Zorua and Zoroark are fan-favorite Pokemon, and they’re both available to be caught in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. The Illusion Fox Pokemon makes for a solid dark-type option for any team in the story mode.
The original Unovan Zorua and Zoroark are back in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. While Hisuian Zoroark was featured in some of the first promotional images for the ninth-generation Pokemon games, the Pokemon Legends: Arceus newcomer isn’t actually available in the game yet. Instead, players can catch the original version that was first introduced in Pokemon Black & White.
The trouble is that many players will be able to beat Pokemon Scarlet & Violet without even seeing the Pokemon. Or at least, without ever realizing that they saw one. Players will need to make an active effort to track down the duo, but it’s a step that anyone looking to complete the Pokedex will need to take.
How To Find Zorua And Zoroark In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Zorua can be found in the Tagtree Thicket near the poison-type Team Star base while Zoroark is exclusively found on the Socarrat Trail in northwestern Paldea. Both Pokemon have the habit of disguising themselves as other Pokemon in the overworld.
This can make it very difficult to track down either one of the Pokemon. Both are rare spawns in their areas, which are otherwise filled with common Pokemon like Shroodle that can be found in multiple areas. The good news is that there are some tricks to identify Zorua and Zoroark.
As with Ditto, players can target wild Pokemon with the ZL button. Even if they are disguised, their name will still appear as “Zorua.” Another surefire sign of a disguised Pokemon is if their behaviors are abnormal. Zorua behaves timidly but may disguise itself as Pokemon that are indifferent or hostile towards trainers. If a Pokemon flees from trainers when it normally shouldn’t, odds are it’s a Zorua.
Though Zoroark can be caught in the same way from Socarrat Trail, it may be easier to catch a Zorua and evolve it. Zorua evolves into Zoroark after hitting level 30 and doesn’t require any special moves, which isn’t a tall order given the fact that Zorua is found near that level in the Tagtree Thicket.
Is Zoroark A Good Pokemon?
Zoroark is a serviceable option for the Pokemon Scarlet & Violet story, and is situationally helpful in online battles. Unfortunately, it is not a strong option for Tera Raid battles.
Zoroark is a standard glass cannon with above-average speed and attack stats and low bulk. The Illusion ability lets it mitigate those stats to some degree by potentially tricking opponents into using a move it resists, and it can hit hard with its various coverage moves. It can work well with the right team around it, but it has seen extremely limited play in ranked battles over recent generations.
Tera Raid battles are not the ideal situation for Zoroark. High-level Tera Raid battles essentially require bulky Pokemon. Even with a type advantage, Zoroark likely won’t be able to hold up in tough Tera Raid battles.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available now on Nintendo Switch.