"Catch and Evolve Bagon in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet"

Bagon, a Dragon-type Pokémon, is the first step in the evolutionary line that leads to the powerful Salamence, and you can catch one in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. However, players of Pokémon Scarlet will quickly realize that Bagon and its evolutions are exclusive to Pokémon Violet. If your goal is to complete the Paldea Pokédex, you'll need to secure Bagon, Shelgon, and Salamence.

Updated on January 13, 2025 by Renri Seong: Bagon, which evolves into the formidable Salamence, is available for your team in Pokémon Violet. There are multiple ways to capture Bagon and its evolved form, Shelgon. However, for those playing Pokémon Scarlet, you'll need to transfer Bagon from Pokémon Violet or use Pokémon HOME. Like Dragonite, Salamence is a Dragon/Flying-type pseudo-legendary with a base stat total of 600. But how does Salamence compare to the first pseudo-legendary? This guide has been updated to include detailed information on Salamence's stats, type effectiveness, and recommended moves.

Where to Find Bagon

Bagon Location in Pokémon Violet

To find Bagon in Pokémon Violet, start your search in East Province (Area Three), known for its expansive terrain and numerous caves. If you're still exploring the starting area, you can catch a fixed spawn Bagon on a mountain in South Province (Area Five). Climb the mountain southwest of the bridge connecting the grassy and rocky regions of South Province (Area Five).

Another prime location is Dalizapa Passage, situated north of The Great Crater of Paldea and south of Glaseado Mountain. There's a deep hole with a Pokémon Center where you can ride Koraidon or Miraidon to jump down or enter via various cave entrances. This cave is home to several rare Pokémon, including Bagon and Frigibax.

For those interested in Tera Raids, Bagon can be caught in 3-star Tera Raids, available after obtaining three gym badges. Keep in mind that Bagon's Tera Type in raids might differ from its regular type, and it could have its Hidden Ability, which is a valuable trait to consider.

How to Get Bagon in Pokémon Scarlet

How to Trade and Transfer Pokémon

If you're playing Pokémon Scarlet, you won't be able to catch Bagon or its evolutions directly. You'll need to trade with a Pokémon Violet player or use Pokémon HOME to transfer Bagon from other games like Pokémon Sword/Shield (with the Expansion Pass), Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl, or directly from Pokémon HOME.

To transfer Bagon using Pokémon HOME:

1. Open Pokémon HOME and select the game from which you'll be transferring Bagon.
2. Move Bagon to your Basic Box (left side of the screen), then save and exit.
3. Open your Pokémon Scarlet file and move Bagon from the Basic Box to one of your Scarlet PC Boxes.
4. Save and exit.

Upon reopening Pokémon Scarlet, Bagon should be in the PC Box you selected, and its Pokédex entry will be completed.

How to Evolve Bagon into Shelgon and Salamence

What Level Does Bagon Evolve

To evolve Bagon into Shelgon, you need to level it up to 30. Once it becomes Shelgon, level it up to 50 to evolve into Salamence. The fastest method is to have Bagon or Shelgon auto-battle Pokémon of similar levels.

If you're not focused on EV training, have Bagon or Shelgon auto-battle against Pokémon like Chansey, which provide significant experience. Chanseys can be found in East Province (Area Two), North Province (Areas One-Three), Casseroya Lake, and West Province (Areas Two-Three).

Alternatively, use Exp. Candy to expedite the process. Exp. Candy L or XL will raise their level significantly, while Exp. Candy M requires more pieces but is still effective for evolving Shelgon into Salamence.

You can also find Shelgon in 4-star Tera Raids and Salamence in 5/6-star Tera Raids.

Is Salamence Good?

Salamence Strengths & Weaknesses

Salamence, along with Metagross, are the pseudo-legendary Pokémon from Gen 3. Pseudo-legendary Pokémon are non-legendary with a base stat total of 600, making them highly sought after for competitive play when properly trained.

Recommended Natures for Salamence include Adamant (+Attack, -Special Attack) or Lonely (+Attack, -Defense).

Salamence is a Dragon/Flying-type Pokémon, enabling it to use both Dragon and Flying-type moves effectively. However, this dual-typing leaves it with a significant weakness:

Recommended Moves

Salamence's move set leans towards physical attacks, aligning with its higher Attack stat. Opt for moves like Dragon Claw instead of Dragon Breath. To counter its weaknesses to Fairy and Rock types, teach it Iron Head via TM099.

Despite its higher Attack, Salamence's base Special Attack is also considerable, allowing for a special attacker build. If you choose this path, a Timid (+Speed, -Attack) Nature may be more beneficial. A specially trained Salamence can effectively utilize moves like Draco Meteor and Flamethrower.