Dragon-type Pokémon are some of the best monsters trainers can use to battle competitively in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Dragon-type Pokémon have held a place in the series as some of the most powerful characters for trainers to both use and face as they complete their adventures. The most challenging NPCs usually have at least one Dragon-type Pokémon on their team. Naturally, many players have taken advantage of the strength of Dragon-type Pokémon, adding them to their competitive teams for offensive sweepers.

Despite their strengths, Dragon-type Pokémon now have to watch out for Fairy-type Pokémon in BDSP. The Fairy-type was added to Pokémon long after the release of the original Diamond and Pearl, and Pokémon like Togekiss and Clefable were changed to Fairy-type from Normal-type. Fairy-type Pokémon are immune to Dragon-type moves and deal 2x damage to Dragon-type Pokémon. If trainers can predict that their opponents will use a Dragon-type move they can easily switch a Fairy-type Pokémon into battle freely.

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

The best competitive Dragon-type Pokémon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are Dragonite, Salamence, Latios, Latias, and Garchomp. Aside from Salamence being a Shining Pearl exclusive, these Pokémon can be obtained in both remakes. Additionally, Dragonite, Salamence, Latios, and Latias can only be obtained after trainers acquire the National Dex in Pokémon BDSP.

Pokémon BDSP: Best Dragon-Type Pokémon Moves, Items, & Stats

Dragonite, Salamence, Latios, Latias, and Garchomp are the best competitive Dragon-type Pokémon to use in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl because they all have high stats and require little setup before they deal massive amounts of damage. While Dragonite, Salamence, and Garchomp are not Legendary Pokémon like Latias and Latios, all of these Dragon-types have the equivalent of Legendary stats.

Dragonite

The best Dragonite stats, moves, and items in Diamond and Pearl include:

  • Ability: Multiscale
  • Nature: Jolly
  • Moves: Earthquake, Extreme Speed, Dragon Dance, Outrage
  • Held Item: Yache Berry, found by picking berries or the berry NPC
  • EV Stat Spread: 252 Attack; 4 Special Defense; 252 Speed
See also  10 Funniest MCU Moments In 2021, Ranked

Salamence

The best Salamence stats, moves, and items in Diamond and Pearl include:

  • Ability: Intimidate
  • Nature: Jolly
  • Moves: Earthquake, Iron Tail, Dragon Dance, Outrage
  • Held Item: Life Orb, available for purchase in the Pokémon BDSP Battle Park
  • EV Stat Spread: 252 Attack; 4 Special Defense; 252 Speed

Latios

The best Latios stats, moves, and items in Diamond and Pearl include:

  • Ability: Levitate
  • Nature: Timid
  • Moves: Recover, Dragon Pulse, Ice Beam, Psychic
  • Held Item: Soul Dew, obtained after catching both Latios and Latias
  • EV Stat Spread: 4 HP; 252 Special Attack; 252 Speed

Latias

The best Latias stats, moves, and items in Diamond and Pearl include:

  • Ability: Levitate
  • Nature: Modest
  • Moves: Calm Mind, Recover, Ice Beam, Dragon Pulse
  • Held Item: Soul Dew
  • EV Stat Spread: 252 HP; 4 Defense; 252 Special Attack

Garchomp

The best Garchomp stats, moves, and items in Diamond and Pearl include:

  • Ability: Rough Skin
  • Nature: Jolly
  • Moves: Outrage / Earthquake / Crunch / Poison Jab
  • Held Item: Choice Scarf, available for purchase in the Battle Park
  • EV Stat Spread: 252 Attack; 4 Special Defense; 252 Speed

Garchomp and this moveset are part of the best competitive team in Pokémon BDSP as well.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl is available now on Nintendo Switch.

The Quarry Features A Movie Mode Devoid Of Gameplay

About The Author


Kaleb Smith
(753 Articles Published)

Kaleb is a freelance writer for Screen Rant who regularly contributes to both of the Gaming Guides and Gaming Features sections. He has a BA in Digital Media Production from the State University of New York at New Paltz, focusing on the preproduction and production stages of TV & film. He also has an affinity for finding out the origin stories/inspirations of games and every character in them. Although he’s a mid-90s baby, Kaleb started gaming with Super Mario Bros, Pokémon Blue, Pac-Man, and Duck Hunt.

See also  The King Of Queens: 10 Things That Make No Sense About Carrie

Kaleb also has a limited Journalism background in NY politics, corporate shareholder activism, cybersecurity, and ESG (environment, social, & governance). He spends too much time watching Pokémon Nuzlockes and rewatching Letterkenny, Brooklyn 99, and anything Star Wars or MCU-related. Contact Kaleb on Twitter @CaptnKahleeb.

More From Kaleb Smith