
Finding Roaring Moon in Pokemon Scarlet can be one of the most challenging tasks in the game. This powerful Dragon/Dark-type Paradox Pokemon is hidden away in a secret location that many players struggle to locate. After spending hours searching Area Zero myself, I’ve discovered exactly where to find this elusive creature and how to successfully catch it.
The key to getting Roaring Moon is knowing the precise location of its hidden cave northeast of Research Station 3 in Area Zero. This guide will walk you through every step of the process, from completing the main story to successfully adding this powerful Pokemon to your team.
Roaring Moon is a Scarlet-exclusive Paradox Pokemon that resembles an ancient form of Salamence, boasting impressive attack stats and the unique Protosynthesis ability. Its rarity and power make it a coveted addition to any team, but finding it requires patience and precise navigation through Area Zero’s confusing terrain.
By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn exactly how to reach the hidden cave, what to bring for the catch, and how to overcome the common frustrations that many players encounter during their hunt for this powerful Paradox Pokemon.
Before you can begin your hunt for Roaring Moon, you need to complete several prerequisites that unlock access to Area Zero. I learned this the hard way after wasting hours trying to access the location too early in my playthrough.
First and foremost, you must complete the entire main story of Pokemon Scarlet. This includes all three story paths: Victory Road, Starfall Street, and Path of Legends. Only after you’ve defeated the final boss and watched the credits roll will Area Zero become accessible for exploration.
You’ll also want to prepare your team before heading into Area Zero. I recommend bringing Pokemon between levels 60-70, as the wild Pokemon in this area can be quite challenging. Make sure you have a Pokemon with False Swipe in your party – this will be crucial for catching Roaring Moon without accidentally knocking it out.
Stock up on plenty of Ultra Balls, Timer Balls, and if possible, a Master Ball. Roaring Moon has an extremely low catch rate, so you’ll need all the help you can get. I also recommend bringing Pokemon that can inflict status conditions like paralysis or sleep, as these will significantly increase your chances of a successful capture.
Reaching Roaring Moon’s location requires careful navigation through Area Zero. Based on my experience helping dozens of players find this elusive Pokemon, I’ve broken down the process into clear, manageable steps.
The key challenge here is that Roaring Moon has a very low spawn rate. Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t appear immediately – I once spent 45 minutes walking through this small area before encountering my first Roaring Moon. Patience is essential for this part of the hunt.
Quick Summary: From Research Station 3, turn away from the main cave and look for a rock pile covering a hidden entrance in the wall behind you. Roaring Moon spawns in the grassy area inside this secret cave.
Catching Roaring Moon can be extremely challenging due to its low catch rate and powerful attacks. After accidentally knocking out my first Roaring Moon, I developed a reliable strategy that significantly increases your chances of success.
Start by using a Pokemon with False Swipe to bring Roaring Moon’s HP down to 1 without knocking it out. Roaring Moon has high attack stats, so make sure your False Swipe user can take a few hits. I recommend a Pokemon with good defense stats or one that can use status moves to reduce Roaring Moon’s attack.
Once Roaring Moon’s HP is low, inflict a status condition. Paralysis is your best option as it both increases the catch rate and reduces Roaring Moon’s speed, making subsequent battles easier. Sleep is also effective if you have access to moves like Spore or Hypnosis.
When it comes to Pokeballs, Ultra Balls should be your primary choice early in the battle. If the battle drags on, switch to Timer Balls, which become more effective after 10 turns have passed. If you have a Master Ball saved, this might be the time to use it – Roaring Moon is difficult enough to catch that many players consider it worthy of this rare item.
Catch Rate: Roaring Moon has an extremely low catch rate of 3, making it one of the most difficult Pokemon to capture in Scarlet. This is why status conditions and proper HP management are crucial.
Be prepared for a potentially long battle. Roaring Moon has access to Dragon Dance, which can quickly turn the tables if you’re not careful. If you see it use this move, consider using a Pokemon that can handle increased attack and speed stats.
Roaring Moon is a Dragon/Dark-type Paradox Pokemon with impressive base stats that make it a valuable addition to any competitive team. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses will help you both catch and utilize this powerful creature effectively.
As a Dragon/Dark-type, Roaring Moon is weak to Fairy, Fighting, Bug, Ice, and Dragon-type moves. This gives you several options for both catching and battling with it. Its typing also makes it resistant to Ghost, Dark, Fire, Water, Grass, and Electric-type moves, providing excellent defensive coverage.
Roaring Moon’s base stats are outstanding, with 140 Attack and 119 Speed making it a formidable physical attacker. Its HP of 105 and Special Defense of 101 give it decent bulk, though its Defense of 70 leaves it vulnerable to strong physical attacks. These stats make it an excellent choice for competitive battles, especially with its unique Protosynthesis ability.
⚠️ Important: Roaring Moon’s Protosynthesis ability boosts its highest stat (Attack) in harsh sunlight or when holding Booster Energy. This makes it even more powerful in battle but also more challenging to catch.
For competitive use, Roaring Moon excels as a setup sweeper with Dragon Dance. Its combination of high speed, powerful attack, and decent bulk allows it to sweep through unprepared teams. Consider teaching it moves like Dragon Claw, Crunch, and Iron Head for coverage, with Dragon Dance as your setup move.
Roaring Moon spawns in the grassy area at the back of a hidden cave northeast of Research Station 3 in Area Zero. The cave entrance is covered by rocks on the wall opposite the main cave entrance.
Yes, Roaring Moon is extremely difficult to catch with a catch rate of only 3. Use status conditions like paralysis, bring its HP to 1 with False Swipe, and use Ultra Balls or Timer Balls for the best chance of success.
Yes, Roaring Moon is exclusive to Pokemon Scarlet. Violet players can only obtain it through trading with someone who has Scarlet.
Hunt Roaring Moon in the hidden cave northeast of Research Station 3 in Area Zero. Walk through the grassy area inside the cave to trigger encounters, but be patient as it has a low spawn rate.
Complete the main story, reach Area Zero, find Research Station 3, locate the hidden cave behind the rock pile on the wall opposite the main cave, then walk through the grassy area inside until Roaring Moon spawns.
Yes, Roaring Moon is excellent with 140 Attack and 119 Speed stats. Its Dragon/Dark typing and Protosynthesis ability make it a powerful choice for both in-game and competitive battles.
Roaring Moon does not evolve. It is a Paradox Pokemon that is encountered as-is in Area Zero and cannot be evolved or bred.
Yes, you can shiny hunt Roaring Moon by soft resetting or leaving the area and returning. It has the standard shiny rate unless you have the Shiny Charm.
Finding and catching Roaring Moon requires patience and preparation, but the reward is well worth the effort. Remember that this is a rare encounter with low spawn rates and catch rates, so don’t get discouraged if your first attempts aren’t successful.
If you’re having trouble finding the hidden cave, take screenshots of the area around Research Station 3 and compare them with online guides. The rock pile covering the entrance is distinctive once you know what to look for, but it’s easy to miss when you’re focused on the main cave entrance.
For Violet players without access to Roaring Moon, consider trading with a friend who has Scarlet. Roaring Moon is valuable enough that most Scarlet players would be willing to trade for a Violet exclusive like Iron Valiant or other rare Pokemon.
Once you’ve successfully caught Roaring Moon, consider training it for competitive battles. With proper EV investment in Attack and Speed, and a Jolly nature, Roaring Moon can become a devastating sweeper that catches many opponents off guard.