How to Catch Jangmo-o in Pokémon Sun and Moon: A Comprehensive Guide

Jangmo-o, the Scaly Pokémon, is a coveted catch in Pokémon Sun and Moon. This Dragon-type Pokémon and its evolutions, Hakamo-o and Kommo-o, boast impressive stats and a unique typing, making them highly sought after by trainers. However, Jangmo-o is not the easiest Pokémon to find, often requiring some dedication and a bit of luck. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step needed to add this formidable creature to your team.

Understanding Jangmo-o’s Location and Rarity

Jangmo-o’s primary habitat in Pokémon Sun and Moon is at Vast Poni Canyon, specifically within the cave system. This location is not accessible until later in the game, meaning you’ll need to progress quite a bit in your journey before you can even attempt to catch it. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:

• Location: Vast Poni Canyon (specifically the cave area)
• Availability: Available after becoming Champion (Completing the main storyline)
• Rarity: Jangmo-o is an uncommon spawn, meaning it won’t appear every single time you enter the area. You’ll need to be patient and persistent.
• Special Conditions: None, but weather conditions and the time of day can affect general Pokémon spawns, so be aware of those. Although these don’t directly affect Jangmo-o spawns.

Prerequisites for Catching Jangmo-o

Before heading to Vast Poni Canyon, there are some essential steps you need to take to ensure you are well-prepared for the hunt:

1. Become Champion: You must defeat the Elite Four and become the Alola region Champion. This unlocks the post-game content, which is where Jangmo-o is available.
2. Have a Pokémon with False Swipe: False Swipe is a move that allows you to reduce a Pokémon’s HP to 1 without knocking it out. This is crucial for capturing rare Pokémon like Jangmo-o, as it allows for multiple chances to throw a Poké Ball. A Pokémon that learns False Swipe include: Cubone line, Scyther line, and more.
3. Gather Ultra Balls (or Dusk Balls): Ultra Balls are the most effective regular Poké Balls in the game, offering a high catch rate. Dusk Balls are even better in caves and at night, so consider them as well. Purchase these from Poké Marts or collect them during your journey.
4. Stock up on Repels (Optional but Recommended): While repels do not affect Pokémon encounters within the cave itself, repels are useful for traversing the outdoor parts of Vast Poni Canyon as it can be quite annoying to run into random encounters repeatedly when looking for the cave entrance.
5. Have a Pokémon with high level and a speed advantage: Having a pokemon that’s high leveled and is faster than a wild Jangmo-o can help quickly defeat any wild pokemon you are not interested in, reducing time spent on battling and more time finding a Jangmo-o.
6. Patience: Be prepared to spend some time searching for Jangmo-o. It’s not a guaranteed encounter.

Detailed Step-by-Step Guide to Catching Jangmo-o

Now that you’re prepared, let’s delve into the step-by-step process of finding and catching Jangmo-o:

1. Travel to Poni Island: Use your flying Taxi or Charizard Ride to get to Poni Island.
2. Navigate to Vast Poni Canyon: From the Poni Plains area, continue east to reach Vast Poni Canyon. Be aware that this area involves multiple paths, some of which may lead to dead ends or additional items.
3. Locate the Cave Entrance: The cave entrance is a noticeable opening within the Canyon itself, towards the lower section of the canyon. It’s not immediately obvious, so be thorough in your exploration. You may have to go around the canyon multiple times to find it. Refer to maps online if necessary.
4. Enter the Cave: Once you find the cave entrance, go inside.
5. Explore the Cave Interior: The cave itself is not overly large, but it does have multiple levels and paths, however, all of them lead to the same general area where Jangmo-o is found. There is a ladder to climb to reach the section of the cave where Jangmo-o is located.
6. Encounter Wild Pokémon: In the cave, you’ll encounter a variety of Pokémon, including the ones you might be looking for. Jangmo-o will be the least common encounter, so be prepared for many other encounters as you search.
7. Identify Jangmo-o: When you encounter a Jangmo-o, it will be obvious. It’s small, has a yellow face, and a distinctive scaly body with a dark head crest.
8. Weaken Jangmo-o: Engage the Jangmo-o in battle. Use your Pokémon with False Swipe to lower its health to 1 HP. Be careful not to accidentally knock it out with other moves or status conditions. Avoid damaging it with poison, burn, or confuse, as these can knock it out at the start of a turn.
9. Throw Poké Balls: Once Jangmo-o is at 1 HP, begin throwing Ultra Balls or Dusk Balls. Be patient and keep throwing balls until you successfully capture it. It may take multiple attempts.
10. Celebrate Your Catch: Once you’ve captured Jangmo-o, it’s time to celebrate! You’ve added a rare and powerful Pokémon to your team.
11. Repeat if Desired: If you want multiple Jangmo-o for trading or breeding purposes, repeat the steps above.

Tips and Tricks for Increasing Your Chances

While the process is relatively straightforward, here are some additional tips to help you catch Jangmo-o more efficiently:

• Use a Pokémon with Intimidate: A Pokémon with the ability Intimidate can lower the Attack stat of wild Pokémon upon entering battle. This can be helpful for surviving battles if you don’t have the proper stats. Pokémon that learn Intimidate includes: Arcanine, Krookodile, Gyarados, and more.
• Be Patient and Persistent: Jangmo-o is rare, so don’t be discouraged if it takes multiple attempts. Keep exploring the cave, and eventually, you’ll find it.
• Consider a Shiny Charm: If you’re interested in Shiny Pokémon, obtaining the Shiny Charm after completing the Alolan Pokédex increases your chances of finding Shiny Jangmo-o, though the probability is still extremely low.
• Use Status Conditions: While damaging status conditions like poison and burn should be avoided when trying to keep Jangmo-o at 1 HP, status conditions like paralysis and sleep increase your catch rate. A good strategy is to use a move like False Swipe, then use a paralysis move, then throw the pokeball.
• Pay Attention to Audio Clues: Sometimes, if you listen closely, you can hear the Pokémon’s cry before you see it. This can help you be more attentive to the correct area.
• Use a Smeargle: Smeargle is a pokemon that can learn any move by sketching an opponent’s move. Using Smeargle, you can sketch False Swipe. You can then equip a status inducing move, like Hypnosis or Spore, to make the catch easier.

Jangmo-o’s Evolution Line and Competitive Potential

Jangmo-o is not the end of the line. It evolves into Hakamo-o at level 35 and then into Kommo-o at level 45. These evolutions boast impressive stats and a unique Dragon/Fighting typing, making them formidable additions to any team.

• Hakamo-o: At level 35, Jangmo-o evolves into Hakamo-o. It has increased stats and a more intimidating design.
• Kommo-o: At level 45, Hakamo-o evolves into Kommo-o, its final form. Kommo-o has excellent Attack and Special Attack stats. It is a physically attacking powerhouse with a good movepool, making it a very viable choice for competitive battling.

Conclusion

Catching Jangmo-o in Pokémon Sun and Moon requires patience and preparation, but the effort is well worth it. This rare Dragon-type Pokémon and its evolutions can become a staple in any competitive or casual team. By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well-equipped to find and catch your own Jangmo-o. So, gather your Poké Balls, head to Vast Poni Canyon, and embark on your search for this mighty Scaly Pokémon. Good luck, trainer!