[SET]
Staraptor @ Choice Scarf
Name: Kamikaze (Normal)
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 28 HP / 228 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Final Gambit
- U-turn
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Scarf Staraptor provides hyper offensive normal teams a way to deal with fast threats like non-Choice Scarf Iron Valiant, Ogerpon-W, and Choice Specs Greninja, and momentum in U-Turn and Final Gambit. Close Combat complements Brave Bird as it thrashes Steel-types, OHKOing Bisharp and threatening Iron Treads and Heatran with a 2HKO. Final Gambit, boosted by 28 HP EVs, OHKOes targets Staraptor wouldn't otherwise beat, such as Toxapex, Hatterene, Klefki, and Skarmory after Stealth Rock damage—denying dual screens and/or entry hazards from the last two. Finally, U-turn allows this reckless bird to pivot into a teammate, if there really is nothing else it can do, such as against Gholdengo or Corviknight. Equipping a Choice Scarf will let it outspeed Greninja, Flutter Mane, and Darkrai, which otherwise force it out, and threaten them instead.
A great partner for Staraptor is Hisuian Zoroark. When it uses Illusion to disguise as Staraptor, pairing its Fighting immunity with Staraptor's Ground immunity, an apparent "Staraptor" could be immune to either type. Disguised as Staraptor, Hisuian Zoroark can bait in an unsuspecting Corviknight, Gholdengo, or Archaludon to cripple or OHKO it. Making good use of Staraptor's U-turn, Ditto is a teammate that can turn a bleak situation into a winning one, copying setup sweepers such as Dragonite and Spectrier to reverse sweep opponents. Terapagos provides a one-time check to threats like Unburden Sneasler, Choice Scarf Meowscarada, and Sand Rush Excadrill which all outpace Staraptor. In return, Staraptor takes out Klefki and pivots Terapagos into Archaludon and Skarmory which check Staraptor. Swords Dance Ursaluna crushes bulky walls like Iron Hands, Porygon2, and Archaludon which Staraptor struggles with. In return, Staraptor deals with fast threats that can OHKO Ursaluna like Greninja and pivot it in against the aforementioned walls. Smeargle provides entry hazards with Sticky Web and Stone Axe, allowing Staraptor to outspeed and remove Choice Scarf Iron Valiant and Roaring Moon. Cinccino can use a Choice Band set to deal with Primarina or use Tidy Up to clean up weakened Fairy, Flying, and Water teams after Staraptor removes Klefki, Skarmory, or Toxapex. Maushold is another great partner thanks to Tidy Up, which keeps both Stealth Rock and Reflect off the field for Staraptor to not worry about. Also, its Population Bomb can break through Ting-Lu and non-Rocky Helmet Toxapex for Staraptor. Indeedee, likewise, offers Healing Wish support, as well as checking Poison-types like Toxapex that Staraptor struggles with.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/petele.548107/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ashbala.518038/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/giyu.574288/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/neko.542526/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adeleine.517429/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rabia.336073/
Staraptor @ Choice Scarf
Name: Kamikaze (Normal)
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 28 HP / 228 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Final Gambit
- U-turn
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Scarf Staraptor provides hyper offensive normal teams a way to deal with fast threats like non-Choice Scarf Iron Valiant, Ogerpon-W, and Choice Specs Greninja, and momentum in U-Turn and Final Gambit. Close Combat complements Brave Bird as it thrashes Steel-types, OHKOing Bisharp and threatening Iron Treads and Heatran with a 2HKO. Final Gambit, boosted by 28 HP EVs, OHKOes targets Staraptor wouldn't otherwise beat, such as Toxapex, Hatterene, Klefki, and Skarmory after Stealth Rock damage—denying dual screens and/or entry hazards from the last two. Finally, U-turn allows this reckless bird to pivot into a teammate, if there really is nothing else it can do, such as against Gholdengo or Corviknight. Equipping a Choice Scarf will let it outspeed Greninja, Flutter Mane, and Darkrai, which otherwise force it out, and threaten them instead.
A great partner for Staraptor is Hisuian Zoroark. When it uses Illusion to disguise as Staraptor, pairing its Fighting immunity with Staraptor's Ground immunity, an apparent "Staraptor" could be immune to either type. Disguised as Staraptor, Hisuian Zoroark can bait in an unsuspecting Corviknight, Gholdengo, or Archaludon to cripple or OHKO it. Making good use of Staraptor's U-turn, Ditto is a teammate that can turn a bleak situation into a winning one, copying setup sweepers such as Dragonite and Spectrier to reverse sweep opponents. Terapagos provides a one-time check to threats like Unburden Sneasler, Choice Scarf Meowscarada, and Sand Rush Excadrill which all outpace Staraptor. In return, Staraptor takes out Klefki and pivots Terapagos into Archaludon and Skarmory which check Staraptor. Swords Dance Ursaluna crushes bulky walls like Iron Hands, Porygon2, and Archaludon which Staraptor struggles with. In return, Staraptor deals with fast threats that can OHKO Ursaluna like Greninja and pivot it in against the aforementioned walls. Smeargle provides entry hazards with Sticky Web and Stone Axe, allowing Staraptor to outspeed and remove Choice Scarf Iron Valiant and Roaring Moon. Cinccino can use a Choice Band set to deal with Primarina or use Tidy Up to clean up weakened Fairy, Flying, and Water teams after Staraptor removes Klefki, Skarmory, or Toxapex. Maushold is another great partner thanks to Tidy Up, which keeps both Stealth Rock and Reflect off the field for Staraptor to not worry about. Also, its Population Bomb can break through Ting-Lu and non-Rocky Helmet Toxapex for Staraptor. Indeedee, likewise, offers Healing Wish support, as well as checking Poison-types like Toxapex that Staraptor struggles with.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/petele.548107/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ashbala.518038/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/giyu.574288/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/neko.542526/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adeleine.517429/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/rabia.336073/
Last edited: