Starmie Best Moveset
Mega Starmie reaches 140 Attack and 130 Sp. Atk at 120 Speed, an elite mixed attacker that fires Water and Psychic TermStab from both sides on short cooldowns. 105/105 defensive stats hold up between hits. The moveset picks physical or special per target.
115 Speed and 100 Special made Starmie one of the best Pokemon in Gen I (Red & Blue). Psychic STAB, Recover, Thunder Wave. Fast, powerful, and hard to bring down.
Best Moves
Best Build
Support Moveset
- Recover
- Thunder Wave
- Blizzard
- Psychic
Recommended Teammates
Rapid Spin gave Starmie a hazard removal role on top of its offensive power in Gen II (Gold & Silver). The fastest reliable spinner in the game.
Support Moveset
- Surf
- Recover
- Rapid Spin
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Natural Cure healed status on switch-out in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Combined with Recover and 115 Speed, Starmie was the most self-sufficient offensive pivot available.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
Recommended Teammates
Four gens at the top and still going in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Life Orb boosted its damage while Natural Cure and Recover kept it healthy.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
Five consecutive gens at the highest level. Rapid Spin was still essential in Gen V (Black & White), and Starmie's Speed let it outrun most hazard setters.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
Recommended Teammates
Six straight gens. Analytic boosted damage when opponents switched out in Gen VI (X & Y), and Starmie forced switches constantly. Still one of the best offensive spinners.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Recover
Recommended Teammates
Finally dropped in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Defog replaced Rapid Spin on most teams, and newer Water-types with better coverage moved in.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam
- Scald
- Psyshock
Recommended Teammates
100 Sp. Atk wasn't impressive anymore in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield), and Starmie couldn't compete with modern attackers. Six gens of dominance, then two of decline.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Psyshock
- Meteor Beam
Recommended Teammates
Starmie Weakness
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 |
What is Starmie Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Starmie
Glimmora's Power Gem hits Starmie for 38-45%. Moltres's U-turn hits Starmie for 40-48%. Hippowdon deals 35-41% with Earthquake.
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityToxicdebris ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Glimmora builds →Power Gem38-45% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Moltres builds →Flamethrower17-20% U Turn 2x40-48% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemRocky Helmet NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake35-41% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemDamprock NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Pelipper builds →Hurricane33-39% U Turn 2x26-31% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Nidoking builds →Ice Beam21-25% Flamethrower21-25% | ||
Evolution
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 onlyHow to Get Starmie
Starmie appears at moderate rates across 2 spots in late-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Starmie in LZA
Staryu is your first catch on the way to Starmie. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 5-64 across 5 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch StaryuWild Zone 2Lv.5-7OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 2Lv.30-32OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 10Lv.31-33OverworldLegends: Z-A- Step 2Starmie ✓Wild Zone 16Lv.41-43OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 20Lv.63-64OverworldLegends: Z-Aor evolve from Staryu (Step 1)
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 BDSP
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 CityLv.20-40Super RodRate 5%Sunyshore CityLv.20-40Super RodRate 5%Fountainspring CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameGlacial CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameIcy CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameRiverbank CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameStill-Water CavernLv.58-63CavePost-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 SwSh
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 - BeachLv.10-15OverworldRate 100%All WeatherTraining Lowlands - BeachLv.13-18OverworldRate 100%All Weather
Step 2Starmie ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Starmie egg.
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 LGPE
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 18Lv.33-38Surfing on waterRate 30%Route 19Lv.37-42Surfing on waterRate 30%Route 21Lv.37-42Surfing on waterRate 30%
Step 2Starmie ✓Route 18Lv.33-38Surfing on waterRate 1%Route 19Lv.37-42Surfing on waterRate 1%Route 21Lv.37-42Surfing on waterRate 1%or evolve from Staryu (Step 1)
Base Stats
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.
This Pokémon has an organ known as its core. The organ glows in seven colors when Starmie is unleashing its potent psychic powers.
Starmie Guide
Natural Cure changes the entire equation for Starmie. The 520 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-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.
Run Ice Beam, Hydro Pump, Rapid Spin, and Psychic on Starmie. Ice Beam is the most common pick at 0% usage. Psychic provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
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 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
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