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Catching Paradox Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet can be quite tricky, and one of the toughest to get is Iron Thorns. The Paradox version of Tyranitar is fearsome, a version-exclusive, and tough to find.
The Way Home mission of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet is a memorable one. Players have to deal with plot twists, some dramatic moments, and a battle between legendaries. Before all that, players need to wade their way through a sea of Paradox Pokemon with stats comparable to legendaries like Zapdos and Suicune.
In Pokemon Violet, these Paradox Pokemon are robotic descendants of familiar Pokemon. Though the likes of the Paradox form of Delibird, Iron Bundle are quite common, others like Iron Thorns are much harder to find. Here is where to find the Pokemon and how it stacks up against Tyranitar.
How to Catch Iron Thorns in Pokemon Violet
Iron Thorns can be caught in Area Zero, outside Research Station 2. Iron Thorns only spawns in a small area, which is found uphill from Research Station 2. Near the lab, players can find a steep cliff covered in gravel.
In this area, players will typically find groups of Murkrow and Honchkrow, Talonflame, Corviknight, and Iron Moth. However, Iron Thorns will appear here as a rare spawn. Players can simply run around this area to try and force the Pokemon to spawn or picnic and make a sandwich that increases the encounter rates for rock or electric Pokemon.
How to Get Iron Thorns in Pokemon Scarlet
The only way to get Iron Thorns in Pokemon Scarlet is through a trade with a Pokemon Violet player. Iron Thorns is a Pokemon Violet exclusive, and is generally inaccessible for Scarlet players as a result. Because Paradox Pokemon cannot appear in Tera Raid battles, there is no workaround.
The good news is that getting a trade is easier than it ever has been. Players have established a network of trade codes for version-exclusives, allowing players to easily swap Paradox Pokemon to complete their Pokedex.
Is Iron Thorns better than Tyranitar?
Tyranitar is better than Iron Thorns in most ways, despite what the storyline suggests. Tyranitar has a preferable typing, higher stats, and a more useful ability.
Tyranitar and Iron Thorns are both kept in check by a double weakness, with Tyranitar fearing fighting moves while Iron Thorns fears ground attacks. Neither is ideal but the double weakness to ground is riskier due to the sheer number of Pokemon that use the move Earthquake.
On top of that, Iron Thorns actually has a lower stat total. Though it’s slightly faster than Tyranitar, it’s only by a negligible 10-point margin. Iron Thorns does have a slightly larger selection of viable moves, but Tyranitar is still spoiled for choice in that regard.
All in all, players are better served sticking with Tyranitar. It’s possible Iron Thorns will find a niche, but players shouldn’t rush to drop this Johtonian favorite.