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.
It unfailingly catches prey in darkness. NOCTOWL owe their success to superior vision that allows them to see in minimal light, and to their supple and silent wings.
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
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 25 partners from the Flying egg group. Notable egg moves include Feather Dance, Feint Attack, Mirror Move and 4 more.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 3.
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Egg moves make a real difference. Noctowl gets Feather Dance and Feint Attack exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Psychic and Ghost coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Hyper Beam and Sky Attack.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
You're catching Hoothoot first, not Noctowl. Hoothoot appears at moderate rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 2-stage line with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Noctowl in Emerald
Step 1Catch HoothootCHALLENGINGSafari Zone - North ExtensionGrassLv.35RareLateFacilityCHALLENGINGSafari Zone - South ExtensionGrassLv.35RareLateFacility
Step 2Noctowl ✓
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 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