Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearltake place in Generation 4’s Sinnoh region. Many iconic Pokemon were introduced in this region, and players have many choices when it comes to which ones to bring with them on their journey. Theinclusion of the Grand Undergroundin the remakes also gives trainers more opportunities to catch an even wider variety of powerful Pokemon.
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Dragon-type Pokemon have been among the most powerful in thePokemonseries and, while there aren’t many non-legendary Dragon-type options, that remains true inBrilliant DiamondandShining Pearl. With a strongDragon-type nearly being a requirementin a trainer’s Pokemon team, the decision of which one to catch can be a tough one.
Updated July 24, 2025, by Tom Bowen:With Pokemon Legends: Arceus having come and gone and Pokemon Scarlet &Violet still being many months away, a lot ofPokemon fans are turning to Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl to help pass the time. The Gen 4 remakes feature a somewhat limited roster when compared to some of the more recent Pokemon games, but those Pokemon that did make the cut are more than capable of getting the job done. Players looking for the very best Dragon-types in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl will need to wait for the end-game, though there are still a few solid options capable of carrying them to that point.
7Flygon
Flygonis the Ground/Dragon-type “Mystic Pokemon.” Its dual-typing gives it an immunity to damage from Electric-type moves, but also a 4x weakness to Ice-type moves. Its Speed and Attack stats give it an edge in battle, but it can be outpaced by other Dragon-type Pokemon in its Attack and Special Attack. Flygon is a useful Pokemon to have on a team though due to its wide variety of moves it can learn. Its movepool includes strong Dragon, Ground, Fighting, Grass, and even Fire-type moves, making it incredibly versatile.
Flygon evolves from Vibrava, which evolves from Trapinch. Both of Flygon’s lower evolutions can befound in theGrand Undergroundonce players haveacquired theNational Dex, and onRoute 228once players have the ability to use thePoke Radar. Trapinch will evolve into Vibrava at level 35, and into Flygon at level 45. While these are high-level evolutions, playersshouldn’t have too much trouble levelingup their Trapinch due toBrilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl’sExp. Shareconstantly being turned on.
Flygon’s Stats:
6Kingdra
Kingdrais not only one of the best Dragon-type Pokemon in the game, but alsoone of the best Water-types. Its dual-typing gives it only two weaknesses — Dragon and Fairy-type moves — and its great stats make it a useful Pokemon to keep front and center in a trainer’s party. With four separate stats coming in at 95 each, Kingdra is great in most situations and pairs well with whicheverstarter players have chosen.
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Kingdra has two lower evolutions, Horsea and Seadra. Horsea can be found inBrilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl’sGrand Undergroundonce players have attained theNational Dex, while both Horsea and Seadra can be caught in water onRoute 226using thefishing rod. Horsea will evolve into Seadra at level 32, and will then require aDragon Scaleto evolve into Kingdra. When encountered in the wild, a Horsea or Seadra has a 5% chance to be already holding a Dragon Scale.
Kingdra’s Stats:
5Garchomp
Garchompis the Dragon/Ground-type “Mach Pokemon.” Garchomp is a powerhouse of a Pokemon, with a massive 130 Attack stat. With a great assortment of moves available, including powerful Dragon, Dark, and Ground-type attacks, it is a real threat to opponents in battle. It does have a downside in its 4x weakness to damage received from Ice-type moves, which can pose a real threat for the Pokemon in the later game. However, its dual-typing does afford it an immunity to Electric-type damage. This Pokemon is worth catching, if only for its high Attack stat.
Garchomp’s pre-evolution Gible can be found in theWayward Cave, and both Gible and Gabite can be found in the game’sGrand Undergroundafter players have received their7th badgeand the ability to useWaterfall. Gible will evolve into Gabite at level 24, and Garchomp at level 48.
Garchomp’s Stats:
4Salamence (Shining Pearl Exclusive)
With its Dragon/Flying dual-typing, Salamence comes with an immunity to Ground-type moves but a4x weakness to damage to Ice-type moves. Salamence’s greatest appeal is its enormous Attack stat, which outpaces even some of thelegendaries inBrilliant Diamondand Shining Pearl. Combined with its huge Special Attack and Speed stats, Salamence is catapulted forward as one of the best non-legendary Pokemon in the entire series, truly earning its pseudo-legendary title.
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Salamence will be difficult to obtain, and isonly catchable inPokemon Shining Pearl. Bagon, Salamence’s first evolution, can be found in the wild onRoute 210using thePoke Radar. Both Bagon and its evolution, Shelgon, can both be found in the Grand Underground once players have obtained the National Dex in-game. Salamence has one of the highest level requirements for evolution, as Bagon will evolve into Shelgon at level 30, and then into Salamence at a whopping level 50.
Salamence’s Stats:
3Dragonite
Dragonitewas introduced in Generation 1 and has remained one of the most iconic Pokemon in the franchise. As one of the pseudo-legendaries, Dragonite can pummel most opponents in a few hits with its massive stats. Not only does Dragonite deal massive damage, but it can also take it: its Defense and Special Defense stats allow it to take blows from even the most challenging opponents without worry. Dragonite is a dual-type Flying and Dragon Pokemon, meaning it comes with a 4x weakness to Ice-type moves, but this is slightly offset by its immunity to Ground-type damage.
Dratini and Dragonair, Dragonite’s pre-evolutions, are obtainable rarely as when using a fishing rod inMt. Coronet, though Dratini is easier caught inBrilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl’sGrand Undergroundonce players have obtained theNational Dex. Dratini evolves into Dragonair at level 30, and then into Dragonite at a massive level 55.
Dragonite’s Stats:
2Giratina
Though theDiamond&Pearlremakes do not include content fromPokemon Platinum, that’s not to say that the game’s mascot Pokemon doesn’t feature. Giratina is one of the strongest Dragon-types inBrilliant Diamond&Shining Pearland is a fantastic end-game addition to any team. Before they cancatch Giratina inBrilliant Diamond&Shining Pearlthough, players will first need to complete the game and thenunlock the National Dex.
After doing completing these two tasks, players will be able to access theSpring Patharea via Route 214, which will eventually lead them to theTurnback Cavein which Giratina lies in wait. After catching it, players can then obtain the Griseous Orb needed to switch between its Altered and Origin formes bydefeating Origin Forme Giratina at Ramanas Park.
Giratina’s Stats (Altered / Origin Forme):
1Rayquaza
With a base stat total of 680, very few Pokemon can compete with Rayquaza when it comes to brute strength. The Dragon/Flying-type boasts monstrously high attack stats and is fast enough to out-speed most foes. It also has access to the Air Lock ability, which nullifies the effects of weather, and canlearn the immensely powerful Draco Meteor attack from any move tutor.
to catch Rayquaza inBrilliant Diamond&Shining Pearl, players will need to defeat Cynthia and then unlock the National Dex. They’ll then need tofarm Mysterious Shards in the Grand Undergroundwhich can then be exchanged for the slate needed toencounter Rayquaza at Ramanas Park. It’s worth noting though that the Stratospheric Slate that’s required is one of the very last slates to become available.
Rayquaza’s Stats:
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearlare available on the Nintendo Switch.
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