Dragon-type Pokémon are some of the strongest in the Pokémon franchise, and the selection available inPokémon GOis no exception. While several of the strongest Dragon types are, unsurprisingly, difficult-to-catch legendaries, there are also several regular Dragon-type Pokémon worth finding. That said, Dragon types are still some of the game’s hardest Pokémon to find, catch, and evolve.
Players looking to have an option for any PvE and PvP situation will want to, ideally, have a team of strong Pokémon that cover a variety of types. However, if you’re just getting started and looking to build up one or two strong Pokémon to carry you in most situations for a while, Dragon is undoubtedly the way to go.
10Dragonite
The Classic Go-To Dragon
Dragonite is one of those Pokémon that most players have had on a team at some point in time. Not only is it one of the most beloved original Pokémon, but it also has the strength to back it up. In terms ofPokémon Gospecifically, Dragonite was originally one of the best in the game and relatively easy to acquire, as it is frequently featured in events such asFashion Week inPokémon Go, where it can even be caught wearing a unique costume.
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While the latter is still true, with the additions of new Pokémon throughout the years, including mega forms, Dragonite has fallen down the list a bit in terms of the strongest Dragon-type Pokémon to have on your roster. However,the accessibility alone still makes it a great placeholder option. Equipped withDragon Tail and Outrage, Dragonite is sure not to disappoint anyone looking to use it.
9Zekrom
The Electric/Dragon Type Pokémon
Moving on from Dragonite, it’s no surprise that the majority of strong Dragon types will primarily consist of legendaries. In this case, thePokémon Whitelegendary was a highly anticipated debut inPokémon Go, and for good reason. With its dual typing, it isnot only one of the best Dragon types in the game but also one of the best Electric.
If you missed out on getting Fusion Bolt during an event, then your only other option to acquire it is to wait for another potential event featuring it or use an Elite Charged TM.
In 2023,Zekrom’s signature move, Fusion Bolt, made its debut inPokémon Go, but only during a specified event. If you manage to get a Zekrom with this legacy move, then you’re in luck, as you have one of the best moves for Zekrom available.Paired with Charge Beam, Zekrom becomes pretty unstoppable. However, if you don’t have Fusion Bolt, then Wild Charge and Charge Beam are also great substitutes.
8Garchomp
The Dragon/Ground Type Pokémon
While Garchomp is another fan-favorite Dragon type, it certainly isn’t the strongest option available inPokémon Go. However,it makes up for what it lacks in attack stats with its Ground typing. This alone provides it with valuable resistance that most Dragon types often lack, giving it a little bit of a defensive edge.
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If you managed to catch and evolve a Gible on Community Day back in 2021, you’re one of the few lucky ones who had the opportunity to have Garchomp learn Earth Power. While Garchomp was already doing pretty well in terms of moveset, Earth Power made it one of the bestGround-type Pokémon inPokémon Go. However, for those who didn’t manage to grab Earth Power, Outrage is also a good alternative, especially when paired with Dragon Tail.
7Dialga (Origin Form)
The Gen 4 Diamond Legendary
While Dialga isn’t as powerful as its Gen 4 Legendary counterpart, Palkia, it’s still not too shabby in terms of its stats. The Origin Form, which was originally showcased inPokémon Legends: Arceus, made its way intoPokémon Goas a more defensive alternative to its basic form. While the attack stats appear to be worse than the basic form on the surface, the introduction of Roar of Time more than makes up for it.
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Combine this with the fact that its steel typing invalidates its weakness to other Dragons, and Dialga is a well-rounded beast for most situations. WhileRoar of Time and Dragon Breathare thebest moveset options for Origin Form Dialga,Roar of Time is a legacy move, meaning it is often event-specific. Draco Meteor can be used as a sub if need be, but in that case, Dialga may not be the best option among some of the others available.
6Shadow Dragonite
The Shadow-Boosted Dragon
While normal Dragonite is still an easy option for players who are just looking to fill that Dragon spot on their teams, Shadow Dragonite is a damage-boosted monster that is more than just a placeholder. To grab thisShadow Pokémon inPokémon Go, all you need to do isbattle Team Rocket Grunts and Leaders until you manage to catch a Shadow Dratini. From there, spend some time evolving it like you would a normal Dragonite, and then you’ve got a Shadow Dragonite.
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As for the moveset, it’s the same recommendation as regular Dragonite withDragon Tail and Outrage. While some players may be wondering whether it’s worth utilizing Draco Meteor instead, the legacy move that some may have managed to get during specific events, the answer is that it’s dependent on how you plan to use the Pokémon. While Draco Meteor is better on the surface,Outrage is a more energy-efficient move, making it more viable for most situations.
5Mega Latios
The Psychic/Dragon-Type Pokémon
While Mega Latios isn’t the best Mega out there, its solid strength and balance for both Psychic and Dragon damage make it a great option. Unfortunately, like most legendaries, you won’t be able to grab Latios in the wild and will instead need to catch one during a raid, which typically only occurs during special events. Furthermore, to be able to Mega Evolve it, you will need to grab 300 Mega Energy as well, which can be the most difficult part of this process.
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Therefore, if you haven’t already managed to grab Latios through one of the events over the past year or so, then you’ll likely need to bide your time and wait for another. Once you have this Pokémon, if you’re looking for the best moveset, then you’ll want to go withDragon Breath and Dragon Claw. That being said, if the primary use of this Pokémon is to take advantage of opponents weak to psychic, thenZen Headbutt isn’t a bad option either, just less effective overall.
4Shadow Palkia
The Gen 4 Pearl Legendary
While Dialga is a pretty decent Dragon Pokémon, it’s limited in that its Origin Form is the only one worth pursuing. Palkia, on the other hand, is a dangerous member of the party in several ways.Both Shadow Palkia and Origin Form Palkia are phenomenal optionswhen looking to fill that Dragon spot, with Shadow Palkia having a slight edge over the other, even with the Origin Form having exclusive access to Spacial Rend.
Spacial Rend,Origin Form Palkia’s Legacy move, is by far a superior move and players should keep an eye out for if and when it makes the move to Basic/Shadow Palkia’s moveset, as it will significantly increase the power of this Pokémon.
Not only is its typing great, with Water/Dragon giving it double resistance to some typings and weakness to hardly any others, but unlike some other legendaries, which utilize legacy moves, Shadow Palkia also gets by on the traditional Dragon go-to moveset. Equip Shadow Palkia withDragon Tail and Draco Meteor,and you should have no problem steamrolling in most situations.
3Mega Salamence
The Flying/Dragon-Type
Salamence in general is another one that’s up there as being a fan-favorite Dragon type, alongside Dragonite, and for good reason. Salamence, especially in its Mega form, is a dominating force in raids. That being said, Shadow Salamence is no slouch either and another great option for players who aren’t able to get the Mega energy needed for a Mega evolution.
Outrage, if you opt to use it, is not a move that Salamence learns normally, despite the fact that several other Dragon Pokémon do. If you prefer this move for Salamence instead of Draco Meteor, you’ll need to acquire it during an event.
Unsurprisingly, Mega Salamence’s best moveset is most of the standard Dragon go-to’s, withDragon Tail being an obvious choice for fast attacks, and Draco Meteor or Outrage being the best option for charge attacks. Whether you opt for Draco Meteor or Outrage is honestly based on preference and availability, but Draco Meteor is generally recommended and easier to obtain.
2Mega Garchomp
The Strongest Non-Legendary Dragon Pokémon
Taking the top spot, as far as non-legendary Pokémon go, is Mega Garchomp.While Garchomp in any form is a beast, the Mega version of this Pokémon is where it truly shines. Garchomp’s sub-typing of Ground is often forgotten in favor of its Dragon-typing being the more important factor when considering this Pokémon, but that’s a huge mistake. While Mega-Garchomp isn’t the number one Dragon inPokémon Go, falling just short of that top spot, it is the best Ground-type in the game.
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Not only is it powerful, but it’s also fairly accessible, with Gible being one of the few Dragon types that players can hatch themselves. Unfortunately, as is the case with all Pokémon, acquiring enough Mega Energy to Mega evolve can be quite a nightmare. That’s where Garchomp comes in especially handy, as its Basic and Shadow forms are also incredibly powerful. While you’re working on that Mega evolution, you still have an incredibly viable Dragon Pokémon with aDragon Tail and Outragemoveset.
1Mega Rayquaza
The Strongest Dragon-Type In Pokémon Go
Unsurprisingly, Mega Rayquaza takes the top spot as the best Dragon-type Pokémon inPokémon Go.Rayquaza is a monster in every gameit’s ever been featured in, with the recent Shiny Rayquaza Raids inPokémon Scarlet & Violetbeing yet another demonstration of this Pokémon’s strength and desirability among players. Even more than just being a great Dragon-type, Mega Rayquaza is considered to be one of the most untouchable Pokémon inPokémon Go, reaching insanely rare damage outputs.
The only way to teach Rayquaza Dragon Ascent so you can Mega Evolve it is through a Meteorite, which requires completing specific research tasks or collecting one as a chance reward in Rayquaza Raids.
Perhaps its biggest drawback, however, is the availability of this Pokémon and the complications with Mega evolving it.To Mega evolve, Rayquaza requires the move Dragon Ascent, which unfortunately isn’t a move you’ll want to keep, adding to the work to have this Pokémon reach its peak form. Once you’ve completed the Mega Evolution, you’ll want to swap Dragon Ascent with Breaking Swipe and pair it with Dragon Tail for themost effective Mega Rayquaza movesetinPokémon GO.
