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 specially developed to enable it to see clearly even in murky darkness and minimal light.
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. Coverage across 8 types rounds out the picture alongside Giga Impact and Hyper Beam.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
decent spawn rates for Noctowl across 9 locations in early-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Noctowl in Platinum
The path to Noctowl starts with Hoothoot at Lv. 12-39 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch HoothootEASYEterna ForestGrassLv.12UncommonEarlyForestNightEASYRoute 205 - NorthGrassLv.12UncommonEarlyRouteNightEASYRoute 210 - SouthGrassLv.20UncommonMidRouteNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 5GrassLv.26-27UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 6GrassLv.26-27UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 3GrassLv.27UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 4GrassLv.27UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYRoute 210 - NorthGrassLv.27UncommonMidRouteNight
Step 2Noctowl ✓EASYRoute 211 - WestGrassLv.15UncommonEarlyRouteNightEASYRoute 210 - SouthGrassLv.21UncommonMidRouteNightEASYRoute 210 - NorthGrassLv.27UncommonMidRouteNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 1GrassLv.28-30UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 2GrassLv.28-30UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 3GrassLv.28UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYGreat Marsh - Area 4GrassLv.28UncommonMidFacilityNightEASYRoute 211 - EastGrassLv.29UncommonMidRouteNightEASYMt. Coronet - SummitGrassLv.39UncommonLateCaveNightor 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