Dreepy evolves into Drakloak at Level 50, and Drakloak then evolves into Dragapult at Level 60. This three-stage Dragon/Ghost evolution line was introduced in Generation VIII with Pokémon Sword and Shield, and it represents the pseudo-legendary family of that generation. The unusually high level requirements for evolution reflect its status as a pseudo-legendary line, which traditionally features some of the most powerful non-legendary Pokémon in each generation. For collectors and players alike, understanding this evolution chain matters because Dragapult has become one of the most sought-after competitive Pokémon since its debut.
A trainer starting with a freshly caught Dreepy faces a long journey to reach that final form”the lore even states that Dreepy is so weak that a child could defeat one in battle. This article covers the complete evolution mechanics, Pokémon GO requirements, the unique characteristics that make this line special among Dragon-types, and what collectors should know about cards featuring each stage. The Dreepy line holds several distinctions that set it apart from other Dragon-type families. It remains the only Pokémon belonging to both the Dragon and Amorphous Egg Groups, making it unique in breeding mechanics and adding to its appeal for dedicated collectors tracking rare variants.
Table of Contents
- How Does Dreepy Evolve in the Main Series Games?
- Understanding Dreepy’s Dragon/Ghost Typing and Origins
- What Makes Dreepy’s Evolution Line a Pseudo-Legendary?
- Evolving Dreepy in Pokémon GO: Candy Requirements and Strategy
- Common Challenges When Evolving Dreepy
- Dreepy Line Cards Worth Knowing for Collectors
- The Future of Dreepy in Pokémon Media and Games
- Conclusion
How Does Dreepy Evolve in the Main Series Games?
In the main series Pokémon games, Dreepy follows a straightforward level-based evolution path without requiring special items, friendship levels, or location-specific conditions. Players need to raise Dreepy to Level 50 to trigger its evolution into Drakloak, the middle stage. From there, continuing to Level 60 completes the transformation into Dragapult, the fully evolved pseudo-legendary form. These level requirements are notably higher than most Pokémon evolution thresholds.
For comparison, many three-stage evolution lines complete their final evolution somewhere between Level 30 and 45. The elevated requirements align with other pseudo-legendary families like Garchomp’s line or Salamence’s line, which similarly demand patience and dedication from trainers. This design choice reinforces the lore that Dreepy starts exceptionally weak but eventually becomes something formidable. However, players should note that catching a higher-level Dreepy or Drakloak in the wild can significantly reduce the grinding required. In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Drakloak appears in certain Max Raid Battles, and in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, wild Drakloak can be found in specific locations at levels closer to the evolution threshold.
Understanding Dreepy’s Dragon/Ghost Typing and Origins
The Dragon/Ghost dual typing gives the Dreepy line a distinctive competitive profile that carries through all three evolutionary stages. This combination provides immunity to Normal and Fighting-type moves while offering resistances to Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Poison, and Bug types. The tradeoff comes in the form of weaknesses to Ice, Ghost, Dragon, Dark, and Fairy-type attacks”a substantial list that demands careful team building. Dreepy’s lore explains its Ghost typing through an unusual origin story.
According to Pokédex entries, Dreepy is the reborn spirit of a prehistoric aquatic species that went extinct long ago. This ghostly nature manifests in its translucent, spectral appearance and its ability to phase through solid objects. The design reflects a creature caught between two worlds”its ancient past as a sea-dwelling organism and its current existence as a wandering ghost. This backstory has implications for collectors interested in the thematic elements of their collections. Cards featuring Dreepy often incorporate water or oceanic imagery alongside ghostly effects, creating visually distinct artwork that references both aspects of its identity.
What Makes Dreepy’s Evolution Line a Pseudo-Legendary?
Pseudo-legendary Pokémon share specific characteristics that distinguish them from regular three-stage evolution families. They possess a base stat total of exactly 600 in their final form, require high experience to level up, and typically feature Dragon typing. Dragapult meets all these criteria, placing the Dreepy line among elite company that includes Dragonite, Tyranitar, Salamence, Metagross, Garchomp, Hydreigon, Goodra, Kommo-o, and Bagon’s line. For example, Dragapult’s base stat total of 600 splits heavily toward Speed and Attack, making it one of the fastest pseudo-legendaries ever introduced.
This speed-focused distribution differs notably from bulkier pseudo-legendaries like Tyranitar or Goodra, which prioritize defensive stats. Collectors following competitive metagame trends will recognize that Dragapult’s speed has kept it relevant in tournament play since its introduction. The pseudo-legendary status directly influences card rarity and pricing. Historically, pseudo-legendary Pokémon receive premium card treatments including V cards, VMAX cards, ex cards, and full-art variants. Dragapult has appeared in numerous special printings, and these typically command higher prices than cards featuring common Pokémon.
Evolving Dreepy in Pokémon GO: Candy Requirements and Strategy
Pokémon GO uses a candy-based evolution system rather than experience levels, fundamentally changing how players approach the Dreepy evolution line. Evolving Dreepy into Drakloak requires 25 Dreepy candies, while the second evolution from Drakloak to Dragapult demands 100 candies. The total investment of 125 candies represents a moderate grind compared to other rare Pokémon. Players face a strategic choice when accumulating candies: walk Dreepy as a buddy Pokémon, use Rare Candies, or wait for events featuring increased Dreepy spawns. Walking generates one candy per 5 kilometers, making the 125-candy goal a substantial distance commitment.
Rare Candies offer a shortcut but compete with other valuable Pokémon that might benefit more from this limited resource. Community Days or spotlight hours featuring Dreepy dramatically accelerate candy collection but occur unpredictably. At maximum level in Pokémon GO, Dreepy reaches only 767 CP at Level 40 or 867 CP at Level 50 with Best Buddy status. These modest numbers reflect its main-series weakness and make Dreepy itself impractical for raids or PvP battles. Investing resources before evolution is generally not recommended”save Stardust and candies for powering up the final Dragapult form.
Common Challenges When Evolving Dreepy
The primary obstacle trainers face when evolving Dreepy is simply locating one in the first place. In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Dreepy appears only in the Lake of Outrage area during overcast or thunderstorm weather, with encounter rates around 1-2%. Many players report searching for hours before finding their first specimen. This rarity at the catching stage compounds the already lengthy leveling process. In Pokémon GO, Dreepy’s scarcity creates similar frustration.
As a Dragon-type, it rarely spawns outside of special events, and when it does appear, the spawn rates remain low. Players in rural areas or regions with fewer PokéStops face particular difficulty accumulating the necessary candies. Trading with friends who have surplus Dreepy can help, though trades cost Stardust and the received Pokémon cannot be traded again. A warning for collectors focused on competitive viability: rushing to evolve the first Dreepy you catch may result in a Dragapult with suboptimal IVs or nature. In main series games, breeding for ideal natures and IVs before committing to the leveling process saves time in the long run. In Pokémon GO, waiting until you catch a high-IV Dreepy prevents wasting candies on a specimen you might later replace.
Dreepy Line Cards Worth Knowing for Collectors
The Pokémon Trading Card Game has featured the Dreepy evolution line across multiple sets since Sword and Shield’s release. Notable printings include Dragapult V and Dragapult VMAX from the Rebel Clash expansion, which saw competitive play and maintain collector interest. The Dragapult VMAX in particular features distinctive artwork showing Dragapult launching Dreepy from its head”a reference to in-game animations and Pokédex entries describing this behavior.
Special printings and alternate art variants command premium prices in the secondary market. For example, rainbow rare versions of Dragapult VMAX and full-art Dragapult V cards trade significantly above their standard counterparts. Collectors tracking the Dreepy line should monitor set releases for new printings, as pseudo-legendary lines typically receive continued support across multiple expansions.
The Future of Dreepy in Pokémon Media and Games
Dragapult’s competitive success and visual distinctiveness suggest the Dreepy line will remain prominent in future Pokémon releases. The design translates well to merchandise, appearing in plush toys, figures, and promotional materials alongside more established fan favorites.
As Generation VIII Pokémon become nostalgic for players who started with Sword and Shield, collector interest in Dreepy line cards may follow patterns seen with earlier pseudo-legendaries. Regional variants or new forms could potentially expand the Dreepy family in future generations, as Game Freak has shown willingness to revisit popular Pokémon with new typings or designs. Collectors speculating on long-term value should consider that any such additions would likely increase overall interest in the original Dreepy line cards.
Conclusion
The Dreepy evolution line follows a Level 50 and Level 60 progression to reach Drakloak and Dragapult respectively, with Pokémon GO requiring 125 total candies for the full evolution. As a pseudo-legendary Dragon/Ghost family with unique Egg Group placement and compelling lore, this line occupies a special position in Generation VIII’s roster that appeals to both competitive players and collectors.
For those building collections around the Dreepy line, prioritizing high-rarity Dragapult cards while tracking down complete evolution sets offers a balanced approach. The combination of competitive relevance, distinctive design, and pseudo-legendary status positions this family well for sustained collector interest as Sword and Shield era cards mature in the secondary market.
