Gigantamax Duraludon
SteelDragon
How is a skyscraper a Dragon? Well, how would I know? It’s Pokémon logic.
What I do know is that Gigantamax Duraludon is making its global debut in six-star Max Battles during GO Wild Area 2026: Global on November 14 and 15.
It was all building up to this, after all (get it, building… sorry, I’ll try to be more serious now), with this year’s event themed around Dragon and Steel-type Pokémon.
The big question is simple: Is Gigantamax Duraludon worth the wait, and does it deserve a spot on your Max Battle team? It certainly has a case, although calling it the undisputed Dragon king would be a little premature.
Gigantamax Duraludon: Stats, Typing, and Moves
| Max CP (Level 50) | 3468 |
|---|---|
| ATK | 239 |
| DEF | 185 |
| Base Stamina (HP stat) | 172 |
| Weak to | Fighting Ground |
| Resists | Grass (x2) Poison (x2) Bug Electric Normal Psychic Rock Steel Water |
| Super-effective G-Max Attack coverage | Dragon; a boss’s second type can change the matchup. |
| Fast Attacks |
|
| Max Attack | G-Max Depletion  |
— 0.5sSource: GO Hub’s Gigantamax Duraludon database entry. Base Stamina is not its actual battle HP, which depends on level and IVs.
Duraludon’s offensive strength comes from G-Max Depletion, which has 450 power at Level 3. That powerful attack lets it compete with Pokémon boasting higher base Attack stats.
There is also an important moveset detail: G-Max Depletion stays Dragon-type regardless of the Fast Attack. Metal Claw does not turn it into Max Steelspike. You can use the quicker Metal Claw while retaining Dragon-type G-Max damage.
As an Attacker: An Elite Dragon, but Not Number One
GO Hub’s default comparison uses Level 40 Pokémon, perfect 15/15/15 IVs, and Level 3 Max Attacks against a neutral opponent without weather boosts. Values were checked on November 8, 2026. DMG measures one Max Attack, not DPS or total battle performance.
Percentages use the displayed values: (comparison Pokémon’s DMG ÷ Duraludon’s 302 DMG − 1) × 100, rounded to one decimal place.
| Ranking | Pokémon | Max Attack | DMG | Damage vs. Duraludon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Eternatus
|
Dynamax Cannon | 348 | +15.2% |
| 2 |
Gigantamax Duraludon
|
G-Max Depletion | 302 | Baseline |
| 3 |
Dynamax Palkia
|
Max Wyrmwind | 272 | −9.9% |
| 4 |
Dynamax Dialga
|
Max Wyrmwind | 268 | −11.3% |
| 5 |
Dynamax Latios
|
Max Wyrmwind | 261 | −13.6% |
Source: GO Hub’s best Dragon-type Max Battle attackers.
Gigantamax Duraludon ranks #2, behind Eternatus. Expressed with its rivals as the baseline, Duraludon deals approximately 11.0% more damage than Palkia and 12.7% more than Dialga. “More than” and “less than” percentages differ because they use different denominators.
That is still a strong attacking profile. You do not have to be the tallest building in the city to deserve a place on the skyline.
For players preparing to catch the other Wild Area debutants, see our Dynamax Palkia battle guide and Dynamax Dialga battle guide.
What About Future Dragon-type Attackers?
Duraludon makes a convincing case based on its current performance. Predicting exactly where it will sit after every possible Max Pokémon arrives is a different matter.
Future availability, moves, special-form mechanics, and balance changes could all affect the ranking. Treat claims about a precise future gap to White Kyurem—or any guarantee that Duraludon is “future-proof”—as speculation unless they come with a reproducible calculation and clearly stated assumptions.
For investment decisions, focus on the battles you want to win and the Pokémon you can actually use today.
How Does It Compare to Ice and Fairy Attackers?
Dragon-type attacks are only super effective against Dragon. Ice and Fairy attackers may compete for the same job, but a neutral damage ranking alone cannot settle every matchup.A boss’s second type can change which attack is best. A double weakness may favour another type, while a resistance can reduce or cancel Dragon’s advantage. Incoming moves matter too: an attacker needs to survive long enough to contribute.
Check the boss’s full typing and counters before choosing your damage dealer. Duraludon is a strong option when G-Max Depletion has a favourable matchup; it is not an automatic replacement for every Ice or Fairy attacker.
As a Tank: Useful Resistances, Limited Bulk
At 185 DEF and 172 base Stamina, Gigantamax Duraludon is better suited to an attacking role than a default tanking role. Its many resistances help, but they do not automatically put it ahead of bulkier alternatives.
Here are three relevant defensive matchups from GO Hub’s current database:
| Incoming Attack Type | Rank | Tank Score | Average HP Lost per Hit | Full Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poison | #11 | 99.8 | 26.2% | Poison tank rankings |
| Grass | #15 | 99.8 | 26.2% | Grass tank rankings |
| Rock | #21 | 63.2 | 41.4% | Rock tank rankings |
These are Level 40, perfect-IV benchmark results, not projected full-roster positions. The model combines spread and targeted damage with dodge assumptions; Max Guard and Max Spirit are excluded. Higher scores and lower HP loss are better. Max Meter generation breaks durability ties. Actual boss moves and damage breakpoints can change performance.
Metal Claw remains useful for charging the Max Meter, but fast charging and durability are different strengths. Meter gain depends on damage dealt and attack duration, rather than Charged Attack energy alone.
If you already have a suitable defender, using it to absorb damage and switching to Duraludon for the Max Phase is a sensible approach. If your options are limited, Duraludon can still contribute outside the Max Phase in favourable matchups.
Our complete Max Battles strategy guide explains how to coordinate attackers, defenders, and healers. For other defensive matchups, consult the Max Battle tank rankings.
Verdict: A Strong Dragon Attacker Worth Considering
Gigantamax Duraludon deserves serious consideration if your team needs Dragon damage. Its main job is straightforward: enter the Max Phase and hit hard with G-Max Depletion.
If you already have strong attackers built, weigh the improvement against the cost of another investment. If you are still developing your Dragon team, catching and building one is an appealing option.
For an attacking build, prioritize powering up the Pokémon and upgrading G-Max Depletion. A 15 ATK IV specimen is desirable, but Pokémon level and Max Attack level also matter. You do not need to postpone a useful upgrade indefinitely while waiting for a perfect catch.
And if you happen to find a shiny with perfect IVs? Well, that’s the dream.
You can take on Gigantamax Duraludon during GO Wild Area 2026: Global on November 14 and 15. For preparation, see our complete Gigantamax Duraludon counters and battle guide.
Wishing you all a towering shundo!
