Pokemon GO Dragonite Weaknesses And Counter Picks For Raids And PVP

This is a list of the top Dragonite counters in Pokemon GO, so you can take advantage of these natural weaknesses and shoot down the competition.

Dragonite is not only the original Dragon-type Pokemon. But he is also the original “pseudo-legendary” Pokemon in all of the history of the game. Truly the OG of all OGs.?Dragonite was a powerful force of nature in its era. It could crush lesser Dragon types using Dragon moves and vaporize Ice types with Fire moves.

All this while being cute as a button, and a tad bit derpy-looking.?And now, thanks to some rebalancing, Dragonite is now more or less unstoppable in the Master League! Unless, of course, you know his weak spots.?

These are the best Dragonite weaknesses as well as Raid counters in Pokemon GO.

Dragonite Resistance and Weaknesses

Dragonite is a Dragon/Flying Type hybrid, which means that its resistances are broken down as follows:

  • Resistant to: Fighting | Bug | Fire | Water
  • Double Resistant to: Ground | Grass
  • Weak against: Dragon | Fairy | Rock
  • Double Weak Against: Ice, ice, baby

Pokemon GO Dragonite Attacks Breakdown

You can probably find a more varied move pool in Pokemon GO. But you would REALLY have to try. Because Dragonite is easily up there with how much he can “cover” in a Master League showdown, or a Raid Battle.?These are the moves Dragonite currently has in its Pokemon GO kit.

Quick Attacks

  • Steel Wing (Steel-type Attack)
  • Dragon Tail (Dragon-type Attack).
  • Dragon Breath (Dragon-type Attack).

Charge Attacks

  • Hyper Beam (Normal-type Attack)
  • Hurricane (Flying-type Attack).
  • Outrage (Dragon-type Attack)
  • Dragon Claw (Dragon-type Attack)
  • Draco Meteor (Dragon-type Attack)
  • Return (Normal-type Attack)
  • Dragon Pulse (Dragon-type Attack)

Dragonite Raid Counters

Dragonite is a Tier 3 Raid Pokemon. His maximum CP reaches up to 2167, or 2709 CP if it's currently basking in the glorious Windy weather boost.

I already mentioned that Dragonite takes 4 times the normal damage from Ice-type attacks. Due to this, it would be wise to get someone with Ice-type moves. Preferably, the charged attack rather than a quick attack. Or both!

Fairy and Steel type Pokemon also take reduced damage from Dragon types. So it would be nice to send out one of them to brush off his attacks.

Here are our recommendations:

  • Mamoswine with Powder Snow (Quick Attack) and Avalanche (Charged Attack)
  • Weavile with Ice Shard (Quick Attack) and Avalanche (Charged Attack)
  • Mewtwo with Psycho Cut (Quick Attack) and Ice Beam (Charged Attack)

Dragonite PVP Counters

Dragonite isn't the same unstoppable juggernaut that it once was, but he's definitely NOT some pushover.?Dragonite has a 263 base attack and can deal STAB damage with all its Dragon moves. It is capable of decimating any opponent with weak affinities, as well as taking a large bite out of those with neutral affinities.

?Dragonite has one critical kryptonite because of its dual Dragon/Flying typing: Ice types. But thankfully, ice types are not super popular in Master League. But in come close-second standard counters of ?Rock-type attacks, and there are plenty of those in the meta.

Not to mention that Dragonites dependence on Dragon-type moves to perform anything close to his maximum potential makes him nearly useless against Steel and Fairy type Pokemon. Which sadly are some of the most common foes he will face in current Pokemon Master League metagame.

That being said, here are some of his worst nightmares:

  • Melmetal with Thunder Shock (Quick Attack) and Rock Slide (Charged Attack)
  • Togekiss with Charm (Quick Attack) and Ancient Power (Charged Attack)
  • Mamoswine with Powder Snow (Quick Attack) and Avalanche (Charged Attack)
  • Zacian with Snarl (Quick Attack) and Play Rough or Wild Charge (Charged Attack)
  • Groudon with Mud Shot (Quick Attack) and Earthquake (Charged Attack)
  • Dialga with Dragon Breath (Quick Attack) and Thunder (Charged Attack)
  • Mewtwo with Psycho Cut (Quick Attack) and Ice Beam (Charged Attack)
  • Landorus with Mud Shot (Quick Attack) and Earthquake (Charged Attack)
  • Excadrill with Mud Shot (Quick Attack) and Rock Slide (Charged Attack)
  • Metagross with Thunder Shock (Quick Attack) and Rock Slide (Charged Attack)

And then there are some less likely foes you could see in PVP I guess:

  • Galarian Darmanitan?- Ice Fang/Avalanche
  • Glaceon?- Frost Breath/Avalanche
  • Beartic?Powder Snow/Ice Punch
  • Vanilluxe?– Frost Breath/Blizzard
  • Mr.?Rime – Ice Shard/Ice Punch
  • Avalugg?- Ice Fang/Avalanche
  • Jynx?- Frost Breath/Avalanche
  • Walrein?– Frost Breath/Icicle Spear
  • Weavile?- Ice Shard/Avalanche
  • Cloyster?- Frost Breath/Avalanche
  • Piloswine?– Ice Shard/Avalanche
  • Porygon-Z?- Hidden Power/Blizzard
  • Lapras?– Frost Breath/Ice Beam
  • Black Kyurem?- Dragon Tail/Outrage

Both Flying and Dragon types are both weak to Ice moves. Dragonite is therefore double-weak to Ice attack.?It's therefore all Ice-types when it comes up against a Dragonite. Like I said, not many ice users in the meta. But there are some noteworthy ones. Mewtwo often shows up with Ice Beam, and he can easily knock down a Dragonite.

I think Melmetal with Thunder Shock quick attack and rock slide charged attack is the best counter pick to a Dragonite, taking typing into consideration.?Melmetal being a metal type Pokemon takes reduced damage from any possible dragon type moves. Its raw stats are ridiculously good. And he is most likely to show up in PVP anyway, since he's hot in the current meta. And then he can Rock Slide Dragonite to death since he takes more damage from rock type moves, since he is a flying type.

Togekiss, Groundon, Excadrill, Metagross, hell, even Mamoswine and Glaceon tell similar tales. However, it could come down to the wire.?Zacian is the best option for Legendaries.?It's able to strike down Draognite with fairy type attacks, as well as a higher base attack. Not to mention that as a fairy type he takes less damage from anything Dragonite can muster up, besides Return, Hurricane or Steel Wing I suppose.

These are the weaknesses and counters for Dragonite in Pokemon GO.?You can find more information and guides in our Pokemon GO section. Be sure to check out Pokemon Go: 15 Best Master League Pokemon! (Updated March 2022) if you want to know what is in the current meta!

Anastasios Antoniadis
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