A 20-Year-Old Pokémon Emerges as One of the Game’s Most Formidable Threats

Since diving deep into Pokémon Champions, I’ve developed a newfound respect for many monsters I previously overlooked in the RPGs. With the recent major update to the battle simulator, I’ve encountered a new threat: Mega Staraptor. After years of ignoring it, this bird now sends chills down my spine. Every time I spot this fighting/flying-type Pokémon, I’m ready to unleash my Mega Raichu X to summon a thunderstorm upon it and its Starly kin like a true storm god.

Mega Staraptor received its Mega Evolution in the Mega Dimension DLC of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Until it joined the Champions roster this morning, this transformation lacked an Ability (a passive perk that enhances a Pokémon’s playstyle beyond elemental types and moves), as this feature was absent in the Legends games. While some abilities can feel inconsequential, others, like Mega Staraptor’s, can elevate a solid Pokémon into a formidable powerhouse.

Mega Staraptor boasts the Contrary ability, which flips stat buffs and debuffs. So, if it faces an attack meant to lower its stats, it instead gains a boost. This is useful for countering incoming attacks, but when fully utilized, Contrary can transform typically risky moves into a cycle of continuous upgrades. Mega Staraptor trades its base form’s normal/flying typing for fighting/flying, allowing it to deal extra damage with Close Combat, a powerful and accurate fighting move. This attack has always been a staple in its moveset, but its immense power comes at the cost of reducing the user’s defense and special defense. Thanks to Contrary, Mega Staraptor can unleash these attacks without becoming more vulnerable; instead, it becomes tougher.

Mega Staraptor is undeniably overpowered. It can take down a Chople Berry Kingambit in one hit. This thing is a menace, easily ranking at the top in this regulation.

Earlier today, I was in a doubles match against an opponent using Mega Staraptor alongside Incineroar, a notorious support Pokémon known for chipping away at opponents’ attack stats with its Intimidate ability and the Parting Shot move, which allows it to exit the battle while lowering its target’s attack and special attack stats. As I was still figuring out how to handle Mega Staraptor—this being my first encounter since its addition to Champions—my opponent used Parting Shot. I sighed, anticipating a hit to one of my Pokémon’s stats… only for them to target their own Mega Staraptor instead, activating Contrary and boosting its attack. By this point, it had already unleashed a couple of Close Combats and turned into a defensive wall, and now it was about to hit even harder?

Mega Staraptor gameplay is brutal. Jail for the bird. I refuse to let these Mega Staraptors intimidate me out of ranked play. My Mega Raichu X will be ready with a Rising Voltage the moment I see even a hint of brown feathers.