Staraptor, the Predator Pokémon. When Staravia evolve into Staraptor, they leave the flock to live alone. They have sturdy wings. It never stops attacking even if it is injured. It fusses over the shape of its comb. The muscles in its wings and legs are strong. It can easily fly while gripping a small Pokémon.
Overview
The regional bird of Generation 4, Staraptor bucked the trend of early game birds and proved they could be viable all the way to the end. Even generations later, Staraptor boasts fearsome offense that demands respect. Base 120 Attack is already a solid start, but Staraptor hits far harder than its stats would imply. For Staraptor’s favored STABs in Brave Bird and Double Edge boast absurd power that Staraptor can boost even further with its Reckless ability. Add in the excellent Close Combat for the Steel and Rock types that resist both STABs and Staraptor and there are few safe switch-ins to Staraptor’s assault. Base 100 Speed is a fine place to be as well. While not as impressive as it used to be after generations of speed creep, base 100 still allows Staraptor to get the jump on many Pokémon, and even Speed ties with several Mega Evolutions that would rather not eat a boosted Brave Bird or Double Edge.
All this power comes at a price, however. Staraptor is the epitome of a glass cannon, with every one of its moves making Staraptor frailer, whether it be through recoil or defense drops. This is rather worrisome given Staraptor’s near non-existent defensive profile. Base 70 Defense and 60 Special Defense are below average to downright poor and Normal Flying provides little for resistances. As a result, unless pivoting into a Ground or Ghost attack, Staraptor provides no defensive utility to a team. Yes, it gets access to Intimidate, which does do a lot to alleviate its Defense, but that means giving up the power boost of Reckless, causing Starptor to start missing knockouts, and does nothing for Staraptor’s atrocious special defense. With a Pokémon that frail, base 100 Speed starts not being enough as Staraptor now needs to outspeed foes and knock them out before getting knocked out in turn, with the massive recoil making trading positively with Staraptor a chore. Staraptor’s power is nothing to scoff at, but the frailty that the power requires has this predator act more like a bomb than bird.
Positives
Base 120 Attack is a solid start, allowing Staraptor to deal respectable damage.
Able to make great use of Reckless, dramatically boosting Double Edge and Brave Bird to incredible heights.
Close Combat is near perfect for coverage, preventing Rock and Steel types from walling Staraptor’s STABs.
Base 100 Speed meets a good standard tying with many prominent offensive threats.
Negatives
70/60 defenses are poor leaving Staraptor struggling to tank a hit.
Normal Flying typing offers little in the way of resistances and immunity.
Recoil from STABs and defense drops from Close Combat drop almost any defensive utility Staraptor has.
Movesets
Birdbomb
-Brave Bird
-Double Edge
-Close Combat
-U-Turn
Ability: Reckless/Intimidate
Item: Choice Scarf
Stats and Nature:
2 HP / 32 Atk / 32 Spe
Jolly Nature
This Staraptor set leverages the massive power of Reckless empowered attacks to strike down foes, pairing wonderfully with its good base speed and Choice Scarf as a revenge killer. Picking off weakened foes works in Staraptor’s favor as well, lessening the chance of a target surviving as well as reducing the recoil it takes from its blows. Brave Bird is the star of the set, removing targets like Meowscarada, Mega Meganium, Mega Venusaur, and Mega Lopunny with laughable ease as well as threaten Ghost types like Mega Gengar immune to Double Edge and Close Combat. Double Edge is secondary STAB, but its power is no less Brave Bird’s, while boasting incredible neutral coverage. In practice, the only Pokémon that Double Edge cover that Brave Bird doesn’t are Electric types, but the ability to OHKO Mega Raichu Y, OHKO Mega Raichu 5 times out of 16, deal 69-82% to Max HP Rotom appliances and do 57-68% to Max HP Bellibolt removes what would otherwise be a dangerous blind spot for Staraptor. Close Combat is coverage for this set and vital at that, handling the Rock and Steel types that would otherwise laugh at Double Edge and Brave Bird. U-Turn rounds out the set as the Choice item special, allowing Staraptor to get out of a bad matchup, chip the opponent and reposition as a speedy pivot. This is so effective it gives rise to the argument of running Intimidate on Staraptor, allowing it to Intimidate cycle in a singles format while chipping the opponent down. Reckless is preferred for grabbing knockouts, but Intimidate does offer significant value.
Stats and Items:
Standard Sweeper array of max Speed and Attack is recommended. Staraptor is so frail and its self destructive tendencies make running bulk superfluous except in one instance. If running Final Gambit, maxing out HP is recommended allowing Staraptor to assassinate as many targets as possible with Final Gambit. However, this comes at the cost of only using Staraptor for Final Gambit. While Jolly is recommended for Staraptor to outrun opposing Choice Scarf users like Hydreigon, as well as speed tie with Quiver Dance Volcarona and Dragon Dance Mega Charizard X, Adamant is just as viable considering Adamant Choice Scarf Staraptor still outruns base 150s like Mega Aerodactyl as well as slower Dragon Dance users like Gyarados or Dragonite after a single boost. If not running Choice Scarf, Jolly becomes much harder to ignore given how crowded the base 100 Speed tier is. Choice Scarf as noted is the item this Staraptor set revolves around, giving the speed to threaten a much wider range of foes. If Choice Band returns, that is also an option for helping Staraptor muscle through walls with brute force. Silk Scarf may be considered for its ability to boost up both Quick Attack and Double Edge..
Partners:
Staraptor has neither the power or the boosting capability to overwhelm dedicated physical walls and thus must on allies to handle such threats. Specially oriented Fire attackers like Mega Charizard Y, Mega Delphox and Volcarona work well at this task given their excellent matchup into Skarmory, Corviknight and Gholdengo as well as compromising Steel types in general making it easier for Staraptor to overwhelm them. Electric types like Mega Raichu Y also work well, though not with as good a matchup into Gholdengo, Mega Raichu Y more than makes up for it with its excellent matchups into bulky Water types like Gyarados and Mega Slowbro. Conversely Staraptor does well into the Grass types that gives Mega Raichu Y trouble and can pivot in on ground types if confident they are going to using their STAB.
Other Options:
Final Gambit is a powerful option for Staraptor to trade one for one, allowing it to trade positively against most Mega Evolutions, though this is best in 3v3 formats where the margin of error for one’s opponent is much narrower.
Quick Attack is a STAB priority option that allows Staraptor to circumvent other priority users and pick them off.
Blaze Kick is Staraptor’s best option into Skarmory and Corviknight, otherwise immovable walls for it as well as handle Gholdengo who resists Brave Bird and is immune to Close Combat and Double Edge.
Doubles and VGC Options
While the horrid fragility of Staraptor’s Reckless sets make it more of a liability in Doubles than an asset, Staraptor had its position in Doubles improved in the shift to Champions. However, this position change came at no buff to Staraptor directly, but rather the removal of Final Gambit from Annihilape’s movepool. Now with its key competition gone, Staraptor is ready to reclaim the role it held generations past as a fly or die remover with Final Gambit. Staraptor having just enough HP that fully invested it can remove most Mega Evolutions, allowing Staraptor to trade positively in such matchups. That is far from the only utility Staraptor brings to the table; its access to Intimidate is paramount, allowing Staraptor to impact the field immediately upon entry even if its Final Gambit target is not there, along with other options like Tailwind, and Quick Attack to help control the pace of the match. However, Staraptor pales in comparison to Annihilape as a Final Gambit user, being exposed to Fake out that can lead to Staraptor’s early removal and having not high enough HP to address every key target unlike Annihilape. This strategy remains high-risk, high reward in closed teamsheet environments where a single Protect can spell doom for Staraptor, but a landed Final Gambit can all but win a match.
Alpha Bird Strike
-Final Gambit
-Tailwind
-Close Combat
-Brave Bird
Ability: Intimidate
Item: Choice Scarf
Stat Points and Nature:
31 HP / 6 Atk / 29 Spe
Adamant Nature
This Scarf Staraptor set acts similarly to Scarf Annihilape sets in restricted formats in Scarlet/Violet, sacrificing itself to take out restricted Pokémon. Only, instead of restricted Pokémon, Staraptor is hunting Mega Evolutions and with its slightly above average base HP, it is incredibly effective, even OHKOing Mega Evolutions famed for their bulk like Mega Venusaur and Mega Metagross. It is to the point that the main Mega Evolutions Staraptor cannot reliably OHKO with Final Gambit (aside from Ghost types) are Excadrill, Kangaskhan, Tyranitar, Swampert, Crabominable, Gyarados, Dragonite, and Abomasnow and even then, that requires these targets to invest heavily in HP which not all are wont to do. This has massive implications on a match given how game warpingly a Mega Evolution is, comparable to a restricted slot and several, like Mega Charizard Y, can have abilities the entire team revolves around. While going one for one can be an awful trade, removing the lynchpin or win condition for an opposing team can effectively end the battle on the spot. However, using Final Gambit requires good prediction to make the most of it, as an opponent Protecting can have Staraptor sacrifice itself for nothing and place its own trainer in a very bad position. While this set is supposed to click Final Gambit all the time, the remaining moves are for when that isn't an option. Tailwind is a strong speed control option, and Scarf Staraptor is even faster than Mega Aerodactyl, making it very reliable at setting Tailwind first, which along with Intimidate is a massive momentum swing from the word go. Close Combat is back up for when Final Gambit isn't sufficient, given how many high HP Pokémon are Fighting weak, Staraptor may be able to threaten more damage with Close Combat as well as handle Kingambit and its Final Gambit ruining Sucker Punch. Brave Bird is an option of last resort on this set, saved for Ghost types that Final Gambit can't touch like Mega Gengar and Mega Froslass.
While the stat distribution seems odd for a Final Gambit Pokémon, the Adamant and Attack investment ensures that Staraptor always OHKOs Kingambit with Close Combat, though do note a +1 32+ Blackglasses Sucker Punch does have a 1/16 chance to OHKO Staraptor. This attack investment is also enough to OHKO Tyranitar, though not its Mega Evolution. The given Speed is enough that Staraptor still outspeeds base 150s after Choice Scarf, allowing Staraptor to check Mega Aerodactyl properly. Everything else goes into HP to maximize Final Gambit's damage output. Scarf is necessary for Staraptor to outspeed everything and land Final Gambit.
Preferred Partners & Other Options:
Given Final Gambit’s inability to hit Ghost types, strong answers to Ghosts are recommended Staraptor support. Kingambit is an excellent example, given its incredible bulk and Dark STAB making quick work of most Ghost types while having strong matchups into Mega Gengar and Mega Froslass. Tyranitar also does well given most Ghost types save Basculegion are special attackers which it solidly takes on thanks to Sand Stream’s Special Defense boost, while loving Staraptor making it effectively bulkier with Intimidate. Speaking of Basculegion, while a bit slow without Choice Scarf, it can check Ghost types and Staraptor’s sacrificial nature
Quick Attack is good for picking off foes at 1 HP such as Focus Sash Sneasler that can be impossible to outspeed through other means.
Countering Staraptor
Staraptor’s power is incredible for a bird Pokémon, but comes at a self-destructive cost.
Staraptor’s inability to boost due to its frailty means that dedicated physical walls are incredibly problematic for it. Skarmory and Corviknight are nigh immovable for Staraptor, taking 33-40% and 35-41% from Adamant Blaze Kick, while able to outlast Staraptor with Iron Defense and Roost. Defensive Mega Evolutions like Mega Slowbro and Mega Aggron are similar impossible for Staraptor to bypass. Hippowdon takes 39-46% from Double Edge and Brave Bird, but always outlasts Staraptor between Sand Stream, recoil and Slack Off.
Gholdengo and Aegislash are also notable for walling any Staraptor lacking Blaze Kick thanks to their typing resisting Brave Bird while being completely immune to Double Edge and Brave Bird. Their Ghost typing also makes them the best candidates to handle Final Gambit Staraptor.
Scarf Staraptor is a headache for how difficult it is to outspeed, with only the likes of Scarf Meowscarada, Scarf Greninja, Scarf Garchomp, Unburden Sneasler, and weather attackers like Swift Swim Basculegion, Chlorophyll Venusaur and Sand Rush Excadrill being able to reliably outspeed. Converse Scarf Staraptor really needs to get knockouts to stick around, so anything that it can’t knock out in a single blow, whether it be Dragonite’s Multiscale, Archaludon’s Sturdy, Mimikyu’s Disguise, numerous Focus Sash users, and moderately bulky Pokémon like Mega Scizor, Intimidate Gyarados, Bellibolt, Max HP Rotom-Wash or Heat, Mega Golurk and Mega Froslass can all survive a blow and often easily KO Staraptor back.
Priority is also invaluable against Scarf Staraptor, rarely needing to get OHKOs given how easily Staraptor bludgeons itself into KO range with its own attacks, though this oten comes at the cost of having already lost a Pokémon to Staraptor. Mamoswine’s Ice Shard does 63-72% Weavile’s Ice Shard does 53-65%, Dragonite’s Extreme Speed does 38-46%, Mega Lucario’s Bullet Punch does 42-50% and Scizor’s Bullet Punch deals 47-56%. Priority also does a lot to defang Final Gambit Staraptor.
If worried specifically about Final Gambit, Ghost types tend to be the best option given how they can cause Staraptor to senselessly sacrifice itself for no effect.
If Staraptor isn’t running Choice Scarf, the options to take care of it expand dramatically given its frailty meaning anything faster than base 100 will have the necessary power to OHKO it.
Mega Staraptor, the Predator Pokémon. Mega Staraptor is a top-class flier. It can easily soar through the sky while gripping a Steelix that weighs more than 880 lbs.
Overview
A surprise boss in the Mega Dimensions DLC, Mega Staraptor elevates the fourth-generation bird to new heights, changing it from glass cannon to juggernaut. First and foremost is gaining a new Fighting subtype, allowing Mega Staraptor to finally get STAB on its infamous Close Combat, drastically improving its power. Flying Fighting is an excellent offensive STAB combination with broad coverage and very few Pokémon that can safely resist both types. This gets even better given Mega Staraptor’s absurd base 140 Attack, which in conjunction with its high-powered STABs allow it to bludgeon everything in its path. Yet the true victory for Mega Staraptor is its defenses. This is in large part thanks to its ability Contrary, turning Close Combat into a Cosmic Power boost on top of the obscene damage each time it is used. Considering how Mega Staraptor is near impossible to OHKO with physical attacks between a much improved base 100 Defense and Intimidate pre–Mega Evolution, Mega Staraptor is easily capable of sticking around to pick up multiple Close Combat boosts. Combine that with Roost and Mega Staraptor is a rare offensive attacker that escalates defensively to the point of being unbreakable. That is not even the end of it, with all this power and bulk backed up by a solid base 110 Speed that greatly limits what can handle Mega Staraptor before it gets an attack off.
Mega Staraptor has not escaped all the problems of its base form. While Mega Staraptor can escalate itself defensively, it cannot do so offensively, without external drops leaving physical walls (that don’t use Intimidate) a solid answer to it. In fact, Mega Staraptor’s only method of boosting itself is Close Combat, for better and worse. If Mega Staraptor is prevented from using Close Combat, it can’t escalate defensively and is that much easier to take down. Especially given the preferred Flying STAB in Brave Bird is recoil inducing, making Mega Staraptor leagues frailer than had it used Close Combat. This is worrisome given that its lower Special Defense is not addressed by Intimidate and easily exploitable with common Fairy, Ice and Electric weaknesses. This does not detract from the sheer value Mega Staraptor can generate, and if its answers are removed it can better than many others all but win the battle.
Positives
Base 140 Attack is phenomenal and the broad coverage of Flying and Fighting STAB can have Mega Staraptor devastate everything with 2-3 moves.
Good 85/100/90 defenses with Intimidate pre Mega Evolution gives Mega Staraptor a good starting defensive profile.
Contrary is an absurd ability, turning Intimidate into an attack boost, and Close Combat into defensive escalation that can make Mega Staraptor impossible to break.
Base 110 is a solid speed tier, outspeeding many offensive staples and just about every defensive one.
Negatives
Special Defense really needs a Close Combat boost to comfortably endure Special Attacks.
Brave Bird’s recoil runs contrary to the defensive escalation of Contrary Close combat, making Mega far frailer than it would otherwise be.
Flying Fighting is exploitable defensively with numerous weaknesses
Movesets
Rapture Raptor
-Close Combat
-Brave Bird
-Roost
-Blaze Kick
Ability: Intimidate -> Contrary
Item: Staraptite
Stats and Nature:
2 HP / 32 Atk / 32 Spe
Jolly Nature
Mega Staraptor is simple but deadly in execution as a brutal attacker that escalates into unstoppable juggernaut the more Close Combats it lands. Close Combat is mandatory for every Mega Staraptor for excellent reason as with Contrary, its high Attack and STAB, Mega Staraptor is the best user of the move in the game. Close Combat does horrific damage in Mega Staraptor’s claws and with each one Mega Staraptor gets a boost to its defenses becoming harder and harder to remove. Brave Bird is secondary STAB and while the recoil is unfortunate, its power is undeniable, smashing the Fairy and Ghost types that resist or nullify Close Combat while able to directly threaten Mega Staraptor back, to say nothing of Fighting resistant Bug types like Volcarona and Flying weak Poison types like Mega Venusaur and Sneasler. Roost brings this package together, allowing Mega Staraptor to shrug off damage incurred whether from opposing attacks or Brave Bird recoil, and making the Close Combat defense boosts meaningful. The last move slot is up to preference. Blaze Kick is recommended in this instance for its ability to handle Aegislash and Gholdengo, two of the few Pokémon who are immune to Close Combat and resist Brave Bird.
Stats and Items:
Standard sweeper array of max Speed and Attack are recommended. While Base 110 is a great speed tier, it is also a crowded one, with Mega Staraptor sharing with Mega Raichu X, Mega Metagross, and Mega Skarmory, all of which targets Mega Staraptor does not like being outsped by. Dropping down to Adamant means Mega Staraptor is slower than positive Speed natured base 100 Pokémon, opening it up to a large range of threats, like Mega Floette, Mega Charizard Y, and Mega Dragonite just to name a few. This is especially distressing as Mega Staraptor wants to go first in most circumstances to either KO the target with Brave Bird or to get the Close Combat boost to better soak up the attack. Full attack investment is similarly non-negotiable as unless your opponent is running Intimidate, Mega Staraptor must get by on its base power, and even with the defensive scaling you still want to dispatch opponents as quickly as possible. Item is locked to the Staraptite..
Partners:
Mega Staraptor struggles greatly against physical walls, especially Unaware ones like Clefable and Skeledirge, so teammates that can lure and answer them are greatly appreciated. Hisuian-Zoroark is an excellent example of this, able to disguise as Staraptor to lure a check in, especially Ghost types looking to block Close Combat and blast the would be check with its special Ghost or Normal STAB, often compromising the target. It can also run Trick with Choice Scarf, Curse or Memento to facilitate Mega Staraptor coming in and starting to Close Combat and turn into a win condition, while post Illusion removal can draw in Dark, Normal or Steel types like Kingambit that Mega Staraptor relishes tearing apart with Close Combat. Gengar is a more direct answer, threatening Clefable with Sludge Bomb, Skeledirge, Gholdengo and Aegislash with Shadow Ball, while having disruptive tools like Icy Wind and Taunt to facilitate Mega Staraptor setting up.
Other Options:
Substitute is valuable as status protection, preventing Mega Scovillain from crippling with Spicy Extract, Mega Gengar and the Rotom-Appliances with Will-O-Wisp, Glimmora with Mortal Spin, Bellibolt with Toxic, etc.
Dual Wingbeat is an alternative STAB option that doesn’t trigger recoil, but the power drop is stark.
Quick Attack is a great option for finishing up targets hanging on at low HP, especially naturally faster ones like Sneasler.
Doubles and VGC Options
Close Combat King
-Close Combat
-Brave Bird
-Roost
-Protect
Ability: Intimidate -> Contrary
Item: Staraptite
Stat Points and Nature:
2 HP / 32 Atk / 32 Spe
Jolly Nature
Mega Staraptor's flagship set, making use of its excellent Attack and Speed with its excellent STABs to threaten just about everything, while making use of Contrary to escalate its offense and defenses to new heights. Close Combat is the star of the set and it is easy to see why being a base 120 power STAB attack that makes Mega Staraptor bulkier each time it is used is insane value. Add in an Attack drop from Intimidate and after a single turn, Mega Staraptor becomes very difficult to remove with physical attacks, with even an attack as strong as Mega Raichu X's Volt Tackle capping out at 90%. Brave Bird is incredibly complimentary with Close Combat, brutalizing the Fairy, Ghost, Poison and Psychic types that resist Staraptor's best attack, with few combinations able to resist both. Roost pairs well with the self setup of Close Combat, as all the defense in the world means nothing if Mega Staraptor can't keep its HP up. Roost heavily punishes passive play in front of Mega Staraptor making it much harder to remove and overwhelm. Protect rounds out the set as the best move in Doubles and especially important for Mega Staraptor given how it tends to cause opponents to double up into it, punishing such plays on top of the normal utility Protect has in Doubles (stalling for allied setup, stalling out detrimental field conditions, blocking Fake Out, etc.).
Stats are the attacker's standard max Attack, max Speed, but more defensive spreads are also viable. Be wary going beneath Jolly and 25 Speed and that will allow Mega Staraptor to be outsped by 32 Speed Timid Mega Floette, though base 110 is a crowded speed tier to begin with and not investing there leaves Mega Staraptor open to more offensive Mega Raichu X and Mega Metagross as well as opposing Mega Staraptor, and dropping down to a neutral speed nature drops Mega Staraptor below base 100s, leaving the Mega Charizards, Mega Dragonite and many others now able to threaten Mega Staraptor offensively. Adamant could be justified with Tailwind support, whether from Mega Staraptor itself or its partners, though that does come at the cost of not boosting Mega Staraptor’s other stats. Sacrificing Attack investment for bulk is worth consideration as Mega Staraptor’s main objective is to escalate defensively.
Preferred Partners & Other Options:
Whimsicott has made a name for itself as one of the best enablers of Mega Staraptor around, with Charm or Tickle skyrocketing Mega Staraptor's offense, Fake Tears addressing Mega Staraptor's Special Defense, and Tailwind providing all the speed support Mega Staraptor could want. Grimmsnarl is another Prankster user that can enable Mega Staraptor, albeit more with Screens making Mega Staraptor impossible to remove, though access to Parting Shot, and Fake Tears allow for some of the same defensive self setup.
Sinistcha is also a popular partner, its Hospitality and Life Dew providing Mega Staraptor some recovery when it can’t afford to do so itself, to say nothing of Rage Powder preventing focus fire attempts into Mega Staraptor. Strength Sap is another piece of amazing synergy, boosting Mega Staraptor’s Attack while fully healing Sinistcha.
Strong fire typed attackers are also invaluable for Mega Staraptor given its poor matchups into Mega Froslass, Mega Metagross, and to a lesser extent opposing Fairy types. Scarf Hisuian-Typhlosion is notable for threatening all of these with its devastating Eruptions as well as Ghost STAB for the Close Combat immune opposing Ghost types. Steel types like Gholdengo and Kingambit also work well in this regard, resisting Fairy and Ice attacks while their secondary STABs efficiently deal with Mega Metagross and Ghost types.
Tailwind is potent Speed control and a strong recommendation on anything that gets it and Mega Staraptor is no exception, though it means either giving up Protect or Roost, both of which are badly needed.
Dual Wingbeat is alternative STAB to Brave Bird that doesn't inflict Recoil, but the power drop is severe to the point that +1 Dual Wingbeat can’t even KO offensive Mega Floette, while +1 Brave Bird can do so even to Max HP Mega Floette.
Countering Mega Staraptor
Mega Staraptor is terrifying thanks to its incredible offense while simultaneously escalating defensively, but it does have clear weaknesses that can be taken advantage of.
Unaware walls are major obstacles for Mega Staraptor, ignoring any boosts it has received and strike at its base bulk. Skeledirge is unsurprisingly best at this given its phenomenal physical bulk, access to Will-O-Wisp to further slash Mega Staraptor’s attack and immunity to Close Combat, while ignoring Substitute with Torch Song. Unaware Clefable can still be 2HKO’d by Brave Bird even when fully invested in HP and Defense, needing Leftovers or Sitrus Berry just to swing the odds into its favor, but the recoil from Brave Bird in conjunction with Moonblast dealing 70-82% and Clefable can all but remove Mega Staraptor on its own after a little chip damage.
PHazers also do a lot to bring a boosted Mega Staraptor back under control. Hippowdon is a star example, its physical bulk is phenomenal to the point that Staraptor only deals 32-39% to it while annihilating any boosts with Whirlwind, though it does struggle to directly deal with Mega Staraptor. Haze (Mega) Dragonite also works, bringing Mega Staraptor’s defenses to manageable levels while easily surviving any one hit thanks to Multiscale.
Ghost types are invaluable against Mega Staraptor in general given how they deny Mega Staraptor getting defense boosts from Close Combat, preventing it from escalating defensively. If lacking Blaze Kick, Gholdengo is aggravating, taking only 35-41% from Brave Bird while dealing 51-61% with Shadow Ball or 77-92% with Thunderbolt. While Aegislash can perform similarly, taking 24-28% from Brave Bird in Shield form, it can’t freely go back into Shield Form as King’s Shield will boost Mega Staraptor’s Attack, allowing it to overwhelm Aegislash and in Blade form, Brave Bird does a whopping 55-65% to Aegislash. Most Ghost types having access to Will-O-Wisp to completely shut off Mega Staraptor’s threat does not hurt either, especially Mega Bannett and Sableye with their Prankster Will-O-Wisp, though Substitute can put a stop to such antics. Furthermore, Mimikyu and Gengar can act as pseudo pHazer’s with Curse and Perish Song for the latter, forcing Mega Staraptor to switch out or be KO’d. Mega Froslass stands out for being naturally faster than Mega Staraptor and threatening with Blizzard that can still OHKO even when Staraptor is at +1 Special Defense, while not being OHKO’d by Brave Bird (whose recoil ensures that Mega Froslass gets the OHKO).
Fairy types are also aggravating for Mega Staraptor given their ability to both threaten serious damage with their STABs, mandating quick removal, while resisting Close Combat, making that option unattractive. Mega Floette, can’t be OHKO’d by an unboosted Brave Bird, and solidly OHKO’s with non Draining Kiss STAB options even with Mega Staraptor at +1 Special Defense. Primarina cannot switch in unless running Max HP and Defense as Close Combat into Brave Bird will KO, but otherwise threatens a OHKO back with even an unboosted Moonblast and will get the knockout after recoil. 32 HP / 32+ Defense Sylveon is still 2HKOd by Brave Bird, but always OHKOs with Hyper Voice in singles and will do so after recoil in doubles. If Mawile comes in on base Staraptor, Mega Mawile will be bulky enough to avoid the 3HKO with Close Combat, and can still OHKO at -1 Attack, while still dealing 81-96% if Mega Staraptor is at +1 Defense.
If all else fails, faster super effective attackers place a lot of pressure on Staraptor, especially special attackers who are not impacted by Intimidate. Mega Raichu Y is notable for OHKOing with Zap Cannon even with Mega Staraptor at +1 while still dealing 81-96% to Mega Staraptor when the latter is at +2 Special Defense. Mega Delphox can’t one shot if Mega Staraptor is at +1, but still deals 81-96% with Psychic. Mega Starmie is also heavily favored to OHKO when at -1 Attack from Intimidate or when Mega Staraptor is at +1 Defense, but if both the Intimidate drop and Defense boost are in play, Zen Headbutt merely deals 62-75%.
Mega Staraptor is also reliant on its ability to escalate, so it is vulnerable to Ability disruption, such as Whimsicott’s Worry Seed.
The most important thing with Mega Staraptor is to never let up on the pressure. If Mega Staraptor is pressured to take knockouts to survive, that is a turn it is not Roosting to recover, making it vulnerable to being worn down.
Locations in Games
Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game
Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Not in game
Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Not in game
FireRed/LeafGreen:
Not in game
Colosseum/XD:
Not in game
Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Evolve Staravia
HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Evolve Staravia
Black/White:
Evolve Staravia (White)
Black 2/White 2:
Trade from White
X/Y:
Evolve Staravia
Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Trade from X/Y
Sun/Moon:
Evolve Staravia
Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Trade from Sun/Moon
Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee!:
Route 21 (Let's Go, Eevee)
Sword/Shield:
Not in game
Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl:
Evolve Staravia
Legends: Arceus:
Obsidian Fieldlands: Nature's Pantry or nearby
Cobalt Coastlands: Deadwood Haunt or nearby
Obsidian Fieldlands: Massive Mass Outbreak
Cobalt Coastlands: Massive Mass Outbreak
Scarlet/Violet:
Casseroya Lake, Fellhorn Gorge, Kitakami Wilds
Fixed: Casseroya Lake, South Province Area Three, Fellhorn Gorge, Oni Mountain
Tera Raid Battles: 5 Star Raid Battles, 6 Star Raid Battles
Legends: Z-A:
Hyperspace Lumiose - Normal (4 Star)
Anime Appearences
