OU Starmie

Leo

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[OVERVIEW]

Starmie is one of the few Pokemon in the tier with access to Rapid Spin, which makes it a neat option for hazard stacking teams. Its decent Special Attack combined with a great movepool and a good ability in Analytic gives it some offensive presence and lets it beat common entry hazard setters such as Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, and Garchomp as well as punish Ghost-types that may attempt to block its Rapid Spin. Starmie's great Speed tier helps its matchup against offensive teams, as it lets it outpace the base 110 Speed tier and even some faster Pokemon like Serperior and Thundurus. Its typing provides it with useful resistances to Water and Fighting, thus letting it act as a great Keldeo check. However, it leaves it vulnerable to common Dark-types like Greninja, Weavile, and Hoopa as well as Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Mega Manectric. Starmie also struggles to find a place on a lot of teams because of Greninja being the superior choice for an offensive Water-type thanks to its higher Speed stat and better ability. Moreover, Starmie's lackluster bulk coupled with Life Orb recoil limits the number of times it can use Rapid Spin throughout a game.

[SET]
name: Offensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam / Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb
ability: Analytic
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe

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

Hydro Pump is Starmie's strongest STAB move and mandatory due to Starmie's underwhelming Special Attack, even with a Life Orb boost. Ice Beam hits Grass-types that resist Hydro Pump like Tangrowth, Tapu Bulu, and Amoonguss. Thunderbolt also complements Hydro Pump nicely, hitting Water-types such as Keldeo, Tapu Fini, and Mantine. Hidden Power Fire is Starmie's only way of damaging Ferrothorn, which otherwise sets up Spikes on it and threatens to OHKO it with Power Whip. It also does more damage to Mega Scizor than Hydro Pump, thus preventing Defog variants from getting rid of any hazards if Starmie is healthy enough. Rapid Spin is the most important move of the set because it lets Starmie keep entry hazards set by its teammates while supporting hazard-weak Pokemon, especially Stealth Rock-weak ones like Volcarona and Alolan Marowak. Psychic is an option as a decently powerful secondary STAB move that hits Keldeo, Toxapex, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment with a Timid nature gives Starmie as much power as possible while also placing it in a nice Speed tier, notably outspeeding Choice Specs Gengar, non-Choice Scarf Keldeo, Mega Charizard Y, and everything below. Life Orb makes up for Starmie's average Special Attack stat, powering up all of its moves in order to deal as much damage as possible. Analytic is a great ability on Starmie because of the coverage it possesses, further punishing the switches it often forces. Alternatively, Waterium Z turns Hydro Pump into Hydro Vortex, a one-time nuke aimed at weakened specially bulky Pokemon like Celesteela and Mew.

Usage Tips
========

Due to Starmie's lacking bulk and vulnerability to all forms of entry hazards, it should only be brought in on weak attackers it doesn't fear or with the aid of VoltTurn support to clear hazards. Its lack of recovery limits the number of times it can come in to use Rapid Spin to clear hazards, so aggressive play is required in order to prevent the opponent from setting them up too often. If entry hazards aren't up on the user's side of the field, Starmie can use its coverage moves and ability to force switches to start punching holes in the opposing team, especially if hazards are up on the opposing side of the field. Analytic will boost Starmie's attacks on Pokemon trying to switch into it, so prediction is required when the opponent has a Water-resistant Pokemon in the back. For example, if Starmie is on the field against a Heatran and the opponent has a Tangrowth that can sponge Hydro Pump, using Ice Beam is a good idea because it is boosted by Analytic, thus netting significant damage on Tangrowth if it switches in.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that are able to set up entry hazards like Ferrothorn, Landorus-T, and Greninja appreciate Starmie's ability to get rid of the hazards set by the opponent while preserving their own, while hazards make it easier for Starmie to punish the switches it forces. Ferrothorn is a notable partner because of its type synergy with Starmie, resisting Electric-type attacks aimed at it. VoltTurn support from the likes of Landorus-T, Assault Vest Magearna, and Tapu Koko lets Starmie preserve its health with safe opportunities to switch in, making it easier for it to clear hazards several times. Starmie invites in a bunch of scary threats whenever it tries to spin, so a solid defensive backbone with Pokemon like Assault Vest Magearna, Tangrowth, and Ferrothorn is appreciated.

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

A bulky set with a spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe and Scald / Recover / Thunder Wave / Rapid Spin turns Starmie into a more durable yet passive Rapid Spin user, which may seem more desirable on less offensive teams, but losing out on the ability to beat most hazard setters one-on-one hinders its niche as a hazard remover. Reflect Type is also an option here instead of Thunder Wave. Icium Z gives Starmie access to Subzero Slammer, turning it into a lure for Assault Vest Tangrowth and Amoonguss, both of which faint to it after switching into Stealth Rock and two layers of Spikes. Nevertheless, this is a very team-specific lure and shouldn't be used unless it's absolutely needed.

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

**Bulky Grass-types**: Despite Ice Beam hitting them super effectively, Starmie's poor Special Attack doesn't let it threaten most bulky Grass-types without prior damage or entry hazards on the field, thus making Pokemon like Assault Vest Tangrowth, Amoongus, and Mega Venusaur reliable answers for it.

**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini, Mantine, and Toxapex, as well as offensive ones like Keldeo and Manaphy, don't fear anything from non-Thunderbolt Starmie variants and can easily come in on it without punishment.

**Electric-types**: Offensive Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Mega Manectric outspeed Starmie and threaten it with their STAB moves, even though they are too frail to switch into an Analytic-boosted Hydro Pump. Additionally, more passive Electric-types like Zapdos and Rotom-W can take any hit from it and OHKO back.

**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Starmie's frailty and typing leave it vulnerable to some major faster threats in the metagame such as Ash-Greninja, Weavile, and Tornadus-T as well as most Choice Scarf users after a couple of rounds of Life Orb recoil like Garchomp, Terrakion, and Nihilego, although it does check the most common one in Keldeo.

**Chansey**: With the highest Special Defense in the tier, Chansey can easily take anything from Starmie and beat it one-on-one. It can't stop it from using Rapid Spin, though.
 
Last edited:

p2

Banned deucer.
remove psychic from other options and move it up to moves

add more stuff in team options, generic stuff to switch into stuff that threatens starmie and stuff like that

1/3
 
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Leo

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remove psychic from other options and move it up to moves

add more stuff in team options, generic stuff to switch into stuff that threatens starmie and stuff like that

1/3
Implemented, thanks
 

Gary

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Mention Weavile and Torn-T in faster offensive Pokemon section of C&C.

Add an Electric-type section in C&C, and mention Tapu Koko, AV Zone, Mega Manectric, and Rotom-W as answers to it, as they all either outspeed it or can tank and hit and threaten back respectively.

QC 2/3 this mon is ass.
 

Leo

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Finally got this written up, I'm really sorry this took so long, probably would've finished this a bit sooner had I organized my free time better although school and exams have been using up most of it. Thanks for the extension and ready for a 3rd check. Btw it probs has thousands of typos and grammar stuff just can't think in english rn lol I need some sleep
 

Lemonade

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In usage tips, "prediction" is too generic imo. What separates a good prediction from a bad one? For example, if the opponent has an important mon to their strategy against Starmie, are they more likely the switch out, meaning this is a good time to make a prediction? This helps teach the reader to analyze the whole game, not just the current turn.
 
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Colonel M

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Why is there no mention of Analytic in the Overview?
However, it leaves it vulnerable to common Dark-types like Greninja and Hoopa
Weavile before Hoopa. Pursuit Weavile is a huge problem for Starmie.
Thunderbolt also complements Hydro Pump nicely, hitting Water-types such as Tapu Fini, Keldeo and Mantine.
Order in relevancy (just put Keldeo first).

Looks good otherwise. Shame Starmie is a shit mon.

3/3
 
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Leo

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Why is there no mention of Analytic in the Overview?

Weavile before Hoopa. Pursuit Weavile is a huge problem for Starmie.

Order in relevancy (just put Keldeo first).

Looks good otherwise. Shame Starmie is a shit mon.

3/3
Implemented, thanks for the check! I still need to rework the last section of Usage Tips about prediction and proofread this so this isn't gp ready yet
 
hi, gj!
add remove comments
[OVERVIEW]

Starmie is one of the few Pokemon in the tier with access to Rapid Spin, which makes it a neat option for hazard stacking teams. Its decent Special Attack combined with a great movepool and a good ability in Analytic gives it some offensive presence and lets it beat common hazard setters such as Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, and Garchomp as well as punish Ghost-types that may attempt to block its Rapid Spin. Starmie's great Speed tier helps its match-up matchup against offensive teams, (AC) as it lets it outpace the base 110 Speed tier and even some faster Pokemon like Serperior and Thundurus. Its typing provides it with useful resistances to Water and Fighting, thus letting it act as a great Keldeo check. However, it leaves it vulnerable to common Dark-types like Greninja, Weavile, and Hoopa as well as Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Mega Manectric. Starmie also struggles to find a place on a lot of teams because of Greninja being the superior choice for an offensive Water-type thanks to its higher Speed stat and better abilities (Remember that Greninja doesn't include Ash-Greninja, so unless you're calling Torrent a good ability you should rephrase this). Moreover, its lackluster bulk coupled with Life Orb recoil limits the amount of times it can use Rapid Spin throughout a game. (AP)
[SET]
name: Offensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam / Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb
ability: Analytic
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe

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

Hydro Pump is its Starmie's strongest STAB move and mandatory due to Starmie's underwhelming Special Attack even with a Life Orb boost. Ice Beam hits Grass-types that resist Hydro Pump like Tangrowth, Tapu Bulu, and Amoongus that resist Hydro Pump. (add space) Thunderbolt also complements Hydro Pump nicely, hitting Water-types such as Keldeo, Tapu Fini, and Mantine. Hidden Power Fire is its Starmie's only way of damaging Ferrothorn, which otherwise sets up Spikes on it and threatens to OHKO it with Power Whip. It also does more damage to Mega Scizor than Hydro Pump, (AC) thus preventing Defog variants from getting rid of any hazards if Starmie is (this right?) healthy enough. Rapid Spin is the most important move of the set because it lets Starmie keep hazards set by its teammates while supporting hazard weak Pokemon, especially Stealth Rock weak ones like Volcarona and Marowak-Alola Alolan Marowak. Psychic is an option as a decently powerful secondary STAB move that hits Keldeo, Toxapex, Amoongus, and Mega Venusaur.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment gives it Starmie as much offensive power as possible while also sitting on placing it in a nice Speed tier with a Timid nature, notably outspeeding Choice Specs Gengar, non-Choice Scarf Keldeo without a Choice Scarf, Mega Charizard-Y Mega Charizard Y, and everything below. Life Orb makes up for Starmie's pitiful Special Attack stat, powering up all of its moves in order to deal as much damage as possible. Analytic is a great ability on a Pokemon with the coverage Starmie Starmie because of the coverage it (a little bit subjective but otherwise this is worded really weirdly and it makes it sound like you're talking about Pokemon that have similar coverage to Starmie in general rather than Starmie itself) possesses, further punishing the switches it often forces. Alternatively, a Waterium Z turns Hydro Pump into Hydro Vortex, a one-time nuke aimed at weakened specially bulky Pokemon like Celesteela and Mew.

Usage Tips
========

Due to its Starmie's lacking bulk and vulnerability to all forms of entry hazards it should only be brought in on weak attackers it doesn't fear or with the aid of VoltTurn support to clear hazards. Its lack of recovery on this set (no cross-set referencing) limits the amount of times it can come in on a battle to use Rapid Spin to clear hazards, (AC) so aggresive aggressive play is required in order to prevent the opponent from setting them up too often. If entry hazards aren't up on the field (or say something like "on the user's side of the field"), Starmie can use its coverage moves and ability to force switches to start punching holes in the opposing team, especially if hazards are up on the opposing side of the field. Analytic will boost Starmie's attacks on Pokemon trying to switch into it, so prediction is required when the opponent has a Water resistant Water-resistant Pokemon in the back. For example, if Starmie was is on the field against a Heatran and the opponent had has a Tangrowth that could can sponge the Hydro Pump, using Ice Beam instead would be is (using "instead" here doesn't work because you haven't actually talked about using Hydro Pump if that makes sense) a good idea because it would be is boosted by Analytic, thus netting significant damage on Tangrowth.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that are able to set up hazards like Ferrothorn, Landorus-T, and Greninja appreciate its Starmie's ability to preserve their hazards and get rid of the ones set by the opponent, while hazards make it easier for Starmie to punish the switches it forces. Ferrothorn is a notable partner because of their type synergy, resisting Eletric-type Electric-type attacks aimed at Starmie. VoltTurn support from the likes of Landorus-T, Assault Vest Magearna, and Tapu Koko lets it Starmie preserve its health with safe switchins opportunities to switch in, making it easier for it to clear hazards several times. Starmie invites in a bunch of scary threats whenever it tries to spin, so a solid defensive backbone with Pokemon like Assault Vest Magearna, Tangrowth, and Ferrothorn is appreciated.

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

An alternative A (you havent mentioned any other bulky sets) bulky set with a spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe and Scald / Recover / Thunder Wave / Rapid Spin turns Starmie into a more durable yet passive Rapid Spin user, which may seem more desirable on less Offensive offensive teams but losing out on the ability to beat most hazard setters 1v1 deters its niche as a hazard remover. Reflect Type is also an option here instead of Thunder Wave. An Icium Z gives Starmie access to Subzero Slammer, turning it into a lure for Assault Vest Tangrowth and Amoongus Amoonguss, both of which faint to it after taking Stealth Rock and Spikes (maybe specify how many layers?) damage. Nevertheless, this is a very team specific team-specific lure and shouldn't be used unless it's absolutely needed.

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

**Bulky Grass-types**: Despite having Ice Beam to hit them super effectively, Starmie's poor Special Attack doesn't let it threaten most bulky Grass-types without prior damage or hazards on the field, thus making Pokemon like Assault Vest Tangrowth, Amoongus, and Mega-Venusaur Mega Venusaur reliable answers for it.

**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini, Mantine, and Toxapex, as well as offensive ones like Keldeo and Manaphy (if you're gonna mention offensive Water-types, maybe remove the "Bulky" from the header?) don't fear anything from non-Thunderbolt Starmie variants and can easily come in on it without punishment.

**Electric-types**: Offensive Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Mega Manectric outspeed Starmie and threaten it with their STAB moves, even though they are too frail to switch into a Analytic boosted an Analytic-boosted Hydro Pump. Additionally, more passive Electric-types like Zapdos and Rotom-W can take any hit from it and OHKO back.

**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Its Starmie's frailty and typing leaves it vulnerable to some major faster threats in the metagame such as Ash Greninja Ash-Greninja, Weavile, and Tornadus-T as well as most Choice Scarf Users users after a couple of rounds of Life Orb recoil like Garchomp, Terrakion, and Nihilego, although it does check the most common one in Keldeo.

**Chansey**: With the highest Special Defense in the tier, it Chansey can easily take anything from Starmie and beat it 1v1. It can't stop it from using Rapid Spin, though.

GP 1/2
 
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Leo

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MPL Champion
hi, gj!
add remove comments
[OVERVIEW]

Starmie is one of the few Pokemon in the tier with access to Rapid Spin, which makes it a neat option for hazard stacking teams. Its decent Special Attack combined with a great movepool and a good ability in Analytic gives it some offensive presence and lets it beat common hazard setters such as Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, and Garchomp as well as punish Ghost-types that may attempt to block its Rapid Spin. Starmie's great Speed tier helps its match-up matchup against offensive teams, (AC) as it lets it outpace the base 110 Speed tier and even some faster Pokemon like Serperior and Thundurus. Its typing provides it with useful resistances to Water and Fighting, thus letting it act as a great Keldeo check. However, it leaves it vulnerable to common Dark-types like Greninja, Weavile, and Hoopa as well as Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Mega Manectric. Starmie also struggles to find a place on a lot of teams because of Greninja being the superior choice for an offensive Water-type thanks to its higher Speed stat and better abilities (Remember that Greninja doesn't include Ash-Greninja, so unless you're calling Torrent a good ability you should rephrase this). Moreover, its lackluster bulk coupled with Life Orb recoil limits the amount of times it can use Rapid Spin throughout a game. (AP)
[SET]
name: Offensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam / Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb
ability: Analytic
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe

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

Hydro Pump is its Starmie's strongest STAB move and mandatory due to Starmie's underwhelming Special Attack even with a Life Orb boost. Ice Beam hits Grass-types that resist Hydro Pump like Tangrowth, Tapu Bulu, and Amoongus that resist Hydro Pump. (add space) Thunderbolt also complements Hydro Pump nicely, hitting Water-types such as Keldeo, Tapu Fini, and Mantine. Hidden Power Fire is its Starmie's only way of damaging Ferrothorn, which otherwise sets up Spikes on it and threatens to OHKO it with Power Whip. It also does more damage to Mega Scizor than Hydro Pump, (AC) thus preventing Defog variants from getting rid of any hazards if Starmie is (this right?) healthy enough. Rapid Spin is the most important move of the set because it lets Starmie keep hazards set by its teammates while supporting hazard weak Pokemon, especially Stealth Rock weak ones like Volcarona and Marowak-Alola Alolan Marowak. Psychic is an option as a decently powerful secondary STAB move that hits Keldeo, Toxapex, Amoongus, and Mega Venusaur.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment gives it Starmie as much offensive power as possible while also sitting on placing it in a nice Speed tier with a Timid nature, notably outspeeding Choice Specs Gengar, non-Choice Scarf Keldeo without a Choice Scarf, Mega Charizard-Y Mega Charizard Y, and everything below. Life Orb makes up for Starmie's pitiful Special Attack stat, powering up all of its moves in order to deal as much damage as possible. Analytic is a great ability on a Pokemon with the coverage Starmie Starmie because of the coverage it (a little bit subjective but otherwise this is worded really weirdly and it makes it sound like you're talking about Pokemon that have similar coverage to Starmie in general rather than Starmie itself) possesses, further punishing the switches it often forces. Alternatively, a Waterium Z turns Hydro Pump into Hydro Vortex, a one-time nuke aimed at weakened specially bulky Pokemon like Celesteela and Mew.

Usage Tips
========

Due to its Starmie's lacking bulk and vulnerability to all forms of entry hazards it should only be brought in on weak attackers it doesn't fear or with the aid of VoltTurn support to clear hazards. Its lack of recovery on this set (no cross-set referencing) limits the amount of times it can come in on a battle to use Rapid Spin to clear hazards, (AC) so aggresive aggressive play is required in order to prevent the opponent from setting them up too often. If entry hazards aren't up on the field (or say something like "on the user's side of the field"), Starmie can use its coverage moves and ability to force switches to start punching holes in the opposing team, especially if hazards are up on the opposing side of the field. Analytic will boost Starmie's attacks on Pokemon trying to switch into it, so prediction is required when the opponent has a Water resistant Water-resistant Pokemon in the back. For example, if Starmie was is on the field against a Heatran and the opponent had has a Tangrowth that could can sponge the Hydro Pump, using Ice Beam instead would be is (using "instead" here doesn't work because you haven't actually talked about using Hydro Pump if that makes sense) a good idea because it would be is boosted by Analytic, thus netting significant damage on Tangrowth.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that are able to set up hazards like Ferrothorn, Landorus-T, and Greninja appreciate its Starmie's ability to preserve their hazards and get rid of the ones set by the opponent, while hazards make it easier for Starmie to punish the switches it forces. Ferrothorn is a notable partner because of their type synergy, resisting Eletric-type Electric-type attacks aimed at Starmie. VoltTurn support from the likes of Landorus-T, Assault Vest Magearna, and Tapu Koko lets it Starmie preserve its health with safe switchins opportunities to switch in, making it easier for it to clear hazards several times. Starmie invites in a bunch of scary threats whenever it tries to spin, so a solid defensive backbone with Pokemon like Assault Vest Magearna, Tangrowth, and Ferrothorn is appreciated.

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

An alternative A (you havent mentioned any other bulky sets) bulky set with a spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe and Scald / Recover / Thunder Wave / Rapid Spin turns Starmie into a more durable yet passive Rapid Spin user, which may seem more desirable on less Offensive offensive teams but losing out on the ability to beat most hazard setters 1v1 deters its niche as a hazard remover. Reflect Type is also an option here instead of Thunder Wave. An Icium Z gives Starmie access to Subzero Slammer, turning it into a lure for Assault Vest Tangrowth and Amoongus Amoonguss, both of which faint to it after taking Stealth Rock and Spikes (maybe specify how many layers?) damage. Nevertheless, this is a very team specific team-specific lure and shouldn't be used unless it's absolutely needed.

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

**Bulky Grass-types**: Despite having Ice Beam to hit them super effectively, Starmie's poor Special Attack doesn't let it threaten most bulky Grass-types without prior damage or hazards on the field, thus making Pokemon like Assault Vest Tangrowth, Amoongus, and Mega-Venusaur Mega Venusaur reliable answers for it.

**Bulky Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini, Mantine, and Toxapex, as well as offensive ones like Keldeo and Manaphy (if you're gonna mention offensive Water-types, maybe remove the "Bulky" from the header?) don't fear anything from non-Thunderbolt Starmie variants and can easily come in on it without punishment.

**Electric-types**: Offensive Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Mega Manectric outspeed Starmie and threaten it with their STAB moves, even though they are too frail to switch into a Analytic boosted an Analytic-boosted Hydro Pump. Additionally, more passive Electric-types like Zapdos and Rotom-W can take any hit from it and OHKO back.

**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Its Starmie's frailty and typing leaves it vulnerable to some major faster threats in the metagame such as Ash Greninja Ash-Greninja, Weavile, and Tornadus-T as well as most Choice Scarf Users users after a couple of rounds of Life Orb recoil like Garchomp, Terrakion, and Nihilego, although it does check the most common one in Keldeo.

**Chansey**: With the highest Special Defense in the tier, it Chansey can easily take anything from Starmie and beat it 1v1. It can't stop it from using Rapid Spin, though.

GP 1/2
Implemented, thanks for the check!
 

Lumari

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GP 2/2
[OVERVIEW]

Starmie is one of the few Pokemon in the tier with access to Rapid Spin, which makes it a neat option for hazard stacking teams. Its decent Special Attack combined with a great movepool and a good ability in Analytic gives it some offensive presence and lets it beat common entry hazard setters such as Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, and Garchomp as well as punish Ghost-types that may attempt to block its Rapid Spin. Starmie's great Speed tier helps its matchup against offensive teams, as it lets it outpace the base 110 Speed tier and even some faster Pokemon like Serperior and Thundurus. Its typing provides it with useful resistances to Water and Fighting, thus letting it act as a great Keldeo check. However, it leaves it vulnerable to common Dark-types like Greninja, Weavile, and Hoopa as well as Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Mega Manectric. Starmie also struggles to find a place on a lot of teams because of Greninja being the superior choice for an offensive Water-type thanks to its higher Speed stat and better ability. Moreover, its Starmie's lackluster bulk coupled with Life Orb recoil limits the amount number of times it can use Rapid Spin throughout a game.

[SET]
name: Offensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam / Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb
ability: Analytic
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe

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

Hydro Pump is Starmie's strongest STAB move and mandatory due to Starmie's underwhelming Special Attack, (AC) even with a Life Orb boost. Ice Beam hits Grass-types that resist Hydro Pump like Tangrowth, Tapu Bulu, and Amoongus Amoonguss. Thunderbolt also complements Hydro Pump nicely, hitting Water-types such as Keldeo, Tapu Fini, and Mantine. Hidden Power Fire is Starmie's only way of damaging Ferrothorn, which otherwise sets up Spikes on it and threatens to OHKO it with Power Whip. It also does more damage to Mega Scizor than Hydro Pump, thus preventing Defog variants from getting rid of any hazards if Starmie is healthy enough. Rapid Spin is the most important move of the set because it lets Starmie keep entry hazards set by its teammates while supporting hazard-weak (AH) Pokemon, especially Stealth Rock-weak (AH) ones like Volcarona and Alolan Marowak. Psychic is an option as a decently powerful secondary STAB move that hits Keldeo, Toxapex, Amoongus Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment with a Timid nature gives Starmie as much offensive power as possible while also placing it in a nice Speed tier with a Timid nature, notably outspeeding Choice Specs Gengar, non-Choice Scarf Keldeo, Mega Charizard Y, and everything below. Life Orb makes up for Starmie's pitiful average / mediocre (it's not THAT awful) Special Attack stat, powering up all of its moves in order to deal as much damage as possible. Analytic is a great ability on Starmie because of the coverage it(space)possesses, further punishing the switches it often forces. Alternatively, Waterium Z turns Hydro Pump into Hydro Vortex, a one-time nuke aimed at weakened specially bulky Pokemon like Celesteela and Mew.

Usage Tips
========

Due to Starmie's lacking bulk and vulnerability to all forms of entry hazards, (AC) it should only be brought in on weak attackers it doesn't fear or with the aid of VoltTurn support to clear hazards. Its lack of recovery limits the amount number of times it can come in to use Rapid Spin to clear hazards, so aggressive play is required in order to prevent the opponent from setting them up too often. If entry hazards aren't up on the user's side of the field, Starmie can use its coverage moves and ability to force switches to start punching holes in the opposing team, especially if hazards are up on the opposing side of the field. Analytic will boost Starmie's attacks on Pokemon trying to switch into it, so prediction is required when the opponent has a Water-resistant Pokemon in the back. For example, if Starmie is on the field against a Heatran and the opponent has a Tangrowth that can sponge Hydro Pump, using Ice Beam is a good idea because it is boosted by Analytic, thus netting significant damage on Tangrowth if it switches in.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that are able to set up entry hazards like Ferrothorn, Landorus-T, and Greninja appreciate Starmie's ability to preserve their hazards and get rid of the ones hazards set by the opponent while preserving their own, while hazards make it easier for Starmie to punish the switches it forces. Ferrothorn is a notable partner because of their its type synergy with Starmie, resisting Electric-type attacks aimed at Starmie it. VoltTurn support from the likes of Landorus-T, Assault Vest Magearna, and Tapu Koko lets Starmie preserve its health with safe opportunities to switch in, making it easier for it to clear hazards several times. Starmie invites in a bunch of scary threats whenever it tries to spin, so a solid defensive backbone with Pokemon like Assault Vest Magearna, Tangrowth, and Ferrothorn is appreciated.

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

A bulky set with a spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe and Scald / Recover / Thunder Wave / Rapid Spin turns Starmie into a more durable yet passive Rapid Spin user, which may seem more desirable on less offensive teams, (AC) but losing out on the ability to beat most hazard setters 1v1 one-on-one deters hinders its niche as a hazard remover. Reflect Type is also an option here instead of Thunder Wave. Icium Z gives Starmie access to Subzero Slammer, turning it into a lure for Assault Vest Tangrowth and Amoonguss, both of which faint to it after taking switching into Stealth Rock and two layers of Spikes damage. Nevertheless, this is a very team-specific lure and shouldn't be used unless it's absolutely needed.

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

**Bulky Grass-types**: Despite having Ice Beam to hit hitting them super effectively, Starmie's poor Special Attack doesn't let it threaten most bulky Grass-types without prior damage or entry hazards on the field, thus making Pokemon like Assault Vest Tangrowth, Amoongus, and Mega Venusaur reliable answers for it.

**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini, Mantine, and Toxapex, as well as offensive ones like Keldeo and Manaphy, (AC) don't fear anything from non-Thunderbolt Starmie variants and can easily come in on it without punishment.

**Electric-types**: Offensive Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Mega Manectric outspeed Starmie and threaten it with their STAB moves, even though they are too frail to switch into an Analytic-boosted Hydro Pump. Additionally, more passive Electric-types like Zapdos and Rotom-W can take any hit from it and OHKO back.

**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Starmie's frailty and typing leaves leave it vulnerable to some major faster threats in the metagame such as Ash-Greninja, Weavile, and Tornadus-T as well as most Choice Scarf users after a couple of rounds of Life Orb recoil like Garchomp, Terrakion, and Nihilego, although it does check the most common one in Keldeo.

**Chansey**: With the highest Special Defense in the tier, Chansey can easily take anything from Starmie and beat it 1v1 one-on-one. It can't stop it from using Rapid Spin, though.
 
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GP 2/2
[OVERVIEW]

Starmie is one of the few Pokemon in the tier with access to Rapid Spin, which makes it a neat option for hazard stacking teams. Its decent Special Attack combined with a great movepool and a good ability in Analytic gives it some offensive presence and lets it beat common entry hazard setters such as Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, and Garchomp as well as punish Ghost-types that may attempt to block its Rapid Spin. Starmie's great Speed tier helps its matchup against offensive teams, as it lets it outpace the base 110 Speed tier and even some faster Pokemon like Serperior and Thundurus. Its typing provides it with useful resistances to Water and Fighting, thus letting it act as a great Keldeo check. However, it leaves it vulnerable to common Dark-types like Greninja, Weavile, and Hoopa as well as Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Mega Manectric. Starmie also struggles to find a place on a lot of teams because of Greninja being the superior choice for an offensive Water-type thanks to its higher Speed stat and better ability. Moreover, its Starmie's lackluster bulk coupled with Life Orb recoil limits the amount number of times it can use Rapid Spin throughout a game.

[SET]
name: Offensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam / Thunderbolt
move 3: Hidden Power Fire
move 4: Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb
ability: Analytic
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Def / 252 Spe

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

Hydro Pump is Starmie's strongest STAB move and mandatory due to Starmie's underwhelming Special Attack, (AC) even with a Life Orb boost. Ice Beam hits Grass-types that resist Hydro Pump like Tangrowth, Tapu Bulu, and Amoongus Amoonguss. Thunderbolt also complements Hydro Pump nicely, hitting Water-types such as Keldeo, Tapu Fini, and Mantine. Hidden Power Fire is Starmie's only way of damaging Ferrothorn, which otherwise sets up Spikes on it and threatens to OHKO it with Power Whip. It also does more damage to Mega Scizor than Hydro Pump, thus preventing Defog variants from getting rid of any hazards if Starmie is healthy enough. Rapid Spin is the most important move of the set because it lets Starmie keep entry hazards set by its teammates while supporting hazard-weak (AH) Pokemon, especially Stealth Rock-weak (AH) ones like Volcarona and Alolan Marowak. Psychic is an option as a decently powerful secondary STAB move that hits Keldeo, Toxapex, Amoongus Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur.

Set Details
========

Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment with a Timid nature gives Starmie as much offensive power as possible while also placing it in a nice Speed tier with a Timid nature, notably outspeeding Choice Specs Gengar, non-Choice Scarf Keldeo, Mega Charizard Y, and everything below. Life Orb makes up for Starmie's pitiful average / mediocre (it's not THAT awful) Special Attack stat, powering up all of its moves in order to deal as much damage as possible. Analytic is a great ability on Starmie because of the coverage it(space)possesses, further punishing the switches it often forces. Alternatively, Waterium Z turns Hydro Pump into Hydro Vortex, a one-time nuke aimed at weakened specially bulky Pokemon like Celesteela and Mew.

Usage Tips
========

Due to Starmie's lacking bulk and vulnerability to all forms of entry hazards, (AC) it should only be brought in on weak attackers it doesn't fear or with the aid of VoltTurn support to clear hazards. Its lack of recovery limits the amount number of times it can come in to use Rapid Spin to clear hazards, so aggressive play is required in order to prevent the opponent from setting them up too often. If entry hazards aren't up on the user's side of the field, Starmie can use its coverage moves and ability to force switches to start punching holes in the opposing team, especially if hazards are up on the opposing side of the field. Analytic will boost Starmie's attacks on Pokemon trying to switch into it, so prediction is required when the opponent has a Water-resistant Pokemon in the back. For example, if Starmie is on the field against a Heatran and the opponent has a Tangrowth that can sponge Hydro Pump, using Ice Beam is a good idea because it is boosted by Analytic, thus netting significant damage on Tangrowth if it switches in.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that are able to set up entry hazards like Ferrothorn, Landorus-T, and Greninja appreciate Starmie's ability to preserve their hazards and get rid of the ones hazards set by the opponent while preserving their own, while hazards make it easier for Starmie to punish the switches it forces. Ferrothorn is a notable partner because of their its type synergy with Starmie, resisting Electric-type attacks aimed at Starmie it. VoltTurn support from the likes of Landorus-T, Assault Vest Magearna, and Tapu Koko lets Starmie preserve its health with safe opportunities to switch in, making it easier for it to clear hazards several times. Starmie invites in a bunch of scary threats whenever it tries to spin, so a solid defensive backbone with Pokemon like Assault Vest Magearna, Tangrowth, and Ferrothorn is appreciated.

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

A bulky set with a spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 Spe and Scald / Recover / Thunder Wave / Rapid Spin turns Starmie into a more durable yet passive Rapid Spin user, which may seem more desirable on less offensive teams, (AC) but losing out on the ability to beat most hazard setters 1v1 one-on-one deters hinders its niche as a hazard remover. Reflect Type is also an option here instead of Thunder Wave. Icium Z gives Starmie access to Subzero Slammer, turning it into a lure for Assault Vest Tangrowth and Amoonguss, both of which faint to it after taking switching into Stealth Rock and two layers of Spikes damage. Nevertheless, this is a very team-specific lure and shouldn't be used unless it's absolutely needed.

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

**Bulky Grass-types**: Despite having Ice Beam to hit hitting them super effectively, Starmie's poor Special Attack doesn't let it threaten most bulky Grass-types without prior damage or entry hazards on the field, thus making Pokemon like Assault Vest Tangrowth, Amoongus, and Mega Venusaur reliable answers for it.

**Water-types**: Bulky Water-types like Tapu Fini, Mantine, and Toxapex, as well as offensive ones like Keldeo and Manaphy, (AC) don't fear anything from non-Thunderbolt Starmie variants and can easily come in on it without punishment.

**Electric-types**: Offensive Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Mega Manectric outspeed Starmie and threaten it with their STAB moves, even though they are too frail to switch into an Analytic-boosted Hydro Pump. Additionally, more passive Electric-types like Zapdos and Rotom-W can take any hit from it and OHKO back.

**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Starmie's frailty and typing leaves leave it vulnerable to some major faster threats in the metagame such as Ash-Greninja, Weavile, and Tornadus-T as well as most Choice Scarf users after a couple of rounds of Life Orb recoil like Garchomp, Terrakion, and Nihilego, although it does check the most common one in Keldeo.

**Chansey**: With the highest Special Defense in the tier, Chansey can easily take anything from Starmie and beat it 1v1 one-on-one. It can't stop it from using Rapid Spin, though.
Thanks and implemented! Also pretend I didn't take an eternity to implement this lol. This is done, thanks to everyone
 

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