The Dragon Pokemon. Import Dratini into Emerald for the A-Tier Dragonite payoff. Shed Skin heals status naturally, and Dragon Dance makes the final form devastating.
Ability 1Shed SkinAbility 1Has a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn.
300HP41Attack64Defense45Speed50Sp.Def50Sp.Atk50
Dratini
Dragonair
Dragonite
Weak to
Special
Balanced
50Speed · Slow

Is Dratini Good in Emerald Playthrough?

Trade-only Dragon. Dratini evolves through Dragonair into Dragonite at 55. AbilityShed Skin clears status occasionally. The grind is enormous. Dragonite at 600 BST matches Salamence, but Salamence is native to Hoenn and comes with AbilityIntimidate. Hard to justify the import.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTEEEEGEEEEEGERoxanneGym 1BrawlyGym 2WattsonGym 3FlanneryGym 4NormanGym 5WinonaGym 6Tate & LizaGym 7JuanGym 8DratiniTradeSidneyE4PhoebeE4GlaciaE4DrakeE4WallaceChamp*
Roxanne
Gym 1
Tough

Roxanne's typing presses Dratini's defenses.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense CurlRock ThrowRock Tomb
Risky
Nosepass
Lv 15
Rock
Sturdy
BlockHardenTackleRock Tomb
Brawly
Gym 2
Even

Dratini trades roughly evenly with Brawly's team.

You Win
Machop
Lv 16
Fighting
Guts
Karate ChopLow KickSeismic TossBulk Up
Even
Meditite
Lv 16
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Focus PunchLight ScreenReflectBulk Up
You Win
Makuhita
Lv 19
Fighting
Thick Fat
Arm ThrustVital ThrowReversalBulk Up
Wattson
Gym 3
Even

Dratini trades roughly evenly with Wattson's team.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 20
Electric
Soundproof
RolloutSparkSelf DestructShock Wave
Even
Electrike
Lv 20
Electric
Static
Shock WaveLeerQuick AttackHowl
Risky
Magneton
Lv 22
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
SupersonicShock WaveThunder WaveSonic Boom
Risky
Manectric
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveShock WaveHowl
Flannery
Gym 4
Even

Dratini trades roughly evenly with Flannery's team.

You Win
Numel
Lv 24
FireGround
Oblivious
OverheatTake DownMagnitudeSunny Day
You Win
Slugma
Lv 24
Fire
Magma Armor
OverheatSmogLight ScreenSunny Day
Even
Camerupt
Lv 26
FireGround
Magma Armor
OverheatTackleSunny DayAttract
Even
Torkoal
Lv 29
Fire
White Smoke
OverheatSunny DayBody SlamAttract
Norman
Gym 5
Even

Dratini trades roughly evenly with Norman's team.

Even
Spinda
Lv 27
Normal
Own Tempo
Teeter DancePsybeamFacadeEncore
Even
Vigoroth
Lv 27
Normal
Vital Spirit
SlashFacadeEncoreFeint Attack
Even
Linoone
Lv 29
Normal
Pickup
SlashBelly DrumFacadeHeadbutt
Risky
Slaking
Lv 31
Normal
Truant
CounterYawnFacadeFeint Attack
Winona
Gym 6
Good

Dratini has the type edge here and should clean up Winona's team.

You Win
Swablu
Lv 29
NormalFlying
Natural Cure
Perish SongMirror MoveSafeguardAerial Ace
Easy KO
Tropius
Lv 29
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayAerial AceSolar BeamSynthesis
Easy KO
Pelipper
Lv 30
WaterFlying
Keen Eye
Water GunSupersonicProtectAerial Ace
Risky
Skarmory
Lv 31
SteelFlying
Keen Eye
Sand AttackFury AttackSteel WingAerial Ace
You Win
Altaria
Lv 33
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
EarthquakeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
Tate & Liza
Gym 7
Even

Dratini trades roughly evenly with Tate & Liza's team.

Even
Claydol
Lv 41
GroundPsychic
Levitate
EarthquakeAncient PowerPsychicLight Screen
Even
Xatu
Lv 41
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
PsychicSunny DayConfuse RayCalm Mind
Even
Lunatone
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Light ScreenPsychicHypnosisCalm Mind
Even
Solrock
Lv 42
RockPsychic
Levitate
Sunny DaySolar BeamPsychicFlamethrower
Juan
Gym 8
Even

Dratini trades roughly evenly with Juan's team.

You Win
Luvdisc
Lv 41
Water
Swift Swim
Water PulseAttractSweet KissFlail
Even
Whiscash
Lv 41
WaterGround
Oblivious
Rain DanceWater PulseAmnesiaEarthquake
Even
Sealeo
Lv 43
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamAurora BeamWater Pulse
You Win
Crawdaunt
Lv 43
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
Water PulseCrabhammerTauntLeer
Even
Kingdra
Lv 46
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
Water PulseDouble TeamIce BeamRest
Sidney
Elite Four
Even

Dratini trades roughly evenly with Sidney's team.

Risky
Mightyena
Lv 46
Dark
Intimidate
RoarDouble EdgeSand AttackCrunch
Even
Shiftry
Lv 48
GrassDark
Chlorophyll
TormentDouble TeamSwaggerExtrasensory
You Win
Cacturne
Lv 46
GrassDark
Sand Veil
Leech SeedFeint AttackNeedle ArmCotton Spore
Even
Crawdaunt
Lv 48
WaterDark
Hyper Cutter
SurfSwords DanceStrengthFacade
Risky
Absol
Lv 49
Dark
Pressure
Aerial AceRock SlideSwords DanceSlash
Phoebe
Elite Four
Even

Dratini trades roughly evenly with Phoebe's team.

Even
Dusclops
Lv 48
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow PunchConfuse RayCurseProtect
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallGrudgeWill O WispFeint Attack
Even
Sableye
Lv 50
DarkGhost
Keen Eye
Shadow BallDouble TeamNight ShadeFeint Attack
Risky
Banette
Lv 49
Ghost
Insomnia
Shadow BallPsychicThunderboltFacade
Risky
Dusclops
Lv 51
Ghost
Pressure
Shadow BallIce BeamRock SlideEarthquake
Glacia
Elite Four
Even

Dratini trades roughly evenly with Glacia's team.

You Win
Sealeo
Lv 50
IceWater
Thick Fat
EncoreBody SlamHailIce Ball
Even
Glalie
Lv 50
Ice
Inner Focus
Light ScreenCrunchIcy WindIce Beam
Even
Sealeo
Lv 52
IceWater
Thick Fat
AttractDouble EdgeHailBlizzard
Even
Glalie
Lv 52
Ice
Inner Focus
Shadow BallExplosionHailIce Beam
Risky
Walrein
Lv 53
IceWater
Thick Fat
SurfBody SlamIce BeamSheer Cold
Drake
Elite Four
Good

Dratini has the type edge here and should clean up Drake's team.

You Win
Shelgon
Lv 52
Dragon
Rock Head
Rock TombDragon ClawProtectDouble Edge
You Win
Altaria
Lv 54
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Double EdgeDragon BreathDragon DanceAerial Ace
You Win
Kingdra
Lv 53
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenDragon DanceSurfBody Slam
You Win
Flygon
Lv 53
GroundDragon
Levitate
FlamethrowerCrunchDragon BreathEarthquake
Even
Salamence
Lv 55
DragonFlying
Intimidate
FlamethrowerDragon ClawRock SlideCrunch
Wallace
Champion
Even

Dratini trades roughly evenly with Wallace's team.

Even
Wailord
Lv 57
Water
Water Veil
Rain DanceWater SpoutDouble EdgeBlizzard
Even
Tentacruel
Lv 55
WaterPoison
Clear Body
ToxicHydro PumpSludge BombIce Beam
Even
Ludicolo
Lv 56
WaterGrass
Swift Swim
Giga DrainSurfLeech SeedDouble Team
Risky
Whiscash
Lv 56
WaterGround
Oblivious
EarthquakeSurfAmnesiaHyper Beam
You Win
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon DanceEarthquakeHyper BeamSurf
Risky
Milotic
Lv 58
Water
Marvel Scale
RecoverSurfIce BeamToxic

Trade

Transfer-only
Type
Dragon
Tier
E

Dratini cannot be caught in this game. It must be traded in from a compatible game where it appears in the wild. Cross-region trading typically becomes available after defeating the Elite Four.

View Dratini locations

How to Get Dratini in Emerald

To start the dragon line, trade a Dratini in, since no Hoenn water hides one. There is no Game Corner here to buy one either, so an outside cartridge is the only source.

How to Obtain Dratini in E

  1. Dratini
    Step 1Dratini ✓
    CARTRIDGE TRADE
    Available
    Catch in FireRed & LeafGreen via Super rod · Safari Zone, then trade to the current game via link cable.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Red & Blue via Super rod · Safari Zone. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Yellow
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Yellow via Super rod · Safari Zone. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Gold & Silver via Super rod · Route 45. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    from Crystal
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Crystal via Super rod · Route 45. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Diamond & Pearl via Super rod · Mt. Coronet. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
    LATER APPEARANCE
    Not Tradeable
    Appears in Platinum via Super rod · Mt. Coronet. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
  2. Dragonair
    Step 2Evolve into Dragonair
  3. Dragonite
    Step 3Evolve into Dragonite

How to Get Shiny Dratini in Emerald

Dratini won't bite any Hoenn line; trade one over from FireRed or LeafGreen, where the Super Rod pulls it from the Safari Zone pond, and its shine holds through the transfer. See every game where Shiny Dratini can be hunted

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Dratini in EmeraldNormal
Shiny Dratini in Emerald Shiny
Color ShiftBluetoPurple
Shiny TierA Tier Shiny

Shiny Dratini Evolution

3 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Dratini Weakness

Dratini's Dragon typing leaves it vulnerable to Ice and Dragon. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.

Dratini Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ice, Dragon
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Electric, Grass
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Dratini Weak Against

Avg
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Dratini Strong Against

1Strong
1Resisted
0Immune
Score0
2xStrong
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Dratini

Latios
Latios
DragonPsychic
S
Rayquaza
Rayquaza
DragonFlying
S
Latias
Latias
DragonPsychic
S
B
Walrein
Walrein
IceWater
C

Dratini Evolutions

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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Dratini
#147Dratini
30
Transfer Only
Dragonair
#148Dragonair
55
Transfer Only
Dragonite
#149Dragonite
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Dratini
Dragon
Dragonair
Dragon
Dragonite
DragonFlying
HP
41
61+20
91+30
ATK
64
84+20
134+50
DEF
45
65+20
95+30
SP.ATK
50
70+20
100+30
SP.DEF
50
70+20
100+30
SPE
50
70+20
80+10
BST
300E-Tier
420E-Tier+120
600A-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Utility
Mixed
Physical

Breeding

Easy

Breed Dratini easily with 27 breeding partners from the Dragon and Water 1 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Dragon Breath, Dragon Dance, Haze and 3 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
DragonWater 1
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
40 cycles·10,280 steps
Slow~10 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosazumarillcharizardkingdrasceptileflygonmiloticblastoisegolduckferaligatrswampertaltaria

E Dratini Best Moveset

Dragon pre-evolution with AbilityShed Skin for occasional status healing. The moveset trails competitive thresholds by two full evolutions. Dragonite is the destination.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Attacker
Ability
Shed Skin
Item
Sitrus BerryRECOVERY
Best Nature for Dratini
Brave+ATK

Dratini best EVs are Attack and Speed

EVs

Physical Attacker Moveset

  • Dragon DanceSTAB
  • Body Slam
  • OutrageSTAB
  • Hidden Power Flying

Moves List

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 Outrage and Dragon Breath, they expand what Dratini can actually threaten in practice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
D—10030Normal
Lv 1
Wrap
D158520Normal
Lv 8
Thunder Wave
C—10020Electric
Lv 15
Twister
—6010020Dragon
Lv 22
Dragon Rage
——10010Dragon
Lv 29
Slam
—807520Normal
Lv 36
Agility
C——30Psychic
Lv 43
Safeguard
D——25Normal
Lv 50
Outrage
B18010010Dragon
Lv 57
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal

TM Moves

All 26 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractVerdanturf Townbadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14D120705Ice
TM32
Double TeamRoute 113badge 2
———15Normal
TM42D7010020Normal
TM38
Fire BlastLilycove Department Storebadge 5
D120855Fire
TM35
FlamethrowerMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510015Fire
TM21
FrustrationPacifidlog Townbadge 5
D—10020Normal
TM07
HailShoal Cavebadge 6
———10Ice
TM10
Hidden PowerFortree Citybadge 3
—6010015Normal
TM15
Hyper BeamLilycove Department Storebadge 5
C150905Normal
TM13
Ice BeamMauville Game Cornerbadge 2
D9510010Ice
TM23
Iron TailMeteor Fallsnot until badge 8
D1007515Steel
TM17C——10Normal
TM18
Rain DanceAbandoned Shipnot until badge 7
C——5Water
TM44
RestLilycove Citybadge 5
C——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnFallarbor Townbadge 3
D—10020Normal
TM20D——25Normal
TM43
Secret PowerRoute 111badge 3
—7010020Normal
TM34D60—20Electric
TM11
Sunny DayScorched Slabbadge 5
C——5Fire
TM25D1207010Electric
TM24D9510015Electric
TM06
ToxicFiery Pathbadge 4
A—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulsePrize for defeating Juannot until badge 8
D6010020Water
HM07
WaterfallGiven by Wallace in Sootopolis Citynot until badge 7
D8010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Dragon Breath
D9010020Dragon
Egg
Dragon Dance
B——20Dragon
Egg
Haze
C——30Ice
Egg
Light Screen
C——30Psychic
Egg
Mist
———30Ice
Egg
Supersonic
——5520Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
B8510015Normal
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Endure+4
C——10Normal
Tutor
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
Tutor
Mimic
D——10Normal
Tutor
Sleep Talk
D——10Normal
Tutor
Snore
—4010015Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C——10Normal
Tutor
Swagger
D—9015Normal
Tutor
Swift
—60—20Normal
Tutor
Thunder Wave
C—10020Electric

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP41
D
Attack64
C
Defense45
D
Sp. Atk50
D
Sp. Def50
D
Speed50
D
Total300
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.8 m
Weight3.3 kg
Base XP60
Abilities
Shed Skin
Has a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn.
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

A DRATINI continually molts and sloughs off its old skin. It does so because the life energy within its body steadily builds to reach uncontrollable levels.

Pokemon Emerald

Dratini Emerald Guide

  • Dratini isn't catchable in Emerald. Catch one in FireRed or LeafGreen, then trade it to Emerald.

  • In Emerald, Dratini has 300 BST and evolves into Dragonair. Compare the two forms before you give either one a team slot.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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