Learn how to find and catch the legendary Wo-Chien in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. We cover its location, the stakes you need to remove, and the best strategies for battling and capturing it.
Alright, let's talk about finding and catching Wo-Chien in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. This legendary Pokémon is a bit hidden away, but with a little guidance, you'll have it in no time!
Where to Find Wo-Chien:
You'll find Wo-Chien sealed behind a special purple shrine. It's located in the South Province (Area One), specifically to the east-south-east of the town called Los Platos. Keep an eye out for that distinctive purple shrine!
Before you can even think about battling Wo-Chien, you need to break its seal. This involves finding and removing 8 purple stakes that are scattered across the south-east part of Paldea. Our guide on 'Purple Stakes' has all the exact locations, so make sure to check that out. Once all 8 stakes are removed, you'll get a message indicating that a sound is coming from the shrine. Now, save your game (super important!) and then inspect the seal on the shrine. This will trigger the encounter with Wo-Chien.
How to Catch Wo-Chien:
Wo-Chien is a dual-type Dark and Grass Pokémon, and it's level 60 when you encounter it.
| Pokémon | Level | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Wo-Chien | 60 | Dark Grass |
Right off the bat, Wo-Chien's ability, Tablets of Ruin, will lower the Attack stat of all other Pokémon on the field, so don't expect your physical attackers to hit as hard. Stat-wise, Wo-Chien is really good with its Special Defense and Defense, but it's pretty slow, which makes sense for a snail-like Pokémon.
Wo-Chien has some nasty moves. It can use Giga Drain and Power Whip for its Grass STAB, which will also heal it when it uses Giga Drain. It also has Ruination, which will cut your Pokémon's HP in half, and Foul Play, which uses your Pokémon's Attack stat to deal damage. That Giga Drain healing can be a real pain!
Strategy for the Fight:
- Status Ailments are Key: You'll almost certainly need to inflict a status condition. Paralysis is a solid choice, as moves like Thunder Wave or Glare can last the whole fight. Sleep is also good, but it only lasts a few turns. Moves like Hypnosis or Yawn can work, but remember that Spore and Sleep Powder won't affect Grass types.
- Watch Out for Weaknesses: Avoid using Bug-type moves, as they deal quadruple damage to Wo-Chien! Regular super-effective moves are fine, but be prepared for Wo-Chien's bulk and the Attack debuff from Tablets of Ruin.
- False Swipe is Your Friend: As Wo-Chien's HP gets low, definitely switch to using False Swipe. This move will always leave the opponent with at least 1 HP, preventing you from accidentally knocking it out. Jacq, your homeroom teacher, can teach you this move.
- Boost Your Defenses: If Wo-Chien's Giga Drain is doing too much damage (and healing it too much), consider using X Sp. Def items to boost your Pokémon's Special Defense. This will reduce the damage taken and, consequently, the HP it heals.
- Recommended Pokémon: A Pokémon that resists Grass-type moves would be super helpful. Dragonite, for example, takes only a quarter of the damage from Grass moves, letting it survive Giga Drain and Power Whip much better. Kingambit is another great option; it resists most of Wo-Chien's attacks (except Ruination) and can learn False Swipe and Iron Defense to protect itself.
Catching Wo-Chien:
When it's time to start throwing Poké Balls:
- Ultra Balls: These are your standard, reliable choice.
- Dusk Balls: If you're battling at night, these are significantly more effective.
- Timer Balls: If the battle goes on for more than 10 turns, Timer Balls become the best option.
- Dream Balls: These are great if Wo-Chien is asleep, but you might not have many of them.
Good luck with the catch!
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