Blastoise vs Starmie: Who Wins?

Starmie wins a direct 1v1 matchup due to its vastly superior Speed and secondary Psychic typing, allowing it to strike first. However, Blastoise dominates as a late-game sweeper in competitive play using Shell Smash and White Herb, offering unmatched setup potential that Starmie lacks.

Blastoise if you need a Shell Smash sweeper, otherwise Starmie for immediate speed.

Rating Blastoise · Tier UU · Role : Shell Smash Sweeper

Strengths

• Access to Shell Smash for unmatched sweeping potential
• Superior natural bulk allowing safer setup turns
• Excellent utility options like Rapid Spin and Flip Turn

Weaknesses

• Lower base Speed leaves it vulnerable before setting up
• Lacks a secondary typing for extra STAB coverage

For a solo playthrough, Starmie takes the crown. Its secondary Psychic typing and high natural Speed allow it to outpace and OHKO most in-game trainers before they can react.

In competitive play (UU tier), Blastoise is the definitive winner. Access to Shell Smash transforms it into a lethal sweeper, a role Starmie cannot replicate due to its lack of boosting moves.

For absolute beginners, Starmie offers a straightforward hit-and-run playstyle. Blastoise requires understanding setup timing and item synergy, making it slightly more complex to pilot effectively.

In a vacuum, Starmie holds the advantage against an unboosted Blastoise. Starmie strikes first and can chip away at Blastoise's health while naturally resisting Water attacks like Surf.

If Blastoise manages to use Shell Smash, the dynamic completely flips. A +2 Blastoise outspeeds Starmie and scores a guaranteed OHKO with Dark Pulse.

Without setup, Blastoise struggles to break Starmie's natural resistances. The matchup relies entirely on whether Blastoise holds a White Herb and finds a safe turn to boost its stats.

Blastoise carves its niche in the UU tier primarily through Shell Smash. Paired with a White Herb to negate defense drops, it becomes a potent late-game threat.

Its movepool offers perfect coverage for this role. Surf provides reliable STAB, while Ice Beam and Dark Pulse hit the Grass and Ghost types that attempt to wall it.

Beyond sweeping, Blastoise provides excellent utility. Heavy-Duty Boots or Leftovers combined with Rapid Spin and Flip Turn allow it to clear hazards and pivot safely.

To maximize its potential, Blastoise pairs perfectly with offensive teammates like Revavroom, Iron Jugulis, and Haxorus, who appreciate its hazard control and wall-breaking power.

Starmie relies entirely on its base Speed to function. While fast, it lacks the raw damage output required to break through modern defensive cores.

Without a boosting move like Shell Smash, Starmie cannot snowball through a weakened team. It acts merely as a fast pivot or a revenge killer.

Furthermore, Starmie's Psychic typing adds crippling weaknesses to Ghost and Dark attackers. Blastoise's pure Water typing leaves it with fewer defensive vulnerabilities, making setup significantly easier.

Choose Blastoise if your team needs a dedicated win condition or a bulky Rapid Spin user. Its versatility with items like Assault Vest or Rocky Helmet makes it highly adaptable.

Opt for Starmie only if your roster desperately needs immediate Speed and Psychic STAB without relying on setup turns.

Ultimately, Blastoise scales better into the late game. Starmie peaks on turn one, but Blastoise dictates the pace of the match once its boosts are active.