Mixed
Balanced
91Speed · Above Avg

Is Murkrow Good in Diamond & Pearl Playthrough?

Diamond-exclusive in Eterna Forest at night. Dark/Flying with AbilityInsomnia blocking sleep. Gen 4 adds the Honchkrow evolution via Dusk Stone. Available during the story. Honchkrow hits extremely hard. One of the best Diamond-exclusive pickups.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadESGEGTGEGEEGERoarkGym 1MurkrowCatchableHonchkrowEvolveGardeniaGym 2MayleneGym 3Crasher WakeGym 4FantinaGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4CynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Even

Murkrow trades roughly evenly with Roark's team.

Even
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowStealth Rock
Even
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock ThrowScreechStealth Rock
Even
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Strong

Honchkrow resists most of Gardenia's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Cherubi
Lv 19
Grass
Chlorophyll
Grass KnotLeech SeedSafeguardGrowth
Easy KO
Turtwig
Lv 19
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafWithdrawReflect
Easy KO
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Maylene
Gym 3
Good

Honchkrow has the type edge here and should clean up Maylene's team.

Easy KO
Meditite
Lv 27
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionDetectMeditate
You Win
Machoke
Lv 27
Fighting
Guts
Brick BreakLeerForesightRock Tomb
Even
Lucario
Lv 30
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchMetal ClawBone RushForce Palm
Crasher Wake
Gym 4
Even

Honchkrow trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.

Even
Gyarados
Lv 27
WaterFlying
Intimidate
BrineBiteDragon RageSwagger
You Win
Quagsire
Lv 27
WaterGround
Damp
SlamMud BombMud SportTail Whip
Risky
Floatzel
Lv 30
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangPursuitSwift
Fantina
Gym 5
Good

Honchkrow has the type edge here and should clean up Fantina's team.

Easy KO
Drifblim
Lv 32
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Ominous WindGustAstonishMinimize
You Win
Gengar
Lv 34
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow ClawPoison JabConfuse RaySpite
You Win
Mismagius
Lv 36
Ghost
Levitate
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Byron
Gym 6
Tough

Byron's team hits Honchkrow's weaknesses hard.

Even
Bronzor
Lv 36
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Flash CannonExtrasensoryConfuse RayHypnosis
Avoid
Steelix
Lv 36
SteelGround
Rock Head
Gyro BallDragonbreathIce FangSandstorm
Risky
Bastiodon
Lv 39
RockSteel
Sturdy
Flash CannonAncientpowerIron DefenseRest
Candice
Gym 7
Good

Honchkrow has the type edge here and should clean up Candice's team.

Easy KO
Snover
Lv 38
GrassIce
Snow Warning
Razor LeafAvalancheIngrainLeer
Even
Sneasel
Lv 38
DarkIce
Inner Focus
Feint AttackSlashTauntAvalanche
You Win
Medicham
Lv 40
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Force PalmBulk UpDetectIce Punch
You Win
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
Wood HammerSwaggerGrasswhistleAvalanche
Volkner
Gym 8
Even

Honchkrow trades roughly evenly with Volkner's team.

Even
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamBrick BreakLight ScreenThunder Wave
Even
Ambipom
Lv 47
Normal
Technician
Shock WaveNasty PlotAgilityBaton Pass
Even
Octillery
Lv 47
Water
Suction Cups
Charge BeamOctazookaAurora BeamBullet Seed
Risky
Luxray
Lv 49
Electric
Rivalry
Charge BeamThunder WaveThunder FangCrunch
Aaron
Elite Four
Good

Honchkrow has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.

Easy KO
Dustox
Lv 53
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ToxicBug BuzzDouble TeamLight Screen
Easy KO
Beautifly
Lv 53
BugFlying
Swarm
Energy BallBug BuzzPsychicShadow Ball
You Win
Heracross
Lv 54
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
You Win
Vespiquen
Lv 54
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
Risky
Drapion
Lv 57
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Even

Honchkrow trades roughly evenly with Bertha's team.

You Win
Quagsire
Lv 55
WaterGround
Damp
DigDouble TeamProtectSandstorm
Even
Whiscash
Lv 55
WaterGround
Oblivious
FissureAqua TailZen HeadbuttRock Slide
Even
Golem
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeGyro BallBrick BreakSandstorm
Even
Sudowoodo
Lv 56
Rock
Sturdy
EarthquakeSucker PunchHammer ArmSandstorm
Even
Hippowdon
Lv 59
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchCurse
Flint
Elite Four
Even

Honchkrow trades roughly evenly with Flint's team.

Even
Rapidash
Lv 58
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolarbeamBounceSunny Day
Risky
Steelix
Lv 57
SteelGround
Rock Head
Fire FangRock TombScreechSunny Day
Even
Lopunny
Lv 57
Normal
Cute Charm
Fire PunchCharmMirror CoatSunny Day
Easy KO
Drifblim
Lv 58
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Will O WispOminous WindDouble TeamBaton Pass
Even
Infernape
Lv 61
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunderpunchMach PunchEarthquake
Lucian
Elite Four
Good

Honchkrow has the type edge here and should clean up Lucian's team.

You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 59
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
Easy KO
Girafarig
Lv 59
NormalPsychic
Inner Focus
PsychicShadow BallDouble HitCrunch
Easy KO
Medicham
Lv 60
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchFire PunchThunderpunchIce Punch
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 60
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Even
Bronzong
Lv 63
SteelPsychic
Levitate
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Honchkrow trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

You Win
Spiritomb
Lv 61
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindEmbargo
Even
Gastrodon
Lv 60
WaterGround
Sticky Hold
Muddy WaterEarthquakeStone EdgeSludge Bomb
Easy KO
Roserade
Lv 60
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombShadow BallExtrasensory
Risky
Milotic
Lv 63
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatAqua Ring
Even
Lucario
Lv 63
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereDragon PulsePsychicEarthquake
Risky
Garchomp
Lv 66
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeBrick BreakGiga Impact
Catchable
Available after Badge 1
Type
DarkFlying
Tier
C

Catch Murkrow on Eterna Forest (walking, Lv 10-11, uncommon).

View Murkrow locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Roark
    • TM88FlyingPluck90100%20
    • LV 25DarkAssurance90100%10
  • After Crasher Wake
    • HM02FlyingFly13595%15
    • TM40FlyingAerial Ace90100%20
    • TM85PsychicDream Eater100100%15
    • LV 35DarkFeint Attack90100%20
    • LV 45DarkSucker Punch105100%5
  • After Volkner
    • TM79DarkDark Pulse120100%15
Evolve Murkrow to Honchkrow
Use Dusk Stone
Type
DarkFlying
Tier
A

You can usually obtain this item before you reach Gardenia.

Recommended Moves
  • After Roark
    • TM88FlyingPluck90100%20
  • After Gardenia
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
  • After Crasher Wake
    • HM02FlyingFly13595%15
    • TM40FlyingAerial Ace90100%20
    • TM68NormalGiga Impact15090%5
    • TM85PsychicDream Eater100100%15
    • LV 45DarkNight Slash105100%15
    • LV 55DarkDark Pulse120100%15

How to Get Murkrow in Diamond & Pearl

6 encounter spots for Murkrow at decent spawn rates starting from early-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.

Diamond Exclusive — Trade with Pearl for Misdreavus

Where To Catch Murkrow in DP

To get Murkrow, start by catching Murkrow through walking encounters at Lv. 10-21. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.

  1. Murkrow
    Step 1Murkrow
    Eterna Forest
    Lv.10-11Grass
    DiamondRate 20%
    Night
    Lost Tower - 1F
    Lv.17Floor
    DiamondRate 20%
    Night
    Lost Tower - 2F
    Lv.18Floor
    DiamondRate 20%
    Night
    Lost Tower - 3F
    Lv.19Floor
    DiamondRate 20%
    Night
    Lost Tower - 4F
    Lv.20Floor
    DiamondRate 20%
    Night
    Lost Tower - 5F
    Lv.21Floor
    DiamondRate 20%
    Night
  2. Honchkrow
    Step 2Evolve into Honchkrow
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Honchkrow egg.

Murkrow Weakness

Type-wise, Murkrow takes extra damage from Electric, Ice, and Rock. Ground and Psychic moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity.

Murkrow Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Ice, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Ghost, Dark
0x (Immune)Ground, Psychic
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Murkrow Weak Against

Excellent
3Weak
3Resist
2Immune
Score+3
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None

What is Murkrow Strong Against

5Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score+4
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Murkrow

Murkrow Evolutions

Evolving Murkrow into Honchkrow takes an evolution item. It's not a simple level-up, so check the chain details below. Evolving adds up to 100 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Murkrow
DarkFlying
Honchkrow
DarkFlying
HP
60
100+40
ATK
85
125+40
DEF
42
52+10
SP.ATK
85
105+20
SP.DEF
42
52+10
SPE
91
71-20
BST
405C-Tier
505B-Tier+100
ROLE
Balanced
Cannon
TYPE
Mixed
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Murkrow easily with 31 breeding partners from the Flying egg group. Pass egg moves like Confuse Ray, Drill Peck, Feather Dance and 8 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
11moves
Breed With (best first)
togekisstogeticaltariapelipperfarfetchdswabluwingullcrobathonchkrowstaraptorpidgeotdodrio

DP Murkrow Best Moveset

85 Attack and 85 Sp. Atk at 91 Speed give mixed offensive options, and AbilitySuper Luck raises the critical hit rate. The moveset has Dark and Flying coverage on both sides of the split. Can evolve to Honchkrow now via Dusk Stone for much more power.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Sweeper
Ability
Super Luck
Item
Scope Lens
Best Nature for Murkrow
Naive+SPE

Murkrow best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Sweeper Moveset

  • Heat Wave
  • Dark PulseSTAB
  • Icy Wind
  • Brave BirdSTAB

Moves List

Breeding's the move. Confuse Ray and Drill Peck give Murkrow options it can't learn any other way, and Ghost and Psychic coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Sky Attack and Fly. The egg moves push it further.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Astonish
3010015Ghost
Lv 1
Peck
D5210035Flying
Lv 5
Pursuit
A6010020Dark
Lv 11
Haze
D30Ice
Lv 15
Wing Attack
C9010035Flying
Lv 21
Night Shade
D10015Ghost
Lv 25
Assurance
7510010Dark
Lv 31
Taunt
C10020Dark
Lv 35
Feint Attack
9020Dark
Lv 41
Mean Look
D5Normal
Lv 45
Sucker Punch+1
A1201005Dark

TM Moves

TM
TM40
Aerial Ace
C9020Flying
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM04
Calm Mind
C20Psychic
TM78
Captivate
10020Normal
TM79
Dark Pulse
A12010015Dark
HM05
Defog
D15Flying
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM85
Dream Eater
C10010015Psychic
TM63
Embargo
10015Dark
TM58
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
HM02
Fly
C1359515Flying
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
D6010015Normal
TM83
Natural Gift
D10015Normal
TM66
Payback
C7510010Dark
TM88
Pluck
C9010020Flying
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM77
Psych Up
10Normal
TM29
Psychic
C9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM51
Roost
A10Flying
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM30
Shadow Ball
C8010015Ghost
TM82
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM49
Snatch+4
10Dark
TM47
Steel Wing
D709025Steel
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM87
Swagger
9015Normal
TM12
Taunt
C10020Dark
TM46
Thief
C9010025Dark
TM73
Thunder Wave
C10020Electric
TM41
Torment
D10015Dark
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Confuse Ray
C10010Ghost
Egg
Drill Peck
C12010020Flying
Egg
Feather Dance
10015Flying
Egg
Feint Attack
9020Dark
Egg
Mirror Move
20Flying
Egg
Perish Song
D5Normal
Egg
Psycho Shift
10010Psychic
Egg
Screech
8540Normal
Egg
Sky Attack
B210905Flying
Egg
Whirlwind-6
D20Normal
Egg
Wing Attack
C9010035Flying

Tutor Moves

Murkrow can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen
Gen 3
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
10Normal
Gen 3
Snore
D4010015Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP60
C
Attack85
C
Defense42
D
Sp. Atk85
C
Sp. Def42
D
Speed91
B
Total405
Details
Catch Rate
Difficult30 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height0.5 m
Weight2.1 kg
Base XP81
Abilities
Insomnia
Prevents sleep.
Super Luck
Raises moves' critical hit rates one stage.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Speed training source
Pokedex Entry

It is believed that seeing this Pokémon at night will bring about ominous occurrences.

It appears near travelers to lure them into deep forests. It is said to carry misfortune.

Murkrow Diamond & Pearl Guide

  • In Diamond & Pearl, Murkrow isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Honchkrow to unlock its full potential. At 405 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.

  • In Diamond & Pearl, Murkrow's biggest threats include Jolteon (Electric), Cloyster (Ice), and Tyranitar (Rock), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.

  • Insomnia is the go-to ability for Murkrow. It prevents sleep. Super Luck is the other option. Pick based on what your team needs.

  • In Diamond & Pearl, Murkrow fills the balanced role. It's a mixed attacker with base 85 Attack and 85 Sp. Atk. Base 91 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's fragile, can't afford to take many hits.

  • In Diamond & Pearl, Murkrow does the job early-game if you need a Dark/Flying type on your team. Evolve it into Honchkrow before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.

Game Availability

Murkrow has been available in 17 games since Gold & Silver, though obtaining it requires an item-based evolution. This extra step makes it less common than Pokemon found through standard wild encounters.

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