good dragonite moveset

2 min read 11-01-2025

Dragonite, the pseudo-legendary Dragon/Flying-type powerhouse, has been a staple in Pokémon battles since its introduction. Its impressive base stats and versatile movepool make it a formidable opponent, but choosing the right moveset is crucial to maximizing its potential. This guide will explore the best Dragonite movesets for various competitive battling scenarios, from casual play to high-level competitive battling. This guide focuses on competitive battling, where optimal strategy is key.

Understanding Dragonite's Strengths and Weaknesses

Before diving into movesets, let's review Dragonite's strengths and weaknesses:

Strengths: High Attack and Special Attack stats, excellent speed, access to powerful STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) moves.
Weaknesses: Ice, Rock, Dragon, Fairy types. These are crucial to keep in mind when building your team.

Best Dragonite Movesets for Different Battle Styles

Several top-tier Dragonite movesets excel in various battle scenarios. Here are some of the most effective:

1. The Classic Outrage/Earthquake/Fire Punch/Extreme Speed Set

Outrage: Dragon-type STAB move. High power but locks you into using it multiple times.
Earthquake: Ground-type STAB move. Covers Dragonite's weakness to Fairy types. Excellent coverage.
Fire Punch: Covers Steel and Grass types. Crucial for dealing with common threats.
Extreme Speed: Priority move. Allows you to strike first and potentially secure a KO before the opponent can attack.

This is a very reliable and versatile set, covering many common threats. The drawback is the Outrage lock, which can leave you vulnerable.

2. The Dragon Claw/Earthquake/Fire Blast/Dragon Dance Set

Dragon Claw: A safer alternative to Outrage, offering consistent damage without the lock-in effect.
Earthquake: Same as above. Excellent coverage.
Fire Blast: A higher-powered alternative to Fire Punch with a chance to burn.
Dragon Dance: Boosts Dragonite's Attack and Speed. This setup move turns Dragonite into a powerful sweeper.

This set focuses on maximizing Dragonite's offensive capabilities through setup. It's risky but highly rewarding if successful.

3. The Multi-Attack Dragonite Set: A More Defensive Approach

Dragon Claw: Consistent STAB damage.
Earthquake: Excellent coverage, hitting many common threats super effectively.
Stone Edge: Powerful Rock-type STAB move, hitting Flying and Ice types for super effective damage.
Superpower: High base power, but lowers both Attack and Defense.

This set emphasizes high power and varied coverage, but Superpower’s stat reduction can be a significant drawback.

Choosing the Right Moveset for You

The "best" Dragonite moveset depends on your play style and team composition. Consider these factors:

Your Team's Synergies: Does your team need a powerful sweeper, or a more defensive wall-breaker?
Your Playstyle: Do you prefer consistent damage, or high-risk, high-reward strategies?
The Current Meta: The effectiveness of certain moves can fluctuate depending on the most popular Pokémon in the current competitive scene.

Experiment with different movesets to find what works best for you. Pay attention to your opponents’ team compositions and adapt your strategy accordingly.

Conclusion: Mastering Your Dragonite

Dragonite’s power is undeniable. By understanding its strengths and weaknesses and carefully selecting a moveset tailored to your needs, you can unleash the full potential of this classic Pokémon. Remember, practice and experience are key to mastering any Pokémon. Happy battling!