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Staryu


Statbasemin-minmax max+
HP30N/A1922N/A
Att459121415
Def5510121516
Sp.A7013151619
Sp.D5510121516
Spe8513151819


SET 1
name: Late Game Sweeper
move 1: Surf
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Hidden Power Grass
item: Life Orb
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 200 SpA / 236 Spe
ivs: 30 SpA

SET COMMENTS

Reaching a speed stat of 19 and possessing fantastic type coverage, Staryu is one of the major threats in the Little Cup metagame. Surf is Staryu's most powerful attack, factoring STAB, and hurts the majority of things that do not resist it. Thunderbolt and Ice Beam provide excellent coverage in tandem with Surf, and for the last slot, Hidden Power Grass is Staryu's best chance of getting past Chinchou.

It is possible to run a Choice Specs or Choice Scarf set with the same moves listed, but Staryu's strength lies in its versatility to change moves and ability to often hit opponents with Super Effective attacks. With that said, Staryu will hit 28 speed with Choice Scarf allowing it to tango with the fastest purveyors of the item and can make a fine revenge-killer with its great movepool.

SET 2
name: SubPetaya Sweep
move 1: Surf
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Substitute
item: Petaya Berry
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 36 HP / 196 SpA / 236 Spe

SET COMMENTS

This set, is deceptively similar to the first but is played in a different manner. Substitute has its merits in that it eases prediction troubles and can help Staryu avoid being revenge-killed by the ever common Sucker Punch. Used in conjunction with the Petaya Berry, Staryu can sweep once activating the berry, hitting harder than the Life Orb set. With these EVs, the Petaya Berry activates after 3 uses of the Substitute, which gives Staryu a chance against unboosted Ice Shards and Bullet Punches.

OTHER OPTIONS

Other Special moves of note that Staryu learns include Thunder and Blizzard, should you want to forgo accuracy for power. In addition, it learns Psychic but does not gain STAB on it nor does it enhance Staryu's type coverage significantly. Staryu can also play a supporting role with Light Screen and Reflect. It can also utilize Rest with Natural Cure. However, these moves -- useful as they are -- do not take advantage of Staryu's speed nor wide type coverage and so it is best to avoid them.

It is worth noting that at Level 5, Staryu cannot learn Rapid Spin, Recover, Power Gem, Cosmic Power or Hydro Pump.

EVS

200 SpA EVs maxes out Staryu's Special Attack, taking into account the 30 SpA IV if using Hidden Power [Grass]. 236 Spe EVs max out Staryu's Speed and with a Timid nature, it reaches 19 speed which is faster than all but the fastest pokemon in Little Cup and Choice Scarfers. 36 HP EVs are important if using Substitute since it gives a HP stat of 20, which is divisible by 4 and so the Petaya Berry will activate at 25% of HP although you are restricted to 3 uses of the move. However, if you are using the Life Orb set, do not invest into HP as this minimises the damage taken from Life Orb recoil.

OPINION

Staryu is a menace to many teams, particularly because of its incredible type coverage, resulting in the majority of pokemon fearing at least one of its moves. To add insult to injury, Staryu is very difficult to revenge kill, boasting 85 base speed to make it one of the fastest in the metagame and resisting common priority moves such as Bullet Punch and Ice Shard. It is a pokemon that should very much be in your mind when making a Little Cup team.

COUNTERS

Chinchou is one of the best Staryu counters resisting its STAB move, as well as Ice Beam and healing 25% through Volt Absorb should it switch into Thunderbolt. Hidden Power [Grass] is a mere 3HKO with Oran Berry whilst Thunderbolt is a surefire OHKO from Chinchou. Munchlax also works well if you avoid Surf. Even so, it takes 3 of Staryu's Surfs, even 4 with help from an Oran Berry, to take Munchlax down. Snover is another fantastic counter, resisting all of Staryu's common moves bar Ice Beam and retaliating with a STAB Grass move.

Aside from the aforementioned pokemon, very few other pokemon can be considered a "counter" to Staryu, a tribute to its incredible versatility in this environment. Your best chance should you not have any of these pokemon to stand up to Staryu would be to try and get in a faster sweeper on a move it resists and even so, should it pack Substitute, Staryu will prevail.