You’ve probably spent hours running around Meteor Falls, haven’t you? It’s frustrating. You know how to get Bagon in Emerald in theory—it's in the cave, everyone says so—but all you’re seeing are Solrock and Zubat. Thousands of Zubats. It feels like the game is gaslighting you. Honestly, Bagon is one of the most notoriously elusive encounters in the entire Hoenn region, and if you don't know the exact tile to stand on, you could literally play for decades without ever seeing one.
It isn't just about luck. It’s about geography.
Most players make the mistake of thinking Bagon spawns anywhere inside the Meteor Falls complex. That is a lie. Well, a half-truth. While Bagon technically lives in the cave, it is restricted to a single, tiny room that is blocked off by a series of environmental puzzles. You can’t just walk in after the second gym and hope for the best. You need Waterfall. You need Surf. You need patience.
The Meteor Falls Gatekeeping Problem
To even start your hunt, you have to realize that Bagon is a post-seventh-gym Pokémon. You need the Mind Badge from Tate and Liza in Mossdeep City so you can use Waterfall outside of battle. Without it, you're just a tourist. Once you have the badge and a Pokémon that knows the move, head back to Route 114.
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Enter the cave. Surf across the first pool of water you see and climb that thundering waterfall.
Now, this is where it gets tricky. Most people get lost in the back rooms. You’re looking for a specific entrance that leads to a basement level. You’ll go through a door, walk down some stairs, and find yourself in a room with a large body of water. Keep moving north. You aren't there yet. You need to find a very specific ladder that leads down into a small, secluded room with a narrow strip of water and a tiny patch of dry land at the very back.
That One Tiny Room
This is the Bagon room. It’s a small, rectangular area with a pool of water in the middle. At the far end of this room, there is a small piece of land where you can find TM02 Dragon Claw. If you are standing on the ground where that TM was, you are in the right place.
But here is the kicker: the encounter rate is still abysmal.
Even in this specific "sweet spot," Bagon only has a 25% encounter rate. That sounds high until you realize the other 75% is filled with Solrock (or Lunatone depending on your version, though this is Emerald, so expect Solrock) and more Zubats. You will likely spend twenty minutes pacing back and forth on a strip of land no bigger than a rug before that little blue head pops up.
Why Bagon is Worth the Headache
Is it actually worth it? Yes.
Salamence is a monster. In the context of a 2005-era Game Boy Advance cartridge, Salamence was the closest thing you could get to a "win button" without using a Legendary like Rayquaza. It has a base attack stat of 135. Its Special Attack is 110. It is faster than almost everything else in the Elite Four.
In Pokémon Emerald, the physical/special split hadn't happened yet. This is a crucial detail most modern players forget. In Generation III, all Dragon-type moves are Special, and all Flying-type moves are Physical. This means your Salamence’s Dragon Claw will be hitting based on its 110 Special Attack, while its Fly or Aerial Ace will be hitting with that massive 135 Physical stat.
Strategy for Catching the Little Guy
Bagon usually shows up around Level 25 to 35 in this room. By the time you get here, your team is likely Level 45 or higher. Do not—and I mean this—do not lead with your starter. You will accidentally one-shot it.
I highly recommend bringing a Pokémon with False Swipe. A Breloom is perfect for this. Or, if you’re feeling lazy, just chuck an Ultra Ball immediately. Bagon’s catch rate is 45, which is the same as a starter Pokémon like Mudkip or Torchic. It’s not as hard to catch as a Beldum (which has a catch rate of 3, the same as a Legendary), but it still won't just hop into a Poké Ball for free.
The Misconception About "Secret" Tiles
You might hear old schoolyard rumors that Bagon only appears if you stand on the exact tile where TM02 was located.
That’s a myth.
The entire patch of land in that back room—and even the water if you're surfing—can trigger a Bagon encounter. However, since the land area is so small, it feels like a secret tile. Just keep pacing. Use a Max Repel if your lead Pokémon is a higher level than the local Zubat population (usually around Level 30), but be careful; if your lead Pokémon's level is higher than Bagon's, the Repel will keep Bagon away too. To use the "Repel Trick," your lead Pokémon needs to be exactly the same level as the Bagon you're hunting.
Evolution Milestones
Once you've finally secured your Bagon, the real grind begins. It doesn't become a powerhouse overnight. Bagon evolves into Shelgon at Level 30. That's the awkward teenage phase. Shelgon is a defensive tank, but it lacks the speed and sheer offensive pressure of its final form.
You have to hit Level 50 to get Salamence.
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Level 50 is a tall order in Emerald’s mid-to-late game. If you've already cleared the gyms, your best bet is to use the EXP Share and run through Victory Road, or repeatedly challenge the reporters, Gabby and Ty, who move between Route 111, 118, and 120. They are a goldmine for experience points because they always do double battles and their levels scale up slightly as you progress.
Actionable Next Steps for the Hunt
If you're ready to go get your Bagon right now, follow this checklist exactly:
- Check your Badges: Ensure you have the Mind Badge from Mossdeep City.
- Pack the Essentials: Bring a Pokémon with Surf and Waterfall.
- Find the Room: Go to the deepest part of Meteor Falls, climb the waterfall, enter the north door, go down the ladder, surf north to the next ladder, and find the room with the TM02 Dragon Claw.
- Clear Space: Make sure you have an empty slot in your party or plenty of room in your PC boxes.
- Prepare for the Grind: Use a Pokémon with the Ability "Illuminate" (like Starmie or Lanturn) at the front of your party to double the encounter rate if you're getting impatient.
- Check Natures: Since you're putting in all this work, look for an Adamant nature (+Attack, -Special Attack) or a Modest nature (+Special Attack, -Attack). If you want a mixed attacker, Naughty or Rash works too.
Stop wandering aimlessly in the first room of Meteor Falls. The dragon is waiting in the basement. Go get it.