Utility
Balanced
70Speed · Below Avg

Stats & Training

Nothing fancy in Noctowl's spread. It leans special with HP out front. And you'll get 2 HP EVs per KO for it. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.

Base Stats
Above
HP100
B
Attack50
D
Defense50
D
Sp. Atk86
C
Sp. Def96
B
Speed70
C
Total452
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging90 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height1.6 m
Weight40.8 kg
Base XP158
Abilities
InsomniaNiche
Prevents sleep.
Keen Eye
Prevents accuracy from being lowered.
Tinted LensHATop Pick
Doubles damage inflicted with not-very-effective moves.
EV Yield
HP+2AtkDefSpASpDSpe
HP training target
Pokedex Entries

Its eyes are specially developed to enable it to see clearly even in murky darkness and minimal light.

Noctowl Weakness

Noctowl is weak to Electric, Ice, and Rock. On the flip side, it's immune to Ground and Ghost-type moves entirely. Noctowl's special bulk (base 96 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Noctowl Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Ice, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Bug
0x (Immune)Ground, Ghost
Type ChartGood
3Weak
2Resist
2Immune
Score+2
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
How to Beat Noctowl in Sword & Shield (Best Counters)
Shuckle
Shuckle
BugRock
B
Available Moves
Moves
  • Rock ThrowLv. 15
  • RolloutLv. 5
  • Rock BlastTM54
Damage vs Noctowl
Rock Throw 2x
17-21%
Rollout 2x
12-15%
Rock Blast 2x
10-12%
View Shuckle builds →

Sword & Shield Evolution

Noctowl is what Hoothoot becomes. Breed it for Hoothoot eggs (quick to hatch). A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. The evolution from Hoothoot pushed Noctowl to 452 total stats. Sp.Atk saw the largest single gain at +50. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Hoothoot
NormalFlying
Noctowl
NormalFlying
HP
60
100+40
ATK
30
50+20
DEF
30
50+20
SP.ATK
36
86+50
SP.DEF
56
96+40
SPE
50
70+20
BST
262D-Tier
452C-Tier+190
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Special

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Noctowl to get Hoothoot eggs easily using 42 partners from the Flying egg group. Notable egg moves include Defog, Feather Dance, Night Shade and 3 more.

Egg Groups
Flying
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
15 cycles·3,855 steps
Quick~4 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
togekisstogetichawluchanoivernsirfetchdaltariacramorantpelipperswoobatfarfetchdwoobatswablu

Sword & Shield Noctowl Best Moveset

Tintedlens helps Noctowl stick around while dealing real damage. Leftovers for passive recovery each turn, max HP and Sp. Atk EVs for the right balance, and Air Slash as the main threat. Not the fastest, but it doesn't need to be.

Best Build

Experimental
Ability
Insomnia
Item
Razor Claw
Best Nature for Noctowl
Modest+SPA

Noctowl best EVs are Sp. Atk and HP

EVs

Doubles Special Tank Moveset

  • HypnosisUtility
  • Dream Eater
  • Shadow Ball
  • Air SlashSTAB

Moves

Egg moves make a real difference. Noctowl gets Defog and Feather Dance exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Psychic and Fairy coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Giga Impact and Hyper Beam.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Echoed Voice
D4010015Normal
Lv 1
Growl
10040Normal
Lv 1
Peck
3510035Flying
Lv 1
Sky Attack
C140905Flying
Lv 1
Tackle
D4010035Normal
Lv 9
Confusion
5010025Psychic
Lv 12
Reflect
C20Psychic
Lv 15
Psycho Shift
D10010Psychic
Lv 18
Air Slash
S759515Flying
Lv 23
Extrasensory
C8010020Psychic
Lv 28
Take Down
D908520Normal
Lv 33
Uproar
C9010010Normal
Lv 38
Roost
C10Flying
Lv 43
Moonblast
C9510015Fairy
Lv 48
Hypnosis
S6020Psychic
Lv 53
Dream Eater
S10010015Psychic

TM Moves

TM
TR12
Agility
S30Psychic
TM95
Air Slash
S759515Flying
TR17
Amnesia
C20Psychic
TM31
Attract
C10015Normal
TR49
Calm Mind
C20Psychic
TR26
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM39
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM06
Fly
C909515Flying
TR34
Future Sight
C12010010Psychic
TM09
Giga Impact
C150905Normal
TR36
Heat Wave
C959010Fire
TR89
Hurricane
C1107010Flying
TM08
Hyper Beam
B150905Normal
TR42
Hyper Voice
C9010010Normal
TM44
Imprison
D10Psychic
TR68
Nasty Plot
S20Dark
TM25
Protect+4
C10Normal
TR11
Psychic
C9010010Psychic
TM33
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM18
Reflect
C20Psychic
TM21
Rest
C10Psychic
TM76
Round
C6010015Normal
TM16
Screech
D8540Normal
TR33
Shadow Ball
S8010015Ghost
TR27
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM24
Snore
5010015Normal
TM30
Steel Wing
D709025Steel
TR82
Stored Power
D2010010Psychic
TR20
Substitute
C10Normal
TM34
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM40
Swift
C6020Normal
TM23
Thief
D6010025Dark
TR35
Uproar
C9010010Normal
TR85
Work Up
D30Normal
TR69
Zen Headbutt
D809015Psychic

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Defog
C15Flying
Egg
Feather Dance
D10015Flying
Egg
Night Shade
D10015Ghost
Egg
Supersonic
D5520Normal
Egg
Whirlwind-6
D20Normal
Egg
Wing Attack
6010035Flying

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Dual Wingbeat
D409010Flying

How to Get Noctowl in Sword & Shield

Plenty of locations for Noctowl with high spawn rates across mid-game 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 Noctowl in Sword & Shield

To get Noctowl, start by catching Hoothoot through walking encounters at Lv. 2-30. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Hoothoot
    Step 1Catch Hoothoot
    Dappled Grove
    ShieldOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest
    28%Early
    Overcast
    Dappled Grove
    SwordOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest
    28%Early
    Overcast
    Dappled Grove
    ShieldOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest
    25%Early
    Normal Weather
    Dappled Grove
    SwordOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest
    25%Early
    Normal Weather
    Slumbering Weald
    SwordGrass Lv.2-3 Forest
    15%Early
    All Weather
    Slumbering Weald
    ShieldGrass Lv.2-3 Forest
    15%Early
    All Weather
    Dappled Grove
    SwordOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest
    10%Early
    Snowing
    Dappled Grove
    SwordOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest
    10%Early
    Sandstorm
    Dappled Grove
    SwordOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest
    10%Early
    Heavy Fog
    Dappled Grove
    ShieldOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest
    10%Early
    Snowing
    Dappled Grove
    ShieldOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest
    10%Early
    Sandstorm
    Dappled Grove
    ShieldOverworld Lv.13-15 Forest
    10%Early
    Heavy Fog
    Route 1
    SwordGrass Lv.2-5 Route
    5%Early
    All Weather
    Route 1
    ShieldGrass Lv.2-5 Route
    5%Early
    All Weather
    Route 2
    SwordGrass Lv.4-6 Route
    5%Early
    All Weather
    Route 2
    ShieldGrass Lv.4-6 Route
    5%Early
    All Weather
    Giant's Cap - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    10%Mid
    Normal Weather
    Giant's Cap - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    10%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Giant's Cap - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    10%Mid
    Raining
    Giant's Cap - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    10%Mid
    Normal Weather
    Giant's Cap - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    10%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Giant's Cap - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    10%Mid
    Raining
    Giant's Cap - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Overcast
    Giant's Cap - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Intense Sun
    Giant's Cap - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Snowing
    Giant's Cap - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Heavy Fog
    Giant's Cap - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Thunderstorm
    Giant's Cap - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Overcast
    Giant's Cap - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Intense Sun
    Giant's Cap - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Snowing
    Giant's Cap - 2
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Heavy Fog
    Giant's Cap - 2
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Thunderstorm
  2. Noctowl
    Step 2Noctowl
    Motostoke Outskirts
    SwordOverworld Lv.22-26
    40%Mid
    All Weather
    Giant's Cap
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    40%Mid
    Normal Weather
    Giant's Cap
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    40%Mid
    Normal Weather
    Motostoke Outskirts
    ShieldOverworld Lv.22-26
    35%Mid
    All Weather
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
    30%Mid
    Normal Weather
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordGrass Lv.26-28
    30%Mid
    Normal Weather
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
    20%Mid
    Overcast
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordGrass Lv.26-28
    20%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordGrass Lv.26-28
    20%Mid
    Overcast
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
    20%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
    10%Mid
    Heavy Fog
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordGrass Lv.26-28
    10%Mid
    Intense Sun
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordGrass Lv.26-28
    10%Mid
    Snowing
    Motostoke Riverbank
    SwordGrass Lv.26-28
    10%Mid
    Heavy Fog
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
    10%Mid
    Intense Sun
    Motostoke Riverbank
    ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
    10%Mid
    Snowing
    Giant's Cap
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    10%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Giant's Cap
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    10%Mid
    Raining
    Giant's Cap
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    10%Mid
    Heavy Fog
    Giant's Cap
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    10%Mid
    Sandstorm
    Giant's Cap
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    10%Mid
    Raining
    Giant's Cap
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    10%Mid
    Heavy Fog
    Giant's Cap
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Overcast
    Giant's Cap
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Thunderstorm
    Giant's Cap
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Intense Sun
    Giant's Cap
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Snowing
    Giant's Cap
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Thunderstorm
    Giant's Cap
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Intense Sun
    Giant's Cap
    SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Overcast
    Giant's Cap
    ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
    5%Mid
    Snowing
    or evolve from Hoothoot (Step 1)

Noctowl Guide

  • In Sword & Shield, Noctowl looks average on paper at 452 BST. But Tinted Lens is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier on our tier list. Air Slash with Leftovers is the standard set.

  • In Sword & Shield, Noctowl's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric), Cloyster (Ice), and Aerodactyl (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.

  • Noctowl gets Tinted Lens, Insomnia, and Keen Eye. But Tinted Lens is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.

  • Noctowl is leaning toward the special side (base 86 Sp. Atk). Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many.

  • For Sword & Shield, the core moveset is Air Slash, Roost, Hypervoice, and Heat Wave. Air Slash leads at 20% usage. This set covers the balanced role with a mix of damage and utility.

Game Availability

Debuting in Gold & Silver, Noctowl appears in 17 games across 9 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through wild encounters.

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