Gen 3 Staryu (NU Analysis)

[Oglemi]

https://www.smogon.com/dex/rs/pokemon/staryu/

[Overview]

Staryu is on the only spinner in NU that has zero problems offensively breaking past Sableye to ensure a spin, but Staryu's frailty betrays its effectiveness on the whole. On a hyper offense team that absolutely cannot afford to lose momentum, Staryu can fit the bill to get Spikes cleared and help a teammate like Shedinja get onto the field safely. But on any other team archetype Staryu simply doesn't have the staying power to be worth serious consideration over far more reliable choices, primarily Hitmonchan and Wartortle.

[SET]
name: Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Hidden Power Grass / Reflect
item: Leftovers
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Timid
evs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
- Staryu is hard to get on the battlefield but can achieve a spin once there through sheer offensive pressure
- Staryu is just as fast as Seadra and only a little weaker, so should be played similarly to it
- Near perfect coverage is achieved through Hydro Pump, Ice Beam and Hidden Power Grass and is the suggested core of moves
- HP Grass is the most expendable as Staryu is very unlikely to ever beat another Water-type one-on-one, and therefore can fit a move like Reflect or Light Screen in this slot to help support the team even further and allow a safe setup for a frail sweeper like Pupitar

[ADDITIONAL SET COMMENTS]
- Timid is needed to outpace as much as possible, notably Jolly Hitmonchan, Glalie, and Speed tie Seadra
- The item slot can go to many things as Staryu is unlikely to get any mileage out of Leftovers. Lum Berry, Mystic Water, Petaya Berry are all viable alternatives
- Surf can replace Hydro Pump but does not guarantee the 2HKO on Sableye which is the biggest draw to choosing Staryu as a spinner
- Staryu should really only see use on hyper offense teams, requiring other teammates such as Raticate, Pikachu, and Huntail
- Needs to fit on teams that need its ability to spin, Shedinja teams being a good examples

[Other Options]
- Blizzard
- Psychic
- Icy Wind, Thunder Wave
- Recover

[Checks and Counters]
- Bulky Water-types
- Haunter
- Specially defensive Bellossom, Swalot, Kecleon
- Anything faster such as Plusle, Pidgeot, and Vigoroth

 

[DurzaOffTopic]

This Pokemon is REALLY bad in general, but Mystic Water should be the item listed. Staryu cannot secure the 2HKO on most mixed defensive Sableye spreads without it (Sableye 2HKOs Staryu with Seismic Toss after 1 layer of Spikes even with Leftovers). Leftovers isn't doing too much for Staryu anyway since it has the bulk comparable to wet toilet paper.

Thunderbolt over HP Grass 3HKOs all Wailord without a SpD boosting nature (including Leftovers recovery) meaning Wailord can't Rest up on Staryu and wall it. Thunderbolt still 2HKOs Relicanth like HP Grass (though Mystic Water Hydro Pump does more than Thunderbolt), but it OHKOs Pelipper which can wall Staryu, 2HKOs Wartortle, and gets the OHKO on Seadra if it wins the Speed tie, all which HP Grass cannot do. This comes at the downside of being less effective at beating Whiscash, but HP Grass can't OHKO Whiscash and any minimally invested Earthquake/HP Grass comes very close to OHKOing if not a guaranteed OHKO itself. IMO this should be slashed before Reflect.