Dragonite
Of the new movesets, is there one which is completely useless? I just evolved my fourth Dragonite and it got SW/H...regarding the damage output dragon tail would have been better, but SW seems to be the quicker move...so should I power this guy up? Is he more usefull as an attacker or defender?
I already have Dragonites all around 3100 CP:
91% DB/DP
87% SW/HB
84% DB/HB
I know DB is for offense and SW was suposed to be defense, but is it still that way or is SW an offensive option now too?
Answers
I agree
I would take a fast move with a significantly less power and a shorter window compared to a fast move with significantly greater power but longer window.
Alakazam is a perfect example: confusion does about ~25% more does compared to psycho cut but psycho cut allows for more flexible dodging; thereby allowing alakazam to take much less damage yet put out less damage. It's preference
If dodging every quick move ...
Where defender attacks every 2 seconds:
(1) Dragon Breath x 4 + dodge = 24 damage / 16 energy
(2) Dragon Tail x 1 + dodge = 15 damage / 8 energy [OR miss the dodge and do 30 damage / 16 energy].
If you increase the defender attack duration to every 2.5 seconds, or to 3 seconds, factoring in dodging, DB pulls ahead in both Energy and damage.
So, basically you have to weigh your options: DT has higher dps but you can't dodge quick moves nearly as well, and you will take more damage over the course of battles. DB has slightly lower DPS, but in situations where you are dodging all the defender's quick and charge moves, DB pulls ahead in terms of damage and energy.
As for Dragon Claw vs. Outrage, it's the same dilemma. Outrage has a much longer cooldown than Claw, and you're going to be taking more damage over the course of the battles.
DB-DC is the most durable, versatile version of Dragonite, whereas DT-Outrage is the "glass cannon" version.
VERDICT: You can kill more pokemon in a row with a DB-DC Dragonite, but you can kill a single pokemon faster with DT-Outrage.
I wouldn't power him up but SW is a strong steel move. With his high base stats that moveset on a Dragonite will get a type advantage versus a Tyranitar and will have STAB to replace Tyranitar's resistance to Hurricane. But with that said a Vape will get type advantage as well as stab (along with the deluge of other good water type Pokemon in this game) so I'm not sure that he is really good for much. I got one too right after the changes unfortunately.
I powered him up to lvl 31,5 and will now go out and try out in gyms...in my mind Hurricane is by far the strongest charge move Dragonite has and even if DT is the better quick move I think a SW/H Dragonite is probably still the second best offensive moveset? For defense he should be valuable too with SW being a great defensive move or has that changed too?
No I think you are right. It is a fine moveset especially for defense. It is probably also passable on offense and situationally good although I cannot really think of many situations on offense that there aren't better options. I have a 100% Dratini I'm working on now. Here's to finally getting something at least close to what I want on a 100% mon for once.
