How to Get Dragonite in Pokémon Go: A Complete Guide

Dragonite stands as one of the most iconic and powerful Pokémon in Pokémon Go. As an original Dragon-type powerhouse, its high attack stat and bulky presence make it a valuable asset for raids, gym battles, and even certain PvP leagues. However, acquiring this pseudo-legendary Pokémon requires dedication and strategy.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the most effective and reliable methods to get Dragonite in Pokémon Go to your collection, from finding its elusive base form, Dratini, to optimizing its moves for combat.

Part 1. Get Dragonite by Evolving Dratini

The most reliable way to get a Dragonite is by evolving it from its first form, Dratini. This is the journey almost every trainer will take. The process involves two evolution stages, each requiring a specific amount of Dratini Candy.

Step 1: Dratini to Dragonair: This first evolution costs 25 Dratini Candies.
Step 2: Dragonair to Dragonite: The final evolution requires 100 Dratini Candies.

In total, you will need 125 Dratini Candies to evolve a single Dratini all the way into a Dragonite. This makes candy acquisition the most crucial part of your mission.

Part 2. Where to Find Dratini: Top 5 Methods

Finding Dratini is the first and most important step. While it's not the most common Pokémon, there are several consistent methods you can use to encounter one.

2.1. Catch Dratini Directly from Wild Ecounter

Dratini is a Dragon-type Pokémon that has a known affinity for water biomes. To increase your chances of a wild encounter, focus your search around areas like:

• Rivers and Canals
• Lakes and Ponds
• Beaches and Piers
• Docks and Harbors

Additionally, keep an eye on the in-game weather. Dratini is weather-boosted during Windy weather, which increases its spawn rate and guarantees it will be caught at a higher CP and IV floor.

2.2. Reliable Way to Get Dratini via Field Research

Completing specific Field Research tasks is one of the best ways to secure a Dratini encounter. The reward encounter for a research task is guaranteed, unlike random wild spawns. Look for the following task from spinning PokéStops:

"Catch 3 Dragon-type Pokémon"

This task frequently rewards a Dratini encounter. While finding the task itself can be random, it provides a direct and repeatable path to getting a high-quality Dratini.

2.3. How to Get Dratini from Egg

Dratini has historically been available in 10km Eggs. Egg pools rotate frequently with in-game seasons and events, so its availability isn't always guaranteed. However, hatching a Dratini from an egg is highly beneficial as it comes with a high IV floor and awards a significant amount of candy (typically 10-21 candies), fast-tracking your evolution progress. Always check the current egg pool to see if Dratini is included.

2.4. How to Get Shadow Dratini by Defeating Team GO Rocket

You can obtain a special Shadow Dratini by defeating specific Team GO Rocket Grunts. Keep an eye out for Grunts who say the following line before you battle them:

"ROAR! ... How'd that sound?"

This Grunt will use a team of Dragon-type Pokémon, and defeating them gives you a chance to catch a Shadow Dratini. Shadow Pokémon have a 20% attack boost, making Shadow Dragonite one of the most powerful attackers in the entire game for raids. However, they are more expensive to power up and require a special Charged TM to forget the move Frustration during specific events.

2.5. Get Dratini through Pokémon GO Event

Pokémon Go frequently holds events that dramatically increase the spawn rate of specific Pokémon. Events like Community Days, Spotlight Hours, or seasonal celebrations are the absolute best times to hunt. A past Dratini Community Day Classic allowed players to catch hundreds of Dratini in just a few hours. Always read the in-game news to stay informed about upcoming events that might feature Dratini.

Part 3. Pro-Tips for Farming Dratini Candy Efficiently

Collecting 125 candies can seem daunting, but with the right strategy, you can speed up the process significantly.

• Use Pinap Berries: This is the most important tip. Using a Pinap Berry on every Dratini you encounter will double the amount of candy you receive from the catch, turning 3 candies into 6.
  
  Pro-tip: How to Get & Use Pokémon GO Berries? [Latest Guide]
• Set Dratini as Your Buddy: You can earn one Dratini Candy for every 5km you walk with Dratini (or its evolutions) as your buddy. This is a great way to passively earn candy.
  
  Pro-tip: Pokemon GO Buddy Explained: What to Know in Adventure 2025
• Transfer Extra Dratini: Transferring any Dratini that you don't plan to keep will award you one candy each. Wait for a "2x Transfer Candy" Spotlight Hour to get even more value.
• Use Rare Candy: Rare Candy can be converted into candy for any Pokémon. While best saved for Legendary Pokémon, using a few to get you over the 125-candy threshold for your first Dragonite is a perfectly valid strategy.

Part 4. How to Get Dragonite in Pokémon GO Directly

While evolving is the standard method, it is possible, though extremely rare, to find a Dragonite directly in the wild. These spawns are exceptionally uncommon and should be seen as a lucky bonus rather than a reliable strategy.

Additionally, Dragonite occasionally appears in Tier 4 or Tier 5 Raids during special events. Defeating it in a raid will give you a chance to catch it. This is a great way to bypass the candy grind entirely if the opportunity arises.

Part 5. Powering Up Your Dragonite: Best Movesets for Combat

Once you have your Dragonite, you need to equip it with the right moves to maximize its potential. The ideal moveset depends on how you plan to use it.

5.1. Best Moveset for Raids and Gyms (PvE)

For taking down raid bosses and clearing gyms, you want the highest damage output possible.

• Fast Move: Dragon Tail
• Charged Move: Outrage

This all-Dragon moveset is incredibly powerful and makes Dragonite a top-tier generalist attacker.

5.2. Best Moveset for GO Battle League (PvP)

In PvP, energy generation and move coverage are more important. Dragonite shines in the Master League.

• Fast Move: Dragon Breath
• Charged Move: Dragon Claw

Dragon Breath is a fast-charging move, Dragon Claw is a low-cost shield-baiting move, and Superpower provides crucial coverage against Steel-type Pokémon that resist Dragon moves.

Bonus Tip. How to Get a Dragonite or Dratini in Pokémon GO without Moving

Want to get a Dragonite or Dratini easily just at your home without going outside? Try using Tools like TunesKit Location Changer. TunesKit Location Changer is a tool that lets users easily spoof their GPS location on iOS and Android devices.

Many Pokémon Go players choose TunesKit Location Changer to access geographically restricted features, catch region-specific Pokémon, and participate in remote raids without physically traveling. The advantages include a simple interface, quick location switching, compatibility with various apps, and enhanced privacy, making gameplay more flexible and enjoyable.

Part 6. Conclusion

In Pokémon Go, obtaining Dragonite is a rewarding journey. Focus on the evolution path by finding Dratini near water and completing Field Research tasks. Use Pinap Berries to maximize candy gains and make Dratini your buddy. Stay informed with in-game events to ease your hunt. With patience and strategy, you'll soon have Dragonite on your team. If you want to catch Dragonite in Pokémon GO without walking a step, try using TunesKit Location Changer.