[OVERVIEW]
Staryu is the best entry hazard remover in Little Cup by a large margin thanks to its great Speed, good typing, and cool coverage. Add to this the buffs to Vullaby's offensive sets and the fact that Archen's and Drilbur's niches are diminishing, and Staryu becomes pretty much the only dedicated entry hazard remover worth running. Additionally, the combination of Hydro Pump and Analytic makes Staryu's offensive sets even more potent. All of these factors combine to make Staryu a great partner for hazard-fearing Pokemon such as Ponyta and Doduo and an overall excellent glue Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Offensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Ice Beam / Psychic
move 4: Recover
item: Eviolite
ability: Analytic
nature: Timid
evs: 156 Def / 116 SpA / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rapid Spin allows Staryu to remove entry hazards, such as Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes, from its side of the field; this move is the biggest reason to use Staryu. Hydro Pump is Staryu's most powerful STAB attack, and it hits very hard after a boost from Analytic. The third moveslot is a choice between coverage moves; Ice Beam allows Staryu to put a sizable dent into any Pumpkaboo coming in to block Rapid Spin, and Psychic allows Staryu to threaten various important Poison- and Fighting-type Pokemon such as Croagunk, Timburr, and Mareanie. Lastly, Recover helps magnify Staryu's longevity by restoring its HP.
Set Details
========
236 Speed EVs and a Timid nature maximize Staryu's already great Speed, allowing it to reach the excellent 19 Speed tier. Putting 116 EVs in Special Attack helps boost the power of Staryu's powerful Analytic-boosted attacks. Finally, 156 Defense EVs and Eviolite help bolster Staryu's bulk.
Usage Tips
========
Staryu's main job is to use Rapid Spin to remove entry hazards, so you should make a significant effort to do this whenever possible. If you opponent is packing a Pumpkaboo, however, it may be wise to try to hit it with Ice Beam as it switches in, as no Pumpkaboo can avoid a 2HKO from the attack due to Analytic. In general, Staryu makes for a good switch-in to most Fire-, Rock-, and Ground-type Pokemon, as it is usually faster than them and can threaten them with its Water-type STAB attacks. Additionally, Staryu's excellent Speed allows it to revenge KO many fast, frail Pokemon such as Doduo and Gastly.
Team Options
========
Any Pokemon that appreciates entry hazard removal finds a good partner in Staryu. Examples of these Pokemon include Doduo, Ponyta, and Snover. Staryu also tends to lure in Ghost-type Pokemon as they try to block Rapid Spin; therefore, Pokemon that can use Pursuit such as Pawniard and Alolan Grimer make excellent partners, as they can come in on predicted switches and trap said Ghost-type Pokemon. Additionally, Staryu is perfect for defensive Fire / Water / Grass cores, as it synergizes very well with Pokemon such as Foongus and Ponyta.
[SET]
name: Defensive Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Scald
move 3: Psychic / Ice Beam
move 4: Recover
item: Eviolite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 116 HP / 156 Def / 236 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rapid Spin removes entry hazards from Staryu's side of the field. Scald is a good STAB attack that carries a useful burn chance. Psychic allows Staryu to OHKO Gastly and helps against other Poison-type Pokemon such as Croagunk and Foongus. Alternatively, Ice Beam hits Pumpkaboo and other Grass-type Pokemon, but it is not able to 2HKO every variant of Pumpkaboo due to this set's decreased power. Recover helps Staryu stay around longer by restoring its HP.
Set Details
========
236 Speed EVs and a Timid nature maximize Staryu's Speed, getting it to 19 Speed and making it more likely to get off a Rapid Spin. 156 HP EVs and 116 EVs in Defense give Staryu serviceable bulk and also increase the amount of HP it gains from Recover from 10 to 11. Eviolite further bolsters Staryu's bulk. Natural Cure allows Staryu to absorb status moves for its teammates; this is particularly useful for taking Will-O-Wisp burns from an opposing Ponyta or Larvesta.
Usage Tips
========
This Staryu set, while more passive than others, tends to be able to switch into and spin against more Pokemon. In addition, this variant of Staryu is capable of switching directly into Gastly thanks to its greater Speed, its ability to OHKO Gastly with Psychic, and the fact that Natural Cure can nullify any Sludge Bomb poison status. Don't be afraid to use Scald unless the opponent has a Pokemon immune to Water-type attacks; its chance to burn the foe makes Scald an incredible move!
Team Options
========
Any Pokemon that appreciates entry hazard removal finds a good partner in Staryu. Examples of these include Vullaby, Rufflet, and Salandit. This variant of Staryu in particular is perfect for defensive Fire / Water / Grass cores, as it synergizes especially well with Pokemon such as Foongus and Ponyta. In general, Staryu makes a good glue Pokemon for a lot of teams, as it has good synergy with most Grass- and Fairy-type Pokemon.
[SET]
name: Life Orb Attacker
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Fire / Rapid Spin
item: Life Orb
ability: Analytic
nature: Timid
evs: 200 SpA / 240 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Hydro Pump is a very strong STAB attack. Psychic and Ice Beam provide potent coverage against many Pokemon that resist Water, such as Mareanie and Snivy. Hidden Power Fire OHKOes any Ferroseed that comes in against Staryu expecting to wall it. However, if your team desperately needs entry hazard removal, Staryu is strong enough to drop a coverage move and run Rapid Spin.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread maximizes Staryu's Speed and Special Attack so it can hit as hard and fast as possible. A Timid nature further raises Staryu's Speed, reaching the excellent 19 Speed tier. Running Analytic and holding a Life Orb make Staryu's damage output even more impressive, especially on forced switches from the opponent.
Usage Tips
========
Staryu is pretty frail when it isn't carrying Eviolite, so be cautious about switching it into anything but the weakest attacks out there. Staryu is really, really strong with Analytic, so bring it in on something it forces out like Ponyta and take a hefty chunk out of whatever switches in with Staryu's high-powered attacks! Be sure to weaken Pokemon with priority attacks such as Timburr and Pawniard, as they can circumvent Staryu's excellent Speed and threaten it with their STAB priority attacks.
Team Options
========
Staryu needs free switches onto the field in order to be effective. Pair it with a slow U-turn or Volt Switch user like Mienfoo or Magnemite for best effect. Very few things can switch into Staryu, and most of those are bulky Water-types like Slowpoke. Therefore, bringing a teammate such as Pawniard or Snivy is advised. Staryu appreciates Knock Off support from the likes of Mienfoo and Pawniard, as this allows it to break through defensive Pokemon more easily. Entry hazard support allows you to fully capitalize on the switches Staryu forces; combining Analytic-boosted attacks with entry hazard damage will take huge chunks of HP out of anything that tries to switch in. Good Pokemon for entry hazard support include Dwebble and Pawniard.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thunderbolt allows Staryu to take on other bulky Water-type Pokemon, most notably Frillish and other Staryu. Hidden Power Grass is an interesting option for the Life Orb set, as it allows Staryu to OHKO most Chinchou sets on the switch in while still giving it an option to hit other bulky Water-types. Staryu also has access to both Reflect and Light Screen but has a hard time finding space for them. Similarly, Staryu also has access to Thunder Wave, but it is difficult to find room for the move outside of sets dedicated to taking advantage of paralysis.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Bulky Water-type Pokemon**: Pokemon like Slowpoke, Chinchou, and Frillish can switch into any of Staryu's sets with ease, barring the uncommon inclusion of Thunderbolt or Hidden Power Grass. Chinchou is particularly threatening due to its secondary Electric typing.
**Grass-type Pokemon**: Staryu struggles against Grass-type Pokemon, especially Ferroseed, which resists its STAB attacks and is not threatened by Staryu's common coverage moves.
**Ghost-type Pokemon**: Staryu's goal is often to use Rapid Spin; Ghost-type Pokemon such as Pumpkaboo and Frillish block the move and can often threaten Staryu with their STAB attacks.
**Fast Electric-types**: Fast Electric-type Pokemon such as Elekid, Chinchou, and Choice Scarf Magnemite can revenge KO Staryu with ease.
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