If you’re diving into the murky depths of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, chances are you’ve heard about Skrelp—the elusive Poison/Water-type Pokémon that lurks in the city’s underground waterways. Finding and catching Skrelp isn’t as straightforward as spotting a Magikarp in the wild; it requires a bit of exploration, patience, and a good understanding of the game’s new urban ecosystem. Here’s everything you need to know about tracking down Skrelp in the sewers, plus some tips to boost your catch rate.

Finding Skrelp in the Sewer System

Skrelp can be found primarily in the North Sewer Zone, an area accessible after completing the mid-game storyline involving the Power Plant sabotage mission. Once you’ve cleared that quest, the city’s maintenance tunnels open up, revealing a network of water channels teeming with aquatic Pokémon.

Skrelp appears most frequently near stagnant water pools and pipes releasing a purple haze—these indicate high toxin levels, which are Skrelp’s preferred environment. If you’re running through the sewers during daytime, you might notice that encounters are rarer. Try switching to nighttime exploration; Skrelp’s spawn rate increases significantly after dusk.

Pro tip: Equip a Pokémon with the Cleanse Tag to reduce unnecessary encounters while you move deeper into the tunnels. When you finally reach the largest chamber with glowing algae walls, you’re in Skrelp territory.

Catch Rate and Battle Strategy

Skrelp isn’t particularly tough, but it does have a few quirks. It loves to use Smokescreen early on, making your attacks less accurate. Bring a Pokémon with Keen Eye or No Guard to offset that. Its average catch rate is moderate—around 45% with a standard Poké Ball—so be prepared with Great Balls or Net Balls. Using a status effect like Sleep or Paralysis dramatically improves your odds.

If you’re after the evolved form, Dragalge, you’ll need to level Skrelp up to 48, or if you prefer skipping the grind, you might consider checking out communities or marketplaces where players buy alpha Pokémon to complete their teams faster.

Maximizing Efficiency

The sewer’s design makes backtracking tedious, so plan your route. Bring Repels, healing items, and a Pokémon that knows Surf for quick navigation. It’s also worth revisiting the area during rainfall events—Skrelp’s spawn rate subtly increases during weather boosts tied to Water-types.

Players who focus on collection might also aim for a shiny variant. While the shiny odds remain low, some fans prefer to buy shiny Pokémon from trusted trading communities like U4GM, which is known among players for facilitating in-game trades safely. Of course, catching one yourself is the ultimate badge of honor, but it’s nice to have options.

Hunting for Skrelp in Pokémon Legends: Z-A is one of those experiences that truly highlight the game’s new environmental depth. The sewer system might not be glamorous, but it’s packed with secrets and unique species that reward explorers who pay attention. Whether you’re after a standard Skrelp to fill your Pokédex or hunting that rare shiny form, patience and preparation are key.

With the right setup and a little persistence, you’ll emerge from the sewers with one of the most underrated Poison-types in your roster—and maybe even a new appreciation for the beauty hidden beneath the city.