Competitive Information for Dragonite [Sword/Shield]
Dragon / Flying
Abilities:
This Pokemon cannot be made to flinch. Immune to Intimidate.
If this Pokemon is at full HP, damage taken from attacks is halved.
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Movesets for Singles
Looking for a competitive moveset for Dragonite? These builds are optimized for Sword/Shield Single Battles. The movesets and EVs are designed to maximize damage against common opponents and threats in the Sword/Shield metagame. Check out the expert movesets below to boost your battle performance and dominate your opponents!
RillaboomCoalossalUrshifu-Rapid-StrikeUrshifuBlacephalonThundurusRegigigasWeezingRegielekiKartana
Meet Dragonite, the outstanding Pokémon of Dragon and Flying types! It's a sight to see Dragonite out in the 8th generation battlefield. It is weak to Dragon, Fairy, Ice, and Rock-typed attacks. Delve into Dragonite's movesets below and strategize for victory!
Item: Weakness Policy / Safety Goggles
Ability: Inner Focus
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
EVs: 52 Hp / 204 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Dragon Claw / Breaking Swipe
- Extreme Speed
- Aqua Jet
- Dual Wingbeat / Fly
Dragonite shows a top-notch Physical Sweeper prowess in single battles. The objective of this moveset is to crush rivals using devastating physical moves. Weakness Policy activates if Dragonite is hit by a super effective move. The Weakness Policy is consumed and its Attack and Special Attack are increased by two stages each. Safety Goggles grant Dragonite immunity to powder and spore moves along with damage from hail and sandstorm. With Inner Focus, Dragonite cannot be made to flinch. Immune to intimidate.
◆ Breaking Swipe is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Dragon-type move (100% chance to lower the foes attack by 1 stage).
◆ Extreme Speed is a physical priority-increased 80-base power Normal-type move (nearly always goes first).
◆ Aqua Jet is a physical priority-increased 40-base power Water-type move (usually goes first).
◆ Dual Wingbeat is a physical STAB-boosted 40-base power Flying-type move (hits 2 times in one turn).
◆ Fly is a physical STAB-boosted 90-base power Flying-type move (flies up on first turn, then strikes the next turn).
Link (click to copy):
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Item: Weakness Policy / Safety Goggles
Ability: Inner Focus
Nature: Mild (+SpA, -Def)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
IVs: 0 Atk
Moveset:
- Draco Meteor
- Hurricane
- Dragon Dance
- Protect
In single battles, Dragonite's Special Sweeper role is a wonderful. This moveset is formulated to take down the opponent's team with potent special moves. Weakness Policy activates if Dragonite is hit by a super effective move. The Weakness Policy is consumed and its Attack and Special Attack are increased by two stages each. Safety Goggles grant Dragonite immunity to powder and spore moves along with damage from hail and sandstorm. With Inner Focus, Dragonite cannot be made to flinch. Immune to intimidate.
◆ Hurricane is a special STAB-boosted 110-base power Flying-type move (30% chance to confuse target. Can't miss in rain).
◆ Dragon Dance is a status move (raises your Dragonite's attack and speed by 1 stage).
◆ Protect is a status move (prevents moves from affecting your Dragonite this turn).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mba95
Item: Yache Berry / Eject Pack
Ability: Multiscale
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Outrage / Dragon Claw
- Earthquake / Aqua Tail
- Superpower
- Dual Wingbeat / Wing Attack
Dragonite thrives as a distinguished Physical Sweeper perfect for single battles. The main aim of this moveset is to overwhelm foes with powerful physical power. With Multiscale, if Dragonite is at full hp damage taken from attacks is halved. Earthquake or Aqua Tail are added to provide additional threat coverage. With a Yache Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective ice-type attack then the Yache Berry gets consumed. With a Eject Pack equipped to it, if Dragonite's stat stages are lowered, it switches to a chosen ally then the Eject Pack gets consumed.
◆ Dragon Claw is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Dragon-type move that deals a great amount of damage.
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
◆ Aqua Tail is a physical 90-base power Water-type move that deals a mighty amount of damage.
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Dragonite's attack and defense by 1 stage).
◆ Dual Wingbeat is a physical STAB-boosted 40-base power Flying-type move (hits 2 times in one turn).
◆ Wing Attack is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Flying-type move that deals damage.
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mca95
Item: Life Orb
Ability: Multiscale
Nature: Modest (+SpA, -Atk)
EVs: 252 Hp / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Moveset:
- Draco Meteor
- Roost
- Fire Blast / Flamethrower
- Thunder Wave
Ready for single battles? Dragonite is popular Special Tank. It tries to take a hefty amount of hits from special attacks while dealing some decent damage. Life Orb boosts the power of Dragonite's damaging moves by 1.3x but it then loses 1/10 its max HP immediately after the attack. With Multiscale, if Dragonite is at full hp damage taken from attacks is halved. This set is from Smogon's BW Tank Dragonite build
This Dragonite set can take on a variety of roles for a team, including paralysis spreader, sweeper, lure, and a check to some of the top threats of the metagame. Thunder Wave allows Dragonite to support slower teammates as well as itself, which most importantly means that it gets more opportunities to use Roost, possibly reactivating Multiscale in the process, allowing it to survive an otherwise fatal hit. With Thunder Wave slowing opposing Pokemon down, Dragonite can invest all of its EVs in bulk and power, making it so Dragonite can function as an effective tank. In a similar vein with Tinkerbell Celebi, Dragonite should aim to spread paralysis early-game and fire off strong attacks later. While Dragonite's 100 base Special Attack doesn't seem like much, it is more than enough to hit a pretty decent majority of the metagame hard thanks to high-power attacks in Draco Meteor and Fire Blast.
Due to the heavy threat level of the omnipresent Dragon Dance and Choice Band variants of Dragonite, this set can also act as an effective lure, dealing heavy damage to physical walls such as Slowbro, Gliscor, and Skarmory that might switch in expecting to take an Outrage only to meet a Draco Meteor or a Fire Blast, paving the way for physical sweepers, such as Terrakion and Scizor, to sweep. Luring in physical walls is something rain variants of Dragonite cannot do, as special attacks such as Hurricane and Thunder might be expected under these conditions. If Dragonite is using Leftovers and Thunder Wave happens to be revealed before either of Dragonite's attacks are, it can effectively bluff being the Multiscale shuffler set and surprise foes with a powerful attack, as Multiscale shuffler Dragonite typically does not invest in its offenses. Draco Meteor is Dragonite's strongest attack, and thanks to the STAB boost it receives, only a handful of non-Steel-type Pokemon are able to switch in to it and live to tell the tale. Fire Blast provides excellent coverage alongside Draco Meteor, with the combination of the two attacks only resisted by Heatran. Flamethrower is a viable alternative to Fire Blast, but the drop in power is noticeable. However, if sun support is provided, Flamethrower is generally the better option, as with the sun boost, Flamethrower gets all the KOs Fire Blast would, in addition to having perfect accuracy.
◆ Roost is a status move (heals 50% hp. Flying-type removed until turn ends).
◆ Fire Blast is a special 110-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
◆ Flamethrower is a special 90-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
◆ Thunder Wave is a status move (paralyzes the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mda95
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 215 Hp / 215 Def / 80 Spe
Moveset:
- Dragon Dance
- Safeguard
- Outrage / Dragon Tail
- Thunder Punch
Dragonite thrives as a marvelous Physical Wall perfect for single battles. The purpose of this moveset is to withstand physical attacks and hit back effectively. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Dragonite last longer regaining it's HP every turn. With Multiscale, if Dragonite is at full hp damage taken from attacks is halved.
◆ Safeguard is a status move (for 5 turns, protects Dragonite's party from status).
◆ Outrage is a physical STAB-boosted 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Dragonite afterwards).
◆ Dragon Tail is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Dragon-type move (forces the target to switch to a random ally).
◆ Thunder Punch is a physical 75-base power Electric-type move (10% chance to paralyze the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mea95
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale
Nature: Careful (+SpD, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Hp / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Moveset:
- Dragon Tail
- Roost
- Substitute
- Thunder Wave / Flamethrower
Dragonite is a marvelous Special Wall to use for single battles. This strategy is built to take a mighty amount of hits from special attacks while dealing some decent damage. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Dragonite last longer regaining it's life every turn. With Multiscale, if Dragonite is at full hp damage taken from attacks is halved. The goal is to shuffle the opposing team in order to rack up entry hazard damage as well as damage from Dragon Tail, possibly spreading paralysis if it has a chance or instead utilizing Flamethrower in that slot to hit Steel/Fairy-types hard that otherwise do well against Dragonite.
◆ Roost is a status move (heals 50% hp. Flying-type removed until turn ends).
◆ Substitute is a status move (Dragonite takes 1/4 its max hp to put in a substitute).
◆ Thunder Wave is a status move (paralyzes the target).
◆ Flamethrower is a special 90-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mfa95
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale
Nature: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw / Dragon Tail
- Earthquake / Roost
- Fire Punch / Waterfall
Dragonite shows a top-notch Physical Sweeper prowess in single battles. It is primarily designed to overwhelm foes with destructive physical power. Leftovers are always a great recovery option to ensure Dragonite last longer regaining it's life every turn. With Multiscale, if Dragonite is at full hp damage taken from attacks is halved. Multiscale helps keep you alive long enough to get a Dragon Dance off and get that speed boost to start wrecking the next turn.
◆ Dragon Claw is a physical STAB-boosted 80-base power Dragon-type move that deals a large amount of damage.
◆ Dragon Tail is a physical STAB-boosted 60-base power Dragon-type move (forces the target to switch to a random ally).
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
◆ Roost is a status move (heals 50% hp. Flying-type removed until turn ends).
◆ Fire Punch is a physical 75-base power Fire-type move (10% chance to burn the target).
◆ Waterfall is a physical 80-base power Water-type move (20% chance to make the target flinch).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mga95
Item: Weakness Policy
Ability: Multiscale
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 128 Hp / 252 Atk / 128 Spe
Moveset:
- Dragon Claw
- Extreme Speed
- Agility
- Earthquake
Dragonite thrives as a prestigious Physical Tank perfect for single battles. The intention of this moveset is to withstand physical attacks and hit back effectively. Weakness Policy activates if Dragonite is hit by a super effective move. The Weakness Policy is consumed and its Attack and Special Attack are increased by two stages each. With Multiscale, if Dragonite is at full hp damage taken from attacks is halved. If possible speed yourself up with agility first turn while you take the hit and hopefully get the policy boost. Multiscale should help soften the blow giving you ample opportunity next turn to proceed and kill everything.
◆ Extreme Speed is a physical priority-increased 80-base power Normal-type move (nearly always goes first).
◆ Agility is a status move (raises your Dragonite's speed by 2 stages).
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/mha95
Movesets for Doubles
Need a strong doubles moveset for Dragonite? These builds are perfect for VGC (Pokémon Video Game Championship) and other competitive Sword/Shield Double Battles. The VGC is the ultimate test of strategy and skill, and these movesets and EVs are designed to excel against multiple opponents at once while providing essential support to your team. Dominate the Sword/Shield metagame with these expert-crafted setups!
RillaboomCoalossalUrshifu-Rapid-StrikeUrshifuBlacephalonThundurusRegigigasWeezingRegielekiKartana
Item: Yache Berry / Eject Pack
Ability: Multiscale
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA)
EVs: 4 Hp / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moveset:
- Breaking Swipe / Outrage
- Earthquake / Bulldoze
- Rock Slide
- Superpower
Dragonite thrives as a noteworthy Physical Sweeper perfect for double battles. It was designed to crush rivals using lethal physical moves. With Multiscale, if Dragonite is at full hp damage taken from attacks is halved. With a Yache Berry equipped to it, halves damage taken from a supereffective ice-type attack then the Yache Berry gets consumed. With a Eject Pack equipped to it, if Dragonite's stat stages are lowered, it switches to a chosen ally then the Eject Pack gets consumed.
◆ Outrage is a physical STAB-boosted 120-base power Dragon-type move (lasts 2-3 turns. Confuses your Dragonite afterwards).
◆ Earthquake is a physical 100-base power Ground-type move (hits adjacent pokemon).
◆ Bulldoze is a physical 60-base power Ground-type move (100% chance lower adjacent Pokemon speed by 1 stage).
◆ Rock Slide is a physical 75-base power Rock-type move (30% chance to make the foes flinch).
◆ Superpower is a physical 120-base power Fighting-type move (lowers your Dragonite's attack and defense by 1 stage).
Link (click to copy):
https://hohoushome.com/b/naa95
Movepool
Want to know what moves Dragonite can learn? Check out the full list of moves available in the Pokemon Sword/Shield generation.
Sort and organize the learnset by type, category, accuracy, and power. Moves in bold get the same-type attack bonus (STAB) when used by Dragonite.
Damage Modifiers:
Combo List
These are a list of several common move combinations Dragonite can perform in Sword/Shield. Not every combo going to be game-changing, but some can be pretty fun to play with. Sometimes these can be easily overlooked or forgotten, hence why we find and list them here. Discover what items, abilities, and moves this Pokemon can use in combination with each other to gain a strategic advantage in competitive battles.
Competitive SS Move and Ability Combos for Dragonite
- Moves: Safeguard + Outrage
- Moves: Rain dance + Thunder
- Moves: Rest + Sleep talk
- Moves: Rest + Snore
- Moves: Thunderbolt + Ice beam
- Moves: Body Press + Curse
- Moves: Body Press + Skull Bash
- Moves: Body Press + Steel Wing
- Move: Swagger + Item: Mirror Herb
- Move: Fling + Item: King's Rock
- Move: Facade + Item: Flame Orb
- Move: Facade + Item: Toxic Orb
- Item: Blunder Policy + Move: Dynamic Punch
- Item: Blunder Policy + Move: Zap Cannon
- Moves with Priority: Detect, Endure, Protect, Aqua Jet, Extreme Speed
- Moves that Break Screens: Defog, Brick Break
- Moves that inflict status: Thunder Wave, Toxic
Moves that boost Dragonite's stats
- Agility
- Curse
- Dragon Dance
- Hone Claws
- Power-Up Punch
- Scale Shot
- Skull Bash
- Steel Wing
Most notable and possible best moves for Dragonite
- Aqua Jet
- Breaking Swipe
- Draco Meteor
- Dragon Claw
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Tail
- Dual Wingbeat
- Earthquake
- Extreme Speed
- Fire Punch
- Fly
- Hurricane
- Hydro Pump
- Ice Beam
- Ice Punch
- Iron Head
- Light Screen
- Protect
- Reflect
- Rest
- Rock Slide
- Roost
- Scale Shot
- Thunder Punch
- Toxic
Common Effort Values for Dragonite in Sword and Shield
- Jolly Nature ( 52/204/0/0/0/252 )
- Mild Nature ( 4/0/0/252/0/252 )
- Optimize Dragonite's Defensive EV-spread for Pokemon Sword and Shield
Usage Data
Explore the latest analytical usage data for this Pokémon from various VGC and online competitions. We use this data to develop our strategies and movesets. The data is categorized by competition and skill level: top-ranking trainers, mid-level players, and entry-level players.
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Here are the best movesets for Dragonite. Top rated Dragonite Sword/Shield movesets. You can find Dragonite builds Sword/Shield. Dragonite movesets Sword/Shield are listed here. VGC Dragonite Competitive Movesets can be found here. Find various EV spreads, find the best nature for Dragonite in Sword/Shield along with competitive movesets. Basic info and Movesets for evolution