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, 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.
Feared and loathed by many, it is believed to bring misfortune to all those who see it at night.
It is said that when chased, it lures its attacker onto dark mountain trails where the foe will get lost.
Murkrow Weakness
ExcellentType-wise, Murkrow takes extra damage from Electric, Ice, and Rock. Ground and Psychic moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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 31 breeding partners from the Flying egg group. Pass egg moves like Brave Bird, Confuse Ray, Drill Peck and 9 more to offspring.
the remaining moves keeps opponents guessing about Murkrow's real targets. Scopelens provides extra utility while max Attack and Speed EVs and Naive nature handle the stat profile. Superluck ties it together.
Best Build
Best Murkrow Moveset
- Heat Wave
- Dark Pulse
- Icy Wind
- Brave Bird
Recommended Teammates
Breeding's the move. Brave Bird and Confuse Ray 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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
Murkrow is available from mid-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 4 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 HeartGold and SoulSilver. You've got 4 walking spots at Lv. 17-29 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.
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