[SET]
name: Offensive Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Fire Punch
move 4: Dual Wingbeat
item: Dragonium Z / Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Multiscale
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 Def / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Dragon Dance turns Dragonite into a threatening sweeper, as Multiscale lets it take a hit from full HP and set up with ease. Multiscale is Dragonite's selling point over its competition in Salamence, which has greater Speed and power. After a Dragon Dance, Dragonite outspeeds the entire unboosted metagame. Dragonium Z turns Outrage into Devastating Drake and removes Outrage's drawback of locking Dragonite into it. Boosted Devastating Drake can take down bulky foes including specially defensive Hippowdon, Galarian Slowbro, and Deoxys-D. Fire Punch provides excellent coverage alongside Dragonite's Dragon-type STAB moves, hitting bulky Steel-types such as Skarmory and Celesteela. Dual Wingbeat rounds out Dragonite's coverage and lets Dragonite deal heavy damage to Mega Altaria, Primarina, and Azumarill, which otherwise resist its other moves. A Jolly nature lets Dragonite outpace Zeraora and Mega Manectric after a single Dragon Dance. Heavy-Duty Boots is an option that can be considered if your team already has another Z-Move user, as it allows Dragonite to retain Multiscale even with Stealth Rock on the field. However, the loss in wallbreaking power is substantial.
This set fits best on offense and hyper offense teams where it can either wallbreak with its Z-Move or clean up late-game. If Dragonite is not running Heavy-Duty Boots, Defog users such as Rotom-W and Moltres are strongly recommended so Dragonite can preserve Multiscale. Entry hazard support from teammates such as Swampert is greatly appreciated to help wear down bulky Steel-types such as Celesteela. Suicide leads such as Azelf and Deoxys-D can use Taunt to deny opposing entry hazards while setting up Stealth Rock themselves. Common partners that can overwhelm some of Dragonite's Steel-type checks include Belly Drum Azumarill, Swords Dance Bisharp, and Swords Dance Scizor. Urshifu-R is another good partner for Dragonite, as it can break down bulky Steel-types such as Mega Aggron and Mega Steelix that would otherwise wall Dragonite. Urshifu-R can also switch into attacks that attempt to revenge kill Dragonite, such as Mamoswine's Ice Shard. In return, Dragonite can threaten bulky Grass-types such as Amoonguss. Since Fairy-types give Dragonite trouble, teammates that can switch in and set up on them such as Aegislash and Nihilego are also appreciated. A late-game cleaner such as Mega Sharpedo and the aforementioned Nihilego can help finish off an enemy team weakened by Dragonite.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Roost
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Heal Bell / Defog / Toxic
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Multiscale
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Defensive Dragonite serves as a solid check against many powerful attackers such as Scizor, Zarude, and Urshifu-R lacking Ice Punch. Hurricane hits many important Pokemon super effectively, such as Amoonguss and Urshifu-R. Roost allows Dragonite to stall out weaker attacks such as Darkest Lariat from Zarude and keeps Dragonite healthy. Flamethrower lets Dragonite check Steel-types such as Scizor, Aegislash, and Bisharp. Heal Bell is an option to provide cleric support and shrug off Toxic from Pokemon that may attempt to cripple Dragonite, such as Hippowdon and Amoonguss, but Defog is also a solid option that lets Dragonite support Stealth Rock-weak teammates. Toxic may also be considered to cripple bulky Pokemon such as Mega Altaria and Rotom-W. 16 Speed EVs let Dragonite outspeed Azumarill.
This set fits on bulky offense and balance teams that appreciate Dragonite's support capabilities and defensive utility. A special wall such as Slowking or Celesteela can absorb strong Ice- or Fairy-type attacks aimed at Dragonite and further solidify the team's defensive backbone. In return, these walls appreciate Dragonite's ability to check threats such as Zeraora, Zarude, and Moltres. Since defensive Dragonite is passive and can be overwhelmed by coverage moves or a powerful attack, a secondary wall such as Assault Vest Tangrowth may be considered to reduce pressure on Dragonite and better check wallbreakers such as Urshifu-R. If Dragonite is running Heal Bell, a bulky sweeper that appreciates being free of status, such as Cosmic Power Deoxys-D, may also be a good teammate. Slow but powerful wallbreakers such as Bisharp and Scizor also enjoy Dragonite curing potential burns and providing insurance against revenge killers. Another Defog user, such as Moltres, can be helpful in getting rid of entry hazards in case Dragonite's Heavy-Duty Boots are removed by Knock Off and giving Dragonite the freedom to run other moves like Heal Bell. Since Dragonite heavily relies on Heavy-Duty Boots to preserve Multiscale, teammates that can absorb Knock Off like Mega Steelix and Cobalion are greatly appreciated. Bulky Swords Dance + Roost Scizor is an excellent teammate for Dragonite since it can absorb Knock Off and Ice-type attacks and appreciates Dragonite being able to sponge Fire-type coverage from the likes of Roserade. Dragonite can further support Scizor by curing status with Heal Bell or facilitating a Swords Dance by removing hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dragonite can run a mono-attacking set with Heavy-Duty Boots, Dragon Dance, Roost, Heal Bell, and Dual Wingbeat. This lets Dragonite set up against defensive Pokemon that rely on status to cripple it, allowing it to act as a late-game cleaner. However, bulky Steel-types will completely wall this set. Flyinium Z with Fly over Dual Wingbeat is an alternative to Dragonium Z that lets Dragonite blast through important targets resistant or immune to Dragon, such as Mega Altaria. Weakness Policy or Lum Berry can be considered on the Dragon Dance set, but they are less reliable than the usual item choices. Dragonite may also consider a Choice Band set with Outrage, Dual Wingbeat, Fire Punch, and Extreme Speed. However, this set suffers from high opportunity cost over other Choice Band users and has a significant lack of defensive utility.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Mega Altaria and Primarina are bulky enough to survive a +1 Dual Wingbeat and can often revenge kill Dragonite, especially if it has locked itself into Outrage. However, they usually cannot take a boosted Supersonic Skystrike if Dragonite is running Flyinium Z.
**Steel-types**: Bulky Steel-types such as Skarmory, Mega Aggron, and Mega Steelix can take any attack from Dragonite, including a boosted Fire Punch or Earthquake, and proceed to retaliate with super effective attacks, phaze it out, or use it as setup fodder.
**Physical Walls**: Physically defensive Hippowdon and Rhyperior can survive a +1 Devastating Drake if healthy and can phaze Dragonite out or KO it, respectively. Hippowdon can also cripple Dragonite with Toxic while Swords Dance variants of Rhyperior can use Dragonite as setup fodder.
**Ice-types and Ice-type Coverage**: Dragonite's 4x Ice weakness can be exploited by Mamoswine's Ice Shard as well as Arctozolt in hail, which outspeeds Dragonite even at +1. Additionally, Pokemon that Dragonite would normally setup on or check, such as Keldeo, can also carry Ice-type coverage to prevent Dragonite from setting up safely, especially if its Multiscale is broken.
**Priority**: Priority from Lycanroc-D or Scizor can easily pick off a weakened Dragonite. With Life Orb, Lycanroc-D even has a chance to OHKO offensive Dragonite after Stealth Rock damage.
**Chip Damage**: Given how valuable Multiscale is, sources of chip damage such as U-turn from the likes of Urshifu-R and Zarude and Toxic from Pokemon such as Amoonguss and Aegislash hamper Dragonite's ability to either set up or support its team. Knock Off is also a major concern for defensive Dragonite, as Heavy-Duty Boots are essential for preserving Multiscale.
**Choice Scarf Users**: Faster Choice Scarf Pokemon, such as Keldeo and Mienshao, can revenge kill a weakened Dragonite even after it has set up.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[nimzowitsch, 272785]]
- Quality checked by: [[Arishem, 546157], [Pubo, 535121]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Sulo, 528036], [UT, 523866]]
name: Offensive Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Fire Punch
move 4: Dual Wingbeat
item: Dragonium Z / Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Multiscale
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 Def / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Dragon Dance turns Dragonite into a threatening sweeper, as Multiscale lets it take a hit from full HP and set up with ease. Multiscale is Dragonite's selling point over its competition in Salamence, which has greater Speed and power. After a Dragon Dance, Dragonite outspeeds the entire unboosted metagame. Dragonium Z turns Outrage into Devastating Drake and removes Outrage's drawback of locking Dragonite into it. Boosted Devastating Drake can take down bulky foes including specially defensive Hippowdon, Galarian Slowbro, and Deoxys-D. Fire Punch provides excellent coverage alongside Dragonite's Dragon-type STAB moves, hitting bulky Steel-types such as Skarmory and Celesteela. Dual Wingbeat rounds out Dragonite's coverage and lets Dragonite deal heavy damage to Mega Altaria, Primarina, and Azumarill, which otherwise resist its other moves. A Jolly nature lets Dragonite outpace Zeraora and Mega Manectric after a single Dragon Dance. Heavy-Duty Boots is an option that can be considered if your team already has another Z-Move user, as it allows Dragonite to retain Multiscale even with Stealth Rock on the field. However, the loss in wallbreaking power is substantial.
This set fits best on offense and hyper offense teams where it can either wallbreak with its Z-Move or clean up late-game. If Dragonite is not running Heavy-Duty Boots, Defog users such as Rotom-W and Moltres are strongly recommended so Dragonite can preserve Multiscale. Entry hazard support from teammates such as Swampert is greatly appreciated to help wear down bulky Steel-types such as Celesteela. Suicide leads such as Azelf and Deoxys-D can use Taunt to deny opposing entry hazards while setting up Stealth Rock themselves. Common partners that can overwhelm some of Dragonite's Steel-type checks include Belly Drum Azumarill, Swords Dance Bisharp, and Swords Dance Scizor. Urshifu-R is another good partner for Dragonite, as it can break down bulky Steel-types such as Mega Aggron and Mega Steelix that would otherwise wall Dragonite. Urshifu-R can also switch into attacks that attempt to revenge kill Dragonite, such as Mamoswine's Ice Shard. In return, Dragonite can threaten bulky Grass-types such as Amoonguss. Since Fairy-types give Dragonite trouble, teammates that can switch in and set up on them such as Aegislash and Nihilego are also appreciated. A late-game cleaner such as Mega Sharpedo and the aforementioned Nihilego can help finish off an enemy team weakened by Dragonite.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Hurricane
move 2: Roost
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Heal Bell / Defog / Toxic
item: Heavy-Duty Boots
ability: Multiscale
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Defensive Dragonite serves as a solid check against many powerful attackers such as Scizor, Zarude, and Urshifu-R lacking Ice Punch. Hurricane hits many important Pokemon super effectively, such as Amoonguss and Urshifu-R. Roost allows Dragonite to stall out weaker attacks such as Darkest Lariat from Zarude and keeps Dragonite healthy. Flamethrower lets Dragonite check Steel-types such as Scizor, Aegislash, and Bisharp. Heal Bell is an option to provide cleric support and shrug off Toxic from Pokemon that may attempt to cripple Dragonite, such as Hippowdon and Amoonguss, but Defog is also a solid option that lets Dragonite support Stealth Rock-weak teammates. Toxic may also be considered to cripple bulky Pokemon such as Mega Altaria and Rotom-W. 16 Speed EVs let Dragonite outspeed Azumarill.
This set fits on bulky offense and balance teams that appreciate Dragonite's support capabilities and defensive utility. A special wall such as Slowking or Celesteela can absorb strong Ice- or Fairy-type attacks aimed at Dragonite and further solidify the team's defensive backbone. In return, these walls appreciate Dragonite's ability to check threats such as Zeraora, Zarude, and Moltres. Since defensive Dragonite is passive and can be overwhelmed by coverage moves or a powerful attack, a secondary wall such as Assault Vest Tangrowth may be considered to reduce pressure on Dragonite and better check wallbreakers such as Urshifu-R. If Dragonite is running Heal Bell, a bulky sweeper that appreciates being free of status, such as Cosmic Power Deoxys-D, may also be a good teammate. Slow but powerful wallbreakers such as Bisharp and Scizor also enjoy Dragonite curing potential burns and providing insurance against revenge killers. Another Defog user, such as Moltres, can be helpful in getting rid of entry hazards in case Dragonite's Heavy-Duty Boots are removed by Knock Off and giving Dragonite the freedom to run other moves like Heal Bell. Since Dragonite heavily relies on Heavy-Duty Boots to preserve Multiscale, teammates that can absorb Knock Off like Mega Steelix and Cobalion are greatly appreciated. Bulky Swords Dance + Roost Scizor is an excellent teammate for Dragonite since it can absorb Knock Off and Ice-type attacks and appreciates Dragonite being able to sponge Fire-type coverage from the likes of Roserade. Dragonite can further support Scizor by curing status with Heal Bell or facilitating a Swords Dance by removing hazards.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dragonite can run a mono-attacking set with Heavy-Duty Boots, Dragon Dance, Roost, Heal Bell, and Dual Wingbeat. This lets Dragonite set up against defensive Pokemon that rely on status to cripple it, allowing it to act as a late-game cleaner. However, bulky Steel-types will completely wall this set. Flyinium Z with Fly over Dual Wingbeat is an alternative to Dragonium Z that lets Dragonite blast through important targets resistant or immune to Dragon, such as Mega Altaria. Weakness Policy or Lum Berry can be considered on the Dragon Dance set, but they are less reliable than the usual item choices. Dragonite may also consider a Choice Band set with Outrage, Dual Wingbeat, Fire Punch, and Extreme Speed. However, this set suffers from high opportunity cost over other Choice Band users and has a significant lack of defensive utility.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Mega Altaria and Primarina are bulky enough to survive a +1 Dual Wingbeat and can often revenge kill Dragonite, especially if it has locked itself into Outrage. However, they usually cannot take a boosted Supersonic Skystrike if Dragonite is running Flyinium Z.
**Steel-types**: Bulky Steel-types such as Skarmory, Mega Aggron, and Mega Steelix can take any attack from Dragonite, including a boosted Fire Punch or Earthquake, and proceed to retaliate with super effective attacks, phaze it out, or use it as setup fodder.
**Physical Walls**: Physically defensive Hippowdon and Rhyperior can survive a +1 Devastating Drake if healthy and can phaze Dragonite out or KO it, respectively. Hippowdon can also cripple Dragonite with Toxic while Swords Dance variants of Rhyperior can use Dragonite as setup fodder.
**Ice-types and Ice-type Coverage**: Dragonite's 4x Ice weakness can be exploited by Mamoswine's Ice Shard as well as Arctozolt in hail, which outspeeds Dragonite even at +1. Additionally, Pokemon that Dragonite would normally setup on or check, such as Keldeo, can also carry Ice-type coverage to prevent Dragonite from setting up safely, especially if its Multiscale is broken.
**Priority**: Priority from Lycanroc-D or Scizor can easily pick off a weakened Dragonite. With Life Orb, Lycanroc-D even has a chance to OHKO offensive Dragonite after Stealth Rock damage.
**Chip Damage**: Given how valuable Multiscale is, sources of chip damage such as U-turn from the likes of Urshifu-R and Zarude and Toxic from Pokemon such as Amoonguss and Aegislash hamper Dragonite's ability to either set up or support its team. Knock Off is also a major concern for defensive Dragonite, as Heavy-Duty Boots are essential for preserving Multiscale.
**Choice Scarf Users**: Faster Choice Scarf Pokemon, such as Keldeo and Mienshao, can revenge kill a weakened Dragonite even after it has set up.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[nimzowitsch, 272785]]
- Quality checked by: [[Arishem, 546157], [Pubo, 535121]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Sulo, 528036], [UT, 523866]]
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