Dratini's stats barely vary. None 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's Dragon typing leaves it vulnerable to Ice, Dragon, and Fairy. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. 3 weaknesses is about average, nothing too hard to play around.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ice, Dragon, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Electric, Grass |
Dragonite's Earthquake hits Dratini for 69-81%. Archaludon threatens a KO with Dragon Pulse (132-156%). Whimsicott deals 82-97% with Moonblast.
 Dragonite Dragon | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityMultiscale ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Dratini View Dragonite builds →Extreme Speed55-65% Earthquake69-81% | ||
 Archaludon SteelDragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityStamina ItemAssault Vest NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Dratini View Archaludon builds →Flash Cannon63-74% Dragon Pulse 2x132-156%KO | ||
 Whimsicott GrassFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPrankster ItemCovert Cloak NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Dratini View Whimsicott builds →Moonblast 2x82-97% | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Dratini View Weavile builds →Knock Off57-66% Ice Shard 2x71-83% | ||
 Baxcalibur DragonIce | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityThermalexchange ItemLoaded Dice NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Dratini View Baxcalibur builds →Ice Shard 2x88-104%KO Icicle Spear 2x56-66% | ||
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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
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 spread EVs to capitalize after one turn of setup, plus Water coverage to back it up.
Best Build
Dratini best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Waterfall
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Aqua Jet
- Rain Dance
- Sunny Day
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Rush
- Scale Shot
- Substitute
Recommended Teammates
Physical Attacker Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Waterfall
Recommended Teammates
Physical Tank Moveset
- Extreme Speed
- Aqua Jet
- Rain Dance
- Sunny Day
Recommended Teammates
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Rush
- Scale Shot
- Substitute
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
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 to Catch Dratini in Scarlet & Violet
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 to Catch Dratini in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
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 to Catch Dratini in Sword & Shield
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.
Level 30 gets you Dragonair. Not the fastest evolution, so consider Exp. Share or route grinding to speed it up.
Dratini does the job early-game if you need a Dragon type on your team. Evolve it into Dragonair before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
You won't have trouble finding Dratini. It's been around since Legends: Z-A and appears in 21 games total. Latest appearances: Yellow and Red & Blue.
Dratini has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 21 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.
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