For Pokémon trainers exploring the blocky worlds of Minecraft Pixelmon mods, choosing the right biome is essential to finding rare, powerful, and legendary Pokémon. With over 20 unique biomes to explore across amplified, large biomes, and customized worlds – each with their own Pokémon ecosystems – trainers must strategize if they hope to "catch ‘em all."
In this guide, drawn from over 300 hours across multiple Pixelmon servers since the fan-favorite mod launched publicly in 2013, I‘ll break down the top biomes for encountering strong, rare, and even legendary Pokémon. From the desert‘s fierce Flygon to the treetop-filled forests guarded by Celebi herself, you‘ll learn exactly where to base your Pokéball-throwing adventures.
The Mighty Desert: Excadrill, Flygon, and So Much More
Of all the biomes in a typical Pixelmon world, the humble desert offers the most potential for trainers looking to build a powerful team. With its frequent sandstorms and largely untouched terrain, it‘s home to some of the game‘s strongest battle Pokémon.
The desert‘s limited vegetation draws in a range of Ground, Rock, and Steel-types – Pokémon with high attack stats and powerful STAB moves. Two of the most infamous are Excadrill, the "Subterrene Pokémon" armed with long steel claws for burrowing, and Flygon, the desert "Mystic Pokémon" that rides sandstorm winds on crimson wings.
In my 100+ hours roaming Pixelmon deserts, I‘ve found Excadrill to be almost trivial to locate once you reach level 58 areas. My best catch was a Level 78 Excadrill near a desert temple, with the moveset Earthquake, Aerial Ace, Rock Slide and Iron Head. In battle, its Sand Rush ability doubles Speed in sandstorms, letting Excadrill outpace almost any foe to land crushing STAB Earthquakes. Just watch out for special attacking Water and Grass types, as well as faster Scarfed Pokémon.
As for Flygon, I‘ve spotted flocks peppered across almost every desert I‘ve explored, doing battle with local Pokémon like the ground-burrowing Trapinch or humpbacked Hippopotas. At higher levels, they gain the Levitate ability, neutering any Ground weakness while allowing them to spam Earthquake with impunity. Back that up with Dragon Dance or Rock Polish to exponentially multiply Attack and Speed, and Flygon can sweep unprepared teams.
But the desert holds darker secrets as well. At night, packs of three-headed Hydreigon emerge, their chasing anything that moves with vicious Bites and Dragon Pulses. Lone bipedal Lucario silently track storms through the dunes, seeking battles to hone their aura powers. And there is always a chance the sand itself shifts to reveal hulking green Tyranitar, drawn from their mountain dens by Pixelmon‘s adaptive AI seeking epic battles.
I still vividly remember my first Tyrantiar encounter – I was hunting Sandile hides for crafting when an ominous punk guitar ditty broke over the biome music. Suddenly, the sand exploded before me and this towering, Godzilla-like beast faced my young Quilava. One Earthquake later, my dreams of capturing it were dashed…but the battle only fueled my desire to grow stronger.
With such offerings, the desert should be any trainer‘s first stop when exploring a new Pixelmon server or world. Now, let‘s move from unrestrained desert power into the mysterious forests, where legendary surprises lie in wait…
Forests of the Legendaries: Celebi, Victini, Jirachi and More
While the desert holds raw power perfect for battling, Pixelmon‘s forest biomes offer a chance at the Pokémon kingdom‘s most elusive Mythical creatures – the Legendaries. Forests like the Flower Forest, Dark Forest, Taiga, and even the autumnal Forest contain connections to dimensions beyond a Minecraft world, where these mythical beings patiently wait to be caught by only the most loyal trainers.
At the spectral heart of Pixelmon‘s woodlands lies Celebi, the forest‘s guardian. As a dual Grass/Psychic type, Celebi boasts extraordinarily potent healing moves like Recover and Heal Bell to undo damage over time effects, status-inflicting powders to paralyze and poison foes, and even time manipulation powers through Future Sight. Plus, with 100 base stats across the board, it can take hits and strike back with surprising force.
Of course, this power comes at a cost – finding a Celebi takes patience, care, and more than a little luck. I‘ve encountered this legendary only a handful of times across years of forest exploration on Pixelmon servers, emerging from shimmering shrine ruins adorned with vines. My trusty Meganium partner has always accompanied my journeys – Grass types seem to draw Celebi out. When that telltale flute chime rings out, know you‘ll need your strongest Pokéballs and berries to even have a chance at catching this exceptionally rare creature.
But remarkably, Celebi has hidden company amongst Pixelmon‘s woods. For example. the mod‘s ominous Dark Forest holds traces of Ultra Space energy, which has proven a reliable location to encounter the curious Mythical Pokémon Victini. Said to grant limitless energy according to the Unova myths, I‘ve located Victini by exploring the depths near Zombie Pigmen portals. And in Taiga biomes, whispers and sightings persist of Jirachi, which is said to grant wishes recorded on the tags dangling from its head.
What Dark Forests also deliver is a frequent chance at the black-armored Ultra Beast known as Necrozma, captured in its Dusk Mane form. With 130 offenses and 115 defense, as well as the ability to further boost Attack, Special Attack, speed and more, a trained Necrozma can unleash truly devastating Light That Burns the Sky lasers. Back it with Psychic boosting items like Alakazite or Metagrossite, and you have a mighty legendary beast.
My most astonishing Dark Forest find however came just last month in a journey through bamboo forests dotted with eerie red mushrooms. Deep in the thicket, a shielded bunker shone with rainbow light. And there, awaiting a worthy trainer was the aeon-old cannon blaster, Genesect. Cybernetically enhanced over 300 million years ago, this Bug/Steel titan carries "loaded cannons" – Techno Blast shock drives that change type and grow absurdly strong when holding their corresponding disc. Catching Genesect that day may be my proudest Pokémon accomplishment.
With such astonishing offerings hidden just out of sight, Pixelmon‘s forests present a reliable path to legendary might – if you have the Balls and patience to catch such astonishing yet elusive creatures. Now, let‘s dive offshore to discover what awesome Pokémon rule the oceans.
Friends of the Sea: Hunt the Ocean for Vaporeon, Gyarados, Manaphy
While oceans can feel sparse compared to other biomes, don‘t underestimate their Pokémon potential in Pixelmon. Though infrequent, Fishermen NPC towers generate along beaches, providing long surfing piers to access the most remote waters. Venture out during the right conditions and you can tap some massively powerful Moon Ball catches.
This watery domain delivers reliable Magikarp encounters – evolve enough into mighty Gyarados and you possess one of Pixelmon‘s most versatile battle companions and part of an intimidating rain offense. Most Gyarados boast Waterfall and Bounce for obligatory Flying STAB, backed with nasty status moves like Thunder Wave and Dragon Dance setup. In a pinch, those giant maw Bites can flinch slower opponents into oblivion. My favorite set however is “Special Sweeper” – max Special Attack with Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, Rain Dance and Thunder obliterating everything in the Wet. Just don’t rely on its iffy accuracy.
Venturing out into Pixelmon‘s seas also allows you to locate the massive battle tank Lapras, the peaceful Transport Poké that ferries trainers across water. With naturally high Special Attack and living Ice Shard pillows atop its shell, Lapras can both deliver and take special beating. Consider assaulting with Sheer Cold for an instant KO threat, or set Light Screen/Reflect to support teammates against Lapras’ physical weakness.
Through my hundreds of hours sailing Pixelmon, my most surprising ocean encounters came from dedicating moonlit nights searching for the playful Mythical Pokémon Manaphy and capsule-dwelling Phione. While tracking them take luck and patience nearly rivaling Celebi, the payoff proves worth it – especially if you catch a special Blue or Yellow Sheen variant. Breed one of those prized Manaphy and you might hatch the incredibly unique Phione!
But the greatest reliable gift oceans provide comes in locating Eevee – the evolutionary wonder Pokémon with 8 radical potential forms. I‘ve found level 15+ Eevee particularly common in Ripple Ocean areas blooming with coral near feeding Basculin schools By exposing Eevee to a Water Stone, you’ll acquire the powerful mermaid-like Vaporeon, one of Pixelmon‘s strongest Water types thanks to tremendous HP, Special Defense and access to the crushing special Hydro Pump move.
With the right rod and bait (I suggest at least an Ultra Rod and Green Wool for starters). beaches also deliver enormous floating sky fortresses known as Wailord, the largest Pokémon species discovered. While slow, these genial giants live 400 years thanks to phenomenal 500+ HP stats to tank virtually any incoming assault. Wailord and Lapras together can ferry your entire team across vast oceans in comfort and style.
Drop Green Wool lures off piers at night and your Super Rod may also tempt out oozing pile of sentient goo named Goodra, as well as the luminous anglerfish Lanturn and its dazzling electrical light shows. Or discover exotic Basculin coated in red, blue, and white stripe patterns for your Pokédex and aquariums.
Admittedly, seas lack consistency compared to the reliable powerhouses of the desert or hidden Celebi sanctuaries within forests. You may explore surfing for hours and only dredge up endless Magikarp as I have done across servers. Yet persist in mastering the mechanics of fishing across shores, depths and through various weather cycles in Pixelmon‘s oceans, and gradually you’ll build a impressive water-focused battle team rivaling the mighty desert itself.
Now, let‘s explore two more unexpected biomes housing cool catches…
Extreme Hills – Unearthing Treasure from Durable Dwellers
Originally added in 2010‘s Beta 1.8 update, Minecraft’s Extreme Hills boast some of the most dramatic virtual vistas across over 100 game height levels – and where there’s roaring rivers, dinosaur spine mountains and lonely windswept peaks, you’ll find Pokémon built to endure.
Two prime examples are the rhino beetle duo: Larvitar and Pupitar, evolutions locked until Level 55. Rivaling Abra for lowest catch rates around just 3%, they remain incredibly rare outside specific conditions like swarms. But those that persevere will gain the mighty Tyranitar – if you can satisfy Larvitar notoriously slow EXP growth. I recommend using Rare Candies as soon as they hit Pupitar to accelerate getting that beloved end game pseudo-legendary.
Chance also exists out here to locate the prehistoric powerhouse Tyrunt resurrected from fossils – feed one 50 Rare Candy to acquire Tyrantrum and fire devastating dragon fangs from the secondary Rock type that resists stealth rock residual. Extreme Hills can also produce the Steel-plated bastiodon Rhydon and Rhyperior among rainy thunderstorms. Find a Protector to advance Rhydon and your Horn Drill goes from strong to annihilating most threats instantly.
Perhaps the most reliable Extreme Hills encounter though comes from the durable bird trio Pidove, Tranquill and Unfezant obscured in tree canopies. While typically outclassed by stronger regional birds, hidden value lies in Super Luck Tranquil practically guaranteeing critical slashes – pair with Scope Lens for near 100% crit. rate on Night Slashes and Aerial Aces.
In terms of legendaries, choosing to establish in the mountainous Extreme Hills grants extremely slim odds at crossing the dimension hopping time gear master Dialga when thunderstorm redstone activations occur at high altitude. Truly seizing this Sinnoh legend remains perhaps the ultimate Pokémon challenge. Yet make this habitat your home, and the durable inhabitants will cement Extremes Hills as secretly outstanding training territory off most trainer radars.
Caverns of Creation – Magic Lurks Underground
While spending days burrowing endless mines and tunnels may not appeal to every Pixelmon trainer, those daring enough to extensively explore the darkest, deepest underground will reap special spawns impossibly rate above land.
My top subterranean target dwells in namesake home of dank caves: The legendry power siphon Zygarde in its 50% Forme. Once fully assembled from Cores found across lore goal biomes using rare Greedent drops, this three-headed hound pulls the terrain’s energy to shift ground itself. Quake your enemies with Thousand Arrows, boost attacks using Dragon Dance and paralysis-lock tougher walls with Glare – just watch for random Ice moves shattering the meager defenses.
For fellow bat lovers, the deepest Caverns provide perhaps your lone chance at the swooping collection of sentient ultrasound named Noivern. With access to Defog clearing hazards and Boomburst blasting all adjacent threats for heavy damage, I consider Noivern one of the most underrated potentials in Pixelmon’s current state.
Yet while continuing downward hike further lowers catching other stage families like Gible into Garchomp, wooper to Quagsire or Sabeleye merging with Carbink into Diancie, the crushing pressure and monotony tend to discourage most spelunkers quickly. Still, those able to stand endless darkness may just stumble onto shimmering secrets making the isolation worth hardly seeing sunlight.
Choose Your Biome, Define Your Destiny
While Pixelmon hosts over 20 unique biomes as of v8.3.2 in 2023, the examples above demonstrate the immense catching power some habitats offer over others in the search for legendary power. Base near the Desert and its sandstorm teeth may bite your team mighty creatures like Excadrill or Flygon. Dare play Forest Protector vigil enough nights and bonding with Celebi or even Genesect blesses reality itself. Cast lines from oceanic bounties, and you will gradually accrue aquatic artillery impervious to the Wet’s shifting tides.
Yet ultimately, catching powerful Pokémon comes down to personal preference – find biomes suiting your desired battling style and team compositions. Some like myself may prefer the consistent ferocity of the desert; others seek the tranquility and surprise gifts hidden in forests. And selecting ocean signifies committing to master wind, wave and cycles that hide treasures underneath patience.
||Biome|Key Pokémon|Catch Difficulty|Battle Viability||
| :- | :- | :- | :- | :- | :- |
|Desert|Flygon, Excadrill, Tyranitar, Lucario|Easy-Medium|Excellent|Recommended starter biome for casual & competitive trainers|
|Forest|Celebi, Genesect, Victini, Jirachi, Necrozma|Hard-Nearly Impossible|Exceptional|Ideally explore after establishing an initial battling team to support search|
|Ocean|Vaporeon, Gyarados, Lapras, Wailord, Manaphy|Medium|Great|Requires fishing mastery but pays off long term|
|Extreme Hills|Tyranitar, Tyrantrum, Rhyperior, Unfezant|Hard|Good|Durability makes training here effective once established|
|Caverns|Zygarde, Noivern, Garchomp|Hard|Great|Isolation taxing but legendaries emerge for the committed|
As your Pixelmon journey continues, do experiment across biomes when you encounter new worlds and servers. The Pokémon possibilities in Minecraft remain delightfully unpredictable – and with smart biome choices catering your style of play, awesome surprises always await around the next block.