NFE Bulky PhysDef Support (Staravia) @ Eviolite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
Impish Nature
- Brave Bird
- U-turn
- Defog
- Roost
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Optional Move(s):
- Mirror Move
- Return
- Quick Attack
- Tailwind
- Whirlwind
Optional Item(s):
- Choice Band
- Flyinium Z
Optional Ability:
- N/A
Optional EV/IV(s):
- 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe (Adamant)
- 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe (Careful)
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Overview: With a good Attack stat, a reasonably good Speed tier and a decent range of utility options, Staravia carves itself a solid niche of being either a strong physical attacker or a bulky utility pivot. Offensive sets take advantage of Reckless boosting the power of both Brave Bird and Double Edge while defensive sets utilise Intimidate very well.
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Choice Scarf: The Choice Scarf set can outspeed and revenge kill unboosted Electabuzz, Frogadier, Haunter and Servine. Reckless-boosted Brave Bird hits Fighting- and Grass-types such as Roselia, Servine, Monferno and Machoke very hard and also hits most neutral targets reasonably hard. Double-Edge provides good neutral coverage against most of the tier and hits Electric-types such as Electabuzz and Eelektrik harder than Brave Bird. U-turn lets Staravia pivot on expected switch-ins while accumulating chip and Pursuit lets Staravia trap a weakened Haunter or Kadabra.
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Bulky PhysDef Support: The bulky defensive set gives up most of its offensive presence in exchange for very good physical bulk, allowing it to adequately check physical Monferno, Alolan Grimer, Machoke and Krokorok. Defog lets Staravia remove hazards from the field and Roost gives it much needed longevity to check Pokemon and Defog hazards consistently throughout a game.
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Checks & Counters: Steel-types such as Lairon, Metang and Klang wall all Staravia sets, since they resist both STAB attacks and Staravia lacks good Fighting coverage to hit them. Pawniard can tank a hit from both sets and it also deters Staravia from using Defog thanks to Defiant. Bulky defensive walls such as Clefairy and Mareanie wall the bulkier spreads but cannot switch well into a Reckless and potentially Choice Band boosted Brave Bird or Double-Edge. Faster offensive threats such as Electabuzz, Focus Sash Kadabra and Choice Scarf Frogadier cannot switch into Staravia but can revenge kill it. Offensive Staravia sets are also very susceptible to Stealth Rock, recoil chip and priority attacks.
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Optional EV/IV(s): An alternative spread of 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe with a Careful nature is viable for the Brave Bird, U-turn, Defog and Roost Staravia set. This set gives up physical bulk in exchange for being a much better Roselia switch-in which can remove Spikes easily against Roselia teams.
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