How to catch Dratini in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

Dating back to the original Pokémon games, Dratini has always been one of the most coveted creatures to inhabit any region. However, unlike other Pokémon, Dratini isn’t desired because of its stats but rather its evolutionary line. As veterans of the series know, Dratini eventually evolves into Dragonite, the first pseudo-legendary Pokémon ever. 

In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, players can once again Dragonite to their team. Dragonite is still one of the best Dragon-types in Pokémon and is a valuable addition to any team. However, in order to use Dragonite, players first need to capture Dratini. They can find out how to do so below. 

Catching Dratini in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

For starters, you’ll need to have beaten the game in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl and acquired the National Dex from Professor Rowan. Dratini doesn’t become attainable until you have the National Dex, which is only received after you see all 150 Pokémon in the Sinnoh Dex. 

With the upgraded Pokédex in your arsenal, you can go about catching the tiny blue dragon. To do so, you’ll need to head to the Grand Underground using your Explorer’s Kit. You want to go underground in Eterna City, as the area you need to go to is most easily accessible from this city. 

Once underground, you’ll need to find a particular cave to catch Dratini. This cave is called Fountainspirng Cave, and there’s one just southeast of your location in the Grand Underground if you dig right near the Eterna City Pokémon Center. Fountainspring Cave is marked with a blue square. 

After you’re in the right cave, you want to see if Dratini has spawned. If it has, then run up to it and start a battle. If it hasn’t, then simply exit the cave and re-enter to re-roll the spawns. Keep repeating this process until Dratini has appeared. You can catch Dratini easier with a Dusk Ball but any ball will do. Once you have it, you can start leveling it up to evolve it into a Dragonite in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. 

• Read more: Walk with Pokémon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, how to

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Featured image courtesy of Nintendo/The Pokémon Company.