The Dark/Dragon-type Hydreigon is a powerhouse in *Pokémon Scarlet & Violet*, a must-have for any serious trainer's Pokédex. To acquire this formidable Pokémon, you'll first need its pre-evolutions: Deino and Zweilous. Evolving this fearsome trio culminates in the brutal Hydreigon, but there's a catch – Deino and its evolutions are exclusive to *Pokémon Scarlet*. Getting one into *Pokémon Violet* requires a bit of extra work.

Updated January 13, 2025 by Renri Seong: The Deino line, debuting in Gen 5's *Pokémon Black/White*, remains a staple in mainline games, including *Pokémon Scarlet & Violet*. As with many new-generation Pokémon, Deino and its evolutions are version-exclusive. While readily available in *Pokémon Scarlet*, obtaining one for your *Pokémon Violet* game requires trading or transferring.

Where to Catch Deino in *Pokémon Scarlet*

In *Pokémon Scarlet*, you can find Deino in several locations: Alfornada Cavern, Dalizapa Passage, Glaseado Mountain, Area Zero, and North Province (Area Two). Glaseado Mountain, Area Zero, and North Province (Area Two) are easily accessible, while Alfornada Cavern and Dalizapa Passage are more challenging to locate. Dalizapa Passage and Alfornada Cavern Deino are typically levels 35-40.

• Alfornada Cavern: Located in the southwest corner of Paldea; Koraidon's high jump ability is essential.
• Dalizapa Passage: Found east of Medali or west of 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 the wild in Dalizapa Passage, Area Zero, and Alfornada Cavern, and in four-star Tera Raids. Hydreigon can be found in five and six-star Tera Raids.

How to Get Deino in *Pokémon Violet*

Since Deino is exclusive to *Pokémon Scarlet*, trading or transferring is necessary. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required for Union Circle trading. Alternatively, use *Pokémon HOME* to transfer from compatible games like *Pokémon Sword/Shield*, *Pokémon GO*, or *Pokémon Scarlet*. Transferring from HOME involves moving Deino to your Basic Box, then to a PC Box in *Pokémon Violet*.

1. Open *Pokémon HOME*, select the game containing Deino, move it to the Basic Box, and save.
2. Open *Pokémon Violet* in HOME and transfer Deino from the Basic Box to a PC Box.

How to Evolve Deino into Zweilous and Hydreigon

Deino evolves into Zweilous at level 50, and Zweilous evolves into Hydreigon at level 64. Auto-battling or using Exp. Candies (L and XL are recommended) speeds up the process.

Is Hydreigon a Good Pokémon?

As a pseudo-legendary, Hydreigon boasts a base stat total of 600, with high Special Attack and Attack, and good Speed. A Timid (+Spd, -Attk) or Jolly (+Spd, -Sp.Attk) Nature is ideal. Its Dark/Dragon typing makes it super-effective against Dragon, Ghost, and Psychic types, but it's weak to Fairy (4x), Fighting, Bug, Dragon, and Ice types. It resists Grass, Water, Fire, Electric, Ghost, and Dark types, and is immune to Ground and Psychic.

Terastallizing mitigates Hydreigon's double weakness to Fairy. Offensively, its Tera Type can be changed for STAB boosts. Its moveset allows for both physical and special attacking strategies. Flash Cannon (via TM) is a crucial Steel-type move to counter its Fairy weakness. Other recommended moves include Nasty Plot, Dragon Pulse (or Draco Meteor), and Dark Pulse.