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The fifth generation ofPokemonintroduced Rufflet, Vullaby, and their respective evolutions: Braviary and Mandibuzz. While Rufflet and Braviary are native to Paldea inPokemon Scarlet & Violet, Vullbay and Mandibuzz can only be found in Kitakami. This is an exclusive region to part 1 of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero: The Teal Mask.
As the counterpart to the male-exclusive Rufflet, Vullaby (and its evolution) is a female-only species. As part of the Kitakami Dex inScarlet/Violet, catching Vullaby and Mandibuzz is required for those looking to fill out the Dex pages. Fortunately, trainers shouldn’t have a difficult time finding the Vulture Pokemon.
Where to Find Vullaby
Trainers can find Vullaby roaming theParadise Barrensand walking on the cliffs inFellhorn Gorge. Their level will be scaled to match the player’s progress inScarlet/Violet. Those who have completed “The Way Home"will find much higher-leveledVullaby while those who are not in the postgame will instead find Vullabyaroundlevel 20.
To reach the ones in Fellhorn Gorge, trainers may need Koraidon/Miraidon’s climb ability, which is the last power to unlock from the “Path of Legends” main quest.
Players will eventually need to visitParadise Barrens(in the upper-left corner of the map) for the Kitakami storyline. However, they can visit this area before the story pushes them to do so. The easiest way to reach it is to cut throughWistful Fields, which can be reachedfrom theBus StoporApple Hills.
Vullaby shouldn’t be too difficult to obtain, but trainers may want a few gym badges to make the catch easier. If they’re having a hard time finding Vullaby, eat a meal or sandwich withEncounter Power: Flying (lvl1)orEncounter Power: Dark (lvl1).
TheSalisbury Steak with Fried FixingsatBarato’sin Mesagoza, Levincia, and Cascarrafa hasEncounter Power: Flying (lvl1). It costs 1900.
Trainers can also catch a Vullaby from3-star Tera RaidsinKitakami. These raids will unlock once trainers have obtainedthree gym badges. Vullabys from Raids may havea Tera-typing that’s different from their primary typings(ie: Dark/Flying).
What Level Does Vullaby Evolve
Like its male counterpart, Rufflet, Vullaby will evolve when it reacheslevel 54. This is a steep climb for those that catch Vullaby before the postgame, as the Vullabys are below their evolve level. If trainers want Mandibuzz immediately, they can give Vullaby Exp. Candies, or they cancatch the higher-leveled ones in the postgame. Vullaby in the postgame should be over level 54, so level it up one more time to trigger the evolution.
Trainers can also catch Mandibuzz from5/6-star Tera Raids. The 5-star Raids unlock once “The Way Home” has been completed. To get 6-star Raids, they’ll need to complete the Academy Ace Tournament. They will eventually appear in Paldea once trainers have cleared enough 5-star Raids (they’ll be contacted by Jacq).
Is Mandibuzz Worth Using?
Mandibuzz may be a worth Dark or Flying-type Pokemon for the team, but it may need touse some TMs to broaden its moveset. Unlike Braviary, Mandibuzz functions more as a wall than an attacker, having great Defense and Special Defense, but not-so-great Attack and Special Attack.
110
65
55
105
95
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510
Overcoat: Takes no damage from sandstorms/weather.
Hidden Ability
Weak Armor: When hit by a physical move, its Defense lowers, but its Speed raises by two stages.
Most of Mandibuzz’s learnset consists of Flying-type moves, but it learns four Dark-type moves as well. Since Mandibuzzhas poor Special Attack, it’s best to make use ofphysical moves instead of special moves.
