Nothing fancy in Dragonite's spread. It leans physical with Attack out front. And you'll get 3 Attack EVs per KO for it. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
It is said that somewhere in the ocean lies an island where these gather. Only they live there.
It can fly in spite of its big and bulky physique. It circles the globe in just 16 hours.
Ice, Rock, Dragon, and Fairy moves hit Dragonite for super-effective damage. Ice hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. The upside? Ground-type moves can't touch it at all. The Dragon/Flying typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Dragonite's overall bulk (91/95/100) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Ice |
| 2x (Weak) | Rock, Dragon, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Fighting, Bug |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Grass |
| 0x (Immune) | Ground |
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Dragonite View Magmortar builds →Thunderbolt30-35% Flamethrower22-26% Psychic30-35% | ||
 Ariados BugPoison | C | |
Recommended Build AbilitySniper ItemFocus Sash NatureAdamant Moves View Ariados builds →
| ||
 Sunflora Grass | C | |
Recommended Build AbilitySolarpower ItemBigroot NatureNaive Moves
Damage vs Dragonite View Sunflora builds →Energy Ball8-9% Giga Drain7-8% | ||
Ariados BugPoison | C | |
Recommended Build AbilitySniper ItemFocus Sash NatureAdamant Moves View Ariados builds →
| ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemTerrain Extender NatureBrave Moves
Damage vs Dragonite View Pincurchin builds →Electroweb17-20% Sucker Punch23-27% Liquidation14-16% | ||
The three-stage chain from Dratini through Dragonair ends here at Dragonite. Want more? Breed for Dratini eggs. Plenty of partners available via two egg groups. The evolution from Dratini pushed Dragonite to 600 total stats. Attack saw the largest single gain at +70. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Dragonite to get Dratini eggs easily using 72 partners from the Dragon and Water1 egg groups.
The game plan is straightforward: click Dragon Dance, then sweep. Heavy-Duty Boots and Multiscale support the setup turn. EVs go into max Attack and Speed so Dragonite hits hard once it's boosted.
Best Build
Dragonite best EVs are Attack and Speed
Doubles Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Scale Shot
- Protect
- Tailwind
- Extreme Speed
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Earthquake
- Ice Spinner
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Wallbreaker Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage
- Stomping Tantrum
- Aerial Ace
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Fire Punch
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Scale Shot
- Protect
- Tailwind
- Extreme Speed
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Earthquake
- Ice Spinner
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Wallbreaker Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Outrage
- Stomping Tantrum
- Aerial Ace
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Roost
- Ice Punch
Doubles Support Moveset
- Dual Wingbeat
- Roost
- Haze
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Roost
- Ice Punch
Doubles Support Moveset
- Dual Wingbeat
- Roost
- Haze
- Rock Slide
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Need something that threatens multiple types? Dragonite's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Draco Meteor and Outrage gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Need something that threatens multiple types? Dragonite's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Draco Meteor and Outrage gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Need something that threatens multiple types? Dragonite's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Draco Meteor and Outrage gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
Need something that threatens multiple types? Dragonite's movepool delivers. Coverage across 10 types plus STAB from Outrage and Hurricane gives it answers for most defensive cores you'll run into.
You're catching Dratini first, not Dragonite. Dratini appears at decent rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 3-stage chain with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Dragonite in Scarlet & Violet
Dratini is your first catch on the way to Dragonite. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 20-54 across 10 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch DratiniCasseroya Lake - LakeScarletOverworld Lv.20-52 Water20%MidCasseroya Lake - LakeVioletOverworld Lv.20-52 Water20%MidSouth Province (Area Six) - RiverVioletOverworld Lv.20-52 Route10%MidSouth Province (Area Six) - RiverScarletOverworld Lv.20-52 Route10%MidNorth Province (Area One) - LakeScarletOverworld Lv.20-52 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area One) - LakeVioletOverworld Lv.20-52 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - LakeVioletOverworld Lv.20-52 Route8%MidNorth Province (Area Two) - LakeScarletOverworld Lv.20-52 Route8%Mid
Step 2Catch or Evolve DragonairCasseroya Lake - LakeVioletOverworld Lv.50-54 Water3%PostCasseroya Lake - LakeScarletOverworld Lv.50-54 Water3%Postor evolve from Dratini (Step 1)
Step 3Dragonite ✓
Dragonite isn't available in the wild in Legends: Z-A. Start by transferring Dratini from Red, Yellow, or HeartGold. The evolution path from Dratini to Dragonite is covered in the steps below.
Dragonite doesn't appear wild. Catch Dratini instead, it shows up at solid rates. Evolve it at level 55 to get Dragonite. The 3-stage chain is mapped in the step cards below.
How to Obtain Dragonite in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Dragonite, start by catching Dratini through fishing and walking encounters at Lv. 15-63. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch DratiniMt. Coronet - 4FBrilliant DiamondSuper Rod Lv.15-20 Cave30%EarlyMt. Coronet - 4FShining PearlSuper Rod Lv.15-20 Cave30%EarlyFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve DragonairMt. Coronet - 4FShining PearlSuper Rod Lv.15-40 Cave5%EarlyMt. Coronet - 4FBrilliant DiamondSuper Rod Lv.15-40 Cave5%Earlyor evolve from Dratini (Step 1)
Step 3Dragonite ✓
Can't catch Dragonite directly. Start with Dratini at moderate rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 55. The 3-stage chain from Dratini to Dragonite is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Dragonite in Sword & Shield
Dratini is your first catch on the way to Dragonite. You'll find surfing encounters from Lv. 60-65 across 12 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch DratiniBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water5%PostOvercastBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water5%PostThunderstormBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water5%PostNormal WeatherBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water5%PostIntense SunBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water5%PostSnowingBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water5%PostRainingBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water5%PostOvercastBallimere LakeSwordSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water5%PostNormal WeatherBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water5%PostThunderstormBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water5%PostIntense SunBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water5%PostSnowingBallimere LakeShieldSurfing on water Lv.60-65 Water5%PostRaining
Step 2Evolve into Dragonair
Step 3Dragonite ✓
Dragonite already has 600 BST going for it, and Multiscale pushes the competitive value even higher. S-Tier wallbreaker on our tier list.
Watch for Cloyster (Ice), Aerodactyl (Rock), and Kingdra (Dragon) when using Dragonite. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Cloyster is the most dangerous since Ice moves deal 4x damage. Fairy-type attackers are also a problem.
Dragonite gets Multiscale and Inner Focus. But Multiscale is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that. Multiscale synergizes with Dragonite's base 100 Sp.Def, letting it soak special attacks as a pivot.
Dragonite is leaning toward the physical side (base 134 Attack). Tanky enough to absorb a few hits, too. Speed tells the real story. Base 80 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. Fits the wallbreaker role.
Dragonite has answers, but so do you. Status moves (Toxic, Will-O-Wisp) wear it down. Setup sweepers can use it as a boost opportunity. Special attackers bypass its physical bulk.
Present since Red & Blue, Dragonite appears in 21 games spanning 10 generations. Gen 1 originals like Dragonite have the longest track record of availability in the series.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves