Dragonite has the stats to dominate any format it's allowed in. 134 base Attack stands out, and the rest of the spread doesn't have obvious weak points either. Multiscale adds even more value. Known as the Dragon Pokemon.
Nothing fancy in Dragonite's spread. It leans physical with Attack out front. And you'll get 3 Attack EVs per KO for it. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
It is said that somewhere in the ocean lies an island where these gather. Only they live there.
It can fly in spite of its big and bulky physique. It circles the globe in just 16 hours.
Dragonite Weakness
GoodIce, Rock, Dragon, and Fairy-type moves hit Dragonite for super-effective damage. Ice hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. The upside? Ground-type moves can't touch it at all. The Dragon/Flying typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Dragonite's overall bulk (91/95/100) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.
The three-stage chain from Dratini through Dragonair ends here at Dragonite. Want more? Breed for Dratini eggs. Plenty of partners available via two egg groups. The evolution from Dratini pushed Dragonite to 600 total stats. Attack saw the largest single gain at +70.
How to Evolve
Breed with Dragonite to get Dratini eggs easily using 72 partners from the Dragon and Water1 egg groups.
The game plan is straightforward: click Dragon Dance, then sweep. Heavy-Duty Boots and Multiscale support the setup turn. EVs go into max Attack and Speed so Dragonite hits hard once it's boosted.
Best Build
Best Dragonite Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch
Recommended Teammates
Need something that threatens multiple types? Dragonite's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Draco Meteor and Outrage gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Need something that threatens multiple types? Dragonite's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Draco Meteor and Outrage gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Need something that threatens multiple types? Dragonite's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Draco Meteor and Outrage gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Need something that threatens multiple types? Dragonite's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Outrage and Hurricane gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
You're catching Dratini first, not Dragonite. Dratini appears at decent rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 3-stage chain with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Dragonite in Scarlet & Violet
Dratini is your first catch on the way to Dragonite. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 20-54 across 10 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch DratiniEASYCasseroya Lake - LakeScarletOverworldLv.20-5220%MidWaterEASYCasseroya Lake - LakeVioletOverworldLv.20-5220%MidWaterMODERATESouth Province (Area Six) - RiverVioletOverworldLv.20-5210%MidRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Six) - RiverScarletOverworldLv.20-5210%MidRouteMODERATENorth Province (Area One) - LakeScarletOverworldLv.20-528%MidRouteMODERATENorth Province (Area One) - LakeVioletOverworldLv.20-528%MidRouteMODERATENorth Province (Area Two) - LakeVioletOverworldLv.20-528%MidRouteMODERATENorth Province (Area Two) - LakeScarletOverworldLv.20-528%MidRoute
Step 2Catch or Evolve DragonairCHALLENGINGCasseroya Lake - LakeVioletOverworldLv.50-543%PostWaterCHALLENGINGCasseroya Lake - LakeScarletOverworldLv.50-543%PostWateror evolve from Dratini (Step 1)
Step 3Dragonite ✓
Dragonite isn't available in the wild in Legends: Z-A. Start by transferring Dratini from Red, Yellow, or HeartGold. The evolution path from Dratini to Dragonite is covered in the steps below.
Dragonite doesn't appear wild. Catch Dratini instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it at level 55 to get Dragonite. The 3-stage chain is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Dragonite in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Dragonite, start by catching Dratini through fishing and walking encounters at Lv. 15-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch DratiniEASYMt. Coronet - 4FBrilliant DiamondSuper RodLv.15-2030%EarlyCaveEASYMt. Coronet - 4FShining PearlSuper RodLv.15-2030%EarlyCaveFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve DragonairEXTREMEMt. Coronet - 4FShining PearlSuper RodLv.15-405%EarlyCaveEXTREMEMt. Coronet - 4FBrilliant DiamondSuper RodLv.15-405%EarlyCaveor evolve from Dratini (Step 1)
Step 3Dragonite ✓
Can't catch Dragonite directly. Start with Dratini at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 55. The 3-stage chain from Dratini to Dragonite is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Dragonite in Sword & Shield
Dratini is your first catch on the way to Dragonite. You'll find surfing encounters from Lv. 60-65 across 12 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch DratiniHARDBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-655%PostWaterOvercastHARDBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-655%PostWaterThunderstormHARDBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-655%PostWaterNormal WeatherHARDBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-655%PostWaterIntense SunHARDBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-655%PostWaterSnowingHARDBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-655%PostWaterRainingHARDBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-655%PostWaterOvercastHARDBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on waterLv.60-655%PostWaterNormal WeatherHARDBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-655%PostWaterThunderstormHARDBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-655%PostWaterIntense SunHARDBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-655%PostWaterSnowingHARDBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on waterLv.60-655%PostWaterRaining
Step 2Evolve into Dragonair
Step 3Dragonite ✓
Dragonite already has 600 BST going for it, and Multiscale pushes the competitive value even higher. S-Tier wallbreaker on our tier list.
Watch for Cloyster (Ice), Aerodactyl (Rock), and Kingdra (Dragon) when using Dragonite. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Cloyster is the most dangerous since Ice moves deal 4x damage. Fairy-type attackers are also a problem.
Dragonite gets Multiscale and Inner Focus. But Multiscale is the one that matters — it's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that. Multiscale synergizes with Dragonite's base 100 Sp.Def, letting it soak special attacks as a pivot.
Dragonite is leaning toward the physical side (base 134 Attack). Tanky enough to absorb a few hits, too. But the speed tells the real story — base 80 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. Fits the wallbreaker role.
Dragonite appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Present since Red & Blue, Dragonite appears in 21 games spanning 9 generations. Gen 1 originals like Dragonite have the longest track record of availability in the series.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A