Noctowl Best Moveset
AbilityTinted Lens doubles the damage of resisted hits, which means Normal/Flying TermStab effectively hits everything for at least neutral. Held ItemHeavy Duty Boots blocks TermEntry Hazards damage. NatureModest at 86 Sp. Atk won't overwhelm anything, but the lack of resistances against the moveset forces switches. 100 HP absorbs hits between turns.
100 HP and 96 Sp. Def in Gen II (Gold & Silver) made Noctowl a solid special wall. 50 Attack and 50 Defense made it nothing else.
Utility Moveset
- Confusion
- Steel Wing
- Wing Attack
- Take Down
Recommended Teammates
Insomnia blocked sleep moves in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire), but the format had other ways to pressure Noctowl. 86 Sp. Atk wasn't enough to punish.
Wall Moveset
- Hypnosis
- Nightmare
- Hidden Power Flying
- Thief
Recommended Teammates
Peaked in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Roost plus the special bulk kept Noctowl alive, and Hypnosis gave it disruption. 50 physical Defense was always one hit from collapse.
Best Moves
Best Build
Noctowl best EVs are HP and Attack
Physical Tank Moveset
- Air Slash
- Roost
- Fly
- Hyper Beam
Recommended Teammates
Dropped in Gen V (Black & White) as faster special attackers outpaced Noctowl's walling. Tinted Lens removed resistances, but 86 Sp. Atk still couldn't threaten.
Wall Moveset
- Toxic
- Whirlwind
- Night Shade
- Magic Coat
Recommended Teammates
Fell further in Gen VI (X & Y). Every generation introduced stronger threats that exposed Noctowl's 50 Defense. Special walling only works if you don't get hit physically.
Wall Moveset
- Roost
- Hyper Voice
- Whirlwind
- Tailwind
Recommended Teammates
Same position in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Night Shade and Roost kept it functional as a stall piece, but functional wasn't competitive. Better walls existed everywhere.
Wall Moveset
- Roost
- Defog
- Moonblast
- Air Slash
Recommended Teammates
No change in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Eight gens of the same split: great special bulk, everything else not enough. The format valued both sides.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Nasty Plot
- Agility
- Recycle
- Air Slash
Recommended Teammates
Eight gens of lopsided stats in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). 96 Sp. Def was good. 50 Defense lost every physical exchange. One side was never enough alone.
Special Tank Moveset
- Hurricane
- Roost
- Haze
- Defog
Recommended Teammates
Noctowl Weakness
Noctowl is weak to Electric, Ice, and Rock. On the flip side, it's immune to Ground and Ghost-type moves entirely. Noctowl's special bulk (base 96 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ice, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground, Ghost |
What is Noctowl Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Noctowl
Jolteon can KO Noctowl with Thunderbolt (100-118%). Terrakion threatens a KO with Stone Edge (140-165%). Lapras deals 41-49% with Thunderbolt.
 Jolteon Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Noctowl View Jolteon builds →Volt Switch 2x78-92% Thunderbolt 2x100-118%KO | ||
 Terrakion RockFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Noctowl View Terrakion builds →Close Combat84-99% Stone Edge 2x140-165%KO | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Noctowl View Lapras builds →Surf31-36% Thunderbolt 2x41-49% | ||
Evolution
Noctowl is what Hoothoot becomes. Breed it for Hoothoot eggs (quick to hatch). Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. The evolution from Hoothoot pushed Noctowl to 452 total stats. Sp.Atk saw the largest single gain at +50. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Noctowl to get Hoothoot eggs easily using 73 partners from the Flying egg group.
How to Get Noctowl
moderate rates for Noctowl across 14 locations in mid-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Noctowl in SV
The path to Noctowl starts with Hoothoot at Lv. 7-60 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch HoothootFellhorn GorgeLv.7-60OverworldNightKitakami HallLv.7-60OverworldNightKitakami WildsLv.7-60OverworldNightMossfell ConfluenceLv.7-60OverworldNightOni MountainLv.7-60OverworldNightParadise BarrensLv.7-60OverworldNightRevelers RoadLv.7-60OverworldNightTimeless WoodsLv.7-60OverworldNightWistful FieldsLv.7-60OverworldNight
Step 2Noctowl ✓Fellhorn GorgeLv.20-60OverworldNightKitakami WildsLv.20-60OverworldNightMossfell ConfluenceLv.20-60OverworldNightOni MountainLv.20-60OverworldNightParadise BarrensLv.20-60OverworldNightTimeless WoodsLv.20-60OverworldNightWistful FieldsLv.20-60OverworldNightor evolve from Hoothoot (Step 1)
A solid number of locations for Noctowl with decent spawn rates across mid-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Noctowl in BDSP
To get Noctowl, start by catching Hoothoot through walking encounters at Lv. 14-54. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch HoothootRoute 211 - WestLv.14GrassRate 10%NightGreat Marsh - Area 5Lv.20-22FloorRate 20%NightGreat Marsh - Area 6Lv.20-22FloorRate 20%NightGreat Marsh - Area 3Lv.22-24FloorRate 20%NightGreat Marsh - Area 4Lv.22-24FloorRate 20%NightGreat Marsh - Area 1Lv.24FloorRate 10%NightGreat Marsh - Area 2Lv.24FloorRate 10%NightRoute 210 - NorthLv.24GrassRate 10%NightFountainspring CaveLv.25-29CaveRequires StrengthGrassland CaveLv.25-29CaveRequires StrengthRiverbank CaveLv.25-29CaveRequires StrengthSpacious CaveLv.25-29CaveRequires StrengthStill-Water CavernLv.25-29CaveRequires StrengthSunlit CavernLv.25-29CaveRequires Strength
Step 2Noctowl ✓Route 210 - NorthLv.25GrassRate 10%NightGreat Marsh - Area 1Lv.26FloorRate 10%NightGreat Marsh - Area 2Lv.26FloorRate 10%NightRoute 211 - EastLv.28GrassRate 10%NightLake AcuityLv.34-36GrassRate 20%NightLake ValorLv.34-36GrassRate 20%NightRoute 216Lv.33GrassRate 10%NightAcuity LakefrontLv.35GrassRate 10%NightRoute 217Lv.35GrassRate 10%NightMt. Coronet - SummitLv.39CaveRate 10%NightSendoff SpringLv.53-54GrassRate 20%Nightor evolve from Hoothoot (Step 1)
Plenty of locations for Noctowl with high spawn rates across mid-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Noctowl in SwSh
To get Noctowl, start by catching Hoothoot through walking encounters at Lv. 2-30. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch HoothootDappled GroveLv.13-15OverworldRate 28%OvercastDappled GroveLv.13-15OverworldRate 25%Normal WeatherSlumbering WealdLv.2-3GrassRate 15%All WeatherDappled GroveLv.13-15OverworldRate 10%SandstormDappled GroveLv.13-15OverworldRate 10%Heavy FogDappled GroveLv.13-15OverworldRate 10%SnowingRoute 1Lv.2-5GrassRate 5%All WeatherRoute 2Lv.4-6GrassRate 5%All WeatherGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 10%SandstormGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 10%Normal WeatherGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 10%RainingGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 5%OvercastGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 5%ThunderstormGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 5%Intense SunGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 5%Heavy FogGiant's Cap - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 5%Snowing
Step 2Noctowl ✓Motostoke OutskirtsLv.22-26OverworldSwordRate 40%All WeatherGiant's CapLv.28-30OverworldRate 40%Normal WeatherMotostoke OutskirtsLv.22-26OverworldShieldRate 35%All WeatherMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28GrassRate 30%Normal WeatherMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28GrassRate 20%OvercastMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28GrassRate 20%SandstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28GrassRate 10%SnowingMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28GrassRate 10%Intense SunMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28GrassRate 10%Heavy FogGiant's CapLv.28-30OverworldRate 10%RainingGiant's CapLv.28-30OverworldRate 10%SandstormGiant's CapLv.28-30OverworldRate 10%Heavy FogGiant's CapLv.28-30OverworldRate 5%OvercastGiant's CapLv.28-30OverworldRate 5%ThunderstormGiant's CapLv.28-30OverworldRate 5%Intense SunGiant's CapLv.28-30OverworldRate 5%Snowingor evolve from Hoothoot (Step 1)
6 encounter spots for Noctowl at moderate rates starting from mid-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Noctowl in USUM
To get Noctowl, start by catching Hoothoot through walking and gift encounters at Lv. 19-55. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch HoothootLush Jungle - NorthLv.19-22GrassRate 20%NightLush Jungle - SouthLv.19-22GrassRate 20%NightLush Jungle - WestLv.19-22GrassRate 20%NightPoké Pelago - Ula'ula Island reachedLv.21-27Gift from NPCPoké Pelago - Poni Island reachedLv.37-43Gift from NPCPoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedLv.49-55Gift from NPC
Step 2Noctowl ✓Lush Jungle - NorthLv.19-22GrassNightSOS from HoothootLush Jungle - SouthLv.19-22GrassNightSOS from HoothootLush Jungle - WestLv.19-22GrassNightSOS from Hoothootor evolve from Hoothoot (Step 1)
Base Stats
Nothing fancy in Noctowl's spread. It leans special with HP out front. And you'll get 2 HP EVs per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Its eyes are specially developed to enable it to see clearly even in murky darkness and minimal light.
Noctowl Guide
Noctowl looks average on paper at 452 BST. But Tinted Lens is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier on our tier list.
Noctowl's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric), Cloyster (Ice), and Aerodactyl (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.
Noctowl gets Tinted Lens, Insomnia, and Keen Eye. But Tinted Lens is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Noctowl is a special attacker with base 86 Sp. Atk. Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.
The core moveset is Hurricane, Roost, Haze, and Defog. Hurricane leads at 0% usage. Hurricane provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
Debuting in Gold & Silver, Noctowl appears in 17 games across 9 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through wild encounters.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves