Dratini, the Dragon Pokémon, is a highly sought-after creature in Pokémon SoulSilver. Evolving into the powerful Dragonite, Dratini is a valuable addition to any trainer’s team. However, obtaining this elusive Pokémon requires patience and the right strategy. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various methods of acquiring Dratini in Pokémon SoulSilver, providing detailed steps and helpful tips to increase your chances of success.
Understanding Dratini’s Availability
In Pokémon SoulSilver, Dratini is primarily found in one location: the Dragon’s Den in Blackthorn City. Unlike some Pokémon that are available in multiple areas or through various events, Dratini’s presence is confined to this specific location. This makes the process of catching it a focused endeavor but also requires a good understanding of the Dragon’s Den mechanics.
Method 1: Fishing in Dragon’s Den
The most common method for obtaining Dratini in SoulSilver is through fishing in the Dragon’s Den. This method involves using different fishing rods at specific locations within the Dragon’s Den. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Step 1: Obtain the Necessary Fishing Rods
You’ll need fishing rods to catch Dratini. There are three types of fishing rods in the game, each with a different probability of encountering specific Pokémon:
- Old Rod: This is the first fishing rod you’ll receive in the game. It’s obtained from a fisherman in Olivine City. The Old Rod is the least effective for catching Dratini and primarily yields Magikarp.
- Good Rod: The Good Rod is a more effective option. You can get it from a fisherman in a house on Route 32, south of Violet City. The Good Rod will increase your chances of encountering Dratini compared to the Old Rod.
- Super Rod: The Super Rod is the most effective fishing rod for catching Dratini. You’ll obtain it from a fisherman in Olivine City after saving the Ampharos in the Lighthouse and defeating Chuck at the Cianwood City Gym. The Super Rod significantly boosts the likelihood of encountering Dratini.
While it’s possible to catch Dratini with the Good Rod, using the Super Rod is highly recommended due to its higher encounter rate. It will save you a considerable amount of time and effort.
Step 2: Accessing the Dragon’s Den
To reach the Dragon’s Den, you must first travel to Blackthorn City. The Dragon’s Den is located behind the Blackthorn City Gym. However, you can’t access the entire area immediately.
Initially, you can only access the outer area of the Dragon’s Den. To fully explore the Dragon’s Den, you need to complete the Blackthorn City Gym challenge and then participate in a test with the Dragon Master. After proving your worth, you will gain full access to the inner cave where the best fishing spots for Dratini are located.
Step 3: Finding the Fishing Spots
Once inside the Dragon’s Den, there are several spots where you can fish. The encounter rates for Dratini may vary slightly depending on the location. Generally, the spots deeper inside the cave tend to have a better chance of yielding Dratini.
To find the fishing spots, navigate through the cave using the HM Surf. Look for patches of water where you can cast your fishing rod. Experiment with different spots to see which ones give you the best results.
Step 4: Fishing for Dratini
With your Super Rod equipped, stand near a body of water in the Dragon’s Den. Press the ‘A’ button to cast your line. Wait for the exclamation mark (!) to appear, indicating a bite. Press the ‘A’ button again to reel in the Pokémon.
Be prepared to encounter other Pokémon while fishing, such as Magikarp, or even the evolved form of Dratini, Dragonair. Keep fishing until you encounter Dratini. Remember that patience is key, as Dratini can be relatively rare.
Step 5: Catching Dratini
When you finally encounter Dratini, you’ll need to weaken it to make it easier to catch. Use moves that inflict non-lethal damage, such as False Swipe or Hold Back, to bring its HP down to 1 without knocking it out. Status conditions like Paralysis, Sleep, or Freeze can also increase your chances of a successful capture.
Once Dratini is weakened, use Poké Balls to attempt to catch it. Great Balls and Ultra Balls are more effective than standard Poké Balls. If you’re having trouble, consider using a Net Ball, which is particularly effective against Water-type and Bug-type Pokémon – although Dratini is not a Water or Bug type, some players have anecdotally reported higher success rates with Net Balls in this location.
Keep throwing Poké Balls until you successfully catch Dratini. If Dratini breaks free and its HP is still low, continue weakening it and throwing more Poké Balls.
Method 2: The Dragon Master’s Test and Gift Dratini
After defeating Clair, the Blackthorn City Gym Leader, and obtaining the Rising Badge, you’re not quite done with the Dragon’s Den. Clair will direct you to the Dragon Master inside the cave for a final test. This test involves answering a series of questions about Pokémon training and ethics.
Step 1: Speak to the Dragon Master
Head into the Dragon’s Den cave. Navigate through the cave to find the Dragon Master, who will be waiting in a small chamber. Interact with him to initiate the test.
Step 2: Answer the Dragon Master’s Questions
The Dragon Master will ask you a series of questions related to Pokémon training and the values of a good trainer. The specific questions and the order in which they are asked can vary, but they generally revolve around the importance of caring for your Pokémon, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and battling with respect.
Here are some example questions you might encounter:
- Do you believe Pokémon are tools to be used? (Answer: No)
- Is it important to train your Pokémon? (Answer: Yes)
- Should you treat your Pokémon with kindness? (Answer: Yes)
- Do you value the bond between you and your Pokémon? (Answer: Yes)
The key is to answer the questions thoughtfully and in a way that reflects a positive and ethical approach to Pokémon training. The Dragon Master is looking for someone who understands the importance of the bond between trainer and Pokémon.
Step 3: Obtain the Gift Dratini
If you answer the Dragon Master’s questions to his satisfaction, he will acknowledge your understanding and reward you with a Dratini that knows the move Extremespeed. This is a special Dratini, as Extremespeed is a powerful and rare move that it wouldn’t normally learn at that level.
This Dratini is a guaranteed encounter and a valuable addition to your team. It saves you the time and effort of fishing for one in the Dragon’s Den. It will be at level 15.
Step 4: Receive the Rising Badge from Clair (if you haven’t already)
Even after passing the Dragon Master’s test, Clair will not initially acknowledge your victory over her. You must return to the Blackthorn Gym after receiving the Extremespeed Dratini. Talk to her again, and she will finally acknowledge your strength and award you the Rising Badge, allowing you to use Waterfall outside of battle.
Tips for Catching Dratini
Here are some helpful tips to make your Dratini-catching experience more efficient and successful:
- Patience is Key: Catching Dratini can take time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find one immediately. Keep fishing, and eventually, you’ll encounter one.
- Use the Right Fishing Rod: As mentioned earlier, the Super Rod significantly increases your chances of finding Dratini. Prioritize obtaining this fishing rod before dedicating serious time to Dratini hunting.
- Prepare for Battle: Have a Pokémon in your party that knows moves like False Swipe or Hold Back to weaken Dratini without knocking it out. Also, bring plenty of Poké Balls, Great Balls, or Ultra Balls.
- Consider Status Conditions: Inflicting status conditions like Paralysis or Sleep on Dratini can make it easier to catch. Pokémon with moves that can inflict these conditions can be valuable assets.
- Use Repels: While fishing doesn’t trigger random encounters, using Repels can help reduce unwanted wild Pokémon encounters when navigating through the Dragon’s Den to reach your desired fishing spot, thus saving you time.
- Chain Fishing: Some players believe that chain fishing (continuously fishing without breaking the chain by moving or encountering a non-fishing encounter) can increase the odds of finding rare Pokémon. While this is not definitively proven, it might be worth trying. Just be careful not to accidentally move and break the chain.
- Time of Day: There is no evidence suggesting time of day affects the encounter rate of Dratini.
- Check Dratini’s Nature and IVs: If you’re serious about competitive battling, you might want to check Dratini’s Nature and Individual Values (IVs) after catching it. Natures affect a Pokémon’s stat growth, while IVs are hidden values that contribute to their stats. If the Dratini you catch doesn’t have a favorable Nature or IVs, you can try catching more until you find one that suits your needs. However, this can be a time-consuming process.
Dratini’s Evolution and Dragonite
Once you’ve caught a Dratini, your journey isn’t over. Dratini evolves into Dragonair at level 30, and then Dragonair evolves into the powerful Dragonite at level 55. Dragonite is a formidable Pokémon with high stats and access to a wide range of powerful moves, making it a valuable asset in battles against Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, and other trainers.
Alternative methods (Not Available in SoulSilver)
It’s important to note that some older guides might mention methods from other Pokémon games that are *not* applicable to SoulSilver. For example, Dratini is *not* available at the Celadon City Game Corner in SoulSilver. This method was specific to the original Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow versions. Similarly, events or distributions from other games don’t apply to SoulSilver unless they were specifically re-created for the game.
Conclusion
Catching Dratini in Pokémon SoulSilver requires patience, the right tools, and a good understanding of the game’s mechanics. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to obtain this elusive Dragon Pokémon and add the powerful Dragonite to your team. Whether you choose to fish for Dratini in the Dragon’s Den or obtain the gift Dratini from the Dragon Master, the journey will be a rewarding one. Good luck, and happy hunting!