Dragon-type Pokémon are among the most powerful and versatile creatures in competitive Pokémon battling. With their high stats and access to strong moves, they often play crucial roles in battles. The following Dragon-type Pokémon are considered some of the best choices for competitive play due to their stats, movepool, and synergy with various team strategies.
1. Dragonite
Dragonite has been a staple in competitive play for years. It boasts a great balance of offensive and defensive stats, which allows it to function in various roles. Its typing of Dragon/Flying provides only a few weaknesses and offers good resistances. Dragonite’s access to powerful moves like Outrage, Dragon Claw, and Extreme Speed makes it a strong offensive presence. With its ability Multiscale, Dragonite can take hits much better when at full HP, making it an excellent setup or late-game cleaner.
Key Moves:
- Outrage
- Dragon Claw
- Extreme Speed
- Earthquake
2. Garchomp
Garchomp is one of the most fearsome Dragon-types in competitive play. With a high base Attack stat and great Speed, it can deal massive damage with moves like Earthquake and Outrage. Its typing of Dragon/Ground gives it an immunity to Electric-type attacks, which is a major advantage for countering common threats. Garchomp’s versatility in its movepool, combined with its ability Swords Dance or Rough Skin, makes it a terrifying offensive presence.
Key Moves:
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Swords Dance
- Fire Fang
3. Salamence
Salamence is another powerful Dragon/Flying-type Pokémon that is often seen in competitive teams. Its high Attack and Special Attack stats make it a potent threat both physically and specially. It also has access to moves like Dragon Dance, which can boost its physical attack and Speed, making it a major late-game sweeper. Salamence’s ability Intimidate helps weaken physical attackers and support its team defensively, while Moxie allows it to snowball after knocking out opponents.
Key Moves:
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Fire Blast
- Roost
4. Dragapult
Dragapult is one of the fastest Dragon-types in the game, making it a prime choice for offensive strategies. With its high Speed and decent Attack and Special Attack, it can outspeed and hit hard against most opponents. It also has access to U-turn for pivoting and maintaining momentum in battles. Dragapult is incredibly versatile, with the ability to run both physical and special sets, making it difficult for opponents to predict. Its typing of Dragon/Ghost provides useful immunities and resistances, further enhancing its utility.
Key Moves:
- Dragon Darts
- U-turn
- Phantom Force
- Flamethrower
5. Kyurem-Black
Kyurem-Black is an incredibly powerful Dragon/Ice-type Pokémon with a high base Attack stat and a solid movepool. With its ability Teravolt, it can bypass abilities like Levitate, making it an even more dangerous threat. Kyurem-Black has access to strong Ice-type moves like Ice Beam and Fusion Flare, as well as Dragon-type moves like Outrage. Its access to Hustle allows it to deal more damage, making it a formidable offensive threat.
Key Moves:
- Fusion Flare
- Ice Beam
- Outrage
- Earth Power
6. Latios/Latias
Latios and Latias are Psychic/Dragon-type Pokémon with access to both offensive and supportive roles. While they aren’t as physically imposing as some other Dragon-types, their high Special Attack and Speed make them excellent special attackers. Their movepool includes powerful STAB moves like Psychic and Dragon Pulse, while they also have access to Recover, allowing them to stay on the field longer. The ability Levitate grants them immunity to Ground-type moves, further increasing their survivability.
Key Moves:
- Psychic
- Dragon Pulse
- Recover
- Thunderbolt
7. Zygarde (Complete Form)
Zygarde in its Complete Form is an excellent defensive Dragon/Ground-type with high bulk and a strong movepool. It’s capable of taking hits and retaliating with powerful moves like Earthquake and Dragon Tail. With Power Construct, Zygarde can transform into its Complete Form when its HP falls below half, giving it a major boost in both stats and survivability. This makes it a versatile and durable choice for competitive play, especially when paired with a stall or setup strategy.
Key Moves:
- Earthquake
- Dragon Tail
- Toxic
- Rest
8. Haxorus
Haxorus is a powerful physical attacker with incredible offensive potential. Its high base Attack and access to Swords Dance make it capable of sweeping through teams once it sets up. While it lacks the bulk and speed of some other Dragon-types, its ability to hit hard with moves like Outrage and Earthquake makes it a dangerous threat. Haxorus can also use Dragon Dance to increase both its Attack and Speed, further enhancing its offensive capabilities.
Key Moves:
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Iron Tail
9. Kommo-o
Kommo-o is a Dragon/Fighting-type with great offensive and defensive stats. It has access to Clanging Scales, a powerful Dragon-type move that also lowers its Defense, but it can mitigate that loss with its ability Overcoat or through setting up with Swords Dance. Kommo-o also has the option of using Drain Punch to recover health while dealing damage. Its typing allows it to resist a variety of common types, and it can break through Steel- and Fairy-type Pokémon with its Fighting-type moves.
Key Moves:
- Clanging Scales
- Drain Punch
- Dragon Dance
- Stealth Rock
10. Giratina (Origin Form)
Giratina, in its Origin Form, is a bulky Dragon/Ghost-type Pokémon with solid offensive and defensive capabilities. While it may not be as fast as other Dragon-types, its bulk and ability Levitate make it hard to take down. Giratina can utilize Shadow Force and Dragon Pulse to deal substantial damage while using Will-O-Wisp and Rest to stall opponents. It can be a disruptive presence on the field, and its typing gives it useful resistances, allowing it to handle a wide range of threats.
Key Moves:
- Shadow Force
- Dragon Pulse
- Will-O-Wisp
- Rest
Conclusion
When it comes to competitive Pokémon battling, Dragon-types often serve as heavy hitters or powerful defensive assets for teams. Whether you’re looking for a fast, offensive threat like Dragapult, or a bulky and durable powerhouse like Zygarde, the best Dragon-type for your team depends on your strategy. Each of these Pokémon brings unique strengths to the table, and they can be a cornerstone of any successful competitive team.
Leave a Reply