Bird of Prey - Staraptor

[Deck Knight]

There is no doubt that ever since it's inception, CAP has been building pokemon that bring different pokemon into the forefront and sending others to obsolescence. One Pokemon that may soon show its worth is Staraptor. Here is a quick rundown:

HP: 85
Atk: 120
Def: 70
SA: 50
SD: 50
Speed: 100
Ability: Intimidate

Notable Attacking moves: Return, U-turn, Brave Bird, Close Combat, Quick Attack, Pusuit, Endeavor, Heat Wave.
Notable Non-Attacking moves: Substitute, Roost, Featherdance, Foresight, Agility, Whirlwind.

Why Staraptor?

Staraptor has three major qualities that make it especially useful in the wake of Colossoil.

The first is Intimidate. Intimidate combined with Ground and Ghost immunities make Staraptor an excellent switch-in to several CAPs. Revenankh and Kitsunoh can't finish it off with Shadow Sneak, and Colossoil's Earthquake is rendered moot. It resists Pyroak's Wood Hammer and Syclant's Bug Buzz, thought the poor Special Defense and an Ice weakness makes a switch in to Syclant less than ideal.

Second is coverage: Close Combat and Brave Bird together have amazing coverage, hitting every CAP except Fidgit, Cyclohm, and Kitsunoh for super-effective damage between them. Six of Nine is not bad, all things considered.

Finally Staraptor benefits from its Speed. 100 allows it to outpace every CAP except Syclant, Kitsunoh, and Stratagem the first of which should never be switching in and the latter which has to avoid Close Combat. With a huge Base 120 Attack Staraptor packs a lot of power, and although 85/70 is not massive, Intimidate makes it capable of switching into physical attacks fairly well.

The Sets:

A SubRoost Set with Life Orb is very effective. When hiding behind a Sub, Staraptor has little to fear and can capitalize on its great coverage.

[SET]
name: SubRoost
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Roost
item: Life Orb
ability: Intimidate
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 32 HP / 4 Def / 252 Atk / 220 Speed

CAP Calculations:

Jolly Brave Bird:

On Bulk Up +1 Revenankh [252 HP / 40 Def] : 78.1% - 91.8% (Need Adamant to attempt OHKO with Spikes)

On Tank Pyroak [252 HP/16 Def / 240 SpD] Bold: 96.3% - 114.2% (reliable OHKO, Always OHKO with Adamant)

On Standard Fidgit [252 HP / 4 Def]: 56.6% - 67% (reliable 2HKO)

On Standard Kitsunoh [4 HP]: 45.7% - 53.6% (reliable 2HKO with 1 layer of Spikes, Shaky with SR)

On Recover Tank Argho [252 HP/220 Def]: Adamant: 97.6% - 115% (reliable OHKO, always OHKO with Adamant)

On Standard Colossoil [4HP]: 77.2% - 91.2% (reliable OHKO with Spikes and Adamant)

Jolly Close Combat

On Standard Collosoil [4 HP]: 102.9% - 121.6% (OHKO)

On Standard Stratagem [4 HP]: 141.6% - 167.1% (OHKO)

On Standard Syclant [4 HP]: 76.2% - 90.1% (reliable OHKO if Adamant with Spikes)

/end calcs.

Life Orb SubRoost Staraptor can have some issues managing HP, but as you can see it can deal immense damage to most of the CAPs. Cyclohm represents a the largest problem, but most CAPS have no business coming in on Staraptor. The threat it represents behind a Substitute is obvious given these calculations. This spread nets 291/320 Speed, outspeeding a same-natured Collosoil and beating Adamant Kitsunoh if Jolly. Spikes Support is extremely helpful to Staraptor, enabling it to OHKO or 2HKO every CAP but Cyclohm. Stealth Rock weakness makes switching in difficult, but Choiced Ground Attacks are uncommon and if Collosoil attempts Sucker Punch and gets Sub or Roost instead it can be frustrated.

Staraptor certainly has more potential in it than this set, but I'll just leave this to whet your appetite.

 

[Rising_Dusk]

I've played against it, and SubRoost can be extraordinarily effective. I'd like to point out that all variants of Skarmory wall Staraptor to kingdom come, even if it carries Heat Wave (unless it gets burned) and neutral CC. It can then Whirlwind you out, negating your Sub, or setup Spikes on you while Roosting off any damage it takes. Staraptor is still a potent threat, though.

It's a bit impractical to add into a team, but you did it fairly well when I played you. It's definitely not bad, but I'd like to try it a bit before I pass any serious judgment.

 

[tennisace]

Skarmory, Zapdos, and Kitsunoh are the only pokemon that Staraptor has serious issues with. I'm probably going to run Staraptor with a Heatran or something to take care of them first. It seems effective on paper though, if only a little less bulky than I'd like.

 

[Zach]

It's also nice to have a Colossoil waiting Pursuit Rotom-a

 

[Rising_Dusk]

Kitsunoh makes a great partner for Staraptor, ripping Skarmory apart with its fast Taunt. Heatran also looks to be a nice partner, but I think you can also use Colossoil to similar effect, as it beats Kitsunoh. Zapdos isn't very common at all, but if you're worried about it, toss Stone Edge on your Colossoil and it'll be hurting bad.

 

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

Yeah, I so want a Staraptor now. I've been looking for something that can take down Arghonaut in one shot for some time now, because he always gives me problems. In fact, I think I'll throw him in my team now. Update on how he fears later

 

[Leman]

Skarmory, Zapdos, and Kitsunoh are the only pokemon that Staraptor has serious issues with. I'm probably going to run Staraptor with a Heatran or something to take care of them first. It seems effective on paper though, if only a little less bulky than I'd like.

Wouldn't Staraptor have a terribly difficult time getting past Rotom-A too? Rotom resists everything except Pursuit and Heat Wave, and a resisted Brave Bird hits it harder than a Pursuit would.

 

[Rising_Dusk]

Rotom-A is basically dead in the water in CAP because of Colossoil, Kitsunoh, and other threats. Staraptor's problems are mostly things of OU that haven't carried over to CAP, and its excellent traits really shine in CAP with its strengths against many of the CAPmon.

 

[Seven Deadly Sins]

Run a Choice Band or Choice Scarf set and then just Return Zapdos or stuff you don't feel like Brave Birding against to death. Return / Brave Bird / Close Combat / Quick Attack or U-turn or Pursuit is a monster, especially in a metagame where Rotom-A gets hosed by Colossoil and there are badass spinners like Colossoil and Fidgit.

EDIT: Not sure how especially well it works in this metagame specifically, but I remember that set being monstrous in original UU, a metagame where its power and coverage can be awesome due to being so hard to wall and having no Rotom-A. A combination of "better spinners" and "better ways to deal with Rotom-A" really helps it, as well as being able to switch into some top threats and pose a huge threat. However, watch out for Metagross or Jirachi, though they can be worn down.

 

[Fuzznip]

I've been using Staraptor on my most recent team and got me to #13 on the ladder before I didn't feel like laddering anymore. I must say that Staraptor is a pretty neat Pokemon to use and I enjoyed it very much. I use the SubRoost set Deck posted but with maximum Speed and Attack to maximize Staraptor's offensive prowess (tying with Salamence is pretty important).

I've been using Staraptor with Colossoil and Kitsunoh, a pretty solid offensive core if you ask me. Colossoil is used to eliminate troublesome Rotom-A instantly so Staraptor doesn't need to be worried about being easily walled. Kitsunoh is mainly used to help against Skarmory (I use Taunt + Will-O-Wisp) so that Staraptor can potentially beat it.

Staraptor is also pretty easy to set up in the CAP metagame, specifically against Colossoil (it's one of my prime switch-ins to it). Its immunity to Colossoil's Earthquake, ability to avoid Sucker Punch via Substitute/Roost, and Intimidate to lessen the damage output of Pursuit/Crunch help it set up easily and destroy Colossoil with Close Combat. Its STAB Brave Bird is also ridiculously powerful, even 2HKOing Kitsunoh.

Such a cool bird to use. :)

 

[Zystral]

I can see where the effectiveness comes from; Great coverage backed by good speed and power is nothing to laugh at, considering at can reliably hit most of the CAPs, it's definitely something to watch out for.

I may test it out some time, although that said I have faced a Staraptor on the ladder twice and both times it never even got to make a move before it died, so I guess that says something as well.

Looking at the SubRoost set, however, I really want to try using Sky Attack; STAB, 140 Base Power, and hiding behind a Sub is one crazy combination. As Fuzznip said, if a simple Brave Bird can 2HKO Kitsunoh, I'd like to see what SKy Attack will do to things like Cyclohm.

Regardless, I can still see Staraptor coming into problems with opposing Intimidaters (Gyarados and Mence, who pack Stone Edge and Outrage respectively), being able to do less damage and having his less than stellar defences take hits from those two powerhouses.

I'll need to test this out later, theory-wise, but adding the likes of Syclant and Fidgit with Staraptor to cover some bases is looking like a good plan.

 

[Raikaria]

I'd say the only reason Staraptor is not OU, is because the metagame is simply poor for Flying types, because of all the Steels, and Stealth Rock.

In CAP, however, the metagame is not as centralised around Dragon and Steel types, hence, while still around, the Steel types are less common. Especially Scizor.

Collosoil dealing with Rotom-A also removes yet another Staraptor counter.

Staraptor also counters the two most used CAP pokemon [Not including Fidgit, as he's not really 'countered' by anything but Taunt], Argonaught and Collosoil. Neither of them can stand against Staraptor's attacks, both of them suffer from Intimidate, and the worst Staraptor has to fear is a -1 Sucker Punch from Collosoil.

CAP is massivly suited to be weak to Flying-types. Like Psychic is a good attacking type in CAP, Flying also is, and Staraptor possesses the strongest flying-type attacks in the whole game, with a combination of Brave Bird, and it's stats, as well as a methord to take down Rock and Steel types who wall it, in Close Combat.

Basically, CAP is Staraptor weak, especially if something that can remove it's counters is used, such as Collosoil for Ghosts, and Magnezone for Steels.

Although Staraptor may not be top-teir in CAP, it's certainly able to break into the 'OU of CAP'.

 

[Rising_Dusk]

Staraptor also counters the two most used CAP pokemon [Not including Fidgit, as he's not really 'countered' by anything but Taunt], Argonaught and Collosoil.

Not really Colossoil for the reason I explain below. Furthermore, you forgot Revenankh. Staraptor's LO Brave Bird OHKOs even a +2 defense Revenankh and Staraptor is immune to Shadow Sneak to boot.

and the worst Staraptor has to fear is a -1 Sucker Punch from Collosoil.

Even a -1 Stone Edge from the standard LOSoil deals 85.3% - 100.6% to Staraptor, a guaranteed OHKO after SR damage.

 

[Helios]

Even a -1 Stone Edge from the standard LOSoil deals 85.3% - 100.6% to Staraptor, a guaranteed OHKO after SR damage.

Staraptor can play around with roost and sub to pp stall out stone edge or wait for a miss. Earthquake is dodged by subbing before roosting. Soon as staraptor gets a free turn, colossoil is gone. Assuming Staraptor is jolly; adamant Staraptor against jolly Colossoil isn't going to be doing so well.

 

[Rising_Dusk]

Jolly makes it lose some pretty significant damage output. Adamant is likely to be more common, since most LOSoil tend to run Adamant themselves. You could theoretically PP stall the Stone Edge, true, but you still need to watch out for being hit by it. You've also really got to be careful about it on the switch.

 

[Zystral]

Jolly makes it lose some pretty significant damage output. Adamant is likely to be more common, since most LOSoil tend to run Adamant themselves. You could theoretically PP stall the Stone Edge, true, but you still need to watch out for being hit by it. You've also really got to be careful about it on the switch.

Theoretically, only an idiot would let you PP stall him. Anyone with a brain would likely EQ on one of your Roosts.
Not factoring Intimidate that's 95.51% - 112.82% an LO'd EQ inflicts. With Roost, that's a 2HKO, try to Close Combat them back and Sucker Punch finishes you off.

 

[Objection]

Which is why you have Substitute, right?

 

[Rising_Dusk]

Theoretically, only an idiot would let you PP stall him. Anyone with a brain would likely EQ on one of your Roosts.
Not factoring Intimidate that's 95.51% - 112.82% an LO'd EQ inflicts. With Roost, that's a 2HKO, try to Close Combat them back and Sucker Punch finishes you off.

There's too much prediction involved here for it to be reliable either way. Sure, he can predict Roost and EQ, but you can predict that he's catching on and CC or Substitute during that turn, OHKOing him at no expense to yourself or setting up a Substitute so that you can do so next turn.

 

[Zystral]

There's too much prediction involved here for it to be reliable either way. Sure, he can predict Roost and EQ, but you can predict that he's catching on and CC or Substitute during that turn, OHKOing him at no expense to yourself or setting up a Substitute so that you can do so next turn.

ah but put it this way; both are in play. Colossoil hasn't been intimidated. Staraptor, the faster of the pair roosts. Colossoil EQ's. 75% chance to OHKO. I'd take that risk and if it survives, then you get that odd little mind-game. Otherwise, you could have Sandstorm and then it'll be an OHKO regardless.

 

[Rising_Dusk]

I don't buy it. Predicting a Roost and going for an EQ is a bold move that can pay off, but can also give Staraptor a free turn to do whatever. (CC to OHKO or Substitute to get a free hit in) Furthermore, if Staraptor decides to CC as you go for a Stone Edge, it OHKOs you before Stone Edge hits. As far as I'm concerned, that is about as "up in the air" as it can get.

They can beat each other. Sometimes.

 

[Objection]

ah but put it this way; both are in play. Colossoil hasn't been intimidated. Staraptor, the faster of the pair roosts. Colossoil EQ's. 75% chance to OHKO. I'd take that risk and if it survives, then you get that odd little mind-game. Otherwise, you could have Sandstorm and then it'll be an OHKO regardless.

Unless Staraptor doesn't have a sub up or is too low on health to put a sub up (in which case, 75% chance to OHKO becomes 100% chance), why is he roosting and not either subbing or attacking?

 

[Zystral]

Unless Staraptor doesn't have a sub up or is too low on health to put a sub up (in which case, 75% chance to OHKO becomes 100% chance), why is he roosting and not either subbing or attacking?

I'm assuming Staraptor is less than 100% and isn't planning on Substituting. Sure, if a Substitute is called into the equation, that's a different story. But then again, it is all about prediction.

I'll agree with Dusk that they can beat each other sometimes, with Staraptor often coming out on top, but I'm still adamant that it won't be as amazing as people say it will be.

 

[Rising_Dusk]

I'll agree with Dusk that they can beat each other sometimes, with Staraptor often coming out on top, but I'm still adamant that it won't be as amazing as people say it will be.

Tell that to Fuzz' Staraptor team being #10 on the ladder. :p

 

[Raikaria]

Not really Colossoil for the reason I explain below. Furthermore, you forgot Revenankh. Staraptor's LO Brave Bird OHKOs even a +2 defense Revenankh and Staraptor is immune to Shadow Sneak to boot.

Even a -1 Stone Edge from the standard LOSoil deals 85.3% - 100.6% to Staraptor, a guaranteed OHKO after SR damage.

Staraptor outspeeds Collosoil, so, it dosen't have to worry as much about Stone Edge. On a Standard Collosoil, Life-Orb Close Combat deals between 362 and 425 damage, from a Neutral Nature, a possible OHKO without rocks down. A Positive Nature [Collosoil generally runs Adamant, to my knowledge, due to Sucker Punch], deals 396~466 damage, which is a certain OHKO on the 'Offensive Soil' set if rocks are down.

Now, with Life Orb, and any entry hazards in consideration, Close Combat will either OHKO Collosoil, or, Collosoil will KO itself with Life Orb Recoil. Even if it fails to OHKO, there's still the chance of Stone Edge missing, and well all know it's notrious for that.


That's if Collosoil even carries Stone Edge. Collosoil, to my knowledge, usually has EQ+Sucker Punch+Persuit+Taunt/Stone Edge. Stone Edge fights with Taunt for it's spot, and quite a few people use Taunt to further aid in forcing Persuit/Sucker Punch to work.

In short, Staraptor beats Collosoil