Is Starmie Good in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Playthrough?
Speed and Sp. Atk that rival anything in the Sinnoh roster. Water/Psychic handles Roark, Maylene, Flint, and Bertha without breaking a sweat. Reusable TMs for Thunderbolt, Ice Beam, and Psychic make Starmie a one-Pokemon answer to most of the game. Top-tier Underground pickup.
Staryu resists most of Roark's coverage and hits back hard.
Gardenia's team hits Staryu's weaknesses hard.
Staryu trades roughly evenly with Maylene's team.
Crasher Wake's typing presses Staryu's defenses.
Staryu trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.
Staryu has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.
Staryu trades roughly evenly with Candice's team.
Volkner's team hits Staryu's weaknesses hard.
Starmie has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.
Starmie has the type edge here and should clean up Bertha's team.
Starmie has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.
Starmie trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.
Starmie trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.
Catch Staryu on Canalave City (Super Rod fishing, Lv 20-40, uncommon).
You can pick up the Water Stone in Route 213.
How to Get Starmie in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
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 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
 Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Kricketune builds →X-Scissor 2x73-87% Absorb 2x13-18% | ||
 Budew GrassPoison | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Budew builds →Energy Ball 2x56-67% Shadow Ball 2x33-40% | ||
 Surskit BugWater | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Surskit builds →Shadow Ball 2x33-40% Giga Drain 2x33-40% Thief 2x22-27% | ||
 Shinx Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Shinx builds →Volt Switch 2x38-47% Bite 2x29-36% | ||
 Beautifly Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Beautifly builds →Bug Buzz 2x96-115%KO Energy Ball 2x64-77% Shadow Ball 2x57-68% Thief 2x36-43% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Kricketune builds →X-Scissor 2x74-89% Absorb 2x13-17% | ||
 Pachirisu Electric | C | |
 Electrike Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Electrike builds →Thunderbolt 2x70-83% Snarl 2x32-38% | ||
 Luxio Electric | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Luxio builds →Thunderbolt 2x70-83% Bite 2x38-47% | ||
 Masquerain Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Masquerain builds →Bug Buzz 2x89-106%KO Solar Beam 2x80-94% Shadow Ball 2x53-64% Thief 2x27-33% | ||
 Manectric Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Manectric builds →Thunderbolt 2x93-109%KO Snarl 2x40-47% | ||
 Luxray Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Luxray builds →Thunderbolt 2x86-102%KO Bite 2x47-56% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Kricketune builds →X-Scissor 2x72-85% Absorb 2x12-14% | ||
Beautifly Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Beautifly builds →Bug Buzz 2x89-106%KO Solar Beam 2x80-94% Shadow Ball 2x53-64% Thief 2x32-38% | ||
Masquerain Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Masquerain builds →Bug Buzz 2x89-106%KO Solar Beam 2x80-94% Shadow Ball 2x53-64% Thief 2x27-33% | ||
 Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Absol builds →Night Slash 2x86-102%KO X-Scissor 2x66-78% Shadow Claw 2x58-68% Thunderbolt 2x47-56% | ||
Manectric Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Manectric builds →Thunderbolt 2x93-109%KO Snarl 2x40-47% | ||
Luxray Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Luxray builds →Thunderbolt 2x86-102%KO Bite 2x47-56% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Kricketune builds →X-Scissor 2x72-85% Absorb 2x12-14% | ||
Masquerain Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Masquerain builds →Bug Buzz 2x86-102%KO Solar Beam 2x76-90% Shadow Ball 2x52-62% Thief 2x27-32% | ||
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Absol builds →Night Slash 2x84-99% X-Scissor 2x64-76% Shadow Claw 2x56-66% Thunderbolt 2x47-56% | ||
Manectric Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Manectric builds →Thunderbolt 2x91-108%KO Snarl 2x37-44% | ||
Luxray Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Luxray builds →Thunderbolt 2x84-99% Bite 2x45-54% | ||
Kricketune Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Kricketune builds →X-Scissor 2x68-81% Absorb 2x10-12% | ||
Masquerain Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Masquerain builds →Bug Buzz 2x88-104%KO Solar Beam 2x76-90% Shadow Ball 2x52-62% Thief 2x26-32% | ||
 Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
 Roselia GrassPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Roselia builds →Solar Beam 2x114-135%KO Shadow Ball 2x52-62% | ||
 Skuntank PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Skuntank builds →Sucker Punch 2x64-76% Shadow Claw 2x42-50% | ||
Absol Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Absol builds →Night Slash 2x83-98% X-Scissor 2x64-75% Shadow Claw 2x55-65% Thunderbolt 2x46-54% | ||
 Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Roserade builds →Petal Dance 2x135-159%KO Shadow Ball 2x60-71% | ||
 Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Abomasnow builds →Solar Beam 2x106-125%KO Shadow Ball 2x47-56% | ||
Masquerain Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Masquerain builds →Bug Buzz 2x86-102%KO Solar Beam 2x75-89% Shadow Ball 2x51-61% Thief 2x26-31% | ||
Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Skuntank PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Skuntank builds →Sucker Punch 2x63-76% Shadow Claw 2x43-50% | ||
Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Roserade builds →Petal Dance 2x135-159%KO Shadow Ball 2x60-71% | ||
Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Abomasnow builds →Solar Beam 2x106-125%KO Shadow Ball 2x47-56% | ||
Masquerain Bug | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Masquerain builds →Bug Buzz 2x86-102%KO Solar Beam 2x75-89% Shadow Ball 2x51-61% Thief 2x26-31% | ||
Magnezone ElectricSteel | B | |
Skuntank PoisonDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Skuntank builds →Sucker Punch 2x63-76% Shadow Claw 2x43-50% | ||
 Cacturne GrassDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Cacturne builds →Solar Beam 2x128-151%KO Dark Pulse 2x86-101%KO Pin Missile 2x19-23% | ||
Roserade GrassPoison | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Roserade builds →Petal Dance 2x138-163%KO Shadow Ball 2x62-73% | ||
Abomasnow GrassIce | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Abomasnow builds →Wood Hammer 2x106-125%KO Shadow Ball 2x47-56% | ||
 Vileplume GrassPoison | C | |
 Banette Ghost | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Banette builds →Phantom Force 2x97-115%KO Sucker Punch 2x50-59% Thunderbolt 2x49-58% | ||
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Raikou threatens a KO with Thunderbolt (119-140%). Breloom deals 37-44% with Bullet Seed.
S | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves View Heatran builds →
| ||
 Raikou Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Raikou builds →Thunderbolt 2x119-140%KO Scald18-21% Aura Sphere18-21% | ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Breloom builds →Bullet Seed 2x37-44% Mach Punch15-17% | ||
Starmie Evolutions
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 onlyBDSP Starmie Best Moveset
One of the steepest drops in the game, falling from S-tier as 100 Sp. Atk at 115 Speed behind Water/Psychic TermStab couldn't keep up with modern power levels. AbilityNatural Cure clears status on every switch, and hidden AbilityAnalytic boosts damage when slow. The moveset still hits fast but C-tier reflects how the format outgrew what used to dominate.
Best Build
Starmie best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Psyshock
- Meteor Beam
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
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.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
At the center of its body is a red core that sends mysterious radio signals into the night sky.
Starmie Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Guide
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Natural Cure changes the entire equation for Starmie. The 520 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a sweeper. Scald with Power Herb is the standard set.
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.
In Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, run Scald, Ice Beam, Psyshock, and Meteorbeam on Starmie. Scald is the most common pick at 0% usage. Scald 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