Yefim "PURGAZ" Seskin
If you’ve ever seen Dragonite in Pokémon GO wipe out an opposing team in a raid, then you’ve likely asked yourself: what makes this dragon so special? Enormous, powerful, with wings that whip up a hurricane—it’s as if it stepped straight out of legend to remind everyone who’s really in charge. But is it still that good in 2025? How to get Dragonite in Pokemon GO.
Image: dexerto.fr
Let’s figure out why Dragonite is still a highly coveted prize for trainers, how to get one, and whether it’s worth spending your precious candies. Let’s go!
A bit of dragon nostalgia
Dragonite isn’t just any Pokémon. When Pokémon GO first launched in 2016, hordes of trainers roamed parks and waterfronts searching for Dratini, just to collect the fabled 100 candies and evolve it into this orange giant. Back then, it truly was the king.
Image: youtube.com
A lot has changed since then: new generations have arrived, along with Legendary Pokémon and Mega Evolutions. Still, Dragonite maintains its prestige. Its base stat total of 600 points (yes, this is no ordinary Pidgey) and its versatility in battle keep it near the top. Granted, this Pokémon requires a particular approach. Even so, with Dragonite, your efforts are sure to pay off.
Dragonite’s weaknesses
Dragonite is your typical Dragon type mixed with a Flying type, meaning its strengths and weaknesses are as clear as day. It draws its power from the wind (according to lore, it can outfly any airplane), and in-game this translates into powerful Dragon and Flying-type moves. But there’s a catch.
Image: last.fm
Dragonite also has critical weaknesses. Knowing them is key, so here they are in detail:
- Ice-type attacks These hit four times harder due to the double vulnerability (Dragon Flying). One solid Blizzard from Mamoswine, and our dragon’s already packing its bags.
- Rock-type moves Rock-type attacks like Tyranitar’s Stone Edge also cut right through it.
- Dragon-type moves Yes, Dragonite is weak against fellow dragons. Rayquaza with Outrage can easily put it in its place.
- Fairy-type moves Fairy-types like Gardevoir with Dazzling Gleam are another headache.
Image: youtube.com
But it’s not all bad! Dragonite is resistant to Ground-type attacks (thanks to those wings) and can handle Grass, Bug, and Fighting moves pretty well. The main thing is not to pit it against ice-type bosses in raids, and you’ll be fine.
How to turn Dragonite into a destruction machine
Now for the main question: how do you make Dragonite a true powerhouse? It has several possible movesets, but here’s what Pokémon GO veterans suggest:
🐲 Dragon Breath Dragon Claw. The most popular choice for both PvP and raids. Dragon Breath hits fast and hard, while Dragon Claw charges quickly, letting you spam damage. It’s a great option against anything that isn’t Steel or Fairy.
🐲 Dragon Tail Outrage. Heavier artillery for raids. Dragon Tail is slower but hits harder, and Outrage is like a nuclear strike against anything that falls under its claw. The downside is the long charge time, which is risky in PvP.
🐲 Dragon Breath Hurricane. Want something different? Add a Flying-type move. Hurricane tears through Grass and Fighting Pokémon, while reminding everyone that Dragonite isn’t just a dragon but a winged nightmare as well.
Image: pokemon-journeys-my-fanon.fandom.com
My personal favorite is the first option—fast, reliable, and you don’t have to wonder if you’ll get your charge attack off before being frozen solid. Which one you choose depends on your playstyle. Just don’t pick Steel Wing—that’s like giving a water pistol to a tank.
Where to find this beast
Dragonite in the wild is like a unicorn. The chance of encountering this Pokémon is a measly 0.0011% (yes, that’s an actual statistic). So, if you suddenly bump into it at night near your apartment building—grab your Poké Balls, because you just hit the jackpot. Yes, winning at a casino might be easier.
How to get Dragonite Pokémon GO
Image: youtube.com
Evolution
🐲 Catch Dratini look for it near bodies of water: rivers, lakes, waterfronts. In the US, places like Pier 39 in San Francisco are known nests. In other regions, there are fewer such spots, but any water source is your best bet.
🐲 Collect candies 25 candies evolve Dratini into Dragonair, and another 75 evolve Dragonair into Dragonite. In total, you need 100 candies. You can speed this up with Incense or by hatching 10 km eggs.
🐲 Raids Sometimes Dragonite appears in raids. Round up your friends and storm it.
🐲 Research tasks Rare Field Research or Special Research can also grant encounters with it.
For the lazy, there’s a cheat code: software like UltFone iOS Location Changer. You change your location, stay at home, and "walk" around hot spots. However, Niantic doesn’t like these tricks, so be careful—bans come quickly.
Dragonite vs. Charizard: which Pokémon is cooler?
Image: imdb.com
It’s the eternal fan debate: the orange dragon vs. the fiery lizard. They both have plenty of charisma, but let’s look at the facts. Dragonite wins in HP, Attack, and Defense (its base total is 600 versus Charizard’s 524). It tanks better and hits harder. Charizard only really shines in speed, and even that isn’t always enough.
But there’s a catch: if Charizard evolves into Mega form, the balance shifts. Mega Charizard X becomes a real beast capable of giving Dragonite a pounding. Without Mega, though, our dragon is the clear favorite. So if you have to pick one to invest in, I’d choose Dragonite—it’s more reliable.
Shiny version
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Dragonite also has one more feature that makes collectors’ eyes light up—a Shiny version. This is a rare variant with a unique color scheme: instead of the usual orange body, it has a golden-orange hue, and its wings gleam with a light green tint.
Getting one, however, is no simple task. The chance of encountering a Shiny Dratini in the wild is about 1 in 450, and then you still need 100 candies to fully evolve it. Without events that boost spawns, you’ll need either a ton of patience or simply astronomical luck.
Image: archives.bulbagarden.net
Dragonite in Pokémon GO isn’t just any Pokémon; it’s a true legend. Sure, it’s no longer the utterly broken powerhouse it was in 2016, but its strength, versatility, and status still make it a top contender. One hundred candies, a few hours by the water, and a little luck—and you could be commanding a seven-foot dragon that mows down everything in its path.
So grab your Poké Balls, head out on a hunt, and prove that you’re worthy of this winged titan. Who knows—maybe your Dragonite will become a nightmare for all the Ice-type bosses in your area!
Main image: bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net
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