Please Don't Use This:
Staraptor @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Double-Edge
- Final Gambit / Close Combat
- U-turn
Why it's bad:
In theory, Double-Edge seems like a great move for Staraptor, it's suggested on both smogon sets, is STAB, has 120 power, and gets a Reckless boost. However, it's a total waste of a moveslot, Normal is resisted by everything Flying is except Electric, and hits nothing for super-effective damage. While you may be thinking that you can use it on Electric types, Staraptor has NO business staying in on those.
-1 252+ Atk Reckless Staraptor Double-Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Manectric: 195-231 (69.3 - 82.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Where it can do this back:
252 SpA Mega Manectric Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Staraptor: 458-540 (147.2 - 173.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Reckless Staraptor Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rotom-W: 229-271 (75.3 - 89.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Where it can do this back:
0 SpA Rotom-W Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Staraptor: 236-282 (75.8 - 90.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Which will always kill after recoil.
It can, however OHKO Thundurus, but it can be crippled for the entire match if it runs Prankster Thunder Wave.
Instead Use This:
Staraptor @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Final Gambit / Facade / Pursuit
- U-turn
Why It's Infinitely Better:
Although Facade, Pursuit, and Final Gambit aren't the greatest moves on Staraptor, they do at least have SOME use. Being able to always run Close Combat and another move is amazing for Staraptor, as it gives great coverage with Brave Bird, along with Final Gambit as a last ditch effort on counters such as Skarmory while gaining momentum, Facade if you are scared of getting burned, or Pursuit as Staraptor, specifically Scarf, forces a lot of switches. Even if these moves aren't the most useful moves on Staraptor, they are better than Double-Edge in every way.
Staraptor @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Double-Edge
- Final Gambit / Close Combat
- U-turn
Why it's bad:
In theory, Double-Edge seems like a great move for Staraptor, it's suggested on both smogon sets, is STAB, has 120 power, and gets a Reckless boost. However, it's a total waste of a moveslot, Normal is resisted by everything Flying is except Electric, and hits nothing for super-effective damage. While you may be thinking that you can use it on Electric types, Staraptor has NO business staying in on those.
-1 252+ Atk Reckless Staraptor Double-Edge vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Manectric: 195-231 (69.3 - 82.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Where it can do this back:
252 SpA Mega Manectric Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Staraptor: 458-540 (147.2 - 173.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Reckless Staraptor Double-Edge vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Rotom-W: 229-271 (75.3 - 89.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
Where it can do this back:
0 SpA Rotom-W Volt Switch vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Staraptor: 236-282 (75.8 - 90.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Which will always kill after recoil.
It can, however OHKO Thundurus, but it can be crippled for the entire match if it runs Prankster Thunder Wave.
Instead Use This:
Staraptor @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Reckless
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Brave Bird
- Close Combat
- Final Gambit / Facade / Pursuit
- U-turn
Why It's Infinitely Better:
Although Facade, Pursuit, and Final Gambit aren't the greatest moves on Staraptor, they do at least have SOME use. Being able to always run Close Combat and another move is amazing for Staraptor, as it gives great coverage with Brave Bird, along with Final Gambit as a last ditch effort on counters such as Skarmory while gaining momentum, Facade if you are scared of getting burned, or Pursuit as Staraptor, specifically Scarf, forces a lot of switches. Even if these moves aren't the most useful moves on Staraptor, they are better than Double-Edge in every way.