Mixed
Pivot
91Speed · Above Avg

Is Murkrow Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

Dark/Flying in the Sevii Islands postgame. AbilityInsomnia blocks sleep. The offense is decent. Dark coverage would have been useful against Agatha and the Psychic trainers during the story. Timing ruins what could have been a solid addition.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGGESGSEGEEGEEBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8MurkrowCatchableLoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Good

Murkrow has the type edge here and should clean up Brock's team.

You Win
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Even
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Good

Murkrow has the type edge here and should clean up Misty's team.

You Win
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
You Win
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Even

Murkrow trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
Even
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Risky
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Strong

Murkrow resists most of Erika's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
Easy KO
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
Easy KO
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Good

Murkrow has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Strong

Murkrow resists most of Sabrina's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
Easy KO
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
Easy KO
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Even

Murkrow trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.

You Win
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
You Win
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Even
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Risky
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

Murkrow has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.

Even
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Even
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
You Win
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
You Win
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Even
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Even

Murkrow trades roughly evenly with Lorelei's team.

Even
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
You Win
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
Even
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
Risky
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Even

Murkrow trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.

Even
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
You Win
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
You Win
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
Even
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
You Win
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Good

Murkrow has the type edge here and should clean up Agatha's team.

Easy KO
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
You Win
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
Easy KO
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
You Win
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
You Win
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Murkrow trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
Even
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
Even
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
Even
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
Risky
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Even

Murkrow trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.

You Win
Heracross
Lv 72
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornEarthquakeCounterRock Tomb
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 73
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCalm MindReflect
Risky
Tyranitar
Lv 72
RockDark
Sand Stream
CrunchEarthquakeThunderboltAerial Ace
Even
Gyarados
Lv 73
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hydro PumpDragon DanceEarthquakeHyper Beam
Risky
Arcanine
Lv 73
Fire
Intimidate
Extreme SpeedOverheatAerial AceIron Tail
You Win
Venusaur
Lv 75
GrassPoison
Overgrow
Solar BeamSludge BombEarthquakeSunny Day
Catchable
Post-game only
Type
DarkFlying
Tier
C

Catch Murkrow on Lost Cave (walking, Lv 22, rare).

View Murkrow locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Lt. Surge
    • HM02FlyingFly13595%15
  • After Erika
    • TM40FlyingAerial Ace90100%20
    • TM46DarkThief90100%25
    • TM30GhostShadow Ball80100%15
    • LV 35DarkFeint Attack90100%20
  • After Sabrina
    • TUTORPsychicDream Eater100100%15
    • TUTORElectricThunder Wave90%20
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • Post-Game
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20

FireRed & LeafGreen Murkrow Locations

Murkrow is FireRed exclusive, packed into Lost Cave on Six Island. Fourteen encounter rows all in the same cave, walking only, mostly rare with some uncommon spots. One cave, one game, a lot of encounters.

FireRed Exclusive — Trade with LeafGreen for Misdreavus

1 location to catch Murkrow

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 8
Post-Game

Murkrow Weakness

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

Murkrow Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Ice, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Ghost, Dark
0x (Immune)Ground, Psychic
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Murkrow Weak Against

Excellent
3Weak
3Resist
2Immune
Score+3
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None

What is Murkrow Strong Against

5Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+4
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Murkrow

Murkrow Evolutions

Breeding is the whole story for Murkrow. A decent partner pool through one egg group, eggs are average hatch time, and you won't need to evolve anything. It's got 8 egg moves worth looking into. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

No Evolution
Murkrow
#198Murkrow
Does not evolve

Breeding

Very Easy

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.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
8moves
Breed With (best first)
togeticaltariapelipperfarfetchdswabluwingullcrobatpidgeotdodrioxatufearowgolbat

FRLG Murkrow Best Moveset

85 Attack at 91 Speed with Dark/Flying typing that provides Psychic immunity. AbilityInsomnia blocks sleep moves entirely. The moveset fires MoveDrill Peck for Flying TermStab and Dark coverage from the physical side, but 60 HP and 42/42 defenses mean one strong hit ends Murkrow's contribution.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Stallbreaker
Ability
Insomnia
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Murkrow

Murkrow best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Stallbreaker Moveset

  • Thunder Wave
  • Drill PeckSTAB
  • PursuitSTAB
  • TauntUtility

Moves List

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

Lv 1
Peck
D5210035Flying
Lv 9
Astonish
D3010015Ghost
Lv 14
Pursuit
B6010020Dark
Lv 22
Haze
C30Ice
Lv 27
Night Shade
D10015Ghost
Lv 35
Feint Attack
9020Dark
Lv 40
Taunt
A10020Dark
Lv 48
Mean Look
D5Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM40
Aerial Ace
C9020Flying
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM04
Calm Mind
C20Psychic
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
HM02
Fly
C1059515Flying
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM30
Shadow Ball
A8010015Ghost
TM49
Snatch+4
10Dark
TM47
Steel Wing
D709025Steel
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM12
Taunt
A10020Dark
TM46
Thief
C9010025Dark
TM41
Torment
D10015Dark
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Confuse Ray
D10010Ghost
Egg
Drill Peck
B12010020Flying
Egg
Feather Dance
10015Flying
Egg
Mirror Move
20Flying
Egg
Perish Song
C5Normal
Egg
Sky Attack
B210905Flying
Egg
Whirlwind-6
A20Normal
Egg
Wing Attack
9010035Flying

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Dream Eater
10010015Psychic
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Substitute
A10Normal
Tutor
Thunder Wave
B10020Electric

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP60
C
Attack85
C
Defense42
D
Sp. Atk85
C
Sp. Def42
D
Speed91
B
Total405
Details
Catch Rate
Difficult30 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height0.5 m
Weight2.1 kg
Base XP81
Abilities
Insomnia
Prevents sleep.
Super Luck
Raises moves' critical hit rates one stage.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Speed training source
Pokedex Entry

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 FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • Is Murkrow exclusive to FireRed or LeafGreen?

    Murkrow is exclusive to Pokemon FireRed. LeafGreen players have to trade for one.

    Pokemon FireRed cover art

    FireRed exclusive

    Trade with a player who has Pokemon FireRed to obtain Murkrow.

    See the Locations section above for where to find Murkrow in FireRed.

    How to trade in FireRed and LeafGreen

    GBA cartridges: You need a Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable and both players' FireRed/LeafGreen cartridges. Trade at the Cable Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, which opens up shortly after Oak gives you the Pokedex.
    Nintendo Switch (2026 release): Trading uses local wireless only. There is no online play, and no Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required. Both players head to the Pokemon Wireless Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, then step into a Union Room. Up to four other players can join. Available once you have the Pokedex from Professor Oak.
  • Yes. Murkrow is not available during the main story. It can only be obtained after entering the Hall of Fame. Murkrow is found on the Sevii Islands. Sevii Islands 1-3 unlock after defeating Lt. Surge in Vermilion City; Sevii Islands 4-7 unlock after entering the Hall of Fame and showing 60+ species in your Pokedex (talk to Celio on One Island to get the Rainbow Pass).

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.

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