Staryu (Japanese: ヒトデマン Hitodeman) is a Water-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
It evolves into Starmie when exposed to a Water Stone.
Biology
Staryu is a golden-brown, echinoderm Pokémon with five appendages. These appendages surround an exterior organ called the core. The core resembles a golden metal casing with a red gem in the center, which is held in place by a golden ring looped around Staryu's lower left point. If any of Staryu's appendages are lost or eaten by predators like Lumineon, it is unharmed and can grow them back with ease provided the core is still intact.
When the sun goes down, Staryu's core glows its brightest. Many Staryu will float from the seafloor to the surface and align themselves with stars of the night sky as their core flickers, displaying a connection with the celestial bodies of space. The anime has shown that if Staryu becomes weak, its core will grow faint and flash slowly. During the ends of summer, groups of Staryu tend to gather while lighting up in a steady rhythm. Staryu can be found at the very bottom of the ocean on the seafloors. There are times, however, when Staryu finds itself in rivers that lead into the ocean as seen in Pokémon Snap. In Generation III, Camouflage was its signature move.
In the Pocket Monsters Encyclopedia, and the original Japanese version of the anime episode The Water Flowers of Cerulean City, Staryu is classified as hermaphroditic.
Evolution
Staryu evolves into Starmie.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
In the anime
Main series
Major appearances
Staryu is one of Misty's main battlers throughout the original series. It debuted in Clefairy and the Moon Stone, thus also marking the species' debut. It also appeared during Misty's cameo arcs in Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire and Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon.
Other
In The Great Eight Fate!, two Staryu were part of Juan's Sootopolis City Water Exhibit. They and Juan's other Pokémon were captured by Team Rocket, but they all worked together to escape.
In the Hoopa's Surprise Ring Adventures short Shooting Star, a Staryu crashed down on Ash and Pikachu and sent them flying, while another blasted Hoopa off.
In The Power of Us, Toren lent a Staryu to Callahan for the Pokémon Catch Race.
Minor appearances
In Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village, a Staryu was under Melanie's care in the Hidden Village. It appeared in a flashback in Bulbasaur... the Ambassador!.
A Staryu appeared in Battle Aboard the St. Anne.
In Pokémon Fashion Flash, a Staryu was on Scissor Street.
A Staryu appeared in The Breeding Center Secret.
In Showdown at the Po-ké Corral, multiple Staryu were living at Professor Oak's Laboratory. They reappeared in The Rivalry Revival.
In Pikachu's Vacation, a Staryu was at the Pokémon Theme Park.
A Staryu appeared in Marina's fantasy in Bye Bye Psyduck.
In The Power of One, a Staryu sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.
A Staryu appeared in the Japanese credits of Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.
In The Joy of Water Pokémon, a Staryu was receiving special treatment in a salt bath tank at the Pokémon Center located near Lake Lucid.
In Around the Whirlpool, a Staryu was stolen from the Pokémon Center of Blue Point Isle.
In Dueling Heroes, a Trainer's Staryu competed in the Whirl Cup.
In Gonna Rule The School!, the Pokémon Trainers' School lent a Staryu to the school's underage students for use in lessons.
A Staryu appeared in the opening sequence of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
In One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!, a student used a Staryu provided by the Pokémon Summer Academy for the second leg of the Pokémon Triathlon.
Two Staryu appeared in All for the Love of Meloetta!.
Multiple Staryu appeared in Piplup, Pansage, and a Meeting of the Times!.
In Expedition to Onix Island!, multiple Staryu were living on a deserted island.
A Trainer's Staryu appeared in Lost at the League!.
Multiple Staryu appeared in Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!.
In Going for the Gold!, a Staryu lived in the Ambrette Aquarium. It was erroneously depicted with Starmie's colorization.
In Summer of Discovery! and Foggy Pokémon Orienteering!, a Trainer's Staryu attended the Pokémon Summer Camp. It reappeared in a flashback in Day Three Blockbusters!, and in a fantasy in Battling Into the Hall of Fame!.
In Pikachu and the Pokémon Music Squad, a Staryu was living in the forest.
Two Staryu appeared in Alola to New Adventure!, with one under the ownership of a Trainer and the other wild.
A Staryu appeared in a fantasy in Yo, Ho, Ho! Go, Popplio!.
In The Sun, the Scare, the Secret Lair!, Sophocles chose to observe a Staryu and a Shellder for a class assignment.
A Staryu appeared in A Shivering Shovel Search!.
A Staryu appeared in I Choose You!.
In Alola, Kanto!, a wild Staryu was at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
In I Choose Paradise!, two Staryu were at the Pokémon Paradise Resort, including one owned by a Trainer.
In Securing the Future!, two Staryu joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its normal form.
Three Staryu appeared in Pikachu's Exciting Adventure!.
In Battle Royal 151!, a Trainer's Staryu competed in the Battle Royal preliminary round of the Manalo Conference, but was defeated by Sandy and Shaymin.
A Trainer's Staryu appeared in Exhibition Unmasked!.
Three Staryu appeared in Legend? Go! Friends? Go!.
A Trainer's Staryu appeared in The Cuteness Quotient!.
In On Land, In the Sea, and to the Future!, a Trainer's Staryu competed in the Kids Marine Athletic Race.
A Staryu appeared in This Could be the Start of Something Big!.
A Staryu appeared in For Sure! 'Cause Sprigatito's with Me! and The Treasure After the Storm!.
Pokédex entries
| Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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| EP007
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Staryu
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Ash's Pokédex
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Staryu. The core of this Water Pokémon shines in a rainbow of seven colors, a core that is valued by some as a type of jewelry.
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Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer
In the Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer, a Trainer's Staryu was in a town square in Pasio.
In the manga
Ash & Pikachu
- Main article: Misty's Staryu
Misty's Staryu appeared in The Grand Rhydon Plan.
Pokémon Adventures
- Main article: Misty's Staryu
Staryu debuted in the Red, Green & Blue arc as one of Misty's Pokémon. It defended her from an enraged Gyarados in Gyarados Splashes In! and from Koga's Rhydon in Raging Rhydon.
A Staryu appeared in The Kindest Tentacruel as one of the Pokémon in Yellow's fantasy about evolution via Evolution stone.
A Staryu appeared in ''Breath of the Dragonair Part 1, under the ownership of a Trainer. It was used in a surfing contest, before it was interrupted by Lance controlling the winning prize, a Dragonair.
Crystal encounters a herd of twelve Staryu during her journey in Surrounded by Staryu. The dozen Staryu hound after Bill in an attempt to play with him, encasing him and his Farfetch'd in a dodecahedral shell not even Crystal's Cubone could penetrate. Crystal was eventually able to catch and calm Staryu down by breaking them up from the inside, using the new Pokémon Portable Transport System to send her Natu inside. They are later seen playing with Professor Oak in his Laboratory in Cherrygrove City.
A Staryu appeared in The Last Battle XIII as one of the Pokémon sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.
A Swimmer named Jack owns a Staryu nicknamed Starry that appeared in Not So Fetching Feebas, where it assisted him on the bait of luring Feebas.
A Staryu appeared in a fantasy in Double Trouble with Dialga and Palkia IV.
A Trainer's Staryu appeared in Deprogramming Porygon-Z.
Pokédex entries
| Manga
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Chapter
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Entry
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| Pokémon Adventures
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PS120
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As long as the sparkling core in the middle of its body is not destroyed, Staryu can reform, even after it has been cut into a thousand pieces.*
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Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys
A Staryu appeared in Let's Aim For The Goal!.
Multiple Staryu appeared in Let's Survive This Sea Battle.
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Two Staryu appeared in Legend? Check! Friends? Check!.
In the TCG
- Main article: Staryu (TCG)
Other appearances
When released from a Poké Ball, Staryu will target one of the opponents, spin towards them, and shoot Swift. Its attack is rapid-fire, but it can easily be escaped from by Directional Influence; the player can still move around while getting hit by Swift. In Ultimate, it appears as a Spirit.
Melee trophy information
These starshape Pokémon that evolve into Starmie are found in large numbers at the seashore. At night, Staryu's red center glows and blinks on and off. It's said that as long as its red center remains, it can regrow its limbs. Whether it's related to Cleffa, another Pokémon with a vaguely star-shaped appearance, is unknown.
Brawl trophy information
"A Star Shape Pokémon. It gathers in groups and flashes the red jewel in the center of its body in time to the twinkling of the stars in the night sky. If it loses appendages, it can regenerate them right away. It can also use Camouflage, which allows it to change its type to match the surrounding terrain. If a Water Stone is used on it, evolves into Starmie."
3DS/Wii U Trophy information
Staryu trophy in
Super Smash Bros. for 3DSNA: This Water-type Pokémon, Staryu, greatly resembles a star. Exposing one to a Water Stone causes it to evolve into Starmie. Another star-shaped Pokémon, Cleffa, exists, but the two don't look all that similar. In Smash Bros., Staryu will attack foes with Swift. Anyone hit will be seeing stars!
PAL: This Water-type Pokémon evolves into Starmie when you use a Water Stone. Its star shape makes it rather cute, but that doesn't mean Staryu's not a threat. Its Swift attack will pummel fighters with a flurry of stars. If you notice Staryu's aiming at you, quickly move up or down to get out of the line of fire.
Game data
NPC appearances
- Pokémon Pinball: A Staryu appears on the Red Table; however, it is merely decoration.
Pokédex entries
| Generation I
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Kanto
#120
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| Red(JPN)
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(This entry was originally untranslated in English until it was reused in Pokémon FireRed.)
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| Green
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| Red(ENG)
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An enigmatic Pokémon that can effortlessly regenerate any appendage it loses in battle.
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| Blue
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| Yellow
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As long as the center section is unharmed, it can grow back fully even if it is chopped to bits.
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| Stadium
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It is capable of growing back any portion of its body that is cut off. At night, the center core glows with a red light.
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| Generation II
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Johto
#167
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| Gold
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At night, the center of its body slowly flickers with the same rhythm as a human heartbeat.
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| Silver
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Even if its body is torn, it can regenerate as long as the glowing central core remains intact.
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| Crystal
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When the stars twinkle at night, it floats up from the sea floor, and its body's center core flickers.
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| Stadium 2
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At night, the center of its body slowly flickers with the same rhythm as a human heartbeat.
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| Generation III
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Hoenn
#143
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Kanto
#120
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| Ruby
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Staryu's center section has an organ called the core that shines bright red. If you go to a beach toward the end of summer, the glowing cores of these Pokémon look like the stars in the sky.
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| Sapphire
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Staryu apparently communicates with the stars in the night sky by flashing the red core at the center of its body. If parts of its body are torn, this Pokémon simply regenerates the missing pieces and limbs.
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| Emerald
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It gathers with others in the night and makes its red core glow on and off with the twinkling stars. It can regenerate limbs if they are severed from its body.
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| FireRed
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It appears in large numbers by seashores. At night, its central core flashes with a red light.
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| LeafGreen
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An enigmatic Pokémon that can effortlessly regenerate any appendage it loses in battle.
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| Generation IV
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Sinnoh
#—
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Johto
#169
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| Diamond
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If its body is torn, it can grow back if the red core remains. The core flashes at midnight.
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| Pearl
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| Platinum
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| HeartGold
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At night, the center of its body slowly flickers with the same rhythm as a human heartbeat.
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| SoulSilver
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Even if its body is torn, it can regenerate as long as the glowing central core remains intact.
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| Generation V
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Unova
B2W2: #238
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| Black
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If its body is torn, it can grow back if the red core remains. The core flashes at midnight.
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| White
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| Black 2
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As long as its red core remains, it can regenerate its body instantly, even if it's torn apart.
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| White 2
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| Generation VI
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Kalos
Coastal #034
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Hoenn
#148
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| X
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Even if its body is torn, it can regenerate as long as the glowing central core remains intact.
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| Y
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It appears in large numbers by seashores. At night, its central core flashes with a red light.
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| Omega Ruby
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Staryu's center section has an organ called the core that shines bright red. If you go to a beach toward the end of summer, the glowing cores of these Pokémon look like the stars in the sky.
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| Alpha Sapphire
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Staryu apparently communicates with the stars in the night sky by flashing the red core at the center of its body. If parts of its body are torn, this Pokémon simply regenerates the missing pieces and limbs.
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| Generation VII
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Alola
SM: #184
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Alola
USUM: #223
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Kanto
#120
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| Sun
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Large numbers of these Pokémon make their home at the seaside. At night, a strange red glow radiates from the center of their bodies.
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| Moon
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This Pokémon gets nibbled on by Lumineon and others. Thanks to its red core, it regenerates fast, so it's unconcerned by their snack attacks.
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| Ultra Sun
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In many places, there are folktales of stardust falling into the ocean and becoming Staryu.
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| Ultra Moon
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No number of injuries can bother Staryu. Its amazing regenerative powers return it to its previous state in half a day!
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| Let's Go Pikachu
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As long as the center section is unharmed, this Pokémon can grow back fully even if it is chopped to bits.
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| Let's Go Eevee
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| Generation VIII
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Galar
Isle of Armor #098
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Sinnoh
#—
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Hisui
#—
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| This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Legends: Arceus.
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| Sword
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If you visit a beach at the end of summer, you'll be able to see groups of Staryu lighting up in a steady rhythm.
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| Shield
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Fish Pokémon nibble at it, but Staryu isn't bothered. Its body regenerates quickly, even if part of it is completely torn off.
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| Brilliant Diamond
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If Staryu's body is damaged, it will regenerate as long as the red core remains. The core flashes at midnight.
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| Shining Pearl
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Game locations
In side games
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| Generation II
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| This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
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In events
Held items
Stats
Base stats
| Stat
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Range
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| At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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30
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90 - 137
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170 - 264
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45
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45 - 106
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85 - 207
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55
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54 - 117
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103 - 229
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70
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67 - 134
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130 - 262
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55
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54 - 117
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103 - 229
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85
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81 - 150
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157 - 295
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Total: 340
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
- Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
- This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 70.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
| Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
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This Pokémon is unavailable within Generation IX.
Click on the generation numbers above to see Staryu's learnsets from other generations.
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TCG-only moves
Side game data
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Pokémon Ranger
| Group:
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Poké Assist:
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Field move:
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(Flash ×1)
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| Loops: 5
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Min. exp.: 25
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Max. exp.: 39
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Browser entry R-112
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| Staryu attacks while spinning its body. Take care not to touch it then.
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Pokémon Rumble Rush
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Walking Speed: 2.08 seconds
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Base HP: 41
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| Base Attack: 71
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Base Defense: 49
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Base Speed: 60
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PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
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| PokéPark Pad entry:
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| He thought no Pokémon could exceed his speed. Actually, losing Chase made his life more challenging and fun.
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Evolution data
Sprites
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| This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation IX.
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Trivia
- In Pokémon Ranger, Staryu is the only Pokémon with the Field Move Flash.
- Once Staryu serves its purpose with Flash, it cannot be captured again, except during the Kyogre mission.
- Staryu is one of fourteen Pokémon that one is able to collect foreign Pokédex entries for in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.
- Staryu shares its category name with Cleffa. They are both known as the Star Shape Pokémon.
- Staryu was programmed to learn Egg moves in Gold and Silver, but these moves were unobtainable because both Staryu and Starmie are gender unknown and so could only breed with Ditto. These moves were removed in Crystal.
- Staryu, Starmie, and Mew are the only Pokémon species that are gender unknown but can legitimately learn Attract in Generation II. This move has no effect when used by these Pokémon.
- Staryu may be considered a counterpart of Shellder. Both are Water-types in the Water 3 Egg Group, both evolve with a Water Stone, and both gain a second type upon evolution. Cloyster is seen as a slow defensive Pokémon, while Starmie is seen as a fast attacking Pokémon.
- PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond erroneously refers to Staryu as a male, despite it being a Pokémon species that is gender unknown.
Origin
Staryu seems to be based on a stylized starfish such as the common starfish, or the necklace starfish with its vivid red center surrounded by bright plates. Like Staryu, many real starfish have the ability to regenerate lost body parts. Given its ties to outer space and ability to emit light, it may also be based on literal stars and meteors. It is also reminiscent of ornate jewelry, with its central core resembling a polished cabochon gem mounted inside a golden prong setting. The standard color of its gem resembles a ruby, while its Shiny color resembles a sapphire. Its tendency to rapidly spin its body is reminiscent of shuriken and propellers.
Staryu's gender unknown designation may be based on hermaphroditism, observed in some real-life starfish species. In the Pocket Monsters Encyclopedia, and the original Japanese version of the anime episode The Water Flowers of Cerulean City, Staryu is classified as hermaphroditic.
Additionally, Staryu's ties to outer space, its Japanese name, its ability to learn various beam attacks, and the gem in its middle acting like a heart may all be a reference to the Ultraman series, where Ultra Warriors have similar gems on their chests, which will start flashing when they're weak, just like Staryu's gem as displayed in the anime.
Name origin
Staryu may be a combination of star and you (in opposition to the me in Starmie).
Hitodeman may be a combination of 海星 hitode (starfish) and man.
In other languages
| Language
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Title
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Meaning
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 Japanese
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ヒトデマン Hitodeman
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From 海星 hitode and man
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 French
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Stari
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From star
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 Spanish
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Staryu
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Same as English name
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 German
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Sterndu
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From Stern and du
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 Italian
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Staryu
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Same as English name
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 Korean
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별가사리 Byulgasari
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From 별 byeol and 불가사리 bulgasari
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 Mandarin Chinese
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海星星 Hǎixīngxīng
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From 海星 hǎixīng and 星星 xīngxīng
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 Cantonese Chinese
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海星星 Hóisīngsīng
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From 海星 hóisīng and 星星 sīngsīng
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| More languages
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 Hebrew
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סטאריו Staryu
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Transcription of English name
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 Hindi
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स्टारयू Staryu
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Transcription of English name
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 Russian
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Старью Star'yu
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Transcription of English name
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 Thai
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ฮิโตเดมัน Hitodeman
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Transcription of Japanese name
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Related articles
External links
TM33 (Ice Punch) (100%)
Stardust (23%)
Star Piece (2%)
Water Stone (Beyond the Sea only, 100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Staryu images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
