[overview]
**Draft Order**: Round 6 onwards
**Price Range**: 5-6 points
**Overview**: Staraptor is a frail but powerful wallbreaker that is capable of shredding through defensive Pokemon with its high-Base Power recoil moves boosted by Reckless. Combined with Close Combat, its dual STAB moves of Brave Bird and Double-Edge synergize well at hitting foes for super effective or neutral damage, while U-turn lets it pivot out of the few Pokemon that can take its attacks. Unfortunately, Staraptor’s reliance on recoil moves also takes a great toll on its longevity, as a weakness to Stealth Rock combined with poor bulk and reliance on items other than Heavy-Duty Boots makes it susceptible to being worn down in a short matter of time. Additionally, its only decent base Speed lets it down against faster offensive Pokemon that can easily revenge kill it.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: When equipped with a Choice Band or other damage-boosting item, Staraptor can rip through slower Pokemon with Reckless-boosted Brave Bird and Double-Edge while hitting Pokemon resistant to them with Close Combat or using U-turn to escape unfavorable matchups.
**Revenge Killer**: By donning a Choice Scarf, Staraptor can outpace the usual offensive foes that would pick it off first and threaten them with its high-Base Power moves, while U-turn can help it generate momentum on predicted switches. If the additional power from Reckless is not necessary, this set can also use Intimidate to weaken physical foes for a pivoted teammate to take advantage of.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Brave Bird, Double-Edge, Quick Attack, Dual Wingbeat
**Setup Moves**: Agility
**Utility Moves**: U-turn, Substitute
**Coverage**: Close Combat, Tera Blast
Niche Moves
========
**Final Gambit**: On Choice Scarf sets, Final Gambit can be used to trade Staraptor for one of the opponent’s valuable pieces when it cannot break through with its offensive moves.
**Endeavor**: Staraptor’s tendency to get worn down can work well with Endeavor to guarantee getting an opposing foe to low health.
**Facade**: Against Flame Body-wielding Pokemon in particular, Facade can take advantage of status to keep Staraptor's offensive presence relevant.
**Whirlwind**: In a last-ditch situation, Whirlwind can phaze threatening stat-boosted foes, particularly in tandem with Intimidate to give Staraptor a better chance of surviving a hit.
Common Items
========
**Choice Band**: Choice Band gives Staraptor the most power possible to perform its role, and it has less of a drawback considering Staraptor most often wants to spam its STAB moves save for the occasional Close Combat.
**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf makes Staraptor better-matched against offense by outspeeding non-boosted threats and creating momentum for its teammates on switches.
Niche Items
========
**Other Damage-boosting items**: Items like Sharp Beak and Expert Belt can boost Staraptor’s damage output without locking it into a move, though Choice Band is still often the superior choice to get the most value out of Staraptor’s few opportunities. Life Orb however should not be run unless deemed necessary, since it will accelerate Staraptor’s demise from chip damage.
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: In cases where none of the above options are desirable or Staraptor is needed to stick around longer, Heavy-Duty Boots is best at enabling its entry by negating otherwise detrimental Stealth Rock damage.
Tera
========
Staraptor can be a decent secondary Tera Captain if no other teammates can make better use of the role, but it should not be an immediate choice, since other mid-tier picks can benefit from Terastallizing better. If designated as a Captain, Staraptor will most often want to use Tera Flying and Normal to output monstrous damage with its STAB moves. Alternative types like Tera Dark and Fire can let Staraptor break through the few Pokemon not afraid of its natural type coverage like Gholdengo and Corviknight.
Draft Strategy
========
Staraptor should only be drafted if your team has filled necessary roles and can afford a low-budget physical wallbreaker, since it does not offer anything else to a team beyond its offense. Staraptor itself generally likes teammates that can either facilitate switching it in or capitalize on the damage and momentum it can create on the opposing team.
**Pivots**: Staraptor’s poor bulk makes it difficult to find opportunities to switch in, so it appreciates allies that can bring it in with pivoting moves. While Staraptor favors slower pivots like Scizor and Primarina to have a guaranteed safe entry, it can also work with faster pivots like Meowscarada and Raikou to capitalize on the opponent’s respective checks and generate continuous momentum with each other’s pivot moves.
**Entry Hazard Control**: Hazard removers like Iron Treads and Blastoise can remove the otherwise disastrous Stealth Rock from the field, letting Staraptor stay more healthy for its moves while not forcing it to run Heavy-Duty Boots. Hazard setters like Hisuian Samurott and Heatran can set Spikes and Stealth Rock on the opponent’s side, putting pressure on defensive answers to Staraptor's attacks.
**Cleaners**: Staraptor can usually leave one or more defensive Pokemon on low health after its powerful hits, giving Pokemon like Garchomp, Iron Moth, and Greninja the opportunity to clean up the rest of the team.
Checks and Counters
========
**Chip Damage**: With a reliance on recoil moves and a weakness to Stealth Rock, Staraptor seriously struggles to stay healthy in games and can faint to its own damage if it has to attack too many times. Rocky Helmet is especially effective in this regard due to all of Staraptor’s moves making contact.
**Faster Pokemon**: Staraptor’s poor bulk, only average Speed, and tendency to be chipped down make it a prime target to be picked off by faster offensive threats like Thundurus-T, Ogerpon-W, and Iron Valiant.
**Physical Walls**: While Staraptor does have high wallbreaking power, certain Pokemon like Skarmory, Pecharunt, and Toxapex still have the capability of tanking its initial attacks, especially if it forgoes a Choice Band. If they have access to reliable recovery, highly defensive walls can continuously absorb hits and force Staraptor to wear itself down, especially when they also hold a Rocky Helmet.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/furyy.529077/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/princess-autumn.564960/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
**Draft Order**: Round 6 onwards
**Price Range**: 5-6 points
**Overview**: Staraptor is a frail but powerful wallbreaker that is capable of shredding through defensive Pokemon with its high-Base Power recoil moves boosted by Reckless. Combined with Close Combat, its dual STAB moves of Brave Bird and Double-Edge synergize well at hitting foes for super effective or neutral damage, while U-turn lets it pivot out of the few Pokemon that can take its attacks. Unfortunately, Staraptor’s reliance on recoil moves also takes a great toll on its longevity, as a weakness to Stealth Rock combined with poor bulk and reliance on items other than Heavy-Duty Boots makes it susceptible to being worn down in a short matter of time. Additionally, its only decent base Speed lets it down against faster offensive Pokemon that can easily revenge kill it.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
**Wallbreaker**: When equipped with a Choice Band or other damage-boosting item, Staraptor can rip through slower Pokemon with Reckless-boosted Brave Bird and Double-Edge while hitting Pokemon resistant to them with Close Combat or using U-turn to escape unfavorable matchups.
**Revenge Killer**: By donning a Choice Scarf, Staraptor can outpace the usual offensive foes that would pick it off first and threaten them with its high-Base Power moves, while U-turn can help it generate momentum on predicted switches. If the additional power from Reckless is not necessary, this set can also use Intimidate to weaken physical foes for a pivoted teammate to take advantage of.
Common Moves
========
**Primary STAB Moves**: Brave Bird, Double-Edge, Quick Attack, Dual Wingbeat
**Setup Moves**: Agility
**Utility Moves**: U-turn, Substitute
**Coverage**: Close Combat, Tera Blast
Niche Moves
========
**Final Gambit**: On Choice Scarf sets, Final Gambit can be used to trade Staraptor for one of the opponent’s valuable pieces when it cannot break through with its offensive moves.
**Endeavor**: Staraptor’s tendency to get worn down can work well with Endeavor to guarantee getting an opposing foe to low health.
**Facade**: Against Flame Body-wielding Pokemon in particular, Facade can take advantage of status to keep Staraptor's offensive presence relevant.
**Whirlwind**: In a last-ditch situation, Whirlwind can phaze threatening stat-boosted foes, particularly in tandem with Intimidate to give Staraptor a better chance of surviving a hit.
Common Items
========
**Choice Band**: Choice Band gives Staraptor the most power possible to perform its role, and it has less of a drawback considering Staraptor most often wants to spam its STAB moves save for the occasional Close Combat.
**Choice Scarf**: Choice Scarf makes Staraptor better-matched against offense by outspeeding non-boosted threats and creating momentum for its teammates on switches.
Niche Items
========
**Other Damage-boosting items**: Items like Sharp Beak and Expert Belt can boost Staraptor’s damage output without locking it into a move, though Choice Band is still often the superior choice to get the most value out of Staraptor’s few opportunities. Life Orb however should not be run unless deemed necessary, since it will accelerate Staraptor’s demise from chip damage.
**Heavy-Duty Boots**: In cases where none of the above options are desirable or Staraptor is needed to stick around longer, Heavy-Duty Boots is best at enabling its entry by negating otherwise detrimental Stealth Rock damage.
Tera
========
Staraptor can be a decent secondary Tera Captain if no other teammates can make better use of the role, but it should not be an immediate choice, since other mid-tier picks can benefit from Terastallizing better. If designated as a Captain, Staraptor will most often want to use Tera Flying and Normal to output monstrous damage with its STAB moves. Alternative types like Tera Dark and Fire can let Staraptor break through the few Pokemon not afraid of its natural type coverage like Gholdengo and Corviknight.
Draft Strategy
========
Staraptor should only be drafted if your team has filled necessary roles and can afford a low-budget physical wallbreaker, since it does not offer anything else to a team beyond its offense. Staraptor itself generally likes teammates that can either facilitate switching it in or capitalize on the damage and momentum it can create on the opposing team.
**Pivots**: Staraptor’s poor bulk makes it difficult to find opportunities to switch in, so it appreciates allies that can bring it in with pivoting moves. While Staraptor favors slower pivots like Scizor and Primarina to have a guaranteed safe entry, it can also work with faster pivots like Meowscarada and Raikou to capitalize on the opponent’s respective checks and generate continuous momentum with each other’s pivot moves.
**Entry Hazard Control**: Hazard removers like Iron Treads and Blastoise can remove the otherwise disastrous Stealth Rock from the field, letting Staraptor stay more healthy for its moves while not forcing it to run Heavy-Duty Boots. Hazard setters like Hisuian Samurott and Heatran can set Spikes and Stealth Rock on the opponent’s side, putting pressure on defensive answers to Staraptor's attacks.
**Cleaners**: Staraptor can usually leave one or more defensive Pokemon on low health after its powerful hits, giving Pokemon like Garchomp, Iron Moth, and Greninja the opportunity to clean up the rest of the team.
Checks and Counters
========
**Chip Damage**: With a reliance on recoil moves and a weakness to Stealth Rock, Staraptor seriously struggles to stay healthy in games and can faint to its own damage if it has to attack too many times. Rocky Helmet is especially effective in this regard due to all of Staraptor’s moves making contact.
**Faster Pokemon**: Staraptor’s poor bulk, only average Speed, and tendency to be chipped down make it a prime target to be picked off by faster offensive threats like Thundurus-T, Ogerpon-W, and Iron Valiant.
**Physical Walls**: While Staraptor does have high wallbreaking power, certain Pokemon like Skarmory, Pecharunt, and Toxapex still have the capability of tanking its initial attacks, especially if it forgoes a Choice Band. If they have access to reliable recovery, highly defensive walls can continuously absorb hits and force Staraptor to wear itself down, especially when they also hold a Rocky Helmet.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/furyy.529077/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/techno.527276/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/princess-autumn.564960/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Last edited:
