GP:- Mr. Uncompetitive / P Squared
[OVERVIEW]
**Flying**:
Dragonite is a very strong physical attacker, being able to wallbreak multiple threats with Choice Band or sweep with Dragon Dance. It has excellent offensive coverage options that make it a great asset to Flying teams such as Superpower, Fire Punch, and Earthquake. It also has access to Extreme Speed, which allows it to serve as a very reliable revenge killer. Dragonite has access to a great ability in Multiscale, which halves the damage it takes at full health, helping it in setting up Dragon Dance safely. This paired with its decent bulk means Dragonite can also switch into unresisted moves quite safely if necessary. Unfortunately, Dragonite has a huge weakness to Ice-type moves that can be exploited due to several Pokemon carrying Ice-type coverage moves, such as Mega Lopunny and Keldeo. Dragonite's weakness to Stealth Rock ruins Multiscale's effectiveness and makes it more difficult for it to set up. It also has a mediocre Speed tier and is usually useless in the Fairy matchup.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Extreme Speed
move 3: Fire Punch
move 4: Earthquake / Superpower
item: Choice Band
ability: Multiscale
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
A Choice Band-boosted STAB Outrage from Dragonite hits extremely hard, generally OHKOing anything that isn't a wall or doesn't resist it. Extreme Speed allows it to pick off weakened Pokemon that have set up such as Mega Gyarados or revenge kill certain threats such as Weavile after Stealth Rock. Fire Punch is used to hit Steel-types that would otherwise wall Dragonite such as Skarmory and Ferrothorn and pick up KOs on Mega Scizor and Bisharp. Earthquake gives it great coverage, hitting Steel- and Rock-types for super effective damage, notably KOing Mega Diancie. Superpower can be used over Earthquake, although Dragonite then loses out on the ability to 2HKO Doublade and an effective way to damage Azumarill besides Extreme Speed: Earthquake has a very good chance of OHKOing Azumarill after it uses Belly Drum if it has taken Stealth Rock damage and always does after a little prior damage, while Extreme Speed cannot do the same. Superpower can be used to break the Normal-type defensive core of Porygon2 and Chansey, which can otherwise pose a problem to Flying teams, and hit Steel-types super effectively, picking up an OHKO on Air Balloon Heatran.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment maximizes Dragonite's sweeping potential. An Adamant nature is preferred in order to increase its offensive presence and becomes relevant when revenge killing threats with Extreme Speed. It also gives Dragonite a chance to 2HKO both Leftovers and Rocky Helmet Skarmory with Fire Punch. A Choice Band is the item of choice, increasing Dragonite's damage output. Multiscale ensures Dragonite can get off a hit on a Pokemon without the risk of being KOed.
Usage Tips
========
Dragonite is best used as a hit-and-run attacker, doing damage and then switching out. It should be used early- or mid-game to wallbreak for its team, helping setup sweepers clean late-game. Preserving Multiscale should be the top priority, so the field should be kept clear of entry hazards. Dragonite should absolutely avoid status. Toxic poison and burn remove Multiscale, and a burn also halves its damage output. It can also work as a revenge killer with Extreme Speed and can clean late-game. Outrage should not be used when there are Pokemon that can revenge kill Dragonite such as Lopunny, Diancie, Magnezone, and Ditto, or when there are Steel-types, such as Scizor or Doublade, and Fairy-types, such as Belly Drum Azumarill, which can set up on it while it is locked into Outrage.
Team Options
========
Because Skarmory and Zapdos have the ability to wall almost every hit and can set and remove entry hazards, which is invaluable for preventing Multiscale from breaking, they pair well with Dragonite. Additionally, Zapdos can help whittle down walls that Dragonite can't break with Toxic and can get off a slow Volt Switch to bring in Dragonite safely. Skarmory switches into the Rock-, Fairy-, and Ice-type moves that threaten Dragonite like Ice Shard and increases offensive pressure by setting up Stealth Rock; however, it should be careful around Fairy-types like Diancie and Clefable, which can run Fire-type coverage moves like Hidden Power Fire and Flamethrower. Thundurus can offensively support Dragonite by spreading status through Prankster Thunder Wave, allowing it to beat threats without having to risk breaking its Multiscale. Mega Charizard Y can be used to switch into a predicted Will-O-Wisp and deal with the Ice-types and the physical walls that Dragonite cannot break. Landorus also pairs well with Dragonite, as it can OHKO or 2HKO almost every physical wall that Dragonite cannot break through. Dragonite's wallbreaking capabilities are largely appreciated by Mega Gyarados, helping it sweep late-game. Landorus-T's Choice Scarf set can be used to revenge kill Rock- and Steel-type foes that resist Extreme Speed. The defensive set can work as a great defensive pivot and can set up Stealth Rock while providing a slow U-turn to bring Dragonite in safely. Gliscor can also pair well with Dragonite, using its stallbreaking capabilities to stall out walls that threaten Dragonite like Porygon2 and bulky Water-type Pokemon like Alomomola.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Extreme Speed
move 3: Outrage
move 4: Fire Punch / Earthquake
item: Lum Berry
ability: Multiscale
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dragon Dance boosts Dragonite's Attack and Speed, making it a great sweeper or cleaner. It outspeeds Pokemon such as Mega Diancie, Latios, and Keldeo after one boost. Extreme Speed outprioritizes other attacks such as Sucker Punch and Ice Shard, as well as status moves from Prankster Pokemon such as Thundurus and Whimsicott. It's also good for picking off weakened Pokemon. Outrage is Dragonite's most powerful STAB attack, hitting multiple types that don't resist the move hard. Dragon Claw can be used instead of Outrage so that Dragonite doesn't get locked into the attack; however, there is a considerable difference in power, so Outrage gives Dragonite much-needed KOs that Dragon Claw cannot. Fire Punch allows Dragonite to deal massive damage to Skarmory, which otherwise walls Dragonite, and OHKO Mega Scizor and Ferrothorn. Earthquake gives it coverage on Mega Diancie, Azumarill, and Heatran, although it is walled by bulky Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothorn.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack EVs with an Adamant nature allow Dragonite to hit harder, notably OHKOing Keldeo, and almost always OHKOing specially defensive Zapdos after a Dragon Dance boost. Multiscale allows Dragonite to set up Dragon Dance more easily by halving damage at full health. A Lum Berry is needed for Dragonite to freely set up Dragon Dance once and avoid any status that will keep it from sweeping. Lum Berry keeps Multiscale's ability active in case a Pokemon tries to Will-O-Wisp or Toxic it. Alternatively, it helps cure Dragonite of confusion from Outrage.
Usage Tips
========
Always keep Dragonite away from status moves and Stealth Rock because they will ruin Dragonite's chances of setting up safely. The Lum Berry can be used to set up on Pokemon that threaten Dragonite with a burn, such as Slowbro and Alomomola, although it should be preserved for as long as possible. Dragonite can be used as a mid- or late-game cleaner once all of its threats are weakened or gone. Despite Multiscale halving the damage Dragonite takes, it's highly recommended that Dragonite does not stay in on any Ice-type attacks, as it will suffer heavy damage from or be OHKOed by them.
Team Options
========
Zapdos and Skarmory make for good partners because both are able to remove entry hazards with Defog. Skarmory can switch into physical attackers and Fairy-types while setting up or removing entry hazards for Dragonite. Zapdos can provide support with Toxic and a slow Volt Switch, which gives Dragonite an opportunity to come in safely and set up. Dragonite appreciates wallbreakers such as Mega Charizard Y as partners. Mega Charizard Y can also deal with Ice-types and switch into a predicted Will-O-Wisp that would be problematic for Dragonite. Landorus-T and Gyarados can soften attacks aimed at Dragonite with Intimidate, allowing for Dragonite to set up Dragon Dance more effectively. Landorus-T deserves a special mention, as it can break through walls with its fearsome Attack. Dragonite appreciates defensive Landorus-T's ability to set up Stealth Rock and use a slow U-turn so it can come in safely. Mega Gyarados can switch into predicted Ice-type attacks for Dragonite and check Psychic-types such as Mew, Jirachi, Slowbro, and Mega Medicham. Both Mega Gyarados and Dragonite can put offensive pressure on the opposing team, as both Pokemon can set up with Dragon Dance. Togekiss can switch into a predicted Dragon-type attack for Dragonite. With its access to Prankster, Thundurus can paralyze opposing Pokemon with Thunder Wave, providing speed control for Dragonite.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
**Flying**:
Weakness Policy can be used with Multiscale for Dragonite to get a huge boost in its Attack and Special Attack, making it a much bigger threat. However, it requires Dragonite to be hit by a super effective attack, meaning it will most likely be at low health after setting up and must have Multiscale intact before doing so. It can also run Fire Blast to ensure that it KOes Skarmory. Iron Head gives Dragonite coverage against Fairy- and Rock-types; however, Earthquake and Fire Punch are resisted by fewer types. Thunder Punch gives Dragonite coverage on Azumarill, Skarmory, and other Flying-types such as Togekiss super effectively; however, Fire Punch has superior coverage. A specially defensive variant can also be run to check Water-types like Volcanion.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying**:
**Physically Defensive Walls**: Dragonite has a tough time breaking through physically defensive walls such as Skarmory, Trace Porygon2, and Hippowdon. Hippowdon and Skarmory can carry Rocky Helmet, which can break Multiscale; disrupt Dragonite's with Whirlwind; and easily recover damage dealt to them. Porygon2 can trace Dragonite's Multiscale and can either 2HKO it with an Ice Beam, set a timer on it with Toxic, or paralyze it with Thunder Wave.
**Ice-types**: Despite having Fire Punch and Superpower, Dragonite is still vulnerable to Ice-type Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Kyurem-B, Weavile, and Avalugg; it cannot afford to take any Ice-type attacks due to its 4x weakness. Many Ice-types carry Ice Shard, which can easily KO Dragonite once its Multiscale is broken.
**Fairy-types**: Dragonite's Outrage has no effect on Fairy-types, so they can use that opportunity to get a free switch in. Dragonite would have to rely on its coverage moves to deal damage to them. Choice Band Azumarill is able to OHKO Dragonite with Play Rough or use it as setup fodder with Belly Drum. Sylveon's Choice Specs- and Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice can easily KO Dragonite. Togekiss can Thunder Wave Dragonite and proceed to make it flinch with Air Slash.
**Stealth Rock and Status**: Both Stealth Rock and status can ruin Dragonite's Multiscale, hindering its effectiveness as a sweeper. Status can severely hinder Dragonite's longevity in battle. Burns will cripple Dragonite's Attack, and Toxic damage increases each turn. Dragonite should be wary of paralysis, especially when running Dragon Dance. Notable Pokemon that can spread status are Mandibuzz, Chansey, Thundurus, Porygon2, Zapdos, Sableye, and Mew.
**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon are a huge problem for Dragonite if it has not set up Dragon Dance. Mega Lopunny can break its Multiscale with Fake Out and use Ice Punch afterwards. Choice Scarf Landorus-T can lower Dragonite's Attack with Intimidate and use Stone Edge. Keldeo has access to Icy Wind, which will lower Dragonite's Speed, keeping it from outpacing Keldeo.
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