Pokémon counters guide

Best Counters for Dratini

Find practical counter Pokémon, attacking types, and defensive matchup notes for Dratini.

Dragon
Dratini Pokémon sprite

Dratini

#0147

Quick answer

Dratini is best pressured by Ice, Dragon, and Fairy-type attacks at 2x damage. Because there is no 4x weakness, defensive safety, Speed, and raw stats matter more.

Best move types

Ice×2Dragon×2Fairy×2

Top weaknesses (3)

Ice×2Dragon×2Fairy×2

Type matchup table

Ice type iconIce2x
Dragon type iconDragon2x
Fairy type iconFairy2x
Normal type iconNormal1x
Fighting type iconFighting1x
Poison type iconPoison1x
Ground type iconGround1x
Flying type iconFlying1x
Psychic type iconPsychic1x
Bug type iconBug1x
Rock type iconRock1x
Ghost type iconGhost1x
Dark type iconDark1x
Steel type iconSteel1x
Fire type iconFire0.5x
Water type iconWater0.5x
Electric type iconElectric0.5x
Grass type iconGrass0.5x

Recommended practical counters

Togekiss Pokémon sprite

Togekiss

#0468

Immune to DragonStrong special attacker
FairyFlying
  • Deals 2x damage with Fairy-type attacks
  • Has STAB Fairy-type attacks
  • Is immune to the target's Dragon 0x STAB attacks
  • Strong attacking stats help convert the matchup
  • Solid mixed bulk improves switch-in safety
Best typeFairy×2

Safe into Dragon 0x

120 offense · 80 Speed

Florges Pokémon sprite

Florges

#0671

Immune to Dragon
Fairy
  • Deals 2x damage with Fairy-type attacks
  • Has STAB Fairy-type attacks
  • Is immune to the target's Dragon 0x STAB attacks
  • Solid mixed bulk improves switch-in safety
Best typeFairy×2

Safe into Dragon 0x

112 offense · 75 Speed

Sylveon Pokémon sprite

Sylveon

#0700

Immune to DragonBudget option
Fairy
  • Deals 2x damage with Fairy-type attacks
  • Has STAB Fairy-type attacks
  • Is immune to the target's Dragon 0x STAB attacks
  • Solid mixed bulk improves switch-in safety
Best typeFairy×2

Safe into Dragon 0x

110 offense · 60 Speed

Strong theoretical counters

Best move types to use

Ice×2Dragon×2Fairy×2

Move availability depends on game version and learnset data, so this page recommends move types rather than guaranteed moves.

Ice type pageDragon type pageFairy type page

Counter notes for Dratini

  • Dratini is a Dragon Pokémon with 50 base Speed and stronger physical attack (64 Attack). Ice, Dragon, and Fairy attacks all work offensively, but safer counters are usually the ones that reduce risk from its own STAB types.
  • Dratini has several 2x weaknesses rather than a single 4x weakness, so the best counters are the ones that can hit it super-effectively while also reducing the risk from Dragon STAB.
  • Known abilities include Shed Skin and Marvel Scale. This page does not assume ability-specific battle effects, so verify the format before relying on a single counter.
  • Avoid counters that are weak to Dragon unless they are fast enough to pressure immediately or bulky enough to survive the exchange.
  • Dratini does not need a separate alternate-form note for the standard National Dex matchup shown here.

What not to use

Fire×0.5Water×0.5Electric×0.5Grass×0.5

These attacking types are resisted or blocked by the defender's typing, so they are usually lower-priority choices unless they provide a special battle role.

Battle caveats

  • This ranking uses modern Gen 6+ type matchups, STAB value, defensive switch-in safety, and base stats.
  • Abilities, held items, Terastallization, weather, terrain, and format rules can change real battle outcomes.
  • Coverage moves can punish obvious counters, so treat this as type-based guidance rather than a full matchup simulator.
  • Move availability depends on game version and learnset data; this page recommends attacking types rather than guaranteed moves.

Related pages

Dratini weakness chartDratini PokédexDragon countersIce type pageDragon type pageFairy type pagePokémon type chartSpeed tiers

FAQ

What is the best counter for Dratini?

Dratini is best countered by Pokémon that can use Ice, Dragon, and Fairy (2x) attacks while avoiding bad defensive matchups into Dragon STAB attacks. Because there is no 4x weakness, Speed, bulk, and offensive stats matter more when choosing the actual Pokémon.

What type is best against Dratini?

Ice, Dragon, and Fairy are the strongest attacking types against Dratini, dealing 2x damage under the modern Gen 6+ type chart.

How many useful attacking types hit Dratini super-effectively?

Dratini has 3 super-effective attacking options: Ice, Dragon, and Fairy. Use the highest multiplier first, then choose a Pokémon that is not exposed to Dragon STAB attacks.

Are abilities included in this counter ranking?

No. The ranking uses base typing and base stats. Abilities, items, Terastallization, weather, terrain, and special move rules can change the real matchup.

Does Terastallization change Dratini counters?

Yes. Terastallization can replace the defensive typing used here, so the recommended counter types may change completely in formats where Tera is active.

What should I avoid using against Dratini?

Avoid relying on Fire, Water, Electric, and Grass attacks unless they have a special role or unusually high power.

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