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

DRAGONAIR stores an enormous amount of energy inside its body. It is said to alter weather conditions in its vicinity by discharging energy from the crystals on its neck and tail.

Ruby / Sapphire

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 III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
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 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
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 27 partners from the Dragon and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Dragon Breath, Dragon Dance, Haze and 3 more.

Egg Groups
DragonWater1
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
40 cycles·10,280 steps
Slow~10 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosazumarillcharizardkingdrasceptileflygonmiloticblastoisegolduckferaligatrswampertaltaria

For a defensive wall, Dragonair wants max HP and Sp. Def EVs and Leftovers. The Calm nature tilts toward special wall duty, and Shedskin contributes without taking a move slot.

Best Build

Wall
Ability
Shedskin
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Nature
Calm+SPD
EVs

Best Dragonair Moveset

  • Thunder Wave
  • Ice Beam
  • ToxicUtility
  • Hidden Power Grass

Egg moves make a real difference. Dragonair gets Dragon Breath and Dragon Dance 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
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
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
TM23
Iron Tail
1007515Steel
TM17
Protect+4
10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
5Water
TM44
Rest
10Psychic
TM27
Return
10020Normal
TM20
Safeguard
25Normal
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM34
Shock Wave
6020Electric
TM11
Sunny Day
5Fire
HM03
Surf
9510015Water
TM25
Thunder
1207010Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
9510015Electric
TM06
Toxic
8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
6010020Water
HM07
Waterfall
8010015Water

Egg Moves

Src
Egg
Dragon Breath
6010020Dragon
Egg
Dragon Dance
20Dragon
Egg
Haze
30Ice
Egg
Light Screen
30Psychic
Egg
Mist
30Ice
Egg
Supersonic
5520Normal

Tutor Moves

Dragonair can't learn any Tutor moves

Dragonair isn't available in the wild in Ruby & Sapphire. Start by transferring Dratini from Red, Yellow, or HeartGold. The evolution path from Dratini to Dragonair is covered in the steps below.

How to Obtain Dragonair in Ruby & Sapphire

  1. Dratini
    Step 1Obtain Dratini

    Available in:

    Then trade to Ruby & Sapphire to continue the evolution chain.

    Also found in:

  2. Dragonair
    Step 2Dragonair
  • 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). Best used as a support.

  • 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.