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Subject No.7
Name: Staraptor
Species: The Predator Pokemon
Height: 3'11"
Weight: 55 lbs.
Type: Normal, Flying
Possible Abilities: Intimidate, Reckless
Smogon Tier: BorderLine
Insights: Staraptor is like a Talonflame without the Gale Wings. It is very underrated but can still deal tremendous amounts of damage. In addition, unlike most Flying Pokemon that can be potentially walled by certain Rock and Steel Pokemon, Staraptor has an edge among its fellow birds and that edge is Close Combat, a powerful Fighting move that defines Staraptor as one bird that not even Talonflame can simply outmatch when it comes to versatility and sheer power. It is true that Talonflame has Gale Wings, but Staraptor has an incredible niche that makes it a powerful contender in the first place.
Recommended Ability: Intimidate and Reckless
Both of Staraptor's Abilities are useful in every way. Intimidate forces physical attackers to switch out in battle while Reckless makes Staraptor's Brave Birds and Double-Edges hit like gunfire. There is no Ability too useless for Staraptor at this rate. Now if only it can also learn Gale Wings...
Recommended moves:
1. Brave Bird - Staraptor's strongest Flying STAB move for obvious reasons. This move allows Staraptor to wreck teams with just a push of the button that says "FAINT THEM ALL!" in bold lettering. Plus, Reckless.
2. Double-Edge - another of Staraptor's powerful STAB moves that also does a massive ouch on Staraptor; boosting it further with Reckless. However, if you think that Brave Bird is just too much of an ouch for you, then disregard this.
3. Close Combat - Staraptor's main coverage against physical walls that may otherwise block the other Flying-types dead in their tracks. It deals incredible amounts of damage in a split second, but it also cripples your defenses at the same time.
4. Quick Attack - a perfect revenge-fainting move for Staraptor. While it does not gain any boosts from Reckless, it can still benefit from STAB. 40 damage may seem to be underwhelming for some, but it gets the job done.
5. U-Turn - an excellent scouting move for Staraptor, as well as to allow it to escape from certain foes that may otherwise shut the predator down.
6. Pursuit - is your opponent trying to get away from Staraptor's offensive prowess? Then you might want to slap this in for your Pokemon which can allow you to pick off against weakened foes who are about to cry uncle and tries to escape. This will surely bring forth that annoying sensation against your foes.
7. Return - well you know how it goes, but it's a VERY strong move, regardless.
Other recommended moves:
1. Fly - a two-turn move that has decent power and gives you a chance to avoid one attack, but the move can be blocked very easily.
2. Roost - Staraptor's only means of healing itself. The trade-off here is that it will lose its Flying type during the turn it is used, which is a good way to minimize the damage done to you by Electric, Ice, and Rock moves but also damages you against Ground attacks.
3. Final Gambit - oddly enough, many Trainers find this move useful. It deals damage against foes equal to the user's current HP but faints the user. Use this only if you are crazy enough about winning battles.
4. Detect - it's basically Protect with fewer PP. It can learn this move via breeding, though.
5. Protect - same as Detect with more PP.
6. Take Down - a toned-down version of Double-Edge, but why waste so much power if you can take down opponents faster with Double-Edge?
7. Aerial Ace - it's an unavoidable attack that has decent power and can benefit from STAB. Ok, never mind that, 60 damage is pretty negligible and besides, you already got Brave Bird.
Recommended items:
1. Choice Band - basically the only recommended item for Reckless Staraptor. This item will pump up its Attack by 50% but causes Staraptor to stick on one move unless you switch it out. But why do you want that if you could just spam those Brave Birds all day?
2. Choice Scarf - on the other hand, if you wanna be some sort of a pseudo-Talonflame, then favor speed instead with this item. Like its Band counterpart, it increases your Speed significantly while also forces you to stick on the last move you used. It sucks, but hey, at least you're seeing your foes faint left and right.
3. Life Orb - seriously? Does it even need an explanation? No. It's just that reliable for anyone.
4. Flying/Normal Gem - these items can give you the firepower early on. Decent damage is what you need for Staraptor, after all, and these items just do those things.
Recommended Natures: Adamant and Jolly
This depends on what you prefer; more power to outgun foes coming from higher tiers or more speed to outrun supposedly faster threats. Regardless of what nature you want for Staraptor, stick to the standard hitter EV distribution of 252 Attack, 252 Speed, and 4 on a defensive stat. Don't waste that 4 precious stat on HP because Staraptor is not even durable enough to begin with.
Overall: Staraptor is one of those Pokemon that defines a glass-cannon (that is not a Fire-type); being frail enough while still kicking a lot of damage. In addition, Staraptor has a wide array of offensive to take advantage of its base 120 Attack. It may not be as popular as Talonflame, but keep in mind that Staraptor is the only bird that can access Close Combat naturally, and that is more than enough a reason to use Staraptor.
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