What does Staryu evolve into?

Staryu evolves into Starmie using a Water Stone. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 340 BST.

In Sword & Shield, 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.

Where can you catch Staryu?

Staryu is catchable in Sword & Shield. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 19 other games across the series.

What games is Staryu in?

Staryu is available in Sword & Shield. Across the full series, it appears in 20 games total.

Staryu - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Special

Balanced

DTier

85Speed · Above Avg

Stats & Training

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.

Base Stats

Avg

HP30

Attack45

Defense55

Sp. Atk70

Sp. Def55

Speed85

Total340

Details

Catch Rate

Easy225 / 255

Growth Rate

Slow1.25M XP

Height0.8 m

Weight34.5 kg

Base XP68

Abilities

Illuminate

Doubles the wild encounter rate.

Natural CureTop Pick

Cures any major status ailment upon switching out.

AnalyticHA

Strengthens moves to 1.3× their power when moving last.

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1

Speed training source

Pokedex Entries

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 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.

Staryu Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)	Fire, Water, Ice, Steel

Type ChartGood

2Weak

4Resist

0Immune

Score0

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Electric Grass

½xResist

Fire Water Ice Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

None

STAB (3)

Fire Ground Rock

How to Beat Staryu in Sword & Shield (Best Counters)

Ferrothorn GrassSteel	A
Available Moves Moves Power WhipLv. 1 Solar BeamTM11 Damage vs Staryu Power Whip 2x 199-235%KO Solar Beam 2x 129-151%KO View Ferrothorn builds →
Dhelmise GhostGrass	B
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 28 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 184-217%KO Giga Drain 2x 116-137%KO Mega Drain 2x 62-74% Absorb 2x 33-39% View Dhelmise builds →
Abomasnow GrassIce	C
Available Moves Moves Wood HammerLv. 43 Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Razor LeafLv. 20 Damage vs Staryu Wood Hammer 2x 194-229%KO Solar Beam 2x 194-229%KO Magical Leaf 2x 98-116%KO Razor Leaf 2x 90-107%KO View Abomasnow builds →
Maractus Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Petal BlizzardLv. 36 Giga DrainLv. 24 Mega DrainLv. 8 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 217-255%KO Petal Blizzard 2x 139-163%KO Giga Drain 2x 136-160%KO Mega Drain 2x 75-89% View Maractus builds →
Eldegoss Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Leaf StormLv. 46 Solar BeamTM11 Leaf TornadoLv. 23 Magical LeafTM10 Damage vs Staryu Leaf Storm 2x 186-220%KO Solar Beam 2x 173-205%KO Leaf Tornado 2x 95-113%KO Magical Leaf 2x 88-104%KO View Eldegoss builds →

Sword & Shield 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

2 Forms

#120Staryu

Water Stone

#121Starmie

Stat Comparison 2 Stages

Staryu

Water

Starmie

WaterPsychic

60+30

ATK

75+30

DEF

85+30

SP.ATK

100+30

SP.DEF

85+30

SPE

115+30

BST

340D-Tier

520A-Tier+180

ROLE

Balanced

Sweeper

TYPE

Special

Breeding

Challenging

Staryu is genderless and can only breed with Ditto. Part of the Water3 egg group.

Egg Groups

Water3

Gender

Genderless

Ditto only

Hatch Time

20 cycles·5,140 steps

Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Sword & Shield Staryu Best Moveset

Eviolite turns Staryu into a wall that rivals fully evolved options. Natural Cure and Modest nature stack with max HP and Sp. Def EVs to create a surprisingly tough defensive core. Recover patches up chip damage.

Best Build

Experimental

Wall

Ability

Natural Cure

Item

EvioliteBULK

Best Nature for Staryu

Modest+SPA

Staryu best EVs are HP and Sp. Def

EVs

Def

SpD

Wall Moveset

Rapid Spin
RecoverRecovery
Hydro PumpSTAB
Ice Beam

Recommended Teammates

KoffingExcellent

Moves

TMs define Staryu's movepool. The natural moves cover basics with Hydro Pump and Surf, but the real versatility comes from technical machines giving it coverage across 7 types. That's where the options open up.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1

Harden

———30Normal

Lv 1

Tackle

D4010035Normal

Lv 4

Water Gun

—4010025Water

Lv 8

Confuse Ray

D—10010Ghost

Lv 12

Rapid Spin

S5010040Normal

Lv 16

Minimize

———10Normal

Lv 20

Swift

D60—20Normal

Lv 24

Psybeam

D6510020Psychic

Lv 28

Brine

C6510010Water

Lv 32

Light Screen

C——30Psychic

Lv 36

Power Gem

D8010020Rock

Lv 40

Psychic

C9010010Psychic

Lv 44

Surf

C9010015Water

Lv 48

Recover

S——10Normal

Lv 52

Cosmic Power

D——20Psychic

Lv 56

Hydro Pump

S110805Water

TM Moves

TR06

Blizzard

D110705Ice

TM55

Brine

C6510010Water

TR44

Cosmic Power

D——20Psychic

TR92

Dazzling Gleam

D8010010Fairy

TM45

Dive

D8010010Water

TR26

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM39

Facade

D7010020Normal

TR70

Flash Cannon

D8010010Steel

TR52

Gyro Ball

D—1005Steel

TM35

Hail

C——10Ice

TR03

Hydro Pump

S110805Water

TR05

Ice Beam

S9010010Ice

TM27

Icy Wind

D559515Ice

TM17

Light Screen

C——30Psychic

TR63

Power Gem

D8010020Rock

TM25

Protect+4

C——10Normal

TR11

Psychic

C9010010Psychic

TM33

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM18

Reflect

C——20Psychic

TM21

Rest

C——10Psychic

TM76

Round

D6010015Normal

TR84

Scald

C8010015Water

TR27

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM24

Snore

—5010015Normal

TR20

Substitute

C——10Normal

TR04

Surf

C9010015Water

TM40

Swift

D60—20Normal

TR09

Thunder

D1107010Electric

TM14

Thunder Wave

C—9020Electric

TR08

Thunderbolt

C9010015Electric

TR19

Tri Attack

D8010010Normal

TR16

Waterfall

D8010015Water

TM36

Whirlpool

D358515Water

Egg Moves

Staryu doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Flip Turn

D6010020Water

Sword & Shield Staryu Locations

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.

Best Locations to Catch Staryu in Sword & Shield

Staryu appears in 4 walking locations at Lv. 10-18 across Shield and Sword. Not all encounters show up in every version, so check which ones match your game.

Challenge Beach - Beach

ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Water

100%Early

All Weather

Challenge Beach - Beach

SwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Water

100%Early

All Weather

Training Lowlands - Beach

ShieldOverworld Lv.13-18

100%Early

All Weather

Training Lowlands - Beach

SwordOverworld Lv.13-18

100%Early

All Weather

Staryu Guide

Staryu evolves into Starmie using a Water Stone. One evolution, no branching. Solid jump from 340 BST.
In Sword & Shield, 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.
Staryu is catchable in Sword & Shield. Check the Locations section above for specific routes, encounter rates, and methods. It also appears in 19 other games across the series.
Staryu is available in Sword & Shield. Across the full series, it appears in 20 games total.

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

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Gloom GrassPoison	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 20 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 179-213%KO Giga Drain 2x 117-138%KO Mega Drain 2x 63-75% Absorb 2x 35-44% View Gloom builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Mega DrainLv. 5 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 206-244%KO Magical Leaf 2x 106-125%KO Mega Drain 2x 73-88% Absorb 2x 42-50% View Roselia builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 142-169%KO Mega Drain 2x 52-63% Absorb 2x 31-38% View Lombre builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Razor LeafLv. 1 Mega DrainLv. 18 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 142-169%KO Razor Leaf 2x 79-94% Mega Drain 2x 52-63% Absorb 2x 31-38% View Nuzleaf builds →
Pumpkaboo GhostGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Razor LeafLv. 12 Bullet SeedLv. 20 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 117-138%KO Razor Leaf 2x 73-88% Bullet Seed 2x 35-44% View Pumpkaboo builds →

Gloom GrassPoison	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 20 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 175-207%KO Giga Drain 2x 115-136%KO Mega Drain 2x 64-76% Absorb 2x 36-44% View Gloom builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Mega DrainLv. 5 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 198-235%KO Magical Leaf 2x 102-120%KO Mega Drain 2x 69-82% Absorb 2x 36-44% View Roselia builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 138-164%KO Mega Drain 2x 51-60% Absorb 2x 27-33% View Lombre builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Razor LeafLv. 1 Mega DrainLv. 18 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 138-164%KO Razor Leaf 2x 73-87% Mega Drain 2x 51-60% Absorb 2x 27-33% View Nuzleaf builds →
Pumpkaboo GhostGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Razor LeafLv. 12 Bullet SeedLv. 20 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 111-131%KO Razor Leaf 2x 73-87% Bullet Seed 2x 36-44% View Pumpkaboo builds →

Gloom GrassPoison	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 20 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 170-202%KO Giga Drain 2x 108-128%KO Mega Drain 2x 62-74% Absorb 2x 33-39% View Gloom builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Magical LeafTM10 Mega DrainLv. 5 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 192-226%KO Magical Leaf 2x 100-118%KO Mega Drain 2x 66-79% Absorb 2x 36-44% View Roselia builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 133-157%KO Mega Drain 2x 49-59% Absorb 2x 28-34% View Lombre builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Razor LeafLv. 1 Mega DrainLv. 18 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 133-157%KO Razor Leaf 2x 70-84% Mega Drain 2x 49-59% Absorb 2x 28-34% View Nuzleaf builds →
Pumpkaboo GhostGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Razor LeafLv. 12 Bullet SeedLv. 20 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 108-128%KO Razor Leaf 2x 70-84% Bullet Seed 2x 33-39% View Pumpkaboo builds →

Maractus Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Petal BlizzardLv. 36 Giga DrainLv. 24 Mega DrainLv. 8 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 215-254%KO Petal Blizzard 2x 137-162%KO Giga Drain 2x 137-162%KO Mega Drain 2x 74-88% View Maractus builds →
Eldegoss Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Leaf TornadoLv. 23 Magical LeafTM10 Razor LeafLv. 12 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 169-200%KO Leaf Tornado 2x 94-112%KO Magical Leaf 2x 87-104%KO Razor Leaf 2x 58-69% View Eldegoss builds →
Gloom GrassPoison	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 20 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 179-212%KO Giga Drain 2x 114-135%KO Mega Drain 2x 62-73% Absorb 2x 32-38% View Gloom builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 30 Magical LeafTM10 Mega DrainLv. 5 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 205-242%KO Giga Drain 2x 131-154%KO Magical Leaf 2x 104-123%KO Mega Drain 2x 72-85% View Roselia builds →
Lombre WaterGrass	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 36 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 140-165%KO Giga Drain 2x 87-104%KO Mega Drain 2x 49-58% Absorb 2x 26-31% View Lombre builds →

Maractus Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Petal BlizzardLv. 36 Giga DrainLv. 24 Mega DrainLv. 8 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 217-256%KO Petal Blizzard 2x 139-165%KO Giga Drain 2x 137-161%KO Mega Drain 2x 74-88% View Maractus builds →
Eldegoss Grass	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Leaf TornadoLv. 23 Magical LeafTM10 Razor LeafLv. 12 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 173-205%KO Leaf Tornado 2x 96-113%KO Magical Leaf 2x 89-106%KO Razor Leaf 2x 59-70% View Eldegoss builds →
Shiinotic GrassFairy	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 32 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 189-223%KO Giga Drain 2x 121-143%KO Mega Drain 2x 65-77% Absorb 2x 34-40% View Shiinotic builds →
Gloom GrassPoison	C
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 20 Mega DrainLv. 12 AbsorbLv. 1 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 179-212%KO Giga Drain 2x 115-135%KO Mega Drain 2x 62-73% Absorb 2x 34-40% View Gloom builds →
Roselia GrassPoison	D
Available Moves Moves Solar BeamTM11 Giga DrainLv. 30 Magical LeafTM10 Mega DrainLv. 5 Damage vs Staryu Solar Beam 2x 205-241%KO Giga Drain 2x 130-154%KO Magical Leaf 2x 105-124%KO Mega Drain 2x 71-84% View Roselia builds →