Noctowl punches above its weight class thanks to Tinted Lens. It makes resisted hits deal full damage, which is enough to make up for stats that don't impress on their own. Ground and Ghost moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively.
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 special. They can pick out objects as long as there is the tiniest amount of light.
If it flips its head upside down, it’s a sign that it is engaged in very complex thinking.
Noctowl Weakness
GoodNoctowl is weak to Electric, Ice, and Rock-type moves. 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.
Noctowl is what Hoothoot becomes. Breed it for Hoothoot eggs (quick to hatch). No compatible 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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Noctowl to get Hoothoot eggs easily from the Flying egg group. Notable egg moves include Agility, Feather Dance, Hurricane and 6 more.
Tintedlens helps Noctowl stick around while dealing real damage. Leftovers for passive recovery each turn, max HP and Sp. Atk EVs for the right balance, and Air Slash as the main threat. Not the fastest, but it doesn't need to be.
Best Build
Best Noctowl Moveset
- Air Slash
- Roost
- Hyper Voice
- Heat Wave
Recommended Teammates
Egg moves make a real difference. Noctowl gets Agility and Feather Dance exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Psychic and Fairy coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Giga Impact and Hyper Beam.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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 Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
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 HoothootMODERATERoute 211 - WestBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.1410%EarlyRouteNightMODERATERoute 211 - WestShining PearlGrassLv.1410%EarlyRouteNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 5Shining PearlGrassLv.20-2220%MidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 5Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.20-2220%MidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 6Shining PearlGrassLv.20-2220%MidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 6Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.20-2220%MidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 3Shining PearlGrassLv.22-2420%MidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 3Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.22-2420%MidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 4Shining PearlGrassLv.22-2420%MidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 4Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.22-2420%MidFacilityNightMODERATEGreat Marsh - Area 1Shining PearlGrassLv.2410%MidFacilityNightMODERATEGreat Marsh - Area 1Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.2410%MidFacilityNightMODERATEGreat Marsh - Area 2Shining PearlGrassLv.2410%MidFacilityNightMODERATEGreat Marsh - Area 2Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.2410%MidFacilityNightMODERATERoute 210 - NorthBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.2410%MidRouteNightMODERATERoute 210 - NorthShining PearlGrassLv.2410%MidRouteNightFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.25-29MidCaveRequires StrengthFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrassLv.25-29MidCaveRequires StrengthGrassland CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.25-29MidCaveRequires StrengthGrassland CaveShining PearlGrassLv.25-29MidCaveRequires StrengthRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrassLv.25-29MidCaveRequires StrengthRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.25-29MidCaveRequires StrengthSpacious CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.25-29MidCaveRequires StrengthSpacious CaveShining PearlGrassLv.25-29MidCaveRequires StrengthStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrassLv.25-29MidCaveRequires StrengthStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.25-29MidCaveRequires StrengthSunlit CavernShining PearlGrassLv.25-29MidCaveRequires StrengthSunlit CavernBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.25-29MidCaveRequires Strength
Step 2Noctowl ✓MODERATERoute 210 - NorthShining PearlGrassLv.2510%MidRouteNightMODERATERoute 210 - NorthBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.2510%MidRouteNightMODERATEGreat Marsh - Area 1Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.2610%MidFacilityNightMODERATEGreat Marsh - Area 1Shining PearlGrassLv.2610%MidFacilityNightMODERATEGreat Marsh - Area 2Shining PearlGrassLv.2610%MidFacilityNightMODERATEGreat Marsh - Area 2Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.2610%MidFacilityNightMODERATERoute 211 - EastShining PearlGrassLv.2810%MidRouteNightMODERATERoute 211 - EastBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.2810%MidRouteNightEASYLake AcuityShining PearlGrassLv.34-3620%LateWaterNightEASYLake AcuityBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.34-3620%LateWaterNightEASYLake ValorShining PearlGrassLv.34-3620%LateWaterNightEASYLake ValorBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.34-3620%LateWaterNightMODERATERoute 216Shining PearlGrassLv.3310%LateRouteNightMODERATERoute 216Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.3310%LateRouteNightMODERATEAcuity LakefrontShining PearlGrassLv.3510%LateWaterNightMODERATEAcuity LakefrontBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.3510%LateWaterNightMODERATERoute 217Shining PearlGrassLv.3510%LateRouteNightMODERATERoute 217Brilliant DiamondGrassLv.3510%LateRouteNightMODERATEMt. Coronet - SummitShining PearlGrassLv.3910%LateCaveNightMODERATEMt. Coronet - SummitBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.3910%LateCaveNightEASYSendoff SpringShining PearlGrassLv.53-5420%PostNightEASYSendoff SpringBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.53-5420%PostNightor evolve from Hoothoot (Step 1)
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 support on our tier list.
Noctowl's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric), Cloyster (Ice), and Aerodactyl (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.
Hoothoot evolves into Noctowl at level 20. Noctowl is the fully evolved form. It sits at 452 BST in its evolved form.
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 leaning toward the special side (base 86 Sp. Atk). Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 70 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. Fits the support role.
Noctowl appears in 17 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Debuting in Gold & Silver, Noctowl appears in 17 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through 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