[OVERVIEW]
<p>Starmie, along with Gengar, is one of two Pokemon to have been OU since the first generation. This is largely due to Starmie’s ridiculous Speed stat, combined with its great coverage and decent Special Attack. These qualities allow Starmie to be one of the best non-Choiced revenge killers in the entire meta(remove space)game, even without a Choice item. On top of these traits, Starmie has access to a great ability in Natural Cure, and it is one of the best Rapid Spin users around. Furthermore, Starmie has the ability to hit most spinblockers very hard due to its outstanding coverage.</p>
<p>Now, at this point, one is probably wondering why Starmie is not present on every team in OU. That’s simply because the fifth generation brought numerous Pokemon that harass Starmie when in play. Ferrothorn takes a pittance from every single one of Starmie’s attacks, bar the almost nonexistent Hidden Power Fire, and has the ability to OHKO back. Jellicent, though 2HKOed by Starmie’s Life Orbed Thunderbolt, is another great counter to Starmie because it blocks Rapid Spin.(why is this sentence here? Jellicent does diddly squat to Starmie as Starmie can just Recover everything, even Energy Ball. Imo remove it.) Additionally, the rises in popularity of Tyranitar and Scizor have had negative effects on Starmie’s existence. However, Starmie’s positive traits more than outweigh its negative traits, and the presence of Pokemon like Dragonite and Volcarona that need Rapid Spin support will always keep the starfish busy.</p>
[SET]
name: Standard
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Rapid Spin / Recover
item: Life Orb / Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is easily the most used Starmie set, and its use is for good reason. Starmie garners great coverage with only three attacking moves; Thunderbolt and Ice Beam together are nearly unresisted alone, and Starmie has STAB Hydro Pump to back up its offensive presence. The This set is usually seen in two variants: Rapid Spin and 3 attacks. With Rapid Spin, the set gains the ability to clear the field for Dragonite, Volcarona, and any other sweepers that may benefit from Rapid Spin support. However, if one forgoes Rapid Spin in order to use Recover, Starmie becomes a great midgame sweeper due to its great Speed and high Special Attack, especially with a Life Orb. This set’s utility is great when one considers that the Volt-Turn strategy and the vast majority of OU sweepers appreciate Rapid Spin a lot, and Starmie has one of the highest Speeds in the tier.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs are tailored to give Starmie as much Speed as possible, because after Starmie has cleared the field of hazards done its job, it will most likely become the team’s revenge killer. Maximum Special Attack EVs also ensure that Starmie can do a good job attacking the opponent cleaning the field. Life Orb is great for players who need more power from their Starmie, as it gains a 2HKO on Tyranitar with Hydro Pump, and it also allows Starmie to 2HKO Jellicent, a common spinblocker, with Thunderbolt. However, one can go with Leftovers for more reliable Rapid Spin support, as Starmie’s health will not be leeched each turn, including turns when one simple uses Rapid Spin. An alternate EV spread of 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe can be used for those who want a Starmie that can still revenge kill, but also can soften hits due to its bulk. Scald is a good choice in a bulkier Starmie’s moveset because it allows Starmie to potentially burn foes. Additionally, one can run a set with an Expert Belt because it can bluff a Choice set, and it can also gain the aforementioned 2HKOs without the drop in health. One can run Recover and Rapid Spin on the same set for reliability, but the loss in coverage is frowned upon.</p>
<p>Starmie’s best friend is rain, and so Drizzle support from Politoed is always a nice thing to have. It allows Starmie to gain a second,(comma) pseudo-STAB boost on Hydro Pump, and it also allows for the use of Thunder instead of Thunderbolt. Additionally, many rain sweepers require Rapid Spin support, such as Tornadus. While Blissey, Chansey, and Tyranitar can all sponge hits, the latter is 2HKOed by a Life Orb Starmie’s Hydro Pump, so it can only revenge kill Starmie. Tyranitar and Scizor do well checking Starmie because of their access to Pursuit, which Starmie is weak to. Ferrothorn is Starmie’s worst enemy; it only takes neutral damage at worst from one of Starmie’s less powerful attacks, and it hurts Starmie every time Rapid Spin is used. Additionally, it can lay hazards that will bother the Pokemon that Starmie tries to clear the field for. STAB Power Whip from Ferrothorn does a lot of damage, and it OHKOesing standard EVed Starmie, while it has a chance of OHKOing the bulkier spread. For this reason, Magnezone is a great supporter of Starmie; it has the ability to trap and take down Ferrothorn. Fighting-types such as Breloom, Terrakion, and Conkeldurr also make good teammates because they can all OHKO all of Starmie’s counters, bar Scizor. Starmie is common on many Volt-Turn teams because it clears the field of hazards,(comma) while allowing the user to use Volt Switch and U-turn without fear of losing health. Also, beneficiaries of Rapid Spin like Gyarados and Dragonite make good teammates, because they have an easier time setting up when hazards are gone.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Psyshock / Trick
item: Choice Specs
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With Choice Specs equipped, Starmie becomes downright deadly. Though some counters still remain, all of Starmie's attacks have an extra punch behind them. However, Starmie does not have to sacrifice its defining Speed to reach such high power, which is one of the biggest boons Choice Specs Starmie can get. In addition, status cannot slow Starmie down thanks to Natural Cure, and even some of Starmie's biggest counters have to pale at the sight of this behemoth. Hydro Pump provides obligatory STAB, and it has monsterous power. However, one could use Surf for reliability, as one simple miss could ruin a match. Ice Beam and Thunderbolt provide optimal coverage, and each has an added emphasis with Choice Specs. Psyshock does a massive amount of damage, OHKOing Virizion and 2HKOing standard Gastrodon. However, Trick is another option because it cripples Starmie's more notable counters.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs are standard on all Starmie; they help outspeed threats and hit back hard. Timid should always be the primary nature because it allows Starmie to check outspeed most Pokemon in OU and check outspeed them. However, a Modest nature is an option because with a Modest nature and Stealth Rock support, Starmie can actually 2HKO Blissey. One can also choose to use Hidden Power Fire or Hidden Power Grass to hit Ferrothorn and Gastrodon harder, but it's generally not recommended over the standard coverage moves. Psychic is another option if one wants the 10 more Base Power. Basically, most of the moves are glue, but if there is a department that a team is lacking in, Hidden Power or Psychic can fit it.</p>
<p>Like with all of Starmie's sets, rain support is appreciated. It helps Hydro Pump hit much harder, and it also allows Starmie to run Thunder. The counters to this set are less numerous than those of the Rapid Spin set due to this set's immense power. However, Choice Specs Starmie becomes Pursuit fodder after KOing a Pokemon, so one should always make sure that Tyranitar is checked before spamming Ice Beam or Thunderbolt; a Choice-locked Psyshock is also an invitation for Tyranitar to come in and wreak havoc. Additionally, Ferrothorn is a hard counter to this set. It still takes next to nothing from all of Starmie's moves, though it has to live in fear of Trick. Due to this, Fighting-types are appreciated in supporting Starmie. Also, Scizor makes a great partner because it has a solid damage output from attacks like STAB U-turn and Bullet Punch. Scizor can also check things that try to boost Speed to +1 against Starmie due to powerful priority, so it should always be considered. The Choice Specs set is a lot more vulnerable to the likes of Jellicent, though, as Recover and Water Absorb allow Jellicent to gain back most of its HP. Jellicent still must watch out for Thunderbolt, but Starmie cannot go about spamming Hydro Pump when a Jellicent is on the opposing team. Celebi and Latias can sponge hits from all attacks other than Ice Beam, so one should play carefully when either is being used by the opponent.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 2: Thunderbolt
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Trick
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Choice Scarf Starmie seems like a very strange choice, it's a revenge killer in the strictest sense of the word. It's ability to not only outspeed +1 threats, but even some +2 threats like Dragonite and Gyarados,(comma) really comes in handy much of the time. Though it looks similar to the Choice Specs set, it plays very differently. For one, it's not meant to break down Pokemon; instead, it focuses on outspeeding and handily KOing threats. With a powerful STAB Hydro Pump, as well as BoltBeam coverage, Starmie has everything it needs to be an effective revenge killer. Not only that, but it is capable of crippling its most common switch ins with Trick, so one never should lose a turn due to switching because the opponent switched to a counter. In addition, Starmie has the ability to ruin common leads like Deoxys-D solely because Trick cripples them. Additionally, Starmie retains its monster Speed even after using Trick. While the reasons for using this Starmie may not be apparent, one should note that it beats Modest Venusaur (afaik it outspeeds all Venusaur in the sun....?) in the sun, +2 Cloyster, +2 Dragonite locked into Outrage, and even +2 Gyarados; these are some of the most threatening sweepers in the meta(no space)game.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>While most of the moves on this set are standard glue, Surf can replace Hydro Pump for reliability. Hidden Power Fire can be used for Scizor, though there is no point in using Hidden Power Fire against Ferrothorn because Starmie will not be able to 2HKO Ferrothorn regardless of high damage rolls. Like Hidden Power Fire, Hidden Power Grass can be used to keep Gastrodon and Rotom-W that switch in at bay. Rapid Spin is an option on the set because Starmie can Trick away its Choice Scarf and become a standard Rapid Spin Starmie; however, one would probably find more utility from just using the Rapid Spin set in the first place. Psyshock and Psychic can be used over either a coverage move or Trick, but Trick offers the ability to cripple Ferrothorn and the coverage helps Starmie be a reliable revenge killer.</p>
<p>The checks and counters for this set are more or less the same checks and counters for all of Starmie's sets. Tyranitar avoids a 2HKO by Hydro Pump and can either use Pursuit or Crunch to finish off Starmie. The mention of Pursuit brings up another thing; Choice locked Starmie is very Pursuit weak. Scizor is a check in the same vein, but it has to avoid an errant Hidden Power Fires. It also can be 2HKOed by Hydro Pump, so Scizor users have to bring the bug in for a revenge kill rather than a direct switch. Celebi is a good check because it avoids a 2HKO by Starmie unless it has no bulk investment in bulk whatsoever, and it can OHKO back with Leaf Storm or Giga Drain. Chansey and Blissey wall this set hard, but both are crippled and rendered useless by Trick. Ferrothorn also is affected in a similar manner, but it actually OHKOes Starmie with Power Whip, so Trick is only a reliable method of dealing with Ferrothorn on the switch. Rain support is always appreciated because it buffs Hydro Pump and it gives Thunder perfect accuracy. Additionally, strong Fighting-types are appreciated because they KO all of Starmie's counters. Since this set is focused on revenge killing, strong sweepers like Terrakion and Breloom really appreciate Choice Scarf Starmie. Though it has an obvious lack of power compared to the Choice Specs set, it makes up for it with some of the best revenge killing ever that the game has seen.</p>
[OTHER OPTIONS]
<p>While Starmie's other options are not plentiful, there are some choices one can make to diverge from the norm effectively. Hidden Power Grass is an option, as it does well against Pokemon like Gastrodon and Rotom-W. Hidden Power Fire can be used, but it will only 2HKO Ferrothorn if a Life Orb is used. Psychic is always an option due to STAB, but it doesn't contribute anything coverage-wise other than a check to some Fighting-types. Reflect and Light Screen can both be used because they double the team's defenses for 5 turns (8 with Light Clay), but there are other, better users of Dual Screens. Blizzard is an option for hail teams, and hail teams often need a competent spinner that can hit hard. Gravity is yet another option that will aid Spike stacking teams, and it also buffs Hydro Pump's, Thunder's, and Blizzard's accuracy. Thunder Wave is a good option for more defensive variants because it really helps support the team, though it costs one move slot, so one should have a good reason when using it.</p>
[CHECKS AND COUNTERS]
<p>While Starmie is the beneficiary of amazing coverage, that is not to say that it does not have flaws. Dedicated special walls like Blissey and Chansey stop Starmie in its tracks. It cannot even come close to 2HKOing Blissey or Chansey unless it has lots of hazard support, and is running Choice Specs and Psyshock. However, these are not always the best counters because Starmie has the ability to carry Trick. With Trick, Starmie essentially neuters both Chansey and Blissey and renders them useless for the rest of the match. Most Starmie do not carry Trick, though, so Chansey and Blissey are very solid counters. While Ferrothorn resists nearly everything that Starmie throws at it, Trick will also ruin it. Again, Trick is uncommon, so Ferrothorn is another solid counter. Ferrothorn has the ability to OHKO Starmie(no space), and is only 2HKOed by Starmie's Hidden Power Fire. Another solid counter is Gastrodon, as it is immune from Thunderbolt and Hydro Pump, and it takes a pittance from Ice Beam. Starmie may run Hidden Power Grass, though, so one must be weary when switching to Gastrodon. Porygon2 is a great counter to Starmie because it can sponge hits and retaliate with Thunderbolt. While Lanturn is never seen in OU, it counters Starmie hard by absorbing Thunderbolt and being resistant to both Ice Beam and Hydro Pump. Additionally, it OHKOes Starmie with Thunderbolt, so never let Lanturn's appearance fool you. Due to Starmie's amazing coverage, checking the starfish is probably the best way to go, though.</p>
<p>Tyranitar is a notorious check to Starmie, and it's often the easiest to throw onto a team because it is so common (not true, just fyi!). While Starmie is able to 2HKO Tyranitar with a Life Orb, Choice Specs, or an Expert Belt, Tyranitar can use Pursuit to catch fleeing Starmie or use Crunch to decimate it. It is best to bring Tyranitar in for a revenge kill when facing Starmie unless one knows that Starmie has Leftovers, though. Scizor is another good check to Starmie. However, it has to avoid being OHKOed in the rain by Hydro Pump, but with access to Pursuit and U-turn, Scizor can exploit Starmie's weakness to both Dark- and Bug-types. Jellicent can sponge hits from Starmies with Leftovers and block Rapid Spin, so it can be considered a check. However, one should note that Starmie will hit very hard with Thunderbolt. Celebi can take everything except for Ice Beam, and it can KO back due to with Grass-type STAB attacks. Rotom-W can also come in and cause mayhem by starting a Volt-Turn chain, but one should note that Thunderbolt will do decent chunk of damage each time Rotom-W tries to come in and counter. While Latias is hit for super effective damage by Ice Beam, it can stomach hits and set up; the same applies to Virizion, who has great special bulk, taking everything except for Psyshock. Jolteon can come in on Electric-type attacks and OHKO Starmie, so one should think twice before clicking on Thunderbolt.</p>
[DREAM WORLD]
<p>Simply put, all abilities available to Starmie other than Natural Cure are rubbish; that list includes Analytic. Starmie is far too quick to be a noteworthy user of Analytic, and it is not even worth using as a gimmick. One should always just stick with Natural Cure when using Starmie.</p>