Dragonair is a long wait on the road to Dragonite. Level 55 is one of the highest evolution thresholds in Yellow, so start the grind early.
420HP61Attack84Defense65Speed70Sp.Def70Sp.Atk70
Dratini
Dragonair
Dragonite
Weak to
Special
Balanced
70Speed · Below Avg

Is Dragonair Good in Yellow Playthrough?

Improvement over Dratini, but still waiting for the real payoff. Dragonair becomes Dragonite at 55, and most players reach the E4 before that happens. Keep leveling if you're committed.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTEEGETGGEGEGEBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5DratiniCatchDragonairCatchableSabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4DragoniteEvolveBrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4BlueChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Tough

Brock's typing presses Dragonair's defenses.

Even
Geodude
Lv 10
RockGround
Rock Head
Tackle
Risky
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleScreechBindBide
Misty
Gym 2
Even

Dragonair trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.

Even
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleWater Gun
Risky
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
TackleWater GunHardenBubble Beam
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Even

Dragonair trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Raichu
Lv 28
Electric
Static
ThunderboltMega PunchMega KickGrowl
Erika
Gym 4
Good

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

You Win
Tangela
Lv 30
Grass
Chlorophyll
ConstrictBindMega DrainVine Whip
You Win
Weepinbell
Lv 32
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Razor LeafSleep PowderStun SporeAcid
You Win
Gloom
Lv 32
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Petal DanceStun SporeSleep PowderAcid
Koga
Gym 5
Even

Dragonair trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.

You Win
Venonat
Lv 44
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicTackleSleep PowderPsychic
You Win
Venonat
Lv 46
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicPsybeamSupersonicPsychic
Even
Venonat
Lv 48
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicDouble EdgeSleep PowderPsychic
Risky
Venomoth
Lv 50
BugPoison
Shield Dust
Leech LifeDouble TeamPsychicToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Tough

Sabrina's typing presses Dragonair's defenses.

Risky
Abra
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
Flash
Risky
Kadabra
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
KinesisRecoverPsychicPsywave
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
PsywaveRecoverPsychicReflect
Blaine
Gym 7
Good

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

You Win
Ninetales
Lv 48
Fire
Flash Fire
FlamethrowerTail WhipQuick AttackConfuse Ray
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
StompGrowlFire SpinTake Down
Even
Arcanine
Lv 54
Fire
Intimidate
FlamethrowerFire BlastReflectTake Down
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

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

You Win
Dugtrio
Lv 50
Ground
Sand Veil
DigSand AttackFissureEarthquake
Even
Persian
Lv 53
Normal
Limber
ScreechDouble TeamFury SwipesSlash
You Win
Nidoqueen
Lv 53
PoisonGround
Poison Point
EarthquakeTail WhipThunderDouble Kick
Even
Nidoking
Lv 55
PoisonGround
Poison Point
EarthquakeLeerThunderDouble Kick
Easy KO
Rhydon
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Rock SlideFury AttackHorn DrillEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Even

Dragonair trades roughly evenly with Lorelei's team.

Even
Dewgong
Lv 54
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Bubble BeamAurora BeamRestTake Down
Even
Cloyster
Lv 53
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SupersonicClampIce BeamSpike Cannon
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
PsychicSurfWithdrawAmnesia
Even
Jynx
Lv 56
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapIce PunchLovely KissThrash
Even
Lapras
Lv 56
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Body SlamConfuse RayBlizzardHydro Pump
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Dragonite has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 53
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock SlideScreechSlamDig
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 55
Fighting
Keen Eye
Ice PunchThunder PunchFire PunchDouble Team
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 55
Fighting
Limber
Double KickMega KickHigh Jump KickDouble Team
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock SlideScreechSlamEarthquake
Even
Machamp
Lv 58
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopStrengthSubmission
Agatha
Elite Four
Even

Dragonite trades roughly evenly with Agatha's team.

Even
Gengar
Lv 56
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RaySubstituteLickMega Drain
You Win
Golbat
Lv 56
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
SupersonicToxicWing AttackLeech Life
Risky
Haunter
Lv 55
GhostPoison
Levitate
Confuse RayLickHypnosisDream Eater
Even
Arbok
Lv 58
Poison
Intimidate
WrapGlareScreechAcid
Risky
Gengar
Lv 60
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayPsychicHypnosisDream Eater
Lance
Elite Four
Good

Dragonite has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.

Easy KO
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveSlamThunderboltHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
Bubble BeamWrapIce BeamHyper Beam
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 60
RockFlying
Rock Head
Wing AttackSwiftFlyHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonite
Lv 62
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
BlizzardFire BlastThunderHyper Beam
Blue
Champion
Even

Dragonite trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

Easy KO
Sandslash
Lv 61
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashPoison StingEarthquakeFury Swipes
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 59
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsychicKinesis
You Win
Exeggutor
Lv 61
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
BarrageHypnosisStompLeech Seed
You Win
Cloyster
Lv 61
WaterIce
Shell Armor
Ice BeamClampAurora BeamSpike Cannon
You Win
Ninetales
Lv 63
Fire
Flash Fire
Confuse RayTail WhipQuick AttackFire Spin
Risky
Jolteon
Lv 65
Electric
Volt Absorb
Pin MissileThunder WaveQuick AttackThunder

Catchable

Available after Badge 5
Type
Dragon
Tier
E

Catch Dragonair in the Safari Zone (Super Rod fishing, Lv 15, uncommon).

View Dragonair locations

Catch Dratini

Available after Badge 5
Type
Dragon
Tier
E

Catch Dratini in the Safari Zone (Super Rod fishing, Lv 10, common).

View Dratini locations

Recommended Moves

Evolve Dragonair to Dragonite

Level 55
Type
DragonFlying
Tier
A

Dragonair evolves into Dragonite at Level 55. Your Dragonair should hit Level 55 before you reach Bruno, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Dragonair in Yellow

Dragonair turns up on that same Safari Super Rod, though only uncommonly. Leveling a fished Dratini to 30 is the calmer path than racing the Safari clock for one.

1 location to catch Dragonair

Encountered via fishing with a Rod

Badge 4

Where To Catch Dragonair in Y

The path to Dragonair starts with Dratini at Lv. 10-15 via fishing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Dragonair
    Step 2Dragonair ✓
    or evolve from Dratini (Step 1)
  2. Dragonite
    Step 3Evolve into Dragonite

Not landing the catch? Calculate Dragonair catch rates for Yellow by ball, status, and HP.

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 I Type Chart
  • Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
  • Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
  • Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split

What is Dragonair Weak Against

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

What is Dragonair Strong Against

1Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+1
2xStrong
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Dragonair

Lapras
Lapras
WaterIce
B

Dragonair Evolutions

Dragonair sits between Dratini and Dragonite in this three-stage chain. A Dragon type at 420 stats that can't breed. 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
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 not available · Introduced in Gen 2

Y Dragonair Best Moveset

Middle-stage stats on a Dragon type that can't access meaningful Dragon damage. MoveHyper Beam and Normal coverage carry the offense because the type moves simply don't exist yet. Dragonite's raw stat total is the actual destination.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Dragonair
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Thunder Wave
  • WrapCoverage
  • BlizzardCoverage
  • ThunderboltCoverage

Moves List

TMs carry this one. Dragonair learns Dragon Rage naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Normal and Ice and beyond give it real matchup play.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
——10030Normal
Lv 1
Thunder Wave
B—10020Electric
Lv 1
Wrap
B158520Normal
Lv 10
Thunder Wave
B—10020Electric
Lv 20
Agility
A——30Psychic
Lv 35
Slam
—807520Normal
Lv 45
Dragon Rage
D—10010Dragon
Lv 55
Hyper Beam
A150905Normal

TM Moves

All 24 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM34D——10Normal
TM14
BlizzardPokémon Mansionbadge 6
B110905Ice
TM08
Body SlamS.S. Annebadge 2
C8510015Normal
TM11D6510020Water
TM32
Double TeamSafari Zonebadge 3
———15Normal
TM10
Double-EdgeRocket Hideoutbadge 3
C12010015Normal
TM23
Dragon RageRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
D—10010Dragon
TM38C120855Fire
TM13C9510010Ice
TM31
MimicSaffron Citybadge 5
D——10Normal
TM20
RageRoute 15badge 3
D2010020Normal
TM33
ReflectKanto Power Plantbadge 3
C——20Psychic
TM44
RestS.S. Annebadge 2
C——10Psychic
TM40
Skull BashSafari Zonebadge 4
C10010010Normal
TM50
SubstituteRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
HM03
SurfSafari Zonebadge 4
C9510015Water
TM39
SwiftRoute 12 Gate 2Fbadge 2
D60—20Normal
TM09
Take DownSilph Co.badge 3
C908520Normal
TM25
ThunderKanto Power Plantbadge 5
D1107010Electric
TM45
Thunder WaveRoute 24badge 1
B—10020Electric
TM24B9510015Electric
TM06C—9010Poison
TM12
Water GunMt. Moonbadge 1
D4010025Water

Tutor Moves

Dragonair can't learn any Tutor moves

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
EV Yield
HPAtk+2DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training target
Pokedex Entry

According to a witness, its body was surrounded by a strange aura that gave it a mystical look.

Pokemon Yellow

Dragonair Yellow Guide

  • How do I catch Dragonair in the Yellow Safari Zone?

    See the Locations section above for where to find Dragonair in Yellow.

    Safari rules: You can only use Safari Balls. No battling. Two tactical items shift the catch/flee trade-off:

    • Throw bait to keep Dragonair from fleeing (flee rate cut to 1/4) but it becomes harder to catch (catch factor halved).
    • Throw a rock to make Dragonair easier to catch (catch factor doubled) but it flees twice as often.
    • Each effect lasts 2-6 random turns; throwing one cancels the other.
  • For Yellow, you can run Dragonair through the first few routes without issues. 420 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Dragonite as fast as you can.

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

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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