[OVERVIEW]
Dratini is able to perform as both a threatening wallbreaker and a late-game cleaner due to its access to strong offensive moves like Draco Meteor, Iron Tail, and Extreme Speed and a strong setup option in Dragon Dance. Its two main options are a mixed attacking set that utilizes Dratini's high-Base Power moves and good coverage to weaken the opposing team for sweepers or clean late-game and a sweeping set that utilizes Dragon Dance, since +1 Dratini is both fast and strong enough to clean up weakened teams. Dratini also has a useful ability in Shed Skin, allowing it to occasionally cure itself of debilitating status conditions like paralysis and burn. Dratini's typing is a mixed blessing, sporting very useful resistances to Water- and Electric-type moves but leaving it weak to moderately common Fairy- and Ice-type attacks. Dratini's positive qualities are also offset by its average-at-best stats, with low bulk and only middling power and Speed before a boost. Dratini further suffers from having common counters such as Snubbull, Magnemite, and Spritzee.
[SET]
name: Life Orb Mixed Attacker
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Extreme Speed
move 3: Iron Tail
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Life Orb
ability: Shed Skin
nature: Rash
evs: 164 Atk / 196 SpA / 116 Spe
ivs: 17 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is Dratini's strongest attack and provides a nuke for Dratini to hit the many neutral targets in the metagame such as Mienfoo, Vullaby, and Chinchou. Extreme Speed allows Dratini to defeat faster weakened Pokemon such as Doduo and Abra. Iron Tail is used almost entirely for opposing Fairy-types such as Snubbull and Spritzee, as it allows Dratini to hit them very hard, although its shaky accuracy makes it risky to use. Fire Blast rounds off Dratini's neutral coverage and is used to hit opposing Steel-types, which otherwise would completely wall this set, notably hitting targets such as Ferroseed and Pawniard while also allowing Dratini to heavily damage opposing bulky Grass-types like Foongus and Pumpkaboo-XL without needing to resort to Draco Meteor.
Set Details
========
Special Attack is maximized on this set because Draco Meteor is Dratini's attack of choice and also because it allows Fire Blast to hit much harder. The Speed EVs are designed to let Dratini hit 13 Speed, outspeeding many bulky Pokemon such as Pumpkaboo-XL, Timburr, Spritzee, and Croagunk, which are usually slower. The rest of the EVs are poured into Attack to allow Dratini to 2HKO Spritzee without prior damage using Iron Tail more consistently as well as providing Extreme Speed with more power. A Rash nature boosts Dratini's Special Attack without lowering its Attack. Life Orb allows Dratini to make up for its average attacking stats. 17 HP IVs are used to make Dratini hit 19 HP in order to take only 1 HP of damage from Life Orb recoil. Shed Skin is Dratini's best ability for this set, allowing Dratini to potentially cure burns and paralysis, which cripple its ability to perform.
Usage Tips
========
Dratini's goal with this set is mainly to weaken the opposing team for its teammates. Prediction when using this set is important, as hitting Fairy- or Steel-type switch-ins with the appropriate coverage move allows Dratini to defeat them more efficiently. Dratini's fairly low bulk and lack of recovery mean it is best brought in after a teammate faints or by a slow pivot so it avoids taking damage. Dratini can be used as a revenge killer or late-game cleaner for heavily weakened Pokemon due to Extreme Speed, but Extreme Speed's lack of STAB may cause it to struggle to achieve KOs.
Team Options
========
Dratini greatly appreciates entry hazard support from Pokemon like Onix, as this allows it to wallbreak much more effectively. Similarly, Knock Off support means Dratini is capable of breaking through bulky foes like Spritzee, Vullaby, and Foongus without nearly as much difficulty. Sticky Web support allows Dratini to defeat faster Pokemon that would normally beat it, Speed tying with 20 Speed Pokemon like Diglett and outpacing 19 Speed Pokemon such as Staryu and Aipom. Sweepers that need certain Pokemon weakened or defeated appreciate Dratini's ability to break down walls, especially sweepers such as Scraggy and Shellder that appreciate Dratini defeating the Fairy- or Steel-types Dratini lures in. Steel-types such as Ferroseed and Magnemite resist both of Dratini's weaknesses, and Ferroseed can also provide entry hazard, Knock Off, and Thunder Wave support. Mienfoo lures in and weakens Fairy-types and can U-turn into Dratini to allow it to get in more safely, while Chinchou can bring Dratini in with Volt Switch. Diglett is capable of trapping most Steel-types due to its ability and can weaken or remove them for Dratini.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Extreme Speed
move 4: Iron Tail / Fire Blast
item: Life Orb
ability: Shed Skin
nature: Adamant / Naughty
evs: 244 Atk / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
ivs: 17 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dragon Dance allows Dratini to boost both its Speed and Attack to threatening levels, allowing it to sweep. Outrage is Dratini's most reliable physical STAB move, and at +1 with a Life Orb, it does massive damage to any foes that do not resist Dragon. Extreme Speed allows Dratini to pick off weakened Choice Scarf Pokemon like Mienfoo that outspeed Dratini even after a Dragon Dance boost as well as revenge kill weakened Pokemon before setting up. The last moveslot depends on which kind of coverage Dratini needs. Iron Tail is boosted by Dragon Dance and allows Dratini to defeat weakened Fairy-types like Spritzee, while Fire Blast is an alternative that lets Dratini take out Steel-types such as Ferroseed and Pawniard, which would otherwise wall the set.
Set Details
========
Attack and Speed are both maximized in order to allow Dratini to sweep effectively, with the given Speed EVs allowing Dratini to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame after a Dragon Dance boost. If Fire Blast is used, Naughty is a better choice than Adamant because it allows Dratini to do more damage to Steel-types. A Jolly nature can be used in order to outspeed 14 Speed Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Frillish and Speed tie with 15 Speed Choice Scarf Pokemon like Timid Magnemite. Life Orb allows Dratini to overcome its average Attack and significantly boosts Dratini's power output after setting up. 17 HP IVs are used in order to reduce Life Orb recoil to 1 HP of damage. Shed Skin allows Dratini to potentially heal burns and paralysis, which completely cripple this set.
Usage Tips
========
Dratini is best used as a sweeper late-game after wearing down its checks and counters. Due to Dratini's lack of bulk, Dragon Dance is best used versus Pokemon Dratini threatens out such as weakened Croagunk and Chinchou without Ice Beam. Since Outrage locks Dratini into the move and is Dratini's best neutral option, Fairy-types such as Spritzee and Snubbull being eliminated is essential. Since Fire Blast is not boosted by Dragon Dance, Dratini appreciates Steel-types like Pawniard and Magnemite being weakened even if it runs Fire Blast as its coverage move. Dratini can also support other sweepers with similar checks such as Scraggy and Shellder by weakening these checks and counters and punching holes in the opponent's team.
Team Options
========
Like most sweepers, Dratini appreciates entry hazard support from teammates like Onix and Ferroseed to wear down Pokemon that would otherwise check it. Due to Dratini's relative frailty with a Life Orb, Memento support from Pokemon like Cottonee and Diglett or Aurora Veil support from Alolan Vulpix is helpful by allowing Dratini to set up more easily. Knock Off support from teammates such as Vullaby helps Dratini break through bulkier foes like Staryu and Pawniard more easily. Fighting-types such as Timburr and Mienfoo can defeat Steel-types that give Dratini trouble, provide Knock Off support, and lure in and weaken Fairy-types that would threaten Dratini's sweep, especially using super effective moves like Poison Jab. Diglett is capable of trapping and removing Steel-types that trouble Dratini and can also run Sludge Bomb to remove Fairy-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thunder Wave is an option that allows Dratini to support the team and make up for its middling Speed but generally is not as useful as the coverage options on the mixed attacker set. Surf can be used on the mixed attacker set to 2HKO targets such as Mudbray and Ponyta more reliably than Draco Meteor due to the lack of Special Attack drop, so it is a worthwhile option if Dratini's teammates can handle the Fairy- or Steel-types it will struggle to damage due to a lack of Iron Tail or Fire Blast. Similarly, Waterfall can be used on the Dragon Dance set, but it leaves Dratini far more vulnerable to both Fairy- and Steel-types. Ice Beam and Thunderbolt hit very few targets Dratini cannot break already and are generally not worth using over other coverage options, but they have a niche for targets such as Staryu and Flying-types in general. While a fully special set is possible due to Dratini's good special movepool, a significant part of Dratini's viability comes from its access to Extreme Speed, and its job is overall done better by stronger and faster special attackers like Staryu. A RestTalk set with Eviolite, Marvel Scale, and Dragon Tail may seem useful, but Dratini's bulk is still mediocre and the set is mostly walled by either Steel- or Fairy-types, depending on the fourth move chosen. Eviolite can also be used on the Dragon Dance set, but it results in Dratini being significantly weaker and having far more issues breaking through opposing teams. Dragonium Z is an option over Life Orb on either set, giving Dratini a one-time nuke off its very high-Base Power Dragon-type STAB move without the downsides of either, but it leaves Dratini's other coverage moves severely weakened and makes Dratini's job after using Devastating Drake more difficult.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: While Fairy-types do have to watch out for Iron Tail, they are generally able to OHKO Dratini with little issue. Snubbull in particular is threatening due to Intimidate weakening Dratini.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Pawniard and Magnemite resist a majority of Dratini's moves, only needing to be wary of Fire Blast. Alolan Sandshrew can outspeed Dratini with a Choice Scarf and OHKO Dratini with its Ice-type STAB attack.
**Choice Scarf Users**: Fast Choice Scarf users such as Mienfoo and Doduo outspeed Dratini even after a Dragon Dance and do heavy damage due to Dratini's fairly low defenses, although they do need to watch out for Extreme Speed. Gastly is a notable Choice Scarf user that is also immune to Extreme Speed.
Dratini is able to perform as both a threatening wallbreaker and a late-game cleaner due to its access to strong offensive moves like Draco Meteor, Iron Tail, and Extreme Speed and a strong setup option in Dragon Dance. Its two main options are a mixed attacking set that utilizes Dratini's high-Base Power moves and good coverage to weaken the opposing team for sweepers or clean late-game and a sweeping set that utilizes Dragon Dance, since +1 Dratini is both fast and strong enough to clean up weakened teams. Dratini also has a useful ability in Shed Skin, allowing it to occasionally cure itself of debilitating status conditions like paralysis and burn. Dratini's typing is a mixed blessing, sporting very useful resistances to Water- and Electric-type moves but leaving it weak to moderately common Fairy- and Ice-type attacks. Dratini's positive qualities are also offset by its average-at-best stats, with low bulk and only middling power and Speed before a boost. Dratini further suffers from having common counters such as Snubbull, Magnemite, and Spritzee.
[SET]
name: Life Orb Mixed Attacker
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Extreme Speed
move 3: Iron Tail
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Life Orb
ability: Shed Skin
nature: Rash
evs: 164 Atk / 196 SpA / 116 Spe
ivs: 17 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is Dratini's strongest attack and provides a nuke for Dratini to hit the many neutral targets in the metagame such as Mienfoo, Vullaby, and Chinchou. Extreme Speed allows Dratini to defeat faster weakened Pokemon such as Doduo and Abra. Iron Tail is used almost entirely for opposing Fairy-types such as Snubbull and Spritzee, as it allows Dratini to hit them very hard, although its shaky accuracy makes it risky to use. Fire Blast rounds off Dratini's neutral coverage and is used to hit opposing Steel-types, which otherwise would completely wall this set, notably hitting targets such as Ferroseed and Pawniard while also allowing Dratini to heavily damage opposing bulky Grass-types like Foongus and Pumpkaboo-XL without needing to resort to Draco Meteor.
Set Details
========
Special Attack is maximized on this set because Draco Meteor is Dratini's attack of choice and also because it allows Fire Blast to hit much harder. The Speed EVs are designed to let Dratini hit 13 Speed, outspeeding many bulky Pokemon such as Pumpkaboo-XL, Timburr, Spritzee, and Croagunk, which are usually slower. The rest of the EVs are poured into Attack to allow Dratini to 2HKO Spritzee without prior damage using Iron Tail more consistently as well as providing Extreme Speed with more power. A Rash nature boosts Dratini's Special Attack without lowering its Attack. Life Orb allows Dratini to make up for its average attacking stats. 17 HP IVs are used to make Dratini hit 19 HP in order to take only 1 HP of damage from Life Orb recoil. Shed Skin is Dratini's best ability for this set, allowing Dratini to potentially cure burns and paralysis, which cripple its ability to perform.
Usage Tips
========
Dratini's goal with this set is mainly to weaken the opposing team for its teammates. Prediction when using this set is important, as hitting Fairy- or Steel-type switch-ins with the appropriate coverage move allows Dratini to defeat them more efficiently. Dratini's fairly low bulk and lack of recovery mean it is best brought in after a teammate faints or by a slow pivot so it avoids taking damage. Dratini can be used as a revenge killer or late-game cleaner for heavily weakened Pokemon due to Extreme Speed, but Extreme Speed's lack of STAB may cause it to struggle to achieve KOs.
Team Options
========
Dratini greatly appreciates entry hazard support from Pokemon like Onix, as this allows it to wallbreak much more effectively. Similarly, Knock Off support means Dratini is capable of breaking through bulky foes like Spritzee, Vullaby, and Foongus without nearly as much difficulty. Sticky Web support allows Dratini to defeat faster Pokemon that would normally beat it, Speed tying with 20 Speed Pokemon like Diglett and outpacing 19 Speed Pokemon such as Staryu and Aipom. Sweepers that need certain Pokemon weakened or defeated appreciate Dratini's ability to break down walls, especially sweepers such as Scraggy and Shellder that appreciate Dratini defeating the Fairy- or Steel-types Dratini lures in. Steel-types such as Ferroseed and Magnemite resist both of Dratini's weaknesses, and Ferroseed can also provide entry hazard, Knock Off, and Thunder Wave support. Mienfoo lures in and weakens Fairy-types and can U-turn into Dratini to allow it to get in more safely, while Chinchou can bring Dratini in with Volt Switch. Diglett is capable of trapping most Steel-types due to its ability and can weaken or remove them for Dratini.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Extreme Speed
move 4: Iron Tail / Fire Blast
item: Life Orb
ability: Shed Skin
nature: Adamant / Naughty
evs: 244 Atk / 36 SpD / 196 Spe
ivs: 17 HP
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Dragon Dance allows Dratini to boost both its Speed and Attack to threatening levels, allowing it to sweep. Outrage is Dratini's most reliable physical STAB move, and at +1 with a Life Orb, it does massive damage to any foes that do not resist Dragon. Extreme Speed allows Dratini to pick off weakened Choice Scarf Pokemon like Mienfoo that outspeed Dratini even after a Dragon Dance boost as well as revenge kill weakened Pokemon before setting up. The last moveslot depends on which kind of coverage Dratini needs. Iron Tail is boosted by Dragon Dance and allows Dratini to defeat weakened Fairy-types like Spritzee, while Fire Blast is an alternative that lets Dratini take out Steel-types such as Ferroseed and Pawniard, which would otherwise wall the set.
Set Details
========
Attack and Speed are both maximized in order to allow Dratini to sweep effectively, with the given Speed EVs allowing Dratini to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame after a Dragon Dance boost. If Fire Blast is used, Naughty is a better choice than Adamant because it allows Dratini to do more damage to Steel-types. A Jolly nature can be used in order to outspeed 14 Speed Choice Scarf Pokemon such as Frillish and Speed tie with 15 Speed Choice Scarf Pokemon like Timid Magnemite. Life Orb allows Dratini to overcome its average Attack and significantly boosts Dratini's power output after setting up. 17 HP IVs are used in order to reduce Life Orb recoil to 1 HP of damage. Shed Skin allows Dratini to potentially heal burns and paralysis, which completely cripple this set.
Usage Tips
========
Dratini is best used as a sweeper late-game after wearing down its checks and counters. Due to Dratini's lack of bulk, Dragon Dance is best used versus Pokemon Dratini threatens out such as weakened Croagunk and Chinchou without Ice Beam. Since Outrage locks Dratini into the move and is Dratini's best neutral option, Fairy-types such as Spritzee and Snubbull being eliminated is essential. Since Fire Blast is not boosted by Dragon Dance, Dratini appreciates Steel-types like Pawniard and Magnemite being weakened even if it runs Fire Blast as its coverage move. Dratini can also support other sweepers with similar checks such as Scraggy and Shellder by weakening these checks and counters and punching holes in the opponent's team.
Team Options
========
Like most sweepers, Dratini appreciates entry hazard support from teammates like Onix and Ferroseed to wear down Pokemon that would otherwise check it. Due to Dratini's relative frailty with a Life Orb, Memento support from Pokemon like Cottonee and Diglett or Aurora Veil support from Alolan Vulpix is helpful by allowing Dratini to set up more easily. Knock Off support from teammates such as Vullaby helps Dratini break through bulkier foes like Staryu and Pawniard more easily. Fighting-types such as Timburr and Mienfoo can defeat Steel-types that give Dratini trouble, provide Knock Off support, and lure in and weaken Fairy-types that would threaten Dratini's sweep, especially using super effective moves like Poison Jab. Diglett is capable of trapping and removing Steel-types that trouble Dratini and can also run Sludge Bomb to remove Fairy-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Thunder Wave is an option that allows Dratini to support the team and make up for its middling Speed but generally is not as useful as the coverage options on the mixed attacker set. Surf can be used on the mixed attacker set to 2HKO targets such as Mudbray and Ponyta more reliably than Draco Meteor due to the lack of Special Attack drop, so it is a worthwhile option if Dratini's teammates can handle the Fairy- or Steel-types it will struggle to damage due to a lack of Iron Tail or Fire Blast. Similarly, Waterfall can be used on the Dragon Dance set, but it leaves Dratini far more vulnerable to both Fairy- and Steel-types. Ice Beam and Thunderbolt hit very few targets Dratini cannot break already and are generally not worth using over other coverage options, but they have a niche for targets such as Staryu and Flying-types in general. While a fully special set is possible due to Dratini's good special movepool, a significant part of Dratini's viability comes from its access to Extreme Speed, and its job is overall done better by stronger and faster special attackers like Staryu. A RestTalk set with Eviolite, Marvel Scale, and Dragon Tail may seem useful, but Dratini's bulk is still mediocre and the set is mostly walled by either Steel- or Fairy-types, depending on the fourth move chosen. Eviolite can also be used on the Dragon Dance set, but it results in Dratini being significantly weaker and having far more issues breaking through opposing teams. Dragonium Z is an option over Life Orb on either set, giving Dratini a one-time nuke off its very high-Base Power Dragon-type STAB move without the downsides of either, but it leaves Dratini's other coverage moves severely weakened and makes Dratini's job after using Devastating Drake more difficult.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: While Fairy-types do have to watch out for Iron Tail, they are generally able to OHKO Dratini with little issue. Snubbull in particular is threatening due to Intimidate weakening Dratini.
**Steel-types**: Steel-types such as Pawniard and Magnemite resist a majority of Dratini's moves, only needing to be wary of Fire Blast. Alolan Sandshrew can outspeed Dratini with a Choice Scarf and OHKO Dratini with its Ice-type STAB attack.
**Choice Scarf Users**: Fast Choice Scarf users such as Mienfoo and Doduo outspeed Dratini even after a Dragon Dance and do heavy damage due to Dratini's fairly low defenses, although they do need to watch out for Extreme Speed. Gastly is a notable Choice Scarf user that is also immune to Extreme Speed.
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