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Gen-six Pokemon Fletchling is back in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet and offers players the chance to add a great fire and flying-type threat to their team. The Pokemon isn’t hard to catch or evolve, but some players are struggling to track it down.
Fletchling’s final evolution, Talonflame, has a history as one of the most overpowered Pokemon in franchise history. Talonflame was a dominant force in Pokemon X & Y, with its Gale Wings ability carrying it to victory over almost all comers. It’s not nearly as strong in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, but is still a credible addition to players’ teams in the story mode.
Fletchling and its different stages can be found in different areas across the Paldea region. With that in mind it’s worth highlighting where to catch this Pokemon, and how to evolve it.
Where to Catch Fletchling in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Fletchling can be caught in the southern stretches of Paldea, including South Province Areas One, Two, and Five. Fletchling’s habitat stretches from the area south of Cascaraffa down to the South Paldean Sea, then wrapping around north to Mesagoza.
Fletchling’s evolution, Fletchinder, can also be caught in much of this area and beyond. Alongside the shared habitat, Fletchinder can be found in the wild in the area surrounding Medali and its gym leader, Larry.
How to Evolve Fletchling
Fletchling evolves into Fletchinder at level 17 and Fletchinder becomes Talonflame at level 35. There are no special requirements in terms of triggering evolution. Unlike Pokemon such as Arcanine, there is no special item associated with its evolution.
Though players will need to add all three forms of Fletchling to their Pokedex in order to complete it, that doesn’t mean players actually need to add Fletchling to their team. Players can also catch Talonflame in the wild in Area Zero. The Pokemon can be found in multiple areas during Pokemon Scarlet & Violet’s final mission, allowing players to use other Pokemon if they prefer.
Is Talonflame a Strong Pokemon?
Talonflame is no longer a particularly strong Pokemon. The Pokemon had a stint as one of the most devastating threats in Pokemon X & Y, but nerfs delivered in Pokemon Sun & Moon have seen it fall off in a profound way.
The Gale Wings ability was the key to Talonflame’s success. This unique ability gave priority to Talonflame’s flying-type attacks, allowing it to hammer opponents with moves like Brave Bird. That ability was nerfed in Pokemon Sun & Moon to only work when Talonflame was at full health.
Talonflame is fine in the game’s story mode, but isn’t particularly useful anywhere outside that. It’s too frail for five and six-star Tera Raid battles and hasn’t found a place in competitive battles. Attempts have been made to fit it into a Tailwind support role, but it has been out-performed in that space by Kilowattrel. For the time being, players ought to look to other flying types.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available now on Nintendo Switch.