Special
Balanced
420Average
70Moderate
DTier

Dragonair is technically a pre-evolution of Dragonite, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Only weak to Ice and Dragon. Known as the Dragon Pokemon. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets.

An unusually even spread gives Dragonair flexibility. Attack barely edges ahead. But HP isn't far off. Tough to catch and follows a slow 1.25M XP grind. Yields 2 Attack EVs.

Base Stats
420Above
HP61
C
Attack84
C
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk70
C
Sp. Def70
C
Speed70
C
Total420
Low <60
Avg 60-89
High 90-149
Top 150+
EV YieldDefeating Dragonair yields +2 Atk
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Details
Catch45Challenging•Slow1.25M XP•4m / 13'01"•16.5kg / 36.4 lbs•147Base XP
Pokedex Entries

If its body takes on an aura, the weather changes instantly. It is said to live in seas and lakes.

Black / White

Dragonair Weakness

Avg

Dragonair is weak to Ice and Dragon-type moves. 4 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Just 2 weak spots to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.

Gen V Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
4xCriticali
None
2xWeaki
IceDragon
½xResisti
FireWaterElectricGrass
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
STAB (1)i
Dragon
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Scorei0
SpikesGrounded — up to 25%
Toxic SpikesVulnerable
Abilities
Shed SkinHas a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn.
Marvel ScaleHAIncreases Defense to 1.5× with a major status ailment.

Partway through Dratini's chain. Dragonair still has another evolution ahead before reaching Dragonite. For breeding, takes forever to hatch with a decent partner pool via two egg groups. HP has grown the most so far (+20), but there's still another 180 stats to gain in the final evolution.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Dratini
#147Dratini
30
Level 30
Dragonair
#148Dragonair
55
Level 55
Dragonite
#149Dragonite
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Dratini
Dragon
Dragonair
Dragon
Dragonite
DragonFlying
HP
41
61+20
91+30
ATK
64
84+20
134+50
DEF
45
65+20
95+30
SP.ATK
50
70+20
100+30
SP.DEF
50
70+20
100+30
SPE
50
70+20
80+10
BST
300D-Tier
420C-Tier+120
600S-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Utility
Mixed
Physical
Breeding
Easy

Breed with Dragonair to get Dratini eggs easily using 39 partners from the Dragon and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Aqua Jet, Dragon Breath, Dragon Dance and 8 more.

Egg Groups
DragonWater1
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
40 cycles·10,280 steps
Slow~10 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
11moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosazumarillcharizardkingdrasceptileflygonmiloticblastoisegolduckferaligatrswampertaltaria
12 of 39·

For an attacker, Dragonair wants max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs and Life Orb. The Hasty nature tilts toward fast mixed duty, and Shedskin contributes without taking a move slot.

Best Build

Special Sweeper
Ability
Shedskin
Item
Life OrbPOWER
Nature
Hasty+SPE
EVs

Best Dragonair Moveset

  • Extreme Speed
  • Draco MeteorSTAB
  • Fire Blast
  • Sunny Day

Recommended Teammates

Togekiss
TogekissGood
Typhlosion
TyphlosionGood
Nidoking
NidokingGood

Egg moves make a real difference. Dragonair gets Aqua Jet and Dragon Breath exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Normal and Water coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Draco Meteor and Outrage.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
—10030Normal
Lv 1
Thunder Wave
—10020Electric
Lv 1
Twister
4010020Dragon
Lv 1
Wrap
159020Normal
Lv 5
Thunder Wave
—10020Electric
Lv 11
Twister
4010020Dragon
Lv 15
Dragon Rage
—10010Dragon
Lv 21
Slam
807520Normal
Lv 25
Agility
——30Psychic
Lv 33
Dragon Tail-6
609010Dragon
Lv 39
Aqua Tail
909010Water
Lv 47
Dragon Rush
1007510Dragon
Lv 53
Safeguard
——25Normal
Lv 61
Dragon Dance
——20Dragon
Lv 67
Outrage
12010010Dragon
Lv 75
Hyper Beam
150905Normal

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
—10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
120705Ice
TM32
Double Team
——15Normal
TM82
Dragon Tail-6
609010Dragon
TM42
Facade
7010020Normal
TM38
Fire Blast
120855Fire
TM35
Flamethrower
9510015Fire
TM21
Frustration
—10020Normal
TM07
Hail
——10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper Beam
150905Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
9510010Ice
TM59
Incinerate
3010015Fire
TM16
Light Screen
——30Psychic
TM17
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM44
Rest
——10Psychic
TM27
Return
—10020Normal
TM48
Round
6010015Normal
TM20
Safeguard
——25Normal
TM90
Substitute
——10Normal
TM11
Sunny Day
——5Fire
HM03
Surf
9510015Water
TM87
Swagger
—9015Normal
TM25
Thunder
1207010Electric
TM73
Thunder Wave
—10020Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
9510015Electric
TM06
Toxic
—9010Poison
HM05
Waterfall
8010015Water

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Aqua Jet+1
4010020Water
Egg
Dragon Breath
6010020Dragon
Egg
Dragon Dance
——20Dragon
Egg
Dragon Pulse
9010010Dragon
Egg
Dragon Rush
1007510Dragon
Egg
Extreme Speed+2
801005Normal
Egg
Haze
——30Ice
Egg
Iron Tail
1007515Steel
Egg
Mist
——30Ice
Egg
Supersonic
—5520Normal
Egg
Water Pulse
6010020Water

Tutor Moves

Src
Tutor
Draco Meteor
140905Dragon

Transfer Moves

Src
Gen 3
Body Slam
8510015Normal
Gen 4
Captivate
—10020Normal
Gen 3
Double-Edge
12010015Normal
Gen 4
Endure+4
——10Normal
Gen 4
Headbutt
7010015Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
——10Normal
Gen 4
Natural Gift
—10015Normal
Gen 4
Secret Power
7010020Normal
Gen 4
Shock Wave
60—20Electric
Gen 4
Swift
60—20Normal
Gen 4
Whirlpool
358515Water

decent spawn rates for Dragonair across 4 locations in late-game fishing spots. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.

Where To Catch Dragonair in Black & White

The path to Dragonair starts with Dratini at Lv. 35-70 via fishing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Dratini
    Step 1Catch Dratini
    Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateBuildingAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateBuildingAny
    EASY
    Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-60CommonLateBuildingAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55CommonLateBuildingAny
    EASY
  2. Dragonair
    Step 2Dragonair ✓
    Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-70UncommonLateBuildingAnyShaking spot
    MODERATE
    Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-70UncommonLateBuildingAnyShaking spot
    MODERATE
    Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
    BlackSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateBuildingAny
    EXTREME
    Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
    WhiteSuper RodLv.35-55RareLateBuildingAny
    EXTREME
    or evolve from Dratini (Step 1)

  • Dragonair is meant to evolve into Dragonite. At 420 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.

  • Dragonair's biggest threats include Lapras (Ice) and Kingdra (Dragon), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.

  • Dratini evolves into Dragonair at level 30. Dragonair evolves into Dragonite at level 55. Dragonair is a middle-stage evolution in the Dratini line.

  • Shed Skin is the go-to ability for Dragonair. It has a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn. Its hidden ability Marvel Scale can work in specific setups.

  • Base 70 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Dragonair is a special attacker with base 70 Sp. Atk.

  • Dragonair appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.

One of the original 151, Dragonair has appeared in 21 games — nearly every mainline game. From Red & Blue through the latest titles, it's rarely been left out of a regional Pokedex.