Orthworm is a mono Steel-type Earthworm Pokémon residing in rocky, desert locations in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Paldea region. They are skittish and are described as sensitive to sounds. Orthworms can be found in two locations, i.e., Asado Desert and East Province Area Three. Its high Defense stat and a potential Ability, Earth Eater, make it sought after in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. However, its Catch Rate is surprisingly low.
Orthworms eat iron-rich soil to maintain their steel bodies, and one of its potential Abilities, Earth Eater, is unique to Orthworm. As a Steel-type Pokémon, it would normally be weak to Ground-type attacks, but Orthworms with Earth Eater will actually gain HP when hit by Ground-type moves. Like the Defense-boosting Well-Baked Body Ability possessed by Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Dachsbun, players can use opposing attacks to bolster their Orthworm.
Orthworm's Location in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
The Paldea region has two zones where players will find Orthworm: Asado Desert on the far west of the map and East Province Area Three on the far east. The East Province location is north of Levincia. By leaving the city, passing through Area Two, and heading north on the path that travels up around a hill, players will start to see the worm, as they are fairly common. East Province Area Three is also where The Lurking Steel Titan spawns. YouTuber Quick Tips has suggested that the Titan must be defeated before normal Orthworms begin to appear. Defeating the Steel Titan in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will give players the Steel Badge. The other location, Asado Desert, is directly west of Cascarrafa.
Unlike the Orthworm in the Titan Battle, normal ones are not gigantic, and they can be either entirely on the ground or below the surface with just their heads visible. However, the mostly buried Pokémon is skittish and often ducks below ground before players can initiate battles. Players should dash at the Orthworm before it has time to sink back into the ground, but engaging the surface-dwelling Earthworm Pokémon is always an option for players. Finding it will not be an issue for players, but catching it could prove difficult.
According to Bulbapedia, the catch rate for Orthworm is very much on the lower side of the entire spectrum of Pokémon in all Generations. The catch rate is 25 (7.7%), the same as the Ice-type Cryogonal and Snorlax, but, unfortunately, everyone’s favorite inconvenient path-blocking chonk is not in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Players getting frustrated at how many Poké Balls or Ultra Balls they are using to catch a worm should keep in mind that Orthworm is supposed to be 683.4 lbs, the same weight as Torterra, the Continent Pokémon
Sources: Youtube/Quick Tips, Bulbapedia