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 eyes are specially adapted. They concentrate even faint light and enable it to see in the dark.
When it needs to think, it rotates its head 180 degrees to sharpen its intellectual power.
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, Supersonic and 2 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 Take Down.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Noctowl's scattered across 14 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 Gold & Silver
The path to Noctowl starts with Hoothoot at Lv. 2-25 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch HoothootEFFORTLESSRoute 29GoldGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 29SilverGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 1GoldGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 1SilverGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 31SilverGrassLv.3-5CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 2GoldGrassLv.3-5CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 2SilverGrassLv.3-5CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 30GoldGrassLv.4CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 30SilverGrassLv.4CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSNational ParkSilverGrassLv.10-14CommonEarlyFacilityNightEFFORTLESSNational ParkGoldGrassLv.10-14CommonEarlyFacilityNightEFFORTLESSRoute 36GoldGrassLv.13-15CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 36SilverGrassLv.13-15CommonEarlyRouteNightEFFORTLESSRoute 37SilverGrassLv.13-15CommonEarlyRouteNightEASYRoute 31GoldGrassLv.5UncommonEarlyRouteNightEASYRoute 37GoldGrassLv.15UncommonEarlyRouteNightCHALLENGINGRoute 35GoldGrassLv.14RareEarlyRouteNightCHALLENGINGRoute 35SilverGrassLv.14RareEarlyRouteNight- Step 2Noctowl ✓EASYRoute 2SilverGrassLv.7UncommonEarlyRouteNightEASYRoute 2GoldGrassLv.7UncommonEarlyRouteNightCHALLENGINGRoute 35GoldGrassLv.14RareEarlyRouteNightSwarm activeCHALLENGINGRoute 35SilverGrassLv.14RareEarlyRouteNightSwarm activeEFFORTLESSRoute 8GoldGrassLv.17-19CommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 43GoldGrassLv.17UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 43SilverGrassLv.17UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 8SilverGrassLv.19UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 13GoldGrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 13SilverGrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 14GoldGrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 14SilverGrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 15SilverGrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 15GoldGrassLv.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