the hardest hitting Pokemon in the game. Its base 120 Attack stat in conjunction with its ability Reckless makes Staraptor's Brave Bird and Double Edge incredibly powerful, and it has Close Combat as coverage for Rock- and Steel-types. It can also use U-turn to scout and obtain easy momentum, Roost to heal up recoil damage, and Quick Attack to provide valuable priority. Staraptor was banned from UU during BW, but with the advent of XY, it's able to soar back into UU and demolish anything in its path. This shouldn't put you off from using it in OU though, as with the arrival of another bird, Talonflame, Staraptor finds itself even more useful, being able to fit into a "Double Bird" core, that will be stressed later.
Staraptor
Type: Normal / Flying
Base Stats: 85 HP / 120 Atk / 70 Def / 50 SpA / 60 SpD / 100 Spe
Ability: Intimidate / Reckless
Unfortunately, like all Pokemon, Staraptor has flaws, and rather glaring ones at that. A base 100 Speed, while not necessarily bad, isn't that good for an offensive Pokemon, making it prone to being outsped and revenge-killed by anything that is faster than it; this is quite debilitating when you realise that Staraptor is incredibly frail. In addition, both of its STAB moves inflict recoil, which in combination with Staraptor's Stealth Rock weakness makes it easy to wear down over time. Due to its frailty, it can't often find chances to switch in, and it has a large weakness to priority moves.
Staraptor @ Choice Band
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Nature: Adamant / Jolly
Ability: Reckless
-Brave Bird
-Close Combat
-Double Edge
-U-turn / Quick Attack
Choice Band Staraptor is a phenomenally hard-hitter in the metagame. CB Adamant Reckless Brave Bird is the definition of power; it is nearly as powerful as Kyurem-B's Outrage! It OHKOes Mega Venusaur and Clefable, 2HKOes Jirachi and Landorus-T, and basically just wrecks everything. Close Combat is for Rock- and Steel-types like Tyranitar and Heatran, while Double Edge deals massive damage to Rotom-W, a would-be counter. U-turn is for momentum, and to work around potential checks and counters, while Quick Attack is present if priority is helpful for the team; it is certainly good when Staraptor's average Speed isn't enough. Full investment in Attack and Speed is both standard and obvious, while 4 Defense EVs allow Staraptor to switch into Stealth Rock 5 times. The nature choice is up to personal preference; Adamant is seemingly the most obvious due to to the immense power it gives Staraptor, but a Jolly nature can be used to outspeed Genesect, Kyurem-B, and regular Lucario, the aforementioned all with Speed-boosting natures. The goal of the set is to break down defensive Pokemon early-game so that partners like Talonflame can clean up later. Like most Choiced Pokemon with U-turn, using it (U-turn) the majority of the early-game is great to scout the opponent.
Staraptor @ Choice Scarf
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly / Adamant
Ability: Reckless
-Brave Bird
-Close Combat
-Double Edge
-U-turn
Choice Scarf Staraptor plays very differently from the Choice Band set, even if it seems similar at first. Indeed, the set is almost exactly the same, aside from a lack of Quick Attack and a nature preference of Jolly, which is mainly just to outspeed Choice Scarf Genesect. An explanation of the moves isn't completely necessary as they all have the same uses as above, but regardless, Brave Bird is the main STAB move and most spammable move in most cases, Close Combat is for Tyranitar and Heatran, Double Edge is for Rotom-W, and U-turn is for scouting and obtaining momentum. Again, the EVs are exactly the same, which leads one to wonder, what makes it any different from the CB set? The answer, is simply its role to play. CB Staraptor wallbreaks through defensive cores so that a partner can clean up late-game, while Choice Scarf Staraptor is better against offensive teams, where the extra power isn't as necessary, but the extra Speed is.
Just as a side mention, Life Orb Staraptor can be used in order to switch moves, but really, because Staraptor is so specialized for doing the specific jobs that the set mentions, the only advantage it possesses is the move Roost, which really doesn't make up for the fact that it lacks enough power or Speed depending on the nature it is using. With Jolly, it can't 2HKO Hippowdon. With Adamant, it can't outspeed Kyurem-B with a speed boosting nature. Each of these scenarios are significant enough by themself to make Life Orb Staraptor less viable than Choice Band or Choice Scarf.
As mentioned before, one of the best partners for Staraptor is Talonflame. While initially seemingly like a similar Pokemon providing redundant STAB and exacerbating the teams weakness to Rock- and Electric-type moves, Talonflame is actually one of the main reasons why Staraptor is better this generation. Taking a leaf out of the "Double Dragon" core book, Staraptor, specifically the Choice Band set, has similar counters to Talonflame. However, Staraptor can actually do hefty damage to them with Brave Bird, Close Combat, and Double Edge, weakening them so that Talonflame can clean late-game. Examples of Pokemon that this core defeats using this method include Rotom-W, Tyranitar, Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Mandibuzz. Of course, due to both Staraptor and Talonflame's Stealth Rock weakness, a partner that can use Rapid Spin or Defog is mandatory. Latias, Mandibuzz, Starmie, and Excadrill can fill this role easily. Volt Switch and U-turn users are also nice to form a VoltTurn core with Staraptor (and potentially Talonflame), and to bring it in unscathed.
When playing against Staraptor, its reliance on recoil moves will be its downfall. In fact, Staraptor is vulnerable to all forms of chip damage except Spikes, such as sand, Leech Seed, Stealth Rock, and even the rare hail. When looking for actual specific Pokemon counters, Skarmory is the best, as it can wall Staraptor, use Roost to heal itself, and eventually Staraptor will be worn down with recoil damage. Bronzong and Jirachi with full defensive investment can avoid 2HKOs and cripple it with a status, but they must be running a specific physically defensive EV spread. Of course, Choice Band Staraptor can easily be revenge killed by faster Pokemon like Garchomp, Terrakion, and Thundurus. Choice Scarf Staraptor can be walled by even more Pokemon such as Hippowdon and Slowbro. Indeed, the best way of countering Staraptor is to figure out which set it is running, which isn't too hard considering its average Speed tier. Aegislash doesn't take much damage from any of Staraptor's attacks, and can use King's Shield to force it to switch out, while Rhyperior can switch in on anything other than CB Close Combat, and OHKO with Stone Edge. Choice Scarf Gothitelle can trap Staraptor if it is at 75% health or less, which is a common scenario considering Stealth Rock and its recoil moves, and KO it with Thunderbolt. Finally, after Staraptor is weakened almost all users of priority can take it down, this includes Azumarill's Aqua Jet, Mega Lucario's Bullet Punch, or Dragonite's Extreme Speed.
There we have it, the first Pokemon of the Week! Let me know whether this has helped you at all, and your results of testing these Staraptor sets on the ladder, as well as let me know what Pokemon you want to see next. I'm thinking Chesnaught, but all opinions are welcome, as well as opinions about the Pokemon of the Week format and any ideas you want to see implemented, as well as questions for me about either Staraptor or POTW itself. Go out there and try Staraptor now, and I'll see you next time!
Last edited:
