The stat budget goes to damage. Speed and Sp. Atk carry the offense, HP doesn't even come close. A Mysterious Pokemon on a slow 1.25M XP grind, worth 2 Speed EVs per KO.
At the center of its body is a red core that sends mysterious radio signals into the night sky.
At the center of its body is a red core that sends mysterious radio signals into the night sky.
Electric, Grass, Bug, Ghost, and Dark moves hit Starmie for super-effective damage. With 6 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. 5 weaknesses means you'll want teammates that can handle the coverage gaps.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass, Bug, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Fighting, Psychic, Steel |
Hippowdon's Earthquake hits Starmie for 52-62%. Simisear deals 36-42% with Flare Blitz.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake52-62% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityBlaze ItemFiriumz NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Simisear builds →Fire Blast23-27% Flare Blitz36-42% | ||
 Camerupt FireGround | C | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolidrock ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Camerupt builds →
| ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityAftermath ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves View Garbodor builds →
| ||
Getting Starmie requires an evolution item, not just grinding levels. The chain starts at Staryu. Breed this form to get Staryu eggs (average hatch time). HP grew the most through evolution (+30 over Staryu), and Starmie peaks at 520 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Starmie is genderless — breed with Ditto to produce Staryu eggs. Part of the Water3 egg group.
Ditto onlyThe build revolves around Flip Turn for safe pivoting. Natural Cure and Starminite support Starmie's hit-and-run approach, with max Attack and Speed EVs making sure each pivot actually threatens. Electric coverage adds versatility.
Best Build
Starmie best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Liquidation
- Thunderbolt
- Rapid Spin
- Flip Turn
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Thunderbolt
- Hydro Pump
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Meteor Beam
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Thunderbolt
- Hydro Pump
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Meteor Beam
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Starmie. TMs unlock Normal and Rock coverage and more and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Hydro Pump and Dream Eater into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Starmie. TMs unlock coverage across 7 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Hydro Pump and Dream Eater into something with actual range.
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Starmie. TMs unlock coverage across 7 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Hydro Pump and Psychic into something with actual range.
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Starmie. TMs unlock Normal and Ice coverage and more and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Dream Eater and Psychic into something with actual range.
No wild encounters for Starmie in Legends: Z-A. Bring Staryu over from Red, Yellow, or Gold, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
You're catching Staryu first, not Starmie. Staryu appears at moderate rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 2-stage line with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Starmie in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Starmie, start by catching Staryu through walking and fishing encounters at Lv. 20-63. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch StaryuCanalave CityBrilliant DiamondSuper Rod Lv.20-40 City5%MidCanalave CityShining PearlSuper Rod Lv.20-40 City5%MidSunyshore CityBrilliant DiamondSuper Rod Lv.20-40 City5%MidSunyshore CityShining PearlSuper Rod Lv.20-40 City5%MidFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameGlacial CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameGlacial CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameIcy CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 IcePostPost-gameIcy CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 IcePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-game
Step 2Starmie ✓
Starmie doesn't appear wild. Catch Staryu instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it through a special method to get Starmie. The 2-stage line is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Starmie in Sword & Shield
To get Starmie, start by catching Staryu through walking encounters at Lv. 10-18. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch StaryuChallenge Beach - BeachShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Water100%EarlyAll WeatherChallenge Beach - BeachSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Water100%EarlyAll WeatherTraining Lowlands - BeachShieldOverworld Lv.13-18100%EarlyAll WeatherTraining Lowlands - BeachSwordOverworld Lv.13-18100%EarlyAll Weather
Step 2Starmie ✓
Finding Starmie at low spawn rates takes patience. 6 spots are available in late-game water routes, but the rate difference between them matters. Lock in the top one from the sorted list below.
Where To Catch Starmie in Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee
Staryu is your first catch on the way to Starmie. You'll find surfing encounters from Lv. 33-42 across 12 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch StaryuRoute 18Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.33-38 Route30%LateRoute 18Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.33-38 Route30%LateRoute 19Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.37-42 Route30%LateRoute 19Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.37-42 Route30%LateRoute 21Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.37-42 Route30%LateRoute 21Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.37-42 Route30%Late
Step 2Starmie ✓Route 18Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.33-38 Route1%LateRoute 18Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.33-38 Route1%LateRoute 19Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.37-42 Route1%LateRoute 19Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.37-42 Route1%LateRoute 21Let's Go PikachuSurfing on water Lv.37-42 Route1%LateRoute 21Let's Go EeveeSurfing on water Lv.37-42 Route1%Lateor evolve from Staryu (Step 1)
Natural Cure changes the entire equation for Starmie. The 520 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked A-Tier as a sweeper.
Natural Cure is what you want on Starmie. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Illuminate, Analytic) work on paper but Natural Cure is what makes Starmie worth using. With base 115 Speed, Natural Cure gives Starmie an edge before opponents can react.
Base 115 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Starmie is a mixed attacker with base 75 Attack and 100 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a sweeper.
Starmie has answers, but so do you. Priority moves (Mach Punch, Aqua Jet, Ice Shard) bypass its speed. Bulky walls that resist its STAB also shut it down.
One of the original 151, Starmie has appeared in 20 games — most mainline games. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves