[OVERVIEW]
Starmie is a prominent offensive Pokemon as a result of its good movepool, Analytic, ability to outspeed Latios and Keldeo, and decent defensive typing, which lets it pivot into Fire- and Water-types like Heatran and Keldeo. These traits make Starmie fit well on hyper offense teams as a strong Rapid Spin user and on rain teams as a devastatingly strong wallbreaker. However, Starmie can struggle to break through common Pokemon that resist its STAB moves and aren't weak to its coverage, namely Ferrothorn, as well as others like Rotom-W and Gastrodon, while offensive Pokemon like Latios and Kyurem-B can take at least one hit from Starmie and OHKO it. Starmie is also quite frail and easily worn down by entry hazards, Life Orb recoil, and sand, making its longevity and ability to switch-in limited despite its typing. Further, Choice Scarf users and Alakazam outspeed Starmie and threaten it with super effective coverage, with Choice Scarf Tyranitar and Scizor even being able to Pursuit trap it. Starmie also faces competition as a fast Water-type attacker from Keldeo, which has more set versatility, can threaten Ferrothorn, and has a better defensive typing.
[SET]
name: Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Air Balloon / Life Orb
ability: Analytic
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Starmie is a good spinner thanks to it threatening common entry hazard setters like Heatran, Garchomp, and Landorus-T. Ice Beam hits Garchomp, Breloom, Dragonite, and Latios hard while also providing a more accurate move for Landorus-T and Gliscor. Thunderbolt nails Water-types like Jellicent, Politoed, Tentacruel, and Keldeo while also being Starmie's strongest move against Rotom-W; Hidden Power Fire can be used instead if hitting Ferrothorn is more important. However, this leaves Starmie outsped by opposing Starmie, and wearing down Ferrothorn for its teammates with Ice Beam is usually sufficient for checking it.
Set Details
========
Air Balloon is the preferred item to more easily switch into Ground-types like Landorus-T and Garchomp while also avoiding Spikes damage, keeping Starmie out of KO range of Pokemon like Alakazam. Life Orb can be used to better threaten and wear down foes, with the recoil not being a big deal since Starmie's longevity isn't very important. Analytic is preferred to do more damage to Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Rotom-W, which often switch into its attacks, making it more difficult for them to pivot into safely. A Timid nature is used to outspeed Latios and Keldeo.
Team Options
========
This set is primarily found on hyper offense teams thanks to it threatening common entry hazard setters and facilitating wallbreakers like Dragonite and Kyurem-B. With Starmie spinning Stealth Rock away, Dragon Dance Dragonite is able to set up much more easily with Multiscale intact, and it appreciates Starmie threatening and wearing down Pokemon like Latios, Keldeo, and Ferrothorn. Volcarona also benefits from Starmie removing entry hazards, which lets it set up on and avoid being revenge killed by Pokemon like Choice Scarf Latios and Focus Sash Alakazam. Starmie also wears down bulky Water- and Fire-types like Jellicent and Heatran for it. Kyurem-B can maximize its great bulk to get on the field and wallbreak without Stealth Rock wearing it down, and it benefits from Starmie's better matchup against faster threats. Offensive Stealth Rock setters like Garchomp and Landorus-T help Starmie break through bulkier targets while directly weakening or removing potential checks. Swords Dance Scizor brings strong priority to revenge kill faster Pokemon like Choice Scarf Tyranitar and Alakazam. It benefits from Starmie wearing down and beating Fire- and Water-types like Heatran, Keldeo, and Jellicent and forcing Choice Scarf Tyranitar to lock into Pursuit, which lets it set up safely. Offensive Breloom can weaken or take out Water-types and bulky Pokemon like Gastrodon, Ferrothorn, Rotom-W, and Reuniclus, and it benefits from Starmie beating faster Pokemon like Latios and Dragonite. Starmie fits well on DragMag teams, especially because Magnezone is able to trap and remove Ferrothorn. Latios enjoys Starmie wearing down Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Jellicent so it can break through them.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Surf
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Thunder
item: Choice Specs / Water Gem
ability: Analytic
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Surf is used alongside Hydro Pump for its better accuracy and higher PP, making it a spammable move late-game and good midground option before then. Ice Beam hits Grass- and Dragon-types like Breloom, Celebi, Dragonite, and Latios, which can take at least one Hydro Pump. Thunder hits Water-types like Jellicent, Politoed, Tentacruel, and Keldeo hard while also being Starmie's strongest move against Rotom-W. It's used over Thunderbolt because this set is commonly used on rain teams, which provide Thunder with perfect accuracy. Rapid Spin can be used over Surf if running Water Gem to make Starmie an offensive spinner, letting it clear entry hazards on the switches it forces.
Set Details
========
Choice Specs gives Starmie more power, notably letting it 2HKO and OHKO Pokemon like Rotom-W, Tentacruel, and Latios with Hydro Pump in rain. Water Gem lets Starmie switch moves and still use one extremely powerful Hydro Pump. However, Choice Specs makes Starmie strong enough to where switching moves is usually not necessary and lets it apply more pressure throughout the game. Analytic makes Starmie even more difficult to pivot into, letting it achieve many 2HKOs it otherwise wouldn't, like on Rotom-W switching in. A Timid nature is used to outspeed Latios and Keldeo.
Team Options
========
This set fits on rain teams due to rain giving it the necessary power boost to wallbreak, and Starmie supports these teams by outspeeding Latios. Politoed sets rain, can use Encore to give Starmie a free switch against foes like Calm Mind Reuniclus, and burns Pokemon like Tentacruel and Ferrothorn so they're easier to muscle through with Hydro Pump and Surf. Tentacruel keeps entry hazards off the field, giving Starmie better longevity and letting it check Keldeo more easily. Agility Thundurus-T is able to sweep late-game thanks to Starmie breaking down its checks, with both of them also having a great matchup against frailer offensive teams. Choice Scarf Keldeo is a fantastic revenge killer on rain teams, able to sweep through weakened teams and revenge killing boosted sweepers like Dragonite, Cloyster, and Volcarona. Ferrothorn is able to counter Dragon-types like Latios and Kyurem-B and provide entry hazard and Knock Off support, helping Starmie break through switch-ins like opposing Ferrothorn and Gastrodon more easily. Tornadus can take advantage of the Grass-types Starmie baits in, like Celebi and Ferrothorn, while also wearing down other bulky Pokemon like Rotom-W, Gastrodon, and Jellicent.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A defensive set with Rapid Spin can be used on sand teams to compress entry hazard removal and a Keldeo and Heatran check into one teamslot; it also burns threats like Rotom-W and Ferrothorn with Scald. However, it's quite passive and unreliable as an entry hazard remover due to Tyranitar, especially Choice Scarf variants, easily Pursuit trapping it. A Choice Scarf set can be used on rain teams to revenge kill boosted threats like Dragonite and Cloyster as well as other Choice Scarf users like Keldeo, Garchomp, and Latios. However, it's quite weak and is generally outdone in this role by Keldeo, which is stronger and has better bulk to take attacks like Dragonite's Extreme Speed and Scizor's Bullet Punch; furthermore, Choice Scarf Keldeo still outspeeds threats like +2 Adamant Dragonite. Trick can be used with Choice Specs to cripple switch-ins like Celebi and Gastrodon while letting Starmie switch moves against teams where that's more practical. Grass Knot lets Starmie hit Seismitoad and Gastrodon hard while maintaining coverage on Keldeo and Jellicent. However, it's difficult to justify compared to Thunderbolt or Thunder because they hit Tentacruel, Politoed, Rotom-W, and Keldeo harder. A Recover + three attacks set with Life Orb may seem appealing to improve Starmie's longevity while preserving its strong offensive presence. However, this is usually not worthwhile because Starmie won't find many opportunities to use Recover throughout a game, and it's usually better to just do as much damage as possible to support a partner for the late-game instead.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Pursuit**: Choice Scarf Tyranitar and Scizor can Pursuit trap Starmie should they get on the field safely. However, they can't switch into any move besides Ice Beam.
**Special Walls**: Bulky Pokemon like Rotom-W, Gastrodon, Ferrothorn, and Chansey can all take at least one hit from Starmie and KO it, set up entry hazards on it, or cripple it with status. However, Rotom-W and Ferrothorn can be overwhelmed easily with entry hazard support, since they lack reliable recovery.
**Faster Pokemon**: Naturally faster Pokemon like Alakazam, Choice Scarf users like Keldeo, Latios, and Garchomp, and boosted Pokemon like Dragonite can all outspeed and KO Starmie. However, they cannot switch into it safely.
**Chip Damage**: Starmie's longevity isn't great due to its vulnerability to burn, poison, sand, and entry hazards, on top of potential Life Orb recoil, putting it into KO range of faster attackers or letting smart pivoting stall it out.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Ophion, 433215]]
- Quality checked by: [[Finchinator, 114198], [BluBirD252, 347088]]
- Grammar checked by: [[dex, 277988], [Finland, 517429]]
Starmie is a prominent offensive Pokemon as a result of its good movepool, Analytic, ability to outspeed Latios and Keldeo, and decent defensive typing, which lets it pivot into Fire- and Water-types like Heatran and Keldeo. These traits make Starmie fit well on hyper offense teams as a strong Rapid Spin user and on rain teams as a devastatingly strong wallbreaker. However, Starmie can struggle to break through common Pokemon that resist its STAB moves and aren't weak to its coverage, namely Ferrothorn, as well as others like Rotom-W and Gastrodon, while offensive Pokemon like Latios and Kyurem-B can take at least one hit from Starmie and OHKO it. Starmie is also quite frail and easily worn down by entry hazards, Life Orb recoil, and sand, making its longevity and ability to switch-in limited despite its typing. Further, Choice Scarf users and Alakazam outspeed Starmie and threaten it with super effective coverage, with Choice Scarf Tyranitar and Scizor even being able to Pursuit trap it. Starmie also faces competition as a fast Water-type attacker from Keldeo, which has more set versatility, can threaten Ferrothorn, and has a better defensive typing.
[SET]
name: Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Thunderbolt
item: Air Balloon / Life Orb
ability: Analytic
nature: Timid
evs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Starmie is a good spinner thanks to it threatening common entry hazard setters like Heatran, Garchomp, and Landorus-T. Ice Beam hits Garchomp, Breloom, Dragonite, and Latios hard while also providing a more accurate move for Landorus-T and Gliscor. Thunderbolt nails Water-types like Jellicent, Politoed, Tentacruel, and Keldeo while also being Starmie's strongest move against Rotom-W; Hidden Power Fire can be used instead if hitting Ferrothorn is more important. However, this leaves Starmie outsped by opposing Starmie, and wearing down Ferrothorn for its teammates with Ice Beam is usually sufficient for checking it.
Set Details
========
Air Balloon is the preferred item to more easily switch into Ground-types like Landorus-T and Garchomp while also avoiding Spikes damage, keeping Starmie out of KO range of Pokemon like Alakazam. Life Orb can be used to better threaten and wear down foes, with the recoil not being a big deal since Starmie's longevity isn't very important. Analytic is preferred to do more damage to Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Rotom-W, which often switch into its attacks, making it more difficult for them to pivot into safely. A Timid nature is used to outspeed Latios and Keldeo.
Team Options
========
This set is primarily found on hyper offense teams thanks to it threatening common entry hazard setters and facilitating wallbreakers like Dragonite and Kyurem-B. With Starmie spinning Stealth Rock away, Dragon Dance Dragonite is able to set up much more easily with Multiscale intact, and it appreciates Starmie threatening and wearing down Pokemon like Latios, Keldeo, and Ferrothorn. Volcarona also benefits from Starmie removing entry hazards, which lets it set up on and avoid being revenge killed by Pokemon like Choice Scarf Latios and Focus Sash Alakazam. Starmie also wears down bulky Water- and Fire-types like Jellicent and Heatran for it. Kyurem-B can maximize its great bulk to get on the field and wallbreak without Stealth Rock wearing it down, and it benefits from Starmie's better matchup against faster threats. Offensive Stealth Rock setters like Garchomp and Landorus-T help Starmie break through bulkier targets while directly weakening or removing potential checks. Swords Dance Scizor brings strong priority to revenge kill faster Pokemon like Choice Scarf Tyranitar and Alakazam. It benefits from Starmie wearing down and beating Fire- and Water-types like Heatran, Keldeo, and Jellicent and forcing Choice Scarf Tyranitar to lock into Pursuit, which lets it set up safely. Offensive Breloom can weaken or take out Water-types and bulky Pokemon like Gastrodon, Ferrothorn, Rotom-W, and Reuniclus, and it benefits from Starmie beating faster Pokemon like Latios and Dragonite. Starmie fits well on DragMag teams, especially because Magnezone is able to trap and remove Ferrothorn. Latios enjoys Starmie wearing down Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Jellicent so it can break through them.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Surf
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Thunder
item: Choice Specs / Water Gem
ability: Analytic
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Surf is used alongside Hydro Pump for its better accuracy and higher PP, making it a spammable move late-game and good midground option before then. Ice Beam hits Grass- and Dragon-types like Breloom, Celebi, Dragonite, and Latios, which can take at least one Hydro Pump. Thunder hits Water-types like Jellicent, Politoed, Tentacruel, and Keldeo hard while also being Starmie's strongest move against Rotom-W. It's used over Thunderbolt because this set is commonly used on rain teams, which provide Thunder with perfect accuracy. Rapid Spin can be used over Surf if running Water Gem to make Starmie an offensive spinner, letting it clear entry hazards on the switches it forces.
Set Details
========
Choice Specs gives Starmie more power, notably letting it 2HKO and OHKO Pokemon like Rotom-W, Tentacruel, and Latios with Hydro Pump in rain. Water Gem lets Starmie switch moves and still use one extremely powerful Hydro Pump. However, Choice Specs makes Starmie strong enough to where switching moves is usually not necessary and lets it apply more pressure throughout the game. Analytic makes Starmie even more difficult to pivot into, letting it achieve many 2HKOs it otherwise wouldn't, like on Rotom-W switching in. A Timid nature is used to outspeed Latios and Keldeo.
Team Options
========
This set fits on rain teams due to rain giving it the necessary power boost to wallbreak, and Starmie supports these teams by outspeeding Latios. Politoed sets rain, can use Encore to give Starmie a free switch against foes like Calm Mind Reuniclus, and burns Pokemon like Tentacruel and Ferrothorn so they're easier to muscle through with Hydro Pump and Surf. Tentacruel keeps entry hazards off the field, giving Starmie better longevity and letting it check Keldeo more easily. Agility Thundurus-T is able to sweep late-game thanks to Starmie breaking down its checks, with both of them also having a great matchup against frailer offensive teams. Choice Scarf Keldeo is a fantastic revenge killer on rain teams, able to sweep through weakened teams and revenge killing boosted sweepers like Dragonite, Cloyster, and Volcarona. Ferrothorn is able to counter Dragon-types like Latios and Kyurem-B and provide entry hazard and Knock Off support, helping Starmie break through switch-ins like opposing Ferrothorn and Gastrodon more easily. Tornadus can take advantage of the Grass-types Starmie baits in, like Celebi and Ferrothorn, while also wearing down other bulky Pokemon like Rotom-W, Gastrodon, and Jellicent.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A defensive set with Rapid Spin can be used on sand teams to compress entry hazard removal and a Keldeo and Heatran check into one teamslot; it also burns threats like Rotom-W and Ferrothorn with Scald. However, it's quite passive and unreliable as an entry hazard remover due to Tyranitar, especially Choice Scarf variants, easily Pursuit trapping it. A Choice Scarf set can be used on rain teams to revenge kill boosted threats like Dragonite and Cloyster as well as other Choice Scarf users like Keldeo, Garchomp, and Latios. However, it's quite weak and is generally outdone in this role by Keldeo, which is stronger and has better bulk to take attacks like Dragonite's Extreme Speed and Scizor's Bullet Punch; furthermore, Choice Scarf Keldeo still outspeeds threats like +2 Adamant Dragonite. Trick can be used with Choice Specs to cripple switch-ins like Celebi and Gastrodon while letting Starmie switch moves against teams where that's more practical. Grass Knot lets Starmie hit Seismitoad and Gastrodon hard while maintaining coverage on Keldeo and Jellicent. However, it's difficult to justify compared to Thunderbolt or Thunder because they hit Tentacruel, Politoed, Rotom-W, and Keldeo harder. A Recover + three attacks set with Life Orb may seem appealing to improve Starmie's longevity while preserving its strong offensive presence. However, this is usually not worthwhile because Starmie won't find many opportunities to use Recover throughout a game, and it's usually better to just do as much damage as possible to support a partner for the late-game instead.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Pursuit**: Choice Scarf Tyranitar and Scizor can Pursuit trap Starmie should they get on the field safely. However, they can't switch into any move besides Ice Beam.
**Special Walls**: Bulky Pokemon like Rotom-W, Gastrodon, Ferrothorn, and Chansey can all take at least one hit from Starmie and KO it, set up entry hazards on it, or cripple it with status. However, Rotom-W and Ferrothorn can be overwhelmed easily with entry hazard support, since they lack reliable recovery.
**Faster Pokemon**: Naturally faster Pokemon like Alakazam, Choice Scarf users like Keldeo, Latios, and Garchomp, and boosted Pokemon like Dragonite can all outspeed and KO Starmie. However, they cannot switch into it safely.
**Chip Damage**: Starmie's longevity isn't great due to its vulnerability to burn, poison, sand, and entry hazards, on top of potential Life Orb recoil, putting it into KO range of faster attackers or letting smart pivoting stall it out.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Ophion, 433215]]
- Quality checked by: [[Finchinator, 114198], [BluBirD252, 347088]]
- Grammar checked by: [[dex, 277988], [Finland, 517429]]
Last edited: