Mid-stage Pokemon like Dratini rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Dragonite, which is where the real potential kicks in. Only weak to Ice, Dragon, and Fairy. Known as the Dragon Pokemon.
Dratini's stats barely vary. 0 sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 1 Attack EV, slow 1.25M XP grind to max.
It sheds many layers of skin as it grows larger. During this process, it is protected by a rapid waterfall.
It is born large to start with. It repeatedly sheds its skin as it steadily grows longer.
Dratini Weakness
AvgDratini's Dragon typing leaves it vulnerable to Ice, Dragon, and Fairy moves. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage.
Dratini is the start of a three-stage chain. It evolves into Dragonair first, then eventually reaches Dragonite. For breeding, takes forever to hatch with plenty of partners via two egg groups. The evolved forms gain up to 300 total stats over Dratini.
How to Evolve
Breed Dratini easily with 72 breeding partners from the Dragon and Water1 egg groups.
Dratini runs Dragon Dance to boost before sweeping. Shedskin and Adamant nature shape the build, with a spread EV build EVs to capitalize after one turn of setup, plus Water coverage to back it up.
Best Build
Best Dratini Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Waterfall
Recommended Teammates
Without TMs, Dratini's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Normal and Water coverage and more on top of Draco Meteor and Outrage for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Without TMs, Dratini's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get coverage across 7 types on top of Draco Meteor and Outrage for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
You'll want to breed for Aqua Jet and Dragon Breath on Dratini. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Draco Meteor and Outrage, they expand what Dratini can actually threaten in practice.
You'll want to breed for Aqua Jet and Dragon Breath on Dratini. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Outrage and Dragon Rush, they expand what Dratini can actually threaten in practice.
decent spawn rates across 8 locations for Dratini in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Best Locations
Dratini appears in 8 walking locations at Lv. 20-52 across Scarlet and Violet. Not all encounters show up in every version, so check which ones match your game.
Dratini doesn't appear in Legends: Z-A. Transfer it from Red, Yellow, or HeartGold to add it to your collection. Check the source games below for encounter details.
high spawn rates in early-game routes across 4 locations. Dratini's one of the easier catches on the list. Two different catch methods are in play here. Knock it out fast and save your time for harder targets.
Best Locations
You can catch Dratini through 4 fishing and walking encounters from Lv. 15-63, but availability differs between Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Some spots are exclusive to one version.
Dratini sits at moderate rates across 12 spots in endgame water routes. Pick one from the sorted list and commit to it. Jumping between areas wastes more time than waiting in the right location.
Best Locations
Dratini's encounter pool splits between Shield and Sword. You've got 12 surfing spots at Lv. 60-65 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.
Dratini isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Dragonair to unlock its full potential. At 300 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
Dratini evolves into Dragonair at level 30. Dratini is the base form in a 3-stage evolutionary line.
Shed Skin has a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn — that's the one you want on Dratini. Marvel Scale is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Dratini fills the balanced role. It's leaning toward the physical side (base 64 Attack). Base 50 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Dratini appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Dratini has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 21 titles across all 9 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
- 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