Honchkrow Best Moveset
125 Attack at 71 Speed on Dark/Flying with AbilityMoxie boosting Attack after every KO. Held ItemLife Orb with NatureJolly pushes physical dual TermStab into devastating territory. One KO triggers Moxie and the moveset accelerates from there. 100 HP absorbs one hit, but 52/52 defenses mean the second hit usually ends it. High-risk snowball offense.
Dark/Flying with 125 Attack and Insomnia in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Brave Bird and Sucker Punch priority. Raw power carried it before Moxie even existed.
Best Moves
Best Build
Honchkrow best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch
- Superpower
- Heat Wave
Recommended Teammates
Moxie arrived in Gen V (Black & White). Every KO boosted Attack further. Sucker Punch cleaned weakened teams, and Brave Bird smashed anything that didn't resist it.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch
- Night Slash
- Superpower
Recommended Teammates
Dropped in Gen VI (X & Y). Fairy-types resisted Dark STAB, and 71 Speed meant Honchkrow was outsped by most of the metagame before it could swing.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Sucker Punch
- Brave Bird
- Superpower
- Night Slash
Recommended Teammates
Same issues in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Moxie snowballing worked in lower tiers but the format's power level was climbing faster than Honchkrow could match.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch
- Superpower
- Night Slash
Recommended Teammates
Returned in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet) and fell hard. 71 Speed, Brave Bird recoil, and Fairy weakness were unforgivable in a format this fast.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Sucker Punch
- Brave Bird
- Night Slash
- Tera Blast
Recommended Teammates
Honchkrow Weakness
Type-wise, Honchkrow takes extra damage from Electric, Ice, Rock, and Fairy. Ground and Psychic moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ice, Rock, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Ghost, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground, Psychic |
What is Honchkrow Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Honchkrow
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Honchkrow View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn17-20% Scald14-17% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityWaterbubble ItemCustapberry NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Honchkrow View Araquanid builds →Liquidation20-24% Surf28-33% | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureSassy Moves View Slowking-Galar builds →
| ||
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves View Landorus-Therian builds →
| ||
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLife Orb NatureModest Moves View Deoxys-Speed builds →
| ||
Evolution
Getting Honchkrow requires an evolution item, not just grinding levels. The chain starts at Murkrow. Breed this form to get Murkrow eggs (average hatch time). HP grew the most through evolution (+40 over Murkrow), and Honchkrow peaks at 505 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Honchkrow to get Murkrow eggs easily using 73 partners from the Flying egg group.
How to Get Honchkrow
low spawn rates across 76 encounter spots for Honchkrow. That's the kind of hunt where you pick one location and settle in. Sort by Best below to see where the odds are highest.
Where To Catch Honchkrow in SV
The path to Honchkrow starts with Murkrow at Lv. 15-65 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch MurkrowEast Province (Area One) - Near TownLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%NightEast Province (Area Three) - Near TownLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%NightEast Province (Area Two) - Near TownLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%NightGlaseado MountainLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%NightSouth Province (Area One) - Near TownLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%NightSouth Province (Area Six) - Near TownLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%NightSouth Province (Area Three) - Near TownLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%NightSouth Province (Area Two) - Near TownLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%NightThe Pokémon League - Near TownLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%NightWest Province (Area Three) - Near TownLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%NightWest Province (Area Two) - Near TownLv.15-40OverworldRate 36%NightAsado Desert - GrassLv.15-40OverworldRate 24%NightEast Province (Area One) - GrassLv.15-40OverworldRate 24%NightEast Province (Area Three) - GrassLv.15-40OverworldRate 24%NightEast Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.15-40OverworldRate 24%NightNorth Province (Area Three) - GrassLv.15-40OverworldRate 24%NightSouth Province (Area Five) - GrassLv.15-40OverworldRate 24%NightSouth Province (Area Four) - GrassLv.15-40OverworldRate 24%NightSouth Province (Area One) - GrassLv.15-40OverworldRate 24%NightSouth Province (Area Three) - GrassLv.15-40OverworldRate 24%NightSouth Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.15-40OverworldRate 24%NightThe Pokémon League - GrassLv.15-40OverworldRate 24%NightWest Province (Area One) - GrassLv.15-40OverworldRate 24%NightWest Province (Area Three) - GrassLv.15-40OverworldRate 24%NightWest Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.15-40OverworldRate 24%NightCasseroya Lake - ForestLv.15-40OverworldRate 12%NightEast Province (Area One) - ForestLv.15-40OverworldRate 12%NightEast Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.15-40OverworldRate 12%NightNorth Province (Area One) - ForestLv.15-40OverworldRate 12%NightNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.15-40OverworldRate 12%NightSouth Province (Area Four) - ForestLv.15-40OverworldRate 12%NightSouth Province (Area One) - ForestLv.15-40OverworldRate 12%NightSouth Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.15-40OverworldRate 12%NightTagtree Thicket - ForestLv.15-40OverworldRate 12%NightWest Province (Area Three) - ForestLv.15-40OverworldRate 12%NightAsado Desert - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightCasseroya Lake - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightEast Province (Area One) - MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightEast Province (Area One) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightEast Province (Area Three) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightEast Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightGlaseado MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightNorth Province (Area One) - MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightNorth Province (Area One) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightNorth Province (Area Three) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightNorth Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Five) - MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Five) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Four) - MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Four) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Six) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Three) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Two) - MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightThe Pokémon League - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightWest Province (Area One) - MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightWest Province (Area One) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightWest Province (Area Three) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightWest Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%Night
Step 2Honchkrow ✓Asado Desert - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightCasseroya Lake - ForestLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightCasseroya Lake - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightEast Province (Area One) - ForestLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightEast Province (Area One) - MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightEast Province (Area One) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightEast Province (Area Three) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightEast Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightEast Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightGlaseado MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightNorth Province (Area One) - ForestLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightNorth Province (Area One) - MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightNorth Province (Area One) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightNorth Province (Area Three) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightNorth Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Five) - MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Five) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Four) - ForestLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Four) - MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Four) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area One) - ForestLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Six) - MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Six) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Three) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Two) - MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightSouth Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightTagtree Thicket - ForestLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightThe Pokémon League - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightWest Province (Area One) - MountainLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightWest Province (Area One) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightWest Province (Area Three) - ForestLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightWest Province (Area Three) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%NightWest Province (Area Two) - RockyLv.35-65OverworldRate 1%Nightor evolve from Murkrow (Step 1)
A few locations for Honchkrow with decent spawn rates across early-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Honchkrow in PLA
To get Honchkrow, start by catching Murkrow through walking encounters at Lv. 6-44. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch MurkrowCloudpool RidgeLv.23-25GrassRate 15%NightCrossing SlopeLv.27-30GrassRate 15%NightVeilstone CapeLv.29-32GrassRate 15%NightHideaway BayLv.41-44GrassRate 15%NightIslespy ShoreLv.41-44GrassRate 15%Night
Step 2Honchkrow ✓Cloudpool RidgeLv.6-28GrassRate 15%NightBathers' LagoonLv.16-36GrassRate 15%Nightor evolve from Murkrow (Step 1)
You're catching Murkrow first, not Honchkrow. Murkrow appears at decent rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 2-stage line with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Honchkrow in BDSP
The path to Honchkrow starts with Murkrow at Lv. 10-21 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch MurkrowEterna ForestLv.10-11GrassBrilliant DiamondRate 20%NightLost Tower - 1FLv.17FloorBrilliant DiamondRate 20%NightLost Tower - 2FLv.18FloorBrilliant DiamondRate 20%NightLost Tower - 3FLv.19FloorBrilliant DiamondRate 20%NightLost Tower - 4FLv.20FloorBrilliant DiamondRate 20%NightLost Tower - 5FLv.21FloorBrilliant DiamondRate 20%NightGrassland CaveLv.16-20CaveBrilliant DiamondRiverbank CaveLv.16-20CaveBrilliant DiamondSpacious CaveLv.16-20CaveBrilliant DiamondStill-Water CavernLv.16-20CaveBrilliant DiamondSunlit CavernLv.16-20CaveBrilliant Diamond
Step 2Honchkrow ✓
Honchkrow is a gift in this game. Pick it up at Poké Pelago — no wild encounters or spawn rates to deal with. The details below cover exactly when it becomes available.
How to Obtain Honchkrow in USUM
To get Honchkrow, start by catching Murkrow through walking and gift encounters at Lv. 6-55. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch MurkrowHau'oli CemeteryLv.6-9GrassRate 40%Night
Step 2Honchkrow ✓Poké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedLv.49-55Gift from NPCor evolve from Murkrow (Step 1)
Base Stats
Raw Attack carries Honchkrow's bulk more than the defenses do. Defense barely registers. But that HP pool covers for it. A tough to catch Big Boss Pokemon that yields 2 Attack EVs on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
A single cry from this nocturnal Pokémon, and more than 100 of its Murkrow cronies will assemble.
Honchkrow Guide
We rate Honchkrow B-Tier: a solid choice for the right team. At 505 BST, it fits the cannon role. Base 125 Attack stands out.
Insomnia is the go-to ability for Honchkrow. It prevents sleep. Its hidden ability Moxie can work in specific setups. Super Luck is the other option. Pick based on what your team needs.
Base 71 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Honchkrow is a mixed attacker with base 125 Attack and 105 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a cannon.
The core moveset is Sucker Punch, Bravebird, Nightslash, and Terablast. Sucker Punch leads at 0% usage. This set covers the cannon role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Obtainable through an item-based evolution, Honchkrow appears in 12 titles across 7 generations since Diamond & Pearl. The evolution method adds a barrier that wild-catchable Pokemon don't have.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves