[OVERVIEW]
* Staraptor is an incredible wallbreaker in the VCG metagame. With access to Toxic and Close Combat in can really hurt Chansey and Porygon2. It's base 100 speed and 120 attack can rival that of most Pokemon allowing it to quickly hit the enemy then switch into a bulkier Pokemon. However it is vulnerable to Stealth Rock, it can take tons of damage from physical attacks and on top of that, it is weak to common electric, Rock AND Ice types. But at it's best it earns it's title: "The Predator Pokemon".
[SET]
name: Toxic Wallbreaker (Toxic)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Brave Bird / Giga Impact / Quick Attack
item: Quick Claw / Wacan Berry
ability: Intimidate / Reckless
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Swords Dance is only a good option if you want to hit a Pokemon that can't hurt you or can only hurt you very little, another Pokemon could set up a substitute to aid with that. Toxic is the key to this set putting a timer on walls without Natural Cure and forcing Chansey or Blissey to switch which can be predicted and you can switch into a Pokemon with Pursuit for free damage. Close Combat is also a great move allowing Staraptor to hit Normal, Rock, Steel and Ice-types super effectively it's slight stat drop doesn't do much to Staraptor's already useless defense stat's. Brave Bird is one of your turn to attacking moves in this set it has recoil but it can hit really hard if you use it well. Giga Impact is a STAB monster. It has an 82.4% chance to 2HKO a Chansey running an Evolite with max EV's in HP and Def! The only problem with it is the recharge. Quick Attack isn't very useful but is an option instead of the Quick Claw so you have the Wacan Berry to weaken Electric attacks.
Set Details
========
* This set is designed to hit as hard as possible as quickly as possible. While it may leave Staraptor quite vulnerable it's item's cover that. Having a Quick Claw allows Staraptor to get a small advantage so it can sometimes move first against faster opponents which could cause Staraptor to lose momentum. The other option is to run a Wacan Berry and use Quick Attack. While it may lose power it can KO opponents with lower defense. Also if you use Brave Bird then use Reckless as your ability and use Intimidate for the others.
Usage Tips
========
* Staraptor is quite fragile so switching in later when a sweep is set up or switching out early after being damaged is a death trap. It is best to use it early to clear out set up Pokemon. Close Combat can also hurt Staraptor when used prematurely. Close Combat allows Pokemon like Electevire to be baton passed in for an easy KO. So only use it as a last resort or when you can switch out to remove the debuffs.
Team Options
========
* To cover Staraptors weaknesses you need a Pokemon to help allow a switch in from Staraptor like Garchomp who can use Stealth Rock to make a fragile switch in like Electevire to get finished off by a single Ground type move. Also, Scizor can easily KO Ice type threats with a single Bullet Punch. Staraptor can also easily revenge kill Grass and Bug type Pokemon after being damaged.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Staraptor's access to Tailwind can let it set up a sweep and it can also use Roost to recover hits from walls. It could use Steel Wing for Ice coverage as well.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Alolan Golem**: Alolan Golem is at risk because of Close Combat but STAB Electric AND Rock moves easily overshadow that.
**Electevire**: Usually overlooked Electevire has powerful sweeping potential and easily could 1HKO a Staraptor.
**Gengar**: Easily faster than Staraptor Gengar has access to Thunderbolt, Willo-Wisp and is immune to all attacks except Brave Bird on this set.
* Staraptor is an incredible wallbreaker in the VCG metagame. With access to Toxic and Close Combat in can really hurt Chansey and Porygon2. It's base 100 speed and 120 attack can rival that of most Pokemon allowing it to quickly hit the enemy then switch into a bulkier Pokemon. However it is vulnerable to Stealth Rock, it can take tons of damage from physical attacks and on top of that, it is weak to common electric, Rock AND Ice types. But at it's best it earns it's title: "The Predator Pokemon".
[SET]
name: Toxic Wallbreaker (Toxic)
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Brave Bird / Giga Impact / Quick Attack
item: Quick Claw / Wacan Berry
ability: Intimidate / Reckless
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Swords Dance is only a good option if you want to hit a Pokemon that can't hurt you or can only hurt you very little, another Pokemon could set up a substitute to aid with that. Toxic is the key to this set putting a timer on walls without Natural Cure and forcing Chansey or Blissey to switch which can be predicted and you can switch into a Pokemon with Pursuit for free damage. Close Combat is also a great move allowing Staraptor to hit Normal, Rock, Steel and Ice-types super effectively it's slight stat drop doesn't do much to Staraptor's already useless defense stat's. Brave Bird is one of your turn to attacking moves in this set it has recoil but it can hit really hard if you use it well. Giga Impact is a STAB monster. It has an 82.4% chance to 2HKO a Chansey running an Evolite with max EV's in HP and Def! The only problem with it is the recharge. Quick Attack isn't very useful but is an option instead of the Quick Claw so you have the Wacan Berry to weaken Electric attacks.
Set Details
========
* This set is designed to hit as hard as possible as quickly as possible. While it may leave Staraptor quite vulnerable it's item's cover that. Having a Quick Claw allows Staraptor to get a small advantage so it can sometimes move first against faster opponents which could cause Staraptor to lose momentum. The other option is to run a Wacan Berry and use Quick Attack. While it may lose power it can KO opponents with lower defense. Also if you use Brave Bird then use Reckless as your ability and use Intimidate for the others.
Usage Tips
========
* Staraptor is quite fragile so switching in later when a sweep is set up or switching out early after being damaged is a death trap. It is best to use it early to clear out set up Pokemon. Close Combat can also hurt Staraptor when used prematurely. Close Combat allows Pokemon like Electevire to be baton passed in for an easy KO. So only use it as a last resort or when you can switch out to remove the debuffs.
Team Options
========
* To cover Staraptors weaknesses you need a Pokemon to help allow a switch in from Staraptor like Garchomp who can use Stealth Rock to make a fragile switch in like Electevire to get finished off by a single Ground type move. Also, Scizor can easily KO Ice type threats with a single Bullet Punch. Staraptor can also easily revenge kill Grass and Bug type Pokemon after being damaged.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Staraptor's access to Tailwind can let it set up a sweep and it can also use Roost to recover hits from walls. It could use Steel Wing for Ice coverage as well.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Alolan Golem**: Alolan Golem is at risk because of Close Combat but STAB Electric AND Rock moves easily overshadow that.
**Electevire**: Usually overlooked Electevire has powerful sweeping potential and easily could 1HKO a Staraptor.
**Gengar**: Easily faster than Staraptor Gengar has access to Thunderbolt, Willo-Wisp and is immune to all attacks except Brave Bird on this set.
