Dragapult Pokémon GO Meta Analysis

Dragapult

The spooky yet quirky Pseudo Legendary is up for grabs in Pokémon GO and most trainers will be very eager to get this popular Dragon/Ghost species. 

While it boasts exceptional design elements, players are curious about its viability in the PvP and PvE scene. It has superb typing that gives it stellar coverage and also the stats to boot, but does it make an impact in Raids and the new, reformed GO Battle League meta?

We will delve into Pokémon GO’s latest Pseudo Legendary and ascertain in detail how worthy it is in combat. Let’s begin!

Dragapult stats and matchups

Dragapult DragonGhost
Max CP at lvl 40 3993
Max CP at lvl 50 3532
ATK 266		DEF 170		HP 204
Weak to			Resistances
Dark Dragon Fairy Ghost Ice			Fighting Normal Bug Electric Fire Grass Poison Water

Dragapult has the second-highest Attack stat of all Pseudo Legendaries in Pokémon GO, behind only Salamence, who boasts a whopping 277. Salamence is a bit bulkier as well.

It’s a bummer that this blitzkrieg dragon doesn’t touch the 4000 CP mark though.

However, ‘Pult has a way better set of resistances, shrugging off Fighting and Normal type moves like pillow hits. While it has five types to worry about in particular, none are double weaknesses, the Achilles Heel of many prominent Dragon types. 

With matchups sorted pretty well, the sword hangs on Dragapult’s moveset.

Dragapult Moveset in Pokémon GO

Fast Moves (PvP stats)

Astonish is one of the biggest stars of the GBL Max Out Season, going from 9 to 12 power in PvP. In fact, it’s Pult’s best move for this format! With this dragon not having the best bulk, it appreciated the quicker energy generation of Astonish. Moreover, this move gives it exceptional coverage against every type except Normal and Dark.

The best part is that this hard-hitting move takes the fight to the glaring counters to dragons, the Dragon, Fairy, and Ice types, while also settling the score against the ever-rampant Steel types.

Fast Moves (PvE stats)

The tables turn in PvE with Astonish being bad compared to other viable Ghost type moves like Shadow Claw, Hex, and Lick. Surprisingly, Dragapult previously had Hex in its moveset but it was replaced by Astonish. IMO, Hex should have been left untouched as it could have made Dragapult a way more viable Ghost type attacker in Raids. Alas! 😐 

But taking on an optimistic stride, it has only two Fast Moves, so you can switch between the two with Fast TMs for PvP and PvE.

Charged Moves (PvP stats)

*Breaking Swipe has a 50% chance to debuff the opponent’s Attack by 1 stage (0.80x)

Dragapult got treated really well in the PvP moves department, getting the best moves it could have asked for!

• Dragon Pulse is a shame though and it needs a rework next Season
• Outrage hits hard, but is surpassed by better moves
• Breaking Swipe is the cheapest move and helps Dragapult bait shields. It also has 50/50 odds of lowering the target’s Attack by one stage, so happy hour!
• Shadow Ball is deadly and Dragapult’s go-to OHKO move

Charged Moves (PvE stats)

Right off the bat, you should know that while Shadow Ball is incredible, it loses its charm without a viable Ghost type Fast Move in PvE and Astonish just ain’t cutting it enough, folks 🙁  Shadow Claw and the now-removed Hex are better Ghost Fast Moves than Astonish. 

In fact, Astonish with Shadow Ball deals around 4% less damage than the Hex and Shadow Ball pair. While 4% isn’t a lot, it does get accountable for Dragapult, a Pokémon with low bulk.

As a Dragon type, however, it makes an impact despite being overshadowed by Legendaries and some other dragons.

Best Dragapult Moveset in Pokémon GO

PvP

The best PvP moveset for Dragapult is Astonish combined with Shadow Ball and Breaking Swipe.

PvE

The best PvE moveset for Dragapult is Astonish paired with Shadow Ball.

Dragapult performance in PvE

As a Ghost type, Dragapult showcases a decent outing in PvE, being surpassed only by Gengar and Chandelure in DPS if you leave Legendaries, Ultra Beasts, Megas, and Shadows out of the picture. 

Against a Ghost or Psychic type Raid Boss, keep in mind that Dark types also come in contention and, in such cases, fellow Pseudo Legendaries like Tyranitar and Hydreigon race past Dragapult in damage output. Of course, against the likes of a Focus Blast Mewtwo, Dragapult works out way better. All in all, Dragapult is a nice Ghost type attacker with room for improvement.

On the flip side, Dragapult with Dragon Tail and Outrage is a better Dragon type attacker than Dragonite and Garchomp but is outclassed by the likes of Salamence and Haxorus, all in terms of DPS.

Obviously, the difference becomes all the more concerning when you take Legendaries into account. And, this is not even considering Mega Evolutions and Shadow Pokémon.

While Outrage is its strongest Dragon type move, an argument can be made for Breaking Swipe instead since Pult’s squishy bulk would be respected better with this move in tow, especially in Raid battles.

Ultimately, if you have Outrage Salamence (277 Attack) and/or Breaking Swipe Haxorus (284 Attack) built, Dragapult is not a better choice. Also, while Garchomp (261 Attack) and Dragonite (263 Attack) may not hit as hard as Dragapult (266 Attack), the variation is marginal, and more importantly, they are way bulkier. The bulk means they can last longer in a raid which most trainers will find preferrable. 

PS: I know Haxorus isn’t a Pseudo Legendary, so spare me those comments XD

PvE verdict on Dragapult

Dragapult is left in an awkward spot, being outclassed by Haxorus, Pseudo Legendaries like Salamence, Garchomp, and Dragonite, and many Legendaries in overall value.

It could have been a great Ghost type attacker with the now-removed Hex but sadly, Astonish degrades it in PvE. 

It’s a cool Pokémon worth catching for sure but there are better options in both its types.

Dragapult performance in PvP

Dragapult’s outing in the PvP Leagues is somewhat better than its PvE disappointment! With the amazing Dragon and Ghost typing, coupled with a good moveset to boot, it is not too bad in the Go Battle League.

Sure, it won’t match Giratina’s standards in any manner but unlike the fierce Legendary, it is not stuck with only Ghost type moves and has Breaking Swipe! Steelix’s shenanigans unfortunately forced a nerfed Breaking Swipe, but it’s still handy.

Astonish’s quick energy gains and Breaking Swipe’s cheap cost put it at a shield-baiting advantage while also hitting several meta opponents with high neutral damage. Not to mention, a 50% chance to debuff Attack is pretty neat.

Additionally, Shadow Ball does quite a number at just 55 energy, making it a threat. As such, Dragapult thrives in neutral matchups but suffers hard in unfavorable ones due to underwhelming bulk.

PvP verdict on Dragapult

Dragapult rides on the ‘high damage at low cost’ wave in PvP, being a scary threat in good matchups but not too reliable in the end. The Astonish and Breaking Swipe combo can pull off a few surprises but ultimately, it’s a great super spice pick for the Go Battle League.

Conclusion

There’s no sugarcoating it, Dragapult is not the monster like it is in the mainline games, where it excels thanks to its jaw-dropping 142 Speed.

It boasts a great design and enjoys immense popularity, but at the moment, it’s not the most powerful catch. For context, Baxcalibur is overall better in the meta.

Sure, it’s nowhere as bad as Metagross and Hydreigon were before their Community Day events, but just like these Pseudos, Dragapult has a chance to get better with well-built Dragon Darts (its signature move) in Pokémon GO.

Till then, try catching a perfect IV Dreepy for your collection and test the PvP and PvE waters to gain some unexpected wins.

Happy hunting, trainers!

Dracarys.