Murkrow is technically a pre-evolution of Honchkrow, but it can still hold its own in battle. Prankster gives priority to its status moves, adding extra value. Ground and Psychic moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively. 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.
It is said that when chased, it lures its attacker onto dark mountain trails where the foe will get lost.
Feared and loathed by many, it is believed to bring misfortune to all those who see it at night.
Murkrow Weakness
ExcellentType-wise, Murkrow takes extra damage from Electric, Ice, and Rock. Ground and Psychic moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
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
Breed Murkrow easily with 25 breeding partners from the Flying egg group. Pass egg moves like Confuse Ray, Drill Peck, Feather Dance and 5 more to offspring.
Adamant nature gives Murkrow the physical lean it needs to trade hits effectively. Leftovers adds passive recovery each turn, max Attack and Speed EVs split the difference, and utility options punishes anything trying to wall it.
Best Build
Best Murkrow Moveset
- Thunder Wave
- Drill Peck
- Pursuit
- Taunt
Recommended Teammates
Breeding's the move. Confuse Ray and Drill Peck give Murkrow options it can't learn any other way, and Ghost and Normal coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Sky Attack and Fly. The egg moves push it further.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
decent spawn rates across 14 locations for Murkrow in early-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Best Locations
Murkrow won't take long. 14 walking spots from Lv. 15-22 with solid rates across most of them. The top locations at each game stage are listed first.
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 a mixed attacker — base 85 Attack and 85 Sp. Atk. 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