In X & Y, 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.

What is Murkrow weak to?

In X & Y, Murkrow's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric), Cloyster (Ice), and Tyranitar (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Fairy-type attackers are also a problem.

What is the best ability for Murkrow?

In X & Y, 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.

What is Murkrow's hidden ability?

In X & Y, Prankster is the hidden ability. It raises non-damaging moves' priority by one stage. Worth hunting for if you want Murkrow to compete at a higher level.

What role does Murkrow play in battle?

In X & Y, Murkrow fills the support 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 - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Utility

Support

CTier

91Speed · Above Avg

Stats & Training

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.

Base Stats

Above

HP60

Attack85

Defense42

Sp. Atk85

Sp. Def42

Speed91

Total405

Details

Catch Rate

Difficult30 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Slow1.06M XP

Height0.5 m

Weight2.1 kg

Base XP81

Abilities

InsomniaRare

Prevents sleep.

Super Luck

Raises moves' critical hit rates one stage.

PranksterHATop Pick

Raises non-damaging moves' priority by one stage.

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1

Speed training source

Pokedex Entries

It hides any shiny object it finds in a secret location. Murkrow and Meowth loot one another’s stashes.

Murkrow Weakness

Type-wise, Murkrow takes extra damage from Electric, Ice, Rock, and Fairy. Ground and Psychic moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity.

Murkrow Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Electric, Ice, Rock, Fairy
0.5x (Resist)	Grass, Ghost, Dark
0x (Immune)	Ground, Psychic

Type ChartGood

4Weak

3Resist

2Immune

Score+1

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Ice Rock Fairy

½xResist

Grass Ghost Dark

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

Ground Psychic

STAB (5)

Psychic Ghost Grass Fighting Bug

How to Beat Murkrow in X & Y (Best Counters)

Carbink RockFairy	C
Available Moves Moves Dazzling GleamTM99 Ancient PowerLv. 31 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Damage vs Murkrow Dazzling Gleam 2x 77-91% Ancient Power 2x 58-69% Rock Tomb 2x 58-69% Rock Throw 2x 50-60% View Carbink builds →
Klefki SteelFairy	C
Available Moves Moves Dazzling GleamTM99 Draining KissLv. 18 Fairy WindLv. 5 Damage vs Murkrow Dazzling Gleam 2x 109-129%KO Draining Kiss 2x 70-83% Fairy Wind 2x 55-66% View Klefki builds →
Dedenne ElectricFairy	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchLv. 26 Parabolic ChargeLv. 17 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Murkrow Thunderbolt 2x 124-146%KO Volt Switch 2x 97-114%KO Parabolic Charge 2x 90-106%KO Charge Beam 2x 70-83% View Dedenne builds →
Electrode Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 12 Charge BeamTM57 RolloutLv. 15 Damage vs Murkrow Thunderbolt 2x 124-146%KO Spark 2x 63-74% Charge Beam 2x 70-83% Rollout 2x 21-25% View Electrode builds →
Stunfisk GroundElectric	C
Obtain MethodRoute 14 Surfing Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 DischargeLv. 25 Rock TombTM39 Thunder ShockLv. 9 Damage vs Murkrow Thunderbolt 2x 124-146%KO Discharge 2x 111-131%KO Rock Tomb 2x 49-57% Thunder Shock 2x 58-69% View Stunfisk builds →

X & Y Evolution

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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms

#198Murkrow

Dusk Stone

#430Honchkrow

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Murkrow

DarkFlying

Honchkrow

DarkFlying

100+40

ATK

125+40

DEF

52+10

SP.ATK

105+20

SP.DEF

52+10

SPE

71-20

BST

405B-Tier

505B-Tier+100

ROLE

Balanced

Cannon

TYPE

Mixed

Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Murkrow easily with 51 breeding partners from the Flying egg group. Pass egg moves like Assurance, Brave Bird, Confuse Ray and 12 more to offspring.

Egg Groups

Flying

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Egg Moves

15moves

Breed With (best first)

X & Y Murkrow Best Moveset

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

Experimental

Ability

Prankster

Item

EvioliteBULK

Best Nature for Murkrow

Calm+SPD

Murkrow best EVs are Sp. Def and HP

EVs

Def

SpD

Wall Moveset

RoostRecovery
TauntUtility
Thunder Wave
ToxicUtility

Recommended Teammates

DragoniteDecent

ScolipedeDecent

Moves

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.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Astonish

—3010015Ghost

Lv 1

Peck

—3510035Flying

Lv 5

Pursuit

D4010020Dark

Lv 11

Haze

A——30Ice

Lv 15

Wing Attack

—6010035Flying

Lv 21

Night Shade

D—10015Ghost

Lv 25

Assurance

C6010010Dark

Lv 31

Taunt

S—10020Dark

Lv 35

Feint Attack

—60—20Dark

Lv 41

Mean Look

———5Normal

Lv 45

Foul Play

A9510015Dark

Lv 50

Tailwind

A——15Flying

Lv 55

Sucker Punch+1

C801005Dark

Lv 61

Torment

——10015Dark

Lv 65

Quash

——10015Dark

TM Moves

TM40

Aerial Ace

C60—20Flying

TM45

Attract

D—10015Normal

TM04

Calm Mind

B——20Psychic

TM100

Confide

———20Normal

TM97

Dark Pulse

C8010015Dark

TM32

Double Team

———15Normal

TM85

Dream Eater

C10010015Psychic

TM63

Embargo

——10015Dark

TM42

Facade

D7010020Normal

HM02

Fly

C909515Flying

TM21

Frustration

D—10020Normal

TM10

Hidden Power

—6010015Normal

TM66

Payback

—5010010Dark

TM17

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TM77

Psych Up

D——10Normal

TM29

Psychic

C9010010Psychic

TM60

Quash

——10015Dark

TM18

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM44

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM67

Retaliate

—701005Normal

TM27

Return

D—10020Normal

TM19

Roost

S——10Flying

TM48

Round

D6010015Normal

TM30

Shadow Ball

C8010015Ghost

TM88

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM95

Snarl

C559515Dark

TM51

Steel Wing

D709025Steel

TM90

Substitute

C——10Normal

TM11

Sunny Day

C——5Fire

TM87

Swagger

——9015Normal

TM12

Taunt

S—10020Dark

TM46

Thief

C6010025Dark

TM73

Thunder Wave

S—10020Electric

TM41

Torment

——10015Dark

TM06

Toxic

A—9010Poison

Egg Moves

Egg

Assurance

C6010010Dark

Egg

Brave Bird

B12010015Flying

Egg

Confuse Ray

D—10010Ghost

Egg

Drill Peck

C8010020Flying

Egg

Feather Dance

——10015Flying

Egg

Feint Attack

—60—20Dark

Egg

Flatter

——10015Dark

Egg

Mirror Move

———20Flying

Egg

Perish Song

C——5Normal

Egg

Psycho Shift

D—10010Psychic

Egg

Roost

S——10Flying

Egg

Screech

——8540Normal

Egg

Sky Attack

B140905Flying

Egg

Whirlwind-6

C——20Normal

Egg

Wing Attack

—6010035Flying

Tutor Moves

Murkrow can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen

Gen 4

Air Cutter

A609525Flying

Gen 4

Captivate

——10020Normal

Gen 4

Defog

C——15Flying

Gen 3

Double-Edge

C12010015Normal

Gen 4

Endure+4

D——10Normal

Gen 3

Mimic

———10Normal

Gen 4

Mud-Slap

D2010010Ground

Gen 4

Natural Gift

D—10015Normal

Gen 4

Ominous Wind

—601005Ghost

Gen 5

Pluck

—6010020Flying

Gen 4

Swift

—60—20Normal

Gen 4

Twister

—4010020Dragon

X & Y Murkrow Locations

4 encounter spots for Murkrow at decent spawn rates starting from mid-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.

Best Locations to Catch Murkrow in X & Y

Before you go hunting for Murkrow, check which of the 4 spots belong to your version. X and Y each have different walking encounters at Lv. 18+.

Route 15

XGrass Lv.18 Route

UncommonMid

Horde battle

Route 15

YGrass Lv.18 Route

UncommonMid

Horde battle

Route 16

XGrass Lv.18 Route

UncommonMid

Horde battle

Route 16

YGrass Lv.18 Route

UncommonMid

Horde battle

Murkrow Guide

In X & Y, 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.
In X & Y, Murkrow's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric), Cloyster (Ice), and Tyranitar (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Fairy-type attackers are also a problem.
In X & Y, 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.
In X & Y, Prankster is the hidden ability. It raises non-damaging moves' priority by one stage. Worth hunting for if you want Murkrow to compete at a higher level.
In X & Y, Murkrow fills the support 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.

Game Availability

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.

Click a game to view version-specific details

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Pikachu Electric	C
Available Move Moves Thunder ShockLv. 1 Damage vs Murkrow Thunder Shock 2x 50-60% View Pikachu builds →
Flabébé Fairy	D
Available Move Moves Fairy WindLv. 6 Damage vs Murkrow Fairy Wind 2x 50-60% View Flabébé builds →
Ralts PsychicFairy	D
Upcoming Move Moves View Ralts builds →
Azurill NormalFairy	D
Upcoming Move Moves View Azurill builds →

Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Murkrow Rock Tomb 2x 67-80% Rock Throw 2x 55-65% Charge Beam 2x 53-63% View Lunatone builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Murkrow Rock Tomb 2x 97-115%KO Rock Throw 2x 80-95% Charge Beam 2x 37-43% View Solrock builds →
Plusle Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 15 Charge BeamTM57 NuzzleLv. 1 Damage vs Murkrow Thunderbolt 2x 127-150%KO Spark 2x 67-80% Charge Beam 2x 75-90% Nuzzle 2x 25-30% View Plusle builds →
Minun Electric	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 15 Charge BeamTM57 NuzzleLv. 1 Damage vs Murkrow Thunderbolt 2x 118-140%KO Spark 2x 58-70% Charge Beam 2x 67-80% Nuzzle 2x 20-25% View Minun builds →
Archen RockFlying	C
Obtain MethodAmbrette Town Gift Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 18 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Damage vs Murkrow Ancient Power 2x 80-95% Rock Tomb 2x 110-130%KO Rock Throw 2x 93-110%KO View Archen builds →

Carbink RockFairy	C
Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 31 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Smack DownLv. 12 Damage vs Murkrow Ancient Power 2x 57-67% Rock Tomb 2x 57-67% Rock Throw 2x 48-57% Smack Down 2x 48-57% View Carbink builds →
Dedenne ElectricFairy	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchLv. 26 Parabolic ChargeLv. 17 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Murkrow Thunderbolt 2x 119-140%KO Volt Switch 2x 93-110%KO Parabolic Charge 2x 88-103%KO Charge Beam 2x 68-80% View Dedenne builds →
Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 25 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Murkrow Rock Slide 2x 76-90% Rock Tomb 2x 62-73% Rock Throw 2x 53-63% Charge Beam 2x 50-60% View Lunatone builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 25 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Murkrow Rock Slide 2x 113-133%KO Rock Tomb 2x 90-107%KO Rock Throw 2x 76-90% Charge Beam 2x 36-42% View Solrock builds →
Emolga ElectricFlying	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 13 Shock WaveLv. 22 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Murkrow Thunderbolt 2x 113-133%KO Spark 2x 81-97% Shock Wave 2x 76-90% Charge Beam 2x 64-77% View Emolga builds →

Carbink RockFairy	C
Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 31 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Smack DownLv. 12 Damage vs Murkrow Ancient Power 2x 57-67% Rock Tomb 2x 57-67% Rock Throw 2x 48-57% Smack Down 2x 48-57% View Carbink builds →
Dedenne ElectricFairy	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchLv. 26 Parabolic ChargeLv. 17 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Murkrow Thunderbolt 2x 119-140%KO Volt Switch 2x 93-110%KO Parabolic Charge 2x 88-103%KO Charge Beam 2x 68-80% View Dedenne builds →
Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 25 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Murkrow Rock Slide 2x 76-90% Rock Tomb 2x 62-73% Rock Throw 2x 53-63% Charge Beam 2x 50-60% View Lunatone builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 25 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Murkrow Rock Slide 2x 113-133%KO Rock Tomb 2x 90-107%KO Rock Throw 2x 76-90% Charge Beam 2x 36-42% View Solrock builds →
Emolga ElectricFlying	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 13 Shock WaveLv. 22 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Murkrow Thunderbolt 2x 113-133%KO Spark 2x 81-97% Shock Wave 2x 76-90% Charge Beam 2x 64-77% View Emolga builds →

Carbink RockFairy	C
Available Moves Moves Ancient PowerLv. 31 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Smack DownLv. 12 Damage vs Murkrow Ancient Power 2x 57-67% Rock Tomb 2x 57-67% Rock Throw 2x 48-57% Smack Down 2x 48-57% View Carbink builds →
Dedenne ElectricFairy	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 Volt SwitchLv. 26 Parabolic ChargeLv. 17 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Murkrow Thunderbolt 2x 119-140%KO Volt Switch 2x 93-110%KO Parabolic Charge 2x 88-103%KO Charge Beam 2x 68-80% View Dedenne builds →
Lunatone RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 25 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Murkrow Rock Slide 2x 76-90% Rock Tomb 2x 62-73% Rock Throw 2x 53-63% Charge Beam 2x 50-60% View Lunatone builds →
Solrock RockPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Rock SlideLv. 25 Rock TombTM39 Rock ThrowLv. 5 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Murkrow Rock Slide 2x 113-133%KO Rock Tomb 2x 90-107%KO Rock Throw 2x 76-90% Charge Beam 2x 36-42% View Solrock builds →
Emolga ElectricFlying	C
Available Moves Moves ThunderboltTM24 SparkLv. 13 Shock WaveLv. 22 Charge BeamTM57 Damage vs Murkrow Thunderbolt 2x 113-133%KO Spark 2x 81-97% Shock Wave 2x 76-90% Charge Beam 2x 64-77% View Emolga builds →