Between Natural Cure and Water/Psychic typing, Starmie carves out a strong competitive niche. It clears status conditions when it switches out, which gives it an edge most Pokemon in its stat range don't have. An original Gen 1 pick.
The stat budget goes to damage. Speed and Sp. Atk carry the offense, HP doesn't even come close. A Mysterious Pokemon on a slow 1.25M XP grind, worth 2 Speed EVs per KO.
At the center of its body is a red core that sends mysterious radio signals into the night sky.
Starmie Weakness
VulnerableElectric, Grass, Bug, Ghost, and Dark-type moves hit Starmie for super-effective damage. With 6 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. 5 weaknesses means you'll want teammates that can handle the coverage gaps.
Getting Starmie requires an evolution item, not just grinding levels. The chain starts at Staryu. Breed this form to get Staryu eggs (average hatch time). HP grew the most through evolution (+30 over Staryu), and Starmie peaks at 520 total stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Starmie to get Staryu eggs (with patience) using 37 partners from the Water3 egg group.
Ditto only
The build revolves around Flip Turn for safe pivoting. Natural Cure and Starminite support Starmie's hit-and-run approach, with max Attack and Speed EVs making sure each pivot actually threatens. Electric coverage adds versatility.
Best Build
Best Starmie Moveset
- Liquidation
- Thunderbolt
- Rapid Spin
- Flip Turn
Recommended Teammates
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Starmie. TMs unlock Normal and Rock coverage and more and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Hydro Pump and Dream Eater into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Starmie. TMs unlock coverage across 7 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Hydro Pump and Dream Eater into something with actual range.
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Starmie. TMs unlock coverage across 7 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Hydro Pump and Psychic into something with actual range.
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Starmie. TMs unlock Normal and Ice coverage and more and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Dream Eater and Psychic into something with actual range.
No wild encounters for Starmie in Legends: Z-A. Bring Staryu over from Red, Yellow, or Gold, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
You're catching Staryu first, not Starmie. Staryu appears at moderate rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 2-stage line with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Starmie in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Starmie, start by catching Staryu through walking and fishing encounters at Lv. 20-63. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch StaryuEXTREMECanalave CityBrilliant DiamondSuper RodLv.20-405%MidCityEXTREMECanalave CityShining PearlSuper RodLv.20-405%MidCityEXTREMESunyshore CityBrilliant DiamondSuper RodLv.20-405%MidCityEXTREMESunyshore CityShining PearlSuper RodLv.20-405%MidCityFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameGlacial CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameGlacial CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameIcy CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostIcePost-gameIcy CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostIcePost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-game
Step 2Starmie ✓
Starmie doesn't appear wild. Catch Staryu instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it through a special method to get Starmie. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Starmie in Sword & Shield
To get Starmie, start by catching Staryu through walking encounters at Lv. 10-18. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch StaryuEFFORTLESSChallenge Beach - BeachShieldOverworldLv.10-15100%EarlyWaterAll WeatherEFFORTLESSChallenge Beach - BeachSwordOverworldLv.10-15100%EarlyWaterAll WeatherEFFORTLESSTraining Lowlands - BeachShieldOverworldLv.13-18100%EarlyAll WeatherEFFORTLESSTraining Lowlands - BeachSwordOverworldLv.13-18100%EarlyAll Weather
Step 2Starmie ✓
Finding Starmie at low spawn rates takes patience. 6 spots are available in late-game water routes, but the rate difference between them matters. Lock in the top one from the sorted list below.
Where To Catch Starmie in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
Staryu is your first catch on the way to Starmie. You'll find surfing encounters from Lv. 33-42 across 12 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch StaryuEASYRoute 18Let's Go EeveeSurfing on waterLv.33-3830%LateRouteEASYRoute 18Let's Go PikachuSurfing on waterLv.33-3830%LateRouteEASYRoute 19Let's Go EeveeSurfing on waterLv.37-4230%LateRouteEASYRoute 19Let's Go PikachuSurfing on waterLv.37-4230%LateRouteEASYRoute 21Let's Go PikachuSurfing on waterLv.37-4230%LateRouteEASYRoute 21Let's Go EeveeSurfing on waterLv.37-4230%LateRoute
Step 2Starmie ✓LEGENDARYRoute 18Let's Go EeveeSurfing on waterLv.33-381%LateRouteLEGENDARYRoute 18Let's Go PikachuSurfing on waterLv.33-381%LateRouteLEGENDARYRoute 19Let's Go EeveeSurfing on waterLv.37-421%LateRouteLEGENDARYRoute 19Let's Go PikachuSurfing on waterLv.37-421%LateRouteLEGENDARYRoute 21Let's Go PikachuSurfing on waterLv.37-421%LateRouteLEGENDARYRoute 21Let's Go EeveeSurfing on waterLv.37-421%LateRouteor evolve from Staryu (Step 1)
Natural Cure changes the entire equation for Starmie. The 520 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked A-Tier as a sweeper.
Staryu evolves into Starmie using a Water Stone. Starmie is the fully evolved form. At 520 BST, it's got solid stats to work with.
Natural Cure is what you want on Starmie. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Illuminate, Analytic) work on paper but Natural Cure is what makes Starmie worth using. With base 115 Speed, Natural Cure gives Starmie an edge before opponents can react.
Base 115 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Starmie is a mixed attacker — base 75 Attack and 100 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a sweeper.
Starmie appears in 20 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
One of the original 151, Starmie has appeared in 20 games — nearly every mainline game. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A