Free switch-ins on Ground and Ghost moves make Noctowl useful in any team that needs that coverage. Only 3 weaknesses keeps it safe in most matchups. Known as the Owl Pokemon. Its damage comes from the special side.
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 extremely soft feathers make no sound in flight. It silently sneaks up on prey without being detected.
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.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
Noctowl is what Hoothoot becomes. Breed it for Hoothoot eggs (quick to hatch). A decent partner pool 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 using 19 partners from the Flying egg group. Notable egg moves include Feint Attack, Mirror Move, Sky Attack and 3 more.
For an attacker, Noctowl wants flexible EVs EVs and Sharpbeak. The a nature nature tilts toward balanced duty, and an ability contributes without taking a move slot.
Best Build
Best Noctowl Moveset
- Confusion
- Steel Wing
- Wing Attack
- Take Down
Recommended Teammates
Egg moves make a real difference. Noctowl gets Feint Attack and Mirror Move exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Psychic and Ground coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Hyper Beam and Sky Attack.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Noctowl's scattered across 16 spots in early-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Where To Catch Noctowl in Crystal
Hoothoot is your first catch on the way to Noctowl. You'll find headbutt and walking encounters from Lv. 2-32 across 60 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch HoothootEFFORTLESSRoute 29GrassLv.2-3CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 1GrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 30GrassLv.3-4CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 2GrassLv.3-5CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 36GrassLv.4-5CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSIlex ForestHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyForestEASYIlex ForestHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyForestEASYLake of RageHeadbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyWaterEFFORTLESSLake of RageHeadbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyWaterEFFORTLESSRoute 29Headbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 29Headbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 30Headbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 30Headbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 31Headbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 31Headbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 32Headbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 32Headbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 34Headbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 34Headbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 35Headbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 35Headbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 36Headbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 36Headbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 37Headbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 37Headbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 38Headbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 38Headbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 39Headbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 39Headbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 43Headbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 43Headbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 25GrassLv.10CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 26Headbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 26Headbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 27Headbutting special treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEASYRoute 27Headbutting treesLv.10CommonEarlyRouteEFFORTLESSNational ParkGrassLv.13-15CommonEarlyFacilityNightEFFORTLESSRoute 5GrassLv.13CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 35GrassLv.14CommonEarlyRouteNightEASYRoute 31GrassLv.5UncommonEarlyRouteNightEASYRoute 34GrassLv.12UncommonEarlyRouteNightEASYRoute 37GrassLv.15UncommonEarlyRouteNightCHALLENGINGIlex ForestGrassLv.7RareEarlyForestNightCHALLENGINGRoute 32GrassLv.7RareEarlyRouteNight- Step 2Noctowl ✓EASYRoute 2GrassLv.7UncommonEarlyRouteNightMODERATEIlex ForestHeadbutting treesLv.10UncommonEarlyForestEASYRoute 25GrassLv.12-14UncommonEarlyRouteNightEASYRoute 5GrassLv.15UncommonEarlyRouteNightCHALLENGINGRoute 35GrassLv.14RareEarlyRouteNightSwarm activeCHALLENGINGRoute 37GrassLv.15RareEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 43GrassLv.16CommonMidRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 8GrassLv.20CommonMidRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 26GrassLv.28-32CommonMidRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 27GrassLv.28-32CommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 38GrassLv.16UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 39GrassLv.16UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 11GrassLv.16UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 13GrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 14GrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 15GrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteNightor 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 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 is a special attacker with 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.
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