Physical
Balanced
60Speed · Below Avg

Is Starly Good in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Playthrough?

Route 201 encounter from the very start. Staraptor is one of the best in-game Pokemon in franchise history. No question, grab one.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTGGEEESESEGEGStarlyCatchRoarkGym 1StaraviaEvolveGardeniaGym 2MayleneGym 3Crasher WakeGym 4StaraptorEvolveFantinaGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4CynthiaChamp*
Roark
Gym 1
Tough

Roark's team hits Starly's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockDefense CurlRolloutLeer
Risky
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Sturdy
Stealth RockRock ThrowBindHeadbutt
Even
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
BulldozeLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Good

Staravia has the type edge here and should clean up Gardenia's team.

Easy KO
Cherubi
Lv 19
Grass
Chlorophyll
Grass KnotGrowthDazzling GleamSafeguard
Easy KO
Turtwig
Lv 19
Grass
Shell Armor
Grass KnotRazor LeafReflectWork Up
You Win
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Technician
Grass KnotPetal BlizzardPoison StingStun Spore
Maylene
Gym 3
Good

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

Easy KO
Meditite
Lv 27
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchLight ScreenFlashBulk Up
You Win
Machoke
Lv 27
Fighting
Guts
Low SweepKnock OffRock TombBulldoze
Even
Lucario
Lv 30
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchScreechMetal ClawBulk Up
Crasher Wake
Gym 4
Even

Staravia trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.

Risky
Gyarados
Lv 27
WaterFlying
Intimidate
BrineIce FangCrunchFlail
Even
Quagsire
Lv 27
WaterGround
Damp
Rain DanceHazeMud ShotScald
Risky
Floatzel
Lv 30
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangBiteAqua Jet
Fantina
Gym 5
Even

Staraptor trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.

You Win
Drifblim
Lv 32
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Strength SapHexFlyWill O Wisp
Even
Gengar
Lv 34
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Shadow ClawConfuse RaySludge BombDazzling Gleam
Even
Mismagius
Lv 36
Ghost
Levitate
Confuse RayPhantom ForceMagical LeafDazzling Gleam
Byron
Gym 6
Even

Staraptor trades roughly evenly with Byron's team.

Even
Bronzor
Lv 36
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Confuse RaySandstormTrick RoomFlash Cannon
Even
Steelix
Lv 36
SteelGround
Sturdy
Thunder FangEarthquakeSandstormGyro Ball
Even
Bastiodon
Lv 39
RockSteel
Sturdy
Iron DefenseThunderboltStone EdgeFlash Cannon
Candice
Gym 7
Strong

Staraptor resists most of Candice's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Snover
Lv 38
GrassIce
Snow Warning
MistRazor LeafWater PulseAvalanche
Easy KO
Sneasel
Lv 38
DarkIce
Pickpocket
Metal ClawHone ClawsDigAvalanche
You Win
Medicham
Lv 40
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Ice PunchBulk UpBrick BreakRock Slide
You Win
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
Aurora VeilGiga DrainEarthquakeBlizzard
Volkner
Gym 8
Even

Staraptor trades roughly evenly with Volkner's team.

Even
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
NuzzleVolt SwitchSurfCharge Beam
Even
Ambipom
Lv 47
Normal
Technician
Fake OutThunderboltDouble HitLast Resort
Even
Octillery
Lv 47
Water
Sniper
OctazookaFocus EnergyAurora BeamCharge Beam
Even
Luxray
Lv 49
Electric
Intimidate
Thunder FangIce FangCrunchIron Tail
Aaron
Elite Four
Strong

Staraptor resists most of Aaron's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Dustox
Lv 53
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ToxicBug BuzzMoonlightLight Screen
Easy KO
Beautifly
Lv 53
BugFlying
Swarm
Bug BuzzShadow BallPsychicQuiver Dance
Easy KO
Vespiquen
Lv 54
BugFlying
Unnerve
AcrobaticsAttack OrderAerial AceDefend Order
Easy KO
Heracross
Lv 54
BugFighting
Guts
EarthquakeRock SlideFacadeBrick Break
Even
Drapion
Lv 57
PoisonDark
Sniper
Cross PoisonNight SlashEarthquakeX Scissor
Bertha
Elite Four
Even

Staraptor trades roughly evenly with Bertha's team.

You Win
Quagsire
Lv 55
WaterGround
Water Absorb
RecoverToxicEarthquakeSurf
Risky
Sudowoodo
Lv 56
Rock
Rock Head
Double EdgeHead SmashSucker PunchLow Kick
Risky
Golem
Lv 56
RockGround
Sturdy
Rock PolishHeavy SlamEarthquakeStone Edge
Even
Whiscash
Lv 55
WaterGround
Hydration
BulldozeIce BeamHydro Pump
Even
Hippowdon
Lv 59
Ground
Sand Stream
Ice FangEarthquakeCrunchRest
Flint
Elite Four
Good

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

You Win
Rapidash
Lv 58
Fire
Flame Body
Flame ChargeIron TailPoison JabHypnosis
Even
Steelix
Lv 57
SteelGround
Sheer Force
Thunder FangFire FangIron TailCrunch
You Win
Drifblim
Lv 58
GhostFlying
Unburden
Strength SapMinimizeBaton PassWill O Wisp
You Win
Lopunny
Lv 57
Normal
Cute Charm
Mirror CoatHigh Jump KickQuick AttackFire Punch
You Win
Infernape
Lv 61
FireFighting
Iron Fist
Fire PunchThunder PunchClose CombatMach Punch
Lucian
Elite Four
Even

Staraptor trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.

You Win
Girafarig
Lv 59
NormalPsychic
Sap Sipper
Light ScreenReflectPsychicDazzling Gleam
You Win
Medicham
Lv 59
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Light ScreenPsychicThunderboltTrick Room
You Win
Alakazam
Lv 60
Psychic
Magic Guard
Zen HeadbuttHigh Jump KickThunder PunchIce Punch
Risky
Bronzong
Lv 60
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Nasty PlotPsychicFuture SightShock Wave
Cynthia
Champion
Good

Staraptor has the type edge here and should clean up Cynthia's team.

Even
Spiritomb
Lv 61
GhostDark
Pressure
Shadow BallDark PulsePsychicSucker Punch
Easy KO
Roserade
Lv 60
GrassPoison
Poison Point
Dazzling GleamShadow BallSludge BombEnergy Ball
You Win
Gastrodon
Lv 60
WaterGround
Storm Drain
ScaldEarthquakeSludge BombRock Tomb
You Win
Lucario
Lv 63
FightingSteel
Inner Focus
Aura SphereDragon PulseFlash CannonNasty Plot
Even
Milotic
Lv 63
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverMirror CoatIce BeamScald
Even
Garchomp
Lv 66
DragonGround
Rough Skin
Dragon ClawEarthquakeSwords DancePoison Jab
Catchable
Available before Badge 1
Type
NormalFlying

Catch Starly on Lake Verity (walking, Lv 2-4, common).

View Starly locations

Evolve Starly to Staravia
Level 14
Type
NormalFlying

Your Starly should hit Level 14 before you reach Gardenia, at typical leveling pace.

View Staravia locations

Evolve Staravia to Staraptor
Level 34
Type
NormalFlying

Your Staravia should hit Level 34 before you reach Fantina, at typical leveling pace.

How to Get Starly in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

Easy grab on Starly with high spawn rates across 44 locations in early-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.

Where To Catch Starly in BDSP

To get Starly, start by catching Starly through walking encounters at Lv. 2-54. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Starly
    Step 1Starly
    Lake Verity
    Lv.2-4Grass
    Rate 50%
    Morning/day
    Route 201
    Lv.2-3Grass
    Rate 50%
    Morning/day
    Route 203
    Lv.4-6Grass
    Rate 45%
    Day
    Lake Verity
    Lv.2-4Grass
    Rate 40%
    Night
    Route 201
    Lv.2-3Grass
    Rate 40%
    Night
    Route 202
    Lv.2-4Grass
    Rate 40%
    Day
    Route 203
    Lv.4-6Grass
    Rate 35%
    Morning
    Route 204 - South
    Lv.4-6Grass
    Rate 35%
    Day
    Route 204 - North
    Lv.6-8Grass
    Rate 35%
    Day
    Route 202
    Lv.2-4Grass
    Rate 30%
    Morning
    Route 203
    Lv.4-6Grass
    Rate 25%
    Night
    Route 204 - South
    Lv.4-6Grass
    Rate 25%
    Morning/night
    Route 204 - North
    Lv.6-8Grass
    Rate 25%
    Morning/night
    Route 202
    Lv.2-4Grass
    Rate 20%
    Night
    Route 209
    Lv.16Grass
    Rate 20%
    Route 212 - North
    Lv.16Grass
    Rate 20%
    Great Marsh - Area 5
    Lv.22Floor
    Rate 10%
    Morning/day
    Great Marsh - Area 6
    Lv.22Floor
    Rate 10%
    Morning/day
    Great Marsh - Area 3
    Lv.24Floor
    Rate 10%
    Morning/day
    Great Marsh - Area 4
    Lv.24Floor
    Rate 10%
    Morning/day
    Great Marsh - Area 1
    Lv.26Floor
    Rate 10%
    Morning/day
    Great Marsh - Area 2
    Lv.26Floor
    Rate 10%
    Morning/day
  2. Staravia
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Staravia
    Trophy Garden
    Lv.16-17Grass
    Rate 40%
    Day
    Route 209
    Lv.16-18Grass
    Rate 25%
    Day
    Route 212 - North
    Lv.17-18Grass
    Rate 25%
    Day
    Trophy Garden
    Lv.17Grass
    Rate 20%
    Morning/night
    Route 209
    Lv.17-18Grass
    Rate 15%
    Morning/night
    Route 212 - North
    Lv.17-18Grass
    Rate 15%
    Morning
    Valor Lakefront
    Lv.21-22Grass
    Rate 15%
    Morning/day
    Route 212 - North
    Lv.18Grass
    Rate 5%
    Night
    Valor Lakefront
    Lv.22Grass
    Rate 5%
    Night
    Lake Valor
    Lv.34-36Grass
    Rate 25%
    Morning/day
    Lake Valor
    Lv.35Grass
    Rate 5%
    Night
    Sendoff Spring
    Lv.52-54Grass
    Rate 25%
    Morning/day
    Sendoff Spring
    Lv.52Grass
    Rate 5%
    Night
    or evolve from Starly (Step 1)
  3. Staraptor
    Step 3Evolve into Staraptor

Starly Weakness

Starly is weak to Electric, Ice, and Rock. On the flip side, it's immune to Ground and Ghost-type moves entirely.

Starly Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Ice, Rock
0.5x (Resist)Grass, Bug
0x (Immune)Ground, Ghost

What is Starly Weak Against

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

What is Starly Strong Against

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

Best Pokemon Against Starly

Starly Evolutions

Starly is the start of a three-stage chain. It evolves into Staravia first, then eventually reaches Staraptor. For breeding, quick to hatch with a decent partner pool via one egg group. Evolving adds up to 240 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Starly
NormalFlying
Staravia
NormalFlying
Staraptor
NormalFlying
HP
40
55+15
85+30
ATK
55
75+20
120+45
DEF
30
50+20
70+20
SP.ATK
30
40+10
50+10
SP.DEF
30
40+10
60+20
SPE
60
80+20
100+20
BST
245D-Tier
340C-Tier+95
485B-Tier+145
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Sweeper
TYPE
Physical
Physical
Physical

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Starly easily with 31 breeding partners from the Flying egg group. Pass egg moves like Astonish, Detect, Double-Edge and 5 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
8moves
Breed With (best first)
togekisstogeticaltariapelipperfarfetchdswabluwingullcrobathonchkrowstaraptorpidgeotdodrio

BDSP Starly Best Moveset

Normal/Flying pre-evo with hidden AbilityReckless boosting recoil moves by 20%. 55 Attack at 60 Speed gives the moveset nothing competitive. Two evolutions from Staraptor where AbilityReckless at 120 Attack behind MoveBrave Bird creates A-tier physical offense.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Keen Eye
Item
Focus SashSURVIVAL
Best Nature for Starly
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • EndeavorSTAB
  • Brave BirdSTAB
  • AgilitySetup

Moves List

Egg moves make a real difference. Starly gets Astonish and Detect exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Fighting and Steel coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Brave Bird and Double-Edge.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
10040Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D6010035Normal
Lv 5
Quick Attack+1
D6010030Normal
Lv 9
Wing Attack
9010035Flying
Lv 13
Double Team
D15Normal
Lv 17
Endeavor
B1005Normal
Lv 21
Whirlwind-6
D20Normal
Lv 25
Aerial Ace
D9020Flying
Lv 29
Take Down
C1358520Normal
Lv 33
Agility
A30Psychic
Lv 37
Brave Bird
A18010015Flying
Lv 41
Final Gambit
D1005Fighting

TM Moves

TM
TM40
Aerial Ace
D9020Flying
TM45
Attract
C10015Normal
TM97
Defog
C15Flying
TM32
Double Team
D15Normal
TM58
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM42
Facade
D10510020Normal
TM94
Fly
C1359515Flying
TM88
Pluck
9010020Flying
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM51
Roost
C10Flying
TM82
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM47
Steel Wing
D709025Steel
TM90
Substitute
C10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
C5Fire
TM87
Swagger
D8515Normal
TM46
Thief
D6010025Dark
TM89
U-turn
D7010020Bug
TM10
Work Up
C30Normal

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Astonish
D3010015Ghost
Egg
Detect+4
D5Fighting
Egg
Double-Edge
C18010015Normal
Egg
Feather Dance
D10015Flying
Egg
Fury Attack
228520Normal
Egg
Revenge-4
D6010010Fighting
Egg
Sand Attack
D10015Ground
Egg
Uproar
D13510010Normal

Tutor Moves

Starly can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP40
D
Attack55
D
Defense30
F
Sp. Atk30
F
Sp. Def30
F
Speed60
C
Total245
Details
Catch Rate
Guaranteed255 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Slow1.06M XP
Height0.3 m
Weight2.0 kg
Base XP49
Abilities
Keen Eye
Prevents accuracy from being lowered.
RecklessHidden Ability
Strengthens recoil moves to 1.2× their power.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Speed training source
Pokedex Entry

They flock in great numbers. Though small, they flap their wings with great power.

Usually with a large flock, it is barely noticeable when alone. Its cries are very strident.

Starly Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Guide

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

Game Availability

Starly first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 13 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.

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