Physical
Balanced
50Speed · Slow

Is Hoothoot Good in Crystal Playthrough?

Nighttime catch on Route 29. Noctowl evolves at 20 and the special bulk is better than Pidgeot's in the early game. Crystal's day/night cycle determines whether you start with Hoothoot or Pidgey. Both end up filling the same Flying slot.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEGEGGEGETESGETEEGGGGHoothootCatchFalknerGym 1BugsyGym 2WhitneyGym 3NoctowlEvolveMortyGym 4ChuckGym 5JasmineGym 6PryceGym 7ClairGym 8SurgeGym 9SabrinaGym 10ErikaGym 11JanineGym 12MistyGym 13BrockGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16WillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4
Falkner
Gym 1
Even

Hoothoot trades roughly evenly with Falkner's team.

Even
Pidgey
Lv 7
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud Slap
Even
Pidgeotto
Lv 9
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud SlapGust
Bugsy
Gym 2
Good

Hoothoot has the type edge here and should clean up Bugsy's team.

Easy KO
Metapod
Lv 14
Bug
Shed Skin
TackleString ShotHarden
Easy KO
Kakuna
Lv 14
BugPoison
Shed Skin
Poison StingString ShotHarden
Even
Scyther
Lv 16
BugFlying
Swarm
Quick AttackLeerFury Cutter
Whitney
Gym 3
Even

Hoothoot trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.

You Win
Clefairy
Lv 18
Fairy
Cute Charm
Double SlapMimicEncoreMetronome
Risky
Miltank
Lv 20
Normal
Thick Fat
RolloutAttractStompMilk Drink
Morty
Gym 4
Good

Noctowl has the type edge here and should clean up Morty's team.

You Win
Gastly
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
LickSpiteMean LookCurse
You Win
Haunter
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisMimicCurseNight Shade
Even
Gengar
Lv 25
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
HypnosisShadow BallMean LookDream Eater
You Win
Haunter
Lv 23
GhostPoison
Levitate
SpiteMean LookMimicNight Shade
Chuck
Gym 5
Good

Noctowl has the type edge here and should clean up Chuck's team.

Easy KO
Primeape
Lv 27
Fighting
Vital Spirit
LeerRageKarate ChopFury Swipes
You Win
Poliwrath
Lv 30
WaterFighting
Water Absorb
HypnosisMind ReaderSurfDynamic Punch
Jasmine
Gym 6
Even

Noctowl trades roughly evenly with Jasmine's team.

Even
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Even
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Risky
Steelix
Lv 35
SteelGround
Rock Head
ScreechSunny DayRock ThrowIron Tail
Pryce
Gym 7
Good

Noctowl has the type edge here and should clean up Pryce's team.

You Win
Seel
Lv 27
Water
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
Even
Dewgong
Lv 29
WaterIce
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
Even
Piloswine
Lv 31
IceGround
Oblivious
Icy WindFury AttackMistBlizzard
Clair
Gym 8
Even

Noctowl trades roughly evenly with Clair's team.

Even
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveSurfSlamDragon Breath
Even
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveThunderboltSlamDragon Breath
Even
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveIce BeamSlamDragon Breath
Risky
Kingdra
Lv 40
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenSurfHyper BeamDragon Breath
Lt. Surge
Gym 9
Tough

Lt. Surge's team hits Noctowl's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Raichu
Lv 44
Electric
Static
Thunder WaveQuick AttackThunderboltThunder
Risky
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
Risky
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
Even
Magneton
Lv 40
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Lock OnDouble TeamSwiftZap Cannon
Risky
Electabuzz
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder PunchLight ScreenThunder
Sabrina
Gym 10
Even

Noctowl trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Espeon
Lv 46
Psychic
Synchronize
Sand AttackQuick AttackSwiftPsychic
Even
Mr Mime
Lv 46
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierReflectBaton PassPsychic
Even
Alakazam
Lv 48
Psychic
Synchronize
RecoverFuture SightPsychicReflect
Erika
Gym 11
Strong

Noctowl resists most of Erika's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Tangela
Lv 42
Grass
Chlorophyll
Vine WhipBindGiga DrainSleep Powder
Easy KO
Jumpluff
Lv 41
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Mega DrainLeech SeedCotton SporeGiga Drain
Easy KO
Victreebel
Lv 46
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisAcidRazor Leaf
Easy KO
Bellossom
Lv 46
Grass
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisPetal DanceSolar Beam
Janine
Gym 12
Good

Noctowl has the type edge here and should clean up Janine's team.

Even
Crobat
Lv 36
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
ScreechSupersonicConfuse RayWing Attack
Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
Easy KO
Ariados
Lv 33
BugPoison
Swarm
Scary FaceGiga DrainString ShotNight Shade
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 39
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ForesightDouble TeamGustPsychic
Misty
Gym 13
Even

Noctowl trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.

Even
Golduck
Lv 42
Water
Damp
SurfDisablePsych UpPsychic
You Win
Quagsire
Lv 42
WaterGround
Damp
SurfAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance
Even
Lapras
Lv 44
WaterIce
Water Absorb
SurfPerish SongBlizzardRain Dance
Even
Starmie
Lv 47
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SurfConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam
Brock
Gym 14
Tough

Brock's team hits Noctowl's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Graveler
Lv 41
RockGround
Rock Head
Defense CurlRock SlideRolloutEarthquake
Even
Rhyhorn
Lv 41
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackScary FaceEarthquakeHorn Drill
Risky
Omastar
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
BiteSurfProtectSpike Cannon
Risky
Onix
Lv 44
RockGround
Rock Head
BindRock SlideBideSandstorm
Risky
Kabutops
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
SlashSurfEndureGiga Drain
Blaine
Gym 15
Even

Noctowl trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.

Even
Magcargo
Lv 45
FireRock
Magma Armor
CurseSmogFlamethrowerRock Slide
Even
Magmar
Lv 45
Fire
Flame Body
Thunder PunchFire PunchSunny DayConfuse Ray
Even
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
Quick AttackFire SpinFury AttackFire Blast
Blue
Gym 16
Even

Noctowl trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

Even
Pidgeot
Lv 56
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
Quick AttackWhirlwindWing AttackMirror Move
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 54
Psychic
Synchronize
DisableRecoverPsychicReflect
Risky
Rhydon
Lv 56
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackSandstormRock SlideEarthquake
Risky
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
TwisterHydro PumpRain DanceHyper Beam
You Win
Exeggutor
Lv 58
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayLeech SeedEgg BombSolar Beam
Even
Arcanine
Lv 58
Fire
Intimidate
RoarSwiftFlamethrowerExtreme Speed
Will
Elite Four
Good

Noctowl has the type edge here and should clean up Will's team.

You Win
Xatu
Lv 40
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
Even
Jynx
Lv 41
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapLovely KissIce PunchPsychic
You Win
Exeggutor
Lv 41
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
ReflectHypnosisEgg BombPsychic
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 41
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
CurseAmnesiaBody SlamPsychic
Even
Xatu
Lv 42
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
Koga
Elite Four
Good

Noctowl has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

Easy KO
Ariados
Lv 40
BugPoison
Swarm
Double TeamSpider WebBaton PassGiga Drain
Easy KO
Venomoth
Lv 41
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsychicGustSupersonicToxic
Risky
Forretress
Lv 43
BugSteel
Sturdy
ProtectSwiftExplosionSpikes
Even
Muk
Lv 42
Poison
Stench
MinimizeAcid ArmorSludge BombToxic
Even
Crobat
Lv 44
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Double TeamQuick AttackWing AttackToxic
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Noctowl has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

Easy KO
Hitmontop
Lv 42
Fighting
Intimidate
DigCounterTriple KickQuick Attack
You Win
Hitmonlee
Lv 42
Fighting
Limber
SwaggerDouble KickHigh Jump KickForesight
Easy KO
Hitmonchan
Lv 42
Fighting
Keen Eye
Thunder PunchIce PunchFire PunchMach Punch
Risky
Onix
Lv 43
RockGround
Rock Head
SandstormDragon BreathRock SlideEarthquake
You Win
Machamp
Lv 46
Fighting
Guts
Rock SlideForesightVital ThrowCross Chop
Karen
Elite Four
Good

Noctowl has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.

You Win
Umbreon
Lv 42
Dark
Synchronize
Sand AttackConfuse RayFeint AttackMean Look
Easy KO
Vileplume
Lv 42
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporePetal DanceAcidMoonlight
You Win
Gengar
Lv 45
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
LickSpiteCurseDestiny Bond
You Win
Murkrow
Lv 44
DarkFlying
Insomnia
Quick AttackWhirlwindPursuitFeint Attack
Even
Houndoom
Lv 47
DarkFire
Early Bird
RoarPursuitFlamethrowerCrunch
Catchable
Available before Badge 1
Type
NormalFlying
Tier
F

Catch Hoothoot on Route 29 (walking, Lv 2-3, common).

View Hoothoot locations

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 2)
    • LV 2NormalTackle60100%35
  • After Falkner
    • TM39NormalSwift90100%20
  • After Whitney
    • TM13NormalSnore75100%15
    • LV 28NormalTake Down13585%20
  • After Chuck
    • HM02FlyingFly13595%15
  • After Jasmine
    • TM10NormalHidden Power90100%15
    • TM46DarkThief60100%25
    • LV 48PsychicDream Eater100100%15
Evolve Hoothoot to Noctowl
Level 20
Type
NormalFlying
Tier
E

Your Hoothoot should hit Level 20 before you reach Morty, at typical leveling pace.

View Noctowl locations

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 20)
    • LV 20NormalTackle60100%35
  • After Falkner
    • TM39NormalSwift90100%20
  • After Whitney
    • TM13NormalSnore75100%15
  • After Chuck
    • HM02FlyingFly13595%15
    • LV 33NormalTake Down13585%20
  • After Jasmine
    • TM10NormalHidden Power90100%15
    • TM46DarkThief60100%25
    • LV 57PsychicDream Eater100100%15

How to Get Hoothoot in Crystal

high spawn rates in early-game areas across 44 locations. Hoothoot's one of the easier catches on the list. Two different catch methods are in play here. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.

Where To Catch Hoothoot in C

To get Hoothoot, start by catching Hoothoot through headbutt and walking encounters at Lv. 2-32. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Hoothoot
    Step 1Hoothoot
    Lake of Rage
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 65%
    Route 32
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 65%
    Route 43
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 65%
    Route 26
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 65%
    Route 27
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 65%
    Ilex Forest
    Lv.10Headbutting special trees
    Rate 60%
    Route 29
    Lv.2-3Grass
    Rate 55%
    Night
    Route 2
    Lv.3-5Grass
    Rate 50%
    Night
    Ilex Forest
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 50%
    Lake of Rage
    Lv.10Headbutting special trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 29
    Lv.10Headbutting special trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 29
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 30
    Lv.10Headbutting special trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 30
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 31
    Lv.10Headbutting special trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 31
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 32
    Lv.10Headbutting special trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 34
    Lv.10Headbutting special trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 34
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 35
    Lv.10Headbutting special trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 35
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 36
    Lv.10Headbutting special trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 36
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 37
    Lv.10Headbutting special trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 37
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 38
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 38
    Lv.10Headbutting special trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 39
    Lv.10Headbutting special trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 39
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 43
    Lv.10Headbutting special trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 26
    Lv.10Headbutting special trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 27
    Lv.10Headbutting special trees
    Rate 50%
    Route 1
    Lv.2-4Grass
    Rate 45%
    Night
    Route 30
    Lv.3-4Grass
    Rate 45%
    Night
    Route 36
    Lv.4-5Grass
    Rate 45%
    Night
    National Park
    Lv.13-15Floor
    Rate 40%
    Night
    Route 25
    Lv.10Grass
    Rate 30%
    Night
    Route 5
    Lv.13Grass
    Rate 30%
    Night
    Route 35
    Lv.14Grass
    Rate 30%
    Night
    Route 34
    Lv.12Grass
    Rate 20%
    Night
    Route 37
    Lv.15Grass
    Rate 20%
    Night
    Route 31
    Lv.5Grass
    Rate 10%
    Night
    Ilex Forest
    Lv.7Grass
    Rate 5%
    Night
    Route 32
    Lv.7Grass
    Rate 5%
    Night
  2. Noctowl
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Noctowl
    Route 5
    Lv.15Grass
    Rate 20%
    Night
    Route 2
    Lv.7Grass
    Rate 15%
    Night
    Route 25
    Lv.12-14Grass
    Rate 15%
    Night
    Ilex Forest
    Lv.10Headbutting trees
    Rate 10%
    Route 37
    Lv.15Grass
    Rate 5%
    Night
    Route 35
    Lv.14Grass
    Rate 1%
    NightSwarm active
    Route 26
    Lv.28-32Grass
    Rate 50%
    Night
    Route 27
    Lv.28-32Grass
    Rate 40%
    Night
    Route 43
    Lv.16Grass
    Rate 30%
    Night
    Route 8
    Lv.20Grass
    Rate 30%
    Night
    Route 13
    Lv.25Grass
    Rate 20%
    Night
    Route 14
    Lv.25Grass
    Rate 20%
    Night
    Route 15
    Lv.25Grass
    Rate 20%
    Night
    Route 38
    Lv.16Grass
    Rate 10%
    Night
    Route 39
    Lv.16Grass
    Rate 10%
    Night
    Route 11
    Lv.16Grass
    Rate 10%
    Night
    or evolve from Hoothoot (Step 1)

Hoothoot Weakness

Hoothoot's Normal/Flying typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric, Ice, and Rock. It shrugs off Ground and Ghost-type attacks completely. Hoothoot's special bulk (base 56 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.

Hoothoot Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Ice, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Bug
0x (Immune)Ground, Ghost
Gen II Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
  • Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def

What is Hoothoot Weak Against

Good
3Weak
2Resist
2Immune
Score+2
4xCritical
None
½xResist
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Hoothoot Strong Against

3Strong
2Resisted
0Immune
Score+1
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Hoothoot

Hoothoot Evolutions

One evolution ahead. Hoothoot grows into Noctowl through a straightforward two-stage chain. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are quick to hatch. The evolved forms gain up to 190 total stats over Hoothoot. 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
262C-Tier
452C-Tier+190
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
TYPE
Utility
Special

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Hoothoot easily with 19 breeding partners from the Flying egg group. Pass egg moves like Feint Attack, Mirror Move, Sky Attack and 3 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
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)
togeticfarfetchdcrobatpidgeotdodrioxatufearowgolbatnoctowlmurkrowpidgeottonatu

C Hoothoot Best Moveset

Normal/Flying with MoveHypnosis at 60%% accuracy as the only draw. Pre-evolution stats can't contribute beyond the unreliable sleep attempt. Noctowl adds defensive bulk.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
Hard Stone
Best Nature for Hoothoot
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Sky AttackSetup
  • Take DownSTAB
  • CurseSetup
  • FlySTAB

Moves List

You'll want to breed for Feint Attack and Mirror Move on Hoothoot. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Sky Attack and Take Down, they expand what Hoothoot can actually threaten in practice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
D10040Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D5210035Normal
Lv 6
Foresight
10040Normal
Lv 11
Peck
5210035Flying
Lv 16
Hypnosis
C6020Psychic
Lv 22
Reflect
C20Psychic
Lv 28
Take Down
S1358520Normal
Lv 34
Confusion
D5010025Psychic
Lv 48
Dream Eater
D10010015Psychic

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
D10015Normal
TM03
Curse
S10Ghost
TM43
Detect+4
D5Fighting
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Dream Eater
D10010015Psychic
TM20
Endure+4
D10Normal
HM05
Flash
D7020Normal
HM02
Fly
S1059515Flying
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
D9010015Normal
TM31
Mud-Slap
D2010010Ground
TM50
Nightmare
10015Ghost
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM35
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM13
Snore
6010015Normal
TM47
Steel Wing
D709025Steel
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM34
Swagger
C8515Normal
TM39
Swift
D9020Normal
TM46
Thief
D6010025Dark
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Feint Attack
D6020Dark
Egg
Mirror Move
D20Flying
Egg
Sky Attack
S210905Flying
Egg
Supersonic
5520Normal
Egg
Whirlwind-6
C20Normal
Egg
Wing Attack
D9010035Flying

Tutor Moves

Hoothoot can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP60
C
Attack30
F
Defense30
F
Sp. Atk36
F
Sp. Def56
D
Speed50
D
Total262
Details
Catch Rate
Guaranteed255 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.7 m
Weight21.2 kg
Base XP52
EV Yield
HP+1AtkDefSpASpDSpe
HP training source
Pokedex Entry

It begins to hoot at the same time every day. Some trainers use them in place of clocks.

Pokemon Crystal

Hoothoot Crystal Guide

  • For Crystal, you can run Hoothoot through the first few routes without issues. 262 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Noctowl as fast as you can.

Game Availability

Available in 17 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Hoothoot spans 9 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through catching or hatching as a base form in most mainline games.

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