Stats & Training
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.
People in ancient times imagined that STARMIE were transformed from the reflections of stars that twinkled on gentle waves at night.
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 |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
In Emerald, Cloyster's Explosion hits Starmie for 67-79%. Primeape's Earthquake hits Starmie for 41-49%. Ninetales deals 37-44% with Overheat.
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityShellarmor ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Cloyster builds →Explosion67-79% Surf19-22% Rapid Spin14-16% | ||
Primeape Fighting | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityVitalspirit ItemScopelens NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Primeape builds →Rock Slide31-37% Earthquake41-49% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemLeftovers NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Ninetales builds →Flamethrower26-31% Overheat37-44% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPoison Point ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake57-67% Superpower23-27% Sludge Bomb51-60% Shadow Ball 2x61-72% | ||
Gligar Ground | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityHypercutter ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Starmie View Gligar builds →Earthquake50-59% Rock Slide25-30% | ||
Emerald 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.
Emerald Starmie Best Moveset
This build takes hits and hits back. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn, Natural Cure supports the gameplan, and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs mean Starmie doesn't crumble to chip damage. Plus Electric coverage backing it up.
Best Build
Starmie best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Starmie. TMs unlock Normal and Ice coverage 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
Reminder Moves
How to Get Starmie in Emerald
You're catching Staryu first, not Starmie. Staryu appears at decent 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 Emerald
Step 1Catch StaryuLilycove CitySuper Rod Lv.25-30 City15%Mid
Step 2Starmie ✓
Starmie Guide
In Emerald, Natural Cure changes the entire equation for Starmie. The 520 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked A-Tier as a sweeper. Rapid Spin with Leftovers 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 special attacker with base 100 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a sweeper.
For Emerald, 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.
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 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