[Overview]
Dragonite's great offensive stats, unique ability, and access to Extreme Speed make it one of the most formidable Dragon Dance sweepers in ORAS OU. Dragonite's typing gives it useful resistances, often allowing it to switch-in freely into common sweepers such as Serperior and Volcarona, unlike other Dragon Dance users such as Mega Tyranitar or Mega Gyarados. Multiscale works well with Dragonite's bulk since it prevents being OHKO'd by most Pokemon in the tier, allowing Dragonite an almost guaranteed Dragon Dance. Roost gives Dragonite longevity and allows it to better check Serperior and Volcarona. Dragon Dance not only allows Dragonite to break through bulkier teams, but also allows it to OHKO Pokemon that would normally outspeed it such as Tornadus-T, Thundurus, Serperior, Latios, and Latias. Extreme Speed in conjunction with Multiscale makes Dragonite very hard to revenge kill, since it can be used to KO Pokemon faster than it and can outprioritize Weavile's Ice Shard and Talonflame's Brave Bird / Acrobatics. Although Dragonite's STABs are largely unresisted, Fairy-Types such as Clefable and Mega Altaria prevent Outrage spam and can easily break Dragonite's Multiscale. Phasers such as Skarmory and Hippowdon are also troublesome as they can force Dragonite out with Whirlwind and heal off any previous damage. Residual damage, in the form of contact chip, status, or via entry hazards are also problematic since the lack of Multiscale severely inhibits Dragonite's set-up capabilities and allows it to readily be punished when using Dragon Dance. As a Dragon Dance sweeper, Dragonite faces competition from Mega Charizard X and Mega Altaria which boast a better offensive typing, ability, and coverage options at the cost of expending a Mega slot.
[Set]
name: Dragon Dance + 3 Attacks
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Extreme Speed
move 4: Earthquake / Fire Punch
item: Lum Berry / Weakness Policy
ability: Multiscale
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Dragon Dance allows Dragonite to boost its already high attack and covers its middling speed, allowing it to sweep. With Dragon Dance, Dragonite is able to hit 388 Speed at +1, allowing it outspeed the likes of Tornadus-T, Serperior, and Keldeo. Outrage is a very spammable STAB that can be used to break teams once the opposing team's Dragon resists are weakened. At +1 Attack, Outrage is able to OHKO many of the Pokemon mentioned previously and can be used to punch holes through defensive walls that don't resist it. Extreme Speed is used to deal with revenge killers like Weavile and Talonflame, which may try to KO Dragonite with their priority moves. However, at +1 Dragonite has a good chance to OHKO both after a round of Stealth Rocks damage. It can also be used to severely chip Pokemon that are faster than it at +1, such as Mega Lopunny and Mega Alakazam. Earthquake is used to deal with Steel-types that resist Outrage and Extreme Speed such as Mega Metagross, Heatran, Jirachi, and Magnezone. It also prevents Dragonite from being walled by Fairy-types and is able to OHKO Mega Diancie at +1. Fire Punch may also be used to hit Pokemon such as Skarmory, Ferrothorn, and Mega-Scizor harder. Iron Head is also another option that can be run over Extreme Speed, and allows Dragonite to hit bulky Fairy-types such as Clefable and Mega Altaria harder, easily 2HKOing them at +1.
Set Details
=========
A spread with 252 Attack and Speed investment coupled with an Adamant Nature allows Dragonite to hit as hard as possible without being outsped by many Pokemon after a Dragon Dance. Multiscale in conjunction with Lum Berry allows Dragonite to set up Dragon Dance easily without fear of being OHKO'd or statused. Lum Berry can also heal off Outrage confusions, which can elongate Dragonite's sweep. Weakness Policy may also be used with Multiscale to drastically boost Dragonite's attack after being hit by a weak super effective move. However this item makes Dragonite susceptible to being punished by status during a Dragon Dance.
Usage Tips
=========
It is best to preserve Dragonite as a late-game win condition since it's progress may be impeded by bulky Fairy- and Steel-type Pokemon early game. In order for Dragonite to sweep it needs to use Dragon Dance, and since an intact Multiscale is integral to get a Dragon Dance off safely, hazard removal should be greatly prioritized before setting up. After Dragonite's checks and counters have been weakened, it can set up versus bulky passive Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Glare Serperior, Chansey, Rotom-W, and Heatran. Due to these Pokemon being unable to KO or cripple Lum Berry Dragonite, the use of Dragon Dance versus them goes mostly unpunished, allowing it to sweep afterwards.
Team Options
=========
Pokemon that can deal with bulky Fairy-types such as Excadrill, Jirachi, and Talonflame pair well with Dragonite, with Excadrill providing vital hazard removal, while Jirachi can provide Healing Wish support. Talonflame in particular has good synergy with Dragonite, being able to weaken Pokemon such as Tyranitar, Quagsire, and Slowbro with Will-O-Wisp, while Dragonite can weaken Pokemon such as Rotom-W and Heatran for Talonflame. Dragonite benefits from partners like Magnezone that can eliminate bulky Steel types such as Mega Metagross and Skarmory. Magnezone appreciates Dragonite's ability to switch into Ground-, Fighting-, and Fire-type moves. Screens users such as Serperior and Klefki also pair well with Dragonite, making it extremely easy to spam Dragon Dance with both screens and Multiscale up. These screen setters also appreciate Dragonite switching into common Fire-types such as Heatran and Volcarona, threatening them with Earthquake, and consequently allowing Dragonite ample setup opportunity. On screen teams, Latias also makes a good partner since it can use Healing Wish to provide Dragonite another opportunity to sweep. Powerful wallbreakers such as Manaphy, Volcarona, and Thundurus also pair well with Dragonite since they can overwhelm most teams by breaking through or weakening defensive walls, easing Dragonite's ability to sweep late-game.
[Set]
name: Bulky Roost Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Roost
move 3: Dragon Claw
move 4: Earthquake
item: Lum Berry
ability: Multiscale
nature: Adamant
evs: 192 HP / 64 Atk / 12 SpD / 240 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
With Roost, Dragonite is able to heal off any chip damage it receives while using Dragon Dance. Versus weak attackers if Roost is able to heal Dragonite to full, Multiscale will become active, allowing Dragonite for more opportunities to set up Dragon Dances. Dragon Claw is run as a reliable STAB option without risk of confusion unlike Outrage, but it loses out on base power. Earthquake allows Dragonite to hit Steel-types such as Heatran, Mega-Metagross, Jirachi, and Magnezone.
Set Details
=========
240 Speed on Dragonite allows it to outspeed Weavile at +1 and has a good chance to OHKO it with Dragon Claw. 64 Attack allows Dragonite to 2HKO offensive Mega Altaria at +1, and gives a roll to 2HKO defensive Mega Altaria after Stealth Rocks damage. The listed bulk allows Dragonite to survive a Choice Specs Latios Draco Meteor from full as well as Choice Banded Weavile's Knock Off after Stealth Rocks damage. Lum Berry is preferred over an item such as Leftovers to better threaten the likes of Pokemon such as Rotom-Wash and Keldeo without the fear of being statused and allowing Dragonite ample opportunities to set up.
Usage Tips
=========
Dragonite should be used to sweep once the opposing team's Steel- and Fairy-types have been weakened or removed. Due to it's reliance on Multiscale and Lum Berry to sweep, hazard removal should be prioritized to bring Dragonite into battle safely. Similarly, it is vital that Dragonite's Lum Berry does not get knocked off to prevent it from being statused during a Dragon Dance. Dragonite is able to set up versus weak passive Pokemon that are unable to touch it such as Glare Serperior, Ferrothorn, and Chansey. With entry Hazards up, Dragonite also has defensive utility by being able to switch into powerful Special Attacking Wallbreakers such as Volcarona and Charizard Y, consequently setting up versus them as well.
Team Options
=========
Magnezone is an excellent partner for this set since it is able to trap Steel- and Fairy-types such as Skarmory and Clefable which may otherwise wall Dragonite. Similarly, Volcarona is able to threaten Steel-types like Mega-Scizor and Mega-Metagross while also dealing with Ice-types such as Weavile that may be troublesome to Dragonite. In return, Volcarona greatly appreciates Dragonite's ability to switch into Heatran and threaten an OHKO on it with Earthquake. Hazard setters that are able to wear down opposing teams also pair well with Dragonite. Excadrill in particular has good synergy since it can lay Stealth Rocks, spin off opposing hazards, and deal with Steel- and Fairy-types that may annoy Dragonite. Cofagrigus is also a unique partner that can aid Dragonite by setting up Toxic Spikes and using Hex to chip down opposing teams and allow Dragonite to sweep. In addition, the use of Will-O-Wisp works well with Dragonite considering it can use burnt Pokemon as set up fodder. Status-absorbing Pokemon such as Clefable also pair well with Dragonite and may be useful to cripple opposing teams with Thunder-Wave or severely chip them down with Calm Mind sets.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
=========
Other Options
=========
Choice Banded Dragonite is also a unique option that allows it immediate wallbreaking potential with Outrage. It can also utilize Extreme Speed on this set, which allows it to threaten offensive teams by deterring any setup. However being locked into a move is very costly for Dragonite, making this set very prediction heavy and susceptible to punishment in the form of being KO'd or allowing another opposing Pokemon to set up. Life Orb is also another option that Dragonite can run on the offensive set, as it allows Dragonite to do more damage after a Dragon Dance compared to the Lum Berry Set. +1 Life Orb Outrage increases Dragonite's wallbreaking capabilities making it OHKO a larger portion of the metagame. This variant is able to net otherwise unattainable KOs at +1, with Iron Head OHKOing offensive Mega Altaria and some variants of Clefable, while Earthquake OHKOs the likes of Mega Metagross and Jirachi. While both of these sets offer Dragonite more offensive power, they are prone to getting worn down quickly, and becoming susceptible to status. As a result, these sets may be less consistent compared to the standard offensive sets.
Checks and Counters
=========
**Bulky Fairy-types**: Bulky Fairy Pokemon like Clefable and Mega Altaria can easily take a hit from Dragonite even at +1 and can threaten it out with their STAB attacks.
**Bulky Water types**: Water types such as Slowbro and Quagsire also also able to take a hit from Dragonite at +1, heal off the damage, and threaten a Scald burn or a KO on it with Ice Beam coverage.
**Super-effective coverage**: Ice-type coverage on Weavile, Mega Metagross, and Manaphy can do severe damage to Dragonite, even with Multiscale intact.
**Phasers**: Whirlwind users such as Skarmory and Hippowdon are able to take any attack from Dragonite at +1 and heal off the damage after phasing it out. Furthermore, they limit Dragonite's future set up ability by breaking Multiscale via residual damage from Rocky Helmet, Stealth Rocks, or Sand damage.
**Revenge-Killers**: Fast Mega Evolutions such as Mega Lopunny are able to outspeed Dragonite even at +1 and threaten a KO with Fake Out into Ice Punch. Mega Manectric also poses an issue since it can spam Intimidate and threaten Dragonite with Hidden Power Ice. Pokemon such as Mega Scizor and Bisharp resist Extreme Speed and can severely chip Dragonite down with strong priority Bullet and Sucker Punches.
**Residual Damage and Status**: Due to Dragonite's heavy reliance on Multiscale to sweep, contact damage, entry hazards, weather, and status all pose a problem to it. Although Dragonite may still be able to sweep with hazard damage, if it burned or paralyzed, this feat becomes impossible. Therefore it is vital to bring Dragonite into battle safely in order for it to sweep.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Anvil Head, 440741]]
- Quality checked by: [[Vulpix03, 306299], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
Dragonite's great offensive stats, unique ability, and access to Extreme Speed make it one of the most formidable Dragon Dance sweepers in ORAS OU. Dragonite's typing gives it useful resistances, often allowing it to switch-in freely into common sweepers such as Serperior and Volcarona, unlike other Dragon Dance users such as Mega Tyranitar or Mega Gyarados. Multiscale works well with Dragonite's bulk since it prevents being OHKO'd by most Pokemon in the tier, allowing Dragonite an almost guaranteed Dragon Dance. Roost gives Dragonite longevity and allows it to better check Serperior and Volcarona. Dragon Dance not only allows Dragonite to break through bulkier teams, but also allows it to OHKO Pokemon that would normally outspeed it such as Tornadus-T, Thundurus, Serperior, Latios, and Latias. Extreme Speed in conjunction with Multiscale makes Dragonite very hard to revenge kill, since it can be used to KO Pokemon faster than it and can outprioritize Weavile's Ice Shard and Talonflame's Brave Bird / Acrobatics. Although Dragonite's STABs are largely unresisted, Fairy-Types such as Clefable and Mega Altaria prevent Outrage spam and can easily break Dragonite's Multiscale. Phasers such as Skarmory and Hippowdon are also troublesome as they can force Dragonite out with Whirlwind and heal off any previous damage. Residual damage, in the form of contact chip, status, or via entry hazards are also problematic since the lack of Multiscale severely inhibits Dragonite's set-up capabilities and allows it to readily be punished when using Dragon Dance. As a Dragon Dance sweeper, Dragonite faces competition from Mega Charizard X and Mega Altaria which boast a better offensive typing, ability, and coverage options at the cost of expending a Mega slot.
[Set]
name: Dragon Dance + 3 Attacks
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Extreme Speed
move 4: Earthquake / Fire Punch
item: Lum Berry / Weakness Policy
ability: Multiscale
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Dragon Dance allows Dragonite to boost its already high attack and covers its middling speed, allowing it to sweep. With Dragon Dance, Dragonite is able to hit 388 Speed at +1, allowing it outspeed the likes of Tornadus-T, Serperior, and Keldeo. Outrage is a very spammable STAB that can be used to break teams once the opposing team's Dragon resists are weakened. At +1 Attack, Outrage is able to OHKO many of the Pokemon mentioned previously and can be used to punch holes through defensive walls that don't resist it. Extreme Speed is used to deal with revenge killers like Weavile and Talonflame, which may try to KO Dragonite with their priority moves. However, at +1 Dragonite has a good chance to OHKO both after a round of Stealth Rocks damage. It can also be used to severely chip Pokemon that are faster than it at +1, such as Mega Lopunny and Mega Alakazam. Earthquake is used to deal with Steel-types that resist Outrage and Extreme Speed such as Mega Metagross, Heatran, Jirachi, and Magnezone. It also prevents Dragonite from being walled by Fairy-types and is able to OHKO Mega Diancie at +1. Fire Punch may also be used to hit Pokemon such as Skarmory, Ferrothorn, and Mega-Scizor harder. Iron Head is also another option that can be run over Extreme Speed, and allows Dragonite to hit bulky Fairy-types such as Clefable and Mega Altaria harder, easily 2HKOing them at +1.
Set Details
=========
A spread with 252 Attack and Speed investment coupled with an Adamant Nature allows Dragonite to hit as hard as possible without being outsped by many Pokemon after a Dragon Dance. Multiscale in conjunction with Lum Berry allows Dragonite to set up Dragon Dance easily without fear of being OHKO'd or statused. Lum Berry can also heal off Outrage confusions, which can elongate Dragonite's sweep. Weakness Policy may also be used with Multiscale to drastically boost Dragonite's attack after being hit by a weak super effective move. However this item makes Dragonite susceptible to being punished by status during a Dragon Dance.
Usage Tips
=========
It is best to preserve Dragonite as a late-game win condition since it's progress may be impeded by bulky Fairy- and Steel-type Pokemon early game. In order for Dragonite to sweep it needs to use Dragon Dance, and since an intact Multiscale is integral to get a Dragon Dance off safely, hazard removal should be greatly prioritized before setting up. After Dragonite's checks and counters have been weakened, it can set up versus bulky passive Pokemon such as Ferrothorn, Glare Serperior, Chansey, Rotom-W, and Heatran. Due to these Pokemon being unable to KO or cripple Lum Berry Dragonite, the use of Dragon Dance versus them goes mostly unpunished, allowing it to sweep afterwards.
Team Options
=========
Pokemon that can deal with bulky Fairy-types such as Excadrill, Jirachi, and Talonflame pair well with Dragonite, with Excadrill providing vital hazard removal, while Jirachi can provide Healing Wish support. Talonflame in particular has good synergy with Dragonite, being able to weaken Pokemon such as Tyranitar, Quagsire, and Slowbro with Will-O-Wisp, while Dragonite can weaken Pokemon such as Rotom-W and Heatran for Talonflame. Dragonite benefits from partners like Magnezone that can eliminate bulky Steel types such as Mega Metagross and Skarmory. Magnezone appreciates Dragonite's ability to switch into Ground-, Fighting-, and Fire-type moves. Screens users such as Serperior and Klefki also pair well with Dragonite, making it extremely easy to spam Dragon Dance with both screens and Multiscale up. These screen setters also appreciate Dragonite switching into common Fire-types such as Heatran and Volcarona, threatening them with Earthquake, and consequently allowing Dragonite ample setup opportunity. On screen teams, Latias also makes a good partner since it can use Healing Wish to provide Dragonite another opportunity to sweep. Powerful wallbreakers such as Manaphy, Volcarona, and Thundurus also pair well with Dragonite since they can overwhelm most teams by breaking through or weakening defensive walls, easing Dragonite's ability to sweep late-game.
[Set]
name: Bulky Roost Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Roost
move 3: Dragon Claw
move 4: Earthquake
item: Lum Berry
ability: Multiscale
nature: Adamant
evs: 192 HP / 64 Atk / 12 SpD / 240 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
With Roost, Dragonite is able to heal off any chip damage it receives while using Dragon Dance. Versus weak attackers if Roost is able to heal Dragonite to full, Multiscale will become active, allowing Dragonite for more opportunities to set up Dragon Dances. Dragon Claw is run as a reliable STAB option without risk of confusion unlike Outrage, but it loses out on base power. Earthquake allows Dragonite to hit Steel-types such as Heatran, Mega-Metagross, Jirachi, and Magnezone.
Set Details
=========
240 Speed on Dragonite allows it to outspeed Weavile at +1 and has a good chance to OHKO it with Dragon Claw. 64 Attack allows Dragonite to 2HKO offensive Mega Altaria at +1, and gives a roll to 2HKO defensive Mega Altaria after Stealth Rocks damage. The listed bulk allows Dragonite to survive a Choice Specs Latios Draco Meteor from full as well as Choice Banded Weavile's Knock Off after Stealth Rocks damage. Lum Berry is preferred over an item such as Leftovers to better threaten the likes of Pokemon such as Rotom-Wash and Keldeo without the fear of being statused and allowing Dragonite ample opportunities to set up.
Usage Tips
=========
Dragonite should be used to sweep once the opposing team's Steel- and Fairy-types have been weakened or removed. Due to it's reliance on Multiscale and Lum Berry to sweep, hazard removal should be prioritized to bring Dragonite into battle safely. Similarly, it is vital that Dragonite's Lum Berry does not get knocked off to prevent it from being statused during a Dragon Dance. Dragonite is able to set up versus weak passive Pokemon that are unable to touch it such as Glare Serperior, Ferrothorn, and Chansey. With entry Hazards up, Dragonite also has defensive utility by being able to switch into powerful Special Attacking Wallbreakers such as Volcarona and Charizard Y, consequently setting up versus them as well.
Team Options
=========
Magnezone is an excellent partner for this set since it is able to trap Steel- and Fairy-types such as Skarmory and Clefable which may otherwise wall Dragonite. Similarly, Volcarona is able to threaten Steel-types like Mega-Scizor and Mega-Metagross while also dealing with Ice-types such as Weavile that may be troublesome to Dragonite. In return, Volcarona greatly appreciates Dragonite's ability to switch into Heatran and threaten an OHKO on it with Earthquake. Hazard setters that are able to wear down opposing teams also pair well with Dragonite. Excadrill in particular has good synergy since it can lay Stealth Rocks, spin off opposing hazards, and deal with Steel- and Fairy-types that may annoy Dragonite. Cofagrigus is also a unique partner that can aid Dragonite by setting up Toxic Spikes and using Hex to chip down opposing teams and allow Dragonite to sweep. In addition, the use of Will-O-Wisp works well with Dragonite considering it can use burnt Pokemon as set up fodder. Status-absorbing Pokemon such as Clefable also pair well with Dragonite and may be useful to cripple opposing teams with Thunder-Wave or severely chip them down with Calm Mind sets.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
=========
Other Options
=========
Choice Banded Dragonite is also a unique option that allows it immediate wallbreaking potential with Outrage. It can also utilize Extreme Speed on this set, which allows it to threaten offensive teams by deterring any setup. However being locked into a move is very costly for Dragonite, making this set very prediction heavy and susceptible to punishment in the form of being KO'd or allowing another opposing Pokemon to set up. Life Orb is also another option that Dragonite can run on the offensive set, as it allows Dragonite to do more damage after a Dragon Dance compared to the Lum Berry Set. +1 Life Orb Outrage increases Dragonite's wallbreaking capabilities making it OHKO a larger portion of the metagame. This variant is able to net otherwise unattainable KOs at +1, with Iron Head OHKOing offensive Mega Altaria and some variants of Clefable, while Earthquake OHKOs the likes of Mega Metagross and Jirachi. While both of these sets offer Dragonite more offensive power, they are prone to getting worn down quickly, and becoming susceptible to status. As a result, these sets may be less consistent compared to the standard offensive sets.
Checks and Counters
=========
**Bulky Fairy-types**: Bulky Fairy Pokemon like Clefable and Mega Altaria can easily take a hit from Dragonite even at +1 and can threaten it out with their STAB attacks.
**Bulky Water types**: Water types such as Slowbro and Quagsire also also able to take a hit from Dragonite at +1, heal off the damage, and threaten a Scald burn or a KO on it with Ice Beam coverage.
**Super-effective coverage**: Ice-type coverage on Weavile, Mega Metagross, and Manaphy can do severe damage to Dragonite, even with Multiscale intact.
**Phasers**: Whirlwind users such as Skarmory and Hippowdon are able to take any attack from Dragonite at +1 and heal off the damage after phasing it out. Furthermore, they limit Dragonite's future set up ability by breaking Multiscale via residual damage from Rocky Helmet, Stealth Rocks, or Sand damage.
**Revenge-Killers**: Fast Mega Evolutions such as Mega Lopunny are able to outspeed Dragonite even at +1 and threaten a KO with Fake Out into Ice Punch. Mega Manectric also poses an issue since it can spam Intimidate and threaten Dragonite with Hidden Power Ice. Pokemon such as Mega Scizor and Bisharp resist Extreme Speed and can severely chip Dragonite down with strong priority Bullet and Sucker Punches.
**Residual Damage and Status**: Due to Dragonite's heavy reliance on Multiscale to sweep, contact damage, entry hazards, weather, and status all pose a problem to it. Although Dragonite may still be able to sweep with hazard damage, if it burned or paralyzed, this feat becomes impossible. Therefore it is vital to bring Dragonite into battle safely in order for it to sweep.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Anvil Head, 440741]]
- Quality checked by: [[Vulpix03, 306299], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
Last edited:
