Agility is a non-damaging Normal-type move that sharply raises the user’s Speed stat by two stages. In the fast-paced world of competitive Pokémon battling, where outspeeding opponents can be the key to victory, moves like Agility can be incredibly valuable. But is it always the right choice? And for which Pokémon? Let’s delve into the specifics, focusing on a prime example: Staraptor.
Staraptor, a powerful Normal/Flying-type Pokémon introduced in Generation IV, has always been a force to be reckoned with. Known for its high Attack stat and access to devastating moves like Brave Bird and Close Combat, Staraptor often finds itself in offensive roles on competitive teams. Traditionally, Staraptor sets lean towards two main strategies: Choice Scarf for revenge killing or Life Orb for raw power. However, both have their drawbacks. Choice Scarf locks Staraptor into one move, limiting its versatility, while Life Orb Staraptor, despite its power, can be outsped by faster threats. This is where Agility comes into the spotlight.
Image alt text: Staraptor, a powerful Normal/Flying type Pokemon with sharp eyes and a determined expression, ready for battle.
Agility Staraptor: Bridging the Gap
The concept behind “Agility Staraptor,” sometimes referred to as “Agiliraptor,” is to combine the best aspects of both Choice Scarf and Life Orb sets into a single, more flexible strategy. By using Agility, Staraptor can overcome its middling Speed stat and outpace a significant portion of the metagame, all while retaining the freedom to switch moves and benefit from the power boost of items like Life Orb or Muscle Band.
Set Details and Strategy
Here’s a breakdown of a typical Agility Staraptor set for the Gen 4 OverUsed (OU) metagame:
Name: Agility Raptor
Move 1: Agility – The cornerstone of the set, sharply boosting Speed.
Move 2: Brave Bird – Staraptor’s primary STAB move, delivering immense damage at the cost of recoil.
Move 3: Close Combat – Provides crucial coverage against Steel, Rock, and Ice types, hitting hard with no drawbacks other than defense drops after use.
Move 4: Return / Roost / Pursuit / U-turn – This slot is flexible depending on team needs:
- Return: A reliable Normal-type STAB move for consistent neutral damage.
- Roost: Essential for longevity, especially when using Life Orb and Brave Bird, mitigating recoil damage and extending Staraptor’s time on the field.
- Pursuit: Catches fleeing opponents, useful for trapping weakened Pokémon or those attempting to switch out.
- U-turn: Maintains momentum and allows Staraptor to pivot out of unfavorable matchups while dealing chip damage.
Item: Life Orb / Leftovers / Muscle Band – Item choice influences the set’s playstyle:
- Life Orb: Maximizes damage output across the board but comes with HP recoil on every attacking move.
- Leftovers: Provides passive recovery each turn, enhancing survivability, especially when paired with Roost.
- Muscle Band: A milder power boost compared to Life Orb, without the recoil, offering a balance of offense and sustainability.
Nature: Adamant – Maximizes Attack to ensure powerful hits.
EVs: 212 HP / 252 Atk / 44 Spe – This EV spread ensures maximum Attack power while providing enough Speed to outspeed key threats after an Agility boost. The HP investment offers a bit more bulk.
How to Use Agility Staraptor Effectively
The key to utilizing Agility Staraptor lies in smart switching and setup opportunities. Intimidate, Staraptor’s ability, is invaluable for forcing switches. Capitalize on these switches to use Agility safely as your opponent brings in a different Pokémon. Alternatively, you can set up Agility on Pokémon that Staraptor forces out naturally due to its offensive presence.
Once Agility is active, Staraptor becomes a fearsome sweeper, outspeeding common threats like:
- Scarfed Base 100 Speed Pokémon: After Agility, Staraptor surpasses Pokémon with a base 100 Speed stat holding a Choice Scarf.
- Scarfed Starmie: A prominent special attacker in Gen 4 OU, Starmie is outsped and threatened by Return.
Agility Staraptor excels as a late-game cleaner, eliminating weakened walls and offensive threats after they have been chipped down. It’s also capable of denting even bulky Pokémon with its powerful attacks.
Team Support and Synergies
Agility Staraptor doesn’t operate in isolation; it thrives with proper team support.
- Entry Hazard Removal: Rapid Spin support is crucial to negate the damage from Stealth Rock, which severely hinders Staraptor’s longevity. Starmie is an excellent partner, providing Rapid Spin, speed, and special attack coverage.
- Hazard Setting: Entry hazards like Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes are beneficial. They soften up opponents, making it easier for Staraptor to secure KOs and reducing Brave Bird recoil damage in some cases. Forretress and Roserade are reliable hazard setters.
- Spin Blocking: If hazards are employed, a Spin Blocker like Rotom-C is recommended to prevent opponents from removing them. Rotom-C also checks Water and Electric types that might threaten Staraptor.
- Earthquake Lures: Pokémon that can lure in Earthquake users, like Heatran and Magnezone, can create safe switch-in opportunities for Staraptor. Magnezone also traps and eliminates Steel-types like Scizor, which can be problematic for Staraptor.
Common Counters
Despite its strengths, Agility Staraptor has its share of counters:
- Rotom: Resists Brave Bird and is immune to Return, easily walling Staraptor.
- Gyarados: Intimidate weakens Staraptor’s Attack, forcing a switch or reducing its offensive pressure.
- Priority Ice Moves: Weavile and Mamoswine can use Ice Shard to inflict significant damage or KO Staraptor before it can set up or attack.
- Scizor: Can take a hit and retaliate with Bullet Punch, or set up Swords Dance to threaten Staraptor and its team.
Calculations to Consider
Here are some damage calculations showcasing Agility Staraptor’s offensive prowess with an Adamant nature and Life Orb:
- Close Combat vs. Max HP/Max Def Bold Blissey: High chance to OHKO, especially if Blissey isn’t running maximum HP.
- Close Combat vs. Scarf/Calm Mind Jirachi: Guaranteed 2HKO, even against defensive variants.
- Close Combat vs. Tank Bronzong: Likely 2HKO, often guaranteed with Stealth Rock.
- Return vs. OU Tank Weezing: Guaranteed 2HKO with Stealth Rock.
- Return vs. Life Orb Starmie: Clean OHKO, guaranteed with any entry hazard.
- Return vs. Physical Attacker Flygon: Potential OHKO, more consistent with Stealth Rock.
- Return vs. Standard Gliscor: Guaranteed 2HKO, even without hazards.
- Return vs. Tank Swampert: Guaranteed 2HKO with Spikes, likely with Stealth Rock.
- Return vs. Bulky DD Gyarados: Guaranteed 2HKO with Stealth Rock, even after Intimidate.
Brave Bird vs. Bulky DD Gyarados: Not recommended over Return due to recoil and only slightly higher damage output, without guaranteeing an OHKO.
Conclusion: Is Agility Right for Your Pokémon?
While this analysis focuses on Staraptor, the question “Should my Pokémon learn Agility?” is broader. Agility is a powerful setup move that can transform slower, hard-hitting Pokémon into potent sweepers. If your Pokémon possesses:
- High Attack or Special Attack: To capitalize on the Speed boost and become a threat.
- Decent bulk or typing: To survive a turn to set up Agility.
- A movepool that benefits from increased Speed: Strong STAB moves and coverage options.
Then Agility might be a valuable addition to its moveset. Agility Staraptor exemplifies how this strategy can be successfully implemented, turning a powerful but moderately paced Pokémon into a lightning-fast offensive force. However, remember that Agility sets often require team support and careful planning to execute effectively. Consider your team composition and battling style when deciding if Agility is the right move for your Pokémon.
