Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Complete Guide & Walkthrough

Quick Links

• Where to Catch Deino in Pokemon Scarlet

  • Deino and Zweilous Locations

• How to Get Deino in Pokemon Violet

  • How to Trade and Transfer

• How to Evolve Deino into Zweilous and Hydreigon

  • What Level Does Deino Evolve?

• Is Hydreigon a Good Pokemon?

  • Hydreigon Stats & Weaknesses

Dark/Dragon-type Hydreigon stands out as one of the most formidable Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, making it a must-have for any serious trainer's Pokedex. To harness its power, you'll first need to capture its pre-evolved forms: Deino and Zweilous. Evolving these into the Brutal Hydreigon can be a rewarding journey. Keep in mind, however, that Deino and its evolutions are exclusive to Pokemon Scarlet. If you're playing Pokemon Violet, you'll need to explore other avenues to add them to your collection.

Updated January 13, 2025 by Renri Seong: The Dark/Dragon-type Deino evolves into the mighty pseudo-legendary Hydreigon. First introduced in Gen 5's Pokemon Black/White, the Deino-line has become a staple in mainline games, including Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. As with many new generations, Deino and its evolutions are version-exclusives. You can find them in the wild in Pokemon Scarlet, but trading is necessary to acquire one in Pokemon Violet. With an array of pseudo-legendaries to choose from in Scarlet/Violet, you might wonder if Hydreigon is still a top pick. This guide has been updated to provide fresh insights on Hydreigon, including its stats and type effectiveness.

Where to Catch Deino in Pokemon Scarlet

Deino and Zweilous Locations

In Pokemon Scarlet, you can encounter Deino 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) are straightforward to reach, Alfornada Cavern and Dalizapa Passage are a bit more hidden. Deino in Dalizapa Passage and Alfornada Cavern are typically at levels 35-40.

• Alfornada Cavern: Situated in the southwest corner of the Paldea map, you'll need Koraidon's high jump ability to navigate the cave effectively.
• Dalizapa Passage: Accessible by heading east from Medali or west from Zapapico. On the map, it's the area between these two locations.

Additionally, you can obtain Deino from 3-star Tera Raids, which become available after earning 3 gym badges. Deinos from these raids may have a different Tera Type compared to their wild counterparts and could possess their Hidden Ability.

You might also come across Zweilous, Deino's evolved form, in the wild at Dalizapa Passage, Area Zero, and Alfornada Cavern. Like Deino, Zweilous can be obtained from Tera Raids, specifically 4-star Tera Raids.

Hydreigon can be captured from 5/6-star Tera Raids.

How to Get Deino in Pokemon Violet

How to Trade and Transfer

Since the Deino-line is exclusive to Pokemon Scarlet, acquiring one in Pokemon Violet requires trading or transferring. For trading, you'll need a Nintendo Switch Online Membership to utilize the Union Circle. If you prefer not to subscribe, consider using Pokemon HOME to transfer Deino from another game to Pokemon Violet.

To transfer via HOME, you'll need the HOME app on your Switch. Deino and its evolutions can be moved from Pokemon Sword/Shield, Pokemon GO, or Pokemon Scarlet.

1. Launch Pokemon HOME, select the game with Deino, and move it to your Basic Box. Save and exit.
2. While in HOME, open Pokemon Violet and transfer Deino from the Basic Box to a PC Box. Save and exit.

How to Evolve Deino into Zweilous and Hydreigon

What Level Does Deino Evolve?

Deino evolves into Zweilous at level 50, and Zweilous evolves into Hydreigon at level 64. To expedite this process, have Deino/Zweilous auto-battle large groups of Pokemon to gain experience quickly. Alternatively, you can use Exp. Candies or Rare Candies. For faster results, Exp. Candy L and Exp. Candy XL are ideal given Deino's high evolution thresholds.

Is Hydreigon a Good Pokemon?

Hydreigon Stats & Weaknesses

As a pseudo-legendary, Hydreigon ranks among the strongest Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. Its base stat total of 600 showcases its prowess, with high Special Attack and Attack, complemented by good Speed. This makes it a versatile choice for either a Timid (+Spd, -Attk) or Jolly (+Spd, -Sp.Attk) Nature.

As a Dark/Dragon-type, Hydreigon's type effectiveness is as follows:

Thanks to Terastallizing, Hydreigon can mitigate its significant double weakness to Fairy-type moves. Offensively, changing its Tera Type can enhance its STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) with powerful moves like Flash Cannon. Whether you prefer a physical or special attacker, Hydreigon's diverse move set accommodates both styles.

However, Hydreigon's vulnerability to Fairy-type moves necessitates a Steel-type move like Flash Cannon, which is the only Steel-type move it can learn via TM. Unfortunately, it lacks physical Steel-type moves, leaning the choice toward a special attacker. Other recommended moves include Nasty Plot (to sharply raise Special Attack), Dragon Pulse (or Draco Meteor), and Dark Pulse.