Dragon-type tier list in Pokemon Legends Z-A, popular shiny Charizard

Dragon-Type Pokémon Tier List for Pokémon Legends Z-A

ByMatt Brown

Dragon-types have always been synonymous with raw power, boasting some of the highest stats in the game and a typing that is famously difficult to resist. In Pokémon Legends Z-A, with the epic return of Mega Evolutions, these draconic titans are set to dominate the battlefield like never before. From pseudo-legendaries to the guardian of the Kalos region itself, choosing the right Dragon-type is crucial. To guide you, we’ve ranked all the confirmed Dragon-types from the supreme S-Tier to the developing D-Tier based on their stats, Mega forms, and overall combat potential.

Dragon-Type Pokémon Tier List

Image from Pokemon Legends Z-A courtesy of Nintendo
TierPokémon
SMega Garchomp, Mega Salamence, Mega Dragonite, Mega Charizard X, Mega Zygarde, Mega Altaria, Zygarde
AGarchomp, Salamence, Dragonite, Goodra, Mega Ampharos, Mega Dragalge, Mega Drampa
BAltaria, Dragalge, Noivern, Drampa, Tyrantrum
CGabite, Shelgon, Dragonair, Sliggoo, Noibat
DGible, Bagon, Dratini, Goomy

S-Tier

This tier is reserved for the legends of the Dragon type. These Pokémon are meta-defining threats with overwhelming stats, game-changing Mega Evolutions, and the ability to sweep entire teams single-handedly.

  • Mega Garchomp & Mega Salamence: These two pseudo-legendaries ascend to god-tier status with their Mega Evolutions. Mega Garchomp becomes a monstrous physical attacker with an immense Attack stat, while Mega Salamence gains the Aerilate ability, turning its Normal-type moves into powerful Flying-type STAB, and boasting incredible speed and offense.
  • Mega Dragonite: The original Dragon-type gets a well-deserved Mega Evolution, boosting its already fantastic all-around stats. Its Special Attack skyrockets, turning it into a versatile mixed attacker that’s as bulky as it is powerful.
  • Mega Charizard X: By trading its Flying-type for a Dragon-typing, Mega Charizard X becomes a fearsome physical sweeper. Its Tough Claws ability boosts its contact moves, making Flare Blitz and Dragon Claw devastatingly strong.
  • Mega Zygarde & Zygarde (Complete Forme): The guardian of Kalos is a true powerhouse. Zygarde’s 50% Forme is already formidable, but its Complete Forme boasts legendary stats. The new Mega Zygarde takes this even further, with a massive boost to its Special Attack, making it a nearly unstoppable force.
  • Mega Altaria: Upon Mega Evolving, Altaria gains a unique Dragon/Fairy typing and the Pixilate ability, which turns its Normal-type moves into powerful Fairy-type STAB attacks. This, combined with its excellent bulk, makes it a top-tier threat.

A-Tier

A-Tier Pokémon are exceptional combatants that can easily anchor a successful team. They are incredibly powerful and reliable, falling just short of the sheer dominance of the S-Tier.

  • Garchomp, Salamence, & Dragonite: Even in their base forms, these three pseudo-legendaries are top-class threats. Garchomp is a fast physical sweeper, Salamence is a versatile attacker with Intimidate, and Dragonite is a bulky attacker with a great movepool.
  • Goodra: The bulkiest of the pseudo-legendaries, Goodra is an incredible special wall with a massive Special Defense stat and a solid Special Attack to match.
  • Mega Ampharos, Mega Dragalge & Mega Drampa: This group of Megas provides fantastic special firepower. Mega Ampharos gains a Dragon-typing and becomes a slow but powerful special cannon. Mega Dragalge is a special tank with the Adaptability ability, while Mega Drampa’s already massive Special Attack is pushed to even greater heights.

B-Tier

Solid and dependable choices that perform their roles well. They may have noticeable flaws but are more than capable of holding their own in most battles.

  • Altaria & Dragalge: Both have great utility but are somewhat outclassed by their Mega forms. Altaria is a decent defensive Pokémon, and Dragalge’s Poison/Dragon typing offers a good defensive profile against Fairy-types.
  • Noivern: One of the fastest Dragon-types available, Noivern excels as a special attacker that can out-speed many opponents. However, it is quite frail.
  • Drampa: While slow, Drampa’s huge base 135 Special Attack makes it a formidable wall-breaker capable of punching holes in defensive teams.
  • Tyrantrum: This fossil Pokémon boasts a high Attack and Defense stat, but its Rock/Dragon typing leaves it with numerous common weaknesses.

C-Tier

This tier is primarily composed of middle-stage evolutions. They are a necessary step on the path to greatness but are not recommended for high-difficulty battles until they are fully evolved.

  • Gabite, Shelgon, Dragonair, & Sliggoo: As the middle forms of pseudo-legendary lines, these Pokémon show flashes of their future power but lack the stats to compete with fully evolved opponents.
  • Noibat: The pre-evolution of Noivern, it’s very fast for a first-stage Pokémon but lacks any meaningful power.

D-Tier

This tier consists of first-stage Pokémon that are not viable for serious combat. Their only purpose is to be trained and evolved into the much more powerful Pokémon in the higher tiers.

  • Gible, Bagon, Dratini, & Goomy: As the unevolved forms of the mighty pseudo-legendaries, these Pokémon have immense potential. In their base forms, however, they are very weak and should be evolved as a priority.

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