Highlights

• Dragonite, Garchomp, Dragapult, and Dracovish are among the top choices for trainers looking for powerful and competitive Dragon-types to add to their roster.

Dragon Pokemon are incredibly popular. They were the strongest Pokemon around until Fairy-Type arrived and reared its beautiful head. The Dragon-type trainers from the games are some of the strongest such as Lance, Iris, Zinnia, Drayden, Clair, Drake, and Raihan. The type also enjoys popularity in the legendary scene.

While there are lots of dragons to choose from, some of them are naturally stronger than others, whether this is thanks to a great stat spread, strong movepools, or simply a design that makes it too hard not to use them.

Updated February 9th, 2024 by Andrew Scariati: With powerful new additions included in each new generation, the best Dragon-type Pokemon is always a hotly contested title. With The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk now behind us, Generation Nine added some more competition, but can a newcomer claim the crown of best Dragon-type Pokemon ever?

This list will solely focus on non-legendary Dragon-type Pokemon. If you're curious about which legendary Dragons rule the land and skies, check out our best Dragon-type legendaries list.

19 Turtonator

Turtonator features a simultaneously goofy, yet ferocious design, with this turtle-like Dragon-type boasting a more defensive playstyle highlighted by 135 Defense. While it seems to boast very little in terms of offensive capabilities, it does tout a powerful fire-type move – Shell Trap – as its signature attack.

Shell Trap boasts 150 base power and 100 percent accuracy if Turtonator is hit with a Physical move after preparing its trap. Shell Trap counterattacks with devastating power but is a bit situational, as it requires a perfect prediction to justify usage.

18 Altaria

Tragically left out of Generation Eight's Pokedex, Altaria's power should not be taken as lightly as its wings are. Introduced alongside famed Dragons such as Flygon and Salamence, Altaria was gifted a Mega Evolution in Generation Six that made it that much stronger (and fluffier).

With access to the powerful Dragon Dance and Roost to gain health, this bird becomes quite difficult to take down, especially with Electric-type Kryptonite move, Earthquake. If that wasn't enough, Mega Altaria's Pixelate ability allows it to use Normal-type moves like Return to deal heavy Fairy-type damage.

17 Appletun

With a moveset as sweet as apple pie and a Gigantamax form to shake things up, Appletun sure has plenty of combat benefits going for it. The evolutionary line's signature move, Apple Acid, does 80 base damage and is guaranteed to lower the opponent's Special Defense by one stage.

Having Recover in its arsenal makes it able to act as a wall against many other Pokemon in its league. If that wasn't enough to impress, its Thick Fat ability halves the damage from both Fire and Ice-type moves, a great asset to a Grass/Dragon-type Pokemon.

16 Noivern

Noivern is the second bat evolutionary line in Pokemon history, with the first being the ever-memorable Zubat family. This meant Noivern had a lot to live up to, but few can say it didn't deliver. Noivern wins points for its amazing design and color combination, but its 535 base stat total and 123 Speed are undeniably the main events.

Able to Roost for health and strike hard with Flamethrower and Draco Meteor, Noivern can fit several roles on a team, its versatility making it that much more appealing as a Dragon Pokemon. The ability Infiltrator allows it to not only ignore Substitute, damaging the opponent regardless of any Substitute Doll, but also bypass moves such as Reflect, Safeguard, and Light Screen. This bat is all that.

15 Dracozolt

What do you get when you cross a Drake Fossil with a Bird? Dracozolt, that's what. Dracozolt is a fighter by nature, with access to moves such as Fire Fang and Dragon and a respectable base Attack of 100.

Dracozolt has the signature move Bolt Beak that Arctozolt can also utilize, which doubles the Electric-type move's power if the Pokemon attacks first. This would mean a base power of 170, which can wipe out many Pokemon on the battlefield. Coupled with the Attack power boost that Dracozolt's Hustle ability provides, this ancient fusion of a Pokemon is a force to be reckoned with.

14 Kommo-o

Kommo-o is both Dragon-type and Fighting-type. It is one of the weaker of our list thanks to that rough double weakness to Fairy-type moves, but that doesn't stop it being very useful. Just stay away from the fey.

There are good strategies for using this Pokemon competitively. It could be a nightmare to deal with if you teach it Toxic, Stealth Rock, Draining Punch, and Protect. Give it Leftovers to hold as well, and your rival might be ripping their hair out with frustration.

13 Tatsugiri

Tatsugiri is an interesting case, as it doesn't reach its full potential alone, as it forms an eye-catching dynamic duo with Dondozo. Tatsugiri's BST is one of the lowest among the best Dragon-types in Pokemon, but it's no slouch, as quite useful in competitive play, even without its best buddy.

However, the sheer power of Dondozo and Tatsugiri together can't be ignored, and Tatsugiri is the one pulling Dondozo's strings, after all – so it deserves respect. With the ability to boost Dondozo's Attack, Defense, or Speed – depending on its form – Tatsugiri is one of the most unusual and powerful Dragon-types Pokemon has ever dreamed up.

12 Goodra

Goodra is a pure Dragon-type with a very high Special Defense stat. It can learn the fantastic ability Sap Sipper, which makes it immune to Grass-Type moves.

Great moves to teach Goodra include Thunderbolt, Draco Meteor, Earthquake, Fire Blast, and Sludge Wave.

The best competitive items to use with Goodra are Choice Scarf and Choice Specs.

While strong, Goodra does need to be wary of Steel, Fairy, and other Dragon-Types. While its Special Defense is high, its Defense can be its weakness so it would also need to watch out for physical attackers. It is also not the best when it comes to healing itself.

11 Flygon

Introduced in the third generation, Flygon is popular for both its design and interesting type combination of Ground and Dragon. It is highly customizable for all kinds of strategies.

Flygon can learn U-Turn, which is a popular competitive move because you can make a quick escape while also dealing damage. However, since both Ground and Dragon are weak to Ice, Flygon is a punching bag for Ice-type Pokemon, making U-Turn an essential inclusion.

Besides U-Turn, good moves to teach Flygon include Earthquake, Outrage, Aerial Ace, Dragon Claw, and Defog.

10 Haxorus

This pure Dragon-type is great for attacks and STAB (same-type attack bonus) moves. It can learn Attack boosters such as Dragon Dance and Swords Dance. It can also learn moves that wipe Fairy-types such as Poison Jab, which is pretty good since dragons are weak to Fairy. It can also learn Earthquake, which is a Steel-type's worst nightmare.

However, its Speed is not the best. There are faster offensive Pokemon out there that will put Haxorus in trouble such as Infernape and Hydreigon. So, while it looks cool and intimidating, there are better dragons out there.

9 Archaludon

Archaludon is the evolution of Duraludon introduced in Scarlet & Violet's second DLC, The Indigo Disk. Aside from being exclusively available via the DLC, Archaludon also came equipped with a powerful new signature move, Electro Shot.

Electro Shot can be learned immediately upon evolution and makes fantastic use of Archaludon's sky-high 125 Special Attack. In addition to its fantastic Special Attack, Archaludon boasts a 600 Base Stat Total (BST), that puts it on par with some of the best pseudo legendary Dragons in Pokemon.

8 Baxcalibur

Baxcalibur earns the distinction of being Generation Nine's Dragon pseudo-legendary as it dominates the region of Paldea and Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. Its typing is rarely seen, with a moveset that can cause headaches for a variety of opponents.

The pairing of the Ice-type with Dragon makes Baxcalibur an offensive powerhouse. Both types are great for exploiting weaknesses or simply attacking neutrally, meaning there are few Pokemon who can stonewall Baxcalibur. And well, just look at it! It looks cuddly and mean in equal measure. You can't go wrong!

7 Hydreigon

Sharing the same typing as Sharpedo, Hydreigon is Dark and Dragon-type. It gives other Pokemon a run for its money due to its very high Special Attack stat. Its typing gives it a lot of resistance to other popular competitive Pokemon like Celebi and Chandelure.

However, it is weak to plenty of types such as Bug, Fighting, and most especially Fairy. It will get pulverized by priory Fighting-type moves like Mach Punch. Also, despite its decent speed, there are faster Pokemon out there.

6 Salamence

Both Dragon and Flying-type, Salamence has one of the highest based Attack stats of all pseudo-legendary Pokemon. This makes it a fantastic offensive attacker for a competitive team.

Recommended moves include Attack boosts such as Dragon Dance, healing moves such as Roost, and heavy hitters like Double-Edge, Outrage, Hydro Pump, Fire Blast, Earthquake, Facade, and Dragon Tail.

5 Roaring Moon

What is better than a Salamence? A Salamence from the distant past with better stats, of course! Roaring Moon is one of Scarlet & Violet's rarest Paradox Pokemon – with an amazing shiny form to boot. It's quite difficult to acquire, being found only in Pokemon Scarlet and then only in one small area, but it's worth the frustration.

When you have a Roaring Moon on your team, you have an absolute powerhouse with an incredible Attack stat paired with very high Speed. This beast is going to sweep entire teams away with its powerful moves.

4 Dragonite

This dragon has been around since the first generation. While its design looks more friendly than a lot of its dragon counterparts, it can be devastating in competitive play. There is a reason Champion Lance had multiple of these!

Dragonite is known to break defenses and has a good ability called Multiscale that reduces damage dealt to it by half as long as its HP is full. However, that does not work with moves like Stealth Rock, Night Shade, and Super Fang. Great moves to teach it include Fly, Extreme Speed, Fire Punch, Dragon Dance, and Earthquake.

3 Garchomp

Like Flygon, Garchomp is both Ground and Dragon-type. It is far stronger than Flygon though, as it can devastate a team with its Rough Skin ability, high Speed, and incredible Attack stat. For double the pain, it is great to give a Garchomp with Rough Skin a Rocky Helmet as its held item.

RELATED: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Best Dragon-Types

It can also use both Stealth Rock and Toxic, which can tear down opposing teams. Besides those, good moves for Garchomp include Stone Edge, Earthquake, Swords Dance, Fire Blast, Draco Meteor, Roar, Fire Fang, and Substitute.

As strong as Garchomp is, watch out for Ice-types, Fairy-types, and faster Pokemon like Greninja and Weavile.

2 Dragapult

Dragapult is not only Dragon, but also a Ghost – and arguably among the best choices in either type. It is incredibly fast, has great options for moves, and has arguably the best physical Dragon move in the game in Dragon Darts.

Great moves to teach it include Shadow Ball, Draco Meteor, Fire Blast, U-Turn, Dragon Dance, Dragon Darts, Will-O-Wisp, Disable, Substitute, Reflect, and Light Screen.

The pitfalls of Dragapult are that it has no reliable recovery moves, does not have the best offensive stats, and the variety of its physical move pool is not so great.

1 Dracovish

If you have not already heard, this goofy master of dragons may look like a frightening abomination but it is a competitive game-changer. Dracovish boasts the Strong Jaw ability, which increases the power of biting moves.

That makes its signature move, Fishious Rend, incredibly strong as that move also does double the damage if it goes first. So, the key is to keep its Speed higher than your opponents at all times. Other great moves to teach Dracovish are Crunch, Earthquake, and Dragon Rush.