The Dragon-type attacker tier list ranks the top 30 Pokemon by raid DPS in 2026. Use Dragon-type attackers against Dragon-type raid bosses. Shadow Pokemon deal 20% more damage, while Mega evolutions boost the entire raid team.
Rankings are calculated by simulating every possible fast and charged move combination for each Pokemon at level 40 against a generic Tier 5 raid boss. We measure DPS (Damage Per Second), TDO (Total Damage Output before fainting), and eDPS (a composite metric that balances raw damage with survivability). The final ranking weighs type-specific DPS at 70% and overall DPS at 30%, so Pokemon with strong same-type moves are prioritized while off-type coverage is still rewarded.
Dragon-type Pokemon GO is home to the highest-DPS attackers in the game, including Mega Rayquaza (366 Attack — the highest of any released Pokemon), Origin Forme Dialga, Origin Forme Palkia, Mega Salamence, and Black Kyurem. Dragon moves are super-effective against other Dragon types only, but their high base power makes Dragon STAB the universal endgame attacker for trainers grinding XL Candy. Signature moves include Outrage, Draco Meteor (Dragon Community Day move), Dragon Tail, Dragon Pulse, Roar of Time (Origin Dialga signature), Spacial Rend (Origin Palkia signature), and Dragon Breath. Dragon types are weak to Ice, Dragon, and Fairy, with Fairy being the universal Dragon-killer added in 2017.
The top Dragon attackers are Mega Rayquaza, Mega Salamence, Origin Forme Dialga, Origin Forme Palkia, and Shadow Salamence. Mega Rayquaza with Dragon Tail and Outrage has the highest Dragon DPS in the game and doubles as the best Flying attacker. Mega Salamence (Dragon/Flying) with Dragon Tail and Outrage is the top Mega Dragon outside of Rayquaza. Origin Forme Dialga (Steel/Dragon) with Dragon Breath and Roar of Time tops the legendary Dragon tier. Shadow Salamence, Shadow Dragonite, and Shadow Garchomp round out the Shadow Dragon tier. Rayquaza, Palkia, Reshiram, and Zekrom are non-Mega legendary options.
Dragon types own the Master League meta. Origin Forme Dialga with Dragon Breath and Roar of Time is widely considered the best Master League pick. Mega Rayquaza, Origin Forme Palkia, Garchomp, Salamence, Dragonite, and Goodra anchor Master League cores. In Ultra League, Garchomp, Goodra, Dragonite, and Druddigon flex into limited cup teams. In Great League, Altaria (Dragon/Flying) with Dragon Breath and Sky Attack is a top pick despite its 4× Ice weakness. Hydreigon (Dark/Dragon) flexes into Ultra and Master League. Naganadel (Poison/Dragon) brings unique anti-Fairy coverage.
Dragon attackers shine against other Dragon types (Garchomp, Salamence, Rayquaza, Dialga, Palkia) — making Dragon the only mainline solution to Mega Rayquaza raids without a 4× Ice attacker. Dragon types are 1.6× weak to Ice, Dragon, and Fairy — and Salamence-line Pokemon take 4× from Ice (Dragon/Flying). Windy weather boosts Dragon by 1.2× alongside Flying and Psychic. Avoid Dragon attackers against Mamoswine, Galarian Darmanitan, Mega Glalie, Crowned Zacian, Xerneas, and Togekiss. Dragon is also the universal Master League pick — almost every top-meta team includes at least two Dragon attackers, often paired with Steel resistances to flip the Fairy matchup.
Dragon Community Days have included Dratini → Dragonite with Draco Meteor, Bagon → Salamence with Outrage, Gible → Garchomp with Earth Power, Deino → Hydreigon with Brutal Swing, Goomy → Goodra, Druddigon (technically not CD but featured), Axew → Haxorus, and Rayquaza Raid Days that unlocked Hurricane and Dragon Ascent. Mega Rayquaza debuted in 2024 and immediately took the Dragon DPS crown. Origin Forme Dialga and Origin Forme Palkia raids in 2025 introduced Roar of Time and Spacial Rend, both top-tier Master League moves. Black Kyurem and White Kyurem fusion forms remain unreleased as of 2026 but are highly anticipated.