[SET]
name: Defensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Scald
move 2: Psyshock / Ice Beam
move 3: Rapid Spin
move 4: Recover
item: Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Starmie is well known for being an offensive Rapid Spin user, but it also has all the tools necessary to run an effective defensive Rapid Spin set: decent defenses, a good Psychic / Water typing, access to Recover, and Natural Cure. Scald is the preferred Water-type STAB move on this defensive set, as it has a very useful chance of burning many prominent physically attacking Pokemon such as Scizor and Tyranitar. Psyshock can be used to hit Fighting- and Poison-types such as Terrakion, Virizion, Toxicroak, and Tentacruel. Also, because Psyshock hits the opponent's Defense stat, it does a decent amount of damage to Blissey and Chansey if they lack Defense EVs. Ice Beam, on the other hand, hits the Dragon- and Grass-types, such as Dragonite and Celebi, that resist Starmie's Water-type STAB. Ice Beam also OHKOes physically defensive Gliscor and Landorus. Rapid Spin is a great move to have, as entry hazards are practically on every team, making Starmie a great asset to Pokemon weak to Stealth Rock, such as Dragonite, Volcarona, and Salamence. Recover is what makes the defensive set shine, as it greatly increases Starmie's longevity and makes Starmie better at Toxic stalling, if it decides to run Toxic.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>This EV spread maximizes Starmie's Speed, which allows it to outpace Choice Scarf Magnezone and tie with opposing Starmie, Azelf, and Raikou. The HP EVs give Starmie as much overall bulk as possible, while the small Special Attack investment ensures that Starmie is able to OHKO Gengar. Leftovers is the preferred item on this set, as it restores Starmie's HP each turn which increases its survivability. Natural Cure is a great ability, as it heals Starmie's status condition when it switches out. Hydro Pump can be used over Scald if you're in need of a more powerful STAB, but it is generally less reliable due to its shaky accuracy. However, Hydro Pump makes Starmie an even better check to Terrakion if you opt not to run Psyshock. Hydro Pump also OHKOes Landorus and Gliscor and 2HKOes Choice Band Scizor and standard Sableye. Thunderbolt is a reasonable alternative to Ice Beam, as it allows Starmie to hit Water-types such as Politoed, Jellicent, and Vaporeon for super effective damage. Thunder Wave can be used to prevent setup sweepers such as Dragonite and Salamence from sweeping, and can also catch many other Pokemon off-guard as Thunder Wave is not commonly seen on Starmie. Toxic is another decent option because it ensures that Starmie isn't completely useless against Jellicent. Psychic can be used over Psyshock if you're looking to hit more physically defensive Pokemon such as Conkeldurr and Terrakion outside of sandstorm. Reflect is a great support move that can help teammates set up, but unfortunately, Starmie will have to give up a vital coverage move to use it. Life Orb can be used over Leftovers for extra power, allowing Starmie to OHKO offensive Heatran, Tornadus (it should be noted that Tornadus is only OHKOed by a rain-boosted Hydro Pump), and Virizion, while also being able to 2HKO Tyranitar. However, Life Orb sharply decreases Starmie's survivability. An EV spread of 252 HP / 24 Def / 8 SpA / 224 Spe can be used, as the Speed EVs allow Starmie to outpace base 111 Speed Pokemon such as Tornadus, while the Defense and HP EVs allow Starmie to survive a Choice Band-boosted Stone Edge from Terrakion. The 8 Special Attack EVs give Starmie a 68.75% chance to OHKO -1 Defense Terrakion with Psyshock after Stealth Rock damage.</p>
<p>Jellicent is the best counter to this set, so Jellicent counters such as Breloom are good teammates. Drizzle support from Politoed is also useful, as rain gives Starmie's Water-type STAB a nice power boost. Pokemon that can take on Blissey and Chansey, such as Terrakion, are also good teammates as these two pink blobs can wall Starmie endlessly. In general, Pokemon that benefit from Rapid Spin such as Volcarona and Dragonite are also decent teammates. Ferrothorn is another good teammate, as it has excellent synergy with Starmie: Starmie can take Fire- and Fighting-type attacks aimed at Ferrothorn, while Ferrothorn can take Electric-, Grass-, Ghost-, and Dark-type attacks aimed at Starmie. Rocky Helmet Ferrothorn can also deal with the VoltTurn combos Starmie is vulnerable to. Pokemon that can counter Scizor, such as Choice Scarf Magnezone and Skarmory, are also fine teammates to have, as Scizor can either Pursuit trap Starmie or outright OHKO it with a STAB U-turn. However, Scizor has to be wary of Scald, as it is severely crippled by burn. Pokemon that can deal with spinblockers are also valuable teammates, as Starmie's main goal is to spin away the entry hazards on your side of the field.</p>
