Utility
Balanced
420Average
70Moderate
CTier

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
Catch45ChallengingSlow1.25M XP4m / 13'01"16.5kg / 36.4 lbs147Base XP
Pokedex Entries

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

Black 2 / White 2

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
¼xResisti
None
0xImmunei
None
STAB (1)i
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 no compatible partners 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
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 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

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

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
Aqua Tail
909010Water
Tutor
Bind
158520Normal
Tutor
Draco Meteor
140905Dragon
Tutor
Dragon Pulse
9010010Dragon
Tutor
Icy Wind
559515Ice
Tutor
Iron Tail
1007515Steel
Tutor
Outrage
12010010Dragon
Tutor
Sleep Talk
10Normal
Tutor
Snore
4010015Normal

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
6020Electric
Gen 4
Swift
6020Normal
Gen 4
Whirlpool
358515Water

Dragonair starts showing up in endgame fishing spots at decent spawn rates across 2 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.

Where To Catch Dragonair in Black 2 & White 2

Dratini is your first catch on the way to Dragonair. You'll find fishing encounters from Lv. 40-70 across 6 total spots in the chain.

  1. Dratini
    Step 1Catch Dratini
    Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
    Black 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateBuildingAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
    Black 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateBuildingAny
    EASY
    Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
    White 2Super RodLv.40-60CommonLateBuildingAnyShaking spot
    EASY
    Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
    White 2Super RodLv.40-70CommonLateBuildingAny
    EASY
  2. Dragonair
    Step 2Dragonair
    Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
    White 2Super RodLv.50-70UncommonPostBuildingAnyShaking spot
    MODERATE
    Dragonspiral Tower - Outside
    Black 2Super RodLv.50-70UncommonPostBuildingAnyShaking spot
    MODERATE
    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 leaning toward the physical side (base 84 Attack).

  • 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.