The Dark/Dragon-type Hydreigon is a powerhouse in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, a must-have for any trainer's Pokédex. To obtain this pseudo-legendary Pokémon, you'll first need its pre-evolutions: Deino and Zweilous. Evolving the Irate Deino into the Brutal Hydreigon is a rewarding journey, but keep in mind that Deino and its evolutions are exclusive to Pokémon Scarlet. Players of Pokémon Violet will need to utilize trading or other methods to acquire them.
Updated January 13, 2025 by Renri Seong: The Deino line, debuting in Gen 5's Pokémon Black/White, has become a staple in subsequent mainline games, including Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Their version exclusivity continues in this generation; you can find them in the wild in Pokémon Scarlet, but acquiring one in Pokémon Violet requires trading. With a plethora of pseudo-legendaries in Scarlet & Violet, Hydreigon's viability might be questioned. This guide has been updated with fresh information on Hydreigon's stats and type effectiveness.
Where to Catch Deino in Pokémon Scarlet
Deino and Zweilous 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) are easily accessible, Alfornada Cavern and Dalizapa Passage require more exploration. Deino in Dalizapa Passage and Alfornada Cavern range from levels 35-40.
- Alfornada Cavern: Located in the southwest corner of Paldea, requiring Koraidon's high jump ability.
- Dalizapa Passage: Found east of Medali or west of Zapapico.
Three-star Tera Raids (unlocked after three Gym Badges) also offer Deino encounters, featuring varying Tera Types and a chance for Hidden Abilities. Zweilous, Deino's evolution, appears in four-star Tera Raids, and Hydreigon can be found in five/six-star Tera 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, use Pokémon HOME to transfer Deino from Pokémon Sword/Shield, Pokémon GO, or Pokémon Scarlet.
- Open Pokémon HOME, move Deino from your source game to the Basic Box, and save.
- In HOME, open Pokémon Violet and transfer Deino from the Basic Box to a PC Box. Save.
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 evolution 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 is recommended.
| Stat | Base |
|---|---|
| HP | 92 |
| Attack | 105 |
| Special Attack | 125 |
| Defense | 90 |
| Special Defense | 90 |
| Speed | 98 |
| Total | 600 |
Its Dark/Dragon typing provides advantages against Dragon, Ghost, and Psychic types, but leaves it vulnerable to Fairy (4x), Fighting, Bug, Dragon, and Ice. It resists Grass, Water, Fire, Electric, Ghost, and Dark types, and is immune to Ground and Psychic. Terastallizing offers a solution to its Fairy weakness. Offensively, Hydreigon can function as either a physical or special attacker. A recommended moveset might include Nasty Plot, Dragon Pulse (or Draco Meteor), Dark Pulse, and Flash Cannon (Steel-type coverage via TM).
