Bagon Catching and Evolution Guide in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Bagon, a Dragon-type Pokémon, is a key member of the evolutionary line that leads to the formidable Salamence. In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, securing a Bagon is crucial for those aiming to complete the Paldea Pokédex. However, players of Pokémon Scarlet will find that Bagon and its evolutions are exclusive to Pokémon Violet. This guide will walk you through how to obtain Bagon, evolve it into Shelgon and Salamence, and assess the strengths and weaknesses of this pseudo-legendary Pokémon.

Updated on January 13, 2025 by Renri Seong: Bagon evolves into the powerful Salamence, a Dragon/Flying-type pseudo-legendary Pokémon. This guide has been updated to provide detailed insights into Salamence's stats, type effectiveness, and recommended moves to help you decide if it's a worthwhile addition to your team.

Where to Find Bagon

Bagon Location in Pokémon Violet

In Pokémon Violet, Bagon can be found in several locations, with East Province (Area Three) being a prime spot due to its expansive area and numerous caves. If you're starting out, you can encounter a fixed spawn Bagon on a mountain in South Province (Area Five). Simply climb the mountain southwest of the bridge connecting the grassy and rocky regions.

Another recommended spot is Dalizapa Passage, north of The Great Crater of Paldea and south of Glaseado Mountain. Here, a deep hole with a Pokémon Center awaits. You can jump down using Koraidon or Miraidon or enter through one of the many cavern entrances. This area is known for hosting rare Pokémon like Bagon and Frigibax.

For those interested in Tera Raids, Bagon is available in 3-star Tera Raids, which become accessible after earning three gym badges. Note that Bagon caught from raids may have a different Tera Type and potentially a Hidden Ability.

How to Get Bagon in Pokémon Scarlet

How to Trade and Transfer Pokémon

Since Bagon isn't available in the wild in Pokémon Scarlet, you'll need to trade with a Pokémon Violet player or use Pokémon HOME to transfer Bagon from other games like Sword/Shield, Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl, or directly from Pokémon HOME.

To trade, use the Union Circle to create or join a Group, which requires a Nintendo Switch Online Membership. For transferring via Pokémon HOME:

1. Open Pokémon HOME and select the game from which you're transferring Bagon.
2. Move Bagon to the Basic Box and save.
3. Open Pokémon Scarlet, move Bagon from the Basic Box to one of your Scarlet PC Boxes, then save again.

Once completed, Bagon will be available in your chosen PC Box in Pokémon Scarlet, and its Dex Entry will be filled.

How to Evolve Bagon into Shelgon and Salamence

What Level Does Bagon Evolve

To evolve Bagon into Shelgon, level it up to 30. Shelgon then evolves into Salamence at level 50. The fastest way to level up is through auto-battling Pokémon around its level, such as Chansey, which provides substantial experience points and can be found in multiple locations across Paldea.

Alternatively, use Exp. Candy to boost levels quickly. Exp. Candy L or XL can raise levels significantly, while Exp. Candy M might require multiple uses. You can also encounter Shelgon and Salamence in 4-star and 5/6-star Tera Raids, respectively.

Is Salamence Good?

Salamence Strengths & Weaknesses

Salamence, a Dragon/Flying-type pseudo-legendary from Gen 3, boasts a base stat total of 600, making it a formidable choice for competitive play. Here are its stats:

Recommended Natures for Salamence include Adamant (+Attk, -Sp.Attk) or Lonely (+Attk, -Def) for physical attackers, and Timid (+Spd, -Attk) for special attackers.

Salamence's Dragon/Flying typing grants it several advantages, but also a critical weakness:

Recommended Moves

Given Salamence's higher Attack stat, it's best suited for physical moves like Dragon Claw. To counter its weaknesses to Fairy and Rock, consider teaching it Iron Head via TM099. For those opting for a special attacker build, Draco Meteor and Flamethrower can be effective choices, paired with a Timid Nature to maximize its Speed.