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

They say that if it emits an aura from its whole body, the weather will begin to change instantly.

Gold

Its crystalline orbs appear to give this POKéMON the power to freely control the weather.

Silver

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 II Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
  • Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
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 small 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 13 partners from the Dragon and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Haze, Light Screen, Mist and 1 more.

Egg Groups
DragonWater1
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
40 cycles·10,280 steps
Slow~10 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
4moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosazumarillcharizardkingdrablastoisegolduckferaligatrslowbroslowkingoctillerydewgongarbok
12 of 13·

For an attacker, Dragonair wants flexible EVs EVs and Leftovers. The a nature nature tilts toward balanced duty, and an ability contributes without taking a move slot.

Best Build

Utility
Ability
Not in Gen 2
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Nature
Not in Gen 2

Best Dragonair Moveset

  • Extreme Speed
  • Thunder Wave
  • ThunderCoverage
  • Fire Blast

Recommended Teammates

Kingdra
KingdraGood
Dragonite
DragoniteGood
Gyarados
GyaradosGood

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

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
—10030Normal
Lv 1
Thunder Wave
—10020Electric
Lv 1
Twister
4010020Dragon
Lv 1
Wrap
158520Normal
Lv 8
Thunder Wave
—10020Electric
Lv 15
Twister
4010020Dragon
Lv 22
Dragon Rage
—10010Dragon
Lv 29
Slam
807520Normal
Lv 38
Agility
——30Psychic
Lv 47
Safeguard
——25Normal
Lv 56
Outrage
12010010Dragon
Lv 65
Hyper Beam
150905Normal

TM Moves

Src
TM45
Attract
—10015Normal
TM14
Blizzard
120705Ice
TM03
Curse
——10Ghost
TM43
Detect+4
——5Fighting
TM32
Double Team
——15Normal
TM24
Dragon Breath
6010020Dragon
TM20
Endure+4
——10Normal
TM38
Fire Blast
120855Fire
TM21
Frustration
—10020Normal
TM02
Headbutt
7010015Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM16
Icy Wind
559515Ice
TM23
Iron Tail
1007515Steel
TM17
Protect+4
——10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
——5Water
TM44
Rest
——10Psychic
TM27
Return
—10020Normal
TM35
Sleep Talk
——10Normal
TM13
Snore
4010015Normal
HM03
Surf
9510015Water
TM34
Swagger
—8515Normal
TM39
Swift
60—20Normal
TM25
Thunder
1207010Electric
TM06
Toxic
—8510Poison
HM07
Waterfall
8010015Water
TM07
Zap Cannon
100505Electric

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Haze
——30Ice
Egg
Light Screen
——30Psychic
Egg
Mist
——30Ice
Egg
Supersonic
—5520Normal

Tutor Moves

Dragonair can't learn any Tutor moves

decent spawn rates across 4 locations for Dragonair in late-game fishing spots. 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 Dragonair in Gold & Silver

The path to Dragonair starts with Dratini at Lv. 10-40 via fishing, surfing, and more encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Dratini
    Step 1Catch Dratini
    Dragon's Den
    GoldSurfing on waterLv.10-14UncommonEarly
    MODERATE
    Dragon's Den
    SilverSurfing on waterLv.10-14UncommonEarly
    MODERATE
    Goldenrod City - Game Corner
    SilverGift from NPCLv.10LimitedEarlyCityPurchase: 2,100 coins
    MODERATE
    Goldenrod City - Game Corner
    GoldGift from NPCLv.10LimitedEarlyCityPurchase: 2,100 coins
    MODERATE
    Dragon's Den
    SilverGood RodLv.20UncommonMid
    MODERATE
    Dragon's Den
    GoldGood RodLv.20UncommonMid
    MODERATE
    Route 45
    SilverGood RodLv.20UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 45
    GoldGood RodLv.20UncommonMidRoute
    MODERATE
    Dragon's Den
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLate
    EASY
    Dragon's Den
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLate
    EASY
    Route 45
    SilverSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
    Route 45
    GoldSuper RodLv.40CommonLateRoute
    EASY
  2. Dragonair
    Step 2Dragonair ✓
    Dragon's Den
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLate
    MODERATE
    Dragon's Den
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLate
    MODERATE
    Route 45
    GoldSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    MODERATE
    Route 45
    SilverSuper RodLv.40UncommonLateRoute
    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.

  • 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.