How good is Mega Dragonite for Pokémon GO Raids?

Mega Dragonite

Mega Dragonite has made its shocking debut in Pokémon GO, creating seismic ripples of excitement throughout the world!

Fans have always wanted the OG Pseudo Legendary Dragonite to get a Mega Evolution, and with Legends: Z-A fulfilling that long-standing wish, no one could have anticipated that the beloved addition would be in Pokémon GO so soon.

How strong is Mega Dragonite in the meta? It competes in one of the most fiercely contested types in the franchise: Dragon. And of course, we will also look into its Flying-type details as well.

With that said, let’s check out the stats of Mega Dragonite and dive into its meta performance.

Mega Dragonite Overview

Max CP	5452
ATK	299
DEF	255
HP	209
Weak to	x2
Resists
Fast moves	Dragon Tail Dragon Breath Steel Wing
Charge moves	Outrage Dragon Claw Dragon Pulse* Draco Meteor* Hurricane Superpower Thunder Punch Hyper Beam

*Denotes a Legacy Move only obtainable via Elite TM.

• Right off the bat, we see a concerning figure. Yes, it’s that 299 ATK stat. All premier Dragon Mega Evolutions in Pokémon GO are noted for their 300+ ATK stats, with some relatively weaker Megas having <300.
• Dragonite does have a great Dragon moveset, so while that is sorted, it is destined to trail behind the strongest Mega Dragons, let alone top Legendaries.
• It has no Flying Fast Move, and its Fast Moves lack synergy with Hurricane, like Mega Salamence has Fire Fang and Fly for Bug and Grass Raid Bosses.

Mega Dragonite in the Dragon-type Meta

Using our trustworthy GO Hub DPS Comparer Tool, here are the top Dragon types in Pokémon GO:

• There are no surprises here, as 299 ATK is actually a mid-range stat for Dragon types.
• In essence, Mega Dragonite functions similarly to another Dragon/Flying type, Rayquaza. With marginally more DPS and much better bulk (not to mention, the Mega Boost to other Dragons), Mega Dragonite is your regular Rayquaza substitute.
• Mega Dragonite is far behind the might of Mega Rayquaza, but in terms of damage output, it is behind Mega Salamence.
• Mega Salamence is also Dragon/Flying, and just like Mega Dragonite, it hits the hardest with the Dragon Tail + Draco Meteor combo.
• Both these Pseudo Legendary Megas also have Outrage as a second Charged Move, which it can employ in Raid battles that go down the wire. So, if your Mega is left with very low HP, you can opt for the cheaper Outrage to at least hit a Charged Move before fainting.
• In this role, Mega Salamence is simply better, on both an offensive and defensive standpoint.
• Even the yet-to-be-added Mega Baxcalibur surpasses Mega Dragonite despite having an inferior Dragon moveset overall.
• Keeping the Flying subtyping out of the equation, the Mega Evolutions of Garchomp (both OG and the new Z) are way better than Mega Dragonite and Mega Salamence, elevated with the inclusion of Breaking Swipe in Garchomp’s moveset.
• So even if you want to go generous on Mega Dragonite and keep Legendaries and Shadows out of contention, Mega Garchomp (OG and Z), Mega Salamence, and Mga Baxcalibir are better than Mega Dragonite by all means.
• That said, you can still go with Mega Dragonite in high-tier Raids. It is bulky, hits hard, has a second viable Charged Move for clutch situations, and can be used without second thought if Mega Ray, Mega Chomp, or Mega Mence are on cooldown for you.

Mega Dragonite is undoubtedly a strong Dragon attacker, but outclassed by top Legendaries and Pseudo Legendaries. It is sheer bad luck that the monstrous Mega Rayquaza is also Dragon/Flying, and so is Mega Salamence. Whatever qualities Mega Dragonite gets because of its typing, the aforementioned Mega Evolutions do it better.

Mega Dragonite the Flying-type Meta

Taking the help of our DPS Comparer Tool once again, here’s a look at the high flyers:

• Mega Dragonite is good in the Flying-type meta, a category that’s ironically ruled by two Dragon/Flying types.
• While Mega Rayquaza’s power level is astronomically high, being one of the strongest in Pokémon GO, you could argue for comparison with fellow Pseudo Legendary Mega Salamence.
• Just like Mega Dragonite, Mega Salamence also lacks a Flying Fast Move, but it packs more value.
• For starters, Mega Salamence has an ATK stat of 310 and Fly, one of the best Flying Charged Moves in the game.
• Not only that, but Mega Salamence also has Fire Fang as one of its Fast Moves. Against Bug and Grass Raid Bosses, Mega Salamence uses both its Fast and Charged Moves to super-effective efficiency.
• When it comes to damage output, Mega Dragonite’s overall performance is very similar to Mega Pidgeot, with the Dragon being way bulkier.
• Future Mega Staraptor is set to be a Flying-type nuke, hitting extremely hard in Raids, blowing Mega Dragonite out of the water.

Mega Dragonite may not be too impressive in the Dragon department, but its Flying display is worthy. However, in both roles, fellow Dragon/Flying Mega Salamence is the clear winner.

Is Mega Dragonite worth powering up?

Sadly no, go with Mega Salamence instead.

• Mega Dragonite is outclassed in both the Dragon and Flying metas, with its overall performance being a tad better as a Flying type.
• Both Dragon and Flying are ruled by the powerful Mega Rayquaza, and trailed by Mega Salamence.
• Considering power-up costs and reputation in the game, Mega Dragonite can be compared with fellow Pseudo Legendary Mega Salamence, another wielder of the infamous Draco Meteor + Outrage kit.
• But regardless, no matter what role you choose for Mega Dragonite, Mega Salamence is strictly better.
• In loose terms, Mega Dragonite is a Mega Salamence wannabe, and should only be evolved for the Dex as far as the meta is concerned.

While it may not be meta breaking, shiny Mega Dragonite is absolutely gorgeous, switching to blue of Dratini and Dragonair and looking as stunning as you could have hoped.

Regular Sprite	Shiny Sprite
Mega Dragonite	Mega Dragonite

All the best, trainers!