Stats & Training
Raw Attack carries Honchkrow's bulk more than the defenses do. Defense barely registers. But that HP pool covers for it. A tough to catch Big Boss Pokemon that yields 2 Attack EVs on a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
A single cry from this nocturnal Pokémon, and more than a hundred of its Murkrow cronies will assemble.
If its Murkrow cronies fail to catch food for it, or if it feels they have betrayed it, it will hunt them down wherever they are and punish them.
Honchkrow Weakness
Type-wise, Honchkrow takes extra damage from Electric, Ice, Rock, and Fairy. Ground and Psychic moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Ice, Rock, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Ghost, Dark |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground, Psychic |
 Klefki SteelFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honchkrow View Klefki builds →Play Rough 2x83-98% Dazzling Gleam 2x73-86% Draining Kiss 2x46-55% Fairy Wind 2x38-45% | ||
 Nihilego RockPoison | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honchkrow View Nihilego builds →Head Smash 2x99-117%KO Thunder 2x97-114%KO Thunderbolt 2x79-94% Power Gem 2x106-125%KO | ||
 Xurkitree Electric | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honchkrow View Xurkitree builds →Zap Cannon 2x208-245%KO Thunder 2x191-225%KO Thunderbolt 2x157-185%KO Wild Charge 2x89-105%KO | ||
 Carbink RockFairy | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honchkrow View Carbink builds →Stone Edge 2x64-75% Moonblast 2x61-72% Power Gem 2x52-62% Dazzling Gleam 2x52-62% | ||
 Archeops Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Archen (Route 8 Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honchkrow View Archeops builds →Stone Edge 2x144-170%KO Rock Slide 2x109-129%KO Ancient Power 2x73-86% Rock Tomb 2x87-103%KO | ||
In Sun & Moon, Tapu Koko can KO Honchkrow with Thunderbolt (147-173%). Primarina threatens a KO with Moonblast (207-243%). Mamoswine deals 79-93% with Ice Shard.
 Tapu Koko ElectricFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Honchkrow View Tapu Koko builds →Thunderbolt 2x147-173%KO Volt Switch 2x114-135%KO Dazzling Gleam 2x130-153%KO | ||
 Primarina WaterFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemChoice Specs NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Honchkrow View Primarina builds →Moonblast 2x207-243%KO Scald87-103%KO | ||
 Mamoswine IceGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityThickfat ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Honchkrow View Mamoswine builds →Ice Shard 2x79-93% Knock Off21-25% | ||
 Terrakion RockFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Honchkrow View Terrakion builds →Close Combat122-144%KO Stone Edge 2x204-240%KO | ||
 Rotom ElectricGhost | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemColbur Berry NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Honchkrow View Rotom builds →Volt Switch 2x61-71% Hex14-16% | ||
Sun & Moon Evolution
Getting Honchkrow requires an evolution item, not just grinding levels. The chain starts at Murkrow. Breed this form to get Murkrow eggs (average hatch time). HP grew the most through evolution (+40 over Murkrow), and Honchkrow peaks at 505 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Honchkrow to get Murkrow eggs easily using 58 partners from the Flying egg group. Notable egg moves include Assurance, Brave Bird, Confuse Ray and 12 more.
Sun & Moon Honchkrow Best Moveset
Fighting coverage keeps opponents guessing about Honchkrow's real targets. Blackglasses provides extra utility while max HP and Attack EVs and Adamant nature handle the stat profile. Moxie ties it together.
Best Build
Honchkrow best EVs are Attack and HP
Physical Tank Moveset
- Brave Bird
- Sucker Punch
- Superpower
- Night Slash
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Night Slash
- Tailwind
- Taunt
- Air Cutter
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Breeding's the move. Assurance and Brave Bird give Honchkrow options it can't learn any other way, and coverage across 7 types already covers a decent range on top of Sky Attack and Brave Bird. The egg moves push it further.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Honchkrow in Sun & Moon
You're catching Murkrow first, not Honchkrow. Murkrow 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 Honchkrow in Sun & Moon
Murkrow is your first catch on the way to Honchkrow. You'll find gift and walking encounters from Lv. 21-55 across 8 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch MurkrowPoké Pelago - Ula'ula Island reachedSunGift from NPC Lv.21-273%MidPoké Pelago - Ula'ula Island reachedMoonGift from NPC Lv.21-273%MidVast Poni Canyon - OutsideSunGrass Lv.41-4410%LateVast Poni Canyon - OutsideMoonGrass Lv.41-4410%LatePoké Pelago - Poni Island reachedMoonGift from NPC Lv.37-433%LatePoké Pelago - Poni Island reachedSunGift from NPC Lv.37-433%LatePoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedMoonGift from NPC Lv.49-552%PostPoké Pelago - Elite Four defeatedSunGift from NPC Lv.49-552%Post
Step 2Honchkrow ✓
Honchkrow Guide
For Sun & Moon, we rate Honchkrow C-Tier: a niche pick in Sun & Moon's meta. At 505 BST, it fits the cannon role. Bravebird with Blackglasses is the standard set.
Insomnia is the go-to ability for Honchkrow. It prevents sleep. Its hidden ability Moxie can work in specific setups. Super Luck is the other option. Pick based on what your team needs.
Base 71 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Honchkrow is a physical attacker with base 125 Attack. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a cannon.
For Sun & Moon, the core moveset is Bravebird, Sucker Punch, Superpower, and Nightslash. Bravebird leads at 22% usage. This set covers the cannon role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Obtainable through an item-based evolution, Honchkrow appears in 12 titles across 7 generations since Diamond & Pearl. The evolution method adds a barrier that wild-catchable Pokemon don't have.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
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 4DPDebut
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