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 and Dragon. 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 is born large to start with. It repeatedly sheds its skin as it steadily grows longer.
This Pokémon is full of life energy. It continually sheds its skin and grows steadily larger.
Dratini Weakness
AvgDratini's Dragon typing leaves it vulnerable to Ice and Dragon moves. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
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 a decent partner pool via two egg groups. The evolved forms gain up to 300 total stats over Dratini.
How to Evolve
Breed Dratini easily with 30 breeding partners from the Dragon and Water1 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Dragon Breath, Dragon Dance, Dragon Rush and 5 more to offspring.
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
You'll want to breed for Dragon Breath and Dragon Dance 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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
Dratini's scattered across 10 spots in early-game fishing spots with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Best Locations
Dratini appears in 10 gift, fishing, and more locations at Lv. 5-40 across SoulSilver and HeartGold. Not all encounters show up in every version, so check which ones match your game.
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