Finding a Drowzee in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet isn't exactly like hunting for a legendary, but it’s surprisingly easy to drive right past them if you aren't looking at the floor. Most players sprinting through the early hours of Paldea are focused on the new Gen 9 starters or those aggressive little Lechonks. But Drowzee? It’s just kind of hanging out. Doing its thing.
It’s a classic. A Kanto staple. Honestly, seeing that yellow-and-brown Tapir silhouette against the vibrant grass of Paldea feels a bit like seeing an old friend at a party where you don't know anyone else.
If you're trying to fill your Pokédex or you just really need a Psychic-type that isn't a Tinkatink for a change, you need to head south. Specifically, Drowzee lives in South Province (Area Two) and South Province (Area Five). It’s a very localized spawn. If you’ve reached Cortondo—the place with all the olive rolling—you’ve basically hit Drowzee central.
The Best Spots to Catch Drowzee in Scarlet and Violet
Don't overthink it. You don't need a Sandwich with Sparkling Power Level 3 just to see one. If you warp to the Cortondo (East) Pokémon Center and just walk into the ruins or the grassy fields nearby, you’ll see them wandering around. They look smaller than you remember. Scale in these games is weird, and Drowzee is a bit of a short king.
They love ruins. You’ll often find them standing near crumbling brick walls or under the shade of a stray tree. Unlike some of the faster Pokémon that bolt the second they see your Miraidon or Koraidon, Drowzee is pretty chill. It’ll just stare at you. Sometimes it sleeps. It’s very on-brand for a Pokémon that literally eats dreams for a living.
Area Five is another solid bet. This is the swampier, plateau-heavy region toward the southeast. If you're heading toward Artazon to deal with the Grass-type Gym, take a detour through the lower muddy flats. They’re there too.
Why Drowzee is Actually Useful in the Early Game
Most people ignore Drowzee because Hypno isn't exactly a meta-breaker in competitive VGC. I get it. But for a casual playthrough? It's a tanky little weirdo.
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Psychic types are generally glass cannons. Look at Espeon or Alakazam—they hit like a truck but fold if someone sneezes on them. Drowzee and its evolution, Hypno, have surprisingly decent Special Defense. This makes them great for those early-game Team Star fights where you’re dealing with a lot of special attackers.
Also, let’s talk about Hypnosis.
Capturing Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet can be a pain, especially those stubborn Tera Raid bosses or the wandering shiny you happen to stumble upon. Having a Pokémon that can reliably put targets to sleep is a godsend. Drowzee gets Hypnosis at level 9. Nine! That is incredibly early. Most other sleepers like Gastly or Foongus require a bit more legwork or specific locations.
Evolutions and Move Sets
Drowzee evolves into Hypno at level 26. No stones, no weird trading requirements, no walking 1,000 steps in the "Let’s Go" mode. Just pure, old-school leveling.
By the time it hits Hypno, its movepool opens up. You get access to:
- Psyshock (Great for hitting physically frail targets)
- Confusion (Standard early-game fare)
- Psychic (The bread and butter)
- Dream Eater (Risky, but satisfying if the sleep lands)
Honestly, if you’re playing through the game for the first time, don't sleep on the "Insomnia" ability either. It prevents Drowzee from falling asleep itself. In a region where every third Pokémon seems to know Spore or Sleep Powder, being immune to that mechanic is a massive quality-of-life upgrade.
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The Lore Factor: Why Drowzee is Creepy
We have to address it. Drowzee is creepy. The Pokédex entries in Scarlet and Violet don't shy away from the fact that this thing stands over sleeping children and sucks their dreams out through their nostrils. It’s dark. It’s very Gen 1.
In the open world of Paldea, seeing them at night adds a layer of atmosphere that the 2D games couldn't quite capture. When the sun goes down and the lighting gets moody, those twitching trunks look a lot more ominous.
Drowzee Fur and TM Crafting
Even if you don't want a Hypno on your team, you’re probably going to end up hunting Drowzee anyway. Why? Drowzee Fur.
In Scarlet and Violet, the TM Machine is the heart of your move customization. Drowzee Fur is a required material for crafting some pretty essential TMs. Specifically, you need it for TM016 (Psybeam) and TM120 (Psychic).
Psychic is one of the best moves in the game. Period. If you want to teach it to your Gardevoir, your Espathra, or even a weird coverage pick, you're going to need to farm some Drowzee.
The drop rate isn't terrible. Usually, you get 1 to 3 pieces of fur per battle. If you’re in a rush, just use the "R" button to send your lead Pokémon out to auto-battle them in the fields outside Cortondo. You can rack up 20 or 30 furs in about five minutes. It’s way faster than manually entering every battle.
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Shiny Hunting the Pink Tapir
If you're a shiny hunter, Drowzee is a top-tier target because its shiny form is unmistakable. It turns a vibrant, neon pink.
Unlike some Pokémon where the shiny version is just a slightly different shade of beige (looking at you, Charcadet), a shiny Drowzee sticks out like a sore thumb in the green grass of South Province.
The best way to hunt it is an Outbreak. Check your map daily. If you see a Drowzee icon pulsing, head there. Knock out 60 of them to max out your shiny odds, then just picnic reset until the pink one shows up. It’s one of the easier hunts in the game because Drowzee doesn't run away or explode.
Things to Keep in Mind
Drowzee is a pure Psychic type. That means it’s weak to Bug, Ghost, and Dark.
The areas where Drowzee spawns—South Province Area Two—are also home to a lot of Bug types like Tarountula and Nymble. If you’re using Drowzee early on, be careful. A stray "First Impression" from a wild Lokix can ruin your day real fast.
Also, keep an eye on the weather. In Paldea, rain doesn't really affect Drowzee much, but the lowered visibility can make them harder to spot in the tall grass. Since they're short, they tend to get swallowed up by the environment more than a tall Pokémon like Lechonk or Oinkologne.
Actionable Steps for Your Paldea Journey
If you’re staring at your Switch right now wondering what to do next, here is the play:
- Fly to Cortondo (East): This is your starting point. It’s the easiest access to the Drowzee meadows.
- Check the Ruins: Don't just stay on the path. Walk toward the stone structures to the north and south of the town.
- Farm for TM120: Even if you don't like Drowzee, grab at least 10 furs. You’ll thank yourself later when you need to craft the Psychic TM for your endgame team.
- Level to 26: If you’re doing a "Nuzlocke" or a casual run, get that Hypno early. Its Special Defense will carry you through the early Team Star bases.
- Look for the Pink: Always keep your eyes peeled for that pink tint. It's one of the most rewarding shinies for a beginning hunter because it’s so obvious.
Drowzee isn't the flashiest Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet, but it's reliable, easy to find, and provides some of the most important crafting materials in the early game. Go get one.