Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Drifloon location explained
Where is this ghost balloon?
Drifloon can be one of the hardest Pokémon to find in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl if you don't know where and when to look.
There is only one way to catch Driloon in both games and you need to at least see this Pokémon to have its basic entry recorded in your Sinnoh Pokédex to unlock the National Pokédex.
Below we cover both Drifloon's location and how to get Drifloon in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
On this page:
How to get Drifloon in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
If you want to see or catch Drifloon in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, you must first defeat Team Galactic at the Valley Windworks east of Floaroma Town. This event occurs roughly four hours into the game and after you've earned the first Gym Badge.
After you've chased off Team Galactic, the scientist and his daughter will drop hints about a special Pokémon which visits the Valley Windworks every week.
This Pokémon is Drifloon and it only visits on Friday.
Thankfully, Drifloon is easy to find - appearing outside the Valley Windworks and waiting for you to start the match. (More likely waiting for a lonely child to mistake it for a balloon, so it can carry them to who knows where.)
We recommend catching Drifloon, because evolving this Pokémon at Level 28 is the only way to obtain a Drifblim in both games.
You also need to at least see Drifloon to complete your Sinnoh Pokédex and, in the post-game, unlock the National Pokédex. It is possible to encounter a trainer with a Drifloon, but they are only present in the Hearthome City Gym - the fifth Gym - and you need to get one of the questions wrong to start this battle.
If you want to encounter Drifloon, but don't want to wait a couple of days, you can change the date on your Nintendo Switch by visiting the 'Date and Time' option under 'System' in the console's settings. Simply turn off the console's ability to synchronise the clock via the Internet and you'll be able to time travel freely!
It’s time to revisit Sinnoh! Our now complete Diamond and Pearl walkthrough to the main story is where to start. Your journey begins with selecting your starter Pokémon near Twinleaf Town, before visiting Sandgem Town and Jubilife City. To become a Pokémon Master, you need to defeat the Gym Leaders in Oreburgh City, Eterna City, Veilstone City, Pastoria City and Hearthome City, along with three others.
Aside from badges, you’ll want to grab Mystery Gift codes, complete the Sinnoh Pokédex by using Honey Trees, visiting the Great Marsh and the Pokémon Hideaways in the Grand Underground. Take the time to catch Gible, Spiritomb andDrifloon! Finally, you can now catch Arceus.
Drifloon weaknesses in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl explained
Drifloon will be at Level 22 and, since it's a ghost and flying-type Pokémon, it will be weak to dark, electric, ghost, ice and rock-type moves. If you're trying to catch it, make sure the Pokémon you use are around the same level as Drifloon to avoid accidentally knocking it out!
If you're attempting to catch Drifloon early on in your playthrough, then we recommend using either Geodude, a rock and ground-type Pokémon, or the electric-type Pachirisu. Both of these Pokémon have moves which Drifloon is weak to and can be found in areas near the Valley Windworks.
Pachirisu can actually be caught in the grass next to the Valley Windworks, while you probably encountered quite a few Geodudes exploring the caves around Oreburgh City.
Good luck adding Drifloon to your Pokédex!