Starly sits at the start of its evolution line — not yet at full power, but that changes fast. Most trainers push through to Staraptor as fast as possible. Been around since Gen 4. Ground and Ghost moves can't touch it, and only 3 types hit it super-effectively.
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.
Because they are weak individually, they form groups. However, they bicker if the group grows too big.
Starly Weakness
GoodStarly is weak to Electric, Ice, and Rock-type moves. On the flip side, it's immune to Ground and Ghost-type moves entirely.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
Starly is the start of a three-stage chain. It evolves into Staravia first, then eventually reaches Staraptor. For breeding, quick to hatch with a decent partner pool via one egg group. Evolving adds up to 240 stat points total.
How to Evolve
Breed Starly easily with 31 breeding partners from the Flying egg group. Pass egg moves like Astonish, Double-Edge, Feather Dance and 4 more to offspring.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Egg moves make a real difference. Starly gets Astonish and Double-Edge exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 7 types rounds out the picture alongside Brave Bird and Double-Edge.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
high spawn rates in early-game routes across 7 locations. Starly's one of the easier catches on the list. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations
7 walking spots from Lv. 2-11 for Starly. Sorted by game progression with rates on each row, so you can compare without scrolling through everything.
Starly isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Staravia to unlock its full potential. At 245 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Starly evolves into Staravia at level 14. Starly is the base form in a 3-stage evolutionary line.
Keen Eye is the go-to ability for Starly. It prevents accuracy from being lowered. Its hidden ability Reckless can work in specific setups.
Starly fills the balanced role. It's a physical attacker with base 55 Attack. At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often. And it's fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Starly appears in 13 games, including Platinum, HeartGold & SoulSilver, and Diamond & Pearl.
Starly first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 13 games across 6 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB

Red & Blue - Gen IIGS

Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS

Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG

FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS

HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDPDebut

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
