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How to get Dratini in Pokémon Legends Z-A

Including Dratini location explained.

Dratini a background from Pokémon Legends: Z-A official art.
Image credit: Eurogamer/The Pokémon Company/Nintendo

Dratini is a Dragon-type you'll definitely want to take the time to catch in Pokémon Legends: Z-A as it eventually becomes Dragonite, which itself can become Mega Dragonite. (Just remember the Dragonair stopgap in the middle.)

Mega Dragonite is one of the new Mega Evolutions introduced in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Not only does this give the Gen 1 Dragon-type a new look, but it becomes more powerful. First, however, you do need to catch a Dratini.

So let's take a look at how to get Dratini in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, along with Dratini's location.

Need more help in Lumiose City? Check out our Pokémon Legends: Z-A walkthrough.

How to get Dratini in Pokémon Legends Z-A

Dratini can only be found on rooftops in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Good news - this means you can catch Dratini early on into your playthrough, which is perfect for building a powerful Dragonite. Bad news - it's a rare spawn and will flee if it sees you.

Dratini's habitat page in the Pokémon Legends: Z-A Pokédex.
Image credit: Eurogamer/Nintendo

Due to this, I highly recommend using Ultra Balls to increase your chances of successfully catching Dratini. It's also a good idea to save before attempting to catch it. This way you can simply close and restart the game if Dratini does escape - a far easier process compared to hunting down another in the wild.

So far I've only found one Dratini and it was located atop the western building in Rouge Sector 8. This is the building directly to the right of Wild Zone 4. The Dratini itself can be found on the south-eastern corner.

A map of Rouge Sector 8, with Dratini's location circled, in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Image credit: Eurogamer/Nintendo

To reach the top of this building, you need to climb the scaffolding built inside the courtyard this building surrounds.

To fully climb this scaffolding, however, you will need to have unlocked the Roto-Glide mechanic in Main Mission 16 - A Rogue Mega Beedrill. This is essentially Legends: Z-A's jump mechanic and will let you bridge the gap between one side of the scaffolding to the other.

A look at the scaffolding in Rouge Sector 8 in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Using Roto-Glide between two sets of the scaffolding in Rouge Sector 8.
Image credit: Eurogamer/Nintendo

When you reach the top of the scaffolding, you will be very close to where the Dratini can spawn. Move carefully due to this or else you risk causing it to flee!

Throwing an Ultra Ball at Dratini in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Image credit: Eurogamer/Nintendo

Keep in mind that this might not be the only place Dratini spawns in Legends: Z-A, it's just the only place I've personally found it yet. It's a good idea to look over at other rooftops when exploring Lumiose City as you might just spot a Dratini hanging out on an opposite building.

Best of luck catching Dratini! Once you've caught it, check out our Mega Stones list to learn when you'll be able to use Mega Dragonite.

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