Where To Find Dreepy In Pokemon Sword And How To Catch It
Tracking down the elusive Dragon and Ghost-type Pokémon Dreepy is one of the ultimate challenges for trainers exploring the Galar region in Pokémon Sword. This tiny creature eventually evolves into the incredibly powerful Dragapult, making it a highly sought-after addition to any competitive endgame team. However, finding it requires a combination of progression, specific weather conditions, and a lot of patience.
Navigating to the Lake of Outrage
Before you can even begin your hunt for Dreepy, you must advance far enough in the main story to unlock the water-travel upgrade for your Rotom Bike. This essential upgrade is obtained on Route 9 after defeating the sixth Gym Leader in Circhester. Once your bike can cross bodies of water, travel to the Wild Area and head to the northernmost section known as the Lake of Outrage.
Cross the large lake at the northwestern corner of the map to reach a secluded patch of land filled with high-level spawns and evolutionary stones. This specific plateau is the only natural habitat where Dreepy will spawn in the wild. If you have not unlocked the ability to surf across the water, you will be completely locked out of this hidden location.
Understanding Weather Requirements
Dreepy will not appear under just any atmospheric conditions, so checking your map's daily weather forecast is absolutely crucial. The elusive creature has a tiny 1% spawn rate during Overcast weather and a slightly better 2% spawn rate during Thunderstorms and Heavy Fog. If the Wild Area is experiencing clear skies, intense sun, or snow, you will waste hours searching without any success.
To maximize your chances, you can change your Nintendo Switch system clock to manipulate the local weather patterns across the Galar region. Keep in mind that Heavy Fog weather only unlocks after you have fully completed the main story and defeated the Champion. Preparing your calendar around Thunderstorms is usually the most efficient route for mid-game players who want to build their team early.
Mastering the Grass Encounter Strategy
Unlike larger monsters that wander visibly in the overworld, Dreepy is exclusively a random non-overworld spawn hidden inside the tall grass. This means you must run directly into the floating exclamation points that pop up randomly while you are walking through the greenery. Since it has a maximum spawn rate of 2%, you will need to encounter dozens of other pocket monsters before it finally decides to appear.
To make the long grinding process much safer, lead your party with a high-level monster that knows move-damping techniques like False Swipe or status effects like Spore. Throwing an Ultra Ball or a Quick Ball on the very first turn is often the easiest way to secure the catch without accidentally knocking it out. Once captured, you can begin leveling your new companion toward its magnificent final form.