Dragalge Movesets & Competitive Sets

Toxic Spikes makes Dragalge an excellent pick for Dragon teams to further enhance their offensive presence, most notably against types such as Fairy, Ghost, and Normal. Its Poison typing also allows Dragalge to take Fairy-type attacks from foes like Tapu Fini and Choice Scarf Tapu Lele and remove opposing Toxic Spikes. With its typing and immense Special Defense, Dragalge can blanket check special attackers such as Tapu Koko, Nihilego, and Galarian Moltres, although Choice Specs Aegislash, for example, can 2HKO it. Adaptability-boosted Gunk Shot deals solid overall damage, nails the aforementioned Fairy-types, and threatens Calm Mind users such as Clefable and Hatterene because it's physical. Dragalge's low Speed lets it put Flip Turn to excellent use, bringing in teammates such as Kyurem and Hydreigon safely against Pokemon it underspeeds, such as Toxapex, that like to spread status. Protect scouts Choice-locked Pokemon, such as Tapu Lele, Jirachi, and Gengar, while providing an extra turn of Black Sludge recovery and Toxic Spikes damage. 24 Speed IVs along with a Sassy nature allow Dragalge to underspeed Toxapex, thus sponging its status-inflicting moves such as Scald and Toxic before pivoting with Flip Turn, while outspeeding Hatterene outside of Trick Room to 2HKO it. Substitute users such as Kyurem and Hydreigon appreciate Toxic Spikes greatly, as it continually helps them break through types like Normal, Fairy, and Ground more consistently. Furthermore, Dragalge can act as a slow pivot for the two with Flip Turn. In return, Kyurem can crush Water-types that don't fear Dragalge such as Gastrodon and Toxapex with Freeze-Dry, while Hydreigon provides a Psychic immunity, and it takes advantage of Steel- and Poison-types such as Ferrothorn and Toxapex that switch into Dragalge. Choice Scarf Dragapult is an excellent revenge killer that threatens foes like Kingdra in rain, Choice Scarf Weavile, and Dragon Dance Dragapult with its almost unresisted STAB combination. Toxic Spikes from Dragalge enables Dragapult's Hex and puts defensive checks of Dragon Dance Dragapult, such as Kasib Berry Slowbro and Hippowdon, on a timer. Furthermore, its Ghost typing lets Dragapult spinblock against foes like Excadrill and Torkoal to keep Toxic Spikes up. Garchomp also benefits from Dragalge's slow pivoting abilities, taking advantage of Pokemon such as Toxapex and Klefki, which come in on Dragalge. Garchomp can also utilize a Choice Scarf set to threaten Choice Scarf Galarian Darmanitan, Cinderace, and Zeraora. Latias provides a Ground immunity and runs Healing Wish, which lets Dragalge have a second chance in checking Tapu Lele or Tapu Fini. Duraludon is another good partner for Dragalge, as the duo forms a good defensive backbone thanks to Duraludon's good physical bulk. Thanks to its Steel typing, Duraludon can switch into Choice Scarf Jirachi's Iron Head and threaten it with Thunder Wave, and it handles Physical Fairy- and Ice-types such as Azumarill, Mimikyu, Choice Scarf Cloyster, and Weavile. Dragonite provides a Ground immunity to check Mold Breaker Excadrill, and it can either take advantage of Toxic Spikes wearing down walls with a Dragon Dance set or provide Defog support with a defensive set.

The Speed investment allows it to outspeed 60 base Pokemon such as Sylveon and Empoleon, but a set with no Speed investment can be run in case a slow pivot is preferred. Haze can be run over Draco Meteor if the team really needs it for Pokemon such as Demon Metagross or Registeel.

The Speed investment allows it to outspeed 60 base Pokemon such as Sylveon and Empoleon.

Moves Draco Meteor can put holes into Pokemon like Hippowdon, Mega Sableye, and Slowbro. Sludge Wave allows Dragalge to pressure most Fairy-types like Tapu Koko and Mega Diancie also and gives it a spammable attack in most matchups. Toxic Spikes is needed to help pressure bulkier teams like Normal and Water, as it stops walls like Chansey and Porygon2 from staying in too long. Hidden Power Fire is used for hitting Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor, as both Pokemon either are immune to or resist both of Dragalge's STAB moves. Set Details 224 HP and 4 Special Defense EVs are used to make Dragalge as bulky as possible to be able to tank Fairy-type moves like Choice Specs Tapu Koko's Dazzling Gleam and Mega Diancie's Moonblast. 252 Special Attack EVs with the ability Adaptability make Dragalge's STAB moves hit Pokemon like Hippowdon and Mega Diancie as hard as possible. 28 Speed EVs allow Dragalge to outpace Hippowdon and do a good amount of damage to it. Poison Barb is important to make Sludge Wave hit Fairy-types like Clefable and Mega Diancie as hard as possible in order to OHKO them. Usage Tips Use Dragalge in the Normal and Water matchups, as Toxic Spikes can wear down walls like Porygon2 and Swampert. This forces Toxapex or Mantine to come out and remove the hazards from the field because their teammates hate being inflicted by poison and Toxic. Dragalge forcing switches from the likes of Mega Diancie and Araquanid in the Fairy and Bug matchups makes a perfect time to set up Toxic Spikes to help wear them down; however, be careful around physical attackers like Victini, Terrakion, and Tapu Bulu as Dragalge cannot take their attacks well and has to switch to a teammate like Garchomp to take the attack. Switch in Dragalge when common Toxic users like Zapdos and Toxapex are on the field, as Dragalge is immune to it. Thanks to its Poison typing, Dragalge can also get rid of Toxic Spikes for its teammates, which they appreciate. Be careful about setting up Toxic Spikes around Magic Bounce users like Mega Diancie and Mega Sableye, as they will bounce Toxic Spikes onto your side of the field. Dragalge is also a good wallbreaker thanks to its ability Adaptability and Poison Barb, which allows it to take care of walls like Porygon2 and Zapdos. It is also able to pressure Fairy-types because of its strong Sludge Wave, and be a good neutral option in a neutral matchup due to its raw power. Use Draco Meteor against walls like Hippowdon and Mega Sableye once they are damaged or when Dragalge's health is too low for it to come back in. Use Dragalge as a lead in the Fairy matchup, as its Poison typing threatens most Fairy-types and can force switches. Dragalge can take advantage of this and set up Toxic Spikes rather than attacking; however, when trying to set Toxic Spikes, be careful if Mega Diancie has Mega Evolved, as entry hazards will be bounced to your side of the field because of its ability Magic Bounce. It is also wise to try to conserve Dragalge as much as possible, as it has an easier time setting up Toxic Spikes and using Sludge Wave once Mega Diancie is gone. In the Normal matchup, having Toxic Spikes on the field helps to wear down Mega Lopunny and walls like Chansey and Porygon2. Dragalge can set Toxic Spikes on passive Pokemon like Chansey and Porygon2 thanks to its Special Defense. However, be careful about using Toxic Spikes against Mega Lopunny and Diggersby because Dragalge cannot take attacks from them well. Team Options Mega Latias appreciates Dragalge's Toxic Spikes, as walls like Chansey and Porygon2 will be forced out before too long, while Mega Lopunny cannot keep using Encore, which gives Mega Latias an easier time with setting up. In return, Dragalge can also OHKO Mega Diancie with Sludge Wave, which helps with setting up Mega Latias in the Fairy matchup. Similarly, Mega Altaria appreciates Dragalge's Toxic Spikes support, putting pressure on bulky Pokemon like Chansey and Porygon2 and giving it an easier time to set up and sweep in both the Normal and Fairy matchups, as well as Dragalge taking care of Mega Diancie for it. Mega Altaria also helps greatly in the Dark matchup by taking care of Mega Sableye to make it easier to keep Toxic Spikes up. Garchomp is the only viable Stealth Rock user that Dragon teams have access to; fortunately, Stealth Rock pairs well with Dragalge's Toxic Spikes, as it helps with taking out Swampert and Greninja on Water teams and Staraptor on Normal teams so Toxic Spikes can stay up. Garchomp can also take on Steel-types that Dragalge struggles with like Heatran and Excadrill. Kommo-o helps greatly in the Steel and Poison matchups, as Taunt stops Celesteela and Ferrothorn from using Leech Seed, as well as helping with Pokemon that Dragalge struggles with like Excadrill, Nidoking, Toxapex, and Ice-types like Mamoswine because of its Fighting typing. Kommo-o can boost all its stats with Clangorous Soulblaze to take care of most Steel-types like Excadrill and Skarmory with Drain Punch and Flamethrower, but it struggles against Celesteela and Calm Mind Jirachi. Kyurem-B helps greatly in the Flying matchup, as Dragalge cannot do much because of everything outpacing it as well as Mantine soaking up its attacks. With Fusion Bolt and Ice Beam, Kyurem-B can take care of Mantine and Celesteela as well as troubling Ground-types like Landorus-T and Hippowdon. Kyurem-B can also switch into Greninja, as it can take an Ice Beam and either Roost the damage off or KO it with Fusion Bolt. Choice Scarf Latios is a great revenge killer for Dragon teams, as it gives a way to deal with fast Fighting-types like Keldeo and deals with threatening setup sweepers like Mega Charizard X and Cloyster after they set up once. It is also useful as a Defogger, as it remove hazards that could stop Dragalge from tanking an attack and putting out one layer of Toxic Spikes. Dragonite is very useful for Dragon teams, as its Extreme Speed helps deal with Greninja, one of the biggest threats to Dragon teams, as well as being a powerful wallbreaker to break walls like Celesteela, Chansey, and Toxapex with Fire Punch, Superpower, and Outrage, respectively.

Moves Draco Meteor is Dragalge's most powerful STAB move, and when combined with Choice Specs is able to OHKO most Pokemon that don't resist it. Sludge Wave is Dragalge's secondary STAB move, and is much more reliable to use against frailer targets because it doesn't drop Dragalge's Special Attack. Sludge Bomb is an alternative option, however, as the small poison chance pressures most special walls and the power drop is negligible, although the ability to hit Chesnaught without dropping Dragalge's Special Attack is missed. Focus Blast provides coverage against Steel-types, which resist both of Dragalge's STAB moves. Dragon Pulse is a more reliable STAB move that doesn't drop Dragalge's Special Attack and allows it to deal more damage late-game. However, the power drop is notable and is only really the better choice for more reliability. However, one could opt for a Dragon Fang and Toxic Spikes due to the multitude of switches Dragalge forces while still having a high-powered Draco Meteor. Hydro Pump is an option to OHKO Rock- and Ground-types, but it doesn't do much outside of this. Hidden Power Fire OHKOes Forretress and 2HKOes Bronzong after Stealth Rock damage. Dragon Tail with a Mild nature is also an option on sets running the Dragon Fang, as Dragalge will then lack the power to 2HKO Umbreon and other special walls, so it can instead deter their healing by forcing them out. Set Details Adaptability is the best ability on this set, as it allows Dragalge to function as a total nuke with its STAB moves. 252 Special Attack EVs with a Modest nature maximize Dragalge's Special Attack. 68 Speed EVs allow Dragalge to outspeed Relaxed Swampert so Dragalge can slam it with a Draco Meteor. The remaining EVs are put into HP to boost Dragalge's bulk and allow it to use its great defensive qualities to pivot into attacks better. Choice Specs boosts Dragalge's Special Attack even further, allowing it to hit harder. However, Dragon Fang must be used if Toxic Spikes is being run to ensure Dragalge can switch moves yet still retain the power with Draco Meteor. An alternative spread with 92 Speed EVs is an option to pressure Blissey, although Blissey will usually just recover off the damage. Usage Tips This set mainly functions as a wallbreaker. Most of the time, you'll usually just be using Draco Meteor to try and dent the foe or flat-out OHKO it. However, while using Draco Meteor is generally the best option, try to use it a bit sparingly if Sludge Wave can get the job done, due to Sludge Wave's lack of a Special Attack drop. Due to the amount of switches Dragalge forces, Dragalge can set up Toxic Spikes on to cripple the opponent's switch-ins. Dragalge's great defensive typing and good bulk allow it to tank many hits and pivot into special attacks that it resists. It is imperative that you use correct prediction when the opponent has an opposing Fairy- or Steel-type, as they can easily force Dragalge out if you don't correctly use Sludge Bomb or Focus Blast on the switch. However, this set is fairly easy to use, and it basically is just breaking through the foe with powerful attacks. Team Options Even with Focus Blast and Hidden Power Fire, Dragalge still struggles against fully invested Steel-types, such as Bronzong, due to their high special bulk. Choice Specs Magneton can trap these Pokemon and clear the path for Dragalge. Trick Room support is an option due to Dragalge's low Speed stat. Cresselia and Reuniclus have great defensive synergy with Dragalge, are both very bulky, and can reliably set it up. Porygon2 is an option, as it tanks most attacks that threaten Dragalge and can also set up Trick Room. Physical attackers that beat special walls are good partners for Dragalge. Darmanitan and Choice Band Entei incinerate special walls with their Fire-type STAB moves and even have decent offensive synergy with Dragalge. Dragalge is easily countered by Psychic-types such as Reuniclus, Cresselia, and Slowking, so having a partner that can easily Pursuit trap them such as Krookodile makes it easier for Dragalge to wallbreak. Wish support is greatly appreciated, as Dragalge easily gets worn down by entry hazards; Aromatisse and Alomomola both have great defensive synergy and pass enormous Wishes. Machamp is a great partner, as it lures in Fairy-types for Dragalge while Dragalge lures in Steel-types for Machamp, and they could both benefit from the aforementioned Trick Room.

Moves Draco Meteor is a powerful attack that is boosted by Adaptability and Choice Specs, allowing it to OHKO or 2HKO Pokemon that don't resist it. Sludge Wave is another STAB move that allows Dragalge to hit Fairy- and Grass-types such as Togekiss, Azumarill, and Serperior. Hidden Power Fire allows Dragalge to OHKO Mega Scizor and has a chance to OHKO physically defensive Ferrothorn. Focus Blast gives Dragalge more coverage for hitting Steel-types that resist its STAB moves such as Bisharp and Magnezone. It's also useful in 2HKOing specially defensive Heatran and OHKOing offensive variants and Tyranitar. Scald gives more coverage by hitting both Mega Diancie and Heatran. It also has a chance to burn the opposing threat; however, it's much weaker than Focus Blast, which Dragalge needs to eliminate other threats such as Tyranitar and Bisharp. Set Details Maximum Special Attack EVs with a Modest nature maximize Dragalge's damage output, allowing it to hit as hard as possible as well as take advantage of Adaptability and Choice Specs. 224 HP EVs increase Dragalge's bulk in order to let it tank attacks much more effectively. The remaining EVs are added towards Speed, allowing Dragalge to outspeed uninvested Hippowdon and KO it with Draco Meteor. Choice Specs increases Dragalge's damage output even further, earning much-needed KOs but locking it into a move. Adaptability is needed to hit even harder with Dragalge's STAB moves, as it allows Dragalge to OHKO Volcanion, Slowbro, Mandibuzz, and Rotom-W, as well as OHKO Mega Venusaur and specially defensive Armaldo after Stealth Rock damage, with Draco Meteor. Usage Tips Dragalge functions well as a wallbreaker, being able to deal a lot of damage to the opposing team. Thanks to its great typing, Dragalge should mainly switch into attacks that it resists and Pokemon that it's able to beat such as Mega Charizard Y, Mega Venusaur, and Rotom-W. Due to a lack of reliable recovery, Dragalge can also come in after a fainted teammate without taking any damage. Dragalge hates entry hazards, as they can wear it down quite easily due to Draco Meteor's stat drops forcing it out often. Despite not being bothered by paralysis and poison, Dragalge should also be kept away from burns because they reduce its longevity. Dragalge should mainly be using its STAB moves for the Adaptability boost, especially Draco Meteor, as it is the most reliable attack in most matchups. It's a very spammable move, as most teams don't have a Pokemon with a Dragon-type resistance, and therefore it can wear them down very quickly. When playing against Bug- or Steel-types, Dragalge's health should be preserved long enough to revenge kill Mega Scizor with Hidden Power Fire, as none of its teammates enjoy taking damage from its Technician-boosted attacks, especially after a Swords Dance boost. Team Options Mega Venusaur can take on Ground- and Rock-types such as Excadrill, Garchomp, and Terrakion as well as check Ice-types for Dragalge thanks to Thick Fat. Mega Venusaur is also physically defensive, which makes it great for switching into incoming physical attacks. Weezing is also great for switching into physical attackers and using Will-O-Wisp to burn them. Gengar and Crobat can switch into Ground-type moves thanks to their immunity, and Gengar can specifically check Psychic-types such as Mega Medicham and Mew. Skuntank and Drapion both have an immunity to Psychic-type attacks and thus can freely switch into them. Skuntank can punish Pokemon that switch out with Pursuit or get extra damage with Sucker Punch. Drapion can provide utility with Knock Off to cripple item-reliant Pokemon such as Chansey and Porygon2. Drapion can also be reliable in setting up Toxic Spikes to make it easier for Dragalge to KO the opposing threat. Teammates such as Crobat, Skuntank, and Tentacruel can remove entry hazards with Defog or Rapid Spin, giving Dragalge more opportunities to switch in. Nidoqueen and Tentacruel can provide entry hazard support with Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes, respectively. Nidoqueen is also able to check many types with its coverage moves. Both Nidoking and Nidoqueen can check Steel-types that Dragalge struggles against such as Heatran, Mega Scizor, Magnezone, and Doublade. Scolipede is also a good candidate, taking on Psychic-types and Cradily with its powerful Megahorn and applying pressure on Pokemon such as Volcarona, Chansey, and Zapdos.

Moves Draco Meteor is Dragalge's hardest-hitting STAB move and has the potential to OHKO many foes. Sludge Bomb hits Fairy-types, which are immune to Draco Meteor, super effectively and provides a secondary STAB move that doesn't lower Dragalge's Special Attack. Focus Blast deals with opposing Steel-types, which resist both Dragon and Poison. Hidden Power Fire is an alternative that trades a lot of power for greater accuracy. Protect shields Dragalge for a turn and gives a teammate the opportunity to react to the foes. Alternatively, if running Choice Specs, Dragon Pulse provides a Dragon-type coverage option without drawbacks, unlike Draco Meteor. Set Details Adaptability boosts the power of Dragalge's STAB moves, turning it into a fearsome wallbreaker. Life Orb further increases Dragalge's damage output; alternatively, Choice Specs maximizes Dragalge's wallbreaking potential but locks it into the first move it uses. A Quiet nature and maximum Special Attack EVs are used to deal as much damage as possible, and maximum HP EVs increase Dragalge's general bulk. When using Hidden Power Fire, an EV spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 248 SpA / 4 SpD should be used to compensate for the associated loss of IVs. Speed IVs are minimized to allow Dragalge to move faster under Trick Room. Usage Tips Dragalge's plentiful resistances and great Special Defense make it easy to switch in once Trick Room has been set up, so don't be afraid to take some hits to accomplish this. Draco Meteor is capable of picking up many OHKOs, but you must be wary of killing momentum by using the move and leaving Dragalge neutered offensively. Despite Dragalge's access to moves such as Hidden Power Fire and Focus Blast to handle Steel-types, their damage outputs are still fairly underwhelming, so leave handling Steel-types to Fighting-, Fire-, or Ground-type teammates whenever possible. Team Options Trick Room setters such as Cresselia, Gardevoir, and Jellicent are mandatory teammates in order to set up the field condition for Dragalge. Fighting-types can handle opposing Steel-types, which wall Dragalge's STAB moves. Hariyama and Scrafty are notable examples, as they can also use Fake Out to help a teammate set up Trick Room more easily. Fire- and Ground-types such as Heatran, Mega Camerupt, and Gastrodon are also able to handle opposing Steel-types. Helping Hand users such as Cresselia, Politoed, and Togekiss can turn Dragalge's attacks from 2HKOs into OHKOs. Will-O-Wisp users such as Jellicent and Rotom-W as well as Intimidate users such as Landorus-T, Scrafty, and Mega Mawile can weaken opposing physical attackers, which target Dragalge's lower defensive stat. Wide Guard users such as Aegislash, Conkeldurr, and Swampert can protect Dragalge against Earthquake.