[Pros]
<ul>
<li>Starmie is one of the best offensive spinners.</li>
<li>It also has great Speed.</li>
<li>Starmie's STAB combination is great defensively speaking, allowing it to take on Blaziken and Talonflame.</li>
<li>Starmie's movepool offers great coverage in moves such as Ice Beam and Thunderbolt.</li>
<li>Starmie's typing and access to Recover allow it to run a defensive set.</li>
</ul>
[Cons]
<ul>
<li>Starmie faces stiff competition from Excadrill as a spinner.</li>
<li>Starmie faces more competition as an entry hazard-removal Pokemon than before.</li>
<li>Starmie's typing leaves it vulnerable to Pursuit, U-turn, and Volt Switch.</li>
</ul>
[Set Recommendations]
<p>Starmie @ Life Orb<br />
Ability: Analytic<br />
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe<br />
Timid Nature<br />
- Hydro Pump / Surf<br />
- Ice Beam<br />
- Thunderbolt / Psyshock<br />
- Rapid Spin</p>
<p>Starmie was one of the most consistent Pokemon in BW, and for a good reason. It was the best offensive spinner in the tier, as it could 2HKO any spinblocker. Timid Nature is used because Starmie has awesome Speed, while the EVs max Speed and max Special Attack. Life Orb is used to boost all of Starmie's attacks. Hydro Pump is STAB and hits extremely hard on the switch, thanks to the 1.3x boost provided by Analytic. However, Surf is an option for a more consistent STAB attack. Ice Beam provides nice coverage, and alongside Thunderbolt, creates the well-known "BoltBeam" coverage combo, which is only resisted by Magnezone and Mamoswine, both of which are smashed by Hydro Pump. However, Psyshock is a very viable option, as Psyshock is key to get past Mega Venusaur who takes Ice Beam well due to Thick Fat. Finally, Rapid Spin supports the team by removing the opponent's hazards without removing your own hazards unlike Defog.</p>
<p>Good partners include Pokemon that appreciate the removal of entry hazards. Volcarona has great synergy with Starmie, as Volcarona can easily beat Ferrothorn and Venusaur, some of the best checks to Starmie. Talonflame is 4x weak to Stealth Rocks, so having them removed by Starmie is highly beneficial to it. Talonflame can also easily take on most of Starmie's checks. Galvantula sets up Sticky Web, meaning using Defog support is pretty redundant, so Starmie's Rapid Spin support is crucial. Dragonite and Salamence are extremely threatening at full health, and Starmie can generally take on most Steel-types that wall said Dragon-types. Finally, to boost Starmie's Water-type STAB attacks, Damp Rock Politoed is a great partner.</p>
<p>Starmie @ Leftovers<br />
Ability: Natural Cure<br />
EVs: 248 HP / 32 Def / 4 SpA / 224 Spe<br />
Timid Nature<br />
- Scald<br />
- Psyshock / Ice Beam<br />
- Recover<br />
- Rapid Spin</p>
<p>Thanks to Starmie's typing and access to key traits such as Recover and Nature Cure, Starmie can pull off a decent bulky Rapid Spin set. This set is designed to stay around for the majority of the game, as Starmie's typing allows it to check dangerous Water- and Fighting_types. Scald is Starmie's STAB of choice, as it has a nice 30% chance of inflicting a burn, softening the physical blows Starmie might need to tank. Psyshock is boosted by STAB, has a solid Base Power, and is capable of hitting Gengar on the switch; however, Ice Beam is listed to prevent Dragon-and Grass-types from setting up on Starmie. Recover keeps Starmie nice and healthy for the majority of the game, allowing it to continuously Rapid Spin. And finally, Rapid Spin supports the team by clearing the field of hazards.</p>
<p>This set in generally more geared towards balanced and defensive teams that are in need of a spinner. Good team mates for this set are bulky Fighting-types that take on Starmie's best checks. Breloom has very nice synergy with Starmie, as Breloom easily takes on Ferrothorn and Tyranitar, while Starmie easily beats Skarmory and Forretress. Blaziken also makes for a great partner, because aside from beating Ferrothorn and Tyranitar, Blaziken also beats Venusaur and other bulky Grass-types easily.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Choice Scarf Tyranitar outspeeds and OHKOes Starmie with Pursuit. Weavile naturally outspeeds Starmie and can easily trap it. Greninja resists both of Starmie's STABs and can hit it hard with a STAB U-turn or Dark Pulse. Rotom-W resists Starmie's main attacks, and can hit it with Volt Switch. Aegislash has the defenses to tank a hit from Starmie and easily KO it with Shadow Sneak. Blissey easily takes on all of Starmie's attacks with its immense special bulk. Bulky Grass-types are generally nice checks to Starmie. Ferrothorn sets up hazards on Starmie and can hit it with Power Whip. Trevenant and Gourgeist both block Rapid Spin and resist Starmie's Water-type attacks. Mega Venusaur has Thick Fat to easily take on Starmie's attacks bar Psyshock. Finally, Amoonguss has Regenerator and great special bulk to easily take on Starmie</p>
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