what beats dragonite

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Apex Dragon
Ice: The Shattering Weakness
Rock: The Ancient Counter
Fairy: The Magical Neutralizer
Dragon: The Mirror Match
Strategic Considerations Beyond Type
Conclusion: Mastering the Matchup

In the world of competitive Pokémon, few creatures command as much respect and immediate recognition as Dragonite. This iconic Dragon/Flying-type pseudo-legendary embodies a potent mix of raw power, surprising bulk, and versatile movepool. Its intimidating presence often forces opponents to carefully consider their team composition. The central question, therefore, becomes a critical one for any trainer: what beats Dragonite? Unraveling the answer requires a deep dive into its defensive typing, statistical profile, and the strategic tools available to counter it.

Dragonite’s dual typing grants it notable resistances to Fighting, Fire, Water, Bug, and Grass-type attacks, while its Flying side grants immunity to Ground. However, this same combination bequeaths it a set of devastating vulnerabilities. The quest to defeat it is fundamentally an exploitation of these chinks in its armored scales. Success lies not merely in selecting a super-effective type, but in understanding how to leverage that advantage against Dragonite’s potential strategies, whether it functions as a bulky setup sweeper, a powerful wallbreaker, or a versatile utility player.

The most infamous and effective answer to what beats Dragonite is Ice-type attacks. A quadruple weakness to Ice is Dragonite’s greatest liability, turning even moderately powerful Ice moves into potential knockout blows. This weakness is so pronounced that it often overrides conventional stat calculations. A Pokémon like Mamoswine stands as a premier counter, leveraging its dual Ice/Ground typing to threaten with powerful STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) moves like Icicle Crash or Ice Shard. The priority of Ice Shard is particularly crucial, as it can bypass Dragonite’s often-invested Speed and strike first, negating a potential Dragon Dance boost. Other potent Ice-type users, such as Weavile or Kyurem, can exploit this weakness with similar efficiency. The mere presence of a fast Ice-type attacker on an opponent’s team severely limits Dragonite’s ability to switch in safely, constraining its operational freedom.

Closely tied to the Ice weakness is Dragonite’s vulnerability to Rock-type moves. Taking double damage from Rock, Dragonite must be wary of powerful Stone Edges or Rock Slides. This is especially relevant given its Flying subtype, which makes Stealth Rock, the entry hazard, a monumental threat. Switching into a field layered with Stealth Rock strips half of Dragonite’s health immediately, crippling its longevity and sweeping potential before it even acts. Pokémon like Tyranitar excel in this role, not only setting Sandstorm which further chips at Dragonite’s health but also threatening with devastating Rock-type STAB moves. A well-timed Rock-type attack from a sturdy Pokémon like Aerodactyl or a Choice Band-user can easily catch a Dragonite off-guard, capitalizing on this secondary but significant defensive flaw.

The introduction of the Fairy type fundamentally reshaped the Dragon-dominated metagame, and Dragonite was no exception. Immune to Dragon-type moves and resisting its common coverage options like Fighting, Fairy-types present a formidable obstacle. A Pokémon like Clefable, with its high special bulk and access to moves like Moonblast, can comfortably tank hits from Dragonite and retaliate with super-effective damage. Togekiss, another Dragonite counter, can utilize its own Flying typing and access to Air Slash or Dazzling Gleam to pose a major threat. Azumarill, with its Water/Fairy typing, resists Dragonite’s Fire Punch and can threaten with a powerful Play Rough. Fairy-types do not always secure an easy one-hit knockout like Ice-types might, but they provide a durable, reliable switch-in that completely shuts down Dragonite’s primary STAB attack, forcing it to rely on its often less-powerful coverage moves.

In mirror matches or against other powerful Dragon-types, the answer to what beats Dragonite can sometimes be another Dragon. Dragon-type moves deal neutral damage to Dragonite due to its Flying subtype, but many Dragon-types carry moves that target its weaknesses or can outpace and overpower it. Dragapult, with its blistering Speed, can often strike first with a powerful Dragon Darts. Garchomp can threaten with a devastating Outrage or set up its own Swords Dance. However, this is a high-risk strategy. Engaging in a Dragon-type duel often comes down to a speed tie or whose defensive investment is greater. While a viable path, it lacks the inherent type advantage that makes Ice, Rock, and Fairy so consistently effective.

Beyond pure type matchups, several strategic elements define what truly beats Dragonite. Status conditions are immensely debilitating. Paralysis from a Pokémon like Rotom-Wash or Jirachi cuts its Speed, potentially nullifying a Dragon Dance boost. Burn, inflicted by a Scald or Will-O-Wisp, halves its formidable Attack stat, rendering it far less threatening. Furthermore, Dragonite’s reliance on Multiscale—an ability that halves damage from an attack when at full health—is key to its durability. Any form of passive damage, from Sandstorm and Hail to entry hazards like Stealth Rock and Spikes, breaks Multiscale, making Dragonite significantly easier to take down with subsequent attacks. Priority moves, beyond Ice Shard, such as Sucker Punch from Bisharp or Aqua Jet from Azumarill, can also pick off a weakened Dragonite before it moves.

Ultimately, what beats Dragonite is a multi-faceted approach combining type exploitation, tactical foresight, and battlefield control. Its quadruple Ice weakness remains its most glaring Achilles' heel, but a savvy trainer must prepare for the full spectrum of its capabilities. The consistent application of entry hazards, particularly Stealth Rock, undermines its signature ability. Durable Fairy-types provide a safe defensive answer, while fast Rock-type attackers can deliver a punishing blow. Defeating Dragonite is rarely about a single silver bullet but about constructing a team environment where its strengths are mitigated and its profound weaknesses are constantly pressured. Mastering this matchup is a rite of passage for any serious Pokémon trainer, a testament to understanding that even the most powerful dragons have vulnerabilities waiting to be exposed.

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