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 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.
Noctowl is what Hoothoot becomes. Breed it for Hoothoot eggs (quick to hatch). No compatible partners 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 from the Flying egg group. Notable egg moves include Agility, Defog, Feather Dance and 7 more.
The special wall spread is where Noctowl earns its spot. Silkscarf for extra utility, Calm nature for the right lean, and Roost handles sustain. Tintedlens does the rest without needing a move slot.
Best Build
Best Noctowl Moveset
- Roost
- Hyper Voice
- Whirlwind
- Tailwind
Recommended Teammates
Egg moves make a real difference. Noctowl gets Agility and Defog exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 7 types rounds out the picture alongside Giga Impact and Hyper Beam.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
8 encounter spots for Noctowl at high spawn rates starting from endgame routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Noctowl in X & Y
To get Noctowl, start by catching Hoothoot through walking encounters at Lv. 48-50. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Obtain Hoothoot
Step 2Noctowl ✓EFFORTLESSPokémon VillageXGrassLv.48-50CommonPostPurple flowersEFFORTLESSPokémon VillageYGrassLv.48-50CommonPostPurple flowersEFFORTLESSRoute 20YGrassLv.48-50CommonPostRouteEFFORTLESSRoute 20XGrassLv.48-50CommonPostRouteCHALLENGINGPokémon VillageXGrassLv.50RarePostYellow FlowerCHALLENGINGPokémon VillageYGrassLv.50RarePostYellow FlowerCHALLENGINGRoute 20YGrassLv.50RarePostRouteRed FlowerCHALLENGINGRoute 20XGrassLv.50RarePostRouteRed Floweror 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.
- 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