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Moves Hurricane is Noctowl's STAB move of choice despite its low accuracy because of its high Base Power and ability to deal neutral damage to most targets courtesy of Tinted Lens while also OHKOing Victreebel after Stealth Rock. Roost keeps Noctowl healthy and provides additional chances to sweep or wallbreak. Roost also compensates for Noctowl's weakness to Stealth Rock and can be used to sponge Volt Switch from slow users such as Lanturn. Set Details A Modest nature is preferred so that Noctowl can function primarily as a wallbreaker and OHKO Assault Vest Hitmonchan and Skuntank unboosted; it's still faster than threats such as Choice Scarf Primeape after Agility. A Timid nature lets Noctowl naturally outspeed neutral-natured base 80 Speed Pokemon like Shiftry, but this forfeits a considerable amount of Noctowl's attacking power. Tinted Lens is a crucial ability, as it lets Hurricane hit the likes of Aurorus and Regirock neutrally. Flyinium Z gives Noctowl a one-time nuke that, alongside setup, is capable of demolishing specially bulky Pokemon like Lanturn and Eelektross. Its perfect accuracy is also helpful in dire situations where Noctowl needs to land an attack. Sky Plate is a viable alternative if another teammate is using a Z-Crystal, giving Noctowl more consistent damage output. However, Noctowl sorely misses out on the power brought by using Flyinium Z, which includes OHKOing Pokemon like Eviolite Scyther and Oricorio-E after Stealth Rock without a boost. Usage Tips Noctowl functions best utilizing Work Up, Tinted Lens, and Hurricane to break through balance and bulky offense teams that rely on Pokemon like Regirock, Oricorio-E, and Lanturn to take Flying-type attacks. Assess whether Agility or Work Up is more important to set up first. Against offensive teams, Agility gives Noctowl an edge over fast Pokemon that would otherwise threaten it like Alolan Sandslash and Jynx. Work Up functions well versus bulkier teams, allowing Noctowl to punch through walls after a sufficient number of uses. For instance, +1 Supersonic Skystrike can OHKO Aurorus and Regirock after Stealth Rock damage, whereas an unboosted Supersonic Skystrike or a boosted Hurricane can OHKO Alolan Sandslash and Kabutops. Supersonic Skystrike can also be used if Noctowl can't afford to miss Hurricane, such as against a Pokemon like Aggron, which threatens to decimate Noctowl in return. It's also useful for securing an OHKO on Pokemon like Carracosta and Omastar, where Noctowl can't afford to set up at all. In spite of great special bulk, Noctowl should not be used as a sponge to special attacks; instead, bring it in safely through pivoting moves like Volt Switch and Parting Shot. However, Noctowl can switch into weaker users of Knock Off such as Tangela and Sableye to preserve its teammates' items and threaten both examples with Supersonic Skystrike. A weakness to Stealth Rock and susceptibility to residual damage is often a liability for Noctowl, so keeping it healthy increases its chances of being able to successfully set up versus weaker special attackers such as Bellossom. Use Roost to heal when against Pokemon that can't do much harm to Noctowl, such as Audino, but be wary of the occasional Toxic. Status from users like Toxic Poliwrath and Thunder Wave Qwilfish is something Noctowl should try to avoid in general. Use advantageous matchups as setup time, as this is the key to Noctowl's success. Choice item users such as Haunter can be taken advantage of, depending on what they're locked into. Some Pokemon that can't do much to Noctowl include Lurantis and Bellossom. Finally, Noctowl can engage in mind games with other Pokemon like Hitmonchan and Abomasnow, which are naturally threatened out by Supersonic Skystrike. Team Options Wallbreakers such as Drampa and Aggron can weaken defensive Pokemon like Audino and Clefairy, paving the way for Noctowl to sweep using Agility. Similarly, late-game cleaners such as Jynx, Carracosta, and Primeape appreciate Noctowl's ability to weaken bulky Pokemon such as Poliwrath and Gurdurr. Blanket checks to physical attackers such as Regirock, defensive Carracosta, and Gurdurr take powerful physical hits for Noctowl, while it can check Grass-types like Bellossom and Lurantis in return. Noctowl thrives on getting free switches to start setting up, so slow pivots like Probopass and Eelektross can help. Conversely, Silvally-Dragon operates well as a fast pivot thanks to Parting Shot lowering the foe's offensive stats, giving Noctowl an easier shot at setting up. Silvally-Dragon's ability to unleash a powerful Draco Meteor and target Steel-types like Ferroseed with Flamethrower can help secure a potential sweep for Noctowl. Entry hazard removers such as Hitmonchan and Skuntank are essential, as Noctowl is weak to Stealth Rock. Hitmonchan also works as an offensive check to Pokemon like Ferroseed and Aggron while appreciating Noctowl's ability to break threats such as Tangela, whereas specially offensive Skuntank can soften special walls with Acid Spray. Skuntank also enjoys Noctowl being able to switch into Ground-type attacks. Noctowl appreciates entry hazards from Pokemon like Qwilfish weakening switch-ins. A notable feat that Noctowl can pull off with Stealth Rock is OHKOing Regirock with +1 Supersonic Skystrike. Qwilfish can weaken physical attackers with Intimidate and soften targets with Explosion. Clefairy also appreciates Noctowl being able to power through Steel-types like Aggron and Metang with Supersonic Skystrike and absorb Knock Off from weaker users like Audino.

Moves Roost provides reliable recovery and allows Noctowl to stay healthy throughout the match. Defog allows Noctowl to remove entry hazards, such as Stealth Rock and Spikes, allowing teammates to switch in more. Toxic hits defensive walls that Noctowl is otherwise unable to touch, such as Tangela and Gourgeist-XL, and Normal-types, which are immune to Night Shade, such as Stoutland. Night Shade is Noctowl's only attack, and has fixed damage. Alternatively, Noctowl could run Hidden Power Fighting in the fourth slot to hit Steel-types, such as Probopass and Pawniard, or Air Slash to hit Grass- and Fighting-types, such as Jumpluff and Monferno. Set Details An EV spread of 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD and a Calm nature maximize Noctowl's Special Defense and allow it to take hits from special attackers such as Simipour and Mr. Mime and take minimum damage from Stealth Rock. Insomnia allows Noctowl to check sleep users such as Jumpluff. Leftovers adds to Noctowl's recovery and aids it in staying healthy during the match. Usage Tips Noctowl should use Defog to remove entry hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes, but it should be wary of Defiant users, such as Pawniard, as they can gain a +2 Attack boost from switching into Defog. Noctowl should Roost frequently in order to keep its health up. Noctowl should focus on using Toxic early-game to wear down foes. Switch Noctowl into special attackers that can't much to Noctowl, such as Simipour, but try not to switch it into physical attacks, due to its low Defense. Status conditions such as burn, paralysis, and poison cause Noctowl to be worn down quickly when combined with Stealth Rock damage, so don't switch it into status users, such as Misdreavus and Grumpig. Use Night Shade to rack up more damage combined with Toxic damage. Team Options Noctowl fits best on balanced or stall teams because of its passive nature. A physically bulky Pokemon such as Tangela or Bronzor is recommended to take on wallbreakers that will attempt to abuse Noctowl, such as Stoutland. Ground-types, such as Stunfisk and Golem, are able to take Electric- and Rock-type attacks for Noctowl, while it provides Defog support and deals with Grass-types. Stealth Rock-weak Pokemon, such as Rotom-F, Dodrio, and Rapidash, benefit from Noctowl's ability to remove entry hazards and can take down threats to Noctowl. Stealth Rock support from Pokemon such as Probopass is also beneficial to help Noctowl wear down its does. Pokemon such as Pawniard make for good partners because they can deal with Magic Guard users, which Noctowl is unable to touch.

This is the best set that Noctowl can pull off in NU. Roost is necessary for Noctowl to stick around as it will get worn down quite quickly by Stealth Rock. Whirlwind is important as well, as Noctowl would be setup fodder for multiple Pokemon without it. It also allows Noctowl to wear down the opponent's team when paired with entry hazards. Due to Noctowl's low Special Attack, Night Shade is generally the best way for Noctowl to deal damage as it only leaves Noctowl walled by Normal-types. Air Slash can also be useful as it gives Noctowl a way to hit Normal-types and lets it beat Grass-types more easily. However, keep in mind that Noctowl will then be walled by Steel-types. Finally, Toxic is there to let Noctowl cripple and wear down the opponent's Pokemon. Magic Coat can be used to prevent Noctowl from getting hit by Taunt or to prevent entry hazard setup, but Noctowl has problems fitting it in as it needs all four of its moves. Reflect is also an interesting option for Noctowl, as it would help it take on physical attacker better, but like Magic Coat, it is hard for Noctowl to find spaces for it. Because Noctowl's best way to beat a Pokemon is by wearing it down, Garbodor and physically defensive Roselia are great partners for it as they provides Spikes and Toxic Spikes to wear down the opponent's team even more and can take on physical attackers such as Sawk and Gurdurr for Noctowl thanks to their typing. Piloswine also pairs well with Noctowl, providing Stealth Rock, an immunity to Electric-type attacks, and a resistance to Ice-type attacks thanks to Thick Fat. Finally, Steel-types such as Metang and Klang are good partners for Noctowl as they can deal with the opponent's Rock-type Pokemon.

Due to its excellent special bulk, Noctowl can become an effective special tank. The idea when using Noctowl is to switch it into a special attack and work from there. Whirlwind is for phazing, and works wonders with entry hazards. It can also help Noctowl scout out the opponent's physical attackers and stop a setup attempt. Roost grants Noctowl reliable recovery, and removes its nasty weaknesses to Ice-, Electric-, and Rock-type attacks. Unfortunately, Noctowl is normally too slow to take advantage of this, and when Roosting, Noctowl is exposed to Fighting- and Ground-type attacks. Because Noctowl's offensive stats are rather poor, Night Shade is used to obtain steady damage. The last slot is up to the player's discretion: Noctowl can use Toxic decently while phazing to rack up even more residual damage, Reflect cushions Noctowl's poor Defense and can help out the rest of the team, and Psycho Shift throws back status attacks so that Noctowl isn't crippled by them. Insomnia is what makes Noctowl one of the best Grass-type counters available, as it is able to switch into special Venusaur, Exeggutor, and Tangrowth with impunity and force them out with Whirlwind or whittle their health down with Night Shade. Noctowl has to be careful around physical Grass-types, however, as they can punch holes right through its weaker defensive stat. Noctowl also makes a great switch-in to Venomoth and Butterfree, as well as common Yawn users such as Uxie and Hippopotas. Milotic pairs excellently with Noctowl since it draws out Venusaur; in return, Noctowl lures in Rock-types, such as Rhyperior and Aggron, which Milotic can take out with its STAB Surf. Noctowl appreciates Pokemon with solid physical bulk to cover its weaker defensive stat. Good teammates to fill that void include Rhyperior, Registeel, and Donphan. Donphan gets a special mention as it is also able to provide Rapid Spin support to clear the field of Stealth Rock, which severely hampers Noctowl's ability to switch in. As Noctowl's main job is to phaze out opposing Pokemon and rack up residual damage, Spikes and Stealth Rock support are a must. Good teammates to set up entry hazards include Omastar, Cloyster, Uxie, and Donphan. Having a spinblocker, such as Rotom, will also help Noctowl more effectively accomplish its goal. Magneton gets a special mention as a notable teammate as it resists all of Noctowl's weaknesses and can eliminate most Steel-types that stand in its way. In return, Noctowl is immune to Ground-type attacks and can switch into special Fire-type moves directed at Magneton with relative ease. Noctowl can also be a buffer special wall alongside Milotic and Chansey, as it can handle some unique threats that they struggle against such as Venusaur, SubSeeders, and Mismagius.

Choice Band Noctowl. Return or Double-Edge is a power vs. recoil argument. It can't do much to Skarmory no matter what he has, so just tail in when big bad metal birdie comes in. Pair it with Magneton and it might not completely suck. Hidden Power Ground or Hidden Power Fighting is for Tyranitar, Steelix, and compadres.

Special Attacking Noctowl set. I'd recommend Hypnosis, but that's just me. Not too bad, better than Choice Band Noctowl, as its Special Attack is actually pretty good.

Probably Noctowl's best moveset. Hypnosis is to put them to Sleep, obviously, which is always a good thing. Psychic is one of its better attacking moves and is good for Weezing and Breloom, both of whom you can switch into fairly safely. Whirlwind because Noctowl has the HP to pseudo-haze. Reflect helps shore up Noctowl's inferior Defense stat, and provides walling for the whole team.

Hypnosis anything that may counter it, Curse up, and hit stuff with your STAB attacks.

This can be pretty effective when used right, actually. Hypnosis what you can't beat, Reflect up, and use Night Shade on random things. Rest when needed, and run when any Normal-type Pokemon shows up.