Dragon-type pokemon are one of the biggest powerhouses in the franchise, to where even if most of its opponents don’t have a weakness to a dragon-type attack, can still do plenty of damage onto them.  Their only weaknesses are to ice-, fairy- and other dragon-type pokemon.  With fairy-types, they are immune to any dragon-type attacks.

What dragon-types are known for, are:

• They have powerful stats, along with a strong defense against fire, grass, water and electric.
• They tend to be the hardest to find in most areas
• A lot of them don’t always look like dragons, such as Flygon and Tatsugiri
• When a pokemon has it as a primary or secondary type, it gains a defense against types that certain others would be extremely weak against.  Such as Kingdra, a water/dragon type, gaining protection from grass- and electric-type moves.
• In some games, they are used by either the final gym leader, or member(s. of the Elite Four, of the region.
• A good portion of legendaries, along with the region variants of a few, are part dragon-type.  Making them more of a challenge, such as Dialga and Palkia.

The pokemon chosen for this list comes from an article on The Gamer, written by Doruk Kaptan.  It is actually a top 20 list, so please click on this link to find out the rest:  The Best Dragon-Types In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet (thegamer.com.  Also, as a fair warning, some might make you ask how some of them could be considered dragon-types.

The stats come from Serebii.

10. Koraidon/Miraidon-Strong

When the stars takes the field

Starting things off with a two for one, are the two pokemon that are on the game covers.  These are the pokemon that become your ride, which you have to bring back to better health, during the Herba Mystica storyline.  Yet you don’t get to use them in battle, until after completing the rest of the main story, which takes place in Area Zero.  There is also a spare, one that is the final boss of the main story, that you can catch by returning to the entrance of the lab when you first encounter it.

To quote Kaptan, “They are both incredibly fast, with 135 Speed and have 135 in their respective offensive stat. They also have decent bulk and can easily take a hit. Their abilities are great in double battles or teams that are built around Paradox Pokemon, as both dragons summon a field effect that buffs them.”

Strengths:

• Koraidon’s strength is in physical attacks, due it being part fighting-type.
• Miraidon’s strength is in special attacks, due to being part electric-type.
• Both being paradoxes, as well as somewhat being legendary, they have some strong stats.
• Koraidon’s Orichalcum Pulse ability increases its attack stats by turning the sunlight into harsher light.
• Miraidon’s Hadron Engine ability increases its special attack stats by turning the ground into an Electric Terrain.

Base Stats:

• HP:  100
• Attack:  (K.135/(M.85
• Defense:  (K.115/(M.100
• Sp. Attack:  (K.85/(M.135
• Sp. Defense:  (K.100/(M.115
• Speed:  135

9. Kommo-o-Strong

What's that thing in the sky?

Introduced in Sun and Moon, this is the final evolved form of Jangmo-o, this is a pseudo-legendary pokemon.  The only place in Scarlet and Violet to find Jangmo-o is in Kitiakami, through The Teal Mask DLC.  This pokemon could be used as an alternative to Koraidon, which shares the same types, which are dragon/fighting, yet has a few more options in moves to choose from.  Its major flaw is that it gains a double weakness to fairy-type attacks.

From the article:  “Kommo-O, the pseudo-legendary of Generation Seven, is yet another example of how threatening a Dragon-type with setup options can be. Kommo-O has access to the move Clangorous Soul, which is an omniboost, and can easily lead to sweeps.”  To add to the last part, Clangorous Soul uses part of your HP, to help boost your stats.

Strengths:

• As part fighting-type, can take on normal-, rock-, ice- and steel-types.
• Bulletproof ability protects it from ball and bomb moves.
• Soundproof makes it immune to sound-based attacks.
• Overcoat hidden ability protects it from weather effects and powder moves.

Base Stats:

• HP:  75
• Attack:  110
• Defense:  125
• Sp. Attack:  100
• Sp. Defense:  105
• Speed:  85

8. Hydrapple-Strong

Play that song again

Well, this one might require a bit more explanation.  The base form of this pokemon is Applin, which was introduced in Sword and Shield, along with two of its three evolutions, Flapple and Appletun.  The third evolution, Dipplin, was introduced in the SV The Teal  Mask DLC, by using a syrupy apple to evolve it.  Hydrapple was introduced in The Indigo Disc DLC, and to get it would require Dipplin to know the move Dragon Cheer before leveling up.  This pokemon’s biggest weakness is from ice-type moves, since it is a grass/dragon-type pokemon.

From the article:  “This Grass/Dragon type is on the physically bulky side with a decent Special Attack. It gets access to all the moves it needs, ranging from Draco Meteor to Earth Power for coverage. It also has the Ability Regenerator, immensely increasing its survivability. Fickle Beam is also a decent move despite being unreliable with its power.”

Strengths:

• Being part grass-type can make it more possible to defeat water-, rock- and ground-types.
• Supersweet syrup ability makes it hard for the opponent to evade attacks.
• Regenerator restores HP when it is switched out of battle.
• Sticky Hold hidden ability prevents the removal of an item that it is holding.

Base Stats:

• HP:  106
• Attack:  80
• Defense:  110
• Sp. Attack:  120
• Sp. Defense:  80
• Speed:  44

7. Hisuian Goodra-Strong

Hisuian on the left, Kalos on the right.

This is a regional variant of Goodra, a Kalos pokemon, that can only be found in Pokemon Legends: Arceus.  The only way to get this pokemon, is to use Pokemon Home to transfer one from Legends into either Scarlet or Violet.  This one outshines the original, due it being a steel/dragon, because it gains a strong defense against its opponents.

To quote Kaptan:  “This monster's stats paint the picture of a special wall right away, with a gargantuan 150 Special Defense. All three of its abilities are also semi-useful at worst, being Sap Sipper, Shel Armor, and Gooey. ”

Strengths:

• As part steel-type, it is immune from being poisoned, takes less damage from ice- and fairy-type attacks.  It can also be used to defeat rock-, ice- and fairy-type pokemon.
• As part dragon-type, it takes less damage from fire-type moves.
• Sap Sipper ability makes it to where it absorbs grass-type attacks to increase its attack stats, without taking any damage.
• Shell Armor ability prevents critical hits
• Gooey hidden ability reduces the opponent's speed when it makes physical contact.

Base Stats:

• HP:  90
• Attack:  100
• Defense:  70
• Sp. Attack:  110
• Sp. Defense:  150
• Speed:  80

6. Returning Legendaries-Powerful/Very Powerful

Dining with Legends

This one has multiple entries that Kaptan threw into one part.  As a reminder that for each new pair of Pokemon games, they have a tendency to bring back a lot of the old ones into them, eventually.  Whether through Pokemon Home, or if you have already beaten the game as a whole, by searching for them.  For the second part, you would need to be at Blueberry Academy, and meet a person named Snacksworth.

Oh, by the way, if you go to Porto Marinada after completing everything, you can try to win a DNA Splicer from the auction there.  What it does is allow you to fuse together Kyurem with either Zekrom or Reshiram, creating a different version of Kyurem.

As a side note, most tournaments tend to forbid the use of legendary and mythical pokemon from within them.  Due to them providing an unfair advantage between players, because of their overpowering stats compared to most pokemon.  Those that would allow them, tend to place a limit on how many are allowed on a team.

5. Archaludon-Powerful

Uhh . . .

The evolved form of Duraludon, a Galar pokemon, which you get by using a Metal Alloy on it.  From the front, probably supposed to look like a skyscraper or a bridge.  But from the side, a staple remover.  With it being a steel/dragon-type pokemon it gains a powerful defense.

To quote Kaptan:  “This Steel/Dragon type has amazing Defense and Special Attack. Add to that powerful typing and great abilities in both Stamina and Stalwart, and you get a powerhouse. You could opt to go fully offensive with an item like Choice Specs or build it to be bulky with an Iron Defense Body Press set. Archaludon even gets an exclusive move with Electro Shot.”

Strengths:

• As part steel-type, it is immune to poison types, takes less damage from ice- and fairy-type moves. It can also defeat rock-, ice-, and fairy-type pokemon.
• As part dragon-type pokemon, it takes less damage from fire-type attacks.
• Stamina ability boosts its defense stats when struck by an attack.
• Stalwart hidden ability ignores other pokemon's abilities that involve moves.
• Only one that can use Electro Shot attack, which charges its sp.attack stats one turn, and fires it the next.  Can fire at the same time, if it’s raining.

Base Stats:

• HP:  90
• Attack:  105
• Defense:  130
• Sp. Attack:  125
• Sp. Defense:  65
• Speed:  85

4. Kingdra-Strong

A nice day at the beach

A Johto water/dragon-type pokemon that can be obtained by trade evolving a Seadra holding a Dragon Scale.  This pokemon has been given a better chance to shine in SV, as compared to GS, due to having more moves to choose from, as well as useful abilities.  Yet this would be a jack-of-all-trades, not the best at one specific task, but can still be useful for just about any situation.

As stated in the article:  “While not the best at any single job, Kingdra is versatile. It can be run as a setup sweeper with Dragon Dance or Focus Energy, it can serve as a rain sweeper with Choice Specs and Swift Swim, or it can even be a utility wall, using moves like Flip Turn and Yawn. You can also Terastalize into a Steel-type if you see an obvious Freeze-Dry incoming.”

Strengths:

• As part water-type, it gains defense against ice-type attacks.
• As part dragon-type, it gains a defense against grass- and electric-type attacks.
• With the Swift Swim ability, its speed doubles when it’s raining.
• With the Sniper ability, its critical-hit moves do maximum damage.
• With the Damp hidden ability, it prevents moves like Explosion and Self-Destruct from activating in battle.

Base Stats:

• HP:  75
• Attack:  95
• Defense:  95
• Sp. Attack:  95
• Sp. Defense:  95
• Speed:  85

3. Gouging Fire-Very Powerful

Dude, lay off the chili!

The ancestor of Entei, a Johto Legendary, this Paradox fire/dragon-type pokemon was introduced in The Indigo Disk DLC.  In order to find it, you have to register 200 pokemon in the Blueberry Pokedex, and talk to Perrin about hints to its location in Area Zero.  This pokemon, along with the other in the no. 1 spot, are only available in Scarlet, and can be used to trade for the two Paradox only available in Violet.

From the article:  “It's got an amazing stat spread for a physical tank and has access to great moves like Dragon Dance, Earthquake, and Heat Crash. Its signature move, Burning Bulwark, is practically a Protect that burns the target on contact, which is incredible on its own.”

Strengths:

• As part fire-type, it gains a defense against ice- and fairy-type moves.
• As part dragon type, it gains a defense against water-type moves.
• With the Protosynthesis ability, its highest stats increase when Sunny Day is used.  Or if it is equipped with the Booster Energy item.
• Only one that knows the Burning Bulwark, which protects it from direct attacks, and burns its opponent in the process.

Base Stats:

• HP:  105
• Attack:  115
• Defense:  121
• Sp. Attack:  65
• Sp. Defense:  93
• Speed:  91

2. Walking Wake-Very Powerful

Surf's Up

The Paradox ancestor of Johto’s Suicuine, is a water/dragon-type pokemon.  Unlike the last, and next entry to the list, this pokemon can only be obtained one of two ways.  One is during events, where you have to defeat it in 6* Tera Raids, which is difficult even with a full group.  The other is to trade for it, from somebody who has a few spares on hand.  This one can be caught from both versions.

Quoting Kaptan:  “Walking Wake has great coverage, too, learning Flamethrower, Knock Off, Hurricane, and the usual Water-type moves, Scald and Hydro Pump. It gets an exclusive move with Hydro Steam, too, which is a Water-type attack with 80 Base Power that gets boosted in Sunny Weather instead of becoming weaker. This, combined with its ability and access to Flamethrower, makes Walking Wake an amazing Sunny Day sweeper.”

Strengths:

• As part water-type, it gains a defense against ice-type attacks.
• As part dragon-type, it gains a defense against grass- and electric-type attacks.
• With the Protosynthesis ability, its highest stats increase when Sunny Day is used.  Or if it is equipped with the Booster Energy item.
• Its Hydro Stream attack becomes stronger when used in harsh sunlight.

Base Stats:

• HP:  99
• Attack:  83
• Defense:  91
• Sp. Attack:  125
• Sp. Defense:  83
• Speed:  109

1. Raging Bolt-Very Powerful

Hey, how's the weather up there?  Seriously?

The Paradox ancestor of Raikou, same as the other two mentioned, an electric/dragon-type pokemon.  Everything said about how to find Gouging Fire, applies to this one, but in a different part of Area Zero.  Unlike with Raikou, which focuses more on speed, its main focus is on its sp. attack moves.

From Kaptan’s words in the article:  “Contrary to Walking Wake, this time, Raikou retires from being a fast attacker and becomes a bulky special sweeper. With a great 125 HP and gargantuan 137 Special Attack, Raging Bolt's aim is to take a hit and hit harder in return.”

Strengths:

• As part electric-type, it can be used to take out flying- and water-type pokemon.
• With the Protosynthesis ability, its highest stats increase when Sunny Day is used.  Or if it is equipped with the Booster Energy item.
• Its Thunderclap attack can be used to interrupt an opponent that is preparing an attack for the next turn.

Base Stats:

• HP:  125
• Attack:  73
• Defense:  91
• Sp. Attack:  137
• Sp. Defense:  89
• Speed:  75

Just coming to say hi . . .maybe

With dragon-types, one needs to be careful to not overestimate their power, when compared to other types. While yes, they can give a lot of pokemon a good thrashing in battle, yet they can be taken down easily if struck by an attack that it has a weakness to.  Especially dual-types, since there is a type that the dragon half can’t defend against.  So like any other types, please make sure to have pokemon that are ready to help with the weakness they will have.

For other things Pokemon SV, check these out:

For other things Pokemon SV, check these out:

• [Top 12] Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Best Pokemon (Ranked)
• [Top 15] Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Best Electric Types (Ranked)
• Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Best Teams For Fuecoco, Sprigatito, and Quaxly