Murkrow is technically a pre-evolution of Honchkrow, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Prankster gives priority to its status moves, adding extra value. Ground and Psychic moves can't touch it, which offsets the 4 weaknesses somewhat. Known as the Darkness Pokemon.
Murkrow's built around mixed offense. Speed leads the charge, Defense pays for it. Tough to catch, worth 1 Speed EV. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
Feared and loathed by many, it is believed to bring misfortune to all those who see it at night.
If spotted, it will lure an unwary person into chasing it, then lose the pursuer on mountain trails.
Murkrow Weakness
GoodType-wise, Murkrow takes extra damage from Electric, Ice, Rock, and Fairy. Ground and Psychic moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity.
Evolving Murkrow into Honchkrow takes an evolution item. It's not a simple level-up, so check the chain details below. Evolving adds up to 100 stat points total.
How to Evolve
Prankster gives Murkrow passive value while it walls. Calm nature boosts Sp. Def, max HP and Sp. Def EVs maximize the special wall profile, and Eviolite keeps it in the game.
Best Build
Best Murkrow Moveset
- Tailwind
- Taunt
- Foul Play
- Haze
Recommended Teammates
TMs define Murkrow's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Brave Bird and Hurricane, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 7 types. That's where the options open up.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Murkrow's movepool balances level-up moves with TM options. Consistent STAB comes from Dark Pulse and Air Slash, and Ice and Ghost coverage and more keeps opponents from switching in for free. No major gaps here.
Breeding's the move. Assurance and Brave Bird give Murkrow options it can't learn any other way, and Ghost and Psychic coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Sky Attack and Brave Bird. The egg moves push it further.
Breeding's the move. Assurance and Brave Bird give Murkrow options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 8 types already covers a decent range on top of Sky Attack and Brave Bird. The egg moves push it further.
Murkrow is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 126 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations
Murkrow's encounter pool splits between Scarlet and Violet. You've got 126 walking spots at Lv. 15-65 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.
decent spawn rates for Murkrow across 5 locations in mid-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Best Locations
5 walking spots from walking for Murkrow. Sorted by game progression with rates on each row, so you can compare without scrolling through everything.
Murkrow starts showing up in early-game routes at decent spawn rates across 11 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Best Locations
You'll find Murkrow across 11 walking encounters from Lv. 10-21, sorted by game progression. Earlier spots show up first so you can grab one as soon as it's reachable.
Easy grab on Murkrow with high spawn rates across 2 locations in early-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Best Locations
Murkrow isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Honchkrow to unlock its full potential. At 405 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Murkrow evolves into Honchkrow using a Dusk Stone. Murkrow is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Run Prankster on Murkrow. It's the ability that defines how you build around it and the main reason it holds a competitive niche. Murkrow also gets Insomnia and Super Luck, but they don't compare.
Murkrow fills the pivot role. It's leaning toward the physical side (base 85 Attack). Base 91 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. And it's fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Murkrow appears in 17 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Murkrow has been available in 17 games since Gold & Silver, though obtaining it requires an item-based evolution. This extra step makes it less common than Pokemon found through standard wild encounters.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB

Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut

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
