[OVERVIEW]
Staryu's phenomenal movepool—complete with fantastic coverage, Recover, and most importantly, Thunder Wave—and good Speed make it a dangerous offensive threat and elite paralysis spreader. Its Water-type STAB moves and Speed dissuade Ground-types like Nidoqueen from switching into it, as it generally beats them one-on-one, making its Thunder Wave extremely hard to deny. Staryu isn't just limited to spreading paralysis either—STAB Surf and great coverage let it hit the entire tier for neutral damage, and it can hit notable foes like Rapidash, Dragonair, Fearow, and the aforementioned Nidoqueen super effectively. Despite its extreme frailty, Staryu has a decent amount of defensive utility, largely owing to its access to Recover. It is PU's best answer to Seaking, as its typing and Recover wall it completely as long as its unparalyzed, and Staryu can have a surprising amount of longevity thanks to it finding opportunities to use Recover as it forces its foe out.
However, it is essential that players don't overestimate Staryu's defensive capabilities—barring Seaking, just about every common foe in PU can reliably paralyze or 2HKO Staryu, if not both. Once paralyzed, Staryu loses one-on-one to most foes, especially if it's weakened beforehand. Even Seaking can break through Staryu, as Double-Edge into Hyper Beam is a roll to KO. Staryu's offensive presence isn't perfect either, as while only a handful of Pokemon outspeed it, these include common foes like Fearow, which can KO Staryu after the slightest chip, and Rapidash, Arcanine, and Magmar, which can paralyze Staryu with Body Slam and revenge kill it with Hyper Beam. Slower paralysis spreaders also give Staryu considerable trouble, as while it dislikes paralysis, Dragonair can wall Staryu depending on its chosen coverage, and Drowzee can easily switch into Staryu and threaten it and its team with STAB Psychic and dual status. Staryu also has difficulty fitting all of the moves it wants. Alongside the obligatory STAB Surf and Thunder Wave, it has to choose between Thunderbolt and Psychic as well as Recover and Blizzard, leaving it unable to wall Seaking or threaten foes like Grass-types, Dragonair, and Slowpoke depending on its choice of coverage.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Thunder Wave
move 2: Surf
move 3: Thunderbolt / Psychic
move 4: Recover / Blizzard
[SET COMMENTS]
=========
Thunder Wave is critical to Staryu's success, letting it spread paralysis to cripple foes like Rapidash, Porygon, and opposing Staryu. It pairs excellently with STAB Surf dissuading Ground-types from switching in; it 2HKOes Nidoqueen and Sandslash and OHKOes Graveler, and since Staryu outspeeds them, it will win one-on-one even if they switch into Thunder Wave. Surf also 2HKOes Fire-types like Rapidash, Arcanine, and Magmar. Thunderbolt is Staryu's primary means to target opposing Water-types, notably 2HKOing opposing Staryu and being Staryu's only means to threaten the rare Slowpoke. It also 3HKOes Omanyte and Seaking, limiting the former's opportunities to paralyze Staryu and the latter's chances to fish for a critical hit. Thunderbolt hits Fearow harder than most of Staryu's options as well, with a 25.6% chance to 2HKO. Psychic is an alternative, notably 3HKOing Gastly. Its chance to drop the target's Special makes it threatening against most foes, acting as a strong midground option against foes that resist Water and Electric, namely Vileplume, Weepinbell, and Dragonair as well as opposing Water-types excluding Slowpoke. Recover lets Staryu wall Seaking, and it can help Staryu remain healthy throughout a game. However, it is risky to spam, as many threats like Rapidash and Arcanine can use it to fish for paralysis against Staryu, and using it predictably could allow free entry to foes like Fearow. Blizzard is an alternative, with it 2HKOing Fearow and Dragonair, having a 49.2% chance to 2HKO Weepinbell, and 3HKOing Vileplume. It can also let Staryu fish for a freeze, though Staryu is generally better off paralyzing its targets.
Staryu's role depends on its choice of moves and whether its used as a lead or in the back of its team. It is PU's premier answer to Seaking; its Double-Edge fails to 2HKO and slowly wears it down, and Hyper Beam only deals slightly over 50% and gives Staryu a free turn. If Seaking doesn't use Agility, Staryu outspeeds it, so it can spam Recover as Double-Edge's recoil brings Seaking into KO range. If Seaking uses Agility as Staryu uses Recover or switches in, Staryu can then paralyze it with Thunder Wave, forcing Seaking to use another Agility and giving Staryu potential free turns due to full paralysis. Thus, Staryu is an excellent support to teammates weak to Seaking, like Rapidash, Arcanine, and Omanyte. However, it cannot do this when it's paralyzed, and thus it enjoys teammates that can switch into Thunder Wave users, such as Drowzee, Nidoqueen, and Sandslash. It is an effective lead that is able to threaten opposing leads with paralysis and dissuade switches with its coverage. However, it has high odds of getting paralyzed in this role due to the plethora of Body Slam and Thunder Wave-using leads, such as Rapidash, Arcanine, Dragonair, and opposing Staryu. Since Staryu will usually be facing down Dragonair rather than Seaking as a lead, Blizzard is usually the preferred option. Staryu's biggest flaw as a lead is that it invites Drowzee in, a foe that doesn't mind paralysis or Staryu's attacks that much, and it dissuades Staryu from switching out thanks to its dual status. One's own Drowzee can help trade with it; in a pinch Nidoqueen and Sandslash can switch into Thunder Wave and reliably win one-on-one. However, oftentimes lead Staryu's best course of action when faced with Drowzee is to accept being paralyzed or KOed and attempt to weaken it for its teammates. When Staryu is not used as a lead, its team is best off trying to force in and weaken or KO Drowzee as quickly as possible in order to make Staryu's role as a Seaking counter less punishable. Physical wallbreakers like Fearow and Pinsir are especially adept at removing Drowzee. Staryu's access to Thunder Wave lets it support slower wallbreakers like Nidoqueen, Machamp, and Pinsir. While Staryu hates paralysis, in some instances it can be beneficial, such as trading Thunder Wave with Porygon to enable Nidoqueen or exchanging paralysis with itself to enable Seaking. Once paralyzed, Staryu loses virtually all of its defensive utility and is easily overwhelmed, but if it's at full health it can still be threatening, as it's difficult to OHKO, and it notably stonewalls Omanyte since the only thing it threatens Staryu with is paralysis. Staryu is dominated by Fearow, and Rapidash and Arcanine can outspeed and KO a weakened Staryu, so Rock-types like Graveler for the former and Omanyte for all three work well as partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hydro Pump can be used to hit higher damage ranges, notably 3HKOing Drowzee, though it fails to KO most other foes faster than Surf and is much less reliable due to its shaky accuracy. Reflect could be used to shore up Staryu's pitiful physical bulk, but giving up a coverage option or Recover is extremely costly, it doesn't help against foes that can spread paralysis, and foes like Fearow can bypass the Defense boost with their high critical hit rates.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Paralysis**: Given that Staryu is 2HKOed by much of the tier, once paralyzed it's easy to take out. Even foes that can't 2HKO Staryu, like Seaking, can overwhelm after one turn of full paralysis. Body Slam users like Rapidash and Arcanine can fish for paralysis while dealing solid damage, while Thunder Wave users like Dragonair, Porygon, and opposing Staryu can use Thunder Wave. However, these foes tend to hate taking paralysis themselves and usually dislike Staryu's STAB and coverage options. Drowzee deserves a special mention, as it minds neither paralysis nor Staryu's attacks that much, only being 4HKOed by Surf, while it threatens Staryu and its team with not only Thunder Wave but also Hypnosis and a strong STAB Psychic.
**Faster Pokemon**: Fearow's Double-Edge 2HKOes Staryu and its Hyper Beam does a minimum of 81.7%. While Fearow dislikes Thunder Wave, it can negate the Speed drop by using Agility, and it's only reliably 2HKOed by Staryu's Blizzard. Alongside threatening paralysis with Body Slam, Rapidash, Arcanine, and Magmar outspeed Staryu and can KO it from around 60% using Hyper Beam. Abra outspeeds Staryu and threatens paralysis with Thunder Wave and a 2HKO with Psychic, though it generally despises taking paralysis.
**Grass-types**: Though uncommon, Grass-types like Vileplume and Weepinbell resist Surf and Thunderbolt and threaten Staryu with Sleep Powder and Stun Spore. Vileplume's enormous bulk leaves it only 3HKOed by Blizzard and generally 4HKOed by Psychic, while Weepinbell outright OHKOes Staryu with Razor Leaf.
**Pinsir**: While Pinsir dislikes taking paralysis and is outsped by Staryu, it can 2HKO with Slash and is only 3HKOed by Surf, thus generally winning one-on-one when at full health.
**Machamp**: Staryu can only 4HKO Machamp without Psychic, and Psychic still only 3HKOes it. In return, Machamp 2HKOes with Submission and has a 69.6% chance to 2HKO with Earthquake, and its combination of Body Slam into Submission has high odds to KO Staryu while also threatening paralysis. Machamp dislikes being paralyzed, though it can still function regardless.
**Slowpoke**: While rare, Slowpoke completely walls Staryu variants lacking Thunderbolt, turning them into setup fodder. It also threatens Staryu and its team with Thunder Wave.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gastlies.540559/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
Staryu's phenomenal movepool—complete with fantastic coverage, Recover, and most importantly, Thunder Wave—and good Speed make it a dangerous offensive threat and elite paralysis spreader. Its Water-type STAB moves and Speed dissuade Ground-types like Nidoqueen from switching into it, as it generally beats them one-on-one, making its Thunder Wave extremely hard to deny. Staryu isn't just limited to spreading paralysis either—STAB Surf and great coverage let it hit the entire tier for neutral damage, and it can hit notable foes like Rapidash, Dragonair, Fearow, and the aforementioned Nidoqueen super effectively. Despite its extreme frailty, Staryu has a decent amount of defensive utility, largely owing to its access to Recover. It is PU's best answer to Seaking, as its typing and Recover wall it completely as long as its unparalyzed, and Staryu can have a surprising amount of longevity thanks to it finding opportunities to use Recover as it forces its foe out.
However, it is essential that players don't overestimate Staryu's defensive capabilities—barring Seaking, just about every common foe in PU can reliably paralyze or 2HKO Staryu, if not both. Once paralyzed, Staryu loses one-on-one to most foes, especially if it's weakened beforehand. Even Seaking can break through Staryu, as Double-Edge into Hyper Beam is a roll to KO. Staryu's offensive presence isn't perfect either, as while only a handful of Pokemon outspeed it, these include common foes like Fearow, which can KO Staryu after the slightest chip, and Rapidash, Arcanine, and Magmar, which can paralyze Staryu with Body Slam and revenge kill it with Hyper Beam. Slower paralysis spreaders also give Staryu considerable trouble, as while it dislikes paralysis, Dragonair can wall Staryu depending on its chosen coverage, and Drowzee can easily switch into Staryu and threaten it and its team with STAB Psychic and dual status. Staryu also has difficulty fitting all of the moves it wants. Alongside the obligatory STAB Surf and Thunder Wave, it has to choose between Thunderbolt and Psychic as well as Recover and Blizzard, leaving it unable to wall Seaking or threaten foes like Grass-types, Dragonair, and Slowpoke depending on its choice of coverage.
[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Thunder Wave
move 2: Surf
move 3: Thunderbolt / Psychic
move 4: Recover / Blizzard
[SET COMMENTS]
=========
Thunder Wave is critical to Staryu's success, letting it spread paralysis to cripple foes like Rapidash, Porygon, and opposing Staryu. It pairs excellently with STAB Surf dissuading Ground-types from switching in; it 2HKOes Nidoqueen and Sandslash and OHKOes Graveler, and since Staryu outspeeds them, it will win one-on-one even if they switch into Thunder Wave. Surf also 2HKOes Fire-types like Rapidash, Arcanine, and Magmar. Thunderbolt is Staryu's primary means to target opposing Water-types, notably 2HKOing opposing Staryu and being Staryu's only means to threaten the rare Slowpoke. It also 3HKOes Omanyte and Seaking, limiting the former's opportunities to paralyze Staryu and the latter's chances to fish for a critical hit. Thunderbolt hits Fearow harder than most of Staryu's options as well, with a 25.6% chance to 2HKO. Psychic is an alternative, notably 3HKOing Gastly. Its chance to drop the target's Special makes it threatening against most foes, acting as a strong midground option against foes that resist Water and Electric, namely Vileplume, Weepinbell, and Dragonair as well as opposing Water-types excluding Slowpoke. Recover lets Staryu wall Seaking, and it can help Staryu remain healthy throughout a game. However, it is risky to spam, as many threats like Rapidash and Arcanine can use it to fish for paralysis against Staryu, and using it predictably could allow free entry to foes like Fearow. Blizzard is an alternative, with it 2HKOing Fearow and Dragonair, having a 49.2% chance to 2HKO Weepinbell, and 3HKOing Vileplume. It can also let Staryu fish for a freeze, though Staryu is generally better off paralyzing its targets.
Staryu's role depends on its choice of moves and whether its used as a lead or in the back of its team. It is PU's premier answer to Seaking; its Double-Edge fails to 2HKO and slowly wears it down, and Hyper Beam only deals slightly over 50% and gives Staryu a free turn. If Seaking doesn't use Agility, Staryu outspeeds it, so it can spam Recover as Double-Edge's recoil brings Seaking into KO range. If Seaking uses Agility as Staryu uses Recover or switches in, Staryu can then paralyze it with Thunder Wave, forcing Seaking to use another Agility and giving Staryu potential free turns due to full paralysis. Thus, Staryu is an excellent support to teammates weak to Seaking, like Rapidash, Arcanine, and Omanyte. However, it cannot do this when it's paralyzed, and thus it enjoys teammates that can switch into Thunder Wave users, such as Drowzee, Nidoqueen, and Sandslash. It is an effective lead that is able to threaten opposing leads with paralysis and dissuade switches with its coverage. However, it has high odds of getting paralyzed in this role due to the plethora of Body Slam and Thunder Wave-using leads, such as Rapidash, Arcanine, Dragonair, and opposing Staryu. Since Staryu will usually be facing down Dragonair rather than Seaking as a lead, Blizzard is usually the preferred option. Staryu's biggest flaw as a lead is that it invites Drowzee in, a foe that doesn't mind paralysis or Staryu's attacks that much, and it dissuades Staryu from switching out thanks to its dual status. One's own Drowzee can help trade with it; in a pinch Nidoqueen and Sandslash can switch into Thunder Wave and reliably win one-on-one. However, oftentimes lead Staryu's best course of action when faced with Drowzee is to accept being paralyzed or KOed and attempt to weaken it for its teammates. When Staryu is not used as a lead, its team is best off trying to force in and weaken or KO Drowzee as quickly as possible in order to make Staryu's role as a Seaking counter less punishable. Physical wallbreakers like Fearow and Pinsir are especially adept at removing Drowzee. Staryu's access to Thunder Wave lets it support slower wallbreakers like Nidoqueen, Machamp, and Pinsir. While Staryu hates paralysis, in some instances it can be beneficial, such as trading Thunder Wave with Porygon to enable Nidoqueen or exchanging paralysis with itself to enable Seaking. Once paralyzed, Staryu loses virtually all of its defensive utility and is easily overwhelmed, but if it's at full health it can still be threatening, as it's difficult to OHKO, and it notably stonewalls Omanyte since the only thing it threatens Staryu with is paralysis. Staryu is dominated by Fearow, and Rapidash and Arcanine can outspeed and KO a weakened Staryu, so Rock-types like Graveler for the former and Omanyte for all three work well as partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Hydro Pump can be used to hit higher damage ranges, notably 3HKOing Drowzee, though it fails to KO most other foes faster than Surf and is much less reliable due to its shaky accuracy. Reflect could be used to shore up Staryu's pitiful physical bulk, but giving up a coverage option or Recover is extremely costly, it doesn't help against foes that can spread paralysis, and foes like Fearow can bypass the Defense boost with their high critical hit rates.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Paralysis**: Given that Staryu is 2HKOed by much of the tier, once paralyzed it's easy to take out. Even foes that can't 2HKO Staryu, like Seaking, can overwhelm after one turn of full paralysis. Body Slam users like Rapidash and Arcanine can fish for paralysis while dealing solid damage, while Thunder Wave users like Dragonair, Porygon, and opposing Staryu can use Thunder Wave. However, these foes tend to hate taking paralysis themselves and usually dislike Staryu's STAB and coverage options. Drowzee deserves a special mention, as it minds neither paralysis nor Staryu's attacks that much, only being 4HKOed by Surf, while it threatens Staryu and its team with not only Thunder Wave but also Hypnosis and a strong STAB Psychic.
**Faster Pokemon**: Fearow's Double-Edge 2HKOes Staryu and its Hyper Beam does a minimum of 81.7%. While Fearow dislikes Thunder Wave, it can negate the Speed drop by using Agility, and it's only reliably 2HKOed by Staryu's Blizzard. Alongside threatening paralysis with Body Slam, Rapidash, Arcanine, and Magmar outspeed Staryu and can KO it from around 60% using Hyper Beam. Abra outspeeds Staryu and threatens paralysis with Thunder Wave and a 2HKO with Psychic, though it generally despises taking paralysis.
**Grass-types**: Though uncommon, Grass-types like Vileplume and Weepinbell resist Surf and Thunderbolt and threaten Staryu with Sleep Powder and Stun Spore. Vileplume's enormous bulk leaves it only 3HKOed by Blizzard and generally 4HKOed by Psychic, while Weepinbell outright OHKOes Staryu with Razor Leaf.
**Pinsir**: While Pinsir dislikes taking paralysis and is outsped by Staryu, it can 2HKO with Slash and is only 3HKOed by Surf, thus generally winning one-on-one when at full health.
**Machamp**: Staryu can only 4HKO Machamp without Psychic, and Psychic still only 3HKOes it. In return, Machamp 2HKOes with Submission and has a 69.6% chance to 2HKO with Earthquake, and its combination of Body Slam into Submission has high odds to KO Staryu while also threatening paralysis. Machamp dislikes being paralyzed, though it can still function regardless.
**Slowpoke**: While rare, Slowpoke completely walls Staryu variants lacking Thunderbolt, turning them into setup fodder. It also threatens Staryu and its team with Thunder Wave.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gastlies.540559/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sabelette.583793/
Last edited:
