Physical
Balanced
50Speed · Slow

Is Dratini Good in Scarlet & Violet Playthrough?

Dratini appears in Paldea's later areas. Dragon-type that evolves into Dragonair and eventually Dragonite. The grind to level 55 is long, but Dragonite at the end is one of the strongest things you can field for the E4.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadGGEEEETEGEGSEKatyGym 1BrassiusGym 2IonoGym 3DratiniCatchableKofuGym 4DragonairEvolveLarryGym 5RymeGym 6TulipGym 7GrushaGym 8DragoniteEvolveRikaE4PoppyE4LarryE4HasselE4GeetaChamp*
Katy
Gym 1
Good

Dratini has the type edge here and should clean up Katy's team.

Easy KO
Nymble
Lv 14
Bug
Swarm
Struggle BugDouble Kick
You Win
Tarountula
Lv 14
Bug
Insomnia
Bug BiteAssurance
You Win
Teddiursa
Lv 15
Normal
Pickup
Fury CutterFury Swipes
Brassius
Gym 2
Good

Dratini has the type edge here and should clean up Brassius's team.

You Win
Petilil
Lv 16
Grass
Own Tempo
Sleep PowderMega Drain
You Win
Smoliv
Lv 16
GrassNormal
Early Bird
TackleRazor Leaf
You Win
Sudowoodo
Lv 17
Rock
Sturdy
TrailblazeRock Throw
Iono
Gym 3
Even

Dratini trades roughly evenly with Iono's team.

Even
Wattrel
Lv 23
ElectricFlying
Wind Power
PluckQuick AttackSpark
Even
Bellibolt
Lv 23
Electric
Electromorphosis
Water GunSpark
Even
Luxio
Lv 23
Electric
Intimidate
SparkBite
Risky
Mismagius
Lv 24
Ghost
Levitate
Charge BeamHexConfuse Ray
Kofu
Gym 4
Even

Dratini trades roughly evenly with Kofu's team.

Even
Veluza
Lv 29
WaterPsychic
Mold Breaker
SlashPluckAqua Cutter
Even
Wugtrio
Lv 29
Water
Gooey
Mud SlapWater PulseHeadbutt
Even
Crabominable
Lv 30
FightingIce
Iron Fist
CrabhammerRock SmashSlam
Larry
Gym 5
Even

Dragonair trades roughly evenly with Larry's team.

Even
Komala
Lv 35
Normal
Comatose
YawnSucker PunchSlam
Even
Dudunsparce
Lv 35
Normal
Serene Grace
Hyper DrillDrill RunGlare
Even
Staraptor
Lv 36
NormalFlying
Intimidate
FacadeAerial Ace
Ryme
Gym 6
Even

Dragonair trades roughly evenly with Ryme's team.

Even
Banette
Lv 41
Ghost
Insomnia
Icy WindSucker PunchShadow Sneak
Risky
Mimikyu
Lv 41
GhostFairy
Disguise
Light ScreenShadow SneakSlash
Even
Houndstone
Lv 41
Ghost
Sand Rush
Play RoughCrunchPhantom Force
Even
Toxtricity
Lv 42
ElectricPoison
Punk Rock
DischargeHexHyper Voice
Tulip
Gym 7
Tough

Tulip's team hits Dragonair's weaknesses hard.

You Win
Farigiraf
Lv 44
NormalPsychic
Armor Tail
CrunchZen HeadbuttReflect
Risky
Gardevoir
Lv 44
PsychicFairy
Synchronize
PsychicDazzling GleamEnergy Ball
Even
Espathra
Lv 44
Psychic
Opportunist
PsychicQuick AttackShadow Ball
Risky
Florges
Lv 45
Fairy
Flower Veil
PsychicMoonblastPetal Blizzard
Grusha
Gym 8
Even

Dragonair trades roughly evenly with Grusha's team.

Even
Frosmoth
Lv 47
IceBug
Shield Dust
BlizzardBug BuzzTailwind
Even
Beartic
Lv 47
Ice
Snow Cloak
Aqua JetIcicle CrashEarthquake
Even
Cetitan
Lv 47
Ice
Thick Fat
Ice SpinnerLiquidationIce Shard
You Win
Altaria
Lv 48
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
Ice BeamDragon PulseMoonblastHurricane
Rika
Elite Four
Good

Dragonite has the type edge here and should clean up Rika's team.

You Win
Whiscash
Lv 57
WaterGround
Oblivious
Muddy WaterEarth PowerBlizzardFuture Sight
Easy KO
Camerupt
Lv 57
FireGround
Magma Armor
Earth PowerFire BlastFlash CannonYawn
You Win
Donphan
Lv 57
Ground
Sturdy
EarthquakeStone EdgeIron HeadPoison Jab
You Win
Dugtrio
Lv 57
Ground
Sand Veil
EarthquakeRock SlideSucker PunchSandstorm
You Win
Clodsire
Lv 58
PoisonGround
Water AbsorbImmune to Water attacks
EarthquakeLiquidationToxicProtect
Poppy
Elite Four
Even

Dragonite trades roughly evenly with Poppy's team.

Even
Copperajah
Lv 58
Steel
Sheer Force
High HorsepowerPlay RoughHeavy SlamStealth Rock
Even
Magnezone
Lv 58
ElectricSteel
Sturdy
DischargeFlash CannonLight ScreenTri Attack
Even
Bronzong
Lv 58
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Iron HeadZen HeadbuttRock BlastEarthquake
Even
Corviknight
Lv 58
FlyingSteel
Pressure
Brave BirdIron HeadBody PressIron Defense
Even
Tinkaton
Lv 59
FairySteel
Mold Breaker
Play RoughGigaton HammerBrick BreakStone Edge
Larry
Elite Four
Good

Dragonite has the type edge here and should clean up Larry's team.

Easy KO
Tropius
Lv 59
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Air SlashSolar BeamDragon PulseSunny Day
You Win
Oricorio
Lv 59
FireFlying
Dancer
Revelation DanceAir SlashTeeter DanceIcy Wind
You Win
Altaria
Lv 59
DragonFlying
Natural Cure
MoonblastFlamethrowerIce BeamDragon Pulse
You Win
Staraptor
Lv 59
NormalFlying
Intimidate
FacadeBrave BirdClose CombatThief
You Win
Flamigo
Lv 60
FlyingFighting
Scrappy
Brave BirdClose CombatThroat ChopLiquidation
Hassel
Elite Four
Strong

Dragonite resists most of Hassel's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Noivern
Lv 60
FlyingDragon
Infiltrator
Air SlashDragon PulseSuper FangHyper Voice
You Win
Haxorus
Lv 60
Dragon
Mold Breaker
Dragon ClawCrunchIron HeadRock Tomb
Easy KO
Dragalge
Lv 60
PoisonDragon
Poison Point
Sludge BombDragon PulseHydro PumpThunderbolt
Easy KO
Flapple
Lv 60
GrassDragon
Ripen
Dragon RushSeed BombAerial AceLeech Seed
You Win
Baxcalibur
Lv 61
DragonIce
Thermal Exchange
Icicle CrashBrick BreakGlaive Rush
Geeta
Champion
Even

Dragonite trades roughly evenly with Geeta's team.

Even
Espathra
Lv 61
Psychic
Opportunist
Lumina CrashDazzling GleamQuick AttackReflect
You Win
Gogoat
Lv 61
Grass
Sap Sipper
Horn LeechZen HeadbuttPlay RoughBulk Up
You Win
Veluza
Lv 61
WaterPsychic
Mold Breaker
Aqua JetLiquidationPsycho CutIce Fang
Even
Avalugg
Lv 61
Ice
Own Tempo
AvalancheCrunchEarthquakeBody Press
Even
Kingambit
Lv 61
DarkSteel
Supreme Overlord
Iron HeadKowtow CleaveZen HeadbuttStone Edge
Even
Glimmora
Lv 62
RockPoison
Toxic Debris
Tera BlastSludge WaveEarth PowerDazzling Gleam
Catchable
Available after Badge 3
Type
Dragon
Tier
E

Catch Dratini on South Province (Area Six) (overworld, Lv 20-52).

View Dratini locations

Evolve Dratini to Dragonair
Level 30
Type
Dragon
Tier
E

Your Dratini should hit Level 30 before you reach Larry, at typical leveling pace.

View Dragonair locations

Evolve Dragonair to Dragonite
Level 55
Type
DragonFlying
Tier
S

Your Dragonair should hit Level 55 before you reach Rika, at typical leveling pace.

How to Get Dratini in Scarlet & Violet

decent spawn rates across 8 locations for Dratini in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.

Where To Catch Dratini in SV

The path to Dratini starts with Dratini at Lv. 20-54 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.

  1. Dratini
    Step 1Dratini
    Casseroya Lake - Lake
    Lv.20-52Overworld
    Rate 20%
    South Province (Area Six) - River
    Lv.20-52Overworld
    Rate 10%
    North Province (Area One) - Lake
    Lv.20-52Overworld
    Rate 8%
    North Province (Area Two) - Lake
    Lv.20-52Overworld
    Rate 8%
  2. Dragonair
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Dragonair
    Casseroya Lake - Lake
    Lv.50-54Overworld
    Rate 3%
    or evolve from Dratini (Step 1)
  3. Dragonite
    Step 3Evolve into Dragonite
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Dragonite egg.

Dratini Weakness

Dratini's Dragon typing leaves it vulnerable to Ice, Dragon, and Fairy. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. 3 weaknesses is about average, nothing too hard to play around.

Dratini Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ice, Dragon, Fairy
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Electric, Grass

What is Dratini Weak Against

Avg
3Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score-2
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Dratini Strong Against

1Strong
1Resisted
1Immune
Score-1
2xStrong
½xResisted
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Dratini

Dratini Evolutions

Dratini is the start of a three-stage chain. It evolves into Dragonair first, then eventually reaches Dragonite. For breeding, takes forever to hatch with plenty of partners via two egg groups. The evolved forms gain up to 300 total stats over Dratini. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

3 Forms
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Dratini
Dragon
Dragonair
Dragon
Dragonite
DragonFlying
HP
41
61+20
91+30
ATK
64
84+20
134+50
DEF
45
65+20
95+30
SP.ATK
50
70+20
100+30
SP.DEF
50
70+20
100+30
SPE
50
70+20
80+10
BST
300D-Tier
420D-Tier+120
600A-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Wallbreaker
TYPE
Utility
Mixed
Physical

Breeding

Easy

Breed Dratini easily with 65 breeding partners from the Dragon and Water1 egg groups. Pass egg moves like Aqua Jet, Dragon Breath, Extreme Speed and 3 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
40 cycles·10,280 steps
Slow~10 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
6moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosazumarillcharizardkingdrasceptileflygonmiloticnoivernblastoisegolduckferaligatrswampert

SV Dratini Best Moveset

Dragon at 64 Attack and 50 Speed. AbilityMarvel Scale boosts Defense when statused, which is interesting on a pre-evolution but the stats can't capitalize. The moveset is building toward Dragonite. Get through two evolutions for 134 Attack, AbilityMultiscale, and S-Tier dominance.

Best Build

Experimental
Physical Tank
Ability
Shed Skin
Item
Focus SashSURVIVAL
Best Nature for Dratini

Dratini best EVs are HP and Attack

EVs

Physical Tank Moveset

  • Extreme Speed
  • Aqua Jet
  • Rain Dance
  • Sunny Day

Moves List

You'll want to breed for Aqua Jet and Dragon Breath on Dratini. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Draco Meteor and Outrage, they expand what Dratini can actually threaten in practice.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Leer
10030Normal
Lv 1
Wrap
159020Normal
Lv 5
Twister
6010020Dragon
Lv 10
Thunder Wave
C9020Electric
Lv 15
Dragon Tail-6
D909010Dragon
Lv 20
Agility
C30Psychic
Lv 25
Slam
807520Normal
Lv 31
Aqua Tail
D909010Water
Lv 35
Dragon Rush
C1507510Dragon
Lv 40
Safeguard
D25Normal
Lv 45
Rain Dance
S5Water
Lv 50
Dragon Dance
C20Dragon
Lv 55
Outrage
C18010010Dragon
Lv 60
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal

TM Moves

TM
TM04
Agility
C30Psychic
TM143
Blizzard
D110705Ice
TM66
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
TM222
Breaking Swipe
9010015Dragon
TM22
Chilling Water
D5010020Water
TM169
Draco Meteor
C195905Dragon
TM226
Dragon Cheer
15Dragon
TM100
Dragon Dance
C20Dragon
TM115
Dragon Pulse
C12710010Dragon
TM44
Dragon Tail-6
D909010Dragon
TM47
Endure+4
C10Normal
TM25
Facade
D7010020Normal
TM141
Fire Blast
D110855Fire
TM24
Fire Spin
D358515Fire
TM125
Flamethrower
D9010015Fire
TM152
Giga Impact
C150905Normal
TM174
Haze
C30Ice
TM130
Helping Hand+5
D20Normal
TM142
Hydro Pump
D110805Water
TM163
Hyper Beam
C150905Normal
TM135
Ice Beam
D9010010Ice
TM34
Icy Wind
D559515Ice
TM99
Iron Head
D8010015Steel
TM75
Light Screen
C30Psychic
TM156
Outrage
C18010010Dragon
TM07
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM50
Rain Dance
S5Water
TM85
Rest
C5Psychic
TM200
Scale Shot
D379020Dragon
TM70
Sleep Talk
C10Normal
TM103
Substitute
C10Normal
TM49
Sunny Day
S5Fire
TM123
Surf
D9010015Water
TM32
Swift
6020Normal
TM01
Take Down
D908520Normal
TM171
Tera Blast
D8010010Normal
TM166
Thunder
D1107010Electric
TM82
Thunder Wave
C9020Electric
TM126
Thunderbolt
D9010015Electric
TM11
Water Pulse
D6010020Water
TM77
Waterfall
D8010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Aqua Jet+1
S4010020Water
Egg
Dragon Breath
9010020Dragon
Egg
Extreme Speed+2
S801005Normal
Egg
Mist
30Ice
Egg
Supersonic
5520Normal
Egg
Water Pulse
D6010020Water

Tutor Moves

Dratini can't learn any Tutor moves

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP41
D
Attack64
C
Defense45
D
Sp. Atk50
D
Sp. Def50
D
Speed50
D
Total300
Details
Catch Rate
Challenging45 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height1.8 m
Weight3.3 kg
Base XP60
Abilities
Shed Skin
Has a 33% chance of curing any major status ailment after each turn.
Marvel ScaleHidden Ability
Increases Defense to 1.5× with a major status ailment.
EV Yield
HPAtk+1DefSpASpDSpe
Attack training source
Pokedex Entry

It sheds many layers of skin as it grows larger. During this process, it is protected by a rapid waterfall.

It is born large to start with. It repeatedly sheds its skin as it steadily grows longer.

Dratini Scarlet & Violet Guide

  • In Scarlet & Violet, Dratini does the job early-game if you need a Dragon type on your team. Evolve it into Dragonair before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.

Game Availability

Dratini has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 21 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.

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