[OVERVIEW]
Normal
========
Staraptor is one of the greatest assets to Normal teams, providing multiple roles as a defensive pivot and entry hazard remover. Staraptor's Flying typing allows it to take on Bug-, Fighting-, Ground-, and Grass-types effectively, and its physical bulk coupled with Intimidate makes it viable as an excellent Defogger. Staraptor has a decent movepool, with a great pivoting move in U-turn, utility in Roost and Defog, and a reliable coverage move in Close Combat to hit Steel-types. Staraptor's weakness to Stealth Rock makes it difficult to find opportunities to switch in and use Defog, and its physical bulk is not great; it's only a good switch-in to physical attackers because of Intimidate. Staraptor's Special Defense is mediocre and doesn't let it take multiple hits from threats such as Landorus. Furthermore, Staraptor's reliance on Brave Bird as its STAB move wears it down very easily.
[SET]
name: Defensive Defog (Normal)
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Roost
move 3: Defog
move 4: Close Combat / U-turn
item: Leftovers
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Brave Bird is Staraptor's STAB move, hitting targets that don't resist the attack hard while hitting Bug-, Fighting-, and Grass-types such as Mega Pinsir, Buzzwole, and Mega Venusaur super effectively. Roost is a reliable recovery move that prolongs Staraptor's longevity throughout the match. Defog supports Staraptor's team by clearing the field of entry hazards. Close Combat hits Steel-types such as Bisharp, which would otherwise be difficult for Normal teams to deal with after a Swords Dance boost. U-turn can be used instead of Close Combat to gain momentum for Staraptor's team while safely switching its teammates in.
Set Details
========
252 Defense EVs and 240 HP EVs with an Impish nature maximize Staraptor's ability to take physical attacks. 16 Speed EVs allow Staraptor to outspeed Adamant Bisharp and Breloom, which is very useful in avoiding Bisharp's Iron Head and Knock Off and Breloom's Spore. Intimidate helps Staraptor and its teammates tank attacks from physical attackers more effectively. Leftovers grants passive recovery each turn, which Staraptor highly appreciates.
Usage Tips
========
Bring Staraptor into physical attackers that it's able to take on and cripple with Intimidate such as Choice Scarf Excadrill and Buzzwole. Thanks to Roost and Intimidate, it's able to continuously switch into physical attackers, so it's always best to keep to Staraptor healthy by using Roost frequently. However, Staraptor needs to be cautious about physical attackers switching into it, because Intimidate will not lower their Attack, sometimes forcing it to switch out and have one of its teammates take a hit from the opposing side. For example, while Staraptor is on the field, Choice Band Dragonite can switch in without worrying about a decrease in Attack and proceed to use Outrage, which forces Staraptor to switch to Porygon2 to tank Dragonite's attack. Staraptor needs to be careful about Intimidate activating Bisharp's Defiant while switching into it to use Close Combat to check it, as Adamant Bisharp can OHKO Staraptor with Sucker Punch after a Swords Dance boost, while Jolly Bisharp outspeeds it. While Staraptor can check many physical attackers, most setup sweepers such as Landorus-T use it as setup bait, so it needs to be careful. It's very important that Staraptor keeps Stealth Rock off the field as much as possible, as it limits the physical hits Staraptor can take, so switch Staraptor in as soon as the foe sets Stealth Rock to avoid taking damage, and use Defog afterwards. Do not be afraid to use Roost as a means of scouting a strong physical attack, as Staraptor appreciates staying on the field longer for use later in the game. Staraptor should never be used to tank any special attacks; a teammate such as Chansey should. Staraptor should switch into defensive Pokemon such as Skarmory, Forretress, and opposing Chansey to remove entry hazards with Defog. However, it hates being hit by Toxic from the likes of Toxapex and has no way to spread status, so it loses to most walls one-on-one.
Team Options
========
Together, Chansey and Porygon2 create an outstanding defensive core with Staraptor. All teammates appreciate Staraptor's ability to soften physical attacks for its team, its neutrality to Fighting-type attacks, and its ability to remove entry hazards. Chansey is a great partner for Staraptor, as it can sponge special attacks, set up Stealth Rock, switch into status thanks to Natural Cure, spread status with Toxic, and cure Staraptor of any status with Heal Bell. In return, Staraptor can take on physical attackers and Fighting-types. Porygon2 pairs well with Staraptor as another physically defensive tank that can punish setup sweepers such as Mega Scizor with Foul Play and spread status with moves such as Toxic. Porygon-Z appreciates Staraptor's support increasing its chances to take a hit without receiving chip damage so it can sweep more easily. Alongside Staraptor, Meloetta is also another reliable check to Fighting teams thanks to its Psychic typing, and it is able to break through other teams. Meloetta appreciates Staraptor switching into physical attackers that it's weak to, such as Heracross. Diggersby can break through walls for Staraptor thanks to Huge Power, and its Ground typing grants it an immunity to Electric-type attacks and lets it switch into Thunder Wave users such as Klefki and Jirachi. Diggersby can also take on Steel-types such as Heatran. Power-Up Punch + Encore Mega Lopunny can take out walls that Staraptor can't beat, such as Toxapex, and Mega Pidgeot can be an offensive check to Fighting-types, removing some pressure from Staraptor. Setup sweepers such as Mega Charizard X are always a problem for Staraptor, so Choice Scarf Ditto serves as a great way to eliminate them.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Normal
--------
A Choice Band set with an Adamant nature can be used with Reckless, as it not only maximizes Staraptor's damage output but also Brave Bird and Double-Edge's power, making Staraptor a great wallbreaker; however, Staraptor prefers to run Defog to remove entry hazards and prolong its presence in battle with Roost. Choice Scarf allows Staraptor to revenge kill faster threats such as unboosted Greninja and Latios. Unfortunately, Choice Scarf is not as useful compared to its defensive set. Rocky Helmet can punish physical attackers upon contact, but Leftovers is more reliable for giving Staraptor recovery. Whirlwind is good for phazing setup sweepers such as Mega Scizor and Dragonite while getting chip damage when Stealth Rock is on the field; however, Staraptor can't find much use for it, and Porygon2 helps check them anyway. Toxic can be used to put a timer on walls, making it easier to wear them down; however, Chansey and Porygon2 fit that role much better, and it wastes a moveslot for something better that Staraptor can use. Running 108 Speed EVs is an option in order to outspeed Jolly Breloom.
Checks and Counters
===================
Normal
--------
**Physically Defensive Walls**: Physically defensive Pokemon such as Skarmory, Hippowdon, and Mega Slowbro can easily tank Staraptor's attacks and recover any damage they take.
**Special Attackers**: Due to Staraptor's subpar special bulk, special attackers such as Landorus and Nihilego can easily pressure and KO it.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Celesteela, Bisharp, and Mega Scizor can give Staraptor trouble. Celesteela can take multiple Close Combats and proceed to stall Staraptor with Leech Seed, Mega Scizor can tank a Brave Bird and KO it back with Bullet Punch, and Bisharp can take on Staraptor provided it received a Defiant boost from Intimidate.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Xurkitree have no trouble dealing with Staraptor can easily KO it with their STAB moves.
**Rock-types**: Staraptor is usually forced to switch against Rock-types out or rely on KOing them with Close Combat. Terrakion, Rhyperior, and Nihilego can pressure Staraptor with their Rock-type attacks.
**Residual Damage**: Staraptor does not appreciate taking any sort of residual damage; Stealth Rock will wear it down, finding it difficult to use Defog to preserve it for later in the game. Poison shortens Staraptor's longevity, while burns decrease its Attack.
**Status**: Staraptor hates being inflicted by status; Toxic wears it down quickly, paralysis cripples it, and burns decrease its attacking power.
**Wallbreakers**: Even after an Intimidate, Staraptor cannot switch into wallbreakers such as Choice Band Dragonite, which outspeeds Staraptor and 2HKOes it with Outrage. Landorus-T can easily break through Staraptor with Stone Edge after a Swords Dance boost.
Normal
========
Staraptor is one of the greatest assets to Normal teams, providing multiple roles as a defensive pivot and entry hazard remover. Staraptor's Flying typing allows it to take on Bug-, Fighting-, Ground-, and Grass-types effectively, and its physical bulk coupled with Intimidate makes it viable as an excellent Defogger. Staraptor has a decent movepool, with a great pivoting move in U-turn, utility in Roost and Defog, and a reliable coverage move in Close Combat to hit Steel-types. Staraptor's weakness to Stealth Rock makes it difficult to find opportunities to switch in and use Defog, and its physical bulk is not great; it's only a good switch-in to physical attackers because of Intimidate. Staraptor's Special Defense is mediocre and doesn't let it take multiple hits from threats such as Landorus. Furthermore, Staraptor's reliance on Brave Bird as its STAB move wears it down very easily.
[SET]
name: Defensive Defog (Normal)
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Roost
move 3: Defog
move 4: Close Combat / U-turn
item: Leftovers
ability: Intimidate
nature: Impish
evs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Brave Bird is Staraptor's STAB move, hitting targets that don't resist the attack hard while hitting Bug-, Fighting-, and Grass-types such as Mega Pinsir, Buzzwole, and Mega Venusaur super effectively. Roost is a reliable recovery move that prolongs Staraptor's longevity throughout the match. Defog supports Staraptor's team by clearing the field of entry hazards. Close Combat hits Steel-types such as Bisharp, which would otherwise be difficult for Normal teams to deal with after a Swords Dance boost. U-turn can be used instead of Close Combat to gain momentum for Staraptor's team while safely switching its teammates in.
Set Details
========
252 Defense EVs and 240 HP EVs with an Impish nature maximize Staraptor's ability to take physical attacks. 16 Speed EVs allow Staraptor to outspeed Adamant Bisharp and Breloom, which is very useful in avoiding Bisharp's Iron Head and Knock Off and Breloom's Spore. Intimidate helps Staraptor and its teammates tank attacks from physical attackers more effectively. Leftovers grants passive recovery each turn, which Staraptor highly appreciates.
Usage Tips
========
Bring Staraptor into physical attackers that it's able to take on and cripple with Intimidate such as Choice Scarf Excadrill and Buzzwole. Thanks to Roost and Intimidate, it's able to continuously switch into physical attackers, so it's always best to keep to Staraptor healthy by using Roost frequently. However, Staraptor needs to be cautious about physical attackers switching into it, because Intimidate will not lower their Attack, sometimes forcing it to switch out and have one of its teammates take a hit from the opposing side. For example, while Staraptor is on the field, Choice Band Dragonite can switch in without worrying about a decrease in Attack and proceed to use Outrage, which forces Staraptor to switch to Porygon2 to tank Dragonite's attack. Staraptor needs to be careful about Intimidate activating Bisharp's Defiant while switching into it to use Close Combat to check it, as Adamant Bisharp can OHKO Staraptor with Sucker Punch after a Swords Dance boost, while Jolly Bisharp outspeeds it. While Staraptor can check many physical attackers, most setup sweepers such as Landorus-T use it as setup bait, so it needs to be careful. It's very important that Staraptor keeps Stealth Rock off the field as much as possible, as it limits the physical hits Staraptor can take, so switch Staraptor in as soon as the foe sets Stealth Rock to avoid taking damage, and use Defog afterwards. Do not be afraid to use Roost as a means of scouting a strong physical attack, as Staraptor appreciates staying on the field longer for use later in the game. Staraptor should never be used to tank any special attacks; a teammate such as Chansey should. Staraptor should switch into defensive Pokemon such as Skarmory, Forretress, and opposing Chansey to remove entry hazards with Defog. However, it hates being hit by Toxic from the likes of Toxapex and has no way to spread status, so it loses to most walls one-on-one.
Team Options
========
Together, Chansey and Porygon2 create an outstanding defensive core with Staraptor. All teammates appreciate Staraptor's ability to soften physical attacks for its team, its neutrality to Fighting-type attacks, and its ability to remove entry hazards. Chansey is a great partner for Staraptor, as it can sponge special attacks, set up Stealth Rock, switch into status thanks to Natural Cure, spread status with Toxic, and cure Staraptor of any status with Heal Bell. In return, Staraptor can take on physical attackers and Fighting-types. Porygon2 pairs well with Staraptor as another physically defensive tank that can punish setup sweepers such as Mega Scizor with Foul Play and spread status with moves such as Toxic. Porygon-Z appreciates Staraptor's support increasing its chances to take a hit without receiving chip damage so it can sweep more easily. Alongside Staraptor, Meloetta is also another reliable check to Fighting teams thanks to its Psychic typing, and it is able to break through other teams. Meloetta appreciates Staraptor switching into physical attackers that it's weak to, such as Heracross. Diggersby can break through walls for Staraptor thanks to Huge Power, and its Ground typing grants it an immunity to Electric-type attacks and lets it switch into Thunder Wave users such as Klefki and Jirachi. Diggersby can also take on Steel-types such as Heatran. Power-Up Punch + Encore Mega Lopunny can take out walls that Staraptor can't beat, such as Toxapex, and Mega Pidgeot can be an offensive check to Fighting-types, removing some pressure from Staraptor. Setup sweepers such as Mega Charizard X are always a problem for Staraptor, so Choice Scarf Ditto serves as a great way to eliminate them.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Normal
--------
A Choice Band set with an Adamant nature can be used with Reckless, as it not only maximizes Staraptor's damage output but also Brave Bird and Double-Edge's power, making Staraptor a great wallbreaker; however, Staraptor prefers to run Defog to remove entry hazards and prolong its presence in battle with Roost. Choice Scarf allows Staraptor to revenge kill faster threats such as unboosted Greninja and Latios. Unfortunately, Choice Scarf is not as useful compared to its defensive set. Rocky Helmet can punish physical attackers upon contact, but Leftovers is more reliable for giving Staraptor recovery. Whirlwind is good for phazing setup sweepers such as Mega Scizor and Dragonite while getting chip damage when Stealth Rock is on the field; however, Staraptor can't find much use for it, and Porygon2 helps check them anyway. Toxic can be used to put a timer on walls, making it easier to wear them down; however, Chansey and Porygon2 fit that role much better, and it wastes a moveslot for something better that Staraptor can use. Running 108 Speed EVs is an option in order to outspeed Jolly Breloom.
Checks and Counters
===================
Normal
--------
**Physically Defensive Walls**: Physically defensive Pokemon such as Skarmory, Hippowdon, and Mega Slowbro can easily tank Staraptor's attacks and recover any damage they take.
**Special Attackers**: Due to Staraptor's subpar special bulk, special attackers such as Landorus and Nihilego can easily pressure and KO it.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Celesteela, Bisharp, and Mega Scizor can give Staraptor trouble. Celesteela can take multiple Close Combats and proceed to stall Staraptor with Leech Seed, Mega Scizor can tank a Brave Bird and KO it back with Bullet Punch, and Bisharp can take on Staraptor provided it received a Defiant boost from Intimidate.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Tapu Koko and Xurkitree have no trouble dealing with Staraptor can easily KO it with their STAB moves.
**Rock-types**: Staraptor is usually forced to switch against Rock-types out or rely on KOing them with Close Combat. Terrakion, Rhyperior, and Nihilego can pressure Staraptor with their Rock-type attacks.
**Residual Damage**: Staraptor does not appreciate taking any sort of residual damage; Stealth Rock will wear it down, finding it difficult to use Defog to preserve it for later in the game. Poison shortens Staraptor's longevity, while burns decrease its Attack.
**Status**: Staraptor hates being inflicted by status; Toxic wears it down quickly, paralysis cripples it, and burns decrease its attacking power.
**Wallbreakers**: Even after an Intimidate, Staraptor cannot switch into wallbreakers such as Choice Band Dragonite, which outspeeds Staraptor and 2HKOes it with Outrage. Landorus-T can easily break through Staraptor with Stone Edge after a Swords Dance boost.
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