As a Pokemon trainer, you’ll encounter all sorts of Pokemon during your exciting journeys. While some are easy to befriend and capture, dragon Pokemon are extremely tough to deal with yet phenomenal for Pokemon battles.
Due to their combative reputation – not to forget, their awesome designs – dragon Pokemon are coveted by the entire Pokemon fan base. If you’re looking for the best dragon Pokemon to have on your team, these are the twelve you should consider capturing:
Charizard
Region: Kanto
Category: Generation I
Type: Fire, Flying
Who doesn’t know Charizard, right? While the fire-breathing Pokemon isn’t classified under the Dragon element, he’s unquestionably draconic in nature.
Charizards are prideful creatures, preferring to test mightier Pokemon in battles while ignoring those they deem weak and pitiful. However, they become wiser with age and experience, as exemplified by Ash Ketchum’s Charizard in the anime.
Fun fact: Due to their popularity, the creators have since given Charizards the ability to transform even further, becoming Mega Charizard X (using Charizardite X), Mega Charizard Y (using Charizardite Y), or Gigantamax Charizard (while Gigantamaxing).
Dragonite
Region: Kanto
Category: Generation I
Type: Dragon, Flying
Dragonites are similarly beloved dragon Pokemon and one of the earliest introduced into the franchise. They’re benevolent, kind, and gentle, preferring to help others in need if they can.
Despite their flight capabilities, Dragonites are adept swimmers too, being seen underwater with other fish Pokemon in the open oceans. They make for indispensable Pokemon to have as companions for all sorts of purposes, including Pokemon battles.
Salamence
Region: Hoen
Category: Generation III
Type: Dragon, Flying
Originally found in Hoen, Salamences are rare Dragon-type Pokemon mainly trained for competitive battling and global tournaments. They’re tough to take down and can master various destructive elemental moves, such as Giga Impact and Draco Meteor.
Under their intimidating demeanor, though, they’re fiercely loyal to their trainers, with the most seasoned battlers capable of transforming their Salamences into the magnificent Mega Salamence using the Mega Stone, Salamencite.
Rayquaza
Region: Hoen
Category: Generation III
Type: Dragon, Flying
Hoen’s legendary Pokemon, Rayquaza, was definitely going to make it onto this list. He’s considered amongst the strongest Pokemon in existence, rivaling the likes of the godlike Arceus and cosmic Deoxys.
Although difficult to encounter and tame, a few incredible trainers spanning multiple Pokemon series have caught Rayquazas before. Notable individuals include the Pokemon coordinator, May, in Pokemon Evolutions, and the mysterious owner of the ancient Pokeball containing a shiny Rayquaza (black Rayquaza) in Pokemon Horizons.
Rayquaza is one of the few legendary Pokemon capable of mega-evolving without using a Mega Stone, becoming Mega Rayquaza once his power is at full capacity.
Eternatus
Region: Galar
Category: Generation VIII
Type: Poison, Dragon
Alien in origin, Eternatus is another dragon Pokemon everyone dreams of having inside their Pokemon party. Nightmarish and fearsome, he’s the primary reason Pokemon can Dynamax in the first place; his power harbors the energy needed for Dynamaxing, scattered all over Galar after his defeat to Zacian and Zamazenta years prior.
Being the primordial source, Eternatus can undergo a special Dynamax transformation known as Eternamax, making him otherworldly powerful in this new form. Still, in the main Pokemon canon, he was eventually caught by Goh and placed under the care of the Galar champion, Leon.
Garchomp
Region: Sinnoh
Category: Generation IV
Type: Dragon, Ground
Said to be amongst the best junglers in Pokemon UNITE, Garchomps are amazing partners for both adventuring and challenging other trainers. Excellent underground tunnellers, they’re surprisingly adept at flying at top speeds too, using their wing-like fins to glide gracefully in the air.
Garchomps are notoriously aggressive in the wild, and only the best trainers are given their respect, such as the Sinnoh champion, Cynthia, and Pokemon researcher, Professor Sycamore. When exposed to a Mega Stone, Garchompite, they temporarily evolve into Mega Garchomps that are even more dangerous and ill-tempered.
Giratina
Region: Sinnoh
Category: Generation IV
Type: Ghost, Dragon
The ruler of the alternate dimension, the Distortion World, Giratina is one of Sinnoh’s three legendary creation Pokemon, the others being Palkia and Dialga. He can open portals between worlds, and silently observes other universe’s events unfold from his shadow realm.
Many Sinnoh elders believe Giratina to be malevolent, but he’s been seen ignoring trainers if unprovoked. Depending on which universe he’s in, he’ll change his form between his normally-seen Alternate Forme and his more menacing Origin Forme.
Altaria
Region: Hoen
Category: Generation III
Type: Dragon, Flying
Altarias are mainstay Pokemon in many Dragon-type trainers’ teams, such as those of gym leader, Winona, and member of Hoen’s Elite Four, Drake. They’re highly intelligent and compassionate, always standing by their trainers’ sides during testing times.
Despite their gentle disposition, they’re not to be underestimated in Pokemon battles, able to use devastating attacks that’ll take opponents off-guard. Under more peaceful circumstances, they’re commonly seen dancing among the clouds, with some bringing their trainers along for the ride.
Hydreigon
Region: Unova
Category: Generation V
Type: Dark, Dragon
The next best dragon Pokemon is Hydreigons. They’re mean and intimidating, feared by many locals in Unova. Although they have such bad reputations, captured Hydreigons have proven to be dependable allies, helping their trainers overcome difficult challenges during their travels.
Not many Pokemon can deter Hydreigons from their territories, but they are known to be particularly scared of the bat Pokemon, Noiverns, who’ve been seen bullying them in the dark using their ultrasonic senses.
Baxcalibur
Region: Paldea
Category: Generation IX
Type: Dragon, Ice
Baxcaliburs are dual Dragon-Ice type Pokemon that are hard to take down in the wild. Still, encounters are rare, but this also makes them an exclusive catch for trainers worldwide.
Unyielding and resolute, Baxcaliburs are usually the trump cards in Pokemon battles, and they’re especially effective against other dragon Pokemon due to their natural attunement to the Ice element.
Koraidon
Region: Paldea
Category: Generation IX
Type: Fighting, Dragon
The lizard-like Koraidon is the new legendary Pokemon found in Paldea. Although he doesn’t evolve, he transforms into different forms depending on his current energy levels, with his Apex Build being the final stage.
At full power, he can cycle between the various forms at will, helping you traverse inaccessible terrain, like swimming in the deep sea or flying through the skies. However, he’s extremely weak compared to Fairy-type Pokemon because of his Fighting and Dragon typings.
Miraidon
Region: Paldea
Category: Generation IX
Type: Electric, Dragon
Miraidon is the futuristic counterpart of Koraidon. He’s Paldea’s second new legendary Pokemon and is comprised of both organic and mechanical limbs.
Just like Koraidon, Miraidon has different forms that he can change into as well, making him very useful to have for your adventures across the region. Although he isn’t as physically imposing as Koraidon, he makes up for it by being supremely potent at dishing out special-type moves instead.
Conclusion
These are the twelve best dragon Pokemon you should consider recruiting into your Pokemon team today. Can’t find your favorite dragon Pokemon on this list? Make sure to share them in the comments section below!
