Staraptor Movesets & Competitive Sets

Staraptor's respectable offensive traits make it suitable as a Choice Scarf revenge killer that finds its place on offensively oriented Normal teams. Brave Bird is Staraptor's go-to attack, nailing Fighting-, Grass-, and Bug-types like Mega Gallade, Zarude, and Volcarona while inflicting hefty damage to frailer offensive Pokemon such as Latios and Blacephalon. Close Combat provides valuable coverage, hitting some of the Rock- and Steel-types that resist Brave Bird, like Tyranitar and Excadrill, hard. U-turn allows Staraptor to work as an offensive pivot, taking advantage of the switches it forces to generate momentum for the team. Complementing the set is Double-Edge, a secondary STAB move that has the primary function of heavily damaging Electric-types such as Rotom-W and Zeraora that resist Brave Bird. Alternatively, Final Gambit's sacrificing blow may be used instead to nuke defensive Pokemon like Toxapex and Skarmory in matchups Staraptor cannot typically leave its mark against with its other moves. Maximum Attack and Speed EVs guarantee Staraptor is as powerful and as fast as possible. Choice Scarf in conjunction with a Jolly nature enables Staraptor to outpace common Choice Scarf wielders such as Krookodile, Urshifu-R, and Excadrill as well as Mega Tyranitar after a Dragon Dance boost while Speed tying with Choice Scarf Victini and Volcarona after a Quiver Dance. Reckless is the best ability this set can have, letting Staraptor nab crucial KOs with a boosted Brave Bird or Double-Edge. However, Intimidate's utility against physical attackers is an option if the extra power isn't necessary and is the better choice alongside Final Gambit. Stealth Rock setters like Smeargle and Blissey are paramount for offensive Staraptor to function better given the residual damage allows Staraptor to score crucial OHKOs against threats like Tapu Koko, Nidoking, and Zeraora. Particularly, Smeargle also sets Sticky Web, slowing down faster Choice Scarf users like Greninja and Terrakion for Staraptor, while Blissey can safely bring Staraptor onto the field via Teleport. Ditto and Staraptor make a very good revenge killing combination, both being able to outspeed and beat dangerous Pokemon like Dragon Dance Gyarados, taking away pressure from each other. Ditto also switches in on certain walls that Staraptor cannot bypass, like Celesteela and Mandibuzz. Diggersby is a great companion for Staraptor because of its sheer power, which allows it to shatter defensive Pokemon Staraptor has trouble dealing with, such as Toxapex and Hippowdon. It has a valuable Electric immunity as well, enabling Staraptor to safely switch or pivot out of a predicted Electric-type attack. Mega Lopunny can check Steel- and Rock-types like Heatran, Ferrothorn, Magnezone, and Tyranitar, freeing Staraptor to spam its most powerful moves in the Fire, Grass, Electric, and Dark matchups. Similarly, Porygon-Z removes annoyances to Staraptor like Jirachi, Mega Slowbro, and Celesteela, with its Z-Conversion set. Mega Pidgeot forms a Flying-type spam core with offensive Staraptor, with the former beating physical walls like Skarmory and Ferrothorn and the latter removing special walls like Rotom-W and Mantine. It can also remove entry hazards with Defog, preserving Staraptor's durability. Indeedee-M beats threatening priority wielders that easily pick off Staraptor, like Mamoswine and Bisharp. Despite not doing this as reliably, Indeedee-F has Healing Wish to fully restore Staraptor's health late-game.

Defensive Staraptor is an excellent entry hazard remover and defensive pivot available for Normal teams because of its good bulk, Intimidate, and a typing that grants a key neutrality to Fighting-type attacks. Defog is key for removing otherwise troublesome entry hazards, notably Toxic Spikes, for Normal-type teams. Roost is important to keep Staraptor healthy, increasing its longevity and letting it perform its supportive roles throughout the match. Brave Bird is Staraptor's main form of dealing damage, hitting dangerous threats like Keldeo, Tapu Bulu, and Mega Venusaur super effectively. It also hits offensive Pokemon such as Greninja and Tapu Lele hard, meaning they can't switch in freely on Staraptor. U-turn rounds off the set, switching Staraptor out of unfavorable situations and maintaining valuable momentum for the team by bringing the team's offensive Pokemon onto the field safely. Staraptor should be used cautiously, as it is greatly appreciated to switch into Fighting-type attacks and constantly ward off entry hazards for the team. Maximum HP and Defense investment alongside an Impish nature maximizes Staraptor's natural bulk. Intimidate is needed to patch Staraptor's only average bulk by weakening physical attackers such as Buzzwole and Mimikyu, enabling it to comfortably switch in on them. Heavy-Duty Boots ignores Stealth Rock damage, letting Staraptor come in unscathed to use Defog. All of Staraptor's teammates benefit from its defensive and supportive roles. Blissey appreciates Staraptor's ability to switch into threatening Fighting-types and physical attackers like Choice Scarf Terrakion and Rillaboom. In return, Blissey absorbs status for Staraptor by virtue of its Natural Cure, safely brings Staraptor onto the field via Teleport for it to remove entry hazards, can spread Toxic poison, and easily shrugs off powerful special assaults from the likes of Tapu Koko and Nidoking that check Staraptor. Porygon2's sheer bulk and great coverage permit it to check sweepers that use Staraptor as setup fodder, such as defensive Mega Scizor and Bisharp. In return, it greatly enjoys Staraptor's hazard removal so it can be brought onto the field intact and, therefore, wall a wider range of attackers. Similarly, Ditto is another good partner because it revenge kills most of the threats that use Staraptor as setup fodder, like Swords Dance Excadrill and Z-Belly Drum Azumarill. It also serves as a backup switch-in versus walls that can cripple Staraptor with forms of residual damage, such as Toxapex and Celesteela. Mega Lopunny checks troublesome Steel-, Rock-, and Ice-types like Aegislash, Tyranitar, and Mamoswine for Staraptor and greatly benefits from its access to a fast U-turn. Diggersby's sheer power enables it to break through defensive Pokemon such as Ferrothorn that Staraptor cannot bypass. It also has a valuable Electric immunity, meaning it can switch into predicted Electric-type attacks that target Staraptor. With its Ghost-type Z-Conversion set, Porygon-Z deals with annoying Pokemon like Jirachi and Galarian Corsola. Conversely, Porygon-Z loves Staraptor's support because that allows it to avoid chip damage from entry hazards and, therefore, pull off a sweep more easily. Mega Pidgeot takes pressure off of Staraptor by offensively checking Fighting-types and has a slot freed to run more effective moves thanks to Staraptor's access to Defog.

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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. U-turn is used to gain momentum for Staraptor's team while safely switching its teammates in. Set Details 252 HP EVs and 200 Defense EVs with an Impish nature maximize Staraptor's ability to take physical attacks. 56 Speed EVs allow Staraptor to outspeed Adamant Swords Dance Tapu Bulu, a huge threat to the type. 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. 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.

Moves Brave Bird, given priority by Gale Wings and backed up by Staraptor's excellent Attack stat and a Choice Band, allows Staraptor to revenge kill most of the metagame. Close Combat maims Rock-types and Steel-types, which would otherwise have little to fear from Staraptor. Double-Edge is the Normal-type STAB move of choice, netting a very important 2HKO against Intimidate Zapdos after Stealth Rock, one of the most prominent Pokemon used to check Gale Wings users in the metagame. Return is a possibility over Double-Edge that, while being weaker, does not wear Staraptor down with recoil. However, it does not net the 2HKO on Intimidate Zapdos, making it an inferior choice. U-turn allows Staraptor to maintain momentum in addition to scouting the opponent's switch-in and possibly accumulating hazard damage. Final Gambit, on the other hand, is often the preferred choice on teams with another Flying-type attacker or Gale Wings user to eliminate the opponent's best Flying-type check, giving leeway for your other Flying-type Pokemon to sweep. Set Details Gale Wings turns Staraptor into one of the metagame's best revenge killers. Maximum Attack investment and an Adamant nature maximize Staraptor's damage output, letting it hit as hard as possible, and 96 Speed EVs allow Staraptor to outspeed maximum investment neutral-natured Braviary, the fastest relevant Gale Wings user other than Staraptor itself in the metagame. The rest of Staraptor's EVs are dumped into HP so it can take as much recoil damage as possible. Finally, a Choice Band increases Staraptor's Attack even further, bringing the power of its moves to very dangerous levels. Sharp Beak is also a possibility that alleviates prediction, but the drop in power from Choice Band is noticeable. Usage Tips Staraptor should be used as a revenge killer, forcing out almost all attackers that don't resist Flying-type attacks under the threat of its extremely powerful Choice Band-boosted Brave Bird. In general, Staraptor should almost always be using Brave Bird, as the move's priority is Staraptor's top selling point. However, if you expect a Rock-type or Steel-type to switch in, Close Combat should be used, and the same should be done with Double-Edge and Electric-types. Stealth Rock is extremely detrimental to Staraptor's performance given it reduces the number of Brave Birds Staraptor can use. This means that keeping Stealth Rock off the field should be a top priority when using Staraptor. Because of this same reason, switching Staraptor in directly is also ill-advised due to its low defenses. Team Options Pokemon that can remove Stealth Rock from the field via Rapid Spin or Defog such as Skarmory and Mew make great partners for Staraptor. Gale Wings Skarmory, most notably, is an excellent teammate to Final Gambit Staraptor, since it can proceed to sweep itself once Staraptor lures and KOes the opponent's Gale Wings check. Entry hazards of your own from a Pokemon such as Deoxys-S or Ferrothorn are also recommended when utilizing Staraptor, as the additional damage they provide help Staraptor score many crucial OHKOs. Flash Fire Steel-types such as Doublade can absorb most faster priority attacks, which force Staraptor out of the field. Magnet Pull Pokemon such as Heatran and Rotom-W can trap and eliminate otherwise problematic Steel-types that can absorb Brave Bird such as Skarmory. It is highly recommended to use U-turn on Staraptor if a Magnet Pull teammate is being used, as Staraptor can pivot directly into the Magnet Pull user after a Steel-type switches in. Finally, pivots that can help Staraptor get into play without taking any attacks such as Vaporeon and Umbreon greatly aid Staraptor. Both of these examples are also notable for being able to offer Staraptor Wish support, which can extend its presence on the battlefield and restore Final Gambit to full power.

Moves Final Gambit allows Staraptor to be a nuke, essentially ensuring that it will always get a KO or deal heavy damage. Brave Bird gives Staraptor some offensive presence in case Final Gambit is not needed. Close Combat allows Staraptor to deal heavy damage to Steel- and Rock-types, such as Tyranitar. U-turn allows Staraptor to switch out and Intimidate shuffle, while Double-Edge is a stronger STAB move that is good against Electric-types that have higher HP, such as Zapdos. Quick Attack can be used so that Staraptor can finish off weakened Pokemon that are faster than it or have a priority move. Set Details Maximum HP investment allows Staraptor to OHKO certain Pokemon, most notably maximum HP Thundurus and anything below, with Final Gambit. 188 Speed EVs with a Choice Scarf allow Staraptor to outrun Choice Scarf Adamant Landorus-T. 68 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature allow Staraptor to have some offensive presence. Intimidate is the preferred ability, as Staraptor's main goal is to KO a Pokemon with Final Gambit, so using Intimidate can allow it to cripple physical attackers and support its teammate, which adds to Staraptor's utility. Usage Tips Do not recklessly use Final Gambit against one of the opponent's Pokemon. First, look at the opponent's team and determine what threatens your team the most; save Staraptor's Final Gambit for that Pokemon. Constantly using U-turn to Intimidate shuffle is a good idea, but make sure Staraptor takes minimal to no damage. Team Options Staraptor generally doesn't need a partner to support it but instead prefers partners that it can support. Setup Pokemon are usually good partners for Staraptor because Staraptor can remove threats to that Pokemon and give it an easier time setting up. Mega Kangaskhan is a great Staraptor partner. Staraptor's Intimidate can add to Mega Kangaskhan's bulk by weakening opposing physical attackers, and Staraptor's Final Gambit can KO Pokemon that threaten Mega Kangaskhan while also opening up opportunities for Mega Kangaskhan to set up with Power-Up Punch. Mega Kangaskhan's Fake Out can also increase the chances of Staraptor getting off its Final Gambit safely. Staraptor can KO a threat to Mega Salamence, which gives it an opportunity to set up with Dragon Dance. Intimidate also weakens the opponent's physical attackers, which gives Mega Salamence an easier time setting up Dragon Dance. Bisharp and Hydreigon can get rid of Ghost-types that Staraptor has trouble against, such as Aegislash. Staraptor, in turn, can check Fighting-types that threaten Bisharp and Hydreigon or just open a way for them to deal massive damage by using Final Gambit against a threat.

With Reckless boosting Staraptor's recoil moves, its Brave Bird and Double-Edge become 144 Base Power STAB moves. Brave Bird and Close Combat provide great coverage, while Double-Edge fills in the remaining gaps by hitting Thundurus and Zapdos hard. U-turn provides Staraptor with a way to switch out while dealing damage, but it can be risky if Staraptor is blocked by Protect while using U-turn. The EVs allow Staraptor to hit as hard and fast as possible. Its Double-Edge can OHKO 4/0 Thundurus and 4/0 Latios, and with a Choice Scarf, it will easily be able to outrun them to execute its attacks. A Choice Band can be used instead of a Choice Scarf, trading Speed for power and increasing Staraptor's OHKO list, but it will require a lot of support as Staraptor's base 100 Speed is just a bit too slow for the job. Choice Band Staraptor should also utilize a Jolly nature; even with Jolly, Staraptor can OHKO 4/0 Garchomp with its recoil moves. If being locked into one move is unfavorable, Staraptor can run a Normal or Flying Gem instead of a Choice item. This allows Staraptor to have more freedom of choice in terms of its moves, and enables it to run Protect over U-turn. Similarly to Choice Band Staraptor, it will need quite a bit of support to work well, due to the presence of many faster Pokemon in the metagame. An alternative EV spread of 252 HP / 52 Atk / 204 Spe allows the best use of Final Gambit. With 192 HP, Staraptor's Final Gambit delivers an OHKO against the likes of Metagross, Togekiss, Ferrothorn, Porygon2, and Latias, who can be difficult for it to KO normally. 204 Speed EVs give Staraptor 146 Speed, allowing it to always outrun Choice Scarf base 80 threats, such as Chandelure or Mamoswine. As Final Gambit becomes the main focus of the set, Intimidate is recommended over Reckless. Using this Staraptor will be all about having it land its devastating attacks while finding a way to keep it alive for as long as possible. Users of Fake Out, Follow Me, or Helping Hand work very nicely in allowing Staraptor to survive longer or hit harder. Faster sweepers, such as Latios and Terrakion, can also work by keeping the opponent under pressure with heavy hitting attacks.

The goal of this Staraptor is to provide Intimidate and Tailwind support to its team; once it sets up, it can proceed to go on the offensive. Brave Bird and Close Combat provide great coverage, and differentiates Staraptor from Salamence, who is able to perform a similar role. Tailwind allows Staraptor to double the Speed of its teammates for three turns, while Protect protects Staraptor from incoming attacks. 116 Speed EVs give 135 Speed, allowing Staraptor to outrun Ludicolo in the rain after using Tailwind. The rest of the EVs go into maximizing Staraptor's Attack, with the remainder added into Special Defense. Investing in Special Defense instead of HP allows Staraptor to survive non-STAB Ice Beams or Blizzards from various Water-type Pokemon, such as Politoed and Ludicolo, while Staraptor can hold a Wacan Berry to survive Zapdos's Thunderbolts, provided Zapdos does not run Life Orb or an Electric Gem. A Flying Gem or Life Orb can be run instead if you feel confident that you can keep Staraptor away from the high voltage. A partner that runs Fake Out increases Staraptor's chances of using Tailwind. Hitmontop can work very nicely, layering a second Intimidate upon the opponents, while Tailwind will allow it to outrun most Pokemon. Although Staraptor can hit hard, it does not last very long on the field. Be sure to have some heavy attackers on standby to back it up after it sets up Tailwind; many common Pokemon, such as Metagross, Chandelure, or Latios, make good teammates, but Tailwind can also open up the field for more interesting options, such as Darmanitan or Dragonite.

This is a sample set. We aren't working on BW Monotype analyses at the moment, but check out BW Monotype resources for more information about the metagame.