|
-
Shed Skin
- 1/3 chance to heal status every turn.
-
Marvel Scale
- Defense is increased by 50% when afflicted with status.
|
Level 100 Statistics (see level 5, 50, 100)
|
Min- |
Min |
Max |
Max+ |
| HP |
61
|
- |
263 |
326 |
- |
| Atk |
84
|
183 |
204 |
267 |
293 |
| Def |
65
|
149 |
166 |
229 |
251 |
| SpA |
70
|
158 |
176 |
239 |
262 |
| SpD |
70
|
158 |
176 |
239 |
262 |
| Spe |
70
|
158 |
176 |
239 |
262 |
Overview
A single glance at Dragonair's stats would usually give you the impression that she is a mediocre Pokemon. In all honestly, she is. Offensively, her stats aren't so hot, especially when there are better offensive Dragon-types such as Fraxure. If you combine that with her mediocre Speed and defensive stats, Dragonair might not even be worth using in the NU tier. However, thanks to two useful abilities in Shed Skin and Marvel Scale and Eviolite, Dragonair still finds hope to become known in NU. While her defensive stats alone aren't very promising, holding an Eviolite allows them to be utilized. Her great defensive typing gives her resistances to many common types, as well as only two weaknesses. Because of this bulk, she can make use of Dragon Dance, as she can set up much more efficiently thanks to her decent bulk. Thunder Wave and Dragon Tail are also great move selections for Dragonair, as she can cripple sweepers and rack up entry hazard damage. Overall, while Dragonair does have her perks, she is outclassed in many ways, and should be used with extreme care.
Dragonair can function well with a bulky offensive set. She can set up Dragon Dance on special attackers such as Eelektross, Serperior, Seismitoad, and Charizard by taking advantage of her decent bulk, in contrast to other frail sweepers. In spite of her defensive boost, this set isn't meant to set up on powerhouses and bulky setup sweepers, such as Sawk and Carracosta, but it is rather meant to set up on special attackers and walls, which in some cases cannot stop at least one Dragon Dance. Thanks to Dragonair's great ability options, Rest can be used with succession, giving Dragonair a recovery option.
Dragon Dance is the core of this set, as it raises Dragonair's Speed and Attack to viable levels. Rest is Dragonair's only source of recovery, and while two turns asleep can hinder Dragonair's capabilities, Shed Skin and Marvel Scale can mend it. If she finds an opportunity to set up, Dragonair can break through opposing teams with her powerful STAB move, Outrage, because there aren't many Pokemon in the NU tier that can resist it. Waterfall is used for extra coverage, but unless Dragonair encounters a Steel-type, Outrage is the superior choice. ExtremeSpeed is also an option if priority is preferred, as it can be used for revenge killing weakened adversaries. Dragonair's Speed is not very good without investment, so ExtremeSpeed can be used to revenge kill Choice Scarf users that outspeed Dragonair even after two or three boosts are attained, such as Primeape, Jynx, and Zebstrika. Finally, Sleep Talk is another option in the final moveslot, as it takes advantage of Rest while working well in conjunction with Marvel Scale. Sleep Talk also allows Outrage to be used without being locked into it.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
Shed Skin and Marvel Scale both have their merits, and should be used accordingly. Shed Skin gives the opportunity for Dragonair to wake up from Rest 33% of the time, which can be useful in the midst of setting up. However, Marvel Scale gives Dragonair a 50% boost in Defense when Dragonair is inflicted with status, which allows Dragonair to be even harder to defeat. Full investment in both HP and Special Defense allows Dragonair to obtain the bulk necessary to set up on her main target. With Eviolite, the given Special Defense EVs, and her great defensive typing, Dragonair doesn't have many difficulties setting up against special attackers, such as Eelektross and Charizard. A Careful nature maximizes her Special Defense. An EV spread of 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe is optional to handle physical attackers, such as Tauros and Choiced Braviary. Aqua Tail is an option over Waterfall for more power, but Waterfall is more reliable, and the flinch rate can be useful.
As Dragonair's attacks are usually underwhelming, entry hazards are appreciated so that Dragonair can manage to land a KO. Scolipede, Garbodor, and Probopass are good partners for that role; the latter has good synergy with Dragonair, as it takes the Ice-type attacks aimed at her. Pokemon that can spread paralysis or burn, such as Volbeat, Liepard, or Misdreavus, can be helpful in weakening the opponent for Dragonair. Heal Bell support can be useful for Dragonair, which is recommended when Shed Skin is the chosen ability. Lickilicky and Miltank are great selections as Heal Bell partners; Lickilicky can also pass Wishes to Dragonair. Lastly, physical walls, such as Weezing, stop Dragonair in her tracks. Gorebyss and Musharna are both great special attackers to deal with them.
Dragonair's goal for this set is to spread paralysis against the opposing team, which can be achieved thanks to her access to Eviolite, recovery from Rest, and the Defense boost from Marvel Scale when Dragonair is afflicted with status. Rest is the key move in this set, as it keeps Dragonair healthy. Thunder Wave is an important move to the set because it can not only cripple the opposing sweepers, but can give an opportunity for teammates to attack. Dragon Tail in conjunction with Thunder Wave allows Dragonair to pass paralysis to the adversary, as well as stopping setup sweepers from advancing, such as Swords Dance Samurott. However, due to Dragonair's lackluster Attack stat, she is often setup bait to Substitute users, who can then set up entry hazards, Leech Seed, or power up. In such a scenario, Outrage is a solution, allowing Dragonair to have some sort of offensive presence. Sleep Talk is the final move of the set, allowing Dragonair to continue to act while she is asleep from Rest.
Team Options & Additional Comments >>>
Marvel Scale encourages Rest to be used, as the 50% Defense boost helps maintain Dragonair's longevity, allowing her to fare well against physical attackers, such as Rapidash, non-Mold Breaker Pinser, and Swellow. The given EV spread balances her defensive stats when Marvel Scale is activated. A Careful nature enhances her Special Defense. Eviolite also increases her defenses, allowing her to survive hits much easier. If Thunder Wave isn't used, Dragon Dance can be replaced with it, giving her the chance to deal with more offensive threats. Toxic can also replace Thunder Wave to cripple bulky walls, such as Regirock and Alomomola. Pokemon that benefit from having paralyzed opponents, such as Choice Band Sawk, Butterfree, and Braviary, are great allies, as they can perform sweeps on the opposing team with fewer difficulties. Rotom-F and Jynx are great Pokemon to handle powerful physical attackers, such as Golurk and Braviary, but they must be careful of opposing Fighting-type moves. Golurk is also a good partner, as it can deal with Steel-types, Sawk, and Musharna. This variant of Dragonair is Taunt bait, which attracts Pokemon such as Liepard and Misdreavus to prevent Dragonair from using her support moves. Gurdurr and Sawk can easily deal with the former, while Charizard can take a Will-O-Wisp from the latter and proceed to KO it.
Other Options
With powerful special attacks at her arsenal, such as Draco Meteor and Dragon Pulse, Dragonair has the option of running a special attacking set. However, her mediocre Special Attack prevents this set from being successful. Leftovers can be used for any of Dragonair's sets, but she really needs the defensive boosts that Eviolite has to offer. Alternatively, an offensive Dragon Dance set can try to bring out Dragonair's offensive prowess, but her lackluster defenses are exposed even more so, making it difficult to set up. Flamethrower and Fire Blast can be used to deal with Steel-types, but Dragonair has no place for them in her movesets. Substitute can also be used in the bulky Dragon Dance set to try to set up Dragon Dance, but with a lack of reliable recovery, Dragonair would be wearing herself down.
Checks and Counters
Even with Eviolite, Dragonair doesn't stand a chance against many of the offensive Pokemon in NU. In general, almost every Ice-type in NU can easily defeat Dragonair. Sawk with Mold Breaker can cut through Marvel Scale, making Dragonair even more vulnerable to physical attacks. Dragonair still has a hard time with physical walls, even with Dragon Dance. Steel-types, specifically Bastiodon and Klang, can easily wall Dragonair and force it out in some way. Specifically, Bastiodon is capable of Roaring away Dragonair's boosts and Klang can set up alongside it with Shift Gear. Offensively, Pokemon with Choice Band can break through the bulky Dragon Dance set, namely Braviary, Sawk, and Golurk. While using the RestTalk set Dragonair is setup bait for many Substitute users especially Murkrow, Golurk, and SubSeed Ludicolo. Bulky Pokemon that can lay entry hazards, such as Roselia, can also set up on the RestTalk set, but must watch out for offensive Dragon Dance. Finding a Pokemon to handle Dragonair is a very easy task, as her mediocrity allows her to be defeated by a variety of Pokemon in the NU tier.
