The Dark/Dragon-type Hydreigon is a powerhouse in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, a must-have for any serious trainer's Pokédex. To acquire this pseudo-legendary Pokémon, you'll first need to obtain its pre-evolutions: Deino and Zweilous. Evolving this fearsome trio culminates in the formidable Hydreigon, but there's a catch – Deino and its evolutions are exclusive to Pokémon Scarlet. This guide details how to obtain and evolve Deino, and explores Hydreigon's strengths and weaknesses.
Updated January 13, 2025 by Renri Seong: The Deino line, debuting in Gen 5, has become a staple in mainline games, including Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Their version exclusivity continues in this generation, meaning you'll need to employ trading or other methods to obtain them in Pokémon Violet. This updated guide provides the latest information on Hydreigon's stats and effectiveness.
Where to Catch Deino in Pokémon Scarlet
In Pokémon Scarlet, Deino can be found in several locations: Alfornada Cavern, Dalizapa Passage, Glaseado Mountain, Area Zero, and North Province (Area Two). While Glaseado Mountain, Area Zero, and North Province (Area Two) offer easier access, Alfornada Cavern and Dalizapa Passage require Koraidon's high jump ability to navigate fully. Expect Deino levels ranging from 35-40 in the latter two locations.
- Alfornada Cavern: Located in the southwest corner of the Paldea map.
- Dalizapa Passage: Found between Medali and Zapapico.
Three-star Tera Raids (unlocked after three Gym Badges) also offer Deino encounters, potentially with different Tera Types and a chance of possessing its Hidden Ability. Zweilous, Deino's evolution, appears in four-star Tera Raids, while Hydreigon can be found in five and six-star raids.
How to Get Deino in Pokémon Violet
Since Deino is exclusive to Pokémon Scarlet, trading or transferring is necessary for Pokémon Violet players. Nintendo Switch Online is required for Union Circle trading. Alternatively, utilize the Pokémon HOME app (available on Switch) to transfer Deino from compatible games like Pokémon Sword/Shield, Pokémon GO, or even your Pokémon Scarlet save file.
- Open Pokémon HOME, select the game containing Deino, move it to your Basic Box, and save.
- Open Pokémon Violet within HOME and transfer Deino from the Basic Box to a PC Box. Save and exit.
How to Evolve Deino into Zweilous and Hydreigon
Deino evolves into Zweilous at level 50, and Zweilous evolves into Hydreigon at level 64. Utilize auto-battling, Exp. Candies (L and XL recommended), or Rare Candies to expedite the leveling process.
Is Hydreigon a Good Pokémon?
As a pseudo-legendary, Hydreigon boasts a 600 base stat total, excelling in Special Attack and Attack with good Speed. A Timid (+Spd, -Attk) or Jolly (+Spd, -Sp.Attk) Nature complements its strengths. Its Dark/Dragon typing makes it super effective against Dragon, Ghost, and Psychic types. However, it has a significant 4x weakness to Fairy, and additional weaknesses to Fighting, Bug, Dragon, and Ice types. It resists Grass, Water, Fire, Electric, Ghost, and Dark.
| HP: | 92 |
|---|---|
| Attack: | 105 |
| Special Attack: | 125 |
| Defense: | 90 |
| Special Defense: | 90 |
| Speed: | 98 |
| Total: | 600 |
Terastallizing mitigates the Fairy weakness. Offensively, Hydreigon can function as either a physical or special attacker, with a moveset including Flash Cannon (TM), Nasty Plot, Dragon Pulse (or Draco Meteor), and Dark Pulse. The glaring Fairy weakness necessitates a Steel-type move, making a special attacker build generally preferable.
