Dreepy is one of the most sought-after Dragon and Ghost-type Pokémon introduced in the Galar region. Finding this elusive creature in Pokémon Sword requires patience, precise navigation, and specific weather conditions across the Wild Area. Understanding the exact requirements beforehand saves players hours of fruitless searching.
Required Progress and Water Bike Upgrade
Before beginning your search for Dreepy, you must advance far enough in the main story to unlock the Rotom Bike's water-surfing upgrade. This capability is obtained after defeating the Circhester Gym Leader. Accessing the primary spawn area requires traveling across the water to reach the secluded Lake of Outrage.
Attempting to locate Dreepy early in your journey without this upgrade is impossible through wild encounters. Completing the necessary gym battles ensures you have both the access rights and high-level Poké Balls needed to secure the capture.
Navigating to the Lake of Outrage
Once your bike is upgraded, fast travel to the Wild Area and head toward the northwestern corner of the map. Cross the large lake until you reach the grassy patch surrounded by large stone monoliths. This specific zone serves as the primary habitat for rare Dragon-type Pokémon.
Dreepy does not appear as an overworld model walking in the grass. Instead, you must look for red exclamation points that pop up in the tall grass during random encounters.
Weather Requirements and Encounter Rates
Weather plays a vital role in determining whether Dreepy will spawn in the wild. The highest chance to encounter Dreepy is during Thunderstorm or Foggy weather conditions. Under these weather patterns, Dreepy has a 2% chance to spawn as a hidden encounter in the grass.
During Overcast weather, the encounter rate drops slightly to a 1% chance. If the weather is clear, harsh sunlight, or snowing, Dreepy will not spawn in the wild at all. You can adjust your Nintendo Switch console date to force weather updates in the Wild Area.
Alternative Methods to Obtain Dreepy
If searching through the tall grass proves too tedious, catching a Drakloak is a viable alternative. Drakloak appears as an overworld spawn at higher rates in the Lake of Outrage during similar weather conditions. Catching a Drakloak allows you to breed it with a Ditto at the Pokémon Nursery to hatch a fresh Dreepy.
Additionally, Max Raid Battles in specific dens throughout the Wild Area occasionally feature members of the Dreepy evolutionary line. Trading with other players online or utilizing Surprise Trades can also yield a Dreepy quickly if you prefer to bypass the hunt entirely.
