Are Dragon-type Pokemon crushing your Pokemon on the battlefield? Then learn their weaknesses and resistances so you can pick the best counters to take to battle.
Dragon-type Pokemon are some of the most iconic and difficult creatures you can battle in Pokemon games, that’s why many of them are Legendaries.
As with any type in the Pokemon games, Dragons can be countered and have their own set of weaknesses to exploit, so here’s what you need to know to survive an encounter with one of them.
What is Dragon-type weak to?
Dragon-type Pokemon have three primary weaknesses when it comes to moves and opposing Pokemon types:
Therefore, when looking to take down a Dragon-type Pokemon, bring along a team that includes those types and make sure they have matching movesets.
Keep in mind that being weak to their own typing doesn’t cancel out the weakness. So be careful when taking your Dragons out for a battle.
Dragon-type strengths
Aside from their weaknesses, Dragon-type Pokemon are resistant to certain other types and moves such as Grass, Water, Fire, and Electric.
If you add a Dragon-type to your team, make sure you put it up against other Dragons, as their moves will be super effective. However, it will also be weak against it, unless you pick one with a secondary Fairy typing to give you the advantage, and don’t ever make them face a Steel-type opponent.
Dragon-type weaknesses
When going up against a Dragon-type Pokemon, use Ice, Fairy, and Dragon-type attacks, as they are weak to them.
But, if you add a Dragon-type Pokemon to your roster, avoid at all costs taking your pal against Steel and Fairy-type creatures, as your moves won’t be able to deal too much damage or not damage at all.
Super effective types against Dragon Pokemon
The ultimate way to take down Dragon types is by using a Pokemon that wields Ice, Fairy, and Dragon-type moves. If you use a Pokemon that targets two of those three, you will have an even bigger advantage.
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The best Pokemon you should use to counter Dragon-type Pokemon are listed below:
- Alolan Ninetales (Ice/Fairy)
- Xerneas (Fairy)
- Glaceon (Ice)
- Zacian (Fairy/Steel)
- Mega Altaria (Dragon/Fairy)
Always bear in mind a Pokemon’s secondary type when selecting your counter Pokemon and moves. While the above examples are effective, the opposing Pokemon may have resistances based on their primary/secondary type.
Super effective moves to use against Dragon Pokemon
There are plenty of Ice, Fairy, and Dragon super-effective moves that players can use against Steel-type Pokemon. Here are the ones we recommend due to their power and effects:
- Ice Burn (Ice)
- Blizzard (Ice)
- Ice Beam (Ice)
- Icicle Spear (Ice)
- Moonblast (Fairy)
- Play Rough (Fairy)
- Dazzling Gleam (Fairy)
- Roar of Time (Dragon)
- Draco Meteor (Dragon)
- Outrage (Dragon)
Ice Burn is the strongest Ice move available, and can become even more powerful if you use its Z-Power to take its damage from 140 to 200. It requires a turn to charge, but it has a 30% chance of also burning the opponent. Icicle Spear is not as powerful, but it hits 2-5 times per turn and has 100% accuracy. Mor eso, you can spam this move as it has 30 PP.
Moonblast and Play Rough have similar power (95 and 90, respectively). However, as a special move, Moonblast may lower the opponent’s Special Attack, while Play Rough as a physical attack will do the same with the opponent’s Attack. Dazzling Gleam is a fan favorite, as it is powerful, has perfect accuracy, and can hit all adjacent enemies.
Roar of Time is one of the most iconic Dragon-type attacks, as it is Dialga’s signature move. It has a power of 150, though the Pokemon must recharge the next turn. Outrage is another fan favorite thanks to its power and the fact that the user attacks for 2-3 turns. However, it then becomes confused.
Best Tera Types
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet‘s addition of Tera Types changed the battle rules, so here are the ones you should consider to make your Dragons stronger:
- Fairy: Eliminates Dragon-type weakness to Fairy moves
- Steel: Helps resist Fairy-type moves, which are super effective against Dragons
Best Dragon-type moves
There are 30 Dragon-type moves and we’ve picked the most powerful special, physical, and status attacks you can use in battle:
| MOVE | CATEGORY | POWER | ACCURACY | PP | EFFECT | GEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon Energy | Special | 150 | 100% | 5 | The higher the user’s HP, the higher it hits | Gen VIII |
| Roar of Time | Special | 150 | 90% | 5 | User must recharge the next turn | Gen IV |
| Draco Meteor | Special | 130 | 90% | 5 | Sharply lowers the user’s Sp. Attack | Gen IV |
| Spacial Rend | Special | 100 | 95% | 5 | High critical hit ratio | Gen IV |
| Fickle Beam | Special | 80 | 100% | 5 | May deal double damage | Gen IX |
| Outrage | Physical | 120 | 100% | 10 | User attacks for 2-3 turns but becomes confused | Gen II |
| Dragon Rush | Physical | 100 | 75% | 10 | May cause flinching | Gen IV |
| Dragon Hammer | Physical | 90 | 100% | 15 | – | Gen VII |
| Dragon Claw | Physical | 80 | 100% | 15 | – | Gen III |
| Dragon Dance | Status | X | X | 20 | Raises user’s Attack and Speed | Gen III |
Best Dragon-types ever in Pokemon
The Pokemon franchise has a total of 90 Dragon-type creatures (up to Gen 9), and here are the 10 best of the ranking:
- Mega Rayquaza
- Zygarde (Complete Forme)
- Palkia
- Dialga
- Giratina
- Kyurem
- Garchomp
- Roaring Moon
- Dragonite
- Dragapult
Those are the weaknesses, strengths, and resistances you need to consider when facing a Dragon-type Pokemon. You can also check out our list of all the Cat or Dog Pokemon in the franchise, and learn more about other types such as Electric, Ground, and Psychic.