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.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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 31 partners from the Flying egg group. Notable egg moves include Agility, Feather Dance, Feint Attack and 6 more.
For an attacker, Noctowl wants max HP and Attack EVs and Sitrus Berry. The Hardy nature tilts toward balanced duty, and Insomnia contributes without taking a move slot.
Best Build
Best Noctowl Moveset
- Air Slash
- Roost
- Fly
- Hyper Beam
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 Ghost coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Giga Impact and Hyper Beam.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
Noctowl appears at decent spawn rates across 22 spots in mid-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Noctowl in Diamond & Pearl
Hoothoot is your first catch on the way to Noctowl. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 14-54 across 38 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch HoothootEASYRoute 211 - WestDiamondGrassLv.14UncommonEarlyRouteNightEASYRoute 211 - WestPearlGrassLv.14UncommonEarlyRouteNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 5DiamondGrassLv.20-22UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 5PearlGrassLv.20-22UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 6DiamondGrassLv.20-22UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 6PearlGrassLv.20-22UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 3PearlGrassLv.22-24UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 3DiamondGrassLv.22-24UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 4PearlGrassLv.22-24UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 4DiamondGrassLv.22-24UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 1DiamondGrassLv.24UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 1PearlGrassLv.24UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 2DiamondGrassLv.24UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 2PearlGrassLv.24UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYRoute 210 - NorthDiamondGrassLv.24UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 210 - NorthPearlGrassLv.24UncommonMidRouteNight
Step 2Noctowl ✓EASYRoute 210 - NorthPearlGrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 210 - NorthDiamondGrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 1DiamondGrassLv.26UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 1PearlGrassLv.26UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 2PearlGrassLv.26UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 2DiamondGrassLv.26UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYRoute 211 - EastPearlGrassLv.28UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 211 - EastDiamondGrassLv.28UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 216PearlGrassLv.33UncommonLateRouteNightEASYRoute 216DiamondGrassLv.33UncommonLateRouteNightEASYLake AcuityPearlGrassLv.34-36UncommonLateWaterNightEASYLake AcuityDiamondGrassLv.34-36UncommonLateWaterNightEASYLake ValorPearlGrassLv.34-36UncommonLateWaterNightEASYLake ValorDiamondGrassLv.34-36UncommonLateWaterNightEASYAcuity LakefrontPearlGrassLv.35UncommonLateWaterNightEASYAcuity LakefrontDiamondGrassLv.35UncommonLateWaterNightEASYRoute 217PearlGrassLv.35UncommonLateRouteNightEASYRoute 217DiamondGrassLv.35UncommonLateRouteNightEASYMt. Coronet - SummitPearlGrassLv.39UncommonLateCaveNightEASYMt. Coronet - SummitDiamondGrassLv.39UncommonLateCaveNightEASYSendoff SpringPearlGrassLv.53-54UncommonPostNightEASYSendoff SpringDiamondGrassLv.53-54UncommonPostNightor 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 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 mixed attacker — base 50 Attack and 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