Starly Best Moveset
Normal/Flying at 55 Attack and 60 Speed. AbilityReckless boosts recoil moves, but there's nothing to boost at this stat level. The moveset is pre-evolution filler. Evolve through to Staraptor for 120 Attack and Reckless-boosted Close Combat and Brave Bird.
Starly saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). This was Starly's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Keeneye with Focus Sash, favoring a Hardy nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Starly best EVs are Speed
Utility Moveset
- Endeavor
- Quick Attack
Recommended Teammates
Starly was a niche pick at best in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Keeneye with Life Orb, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Tank Moveset
- U Turn
- Quick Attack
- Return
- Brave Bird
Recommended Teammates
Starly was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. Starly maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Keeneye with Focus Sash, favoring a Hasty nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Endeavor
- Quick Attack
- Protect
- Endure
Recommended Teammates
Starly was a niche pick at best in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM), rarely seen in standard play. Starly maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Keeneye with Focus Sash, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Endeavor
- Quick Attack
Starly was a niche pick at best in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A), rarely seen in standard play. Starly maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Keeneye with Focus Sash, favoring a Lonely nature.
Mixed Attacker Moveset
- Endeavor
- Quick Attack
- Protect
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Starly Weakness
Starly is weak to Electric, Ice, and Rock. On the flip side, it's immune to Ground and Ghost-type moves entirely.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ice, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground, Ghost |
What is Starly Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Starly
Jolteon can KO Starly with Thunderbolt (436-513%). Tyranitar threatens a KO with Stone Edge (682-802%). Lapras's Thunderbolt also KOs at 180-212%.
 Jolteon Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Starly View Jolteon builds →Volt Switch 2x339-399%KO Thunderbolt 2x436-513%KO | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Starly View Tyranitar builds →Knock Off222-261%KO Stone Edge 2x682-802%KO | ||
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Starly View Lapras builds →Surf135-159%KO Thunderbolt 2x180-212%KO | ||
Evolution
Starly is the start of a three-stage chain. It evolves into Staravia first, then eventually reaches Staraptor. For breeding, quick to hatch with plenty of partners via one egg group. Evolving adds up to 240 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Starly easily with 73 breeding partners from the Flying egg group.
How to Get Starly
26 encounter spots for Starly at decent spawn rates starting from early-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Starly in SV
To get Starly, start by catching Starly through walking encounters at Lv. 7-60. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Starly ✓South Province (Area Two) - Olive GroveLv.7-18OverworldRate 15%MorningApple HillsLv.7-60OverworldDayFellhorn GorgeLv.7-60OverworldDayKitakami HallLv.7-60OverworldDayKitakami RoadLv.7-60OverworldDayKitakami WildsLv.7-60OverworldDayMossfell ConfluenceLv.7-60OverworldDayOni MountainLv.7-60OverworldDayRevelers RoadLv.7-60OverworldDaySouth Province (Area Four) - GrassLv.7-18OverworldRate 10%MorningSouth Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.7-18OverworldRate 10%MorningWest Province (Area Three) - GrassLv.7-18OverworldRate 10%MorningWest Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.7-18OverworldRate 10%Morning
Step 2Catch or Evolve into StaraviaFellhorn GorgeLv.14-60OverworldDayKitakami WildsLv.14-60OverworldDayMossfell ConfluenceLv.14-60OverworldDayOni MountainLv.14-60OverworldDaySouth Province (Area Four) - GrassLv.22-52OverworldRate 9%MorningSouth Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.22-52OverworldRate 9%MorningWest Province (Area Three) - GrassLv.22-52OverworldRate 9%MorningWest Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.22-52OverworldRate 9%Morningor evolve from Starly (Step 1)
Step 3Catch or Evolve into StaraptorFellhorn GorgeLv.34OverworldDayKitakami WildsLv.34OverworldDayOni MountainLv.34OverworldDayCasseroya Lake - LakeLv.49-53OverworldRate 1%MorningSouth Province (Area Four) - GrassLv.49-53OverworldRate 1%MorningSouth Province (Area Four) - LakeLv.49-53OverworldRate 1%MorningSouth Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.49-53OverworldRate 1%MorningWest Province (Area Three) - GrassLv.49-53OverworldRate 1%MorningWest Province (Area Three) - LakeLv.49-53OverworldRate 1%MorningWest Province (Area Two) - GrassLv.49-53OverworldRate 1%Morningor evolve from Staravia (Step 2)
No wild encounters for Starly in Legends: Z-A. Bring Starly over from Diamond & Pearl, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Starly in LZA
- Step 1Starly ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Route 201. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
- Step 2Evolve into Staravia
- Step 3Evolve into Staraptor
6 encounter spots for Starly at decent spawn rates starting from early-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Starly in PLA
To get Starly, start by catching Starly through walking encounters at Lv. 2-33. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Starly ✓Aspiration HillLv.2-4GrassRate 15%Horseshoe PlainsLv.2-4GrassRate 15%DayTidewater DamLv.9-13GrassRate 15%Windswept RunLv.9-12GrassRate 15%Deadwood HauntLv.10-13GrassRate 15%Ginkgo LandingLv.16-30GrassRate 15%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into StaraviaNature’s PantryLv.14-17GrassRate 15%Tidewater DamLv.14-17GrassRate 15%Sandgem FlatsLv.15-18GrassRate 15%Ramanas IslandLv.30-33GrassRate 15%or evolve from Starly (Step 1)
Step 3Catch or Evolve into StaraptorNature’s PantryLv.6-17GrassRate 15%or evolve from Staravia (Step 2)
Easy grab on Starly with high spawn rates across 44 locations in early-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Where To Catch Starly in BDSP
To get Starly, start by catching Starly through walking encounters at Lv. 2-54. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Starly ✓Lake VerityLv.2-4GrassRate 50%Morning/dayRoute 201Lv.2-3GrassRate 50%Morning/dayRoute 203Lv.4-6GrassRate 45%DayLake VerityLv.2-4GrassRate 40%NightRoute 201Lv.2-3GrassRate 40%NightRoute 202Lv.2-4GrassRate 40%DayRoute 203Lv.4-6GrassRate 35%MorningRoute 204 - SouthLv.4-6GrassRate 35%DayRoute 204 - NorthLv.6-8GrassRate 35%DayRoute 202Lv.2-4GrassRate 30%MorningRoute 203Lv.4-6GrassRate 25%NightRoute 204 - SouthLv.4-6GrassRate 25%Morning/nightRoute 204 - NorthLv.6-8GrassRate 25%Morning/nightRoute 202Lv.2-4GrassRate 20%NightRoute 209Lv.16GrassRate 20%Route 212 - NorthLv.16GrassRate 20%Great Marsh - Area 5Lv.22FloorRate 10%Morning/dayGreat Marsh - Area 6Lv.22FloorRate 10%Morning/dayGreat Marsh - Area 3Lv.24FloorRate 10%Morning/dayGreat Marsh - Area 4Lv.24FloorRate 10%Morning/dayGreat Marsh - Area 1Lv.26FloorRate 10%Morning/dayGreat Marsh - Area 2Lv.26FloorRate 10%Morning/day
Step 2Catch or Evolve into StaraviaTrophy GardenLv.16-17GrassRate 40%DayRoute 209Lv.16-18GrassRate 25%DayRoute 212 - NorthLv.17-18GrassRate 25%DayTrophy GardenLv.17GrassRate 20%Morning/nightRoute 209Lv.17-18GrassRate 15%Morning/nightRoute 212 - NorthLv.17-18GrassRate 15%MorningValor LakefrontLv.21-22GrassRate 15%Morning/dayRoute 212 - NorthLv.18GrassRate 5%NightValor LakefrontLv.22GrassRate 5%NightLake ValorLv.34-36GrassRate 25%Morning/dayLake ValorLv.35GrassRate 5%NightSendoff SpringLv.52-54GrassRate 25%Morning/daySendoff SpringLv.52GrassRate 5%Nightor evolve from Starly (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into Staraptor
Base Stats
Starly's spread isn't flashy. Speed leads, Defense trails, 0 stats clear the bar. Easy to catch and worth 1 Speed EV, on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
They flock around mountains and fields, chasing after bug Pokémon. Their singing is noisy and annoying.
Starly Guide
Starly does the job early-game if you need a Normal/Flying type on your team. Evolve it into Staravia before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Starly first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 13 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves