Dratini Best Moveset
Dragon at 64 Attack and 50 Speed. AbilityMarvel Scale boosts Defense when statused, which is interesting on a pre-evolution but the stats can't capitalize. The moveset is building toward Dragonite. Get through two evolutions for 134 Attack, AbilityMultiscale, and S-Tier dominance.
Dratini saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This was Dratini's competitive peak. A key development: had a combined Special stat of 50.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Thunder Wave
- Body Slam
- Blizzard
- Thunderbolt
Dratini saw minimal competitive use in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal). Dratini maintained its position from the previous generation.
Utility Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Outrage
- Dragon Breath
- Thunder Wave
Dratini saw minimal competitive use in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald). Dratini maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Shedskin with Sitrus Berry, favoring a Brave nature.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Body Slam
- Outrage
- Hidden Power Flying
Recommended Teammates
Dratini saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Dratini maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Shedskin with Life Orb, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage
- Dragon Dance
- Waterfall
Recommended Teammates
Dratini saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Dratini maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Shedskin with Eviolite, favoring a Lonely nature.
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Extreme Speed
- Fire Blast
Recommended Teammates
Dratini saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Dratini maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Marvelscale with Life Orb, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Draco Meteor
- Fire Blast
- Dragon Dance
Recommended Teammates
Dratini saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Dratini maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Shedskin with Eviolite, favoring a Hasty nature.
Bulky Support Moveset
- Rest
- Extreme Speed
- Dragon Breath
- Substitute
Recommended Teammates
Dratini saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Dratini maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Marvelscale with Eviolite, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Breaking Swipe
- Waterfall
Dratini saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Dratini maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Shedskin with Focus Sash, favoring a Adamant nature.
Physical Tank Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Aqua Jet
- Rain Dance
- Sunny Day
Recommended Teammates
Dratini Weakness
Dratini's Dragon typing leaves it vulnerable to Ice, Dragon, and Fairy. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. 3 weaknesses is about average, nothing too hard to play around.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ice, Dragon, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Electric, Grass |
What is Dratini Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Dratini
Dragonite's Earthquake hits Dratini for 80-94%. Baxcalibur's Icicle Spear hits Dratini for 65-77%. Clefable's Moonblast also KOs at 119-140%.
 Dragonite Dragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMultiscale ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Dratini View Dragonite builds →Extreme Speed64-76% Earthquake80-94% | ||
 Baxcalibur DragonIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityThermalexchange ItemLoaded Dice NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Dratini View Baxcalibur builds →Icicle Spear 2x65-77% | ||
 Clefable Fairy | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Dratini View Clefable builds →Moonblast 2x119-140%KO | ||
Evolution
Dratini is the start of a three-stage chain. It evolves into Dragonair first, then eventually reaches Dragonite. For breeding, takes forever to hatch with plenty of partners via two egg groups. The evolved forms gain up to 300 total stats over Dratini. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Dratini
decent spawn rates across 8 locations for Dratini in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Dratini in SV
The path to Dratini starts with Dratini at Lv. 20-54 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Dratini ✓Casseroya Lake - LakeLv.20-52OverworldRate 20%South Province (Area Six) - RiverLv.20-52OverworldRate 10%North Province (Area One) - LakeLv.20-52OverworldRate 8%North Province (Area Two) - LakeLv.20-52OverworldRate 8%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into DragonairCasseroya Lake - LakeLv.50-54OverworldRate 3%or evolve from Dratini (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into DragoniteBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Dragonite egg.
No wild encounters for Dratini. The 3-stage chain runs through Dratini, which you can catch in the wild from the locations below. Evolve at level 55 once you've got the levels.
high spawn rates in early-game routes across 4 locations. Dratini's one of the easier catches on the list. Two different catch methods are in play here. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Where To Catch Dratini in BDSP
Dratini is your first catch on the way to Dratini. You'll find fishing and walking encounters from Lv. 15-63 across 6 total spots in the chain.
Dratini sits at moderate rates across 12 spots in endgame water routes. Pick one from the sorted list and commit to it. Jumping between areas wastes more time than waiting in the right location.
Where To Catch Dratini in SwSh
To get Dratini, start by catching Dratini through surfing encounters at Lv. 60-65. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Dratini ✓Ballimere LakeLv.60-65Surfing on waterRate 5%Normal WeatherBallimere LakeLv.60-65Surfing on waterRate 5%SnowingBallimere LakeLv.60-65Surfing on waterRate 5%RainingBallimere LakeLv.60-65Surfing on waterRate 5%ThunderstormBallimere LakeLv.60-65Surfing on waterRate 5%OvercastBallimere LakeLv.60-65Surfing on waterRate 5%Intense Sun
Step 3Evolve into Dragonite
Base Stats
Dratini's stats barely vary. None sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 1 Attack EV, slow 1.25M XP grind to max.
It sheds many layers of skin as it grows larger. During this process, it is protected by a rapid waterfall.
Dratini Guide
Dratini does the job early-game if you need a Dragon type on your team. Evolve it into Dragonair before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Dratini has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 21 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves