What is a good moveset for Dragonite?

Question

Share your best competitive movesets for Dragonite on this thread! Movesets for Mega Dragonite can also be posted here, as well as for Dratini and Dragonair.

Check the submission guidelines before posting! Only competitive movesets with all relevant details (item, nature, exact EVs, ability, moves) and a solid explanation will be accepted.

Dragonite Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

GEN 8 OU SWEEPER/STALL
Barney (Dragonite) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Multiscale
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Substitute
- Roost
- Dual Wingbeat
- Dragon Dance
This looks kinda funky but it worked really well for me. First you have your sp.def and multiscale for any ice beams. First you have to sub then dragon dance if something is a threat use roost to get your hp to full and I believe that multiscale will then affect Substitute giving you more time to set up dragon dance. Afterwrds procced to sweep with dual wingbeat. Flying moves are more effective because fairy types will block you completely rendering all the setting up useless.

Answer 2

Gen 8 SS Monotype Defog (Dragon)

Dragonite @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 HP / 100 Atk / 156 Def
Impish Nature
- Superpower
- Roar
- Defog
- Roost

A Defog set that Dragonite can use on Dragon teams in Gen 8 SS Monotype. Dragonite makes a good Defogger for Dragon teams in SS Monotype due to the introduction of Heavy-Duty Boots. While this set may seem weird at first glance, it actually puts in work.

Superpower is used to target Pokemon such as Excadrill and Tyranitar. Roar is used to phaze setup sweepers such as Volcarona and Corviknight. Defog is used to clear entry hazards for your teammates. Roost is used to give Dragonite some HP recovery.

Heavy-Duty Boots is used to prevent Dragonite from taking damage from Stealth Rock and is useful with Multiscale. 252 HP EVs are used to give Dragonite bulk. 100 Attack EVs is used to let Dragonite OHKO Excadrill and Tyranitar with Superpower. The rest of the EVs are used in Defense along with Impish Nature to help take physical hits better.

Answer 3

Gen 8 SS Monotype Dragon Dance + Roost (Flying)

Dragonite @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 140 HP / 116 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw / Thunder Punch / Fire Punch / Ice Punch / Earthquake
- Earthquake / Ice Punch / Thunder Punch / Fire Punch / Dragon Claw
- Roost

This is a Dragon Dance + Roost set Dragonite can use on Flying teams in SS Monotype. Dragon Dance and Roost are must haves because well, this is a Dragon Dance + Roost set. Dragon Dance lets Dragonite become a potent cleaner since the move raises your attack and speed stats. Roost is used to give Dragonite HP recovery. The attacking moves can be mixed and matched to whatever fits your team's needs. Dragon Claw is used for Dragon STAB. Earthquake targets Steel-types such as Heatran, Excadrill, and Aegislash, as well as Pokemon such as Tapu Koko and Toxapex. Ice Punch targets Pokemon such as Landorus-Therian, Thundurus-Therian, and opposing Dragonite. Thunder Punch is useful against Pokemon such as Celesteela, Corviknight, Slowbro, and Mantine. Fun fact using Thunder Punch alongside Ice Punch allows Dragonite to hit all of the Flying-types in the meta super effectively. Fire Punch is also useful for Steel-types, especially Steel-types with a 4x Fire weakness such as Ferrothorn and Scizor. You can mix around the offensive moves. For example, you could do combinations such as Dragon Claw + Earthquake, Thunder Punch + Ice Punch, Ice Punch + Fire Punch, and Dragon Claw + Thunder Punch. Basically, Dragonite has really good coverage you can use for a Dragon Dance + Roost set. (But for the love of Fizz and all of the good Monotype players, don't use Dragon Dance + Extreme Speed. Just don't)

252 Speed EVs with Jolly Nature is used to avoid having to worry about speed ties with Adamant Dragonite variants. 140 HP EVs is used for some bulk, and the rest of the EVs are used in attack to give Dragonite's attacks more power.

Answer 4

Gen 9 Hyper Offense - GAMBLING EDITION

Dragonite @ Spell Tag
Ability: Multiscale
Tera Type: Ghost
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Tera Blast
- Low Kick
- Encore

This set wholly relies on the tera ghost type, and if set up correctly, can kick some ass. DD twice can turn this into a beast, and with STAB Ghost, Spell Tag and Tera Blast, can knock out most Pokémon. Encore is especially useful after you DD and can keep other setup mons like Zamazenta at bay. Low Kick is for the normal mons you cannot take.

Why gambling?
1. You lose your initial protection from Stealth Rocks, and if for whatever reason you have to switch out, you’ll get affected by other hazards. But the trade off is worth it, assuming…
2. Knock Off. It’s a very very common move in every tier, and not only does it hit super effective damage against tera ghost, you lose your 1.2x bonus using the Spell Tag.
3. Very prediction ridden. The moves will say why.

Answer 5

Dragknight (Dragonite) (M) @ Leftovers / White Herb
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Flamethrower / Agility
- Dragon Pulse / Draco Meteor
- Focus Blast
- Hurricane

• Flamethrower for Ice or Agility because Focus blast covers Ice
• Dragon Pulse for Dragon and Stab or Draco Meteor if you have White Herb
• Focus Blast coverage for Rock and Ice
• Hurricane why not? STAB

Comments

Then why teach it Dragon Dance if it has no physical moves??

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oh okay :P

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for the speed maybe XD

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Then teach him Agility. He learns it at Level 25. Move Relearner with a Heart Scale.

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I was JUST about to put that there

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Why not replace focus blast with iron head for more coverage and no stat drop?

Answer 6

Rain Dragonite (Dragonite )@ Sky Plate / Life Orb
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Mild Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake/Thunder
- Hurricane
- Outrage

Multiscale provides a great buffer for Dragonite to set up. Mild Nature leaves both attack stats untouched while not sacrificing speed. Use Dragon Dance to buff speed and attack, then rip them up with STAB Hurricane + Sky Plate. Life Orb could be used, however if they switch to Ferrothorn while using Outrage, the Iron Barbs and recoil will cause large damage to Dragonite. Earthquake is good coverage, however Thunder can be used to take out Skarmory or Jellicent if necessary.

Answer 7

Dragonite (M) @ Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 16 HP / 252 Atk / 240 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Fire Punch / Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw

• Fire Punch / Waterfall (Fire Punch for Ice-types or Waterfall for more power and Rock-types)
• Earthquake (why not)
• Dragon Dance (speed and attack boost)
• Dragon Claw (STAB)

Overall epic bulky sweeper love this guy.

Answer 8

Dragonite works well on a rain team having different weaknesses to the commonly used Water type Pokemon and - even though it's attack stat is higher, at 134. It has a moveset that could accompany it well as a special sweeper.
Multiscale and Leftovers is a good combo as Dragonite can hold out against powerful attacks long enough to sweep a few Pokemon. Also, some people may assume that your Dragonite, like many others, is physically offensive due to it's attack stat being highly superior and so send out a Pokemon with high Physical Defense not Special Defense allowing for easier sweeps.

Dragonite @ Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 SpA / 128 SpD / 128 Def
Modest Nature
- Thunder
- Hurricane
- Draco Meteor
- Focus Blast

Thunder: Powerful electric attack with full accuracy in rain
Hurricane: Powerful STAB flying attack with full accuracy in rain
Draco Meteor: Powerful STAB dragon type move
Focus Blast: Powerful fighting move that is super effective against ice types

Dragonite's best stat is it's attack by far which is supported by numerous, Physical, moves - including those with STAB. In fact, a Dragonite could function well on a Sun team.

Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 128 SpD / 128 Def
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Thunder Punch
- Fire Punch / Rock Slide

Dragon Dance: Increases Attack and Speed to set-up for a sweep
Outrage: Powerful STAB dragon type move
Thunder Punch: Gives a Sun team variety and covers it's likely water weakness (as a team overall: mostly fire types)
Fire Punch / Rock slide: Super effective against Dragonite's weakness to ice and either has more power - because of sunny day - or hits both opponents in a double battle as well as giving the team variety concerning it's overall moveset.

Answer 9

Dragonite @ Rocky Helmet / Weakness Policy
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 SpD / 6 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Ice Punch
- Fire Punch
- Dragon Dance

This is how my Dragonite is, if you have a support Pokemon that knows tailwind before Dragonite you are almost definitely going to survive at least one hit and basically use the Dragon Dance first you will out speed, possible 1 hit KO each Pokemon depending on the type of course and their Def.

Answer 10

Lizard Lance (Dragonite) (M) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Multiscale
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 248 Spe
Adamant Nature
- ThunderPunch
- Earthquake
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw

Thunder Punch deals with bulky water types that has any Ice-Type move, preferably Ice Beam.
Earthquake is coverage for Rock types. High Power and Accuracy with NO consequence.
Dragon Dance is for obvious reasons. Its lowest flaw is its Spe, so boost that and Atk to hit hard on the next turn.
Dragon Claw has good power, high accuracy, and STAB.

Answer 11

Sweeper
Dragonite @ Weakness policy
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Earthquake / Fire Punch / Brick Break
- Dragon Claw / Outrage

This is a onetime use as after Multiscale is broken with a non super effective move it is hard for Weakness Policy to be activate and not lose a lot of health. After a Weakness Policy and Dragon Dance, sweep with Extreme Speed or STAB. Earthquake has good coverage and Fire Punch knocks Ferrothorn right of the bat. Brick Break also has good coverage.

Answer 12

While there are alot of fantastic physical sweeping sets for Dragonite, I don't see a whole lot of good special sets so I decided I'll give a real good special set.
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Role: Bulky special sweeper

Dragonite @ Choice Specs
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Flamethrower
- Surf
- Thunderbolt

• Draco Meteor: STAB and does 130 power but lowers special attack. (You'll most likely have to switch Dragonite out afterwards anyways)
• Flamethrower: Coverage and 10% chance to burn
• Surf: Coverage
• Thunderbolt: Coverage

Answer 13

Here's the special sweeping Dragonite I also use in rain dance teams. It works quite well.
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Role: Rain sweeper

Dragonite @ Damp Rock / Leftovers / Choice Specs / Assault Vest
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
- Rain Dance / Draco Meteor / Dragon Pulse
- Hurricane
- Surf
- Thunder

• Hurricane: Will not miss in rain and STAB
• Surf: Powered up in rain (coverage)
• Thunder: Will not miss in rain (coverage)

Answer 14

Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed
- Thunder Punch

Most people would normally run Weakness Policy, but to me that's a bit overkill. I prefer Lum Berry because it will actually save your Dragonite from the common Prankster Pokemon and everybody already knows the little Weakness Policy + Multiscale trick. It's easy to counter with a Will-O-Wisp and some other strategies.

Answer 15

Dragonite @ Lum Berry
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage / Dragon Claw
- Extreme Speed
- Earthquake

This set shows Dragonite going all out. Dragon Dance is a good choice to run on Dragonite, to make it a powerful sweeper. Outrage/Dragon Claw can be ran depending on preference. Outrage has more power, but beware of fairies switching in. Extreme Speed provides great priority, and Earthquake is a powerful coverage move. You can also choose to give Dragonite more defensive EVs if necessary.

Answer 16

These are two sets I enjoy using:

1) All-out offensive Choice Band

Dragonite @ Choice Band
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Outrage
- Extreme Speed
- Iron Head
- Fire Punch

• Outrage (Powerful STAB move)
• Extreme Speed (Powerful priority move)
• Iron Head (Coverage for Fairies such as Clefable)
• Fire Punch (Takes care of Ferrothorn and Scizor)

2) Weakness Policy set up

Dragonite @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 248 HP / 100 Def / 160 SpD
Impish Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Claw
- Fire Punch
- Iron Head

• Dragon Dance (Boosts Attack and Speed)
• Dragon Claw (Reliable STAB move)
• Fire Punch (Same reason)
• Iron Head (Same reason)

Answer 17

Tired of all the sweeping Dragonites? Or just offensive Dragonites in general? Well I'm bringing you the mighty Stallnite set that I came up with myself.

Dragonite @ Leftovers
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD or 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Impish or Careful Nature
- Wrap
- Toxic
- Roost
- Fly/Light Screen

Now, I know what you are thinking. This cant work right? You cant use Fly on a competitive set. Well believe it or not this has worked wonders for me. It is the most valuable member of my OU team. Trap the opponent with Wrap and use Toxic after that. Toxic will start wrapping up real quick so heal yourself with Roost when necessary and use your choice of either Light Screen to take special hits better or use Fly in order to prevent your opponent for attacking for one turn while Toxic and Wrap continue to do damage. On top of that even without investment in attack EVs, Fly does some nice damage on most foes since Dragonite has good base attack (It should also be noted that Gengar walls this set without Fly). It wont take many turns until youve taken down your opponent.

Answer 18

Role: Physical Sweeper
Dragonite (M) @ Leftovers / Lum Berry / Weakness Policy
Ability: Inner Focus
Shiny: Yes
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Outrage
- Iron Head
- Dragon Dance
- Extreme Speed

• Outrage - 120 Power and 100 Accuracy? You are asking for Power + STAB.
• Iron Head - Coverage against Ice, Rock and Fairy Types and Flinch Chance.
• Dragon Dance - Raises Attack and Speed Stats by +1 each time It's used.
• Extreme Speed - For some nice Power and Priority :)

Answer 19

This is my suggestion, but I'm kinda mediocre at Pokemon..
Dragonite @ Dragon Fang
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant / Naughty Nature
- Outrage
- Fire Punch
- Ice Punch
- Thunder Punch

Would this be good?
Punches in total has 7 type coverage.. Outrage has STAB and Extra damage from Dragon Fang..
Wouldn't do great against fairy but at least it does well kinda well against the other types..-

Answer 20

I recently came up with this "Haze-abuser" high-risk, high-return set:

Drew the Dragonite (Dragonite) @ Binding Band
Ability: Inner Focus (He can have no EVs/IVs in Speed and not have to worry about flinching!)
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpA
Brave Nature
- Superpower
- Haze
- Draco Meteor
- Wrap (slightly better Accuracy than Bind)

How this goes is you use Superpower or Draco Meteor (lowering their respective stats), then you use Haze the next turn to restore those to normal. Using Wrap before either of these lets you do some extra damage to the opponent while you're using Haze that turn-Binding Band is for extra damage.
In terms of EVs, I wouldn't worry about splitting them between the Atk stats—Attack should get more/all since Superpower isn't STAB.

Comments

What if you set up Mist before instead of having to use Haze after?