Utility
Support
452Average
70Moderate
CTier

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.

Base Stats
452Above
HP100
B
Attack50
D
Defense50
D
Sp. Atk86
C
Sp. Def96
B
Speed70
C
Total452
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Noctowl yields +2 HP
HP+2AtkDefSpASpDSpe
Details
Catch90Challenging•Medium Fast1M XP•1.6m / 5'03"•40.8kg / 89.9 lbs•158Base XP
Pokedex Entries

Its eyes are specially adapted. They concentrate even faint light and enable it to see in the dark.

Heart Gold

When it needs to think, it rotates its head 180 degrees to sharpen its intellectual power.

Soul Silver

Noctowl Weakness

Good

Noctowl 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.

Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
ElectricIceRock
½xResisti
GrassBug
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
GroundGhost
STAB (3)i
GrassFightingBug
3Weak
2Resist
2Immune
Scorei+2
Stealth Rock25% on switch
Abilities
InsomniaPrevents sleep.
Keen EyePrevents accuracy from being lowered.
Tinted LensHADoubles damage inflicted with not-very-effective moves.

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

2 Forms
Hoothoot
#163Hoothoot
20
Level 20
Noctowl
#164Noctowl
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Hoothoot
NormalFlying
Noctowl
NormalFlying
HP
60
100+40
ATK
30
50+20
DEF
30
50+20
SP.ATK
36
86+50
SP.DEF
56
96+40
SPE
50
70+20
BST
262D-Tier
452C-Tier+190
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Special
Breeding
Very Easy

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.

Egg Groups
Flying
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
15 cycles·3,855 steps
Quick~4 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
9moves
Breed With (best first)
togekisstogeticaltariapelipperfarfetchdswabluwingullcrobathonchkrowstaraptorpidgeotdodrio
12 of 31·

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

Physical Tank
Ability
Insomnia
Item
Sitrus BerryRECOVERY
Nature
Hardy
EVs

Best Noctowl Moveset

  • Air SlashSTAB
  • RoostRecovery
  • FlySTAB
  • Hyper BeamSTAB

Recommended Teammates

Meganium
MeganiumDecent
Scizor
ScizorDecent
Quagsire
QuagsireDecent

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. Coverage across 8 types rounds out the picture alongside Giga Impact and Hyper Beam.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Foresight
——40Normal
Lv 1
Growl
—10040Normal
Lv 1
Hypnosis
—7020Psychic
Lv 1
Sky Attack
140905Flying
Lv 1
Tackle
3510035Normal
Lv 5
Hypnosis
—7020Psychic
Lv 9
Peck
3510035Flying
Lv 13
Uproar
9010010Normal
Lv 17
Reflect
——20Psychic
Lv 22
Confusion
5010025Psychic
Lv 27
Take Down
908520Normal
Lv 32
Air Slash
759520Flying
Lv 37
Zen Headbutt
809015Psychic
Lv 42
Extrasensory
8010030Psychic
Lv 47
Psycho Shift
—10010Psychic
Lv 52
Roost
——10Flying
Lv 57
Dream Eater
10010015Psychic

TM Moves

Src
TM40
Aerial Ace
60—20Flying
TM45
Attract
—10015Normal
TM78
Captivate
—10020Normal
TM32
Double Team
——15Normal
TM85
Dream Eater
10010015Psychic
TM58
Endure+4
——10Normal
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
HM02
Fly
909515Flying
TM21
Frustration
—10020Normal
TM68
Giga Impact
150905Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM83
Natural Gift
—10015Normal
TM88
Pluck
6010020Flying
TM17
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM77
Psych Up
——10Normal
TM29
Psychic
9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM67
Recycle
——10Normal
TM33
Reflect
——20Psychic
TM44
Rest
——10Psychic
TM27
Return
—10020Normal
TM51
Roost
——10Flying
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM30
Shadow Ball
8010015Ghost
TM62
Silver Wind
601005Bug
TM82
Sleep Talk
——10Normal
TM47
Steel Wing
709025Steel
TM90
Substitute
——10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
——5Fire
TM87
Swagger
—9015Normal
TM46
Thief
6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Agility
——30Psychic
Egg
Feather Dance
—10015Flying
Egg
Feint Attack
60—20Dark
Egg
Mirror Move
——20Flying
Egg
Night Shade
—10015Ghost
Egg
Sky Attack
140905Flying
Egg
Supersonic
—5520Normal
Egg
Whirlwind-6
——20Normal
Egg
Wing Attack
6010035Flying

Tutor Moves

Src
Tutor
Air Cutter
559525Flying
Tutor
Heat Wave
1009010Fire
Tutor
Magic Coat+4
——15Psychic
Tutor
Mud-Slap
2010010Ground
Tutor
Ominous Wind
601005Ghost
Tutor
Sky Attack
140905Flying
Tutor
Swift
60—20Normal
Tutor
Tailwind
——15Flying
Tutor
Twister
4010020Dragon
Tutor
Uproar
9010010Normal
Tutor
Zen Headbutt
809015Psychic

Transfer Moves

Src
Gen 3
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
——10Normal
Gen 3
Snore
4010015Normal

Noctowl is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 22 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.

Where To Catch Noctowl in HeartGold & SoulSilver

The path to Noctowl starts with Hoothoot at Lv. 2-35 via headbutt and walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Hoothoot
    Step 1Catch Hoothoot
    Route 29
    HeartGoldGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 29
    SoulSilverGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 1
    SoulSilverGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 1
    HeartGoldGrassLv.2-4CommonEarlyRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 30
    SoulSilverGrassLv.3-4CommonEarlyRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 2 - North
    SoulSilverGrassLv.3-5CommonEarlyRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 2 - North
    HeartGoldGrassLv.3-5CommonEarlyRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 2 - South
    SoulSilverGrassLv.3-5CommonEarlyRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 2 - South
    HeartGoldGrassLv.3-5CommonEarlyRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Viridian Forest
    SoulSilverGrassLv.3-5CommonEarlyForestNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Viridian Forest
    HeartGoldGrassLv.3-5CommonEarlyForestNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 30
    HeartGoldGrassLv.4CommonEarlyRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 31
    SoulSilverGrassLv.4-5CommonEarlyRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    National Park
    SoulSilverGrassLv.10-14CommonEarlyFacilityNight
    EFFORTLESS
    National Park
    HeartGoldGrassLv.10-14CommonEarlyFacilityNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 36
    SoulSilverGrassLv.13-15CommonEarlyRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 36
    HeartGoldGrassLv.13-15CommonEarlyRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 37
    SoulSilverGrassLv.13-15CommonEarlyRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Safari Zone Gate
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.15-18CommonEarlyFacility
    EASY
    Safari Zone Gate
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.15-18CommonEarlyFacility
    EASY
    Route 31
    HeartGoldGrassLv.5UncommonEarlyRouteNight
    EASY
    Route 37
    HeartGoldGrassLv.15UncommonEarlyRouteNight
    EASY
    Route 35
    SoulSilverGrassLv.14RareEarlyRouteNight
    CHALLENGING
    Route 35
    HeartGoldGrassLv.14RareEarlyRouteNight
    CHALLENGING
    Cherrygrove City
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyCity
    LEGENDARY
    Cherrygrove City
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyCity
    LEGENDARY
    Ilex Forest
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyForest
    LEGENDARY
    Ilex Forest
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyForest
    LEGENDARY
    Lake of Rage
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyWater
    LEGENDARY
    Lake of Rage
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyWater
    LEGENDARY
    National Park
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyFacility
    LEGENDARY
    National Park
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyFacility
    LEGENDARY
    New Bark Town
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyCity
    LEGENDARY
    New Bark Town
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyCity
    LEGENDARY
    Route 29
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 29
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 30
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 30
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 31
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 31
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 32
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 32
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 34
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 34
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 35
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 35
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 36
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 36
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 37
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 37
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 38
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 38
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 39
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 39
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 43
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 43
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 47
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 47
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 48
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 48
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Violet City
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyCity
    LEGENDARY
    Violet City
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyCity
    LEGENDARY
    Cerulean City
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyCity
    LEGENDARY
    Cerulean City
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyCity
    LEGENDARY
    Pallet Town
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyCity
    LEGENDARY
    Pallet Town
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyCity
    LEGENDARY
    Pewter City
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyCity
    LEGENDARY
    Pewter City
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyCity
    LEGENDARY
    Route 1
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 1
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 2 - North
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 2 - North
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 2 - South
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 2 - South
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 22
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 22
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 25
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 25
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 3
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 3
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 5
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 5
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 6
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 6
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 8
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 8
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Viridian City
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyCity
    LEGENDARY
    Viridian City
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyCity
    LEGENDARY
    Viridian Forest
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyForest
    LEGENDARY
    Viridian Forest
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.2-19LimitedEarlyForest
    LEGENDARY
    Fuchsia City
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidCity
    LEGENDARY
    Fuchsia City
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidCity
    LEGENDARY
    Route 12
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 12
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 13
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 13
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 14
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 14
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 15
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 15
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 18
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 18
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 21
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 21
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 26
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 26
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 27
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidRoute
    LEGENDARY
    Route 27
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.21-34LimitedMidRoute
    LEGENDARY
  2. Noctowl
    Step 2Noctowl ✓
    Route 2 - North
    SoulSilverGrassLv.7UncommonEarlyRouteNight
    EASY
    Route 2 - North
    HeartGoldGrassLv.7-10UncommonEarlyRouteNight
    EASY
    Route 2 - South
    SoulSilverGrassLv.7UncommonEarlyRouteNight
    EASY
    Route 2 - South
    HeartGoldGrassLv.7-10UncommonEarlyRouteNight
    EASY
    Viridian Forest
    SoulSilverGrassLv.7UncommonEarlyForestNight
    EASY
    Viridian Forest
    HeartGoldGrassLv.7UncommonEarlyForestNight
    EASY
    Viridian Forest
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.5-7LimitedEarlyForest
    LEGENDARY
    Viridian Forest
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.5-7LimitedEarlyForest
    LEGENDARY
    Ilex Forest
    SoulSilverHeadbutting treesLv.6-8LimitedEarlyForest
    LEGENDARY
    Ilex Forest
    HeartGoldHeadbutting treesLv.6-8LimitedEarlyForest
    LEGENDARY
    Route 8
    HeartGoldGrassLv.17-18CommonMidRouteNight
    EFFORTLESS
    Route 43
    SoulSilverGrassLv.17UncommonMidRouteNight
    EASY
    Route 43
    HeartGoldGrassLv.17UncommonMidRouteNight
    EASY
    Route 8
    SoulSilverGrassLv.18UncommonMidRouteNight
    EASY
    Route 13
    SoulSilverGrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteNight
    EASY
    Route 13
    HeartGoldGrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteNight
    EASY
    Route 14
    HeartGoldGrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteNight
    EASY
    Route 14
    SoulSilverGrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteNight
    EASY
    Route 15
    SoulSilverGrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteNight
    EASY
    Route 15
    HeartGoldGrassLv.25UncommonMidRouteNight
    EASY
    Route 47
    SoulSilverGrassLv.35UncommonLateRouteNight
    EASY
    Route 47
    HeartGoldGrassLv.35UncommonLateRouteNight
    EASY
    or 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.