Generation VIII introduced some very intriguing Pokémon, both in lore and design. Inspired by the United Kingdom, the Galar region is home to exotic and captivating creatures. Thanks to their intricate, ambitious designs and complex backgrounds, they complement the Pokémon world and enhance the gaming experience.
Drednaw is one of the franchise's new additions. It is a dual-type Water/Rock Pokémon, one of many tortoise-like creatures to inhabit this fantastical world. Drednaw plays a small but significant role in Sword & Shield, being Nessa's ace Pokémon in the second gym battle. And although it only appears for a brief time - unless the player has one on their team - fans became instantly enchanted by its intriguing premise and perfect execution.
10 Where To Catch It
In Sword & Shield, players can catch Chewtle and evolve it into Drednaw starting at level 22, or they can wait and actually catch an evolved Drednaw.
If the first, they can encounter Chewtle as soon as Route 2. Routes 4 and 5 and the Galar Mine are also great places to find it in the early game. If the second, Drednaw first appears in Route 6. It is also widely available in the Wild Area, spawning at Bridge Field, Dusty Bowl, Giant's Cap, Giant's Mirror, and Lake of Outrage. A single Drednaw appears in Route 2, on the island in the lake. Players need an upgraded Rotom bike to get to it, and it does not respawn.
9 Origin & Inspiration
Drednaw resembles a common snapping turtle, although it also takes some elements from the alligator snapping turtle. Its prominent and trademark horn is a clear nod to a cleaver, one of many elements reinforcing its violent nature.
As for its name, it's an obvious play on the word dreadnought, the predominant battleship of the early 20th century. It may also be a combination of the words "dread" and "gnaw." Indeed, Dreadnaw's deathly jaw is its main attribute, and it's even known as the Bite Pokémon.
8 Stats & Type Effectiveness
Drednaw has a base stat total of 485. It has an admirable Physical Attack of 115, which ranks as its most impressive stat. By contrast, its Special Attack is a pitiful 48, severely hindering the effectiveness of some of the best Water moves, like Surf or Scald. The rest of its stats are average, except for Special Defense, which is slightly below.
In the type effectiveness department, the Water/Rock-type results in four weaknesses, including a quad vulnerability to the common Grass-type. It does have five resistances, which balances things out and increases its battle usefulness.
7 Abilities
Like other Pokémon, Drednaw can have one of two abilities, as well as a secret one. Strong Jaw and Shell Amor are the first two possibilities. The former increases the power of biting moves - Crunch, Fire Fang, Hyper Fang, etc. - by 50%. The latter protects the Pokémon from critical hits. Both are exceptional abilities that can considerably enhance Drednaw's battle performance if used properly.
As for its secret ability, Swift Swim doubles the Pokémon's Speed during rain. And considering Drednaw's lackluster 74 Speed, it could certainly use the help.
6 Gigantamax Form
Dynamax and Gigantamax are the big gimmicks introduced in Sword & Shield. Any Pokémon can Dynamax, but only 32 can Gigantamax. In this second form, their entire physiognomy changes, not just their size.
Gigantamax Drednaw becomes the Pokémon version of an actual dreadnought. It stands on two legs, and its head hides inside its shell. Its horn also changes, instead resembling a tank. Players can only catch Pokémon with the Gigantamax factor in Max Raid Battles. In Drednaw's case, they can find it at Giant's Cap in the Wild Area.
5 Behavior
Drednaw is famous for its aggressive and uncontrollable behavior. Its fangs are strong enough to gnaw on iron and steel, and it enjoys using them to intimidate preys and opponents. Drednaw is also rather vicious, and only select Trainers are capable of taming it. Many give up and release it into the wild, though.
In Galar, there's also a tale about how a Gingantamax Drednaw chewed up an entire mountain and used the rubble to stop a flood. It might sound a tad exaggerated, but stranger things happen every day in the Pokémon world.
4 In The Anime
Drednaw has a small recurring role in the Pokémon Journeys anime. It is the object of Team Rocket's attention, who want to capture it for their boss, Giovanni. However, the inept trio only succeeds in getting it to Gigantamax, after which Drednaw goes on a rampage that nearly destroys Wyndon Stadium.
Unlike other Pokémon who become integral parts of Team Rocket's storylines, like Bewear in Pokémon Sun & Moon, Drednaw only appears in two episodes.
3 In The Manga
Drednaw made several brief appearances in the Pokémon Adventures manga. Three of them attack Sōdo and Shirudomiria - the manga equivalents to Victor and Gloria from the games - but end up being defeated by the Trainer's Grookey and Scorbunny.
Later, a Drednaw under the possession of Nessa appears during her battle against Sōdo. She Gigantamaxes the Pokémon but still loses thanks to Sōdo's Thwackey.
2 In Pokémon: Twilight Wings
Twilight Wings is a miniseries consisting of 7 episodes, each about five minutes long. It premiered monthly from January to August 2020 on The Pokémon Company's official YouTube channel. An extra episode, released to support the Sword & Shield expansion pass, premiered in November 2020.
Drednaw plays a short but pivotal role in the miniseries' fourth episode, "Early-Evening Waves." It focuses on Nessa as she tries to decide between her careers as a famous model and a talented Gym Leader. Drednaw is Nessa's final Pokémon in her battle against Milo but ultimately loses against his Eldegoss, cementing the rivalry between the two Gym Leaders.
1 In The TCG
Drednaw has appeared five times in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Its cards are usually Water-Type Stage 1 Pokémon, except for the VMAX card released as part of the Champion's Path expansion.
Three of the five cards allow the Pokémon to take 30 less damage from attacks, and one paralyzes the opponent's Pokémon so long as the player used a Nessa card in the same turn. The Drednaw released as part of the Sword & Shield expansion does 30 more damage for each star in the opponent's Active Pokémon's Retreat Cost.
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May 07, 2021 at 05:30AM
