Pokémon Violet: How to Find (& Catch) Iron Thorns

Iron Thorns is one of the new Paradox Pokémon introduced to the franchise in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and this time as a mechanized Tyranitar. Taking clear design inspirations from Mecha Godzilla and other mechanical Kaiju, this Rock- and Electric-type possesses amazing Attack and Defense stats, supplemented by a nice amount of HP, at the cost of its Sp. Attack, Sp. Defense, and Speed.

Like almost every Paradox Pokémon introduced in Scarlet and Violet, Iron Thorns is locked inside Area Zero and is only catchable after the main story. Once the player has completed Victory Road, Starfall Street, and the Path of Legends quests, they can start The Way Home, which will take them deep into the heart of Paldea. However, other than Koraidon/Miraidon and a plot-related wild encounter, the player still won’t be able to catch any Paradox Pokémon until after the credits roll. Only once the main story is completed can the player begin wandering around, looking for other encounters.

Getting Iron Thorns in Pokémon Violet

First, players will be unable to catch Iron Thorns if they have Pokémon Scarlet, as the machine Paradox Pokémon are Pokémon Violet exclusive and will have to settle for trading. However, for Pokémon Violet players, Iron Thorns can be encountered using the Zero Gate to Warp to Research Station No. 2, according to Youtuber TechnoTrainer. From there, the player needs to exit the building and head to the left, towards the rocky slope that is clearly visible. Iron Thorns will spawn semi-regularly in some parts of this small area of the crater. After wandering around and resetting spawns if need be, it’s only a matter of time to encounter and catch it, especially if the player has one of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s sandwiches.

The player has two groups of Pokémon they can use to try and catch Iron Thorns, types it is weak against and types it is strong against. The Pokémon Types it is strong against reduces the risk of accidentally doing a one-hit knockout, a pertinent risk, especially with a high-level team. Types Iron Thorns is weak against lets the player chunk its health down into yellow or red with only one or two attacks. As a Rock- and Electric-type, it is weak to Fighting-, Ground-, Water-, and Grass-types, and strong against Normal-, Flying, Poison-, Fire-, and Electric-types. Once its health is low, one or two of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Ultra Balls should be enough to catch it.

Source: YouTube/TechnoTrainer

• Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

  Franchise: Pokemon

  Platform: Nintendo Switch

  Released: 2022-11-18

  Developer: Game Freak

  Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokemon Company

  Genre: RPG, Adventure, Action

  Multiplayer: Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer

  ESRB: E

  Summary: Pokémon returns in its next installment series: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Set in a fictional town near Mediterranean Spain, gamers will explore Paldea, catching new and classic Pokémon. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is the first ever open-world game in the series and features new Pokémon that can transform into vehicles. Pokémon staples like gym battles are still present, but co-op exploration and Terastallize battles are also introduced.

  How Long To Beat: 31 Hours

  Prequel: Pokémon Sword and Shield

  Mode: Single Player, Multiplayer