Dragonite has the stats to dominate any format it's allowed in. 134 base Attack stands out, and the rest of the spread doesn't have obvious weak points either. Multiscale adds even more value. Known as the Dragon Pokemon.
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 to make its home somewhere in the sea. It guides wrecked ships to shore.
Dragonite Weakness
GoodIce, Rock, Dragon, and Fairy-type 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.
The three-stage chain from Dratini through Dragonair ends here at Dragonite. Want more? Breed for Dratini eggs. No compatible partners available via two egg groups. The evolution from Dratini pushed Dragonite to 600 total stats. Attack saw the largest single gain at +70.
How to Evolve
Breed with Dragonite to get Dratini eggs easily from the Dragon and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Aqua Jet, Dragon Breath, Dragon Dance and 5 more.
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
Best Dragonite Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Roost
- Ice Punch
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
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 DratiniEASYMt. Coronet - 4FBrilliant DiamondSuper RodLv.15-2030%EarlyCaveEASYMt. Coronet - 4FShining PearlSuper RodLv.15-2030%EarlyCaveFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-gameFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrassLv.58-63PostCavePost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve DragonairEXTREMEMt. Coronet - 4FShining PearlSuper RodLv.15-405%EarlyCaveEXTREMEMt. Coronet - 4FBrilliant DiamondSuper RodLv.15-405%EarlyCaveor evolve from Dratini (Step 1)
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. But the speed tells the real story — base 80 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. Fits the wallbreaker role.
Dragonite appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Present since Red & Blue, Dragonite appears in 21 games spanning 9 generations. Gen 1 originals like Dragonite have the longest track record of availability in the series.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut

Red & Blue - Gen IIGS

Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS

Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG

FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS

HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP

Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW

Black & White - Gen VB2W2

Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY

X & Y - Gen VIORAS

Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM

Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM

Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE

Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh

Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP

Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV

Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A