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Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Starmie Movesets and Best Builds
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This is a complete guide on how to build your Starmie for Competitive and Ranked Matches in Pokemon Legends: Z-A! Read on for tips on the best Nature, EV spreads, Movesets, and Held Items to use with Starmie, as well as its strengths and weaknesses.
 Starmie Pokedex |
 Mega Starmie
|
 Shiny Starmie |
 Alpha Starmie |
 Starmie Build |
List of Contents
Starmie Base Stats, Type, and Weaknesses
Starmie Battle Information
Starmie
Mega Starmie
| Dex #37 | Base Stats | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 Starmie  | |||
| Stat | Value | ||
| HP | 60 | ||
| Atk | 75 | ||
| Def | 85 | ||
| Sp. Atk | 100 | ||
| Sp. Def | 85 | ||
| Speed | 115 | ||
| Total | 520 | Type Effectiveness | |
| Weak to: | |||
| (2x) |      | ||
| Resists: | (0.5x) |     | |
| Dex #37 | Base Stats | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 Mega Starmie | |||
| Stat | Value | ||
| HP | 60 | ||
| Atk | 140 | ||
| Def | 105 | ||
| Sp. Atk | 130 | ||
| Sp. Def | 105 | ||
| Speed | 120 | ||
| Total | 660 | Type Effectiveness | |
| Weak to: | |||
| (2x) | | ||
| Resists: | (0.5x) | | |
Best Nature for Starmie
| Best Natures | ||
|---|---|---|
| Modest （+Sp.Atk, -Atk） |
Timid （+Spe, -Atk） |
|
Best Builds for Starmie
| Build Name | Strengths and Weaknesses |
|---|---|
 Special Mega Starmie Build★★★★★ |
Strengths:
• Gets a neat boost to its Sp. Atk when Mega Evolved. • Decent coverage against a lot of popular picks. • Can rack up a ton of points by using Surf. Weaknesses: • Made more for Long Range battles, struggles badly if faced with Physical Attackers. • Can get easily countered if they have Electric coverage. |
| Physical Mega Starmie Build ★★★★☆ |
Strengths:
• Gets a major boost to its Atk when Mega Evolved. • Mostly focused on dealing huge single-target damage. Weaknesses: • Can get easily sniped by a Thunderbolt, a common move ran by Gardevoir and Ampharos. • Poor Physical movepool, makes it difficult to use without Mega Evolving first. |
 Regular Starmie Build★☆☆☆☆ |
Strengths:
• Can hold Life Orb to deal more damage than its Mega. • Building an Alpha is fine since regular Starmie is significantly smaller than its Mega. Weaknesses: • Not tanky enough to survive higher Ranks. • Dark, Electric, and Freeze-Dry are meta coverage staples. |
Special Mega Starmie Build
|
Mega Starmie
|
Held Item | Nature | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Starminite
|
Modest Modest
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EV Spread | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 252 HP / 252 Sp. Atk / 4 Spe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moveset | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Psychic Psychic
|
Surf Surf
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Ice Beam Ice Beam
|
Light Screen Light Screen
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Suited for scoring as much points by beating grouped up opponents.Amazing move coverage, making it hard to predict. Take down grouped up opponents with Waterfall. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This build focuses on dealing AoE damage to score as much points by targeting opponents currently engaged in battle.
Held Item
| Item | Effect / Location |
|---|---|
|
Starminite
|
Effect: One of a variety of mysterious Mega Stones. A Starmie holding this stone will be able to Mega Evolve during battle. Location(s): • Defeat Rogue Mega Starmie |
The item chosen for Starmie for this build is its Mega Stone, Starminite. This is the only Held Item for this build, as it is required to Mega Evolve Starmie.
How to Get Starminite Mega Stone
Moves Breakdown
| Psychic | Your main attacking move and will home onto enemies when cast. |
|---|---|
| Surf | Used to score as much points as you can by finishing off opponents that are engaged in battle. |
| Ice Beam | Used to KO pesky Dragon-types like Garchomp and Dragonite. |
| Light Screen | The extra bulk can save you in a pinch especially against Electric Type like Ampharos. |
The moves listed above capitalizes on Mega Starmie's extremely high Special Attack stat, while also providing some defensive options.
Other Viable Moves
| Psyshock | Can replace Psychic, but only if you know you're facing off against Special Walls like Clefable or Sylveon. |
|---|---|
| Thunderbolt | A good alternative to Ice Beam, but not as good against Dragon-types. |
| Dazzling Gleam | If you're running Thunderbolt, can be useful for Dragon-types and can be used to knock-out grouped up opponents. |
| Blizzard | Can be used instead of Ice Beam, but has a pretty long wind-up. |
| Flash Cannon | Can be slot-in especially if you find yourself needing coverage against Xerneas. |
| Power Gem | Can be slot-in especially if you need Rock-type Coverage. |
| Recover | If you can find the opening, you can heal yourself up. |
EV Spread and Nature
A full 252 EVs are put into Starmie's Special Attack and HP to make it hit as hard as possible and take a few hits. The extra 4 EVs are placed into Speed for quicker move cooldowns, but its negligible.
A Modest nature is preferred to help further increase Starmie's Special Attack stat.
Key Damage Calculations
 Damage Dealt by Mega Starmie |
|
|---|---|
252 Atk｜252 HPDefensive EV Investment: 252 HP |
Ice Beam + 284-336 (155.1 - 183.6%) Guaranteed OHKO |
252 Atk｜252 HP Defensive EV Investment: 252 HP |
Surf + 182-216 (98.3 - 116.7%) 87.5% chance to OHKO |
Physical Mega Starmie Build
|
Mega Starmie
|
Held Item | Nature | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Starminite
|
Adamant Adamant
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EV Spread | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 252 HP / 252 Sp. Atk / 4 Spe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moveset | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Waterfall Waterfall
|
Zen Headbutt Zen Headbutt
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Light Screen Light Screen
|
Self-Destruct Self-Destruct
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Use Self-Destruct to deny your opponents points and deal a ton of damage in return.Poor move coverage, making it easy to predict. Take down grouped up opponents with Waterfall. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This build focuses on dealing AoE damage to score as much points by targeting opponents currently engaged in battle.
Held Item
| Item | Effect / Location |
|---|---|
|
Starminite
|
Effect: One of a variety of mysterious Mega Stones. A Starmie holding this stone will be able to Mega Evolve during battle. Location(s): • Defeat Rogue Mega Starmie |
The item chosen for Starmie for this build is its Mega Stone, Starminite. This is the only Held Item for this build, as it is required to Mega Evolve Starmie.
How to Get Starminite Mega Stone
Moves Breakdown
| Zen Headbutt | Your main STAB attacking move. |
|---|---|
| Waterfall | Used to score as much points as you can by finishing off opponents that are engaged in battle. |
| Self-Destruct | Used to deny opponents the point for knocking you out and deals a ton of damage in return. |
| Light Screen | The extra bulk can save you in a pinch especially against Electric Type like Ampharos. |
The moves listed above capitalizes on Starmie's boost to its Attack stat when it Mega evolves, while also having Light Screen to protect you.
Other Viable Moves
| Reflect | If you can find the opening, you can heal yourself up. |
|---|---|
| Aqua Jet | Can be used to score easy points by low HP opponents. |
| Liquidation | Less AoE, but can deal more damage and lower an opponent's Defense. |
EV Spread and Nature
A full 252 EVs are put into Starmie's Attack and HP to make it hit as hard as possible and take a few hits. The extra 4 EVs are placed into Speed for quicker move cooldowns, but its negligible.
An Adamant nature is preferred to help further increase Starmie's Attack stat.
Key Damage Calculations
| Damage Dealt by Mega Starmie |
|
|---|---|
252 Atk｜252 HPDefensive EV Investment: 252 HP |
Zen Headbutt + 150-176 (96.7 - 113.5%) 75% chance to OHKO |
|
252 Atk｜252 HP Defensive EV Investment: 252 HP |
Waterfall + 158-188 (85.4 - 101.6%) 12.5% chance to OHKO |
Standard Starmie Build
|
Starmie
|
Held Item | Nature | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Life Orb
|
Modest Modest
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EV Spread | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 252 HP / 252 Sp. Atk / 4 Spe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moveset | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Psychic Psychic
|
Surf Surf
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Ice Beam Ice Beam
|
Light Screen Light Screen
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Suited for scoring as much points by beating grouped up opponents.Amazing move coverage, making it hard to predict. Take down grouped up opponents with Waterfall. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This build focuses on Starmie' just using a Life Orb and relying on Plus Moves. This build is the same as the Mega Starmie build, but requires more careful maneuvering due to its frailness combines with Life Orb chip damage.
Held Item
| Item | Effect / Location |
|---|---|
|
Life Orb
|
Effect: An item to be held by a Pokemon. It boosts the power of the holder's moves, but the holder also loses a small amount of HP upon landing an attack. Location(s): • Purchased at Racine Construction (₽ 4980) • Reward from Side Mission 85 |
The item chosen for Starmie for this build is the Life Orb. This will allow Starmie to go beyond the damage of what its Mega can do.
Life Orb: How to Get and How to Use
Moves Breakdown
| Psychic | Your main attacking move and will home onto enemies when cast. |
|---|---|
| Surf | Used to score as much points as you can by finishing off opponents that are engaged in battle. |
| Ice Beam | Used to KO pesky Dragon-types like Garchomp and Dragonite. |
| Light Screen | The extra bulk can save you in a pinch especially against Electric Type like Ampharos. |
The moves listed above capitalizes on Mega Starmie's extremely high Special Attack stat, while also providing some defensive options.
Other Viable Moves
| Psyshock | Can replace Psychic, but only if you know you're facing off against Special Walls like Clefable or Sylveon. |
|---|---|
| Thunderbolt | A good alternative to Ice Beam, but not as good against Dragon-types. |
| Dazzling Gleam | If you're running Thunderbolt, can be useful for Dragon-types and can be used to knock-out grouped up opponents. |
| Blizzard | Can be used instead of Ice Beam, but has a pretty long wind-up. |
| Flash Cannon | Can be slot-in especially if you find yourself needing coverage against Xerneas. |
| Power Gem | Can be slot-in especially if you need Rock-type Coverage. |
| Recover | If you can find the opening, you can heal yourself up. |
EV Spread and Nature
A full 252 EVs are put into Starmie's Special Attack and HP to make it hit as hard as possible and take a few hits. The extra 4 EVs are placed into Speed for quicker move cooldowns, but its negligible.
A Modest nature is preferred to help further increase Starmie's Special Attack stat.
Key Damage Calculations
| Damage Dealt by Mega Starmie |
|
|---|---|
252 Atk｜252 HPDefensive EV Investment: 252 HP |
Ice Beam + 239-286 (143.9 - 172.2%) Guaranteed OHKO |
|
252 Atk｜252 HP Defensive EV Investment: 252 HP |
Surf + 198-237 (107 - 128.1%) Guaranteed OHKO |
How to Use Starmie Effectively
Best Used for Scoring
With the combination of a Life Orb or Mega Evolution and its high base Special Attack, it would be difficult for a Pokemon to survive an attack from Starmie unless it has decent Sp. Def investment or forgo its held item for an Assault Vest.
Best Teams for Starmie
Use a hyper-offense team that has Pokemon that can complement Starmie's offensive pressure.
Fire-Water-Grass Trinity Team
| Grass Attacker | Fire Attacker | Water Attacker |
|---|---|---|
 Chesnaught
|
 Charizard
|
 Mega Starmie
|
These three Pokemon are all powerful attackers and can cover for a wide variety of enemies. Switch in and out Pokemon to gain a favourable matchup while also looking to punish your opponent when you have a bad switch in.
Pure Offensive Team
| Offensive Lead | Special Sweeper | Physical Sweeper |
|---|---|---|
 Glaceon
|
 Starmie
|
 Garchomp
|
This team focuses on having a team that focuses only on beating as many opponents as you can. Starmie and Garchomp can also hold their own through Mega Evolution, or just use items like Life Orb to score as much points as you can.
Best Counters for Starmie
Use Attackers That Can Close the Distance Against Starmie
Best Pokemon to Use
| Pokemon | Description |
|---|---|
 Ampharos
|
Ranking: ★★★★★
・Usually runs Screens letting it tank both a Physical or Special Build. ・Can withstand a Mystic Fire or Shadow Ball due to how tanky it is. ▶️ Ampharos Movesets and Best Builds |
 Mega Gyarados
| Ranking: ★★★★
・Can Mega Evolve to remove its quad weakness. ・Waterfall then Crunch can prove too much. ▶️ Gyarados Movesets and Best Builds |
 Gardevoir
|
Ranking: ★★★★
・Can take a Psychic and Surf then attack you back with Thunderbolt for kill. ・Can close the gap easily with Surf or Flip Turn. ▶️ Gardevoir Movesets and Best Builds |
Related Guides
Movesets & Best Builds for Ranked Battle
All Legendary Pokemon Builds
| All Legendary and Mythical Pokemon Builds |
|---|
|
All Mega Evolution Builds
| All Mega Evolution Builds |
|---|
|
All Standard Pokemon Builds
| All Standard Pokemon Builds |
|---|
|
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Starmie Movesets and Best Builds
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