Smogon Dragonite: Best Movesets, Builds, Counters and Battle Guide

Dragonite has remained one of the most respected Pokémon in competitive battling for decades. Known for its powerful attacks, excellent ability options, and impressive versatility, Dragonite continues to find opportunities in different Smogon formats. Many trainers search for the best smogon dragonite strategies because this Dragon Pokémon can perform multiple roles depending on team needs.

Unlike many offensive Pokémon that depend only on speed or power, Dragonite succeeds because it combines strong stats with useful defensive tools. Its ability Multiscale allows it to survive powerful attacks when at full health, giving it opportunities to set up Dragon Dance or support its team. This balance between offense and durability makes Dragonite a unique threat in competitive battles.

This guide explains Dragonite’s best movesets, EV spreads, abilities, items, team partners, counters, and battle strategies to help players use it effectively.

Why Is Dragonite Popular on Smogon?

Dragonite’s popularity comes from its incredible flexibility. It can function as a setup sweeper, offensive attacker, defensive utility Pokémon, or even a team support option. Few Pokémon can adapt to different battle situations as easily as Dragonite.

The main reason players choose smogon dragonite builds is the combination of Dragon Dance and Multiscale. Dragon Dance increases Dragonite’s Attack and Speed, allowing it to become extremely dangerous after only one setup turn.

Multiscale gives Dragonite extra protection by reducing damage when its health is full. This allows it to survive attacks that would normally knock out other offensive Pokémon.

Dragonite also has access to a wide move pool, including:

• Dragon Claw
• Outrage
• Extreme Speed
• Earthquake
• Fire Punch
• Roost
• Ice Spinner
• Thunder Punch

This variety makes it difficult for opponents to predict Dragonite’s exact set.

Dragonite Base Stats and Competitive Strengths

Understanding Dragonite’s stats explains why it remains valuable in competitive formats.

Dragonite’s biggest strength is its Attack stat. With 134 base Attack, it can deal huge damage after setup. Its defensive stats are also solid, allowing it to survive attacks better than many offensive Pokémon.

However, Dragonite’s Speed is only average before boosting. This is why Dragon Dance is such an important part of many competitive sets.

The combination of setup potential, strong coverage, and Multiscale makes Dragonite a consistent threat.

Best Smogon Dragonite Movesets

The most common competitive Dragonite builds focus on boosting power and sweeping teams.

Dragon Dance Sweeper Set

Dragonite @ Heavy-Duty Boots

Ability: Multiscale

Nature: Adamant or Jolly

EVs:

• 252 Attack
• 252 Speed
• 4 HP

Moves:

• Dragon Dance
• Dragon Claw
• Extreme Speed
• Earthquake

This is one of the most reliable smogon dragonite sets. Dragon Dance allows Dragonite to increase its offensive power while fixing its Speed problem.

Dragon Claw provides consistent Dragon-type damage without the drawbacks of Outrage. Extreme Speed gives Dragonite priority, allowing it to defeat faster weakened opponents.

Earthquake provides coverage against Steel, Rock, and Electric Pokémon that resist Dragon attacks.

Best Items and Abilities for Dragonite

Choosing the correct item can completely change how Dragonite performs.

Heavy-Duty Boots

Heavy-Duty Boots are one of the most popular choices because they protect Dragonite from entry hazards.

Stealth Rock is especially dangerous because it breaks Multiscale when Dragonite switches in. Keeping Multiscale active gives Dragonite more setup opportunities.

Lum Berry

Lum Berry helps Dragonite avoid status problems such as paralysis, burn, or sleep.

This item works well with Dragon Dance sets because status conditions can completely stop a sweep.

Leftovers

Leftovers provides passive recovery and works well with defensive Dragonite builds that rely on Roost.

Choice Band

Choice Band transforms Dragonite into an immediate offensive threat. Instead of setting up, Dragonite can deal heavy damage from the first turn.

How to Use Dragonite in Competitive Battles

Using Dragonite successfully requires good timing. Although it has strong stats, choosing the wrong moment to set up can lead to losing momentum.

The ideal situation is bringing Dragonite onto the field when Multiscale is active. This gives Dragonite the best chance to survive an incoming attack and use Dragon Dance.

Players should avoid switching Dragonite into entry hazards without removing them first. A broken Multiscale makes Dragonite much easier to defeat.

Good Dragonite players focus on:

• Maintaining health
• Removing hazards
• Predicting opponent switches
• Choosing the correct setup moment
• Saving Extreme Speed for late-game situations

Dragonite is not always about attacking immediately. Sometimes creating pressure and forcing switches creates the best opportunity for victory.

Best Teammates for Dragonite

Dragonite benefits greatly from teammates that remove its weaknesses and create safe opportunities.

Great Tusk

Great Tusk provides Rapid Spin support, helping protect Dragonite’s Multiscale ability. It also handles many physical attackers.

Heatran

Heatran works well alongside Dragonite because it checks Fairy and Steel Pokémon that threaten Dragonite.

Corviknight

Corviknight provides defensive support and can remove hazards with Defog.

Magnezone

Magnezone helps trap Steel Pokémon that resist Dragonite’s Dragon-type attacks.

Rotom-Wash

Rotom-Wash provides momentum through Volt Switch and helps Dragonite enter battle safely.

Strong team support allows Dragonite to focus on what it does best: setting up and sweeping.

Dragonite Counters and Weaknesses

Even though Dragonite is powerful, it has several weaknesses that opponents can exploit.

Fairy-Type Pokémon

Fairy Pokémon resist Dragon-type moves and can threaten Dragonite with super effective attacks.

Examples include:

• Clefable
• Iron Valiant
• Azumarill

Ice-Type Attacks

Dragonite’s 4x weakness to Ice makes Ice coverage extremely dangerous.

Many Pokémon carry Ice-type moves specifically to prevent Dragonite from sweeping.

Defensive Walls

Some bulky Pokémon can survive Dragonite’s attacks and stop its momentum.

Common answers include:

• Dondozo
• Skarmory
• Ting-Lu

The best way to overcome these threats is using proper teammates and removing counters before attempting a sweep.

Dragonite in Different Smogon Formats

Dragonite has appeared in many competitive generations, and its role changes depending on the format.

In older generations, Dragonite was valued for its strong offensive stats and wide move coverage.

Modern formats increased Dragonite’s effectiveness because Multiscale gave it a unique defensive advantage. The introduction of new items, moves, and team strategies has allowed Dragonite to remain relevant.

Players searching for smogon dragonite information often compare different generations because Dragonite’s best moves and counters change with every metagame.

Despite these changes, the core strategy remains similar:

• Preserve health
• Create setup opportunities
• Boost with Dragon Dance
• Sweep weakened teams

Frequently Asked Questions About Smogon Dragonite

Is Dragonite good on Smogon?

Yes. Dragonite remains a strong competitive Pokémon because of Multiscale, Dragon Dance, and excellent offensive coverage.

What is the best Dragonite moveset?

Dragon Dance, Dragon Claw, Extreme Speed, and Earthquake is one of the most reliable offensive sets.

What ability should Dragonite use?

Multiscale is usually the preferred ability because it improves Dragonite’s ability to survive attacks.

Is Heavy-Duty Boots good for Dragonite?

Yes. Heavy-Duty Boots helps preserve Multiscale by preventing entry hazard damage.

Is Dragonite better than other Dragon Pokémon?

Dragonite offers unique advantages through Multiscale and Extreme Speed, making it different from other Dragon types.

How do you stop Dragonite?

The best methods include using Fairy Pokémon, Ice attacks, entry hazards, and strong defensive walls.

Final Thoughts on Smogon Dragonite

Dragonite remains one of the most iconic competitive Pokémon because it combines power, flexibility, and reliability. A well-played smogon dragonite set can completely change the direction of a battle by creating pressure and sweeping teams after only a single setup opportunity.

The key to mastering Dragonite is understanding timing. Protect Multiscale, choose the right moment for Dragon Dance, and build a team that removes its counters. With proper support and smart decisions, Dragonite continues to prove why it has remained a favorite among competitive Pokémon players for many years.

Read Also: Banette Smogon Guide: Best Movesets, EVs and Battle Tips