Staryu Best Moveset
A reliable Water attacker at 70 Sp. Atk and 85 Speed, landing moves on fast-enough cooldowns. 30 HP limits survivability but the pace compensates. The moveset is one evolution from Mega Starmie's dual 140/130 offensive profile and 120 Speed.
Water pre-evolution with 100 Speed in Gen I (Red & Blue). 70 Special was decent. Natural Cure later. Starmie was always the pick.
Best Moves
Best Build
Support Moveset
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Thunder Wave
- Recover
Recommended Teammates
Borderline at the lowest level in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Rapid Spin removed hazards. The pre-evolution that offered utility before its evolution arrived.
Utility Moveset
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Recover
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
Staryu saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). Staryu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Natural Cure with Focusband, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Recover
- Thunderbolt
- Psychic
- Hydro Pump
Recommended Teammates
Staryu saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Staryu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Natural Cure with Leftovers, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
Recommended Teammates
Staryu saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Staryu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Natural Cure with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Scald
- Recover
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Staryu saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Staryu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Illuminate with Damprock, favoring a Timid nature.
Support Moveset
- Thunder
- Rain Dance
- Recover
- Rapid Spin
Recommended Teammates
Staryu saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Staryu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Natural Cure with Eviolite, favoring a Bold nature.
Wall Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Scald
- Recover
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Staryu saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Staryu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Natural Cure with Eviolite, favoring a Modest nature.
Wall Moveset
- Rapid Spin
- Recover
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
Staryu Weakness
Staryu is weak to Electric and Grass. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Grass |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Steel |
What is Staryu Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Staryu
Jolteon can KO Staryu with Thunderbolt (315-372%). Venusaur threatens a KO with Giga Drain (216-254%).
 Jolteon Electric | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityVoltabsorb ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Staryu View Jolteon builds →Volt Switch 2x246-290%KO Thunderbolt 2x315-372%KO Shadow Ball94-110%KO | ||
 Venusaur GrassPoison | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityChlorophyll ItemLife Orb NatureNaive Moves
Damage vs Staryu View Venusaur builds →Giga Drain 2x216-254%KO Sludge Bomb128-151%KO | ||
Evolution
Evolving Staryu into Starmie takes an evolution item. It's not a simple level-up, so check the chain details below. Evolving adds up to 180 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Staryu is genderless and can only breed with Ditto. Part of the Water3 egg group.
Ditto onlyHow to Get Staryu
moderate rates for Staryu across 3 locations in early-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Staryu in LZA
The path to Staryu starts with Staryu at Lv. 5-64 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
- Step 1Staryu ✓Wild Zone 2Lv.5-7OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 2Lv.30-32OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 10Lv.31-33OverworldLegends: Z-A
Step 2Catch or Evolve into StarmieWild Zone 16Lv.41-43OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 20Lv.63-64OverworldLegends: Z-Aor evolve from Staryu (Step 1)
Staryu appears at moderate rates across 14 spots in mid-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 Staryu in BDSP
Staryu is your first catch on the way to Staryu. You'll find walking and fishing encounters from Lv. 20-63 across 14 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Staryu ✓Canalave 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 2Evolve into Starmie
Staryu's scattered across 4 spots in early-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Where To Catch Staryu in SwSh
To get Staryu, start by catching Staryu through walking encounters at Lv. 10-18. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Staryu ✓Challenge Beach - BeachLv.10-15OverworldRate 100%All WeatherTraining Lowlands - BeachLv.13-18OverworldRate 100%All Weather
Step 2Evolve into StarmieBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Starmie egg.
A handful of locations for Staryu with high spawn rates across late-game water routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Staryu in LGPE
To get Staryu, start by catching Staryu through surfing encounters at Lv. 33-42. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Staryu ✓Route 18Lv.33-38Surfing on waterRate 30%Route 19Lv.37-42Surfing on waterRate 30%Route 21Lv.37-42Surfing on waterRate 30%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into StarmieRoute 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
Staryu's spread isn't flashy. Speed leads, HP trails, 1 stats clear the bar. Easy to catch and worth 1 Speed EV, on a slow 1.25M XP grind.
If you visit a beach at the end of summer, you’ll be able to see groups of Staryu lighting up in a steady rhythm.
Staryu Guide
Staryu does the job early-game if you need a Water type on your team. Evolve it into Starmie before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Staryu has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
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