The fifth generation of Pokemon introduced Rufflet, Vullaby, and their respective evolutions: Braviary and Mandibuzz. While Rufflet and Braviary are native to Paldea in Pokemon 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 in Scarlet/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.
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Where to Find Vullaby
Trainers can find Vullaby roaming the Paradise Barrens and walking on the cliffs in Fellhorn Gorge. Their level will be scaled to match the player's progress in Scarlet/Violet. Those who have completed "The Way Home" will find much higher-leveled Vullaby while those who are not in the postgame will instead find Vullaby aroundlevel 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 visit Paradise 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 through Wistful Fields, which can be reached from the Bus Stop or Apple 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 with Encounter Power: Flying (lvl1) or Encounter Power: Dark (lvl1).
The Salisbury Steak with Fried Fixings at Barato's in Mesagoza, Levincia, and Cascarrafa has Encounter Power: Flying (lvl1) . It costs 1900.
Trainers can also catch a Vullaby from 3-star Tera Raids in Kitakami. These raids will unlock once trainers have obtained three gym badges. Vullabys from Raids may have a Tera-typing that's different from their primary typings (ie: Dark/Flying).
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Platform(s)
- Switch
- Released
- November 18, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
- Genre(s)
- RPG
What Level Does Vullaby Evolve
Like its male counterpart, Rufflet, Vullaby will evolve when it reaches level 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 can catch 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 from 5/6-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).
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Is Mandibuzz Worth Using?
Mandibuzz may be a worth Dark or Flying-type Pokemon for the team, but it may need to use 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.
Here's more information on Mandibuzz:
HP: | 110 |
|---|---|
Attack: | 65 |
Special Attack: | 55 |
Defense: | 105 |
Special Defense: | 95 |
Speed: | 80 |
Total: | 510 |
Best Natures for Mandibuzz | ||
|---|---|---|
Increased Stat | Decreased Stat | |
Careful | Special Defense | Special Attack |
Impish | Defense | Special Attack |
Super-effective against: | Grass, Bug, Fighting, Psychic, Ghost |
|---|---|
Weaknesses: | Fairy, Electric, Rock, Ice |
Resistances: | Grass, Ghost, Dark |
Immunities: | Ground |
Ability #1 | Big Pecks: Prevents Mandibuzz's Defense from lowering. |
|---|---|
Ability #2 | 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 Mandibuzz has poor Special Attack, it's best to make use of physical moves instead of special moves.
- With its strengths being its Defense and HP, it's better to equip Mandibuzz with status moves, such as Defog and Toxic. Both of these moves it learns upon leveling up (64) and remembering.
- As for attacking moves, U-Turn is a Bug-type move, but it will allow Mandibuzz to strike the opponent before leaving the battle.
- Pluck or Aerial Ace serve as good Flying-type moves and have a power of 60. Pluck allows Mandibuzz to steal and eat any Berry the opponent may be holding (and receive its effects), and Aerial Ace will never miss (with some exceptions).
- For Dark-type moves, Mandibuzz can get away with Knock Off (which literally 'knocks off' any item the target Pokemon may be holding) or Foul Play (damage is doubled if the target's Attack stat is raised).
- Finally, another move trainers may want to consider is Bone Rush, which Mandibuzz will learn upon evolution. This is a Ground-type move that can hit up to 2-5 times in a row. Bone Rush is useful if players want Type Coverage against two of Mandibuzz's weaknesses: Electric and Rock.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.