Dragonair is the mid-stage grind between Dratini and Dragonite in Emerald. Shed Skin helps with status at D-Tier, but this is a pure evolution investment.
Ability 1Shed SkinAbility 1Has a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn.
420HP61Attack84Defense65Speed70Sp.Def70Sp.Atk70
Dratini
Dragonair
Dragonite
Weak to
Special
Support
70Speed · Below Avg

Is Dragonair Good in Emerald Playthrough?

Dragon mid-stage with AbilityShed Skin clearing status each turn. Dragonair sits in the long stretch between Dratini and the level 55 Dragonite. Decent stats for mid-game, but Salamence exists natively and matches the endpoint. The grind competes against better alternatives.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGGEGEGEGGEEGERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7JuanGym 8DragonairTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Good

Dragonair has the type edge here and should clean up Roxanne's team.

You Win
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
You Win
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Even
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
BlockHardenTackleRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Good

Dragonair has the type edge here and should clean up Brawly's team.

You Win
Machop
Lv 16
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopLow KickSeismic TossBulk Up
You Win
Meditite
Lv 16
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Focus PunchLight ScreenReflectBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 19
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustVital ThrowReversalBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Dragonair trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSparkSelf DestructShock Wave
You Win
Electrike
Lv 20
Electric
Static
Shock WaveLeerQuick AttackHowl
Even
Magneton
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicShock WaveThunder WaveSonic Boom
Even
Manectric
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveShock WaveHowl
Flannery
Gym 4
Good

Dragonair has the type edge here and should clean up Flannery's team.

You Win
Numel
Lv 24
FireGround
Oblivious
OverheatTake DownMagnitudeSunny Day
You Win
Slugma
Lv 24
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Camerupt
Lv 26
FireGround
Magma Armor
OverheatTackleSunny DayAttract
Even
Torkoal
Lv 29
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatSunny DayBody SlamAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Dragonair trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

You Win
Spinda
Lv 27
Normal
Own Tempo
Teeter DancePsybeamFacadeEncore
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 27
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFacadeEncoreFeint Attack
Even
Linoone
Lv 29
Normal
Pickup
SlashBelly DrumFacadeHeadbutt
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
CounterYawnFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Good

Dragonair has the type edge here and should clean up Winona's team.

You Win
Swablu
Lv 29
NormalFlying
Natural Cure
Perish SongMirror MoveSafeguardAerial Ace
Easy KO
Tropius
Lv 29
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayAerial AceSolar BeamSynthesis
Easy KO
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Even
Skarmory
Lv 31
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
You Win
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Even

Dragonair trades roughly evenly with Tate & Liza's team.

Even
Claydol
Lv 41
GroundPsychic
Levitate
EarthquakeAncient PowerPsychicLight Screen
Even
Xatu
Lv 41
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
PsychicSunny DayConfuse RayCalm Mind
Even
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
You Win
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Juan
Gym 8
Good

Dragonair has the type edge here and should clean up Juan's team.

You Win
Luvdisc
Lv 41
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Even
Whiscash
Lv 41
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 43
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
You Win
Crawdaunt
Lv 43
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
Water PulseCrabhammerTauntLeer
Even
Kingdra
Lv 46
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
Water PulseDouble TeamIce BeamRest
Sidney
Elite Four
Good

Dragonair has the type edge here and should clean up Sidney's team.

Even
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarDouble EdgeSand AttackCrunch
You Win
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
TormentDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
You Win
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
You Win
Crawdaunt
Lv 48
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
SurfSwords DanceStrengthFacade
Even
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceRock SlideSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Dragonair trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

Even
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseProtect
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallGrudgeWill O WispFeint Attack
Even
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallDouble TeamNight ShadeFeint Attack
Even
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicThunderboltFacade
Even
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamRock SlideEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Even

Dragonair trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.

You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamHailIce Ball
Even
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchIcy WindIce Beam
You Win
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDouble EdgeHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallExplosionHailIce Beam
Even
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamIce BeamSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Good

Dragonair has the type edge here and should clean up Drake's team.

You Win
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectDouble Edge
You Win
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Double EdgeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
You Win
Kingdra
Lv 53
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenDragon DanceSurfBody Slam
You Win
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathEarthquake
You Win
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawRock SlideCrunch
Wallace
Champion
Even

Dragonair trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

You Win
Wailord
Lv 57
Water
Water Veil
Rain DanceWater SpoutDouble EdgeBlizzard
Even
Tentacruel
Lv 55
WaterPoison
Clear Body
ToxicHydro PumpSludge BombIce Beam
Even
Ludicolo
Lv 56
WaterGrass
Swift Swim
Giga DrainSurfLeech SeedDouble Team
Even
Whiscash
Lv 56
WaterGround
Oblivious
EarthquakeSurfAmnesiaHyper Beam
You Win
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon DanceEarthquakeHyper BeamSurf
Even
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverSurfIce BeamToxic

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
Dragon
Tier
E

Dragonair cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four. Alternatively, transfer the pre-evolution and level it up to Lv 30.

View Dragonair locations

How to Get Dragonair in Emerald

Dragonair coils through no part of the Emerald wild. Level an imported Dratini to 30 and it changes, the only way the mystic serpent shows up here.

How to Obtain Dragonair in E

  1. Dratini
    Step 1Obtain Dratini
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    Available
    Catch in FireRed & LeafGreen via Super rod · Safari Zone, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Red & Blue via Super rod · Safari Zone. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Yellow
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Yellow via Super rod · Safari Zone. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Gold & Silver via Super rod · Route 45. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Crystal
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Crystal via Super rod · Route 45. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Diamond & Pearl via Super rod · Mt. Coronet. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Platinum via Super rod · Mt. Coronet. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Dragonair
    Step 2Dragonair ✓
  3. Dragonite
    Step 3Evolve into Dragonite

How to Get Shiny Dragonair in Emerald

Dragonair also stays out of Hoenn's waters; Super Rod one straight from the Safari Zone pond in FireRed or LeafGreen, or evolve a shiny Dratini you hooked there, colors intact either way. See every game where Shiny Dragonair can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Dragonair in EmeraldNormal
Shiny Dragonair in Emerald Shiny
Color ShiftBluetoPurple
Shiny TierA Tier Shiny

Shiny Dragonair Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Dragonair Weakness

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

Dragonair Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ice, Dragon
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Electric, Grass
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

What is Dragonair Weak Against

Avg
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Dragonair Strong Against

1Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score0
2xStrong
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Dragonair

Latios
Latios
DragonPsychic
S
Latias
Latias
DragonPsychic
S
Rayquaza
Rayquaza
DragonFlying
S
B
Walrein
Walrein
IceWater
C

Dragonair Evolutions

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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Dratini
#147Dratini
30
Transfer Only
Dragonair
#148Dragonair
55
Transfer Only
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
300E-Tier
420E-Tier+120
600A-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 Water 1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Dragon Breath, Dragon Dance, Haze and 3 more.

Egg Groups
DragonWater 1
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

E Dragonair Best Moveset

Middle-stage Dragon with AbilityShed Skin clearing status passively. MoveDragon Dance exists but the stats cannot support a sweep. One evolution from Dragonite's competitive moveset.

Best Build

Experimental
Wall
Ability
Shed Skin
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Dragonair
Calm+SPD

Dragonair best EVs are HP and Sp. Def

EVs

Wall Moveset

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

Moves List

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
D—10030Normal
Lv 1
Thunder Wave
B—10020Electric
Lv 1
Twister
—6010020Dragon
Lv 1
Wrap
D158520Normal
Lv 8
Thunder Wave
B—10020Electric
Lv 15
Twister
—6010020Dragon
Lv 22
Dragon Rage
——10010Dragon
Lv 29
Slam
—807520Normal
Lv 38
Agility
C——30Psychic
Lv 47
Safeguard
D——25Normal
Lv 56
Outrage
B18010010Dragon
Lv 65
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal

TM Moves

All 26 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14D120705Ice
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42D7010020Normal
TM38
Fire BlastLilycove Department Storebadge 5
C120855Fire
TM35
FlamethrowerMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
C9510015Fire
TM21
FrustrationPacifidlog Townbadge 5
D—10020Normal
TM07
HailShoal Cavebadge 6
———10Ice
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper BeamLilycove Department Storebadge 5
C150905Normal
TM13
Ice BeamMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
B9510010Ice
TM23
Iron TailMeteor Fallsnot until badge 8
C1007515Steel
TM17C——10Normal
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
A——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM20D——25Normal
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
TM34D60—20Electric
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM25D1207010Electric
TM24C9510015Electric
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
B—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulsePrize for defeating Juannot until badge 8
D6010020Water
HM07
WaterfallGiven by Wallace in Sootopolis Citynot until badge 7
C8010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Dragon Breath
C9010020Dragon
Egg
Dragon Dance
C——20Dragon
Egg
Haze
A——30Ice
Egg
Light Screen
A——30Psychic
Egg
Mist
———30Ice
Egg
Supersonic
——5520Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
C8510015Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Mimic
D——10Normal
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D——10Normal
Tutor
Snore
—4010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C——10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D—9015Normal
Tutor
Swift
—60—20Normal
Tutor
Thunder Wave
B—10020Electric

Base Stats

Base Stats
Above
HP61
C
Attack84
C
Defense65
C
Sp. Atk70
C
Sp. Def70
C
Speed70
C
Total420
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height4.0 m
Weight16.5 kg
Base XP147
Abilities
Shed Skin
Has a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn.
EV Yield
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

A DRAGONAIR stores an enormous amount of energy inside its body. It is said to alter the weather around it by loosing energy from the crystals on its neck and tail.

Pokemon Emerald

Dragonair Emerald Guide

  • No. Dragonair isn't catchable in Emerald. Catch one in FireRed or LeafGreen, then trade it over.

  • In Emerald, Dragonair has 420 BST and evolves into Dragonite. Compare the two forms before you give either one a team slot.

  • In Emerald, Dragonair plays as a support. Speed is middling, so pick your spots carefully.

  • In Emerald, Calm is the go-to nature for Dragonair. That's +Sp. Def / -Attack. Pair it with 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD EVs. Fits the support role.

  • In Emerald, Dragonair pairs best with Seedot, Starmie, and Ninjask. Seedot has Decent synergy and covers what Dragonair can't handle on its own.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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