UU Starmie

A Cake Wearing A Hat

moist and crusty
is a Community Leaderis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a Dedicated Tournament Hostis a Battle Simulator Moderatoris a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Top Social Media Contributor Alumnus
Community Leader
pointy gem object

QC: pak, bouff, hilo

GP: tdp, marthaa

[OVERVIEW]

Starmie is an excellent offensive Pokemon thanks to its great coverage options and useful ability Analytic, and it is also the fastest Rapid Spin user in the tier. In addition to having great offensive capabilities, it also has adequate tools such as Natural Cure, Recover, and Reflect Type that let it viably run a bulkier set geared more towards support. Starmie's Speed tier is fantastic, letting it outspeed many offensive threats like Latias, Terrakion, and Infernape. However, Starmie's raw power without boosts is lacking due to its middling base 100 Special Attack, which can cause it some trouble in breaking past bulkier Pokemon such as Sylveon and Snorlax. This is much more apparent when using bulky variants of Starmie with no Special Attack investment, making these variants unfortunately rather passive versus targets that do not care about burns. While its Water / Psychic typing gives it some useful resistances that allow it to act as a soft check to Pokemon such as Infernape and Cobalion, Starmie is moderately frail, which means that without investment it will not be able to switch in on even many resisted hits. Its typing also gives it a very serious weakness to Electric-, Bug-, Dark-, Ghost-, and Grass-type attacks, which leaves it extremely vulnerable to strategies such as Pursuit trapping and VoltTurn.

[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Psyshock / Thunderbolt
move 4: Rapid Spin / Thunderbolt
item: Life Orb / Waterium Z
ability: Analytic
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Hydro Pump is Starmie's primary STAB attack and its strongest attack. It also allows Starmie to use a 185-Base Power Hydro Vortex to OHKO threats like Cobalion and offensive Scizor without an Analytic boost as well as to bypass an accuracy check. Hydro Vortex also gives Starmie a small chance to beat Alolan Muk after Stealth Rock and one layer of Spikes if the move is Analytic boosted. Ice Beam allows Starmie to hit Dragon- and Grass-types like Latias, Mega Altaria, and Celebi super effectively. Psyshock is Starmie's secondary STAB move and second strongest attack, dealing great neutral damage to special walls or Water-resistant Pokemon like Blissey and Rotom-W, and it also allows Starmie to easily take out Poison-types like Amoonguss, Crobat, Tentacruel, and Nihilego. Thunderbolt is another coverage move Starmie can use that allows it to hit Water-types like Empoleon, Mantine, and Suicune super effectively. Rapid Spin provides entry hazard removal for your team, but it still causes Life Orb recoil if Starmie is using it, so it should be used sparingly. Hidden Power Fire can be considered when using a Life Orb to give Starmie a method of reliably revenge killing Scizor, but it would have to give up on potential coverage or Rapid Spin to do so.


Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment with a Timid nature lets Starmie hit as hard as possible while outspeeding threats like Cobalion and Latias and Speed tying with Pokemon like Raikou and Zygarde-10%. Analytic gives Starmie's attacks a 1.3x power boost when the foe has switched out that turn, which severely limits Starmie's switch-ins. Analytic also gives a boost when Starmie moves last, but with Starmie's subpar bulk, this is generally not a method of damage boosting you should use often. Starmie uses a Life Orb to hit as hard as possible while still being able to switch moves at will. It can alternatively run Waterium Z, which allows it to use a 185-Base Power Hydro Vortex, but this lowers the power of its other moves.

Usage Tips
========

Starmie should spend most of its time taking out predicted switch-ins like Latias with Analytic-boosted attacks or revenge killing what's in front of it. It is beneficial to predict well when using Starmie, as you waste the Analytic boost if you mispredict a switch-in and use the incorrect coverage move. If a switch to a Pokemon like Alolan Muk is predicted, attempt to double switch out to a Pokemon with a better matchup in order to avoid being Pursuit trapped. Starmie should only use Rapid Spin in emergencies, like when Sticky Web is up on your side or if entry hazards are stacked to a point where you would lose otherwise, since it would much rather be attacking the opposing team if it has the opportunity. Because of its poor bulk, Starmie should primarily be brought in with free switches from users of U-turn or Volt Switch, predicted double switches, or after one of your other team members has fainted.

Team Options
========

Starmie fits best on bulky offense teams, but it can also function on hyper offense. Fighting-type Pokemon like Cobalion, Terrakion, and Infernape help with the Dark-types like Mega Absol and Alolan Muk that give Starmie trouble. These Fighting-types also help to break past specially bulky Pokemon like Blissey and Snorlax that Starmie struggles with. On a similar note, physical wallbreakers like Mamoswine and Entei can also assist in breaking past special walls like Blissey and Alolan Muk. Pokemon that enjoy entry hazard removal like Mega Pidgeot, Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Beedrill, and Chandelure enjoy having Starmie as a partner due to its ability to use Rapid Spin. Users of Volt Switch and U-turn like Scizor, Hydreigon, and Mega Beedrill make good partners for Starmie, as they can bring it in safely. Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes setters like Cobalion, Gliscor, Klefki, and Nihilego will help Starmie decimate opposing teams more easily.

[SET]
name: Bulky Spinner
move 1: Scald
move 2: Toxic / Reflect Type
move 3: Recover
move 4: Rapid Spin
item: Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Scald is Starmie's primary method of dealing damage, and it also has a 30% chance to burn opposing Pokemon, which lets Starmie cripple physical threats like Mega Altaria and Terrakion. Toxic lets Starmie deal damage over time to Pokemon that would otherwise wall it like Latias, Hydreigon, and Seismitoad. Reflect Type is an option over Toxic that lets Starmie gain a favorable matchup versus several Pokemon that it would normally struggle with, like Alolan Muk, Rotom-W, and Scizor. Recover lets Starmie stay healthy throughout a match. Rapid Spin is used to support the team by removing entry hazards from the field.

Set Details
========

Maximum HP and Speed investment with a Timid nature gives Starmie a decent amount of bulk while still letting it outspeed threats like Cobalion and Latias and Speed tie with Pokemon like Raikou and Zygarde-10%. Natural Cure gives Starmie a way to heal itself from status effects like paralysis and Toxic poison. Starmie uses Leftovers as a form of passive recovery.

Usage Tips
========

Starmie's primary goal in a match is to act as a reliable form of entry hazard removal, so keep it healthy throughout a match with Recover, and keep hazards off the field whenever possible. Bring Starmie into threats that cannot do much to it like Cobalion and Choice-locked Infernape, or bring it in by pivoting to keep it healthy. If Starmie is facing physical attackers like Cobalion, try fishing for Scald burns to weaken them. If you predict the opponent to switch to one of the many Pokemon that Starmie cannot bypass by normal means such as Latias and Seismitoad, either switch out to avoid a loss of momentum or use Toxic to cripple them. Use Reflect Type in situations where taking on the foe's type would be beneficial, such as to evade a Pursuit from Alolan Muk or weaken the damage done by Volt Switch and U-turn from Scizor and Rotom-W. If Starmie has not been damaged yet and has yet to perform an attack, you can attempt to bluff a more offensive Starmie set in order to force out Pokemon like Tentacruel and weakened Latias. However, this method is not reliable and should be used with caution.

Team Options
========

Starmie can fit well on bulky offense and balance teams. Fighting-type Pokemon like Cobalion, Heracross, and Infernape help to beat the Dark-types like Mega Absol and Alolan Muk that give Starmie trouble. Pokemon that enjoy reliable entry hazard removal like Talonflame, Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Beedrill, and Chandelure enjoy having Starmie as a partner due to its proficiency as a Rapid Spin user. Users of Volt Switch and U-turn like Scizor, Infernape, and Mega Manectric make good partners for Starmie, as they can bring it in safely. Starmie enjoys partners such as Mamoswine and Sylveon that can deal with the Dragon-types like Latias and Hydreigon that Starmie lets in easily. Starmie also enjoys Pokemon like Mega Manectric and Mega Sceptile that can beat opposing Water-types like Suicune and Volcanion. Pokemon like Mega Pidgeot and Entei also make good partners due to their ability to beat opposing Grass-types like Amoonguss and Celebi.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

If your team is weak to Rotom-W, Seismitoad, and Gastrodon, Grass Knot can be used with Grassium Z in order to function as a decent lure. However, this is largely team dependent, and the lack of a Life Orb and inability to run other coverage options severely cuts into Starmie's offensive abilities. Starmie can also attempt to use a set taking advantage of the boost to Special Attack provided by Z-Gravity with Hydro Pump, Thunder, and Blizzard to try to perform the role of a setup sweeper, but this set is unreliable outside of Gravity, and it can easily be stopped in the middle of its one chance to sweep by faster Pokemon.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Dark-types and Pursuit Users**: Hydreigon, Mandibuzz, and Mega Sharpedo are all able to take a Hydro Pump and deal heavy damage in return, and Pursuit users like Mega Aerodactyl, Scizor, Mega Absol, and especially Alolan Muk, which can survive almost any hit from Starmie, are capable of trapping Starmie and taking it out with ease. Several of these must watch out for Reflect Type variants of Starmie, however.

**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Specially bulky Pokemon like Empoleon, Mandibuzz, Blissey, and Alolan Muk are all capable of taking Starmie's attacks, although Blissey is forced to use Soft-Boiled after an Analytic-boosted Psyshock, Mandibuzz is 2HKOed after Stealth Rock damage, and Empoleon can be 2HKOed by Thunderbolt on the switch. Bulky Starmie sets, however, cannot break through these Pokemon at all outside of using Toxic on those vulnerable to it.

**Rotom-W**: Rotom-W, despite not being extremely specially bulky, can avoid being 2HKOed by any of Starmie's possible attacks except Bloom Doom and can hit back with a strong Volt Switch.

**Residual Damage**: Starmie is easily worn down by burns, Toxic poison, and entry hazards, along with its own Life Orb recoil, and this severely limits its longevity if it's not running Recover.

**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon like Mega Sceptile and Mega Beedrill as well as Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon and Krookodile are capable of outspeeding and OHKOing Starmie, even if they cannot switch in directly.

**Water-resistant Special Attackers**: Bulky variants of Starmie have few ways of damaging Pokemon like Latias, Suicune, and Seismitoad outside of Toxic, which makes said variants of Starmie setup fodder for these Pokemon.
 
Last edited:

Pak

fly higher
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Top Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Past SCL Champion
Overview
  • You could probably combine the first two lines since the second basically explains the first. Something like "Starmie is an excellent offensive Pokemon thanks to its great coverage options and useful ability, Analytic, and is also the fastest Rapid Spin user in the tier"
  • I'd include something about its raw power being nothing spectacular at only base 100, struggling to break through some bulkier mons like Sylveon and Snorlax
Moves
  • Switch to different examples of mons hit hard by Analytic Hydro Pump or just take them out entirely since you'll basically never see offensive Sciz or Crawdaunt come in on Starmie and they won't usually stay in to use their resisted priority moves.
  • Don't slash it, but at least give Hidden Power Fire a mention either here or in OO since it lets Life Orb Starmie reliably revenge kill a healthy Scizor
Usage Tips
  • While taking advantage of Analytic boosts is nice, I wouldn't put such heavy emphasis on predicting correctly 100% of the time since its not like Starmie is completely reliant on its ability to do damage
Team Options
  • I'd argue that Starmie actually fits best on bulky offense given that those builds really appreciate the offensive presence it brings along with spinning as opposed to more passive hazard control options like Tentacruel and Mantine
  • Mention that Fighting-types can also help break through sp def stuff like Blissey
  • At a glance, Suicune looks out of place next to the other mons that appreciate hazard removal since they're all weak to rocks. Either take it out or specify which set you're referring to
  • Maybe it's just me but I'm not sure if Sticky Web users are worth mentioning since the playstyle is really uncommon and Starmie isn't exactly a standout abuser of it
Other Options
  • Small nitpick but change "defensive spread" to "bulky spread"
  • Mention HP Fire here if you don't with the moves on the set
Checks and Counters
  • The mention of Rotom-W in special walls seems a little random since it doesn't directly relate to the group of mons it's included in
QC 1/3 after implementing these
 
i wouldnt list gliscor as a mon that reflect type takes advantage of because without stab scald gliscor just sets up on it and runs up

looks fine otherwise, qc 2/3

e: turns out i read scizor as gliscor. go me
 
Last edited:

A Cake Wearing A Hat

moist and crusty
is a Community Leaderis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a Dedicated Tournament Hostis a Battle Simulator Moderatoris a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Top Social Media Contributor Alumnus
Community Leader
implemented the change we discussed on discord of swapping reflect type and toxic on the slash order and moves section of bulky, and written up
 

Hilomilo

High-low My-low
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
Overview looks good

Set: Offensive
Moves
* Psyshock isn't 2HKOing max defense Seismitoad, so I think you should find a better example.

Usage Tips
* Talk about trying to double out of the predicted Alolan Muk switch (you can also say switch-ins like Blissey but amuk is the primary example) in order to refrain from being Pursuit trapped.

Team Options
* Add physical wallbreakers to this section, give examples, and say that they're useful for breaking past some of Starmie's biggest checks, like Alolan Muk and Blissey.

Set: Bulky Rapid Spinner
Moves
* I feel like Scizor and Cobalion are too frequently used as examples in this analysis, so unless that's a wrong assumption, I'd suggest maybe switching up the examples in the Scald sentence.

Checks and Counters
* Why is Alolan Muk especially troublsome? Elaborate a little.


Great work. QC 3/3 when this is implemented.
 

Lumari

empty spaces
is a Site Content Manageris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Member of Senior Staffis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris an Administrator Alumnus
TFP Leader


remove
add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 1/2
[OVERVIEW]

Starmie is an excellent offensive Pokemon thanks to its great coverage options and useful ability (RC) Analytic, and it is also the fastest Rapid Spin user in the tier. In addition to having great offensive capabilities, it also has adequate tools such as Natural Cure, Recover, and Reflect Type which that let it viably run a bulkier set geared more towards support. Starmie's speed Speed tier is fantastic, letting it outspeed many offensive threats like Latias, Terrakion, and Infernape. However, Starmie's raw power without boosts is lacking due to its middling base 100 Special Attack, which can cause it some trouble in breaking past bulkier Pokemon such as Sylveon and Snorlax. This is much more apparent when using bulky variants of Starmie with no Special Attack investment, making these variants unfortunately rather passive versus targets that do not care about burns. While its Water / Psychic (spacing) typing gives it some useful resistances which that allow it to act as a soft check to Pokemon such as Infernape and Cobalion, (comma) However, Starmie is moderately frail, which means that without investment it will not be able to switch in on even many resisted hits. Its typing also gives it a very serious weakness to Electric-, Bug-, Dark-, Ghost-, and Grass-type attacks, which leaves it extremely vulnerable to strategies such as Pursuit trapping and VoltTurn.

[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Psyshock / Thunderbolt
move 4: Rapid Spin / Thunderbolt
item: Life Orb / Waterium Z
ability: Analytic
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Hydro Pump is Starmie's primary STAB attack and its strongest reusable ("common sense" really, not the greatest reasoning probably but taking z-moves into consideration here will probably end up confusing more people than it should) attack. It also allows Starmie can to use a 185-Base Power Hydro Vortex to OHKO threats like Cobalion and Offensive offensive Scizor without an analytic Analytic boost (RC) and it also allows Starmie as well as to bypass an accuracy check. Hydro Vortex also gives Starmie a small chance to beat Alolan Muk after Stealth Rock and one layer of Spikes if the move is Analytic boosted. Ice Beam allows Starmie to hit Dragon- and Grass-types like Latias, Celebi, and Mega Altaria, and Celebi super effectively. Psyshock is Starmie's secondary STAB and second strongest attack, dealing great neutral damage to special walls or Water-resistant Pokemon like Blissey and Rotom-W, and it also allows Starmie to easily take out Poison-types like Amoonguss, Crobat, Tentacruel, and Nihilego. Thunderbolt is another coverage move Starmie can use which that allows it to hit Water-types like Empoleon, Mantine, and Suicune super effectively. Rapid Spin provides entry hazard removal for your team, but it still causes Life Orb recoil if Starmie is using it, so it should be used sparingly. Hidden Power Fire can be considered when using a Life Orb to give Starmie a method of reliably revenge killing Scizor, but it would have to give up on potential coverage or Rapid Spin to do so.


Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment with a Timid nature let lets Starmie hit as hard as possible while outspeeding threats like Cobalion and Latias and tying with Pokemon like Raikou and Zygarde-10%. Analytic gives Starmie's attacks a 1.3x power boost to damage dealt when the opponent has switched out that turn, which severely limits Starmie's switch-ins. Analytic also gives a boost when Starmie moves last, but with its Starmie's subpar bulk, (AC) this is generally not a method of damage boosting you should use often. Starmie uses a Life Orb to hit as hard as possible while still being able to switch moves at will. It can alternatively run Waterium Z, which allows it to use a 185-Base Power Hydro Vortex, but this lowers the power of its other moves.

Usage Tips
========

Starmie should spend most of its time taking out predicted switch-ins like Latias with Analytic-boosted attacks or revenge killing what's in front of it. It is beneficial to predict well when using Starmie, as you waste the Analytic boost if you mispredict a switch-in and use the incorrect coverage move, like if you use Hydro Pump versus a Mega Latias switch-in rather than Ice Beam. If a switch to a Pokemon like Alolan Muk is predicted, attempt to double switch out into to a Pokemon with a better matchup in order to avoid being Pursuit trapped. Starmie should only use Rapid Spin in emergencies, like when Sticky Web is up on your side or if entry hazards are stacked to a point where you would lose otherwise, since Starmie it would much rather be attacking the opposing team if it has the opportunity. Because of its poor bulk, Starmie should primarily be brought in with free switches from users of U-turn or Volt Switch, predicted double switches, or after one of your other team members has fainted.

Team Options
========

Starmie fits best on bulky offense teams, but it can also function on hyper offense. Fighting-type Pokemon like Cobalion, Terrakion, and Infernape help with the Dark-types like Mega Absol and Alolan Muk that give Starmie trouble. These Fighting-types also help to break past specially bulky Pokemon like Blissey and Snorlax which that Starmie struggles with. On a similar note, physical wallbreakers like Mamoswine and Entei can also assist in breaking past special walls like Blissey and Alolan Muk. Pokemon that enjoy entry hazard removal like Mega Pidgeot, Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Beedrill, and Chandelure enjoy having Starmie as a partner due to its ability to use Rapid Spin. Users of Volt Switch and U-turn like Scizor, Hydreigon, and Mega Beedrill make good partners for Starmie, (AC) as they can bring it in safely. Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes setters like Nihilego, Cobalion, Klefki, and Gliscor will help Starmie decimate opposing teams more easily.

[SET]
name: Bulky Rapid Spinner
move 1: Scald
move 2: Toxic / Reflect Type
move 3: Recover
move 4: Rapid Spin
item: Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Scald is Starmie's primary method of dealing damage, and it also has a 30% chance to burn opposing Pokemon, which lets Starmie cripple opposing physical threats like Mega Altaria and Terrakion. Toxic lets Starmie deal damage over time to Pokemon that would otherwise wall it like Latias, Hydreigon, and Seismitoad. Reflect Type is an alternative option over Toxic which that lets Starmie gain a favorable matchup versus several Pokemon that it would normally struggle with, like Alolan Muk, Rotom-W, and Scizor. Recover lets Starmie stay healthy throughout a match. Rapid Spin is used to support the team by removing entry hazards from the field.

Set Details
========

Maximum HP and Speed investment with a Timid nature gives Starmie a decent amount of bulk while still letting it outspeeding threats like Cobalion and Latias and tying tie with Pokemon like Raikou and Zygarde-10%. Natural Cure gives Starmie a way to heal itself from status effects like paralysis and Toxic by switching out. Starmie uses Leftovers as a form of passive recovery.


Usage Tips
========

Starmie's primary goal in a match is to act as a reliable form of entry hazard removal, so keep it healthy throughout a match with Recover and keep hazards off the field whenever possible. Bring Starmie into threats that cannot do much to it like Cobalion or and Choice-locked Infernape, or bring Starmie it in by pivoting to keep it healthy. If Starmie is facing a physical attackers like Cobalion, try fishing for Scald burns to weaken them. If you predict the opponent to switch into to one of the many Pokemon that Starmie cannot bypass by normal means such as Latias or and Seismitoad, either switch out to avoid a loss of momentum or use Toxic to cripple them. Use Reflect Type in situations where taking on the opponent's type would be beneficial, such as evading to evade a Pursuit from Alolan Muk or weakening the damage done by Volt Switch and U-turn from Scizor and Rotom-W. If Starmie has not been damaged yet and has yet to perform an attack, you can attempt to bluff a more offensive Starmie set in order to force out Pokemon like Tentacruel or and weakened Latias. However, this method is not reliable and should be used with caution.

Team Options
========

Starmie can fit well on bulky offense and balance teams. Fighting-type Pokemon like Cobalion, Heracross, and Infernape help to beat the Dark-types like Mega Absol and Alolan Muk that give Starmie trouble. Pokemon that enjoy reliable entry hazard removal like Talonflame, Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Beedrill, and Chandelure enjoy having Starmie as a partner due to its proficiency as a Rapid Spin user. Users of Volt Switch and U-turn like Scizor, Infernape, and Mega Manectric make good partners for Starmie, (AC) as they can bring it in safely. Starmie enjoys partners such as Mamoswine and Sylveon that can deal with the Dragon-types like Latias and Hydreigon which that Starmie lets in easily. Starmie also enjoys Pokemon like Mega Manectric and Mega Sceptile which that can beat opposing Water-types like Suicune and Volcanion. Pokemon like Mega Pidgeot and Entei also make good partners due to their ability to beat opposing Grass-types like Amoonguss and Celebi.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

If your team is weak to Rotom-W, Seismitoad, and Gastrodon, Grass Knot can be used with Grassium Z in order to function as a decent lure. However, this is largely team dependant dependent and the lack of a Life Orb and inability to run other coverage options severely cuts into its Starmie's offensive abilities. Starmie can also attempt to use a set taking advantage of the boost to Special Attack provided by Z-Gravity with Hydro Pump, Thunder, and Blizzard to try to perform the role of a setup sweeper, but this set is unreliable outside of Gravity and it can easily be stopped in the middle of its one chance to sweep by faster Pokemon.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Dark-types and Pursuit users**: Dark-types like Hydreigon, Mandibuzz, and Mega Sharpedo are all able to take a Hydro Pump and deal heavy damage in return, and Pursuit users like Mega Aerodactyl, Scizor, Mega Absol, and especially Alolan Muk, which can live survive almost any hit from Starmie, are capable of trapping Starmie and taking it out with ease. Several of these must watch out for Reflect Type variants of Starmie, however.

**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Specially bulky Pokemon like Empoleon, Mandibuzz, Blissey, and Alolan Muk are all capable of taking Starmie's attacks, although Blissey is forced to use Soft-Boiled after an Analytic-boosted Psyshock, Mandibuzz is 2HKOed after Stealth Rock damage, and Empoleon can be 2HKOd 2HKOed by Thunderbolt on the switch. Bulky Starmie sets, however, cannot break through these Pokemon at all outside of using Toxic on those vulnerable to it.

**Rotom-W**: Rotom-W, despite not being extremely specially bulky, can avoid being 2HKOed by any of Starmie's possible attacks except Bloom Doom and it can hit back with a strong Volt Switch.

**Residual Damage**: Starmie is easily worn down by burns, Toxic, and entry hazards, along with its own Life Orb recoil, and this severely limits its longevity if it's not running Recover.

**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon like Mega Sceptile, Mega Beedrill, and Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon and Krookodile are capable of outspeeding and OHKOing Starmie, even if they cannot switch in directly.

**Water-resistant Special Attackers**: Bulky variants of Starmie have little way of damaging Pokemon like Latias, Suicune, and Seismitoad outside of Toxic, which makes said variants of Starmie setup fodder for these Pokemon.
 
Last edited:

autumn

only i will remain
is a Site Content Manageris a Member of Senior Staffis a Community Contributoris a Tiering Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Top Smogon Media Contributor Alumnusis an Administrator Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
C&C Leader
GP 2/2
add remove comments
[OVERVIEW]

Starmie is an excellent offensive Pokemon thanks to its great coverage options and useful ability Analytic, and it is also the fastest Rapid Spin user in the tier. In addition to having great offensive capabilities, it also has adequate tools such as Natural Cure, Recover, and Reflect Type that let it viably run a bulkier set geared more towards support. Starmie's Speed tier is fantastic, letting it outspeed many offensive threats like Latias, Terrakion, and Infernape. However, Starmie's raw power without boosts is lacking due to its middling base 100 Special Attack, which can cause it some trouble in breaking past bulkier Pokemon such as Sylveon and Snorlax. This is much more apparent when using bulky variants of Starmie with no Special Attack investment, making these variants unfortunately rather passive versus targets that do not care about burns. While its Water / Psychic typing gives it some useful resistances that allow it to act as a soft check to Pokemon such as Infernape and Cobalion, Starmie is moderately frail, which means that without investment it will not be able to switch in on even many resisted hits. Its typing also gives it a very serious weakness to Electric-, Bug-, Dark-, Ghost-, and Grass-type attacks, which leaves it extremely vulnerable to strategies such as Pursuit trapping and VoltTurn.

[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Psyshock / Thunderbolt
move 4: Rapid Spin / Thunderbolt
item: Life Orb / Waterium Z
ability: Analytic
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Hydro Pump is Starmie's primary STAB attack and its strongest attack. It also allows Starmie to use a 185-Base Power Hydro Vortex to OHKO threats like Cobalion and offensive Scizor without an Analytic boost as well as to bypass an accuracy check. Hydro Vortex also gives Starmie a small chance to beat Alolan Muk after Stealth Rock and one layer of Spikes if the move is Analytic boosted. Ice Beam allows Starmie to hit Dragon- and Grass-types like Latias, Mega Altaria, and Celebi super effectively. Psyshock is Starmie's secondary STAB move and second strongest attack, dealing great neutral damage to special walls or Water-resistant Pokemon like Blissey and Rotom-W, and it also allows Starmie to easily take out Poison-types like Amoonguss, Crobat, Tentacruel, and Nihilego. Thunderbolt is another coverage move Starmie can use that allows it to hit Water-types like Empoleon, Mantine, and Suicune super effectively. Rapid Spin provides entry hazard removal for your team, but it still causes Life Orb recoil if Starmie is using it, so it should be used sparingly. Hidden Power Fire can be considered when using a Life Orb to give Starmie a method of reliably revenge killing Scizor, but it would have to give up on potential coverage or Rapid Spin to do so.


Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment with a Timid nature lets Starmie hit as hard as possible while outspeeding threats like Cobalion and Latias and Speed tying with Pokemon like Raikou and Zygarde-10%. Analytic gives Starmie's attacks a 1.3x power boost when the opponent foe has switched out that turn, which severely limits Starmie's switch-ins. Analytic also gives a boost when Starmie moves last, but with Starmie's subpar bulk, this is generally not a method of damage boosting you should use often. Starmie uses a Life Orb to hit as hard as possible while still being able to switch moves at will. It can alternatively run Waterium Z, which allows it to use a 185-Base Power Hydro Vortex, but this lowers the power of its other moves.

Usage Tips
========

Starmie should spend most of its time taking out predicted switch-ins like Latias with Analytic-boosted attacks or revenge killing what's in front of it. It is beneficial to predict well when using Starmie, as you waste the Analytic boost if you mispredict a switch-in and use the incorrect coverage move. If a switch to a Pokemon like Alolan Muk is predicted, attempt to double switch out to a Pokemon with a better matchup in order to avoid being Pursuit trapped. Starmie should only use Rapid Spin in emergencies, like when Sticky Web is up on your side or if entry hazards are stacked to a point where you would lose otherwise, since it would much rather be attacking the opposing team if it has the opportunity. Because of its poor bulk, Starmie should primarily be brought in with free switches from users of U-turn or Volt Switch, predicted double switches, or after one of your other team members has fainted.

Team Options
========

Starmie fits best on bulky offense teams, but it can also function on hyper offense. Fighting-type Pokemon like Cobalion, Terrakion, and Infernape help with the Dark-types like Mega Absol and Alolan Muk that give Starmie trouble. These Fighting-types also help to break past specially bulky Pokemon like Blissey and Snorlax that Starmie struggles with. On a similar note, physical wallbreakers like Mamoswine and Entei can also assist in breaking past special walls like Blissey and Alolan Muk. Pokemon that enjoy entry hazard removal like Mega Pidgeot, Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Beedrill, and Chandelure enjoy having Starmie as a partner due to its ability to use Rapid Spin. Users of Volt Switch and U-turn like Scizor, Hydreigon, and Mega Beedrill make good partners for Starmie, as they can bring it in safely. Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes setters like Nihilego, Cobalion, Klefki, and Gliscor Cobalion, Gliscor, Klefki, and Nihilego (so the lists match) will help Starmie decimate opposing teams more easily.

[SET]
name: Bulky Spinner
move 1: Scald
move 2: Toxic / Reflect Type
move 3: Recover
move 4: Rapid Spin
item: Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Scald is Starmie's primary method of dealing damage, and it also has a 30% chance to burn opposing Pokemon, which lets Starmie cripple physical threats like Mega Altaria and Terrakion. Toxic lets Starmie deal damage over time to Pokemon that would otherwise wall it like Latias, Hydreigon, and Seismitoad. Reflect Type is an option over Toxic that lets Starmie gain a favorable matchup versus several Pokemon that it would normally struggle with, like Alolan Muk, Rotom-W, and Scizor. Recover lets Starmie stay healthy throughout a match. Rapid Spin is used to support the team by removing entry hazards from the field.

Set Details
========

Maximum HP and Speed investment with a Timid nature gives Starmie a decent amount of bulk while still letting it outspeed threats like Cobalion and Latias and Speed tie with Pokemon like Raikou and Zygarde-10%. Natural Cure gives Starmie a way to heal itself from status effects like paralysis and Toxic poison. Starmie uses Leftovers as a form of passive recovery.

Usage Tips
========

Starmie's primary goal in a match is to act as a reliable form of entry hazard removal, so keep it healthy throughout a match with Recover, (AC) and keep hazards off the field whenever possible. Bring Starmie into threats that cannot do much to it like Cobalion and Choice-locked Infernape, or bring it in by pivoting to keep it healthy. If Starmie is facing physical attackers like Cobalion, try fishing for Scald burns to weaken them. If you predict the opponent to switch to one of the many Pokemon that Starmie cannot bypass by normal means such as Latias and Seismitoad, either switch out to avoid a loss of momentum or use Toxic to cripple them. Use Reflect Type in situations where taking on the opponent's foe's type would be beneficial, such as to evade a Pursuit from Alolan Muk or weaken the damage done by Volt Switch and U-turn from Scizor and Rotom-W. If Starmie has not been damaged yet and has yet to perform an attack, you can attempt to bluff a more offensive Starmie set in order to force out Pokemon like Tentacruel and weakened Latias. However, this method is not reliable and should be used with caution.

Team Options
========

Starmie can fit well on bulky offense and balance teams. Fighting-type Pokemon like Cobalion, Heracross, and Infernape help to beat the Dark-types like Mega Absol and Alolan Muk that give Starmie trouble. Pokemon that enjoy reliable entry hazard removal like Talonflame, Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Beedrill, and Chandelure enjoy having Starmie as a partner due to its proficiency as a Rapid Spin user. Users of Volt Switch and U-turn like Scizor, Infernape, and Mega Manectric make good partners for Starmie, as they can bring it in safely. Starmie enjoys partners such as Mamoswine and Sylveon that can deal with the Dragon-types like Latias and Hydreigon that Starmie lets in easily. Starmie also enjoys Pokemon like Mega Manectric and Mega Sceptile that can beat opposing Water-types like Suicune and Volcanion. Pokemon like Mega Pidgeot and Entei also make good partners due to their ability to beat opposing Grass-types like Amoonguss and Celebi.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

If your team is weak to Rotom-W, Seismitoad, and Gastrodon, Grass Knot can be used with Grassium Z in order to function as a decent lure. However, this is largely team dependent, (AC) and the lack of a Life Orb and inability to run other coverage options severely cuts into Starmie's offensive abilities. Starmie can also attempt to use a set taking advantage of the boost to Special Attack provided by Z-Gravity with Hydro Pump, Thunder, and Blizzard to try to perform the role of a setup sweeper, but this set is unreliable outside of Gravity, (AC) and it can easily be stopped in the middle of its one chance to sweep by faster Pokemon.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Dark-types and Pursuit Users**: Dark-types like (saying this implies that all dark-types can; if they all actually can, leave this) Hydreigon, Mandibuzz, and Mega Sharpedo are all able to take a Hydro Pump and deal heavy damage in return, and Pursuit users like Mega Aerodactyl, Scizor, Mega Absol, and especially Alolan Muk, which can survive almost any hit from Starmie, are capable of trapping Starmie and taking it out with ease. Several of these must watch out for Reflect Type variants of Starmie, however.

**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Specially bulky Pokemon like Empoleon, Mandibuzz, Blissey, and Alolan Muk are all capable of taking Starmie's attacks, although Blissey is forced to use Soft-Boiled after an Analytic-boosted Psyshock, Mandibuzz is 2HKOed after Stealth Rock damage, and Empoleon can be 2HKOed by Thunderbolt on the switch. Bulky Starmie sets, however, cannot break through these Pokemon at all outside of using Toxic on those vulnerable to it.

**Rotom-W**: Rotom-W, despite not being extremely specially bulky, can avoid being 2HKOed by any of Starmie's possible attacks except Bloom Doom and can hit back with a strong Volt Switch.

**Residual Damage**: Starmie is easily worn down by burns, Toxic poison, and entry hazards, along with its own Life Orb recoil, and this severely limits its longevity if it's not running Recover.

**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon like Mega Sceptile, (RC) and Mega Beedrill, (RC) and as well as Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon and Krookodile are capable of outspeeding and OHKOing Starmie, even if they cannot switch in directly.

**Water-resistant Special Attackers**: Bulky variants of Starmie have little few ways of damaging Pokemon like Latias, Suicune, and Seismitoad outside of Toxic, which makes said variants of Starmie setup fodder for these Pokemon.
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 1, Guests: 0)

Top