Unleash Your Inner Dragon Trainer: A Definitive Guide to Catching Dratini in the Safari Zone

So, you’re hunting the elusive Dratini in the treacherous depths of the Safari Zone? You’ve come to the right place. Forget aimless wandering and wasted Poke Balls. This guide will arm you with the knowledge and strategies you need to finally add this serpentine Dragon-type to your team. Prepare to become a Dratini-catching master!

The Straight Dope: How to Snag Your Dratini

The key to catching Dratini in the Safari Zone boils down to patience, location, and a little bit of luck. Dratini primarily resides in the water areas of the Safari Zone, specifically areas with fishing spots. Your best bet is to concentrate your efforts near these water sources.

Here’s a breakdown of the process:

1. Get Your Safari Zone Ticket: This is a no-brainer, but you need to actually be in the Safari Zone. Purchase your ticket for 500 Pokédollars at the entrance.
2. Head for the Water: Navigate through the Safari Zone towards the water sections. Many players report having the most success in Area 1 and Area 3, focusing on bodies of water where you can use your fishing rod.
3. Equip Your Fishing Rod: You’ll need a Good Rod or a Super Rod to encounter Dratini. The Old Rod won’t cut it; it primarily pulls up Magikarp. The Super Rod technically gives you a slightly higher chance but is only available after defeating the Elite Four, making the Good Rod your prime tool for pre-Elite Four Dratini hunting.
4. Cast Your Line: Find a fishing spot (denoted by ripples in the water). Use your fishing rod.
5. The Waiting Game: You might not hook a Dratini on your first cast (or even your tenth!). Patience is paramount. Keep casting your line in different locations within the water areas.
6. The Encounter: When you hook a Pokémon, prepare for a battle… or rather, a Safari Zone encounter.
7. The Safari Zone Catching Process: Remember the unique rules of the Safari Zone! You cannot use your own Pokémon to battle. You’re limited to throwing Safari Balls and using bait and rocks.
   • Bait: Using bait makes the Pokémon less likely to flee, but it also makes them harder to catch.
   • Rock: Using a rock makes the Pokémon easier to catch, but it increases the chance of them fleeing.
8. The Catch: With luck and strategic bait/rock usage, you’ll successfully catch your Dratini!

Important Considerations:

• Step Limit: You only have a limited number of steps within the Safari Zone. Plan your route to maximize your time near the water.
• Escape Rate: Dratini has a relatively high escape rate in the Safari Zone. Don’t be discouraged if it flees frequently. This is where smart use of bait comes in.
• Version Differences: Encounter rates might vary slightly depending on the specific Pokémon game version you’re playing (Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, LeafGreen). However, the core strategy remains the same.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Dratini in the Safari Zone

FAQ 1: What’s the exact encounter rate for Dratini in the Safari Zone?

While exact percentages vary slightly depending on the version, Dratini’s encounter rate via fishing with the Good Rod in the Safari Zone is generally considered to be around 10-15%. With the Super Rod (post-Elite Four), this may marginally increase. Remember that these are probabilities; you could encounter several Dratini in a short span or go a long time without seeing one.

FAQ 2: Is it better to use bait or rocks when trying to catch Dratini?

This is a classic Safari Zone dilemma! There’s no definitive “better” option; it’s a gamble. Bait lowers the flee rate, but makes catching harder. Rocks increase the catch rate but significantly increase the flee rate. A good starting strategy is to throw one bait, then a rock, and then immediately throw a Safari Ball. Adjust your strategy based on how the Dratini reacts.

FAQ 3: Does the time of day affect Dratini’s appearance?

No, the time of day in the game does not influence Dratini’s encounter rate or behavior in the Safari Zone in the original games (Red, Blue, Yellow). This also holds true for the remakes (FireRed, LeafGreen).

FAQ 4: Which area of the Safari Zone is best for catching Dratini?

Area 1 and Area 3 are generally considered the most fruitful locations due to their larger bodies of water and accessible fishing spots. Experiment within these areas to find the sweet spots that work for you. Don’t neglect the smaller ponds!

FAQ 5: What level will the Dratini be when I catch it in the Safari Zone?

Dratini caught in the Safari Zone typically range from level 10 to 15, depending on the game version. This will require some training before it evolves into Dragonair at level 30, and then Dragonite at level 55.

FAQ 6: I ran out of steps! What do I do?

Unfortunately, once your steps run out in the Safari Zone, you’re automatically ejected. Before entering again, carefully plan your route to minimize backtracking and maximize your time near the water. Consider bringing Pokémon with moves like Cut to clear any obstructions that might slow you down.

FAQ 7: Can I use repels to avoid other Pokémon encounters and save steps?

While it seems like a good idea, Repels DO NOT work in the Safari Zone. You’ll encounter Pokémon based on the location’s encounter table, regardless of whether you’ve used a Repel.

FAQ 8: Is there any way to increase my chances of finding a Shiny Dratini in the Safari Zone?

Unfortunately, the Shiny Charm (introduced later in the series) does not exist in the first generation games or their remakes. Therefore, your chances of encountering a Shiny Dratini are the standard 1 in 8192 in Red, Blue, and Yellow, and 1 in 8192 in FireRed and LeafGreen. It’s pure, unadulterated luck.

FAQ 9: What if Dratini flees on my first turn? Should I give up?

Absolutely not! Dratini’s flee rate is high, but persistence is key. Don’t be discouraged by early escapes. Keep trying, and you’ll eventually get lucky.

FAQ 10: How many Safari Balls should I bring with me?

Since you can’t buy more Safari Balls inside the Safari Zone, bringing enough from the start is important. With a limit of 30 Safari Balls, use them wisely. Plan your route to minimize non-Dratini encounters, and use bait strategically.

FAQ 11: I’m having trouble finding any fishing spots. Where exactly should I look?

Look for areas with ripples in the water. These indicate spots where you can use your fishing rod. Focus on the edges of the water bodies and any small inlets or coves.

FAQ 12: Is there a guaranteed way to get Dratini without the Safari Zone?

Outside of trading with another player (if possible), the only other method to obtain Dratini in these games is through the Game Corner in Celadon City (specifically in Red, Blue, and Yellow). However, this is incredibly expensive and requires a significant amount of time playing the slot machines to earn enough coins. The Safari Zone, while challenging, remains the most practical method for most players.

So there you have it! Armed with this comprehensive guide and a healthy dose of patience, you’re well on your way to adding a Dratini (or several!) to your Pokémon party. Good luck, and happy hunting!