How something performs on the lower ladder has no bearing on whether a mon deserves enough usage to move up to OU. Blissey isn't really relevant in OU anymore, as Chansey is the better wall. Moreover:
I do remember it being discussed in the late XY analysis as a very good option worthy of a slash or even a first slash on most if not all sets. Definitely worth a mention.
I'd probably say U-Turn. Since Final Gambit faints Staraptor anyway, it's generating the free switch on Skarmory regardless, and Final Gambit is specifically for weakening walls too sturdy for Staraptor without losing momentum.
Talonflame has priority Brave Bird. That's what makes it so useful. Staraptor has so much power backing it up, but it lacks chances to use Roost to regain the health it's lost since it needs every moveslot for attacks. Talonflame has priority Roost as well. It also has moves like Bulk Up, Swords Dance, Will-O-Wisp and so on. Staraptor is a one trick pony that's very predictable in what it does. Then again, it's amazing at what it does, but Talonflame is simply better.
But Talonflame is even easier to predict, and who cares about the priority when it gets walled by Tyranitar? Staraptor can go straight through it if it uses the 2.2x power Brave Bird or even Close Combat. Also I've seen many more sets than just the 2.2x power set. Even stall sometimes for some odd and outlandish reason. Want Staraptor to have priority so badly? Here, have a Quick Claw. But Choice Band is a lot more desirable. Either way Talonflame, to me, is a very idiotic Pokemon. Requires no skill to use since it's for spammers and noobs. If someone can't counter it they are just bad at the game. Very bad.
"Talonflame is easier to predict"
Don't start arguments like this. If you're gonna establish points make them constructive without the use of "it's for spammers and noobs" or any negative connotations associated with it. Many high ladder players and high level games have Talonflame incorporated in to their teams so please do not use your opinions and try to state them as facts. The discussion is for Staraptor so keep it as such. Thanks.
Adamant Scarfraptor actually slightly outdamages Adamant Banded Talonflame.
I disagree. While Talonflame is overall better and more versatile, it can't have that immediate offensive presence as Staraptor's Choice Band set if it is allowed to switch in for free (It can OHKO and 2HKO most pokemon with the appropriate coverage move, which Talonflame can't do without setup). Like I said before, these two pokemon have their own uses. Bandraptor's purpose is to overwhelm the opposing team with it's immense wallbreaking power while talonflame could be a stallbreaker, revenge killer, or late game sweeper. Whether the Scarfraptor set is outclassed by Talonflame is debatable, Staraptor's Choice Band set is what differentiates it from Talonflame, which keeps it from potentially becoming outclassed IMO.
Except the point of it is to be a wallbreaker. Like Mega Heracross, Gardevoir, Medicham and Glalie, it doesn't care about speed and just tears apart slow walls with pure, unadultered power.
For the purpose of a Wallbreaker, that Base 100 actually does prove very helpful, outspeeding even some of the faster defensive mons like:
It's affected by Intimidate, so you should use HP Ice instead.
0 SpA Life Orb Staraptor Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-T: 156-187 (48.9 - 58.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
