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.
Widely shunned as a bearer of ill fortune. Upon crossing paths with this creature, I’ve been told one must chant “Workrum, Workrum—bad luck, don’t come” as a protective incantation.
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
Breed Murkrow easily with 16 breeding partners from the Flying egg group.
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
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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 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