Statistics
|
Stat |
| HP |
60
|
323 |
| Atk |
75
|
248 |
| Def |
85
|
268 |
| SpA |
100
|
298 |
| SpD |
85
|
268 |
| Spe |
115
|
328 |
Starmie's excellent Speed makes this set especially deadly. Surf takes advantage of Starmie's typing, and the fact that Water is one of the least resisted types in GSC. Thunder Wave can set up a team excellently, and once again considering Starmie's Speed, it will likely be able to Paralyze a Pokémon before they have a chance to move. Ice Beam or Thunderbolt will usually depend on your team—Ice Beam if you seem to run into more Grass-types and don't have an especially good protection against them, or Thunderbolt if Waters seem to cause you endless misery. Thunderbolt seems to be the more used of the two.
Other Options
Psychic gets you the benefit of STAB, however it is resisted by many types and will limit your range of attack coverage. Both Reflect and Light Screen provide excellent support for a team lacking the ability to switch into a punishing sweeper, and Starmie's Speed assures it will be able to put it up before a Pokémon can deal full damage to it. Rapid Spin will take care of any Spikes problem, especially if it is combined with Thunderbolt for the most common spiker, Cloyster. Toxic is rarely used, but can be effective. You can turn Starmie into a very fast Parafuser if you give it Confuse Ray, but that's about as effective as Toxic on Starmie.
Opinion
Starmie is the best special cleaner in the game—a Pokémon who can come in and take out most if not all weakened Pokémon. On top of that, its stat spread is incredibly favorable with an above average Special Attack and excellent Speed. Starmie can also be used at the beginning of the game to Paralyze an opposing starter, in the middle to weaken Pokémon steadily, and late game to clean up any leftover mess that your sweeper might not have had the chance to take down. Starmie is an excellent Pokémon and should always be considered an option if you need a Water-type.
Counters
Starmie doesn't possess the ability to counter Electrics well, so Raikou and Zapdos—along with less commonly used Electric Pokémon—usually handle Starmie with minimal trouble. However, Starmie possessing Ice Beam does have the advantage on a weakened Zapdos late game. It is almost impossible for Starmie to do anything against Umbreon, and Heracross OHKOs Starmie with Megahorn—although, if Starmie has Psychic, it 2HKOs Heracross.
