The Dragon Pokemon. Rare in Yellow's Safari Zone. Dratini starts a long grind to level 55, but Dragonite's payoff is the highest stats among non-legendaries.
300HP41Attack64Defense45Speed50Sp.Def50Sp.Atk50
Dratini
Dragonair
Dragonite
Weak to
Special
Balanced
50Speed · Slow

Is Dratini Good in Yellow Playthrough?

A long grind toward the strongest non-legendary Pokemon in Gen 1. Available in the Safari Zone and by fishing. The evolution chain doesn't finish until level 55, which is a serious time commitment for a payoff most players never reach before the E4.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTTTEETGGEGEGEBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5DratiniCatchableDragonairEvolveSabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4DragoniteEvolveBrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4BlueChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Tough

Brock's typing presses Dratini's defenses.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 10
RockGround
Rock Head
Tackle
Avoid
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleScreechBindBide
Misty
Gym 2
Tough

Misty's typing presses Dratini's defenses.

Even
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleWater Gun
Risky
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
TackleWater GunHardenBubble Beam
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Tough

Lt. Surge's typing presses Dratini's defenses.

Risky
Raichu
Lv 28
Electric
Static
ThunderboltMega PunchMega KickGrowl
Erika
Gym 4
Even

Dratini trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.

You Win
Tangela
Lv 30
Grass
Chlorophyll
ConstrictBindMega DrainVine Whip
Even
Weepinbell
Lv 32
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Razor LeafSleep PowderStun SporeAcid
You Win
Gloom
Lv 32
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Petal DanceStun SporeSleep PowderAcid
Koga
Gym 5
Even

Dratini trades roughly evenly with Koga's team.

Even
Venonat
Lv 44
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicTackleSleep PowderPsychic
Even
Venonat
Lv 46
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicPsybeamSupersonicPsychic
Even
Venonat
Lv 48
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicDouble EdgeSleep PowderPsychic
Risky
Venomoth
Lv 50
BugPoison
Shield Dust
Leech LifeDouble TeamPsychicToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Tough

Sabrina's typing presses Dragonair's defenses.

Risky
Abra
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
Flash
Risky
Kadabra
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
KinesisRecoverPsychicPsywave
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
PsywaveRecoverPsychicReflect
Blaine
Gym 7
Good

Dragonair has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.

You Win
Ninetales
Lv 48
Fire
Flash Fire
FlamethrowerTail WhipQuick AttackConfuse Ray
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
StompGrowlFire SpinTake Down
Even
Arcanine
Lv 54
Fire
Intimidate
FlamethrowerFire BlastReflectTake Down
Giovanni
Gym 8
Good

Dragonair has the type edge here and should clean up Giovanni's team.

You Win
Dugtrio
Lv 50
Ground
Sand Veil
DigSand AttackFissureEarthquake
Even
Persian
Lv 53
Normal
Limber
ScreechDouble TeamFury SwipesSlash
You Win
Nidoqueen
Lv 53
PoisonGround
Poison Point
EarthquakeTail WhipThunderDouble Kick
Even
Nidoking
Lv 55
PoisonGround
Poison Point
EarthquakeLeerThunderDouble Kick
Easy KO
Rhydon
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Rock SlideFury AttackHorn DrillEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Even

Dragonair trades roughly evenly with Lorelei's team.

Even
Dewgong
Lv 54
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Bubble BeamAurora BeamRestTake Down
Even
Cloyster
Lv 53
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SupersonicClampIce BeamSpike Cannon
You Win
Slowbro
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
PsychicSurfWithdrawAmnesia
Even
Jynx
Lv 56
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapIce PunchLovely KissThrash
Even
Lapras
Lv 56
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Body SlamConfuse RayBlizzardHydro Pump
Bruno
Elite Four
Good

Dragonite has the type edge here and should clean up Bruno's team.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 53
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock SlideScreechSlamDig
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 55
Fighting
Keen Eye
Ice PunchThunder PunchFire PunchDouble Team
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 55
Fighting
Limber
Double KickMega KickHigh Jump KickDouble Team
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock SlideScreechSlamEarthquake
Even
Machamp
Lv 58
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopStrengthSubmission
Agatha
Elite Four
Even

Dragonite trades roughly evenly with Agatha's team.

Even
Gengar
Lv 56
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RaySubstituteLickMega Drain
You Win
Golbat
Lv 56
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
SupersonicToxicWing AttackLeech Life
Risky
Haunter
Lv 55
GhostPoison
Levitate
Confuse RayLickHypnosisDream Eater
Even
Arbok
Lv 58
Poison
Intimidate
WrapGlareScreechAcid
Risky
Gengar
Lv 60
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayPsychicHypnosisDream Eater
Lance
Elite Four
Good

Dragonite has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.

Easy KO
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveSlamThunderboltHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
Bubble BeamWrapIce BeamHyper Beam
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 60
RockFlying
Rock Head
Wing AttackSwiftFlyHyper Beam
You Win
Dragonite
Lv 62
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
BlizzardFire BlastThunderHyper Beam
Blue
Champion
Even

Dragonite trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

Easy KO
Sandslash
Lv 61
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashPoison StingEarthquakeFury Swipes
Risky
Alakazam
Lv 59
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsychicKinesis
You Win
Exeggutor
Lv 61
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
BarrageHypnosisStompLeech Seed
You Win
Cloyster
Lv 61
WaterIce
Shell Armor
Ice BeamClampAurora BeamSpike Cannon
You Win
Ninetales
Lv 63
Fire
Flash Fire
Confuse RayTail WhipQuick AttackFire Spin
Risky
Jolteon
Lv 65
Electric
Volt Absorb
Pin MissileThunder WaveQuick AttackThunder

Catchable

Available after Badge 5
Type
Dragon
Tier
E

Catch Dratini in the Safari Zone (Super Rod fishing, Lv 10, common).

View Dratini locations

Evolve Dratini to Dragonair

Level 30
Type
Dragon
Tier
E

Dratini evolves into Dragonair at Level 30. Your Dratini should hit Level 30 before you reach Sabrina, at typical leveling pace.

View Dragonair locations

Recommended Moves

Evolve Dragonair to Dragonite

Level 55
Type
DragonFlying
Tier
A

Dragonair evolves into Dragonite at Level 55. Your Dragonair should hit Level 55 before you reach Bruno, at typical leveling pace.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Dratini in Yellow

The Safari Zone Super Rod is the only line to Dratini, common in the water there. You'll be fighting the Safari step limit while you fish, which is what makes the rare dragon such a grind.

1 location to catch Dratini

Encountered via fishing with a Rod

Badge 4

Where To Catch Dratini in Y

Dratini is where the line starts, caught through fishing encounters at Lv. 10-15. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Dragonair
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Dragonair
    or evolve from Dratini (Step 1)
  2. Dragonite
    Step 3Evolve into Dragonite

To plan your throws, open the Yellow catch rate calculator with Dratini preloaded.

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 I Type Chart
  • Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
  • Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
  • Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split

What is Dratini Weak Against

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

What is Dratini Strong Against

1Strong
0Resisted
0Immune
Score+1
2xStrong
½xResisted
None
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Dratini

Lapras
Lapras
WaterIce
B

Dratini Evolutions

A Dragon type with 300 stats, Dratini has a chain leading to Dragonite. Breeding won't work. The evolved forms gain up to 300 total stats over Dratini. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
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 not available · Introduced in Gen 2

Y Dratini Best Moveset

Dragon typing without Dragon moves worth using. Normal-type attacks from MoveHyper Beam and MoveBody Slam are the only real damage options. Two evolutions away from Dragonite, where raw stats compensate for the missing type moves.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Dratini
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • Thunder Wave
  • Body Slam
  • BlizzardCoverage
  • ThunderboltCoverage

Moves List

Without TMs, Dratini's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Normal and Ice coverage and more on top of Dragon Rage for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
——10030Normal
Lv 1
Wrap
D158520Normal
Lv 10
Thunder Wave
S—10020Electric
Lv 20
Agility
C——30Psychic
Lv 30
Slam
—807520Normal
Lv 40
Dragon Rage
D—10010Dragon
Lv 50
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal

TM Moves

All 23 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM34D——10Normal
TM14
BlizzardPokémon Mansionbadge 6
S110905Ice
TM08
Body SlamS.S. Annebadge 2
S8510015Normal
TM11D6510020Water
TM32
Double TeamSafari Zonebadge 3
———15Normal
TM10
Double-EdgeRocket Hideoutbadge 3
C12010015Normal
TM23
Dragon RageRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
D—10010Dragon
TM38D120855Fire
TM13D9510010Ice
TM31
MimicSaffron Citybadge 5
D——10Normal
TM20
RageRoute 15badge 3
D2010020Normal
TM33
ReflectKanto Power Plantbadge 3
C——20Psychic
TM44
RestS.S. Annebadge 2
C——10Psychic
TM40
Skull BashSafari Zonebadge 4
C10010010Normal
TM50
SubstituteRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
HM03
SurfSafari Zonebadge 4
D9510015Water
TM39
SwiftRoute 12 Gate 2Fbadge 2
D60—20Normal
TM09
Take DownSilph Co.badge 3
D908520Normal
TM25
ThunderKanto Power Plantbadge 5
D1107010Electric
TM45
Thunder WaveRoute 24badge 1
S—10020Electric
TM24S9510015Electric
TM06C—9010Poison
TM12
Water GunMt. Moonbadge 1
D4010025Water

Tutor Moves

Dratini can't learn any Tutor moves

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
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

The existence of this mythical POKéMON was only recently confirmed by a fisherman who caught one.

Pokemon Yellow

Dratini Yellow Guide

  • Where in the Yellow Safari Zone can I find Dratini?

    See the Locations section above for where to find Dratini in Yellow.

    Safari rules: You can only use Safari Balls. No battling. Two tactical items shift the catch/flee trade-off:

    • Throw bait to keep Dratini from fleeing (flee rate cut to 1/4) but it becomes harder to catch (catch factor halved).
    • Throw a rock to make Dratini easier to catch (catch factor doubled) but it flees twice as often.
    • Each effect lasts 2-6 random turns; throwing one cancels the other.
  • In Yellow, 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.

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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