Staryu is a fishing catch in Sinnoh's waters in Platinum. Natural Cure heals status, and S-Tier Starmie with Rapid Spin is one of the best Water-types in competitive.
Ability 1IlluminateAbility 1Doubles the wild encounter rate.Ability 2Natural CureAbility 2Cures any major status ailment upon switching out.
340HP30Attack45Defense55Speed85Sp.Def55Sp.Atk70
Staryu
Starmie
Weak to
Mixed
Balanced
85Speed · Above Avg

Is Staryu Good in Platinum Playthrough?

Canalave City via Super Rod, a Platinum addition over Diamond and Pearl. AbilityNatural Cure clears status on switch-out. Starmie at Water Stone is the real prize. Water/Psychic with Speed and coverage makes Starmie one of the better late-story additions.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSBEEEGETESGESGSERoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2FantinaGym 3MayleneGym 4Crasher WakeGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4JupiterBossMarsBossSaturnBossCynthiaChamp*StaryuCatchableStarmieEvolve
Roark
Gym 1
Strong

Staryu resists most of Roark's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
Easy KO
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Bad

Gardenia's Pokemon outpace and outclass Staryu here.

Risky
Turtwig
Lv 20
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafSunny DayReflect
Avoid
Cherrim
Lv 20
Grass
Flower Gift
Grass KnotLeech SeedMagical LeafSafeguard
Avoid
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Fantina
Gym 3
Even

Staryu trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.

Even
Duskull
Lv 24
Ghost
Levitate
Will O WispPursuitShadow SneakFuture Sight
Even
Haunter
Lv 24
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow ClawSucker PunchHypnosisConfuse Ray
Risky
Mismagius
Lv 26
Ghost
Levitate
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Maylene
Gym 4
Even

Staryu trades roughly evenly with Maylene's team.

You Win
Meditite
Lv 28
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionRock TombFake Out
You Win
Machoke
Lv 29
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopRock TombStrengthFocus Energy
Even
Lucario
Lv 32
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 5
Even

Staryu trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 33
WaterFlying
Intimidate
WaterfallBrineBiteTwister
Even
Quagsire
Lv 34
WaterGround
Damp
Mud ShotRock TombWater PulseYawn
Risky
Floatzel
Lv 37
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangCrunchAqua Jet
Byron
Gym 6
Good

Staryu has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.

Even
Magneton
Lv 37
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Flash CannonThunderboltTri AttackMetal Sound
Easy KO
Steelix
Lv 38
SteelGround
Rock Head
Flash CannonIce FangEarthquakeSandstorm
You Win
Bastiodon
Lv 41
RockSteel
Sturdy
Metal BurstStone EdgeIron DefenseTaunt
Candice
Gym 7
Even

Staryu trades roughly evenly with Candice's team.

Even
Sneasel
Lv 40
DarkIce
Inner Focus
SlashAerial AceFeint AttackIce Shard
Easy KO
Piloswine
Lv 40
IceGround
Oblivious
AvalancheStone EdgeEarthquakeHail
Risky
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerWater PulseFocus Blast
Even
Froslass
Lv 44
IceGhost
Snow Cloak
BlizzardDouble TeamShadow BallPsychic
Volkner
Gym 8
Tough

Volkner's team hits Staryu's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Jolteon
Lv 46
Electric
Volt AbsorbImmune to Electric attacks
Thunder WaveCharge BeamIron TailQuick Attack
Even
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamFocus BlastSignal BeamQuick Attack
Even
Luxray
Lv 48
Electric
Rivalry
Ice FangThunder FangCrunchFire Fang
Risky
Electivire
Lv 50
Electric
Motor DriveImmune to Electric attacks
Thunder PunchFire PunchQuick AttackGiga Impact
Aaron
Elite Four
Even

Starmie trades roughly evenly with Aaron's team.

You Win
Yanmega
Lv 49
BugFlying
Speed Boost
Air SlashBug BuzzU TurnDouble Team
Even
Scizor
Lv 49
BugSteel
Swarm
Iron HeadX ScissorNight SlashQuick Attack
You Win
Vespiquen
Lv 50
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
You Win
Heracross
Lv 51
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
Even
Drapion
Lv 53
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Strong

Starmie resists most of Bertha's coverage and hits back hard.

You Win
Whiscash
Lv 50
WaterGround
Oblivious
Earth PowerAqua TailZen HeadbuttSandstorm
Easy KO
Gliscor
Lv 53
GroundFlying
Hyper Cutter
EarthquakeIce FangFire FangThunder Fang
Easy KO
Hippowdon
Lv 52
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchYawn
Easy KO
Golem
Lv 52
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeFire PunchThunder PunchSandstorm
Easy KO
Rhyperior
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
EarthquakeRock WreckerMegahornAvalanche
Flint
Elite Four
Good

Starmie has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.

You Win
Houndoom
Lv 52
DarkFire
Early Bird
FlamethrowerSludge BombDark PulseSunny Day
You Win
Flareon
Lv 55
Fire
Flash Fire
OverheatGiga ImpactQuick AttackWill O Wisp
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 53
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
You Win
Infernape
Lv 55
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
You Win
Magmortar
Lv 57
Fire
Flame Body
FlamethrowerThunderboltSolar BeamHyper Beam
Lucian
Elite Four
Even

Starmie trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.

Even
Mr Mime
Lv 53
Psychic
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
Risky
Espeon
Lv 55
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallQuick AttackSignal Beam
Even
Bronzong
Lv 54
SteelPsychic
Levitate
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 56
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Risky
Gallade
Lv 59
PsychicFighting
Steadfast
Drain PunchPsycho CutLeaf BladeStone Edge
Jupiter
Commander
Strong

Starmie resists most of Jupiter's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Zubat
Lv 21
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Giga DrainWing AttackBite
You Win
Skuntank
Lv 23
PoisonDark
Stench
Night SlashPoison GasScreechSmokescreen
Mars
Commander
Good

Starmie has the type edge here and should clean up Mars's team.

Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 38
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBiteToxicSupersonic
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 38
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Gyro BallExtrasensoryIron DefenseConfuse Ray
You Win
Purugly
Lv 40
Normal
Thick Fat
SlashFeint AttackHypnosisFake Out
Saturn
Commander
Strong

Starmie resists most of Saturn's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 42
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBitePoison FangConfuse Ray
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 42
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Gyro BallExtrasensoryShadow BallConfuse Ray
Easy KO
Toxicroak
Lv 44
PoisonFighting
Anticipation
Poison JabBrick BreakX ScissorFeint Attack
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Starmie trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

Even
Spiritomb
Lv 58
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindShadow Ball
Even
Roserade
Lv 58
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombToxicExtrasensory
You Win
Togekiss
Lv 60
NormalFlying
Hustle
Air SlashAura SphereWater PulseShock Wave
Even
Lucario
Lv 60
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereExtreme SpeedShadow BallStone Edge
Even
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatDragon Pulse
You Win
Garchomp
Lv 62
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeFlamethrowerGiga Impact

Catchable

Post-game only
Type
Water
Tier
E

Catch Staryu in Canalave City (Super Rod fishing, Lv 20-50, uncommon).

View Staryu locations

Evolve Staryu to Starmie

Use Water Stone
Type
WaterPsychic
Tier
S

Staryu evolves into Starmie with a Water Stone. You can pick up the Water Stone in Route 213. 2 other locations are also available. Use the Water Stone in the post-game, after you beat Cynthia.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Staryu in Platinum

Staryu is a Super Rod catch, uncommon at two water spots at levels 20 to 50. The strongest rod is the only way to land it, since it ignores walking and surfing alike.

Wild Staryu may be holding when caught:

Stardust (50% chance) Lovely, red-colored sand with a loose, silky feel. It can be sold at a high price to shops.
Star Piece (5% chance) A shard of a pretty gem that sparkles in a red color. It can be sold at a high price to shops.

2 locations to catch Staryu

Encountered via fishing with a Rod

Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8

Where To Catch Staryu in Pt

  1. Starmie
    Step 2Evolve into Starmie
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Staryu egg.

Want the exact numbers? Work out your catch odds in Platinum for Staryu.

How to Get Shiny Staryu in Platinum

Staryu bites the Super Rod off Canalave City and Sunyshore City, so leave one with a foreign Ditto and hatch eggs. Compare Shiny Staryu odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Staryu in PlatinumNormal
Shiny Staryu in Platinum Shiny
Color ShiftBrowntoGreen
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Staryu Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Platinum Shiny Staryu Calculator

2 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is Masuda Method, about 1 in 1,639 on each try.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in Platinum

Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 1,639Masuda Method
Chance By Now50.0%at 1,136 eggs hatchedAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few173----
25%one in four472----
50%coin flip1,136----
90%very likely3,773----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Curious how fast a hunt could go? Work out your Platinum shiny odds for Staryu.

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
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Staryu Weak Against

Good
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Staryu Strong Against

3Strong
3Resisted
0Immune
Score0
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Staryu

Exeggutor
Exeggutor
GrassPsychic
C
Roserade
Roserade
GrassPoison
B
Parasect
Parasect
BugGrass
C
C
Torterra
Torterra
GrassGround
C

Staryu Evolutions

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
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Staryu
Water
Starmie
WaterPsychic
HP
30
60+30
ATK
45
75+30
DEF
55
85+30
SP.ATK
70
100+30
SP.DEF
55
85+30
SPE
85
115+30
BST
340E-Tier
520S-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Sweeper
TYPE
Special
Special

Breeding

Challenging

Staryu is genderless and can only breed with Ditto. Part of the Water 3 egg group.

Egg Groups
Water 3
Gender
GenderlessDittoDitto only
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body

Pt Staryu Best Moveset

Clearing status on every switch through AbilityNatural Cure previews Starmie's value. The moveset has 85 Speed and special Water attacks at 70 Sp. Atk, but nothing competitive alone. Starmie does everything better.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Sweeper
Ability
Natural Cure
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Staryu
Timid+SPE

Staryu best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Sweeper Moveset

  • Rapid Spin
  • Ice Beam
  • Hydro PumpSTAB
  • ThunderboltCoverage

Moves List

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 8 types. That's where the options open up.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Harden
D——30Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 6
Water Gun
—6010025Water
Lv 10
Rapid Spin
B5010040Normal
Lv 15
Recover
A——10Normal
Lv 19
Camouflage
———20Normal
Lv 24
Swift
—60—20Normal
Lv 28
Bubble Beam
—9710020Water
Lv 33
Minimize
———20Normal
Lv 37
Gyro Ball
D—1005Steel
Lv 42
Light Screen
C——30Psychic
Lv 46
Power Gem
D7010020Rock
Lv 51
Cosmic Power
D——20Psychic
Lv 55
Hydro Pump
B180805Water

TM Moves

31 of 33 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM14
BlizzardLake Acuitybadge 3
D120705Ice
TM55C9710010Water
TM32
Double TeamWayward Cavebadge 2
———15Normal
TM58
Endure+4Veilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
TM42
FacadeSurvival Area
D7010020Normal
TM70D—10020Normal
TM91
Flash CannonPrize for defeating Byronbadge 6
D8010010Steel
TM21
FrustrationVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM74
Gyro BallVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D—1005Steel
TM10
Hidden PowerVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
D6010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamRoute 216badge 3
B9510010Ice
TM16
Light ScreenVeilstone Department Storebadge 3
C——30Psychic
TM83
Natural GiftVeilstone Department Storebadge 3
D—10015Normal
TM17C——10Normal
TM77
Psych UpRoute 211badge 5
———10Normal
TM29
PsychicVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
C9010010Psychic
TM67
RecycleEterna Citybadge 1
D——10Normal
TM33C——20Psychic
TM44C——10Psychic
TM27D—10020Normal
TM43
Secret PowerAmity Squarebadge 2
—7010020Normal
TM82
Sleep TalkEterna Forestbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM90
SubstituteVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
HM03A14210015Water
TM87
SwaggerPokémon Mansionbadge 4
——9015Normal
TM25
ThunderLake Valorbadge 3
D1207010Electric
TM73
Thunder WaveExchange Service Corner counter at the Battle Frontier, which you enter from the Fight Area
A—10020Electric
TM24
ThunderboltVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 3
B9510015Electric
TM06
ToxicRoute 212badge 4
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulseRavaged Pathbadge 5
C9010020Water
HM07
WaterfallFrom Jasmine in Sunyshore Citynot until badge 8
D12010015Water

Egg Moves

Staryu doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Dive
D12010010Water
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Rollout
—309020Rock
Tutor
Signal Beam
D7510015Bug
Tutor
Snore
D4010015Normal
Tutor
Swift
—60—20Normal
Tutor
Twister
—4010020Dragon

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP30
F
Attack45
D
Defense55
D
Sp. Atk70
C
Sp. Def55
D
Speed85
C
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 Cure
Cures any major status ailment upon switching out.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Speed training source
Pokedex Entry

If its body is torn, it can grow back if the red core remains. The core flashes at midnight.

Pokemon Platinum

Staryu Platinum Guide

  • Yes. Wild Staryu in Platinum can hold Stardust (50%) or Star Piece (5%). Use Thief (TM46) or Covet to swipe the held item without affecting your catch chance. Quickest way to farm rare items like Stardust.

  • In Platinum, Staryu has 340 BST and evolves into Starmie. Compare the two forms before you give either one a team slot.

  • Yes. Staryu is not available during the main story. It can only be obtained after entering the Hall of Fame. Staryu becomes available after the main story is complete in Platinum.

Game Availability

Staryu has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 9 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.

Explore

Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Want to tell us more?
What was most useful?
What could be improved?
Thanks for your feedback