Where to Find (& Catch) Shelgon in Pokémon Violet

A precursor to one of the strongest Dragon-types, Shelgon, a Pokémon Violet exclusive, can be found as a rare encounter in the wild or a Tera Raid.

The evolved form of Bagon and the middle transformation before the Dragon-and Flying-type Salamance, Shelgon appears in the wilds of Pokémon Violet, an exclusive Pokémon to the Paldea Region that rarely appears in a specific location for players to find and catch. Although players could alternatively evolve Bagon into Shelgon at level 30 through training, acquiring Shelgon saves time for those looking to obtain the powerful Salamance quickly without as much grinding. Existing both in the wild and through Tera Raid Battles, Shelgon remains a solid Dragon-type with great defenses as it prepares to blossom into the mighty form that awaits it.

The section of Paldea where Shelgon resides is the South Province of Area Six, toward the southwest corner of the Region. Unlike Salamance in Pokémon Violet, players can find Shelgon sparsely through the wild and within Tera Raid Battles of three to four-star difficulty when connected online. Players do not have to complete the three main storyline quests to unlock the associated Raids, similar to Max Raid Battles in Pokémon Sword & Shield with the new inclusion of Tera types as the primary gimmick. Only weak to Ice, Fairy, and Dragon-type Pokémon, Shelgon’s strong Defense stat can give players a considerable challenge when trying to capture it through either encounter.

Related: Where to Find Frigibax, Arctibax, and Baxcalibur in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

How To Catch Shelgon in Pokémon Violet

Shelgon has the ability Rock Head that players will find the most, giving it protection against attacks that would otherwise damage itself through recoil. Any wild Shelgon that players battle would have to be close to level 67 to have a move that activates this Ability, rendering it as an afterthought since the Pokémon meets the requirements to evolve anyway at level 50 and loses this trait for Intimidate. However, players who encounter a Shelgon with a Hidden Ability will find Overcoat more troublesome. Overcoat makes Shelgon immune to Powder and Weather effects, making it impossible for players to cause Paralysis or Sleep through Stun Spore or Sleep Powder to increase Shelgon’s capture rate.

Despite this rare Ability that could make things difficult for players to catch Shelgon, the Pokémon often does not pose that degree of uncertainty. Players looking for the best potential Shelgon should pay attention to its Nature when they acquire it, as the Adamant Nature provides a future Salamance with greater Attack and less Special Attack. In contrast, a Jolly Nature gives incredible Speed at the cost of a Special Attack. Finding and catching an eventual pseudo-Legendary Pokémon with these optimized characteristics creates plenty of incentive for players of Pokémon Violet to explore the limited sections where Shelgon spawns.

More: Pokémon In Scarlet & Violet That Benefit Most From Tera Forms