Best Dragon Type Pokemon

Picking the best Dragon type Pokemon starts with one of the stranger rules in the type chart. Dragon type moves hit other Dragon types for double damage but have no effect on Fairy types, and Dragon type Pokemon take half damage from Fire, Water, Grass and Electric attacks.

The type also holds a lot of the games' biggest names. Four of the 15 here are legendary Pokemon, and four more are pseudo-legendaries (three-stage lines that end on a base stat total of 600). (Dragon has always been the expensive one. We are still saving up.)

This list ranks 15 of the 70 Dragon type Pokemon by how many different players named each one as their favorite or best Dragon type. Let's get into the countdown:

Best Dragon Type Pokemon

#15

Dratini

Dratini appears to be based on sea serpents or ryu, traditional Japanese dragons or Chinese dragons who bring good luck. Its reclusive nature, its life in the water and its long spell as a rumor recall the Loch Ness Monster, and it may also draw on the Imoogi, a lesser dragon from Korean folklore that has to survive for a thousand years before it can become a true dragon. Its Pokedex entry says it was long considered to be no more than a myth, and that the small lump on its forehead is a horn that's still coming in. (A thousand years of training for one horn. We gave up on the gym after a week.)

It measures 1.8 m and weighs 3.3 kg, and its base stat total of 300 is the lowest on this list. Every Pokemon has an ability, a passive effect that works on its own in battle, and Dratini's Shed Skin gives it a 33% chance of curing a major status ailment such as a burn or poison after each turn. Its hidden ability (a rarer ability some Pokemon can have), Marvel Scale, raises its Defense to 1.5× while it has one.

It evolves into Dragonair at level 30, and players know it as rare to find and slow to raise.

#14

Kyurem

Kyurem and its two counterparts, Reshiram and Zekrom, are based on the concept of yin and yang in Taoism, with Kyurem standing for wuji, the absence of yin and yang. Its body appears to be based on a theropod and a European dragon, and its arms seem to be influenced by Tyrannosaurus. Its Ice type may allude to absolute zero, and its rock-like body and its arrival on Earth like a meteor point to comets, which are largely made of ice crystals. Its Pokedex entry says it uses its powers over ice to freeze its own body in order to stabilize its cellular structure. (We also freeze each winter. Our structure remains unstable.)

Kyurem is a legendary Pokemon, one of the rare Pokemon tied to a game's story. It has an HP of 125, and its Attack and Special Attack are both 130 (Attack powers physical moves, Special Attack powers special ones). Its ability, Pressure, makes any move that targets it cost one extra PP (PP is how many times a move can be used). Its Ice half also takes the sting out of the Dragon type's worst matchup, since Ice attacks hit it for normal damage.

#13

Dialga

Dialga seems to be based on short-necked sauropod dinosaurs such as Camarasaurus, and the turquoise pattern on its body is vaguely reminiscent of clock hands. Its Steel type likely comes from adamant, an archaic word for diamond meaning unconquerable, or from the fact that most parts of a clock, such as the gears, are made of metal. Together with Palkia, it may be based on the Shinto legend of Izanami and Izanagi, who created the islands of Japan. Its Pokedex entry says it is revered as a deity in Hisuian legend, and that its birth caused the vast river of time to begin flowing in our world. (We lose track of time between lunch and the second coffee.)

Its base stat total of 680 ties Rayquaza for the highest on this list, and so does its Special Attack of 150. Its ability is Pressure, and its hidden ability, Telepathy, protects it from its partner's attacks in a Double Battle (a battle with two Pokemon on each side). Its Steel half takes half damage from Ice, Dragon and Fairy attacks, which cancels all of the Dragon type's weak spots.

#12

Latias

Latias and Latios appear to be a cross between a jet plane, a dragon, a griffin and a bird. Their lack of feet and continuous levitation might come from the common swift, a bird with tiny feet that spends most of its life in the air. They may also be loosely based on yin and yang, with Latias, the female and the more passive of the two, representing yin. Its Pokedex entry says it is highly intelligent and capable of understanding human speech, and that it is covered with a glass-like down that refracts light to alter its appearance. (It understands what we say and chooses to look like something else. We have had roommates like this.)

Like Kyurem, it is a legendary Pokemon. Its Special Defense of 130, which blunts special attacks, is the highest on this list, and its Speed is 110 (Speed decides who attacks first in a turn). Its ability, Levitate, makes Ground moves miss it.

#11

Kingdra

Kingdra is inspired by a seahorse, possibly the crowned seahorse, with some seadragon elements. Its Dragon type and its category, Dragon Pokemon, may point to the Japanese word for seahorse, tatsu-no-otoshigo, which translates as illegitimate child of a dragon and comes from a myth that a seahorse that lives for a century will turn into a dragon. The shape of its snout recalls a water gun. Its Pokedex entry says its shed scales have such a splendorous gleam that they have been given to royalty as gifts. (We shed things too. Nobody has offered them to a king.)

Seadra evolves into it when traded while holding a Dragon Scale. It has 95 in Attack, Defense, Special Attack and Special Defense alike. Its ability Swift Swim doubles its Speed in rain, and its other ability, Sniper, makes its critical hits (rare hits that deal extra damage) do 3× damage instead of 2×. Its Water half cancels the Dragon type's weakness to Ice.

Gym Leaders Clair and Juan both use one, and those fights are where plenty of players remember it from.

#10

Noivern

Noivern seems to be based on a combination of a wyvern, a long-eared bat or fruit bat, and a loudspeaker or tweeter, and its design may also draw on gargoyles. Its mix of bat and dragon may be an allusion to Dracula, whose name stems from the Latin draco, meaning dragon. Its Pokedex entry says it flies through the darkness and weakens enemies with ultrasonic waves that could crush stone, and then its fangs finish the fight. (A bat with a built-in speaker system. We would like one for the car.)

Noibat evolves into it at level 48. Its Speed of 123 is the highest on this list. Its abilities are Frisk, which reveals an opponent's held item when it enters battle, and Infiltrator, which lets it get past defensive moves such as Reflect and Light Screen. Its hidden ability is Telepathy. As a Flying type, it cannot be hit by Ground moves at all.

Haxorus

Haxorus is likely based on dinosaurs, possibly the Heterodontosaurus, an early Jurassic dinosaur named for the unique teeth that protrude from its mouth, much like Haxorus. Its tusks resemble battle axe blades, and its category is Axe Jaw Pokemon. Its Pokedex entry says it is usually kindhearted but can be terrifying if angered, and that it deals with its adversaries using tusks that can slice through steel beams. (Kind until provoked, then structural damage. We have met landlords like this.)

Fraxure evolves into it at level 48. Its Attack of 147 is second only to Rayquaza's on this list. Its ability Rivalry makes it hit 1.25× as hard against Pokemon of the same gender and 0.75× as hard against the opposite gender, and its other ability, Mold Breaker, lets its moves ignore a target's ability when that ability would block them. Its hidden ability, Unnerve, stops opposing Pokemon from eating their held Berries.

It is a three-stage line, but its base stat total falls 60 short of the pseudo-legendary 600, and players still argue over whether it should count.

Hydreigon

Hydreigon draws on many-headed dragons and serpents from several mythologies, such as the Zmei Gorynych and the Lernaean Hydra. The tank tread markings on its body are left over from when its line was first designed after tanks, and the smaller heads on its arms, which have no brains, make them look like hand puppets. Zweilous evolves into it at level 64, which could point to 1964, the year Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster came out. Its Pokedex entry says the three heads take turns sinking their teeth into the opponent and won't slow down until the target goes down. (Two of the heads have no idea what is going on. We admire the commitment.)

Its Special Attack is 125 and its Attack is 105. Its ability, Levitate, makes Ground moves miss it. Its Dark half shares the Dragon type's weakness to Fairy, so Fairy attacks hit it for four times the damage.

That level 64 evolution gets complaints from players, since it often comes after the Elite Four (the last four Trainers before the Champion).

Dragonair

Dragonair appears to be based on sea serpents or ryu, traditional Japanese dragons or Chinese dragons who bring good luck, and its tail even resembles a rattlesnake's. The wings on its head resemble those on the sandals and hat of the Greek god Hermes. The jewels on its neck and tail may refer to the flaming pearl of Chinese dragons, which symbolizes prosperity and power and grants wishes. Its Pokedex entry says it gathers power in the orbs on its tail and controls the weather. (We gather power in a snack drawer and control nothing.)

Dratini evolves into it at level 30, and it evolves into Dragonite at level 55. It measures 4 m but weighs only 16.5 kg. Its ability is Shed Skin and its hidden ability is Marvel Scale, the same pair as Dratini.

Some players like it more than Dragonite, to the point of holding off its evolution with an Everstone, a held item that stops a Pokemon from evolving.

Altaria

Altaria appears to be inspired by a bluebird, and its Dragon type and longer body may come from Chinese dragons, which share the bluebird's link to good fortune and are often drawn riding on clouds. It may also be based on the Peng, a giant Chinese bird said to travel 3000 li in one flap of its cloud-like wings, and it resembles a cockatiel with clouds for wings. Its Shiny form (a rare alternate-color version of a Pokemon) looks like a lutino cockatiel. Its Pokedex entry says it has a kind disposition, but if provoked, it threatens opponents with shrill cries before attacking them without mercy. (We also make a shrill noise first. Nobody finds it threatening.)

Swablu evolves into it at level 35. Its Special Defense is 105. Its ability, Natural Cure, cures any major status ailment when it switches out, and its hidden ability, Cloud Nine, cancels the effects of weather.

Its Mega Evolution (a stronger form it takes for the rest of a battle) comes up often as a strong battler.

Rayquaza

Rayquaza may be based on the Chinese dragon and the Lindworm, and it matches the description of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, a flying serpent who created the boundary between the earth and the sky. The markings on its body may come from the Nazca Lines. It also bears aspects of Japanese dragons, which are commonly drawn with three claws where Chinese dragons have four. Its Pokedex entry says it flies forever through the ozone layer, consuming meteoroids for sustenance, and that those meteoroids give it the energy it needs to Mega Evolve. (Its diet is space rocks. We had cereal for dinner and still feel judged.)

It is a legendary Pokemon and, at 7 m, the longest on this list. Its Attack and Special Attack are both 150, the best of the 15, and its base stat total of 680 ties Dialga for the highest. Its ability, Air Lock, cancels the effects of weather while it is in battle.

Flygon

Flygon appears to be based on the winged adult stage of the antlion, an insect often confused with the dragonfly, and it may draw on both. Some species of dragonflies are commonly called sand dragons, which could account for its Ground and Dragon types. Its goggle-like lenses may come from mantids, and its antennae recall the Shadhavar, a medieval desert spirit said in some accounts to lure prey with music from its flute-like horn. Its Pokedex entry says it is nicknamed the Desert Spirit because the flapping of its wings sounds like a woman singing. (If we had wings, they would sound like someone apologizing.)

Vibrava evolves into it at level 45. Its Attack and Speed are both 100, and its ability, Levitate, makes Ground moves miss it. Its Ground half makes it immune to Electric moves. Trapinch, the first stage of the line, is a Ground type only, and the line picks up its Dragon type when Trapinch evolves into Vibrava.

Garchomp

Garchomp appears to combine traits of dinosaur kaiju, wyverns, aircraft and several species of shark, the hammerhead most of all. Its Ground type might refer to ground sharks or sand sharks, and its aircraft traits may point to the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighters that made shark nose art popular. Its category is Mach Pokemon. Its Pokedex entry says it soars across the heavens at blinding speed, a magnificent sight, and that utmost caution is required if one meets a Garchomp out in the wilds. (We exercise utmost caution by never leaving the house.)

Gabite evolves into it at level 48. It has an HP of 108, an Attack of 130 and a Speed of 102. Its ability, Sand Veil, raises its evasion (how often attacks miss it) to 1.25× in a sandstorm, and its hidden ability, Rough Skin, damages any Pokemon that touches it for an eighth of that Pokemon's max HP.

It gets called the strongest of the pseudo-legendaries, with a design to match.

Salamence

Salamence seems to be based on the archetypal European dragon. It may also be based on a salamander, most likely the Hida salamander, since the three finlets on each side of its head look like the external gills many amphibians have. It might also take after the mythical salamander, which is often treated as a dragon, and that would explain the many Fire moves it learns by leveling up. Its Pokedex entry says flying keeps it in high spirits, but it turns into an uncontrollable menace if something angers it. (We are also a menace when something interrupts a nap. Nobody writes it down.)

Shelgon evolves into it at level 50. Its Attack is 135 and its Special Attack is 110. Its ability, Intimidate, lowers the opponent's Attack one stage the moment it enters battle (a stage is one step up or down for a stat during a battle), and its hidden ability, Moxie, raises its own Attack one stage after it knocks out a Pokemon.

It gets named the best Dragon type by players as if the choice needs no explanation.

Dragonite

Dragonite resembles a classic European dragon, but its design also parallels giant monsters from kaiju films. Its kind behavior and its description as the guardian of the sea may draw on Chinese and Japanese dragons, which are seen as lucky creatures with power over water and weather, and its yellow color may allude to the Yellow Dragon of Chinese mythology. Mega Dragonite gains six wings, which may reference the seraph, an angel the Christian Bible describes as having six wings. Its Pokedex entry says it is known as the Sea Incarnate, and figureheads that resemble it decorate the bows of many ships. (Nobody has carved us onto a ship. We are open to offers.)

Dragonair evolves into it at level 55. Its Attack is 134 and its HP is 91. Its ability, Inner Focus, prevents flinching (losing a turn after being hit first by certain moves), and its hidden ability, Multiscale, halves the damage it takes while its HP is full.

More players named it as their favorite Dragon type than any other, 108 against 72 for Salamence at number two. Plenty of them would also happily hug it.

Conclusion

Dragon type Pokemon take double damage from Ice, Dragon and Fairy attacks, and most of the top of this list makes the Ice problem worse. Flying and Ground are also weak to Ice, so Ice attacks hit Dragonite, Salamence, Garchomp, Flygon, Rayquaza, Altaria and Noivern for four times the damage. Only Kingdra, Dialga and Kyurem take normal damage from Ice, thanks to their Water, Steel and Ice halves.

The top three are all pseudo-legendaries with a base stat total of 600, and all three carry that 4× weakness to Ice. None of that kept them off the top of the list. (We also ignore our weaknesses when something looks cool enough.)

If your favorite didn't make it, the full list of Dragon type Pokemon has all 70, and the type chart shows what each pairing covers.

Dragon Type Pokemon FAQ

What is the best Dragon type Pokemon?

Dragonite. More players name it as their favorite Dragon type than any other.

How many Dragon type Pokemon are there?

There are 70 Dragon type Pokemon in the National Pokedex.

Can Dragon type moves hit Fairy type Pokemon?

No. Dragon type moves have no effect on Fairy type Pokemon, which makes Fairy the one type a Dragon move cannot touch.

Best Dragon Type Pokemon

Best Dragon Type Pokemon

Dratini

Kyurem

Dialga

Latias

Kingdra

Noivern

Haxorus

Hydreigon

Dragonair

Altaria

Rayquaza

Flygon

Garchomp

Salamence

Dragonite

Conclusion

Dragon Type Pokemon FAQ

Related articles

Best Electric Type Pokemon

Best Fairy Type Pokemon

Best Fighting Type Pokemon

Best Fire Type Pokemon

Best Flying Type Pokemon

Best Ghost Type Pokemon