Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl take 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. The inclusion of the Grand Underground in the remakes also gives trainers more opportunities to catch an even wider variety of powerful Pokemon.

RELATED: How To Unlock The Bike In Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl

Dragon-type Pokemon have been among the most powerful in the Pokemon series and, while there aren't many non-legendary Dragon-type options, that remains true in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. With a strong Dragon-type nearly being a requirement in a trainer's Pokemon team, the decision of which one to catch can be a tough one.

Updated April 12, 2022, by Tom Bowen: With Pokemon Legends: Arceus having come and gone and Pokemon Scarlet &Violet still being many months away, a lot of Pokemon 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.

7 Flygon

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Flygon

Flygon is 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 be found in the Grand Underground once players have acquired the National Dex, and on Route 228 once players have the ability to use the Poke Radar. Trapinch will evolve into Vibrava at level 35, and into Flygon at level 45. While these are high-level evolutions, players shouldn't have too much trouble leveling up their Trapinch due to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's Exp. Share constantly being turned on.

Flygon's Stats:

  • HP: 80
  • Attack: 100
  • Special Attack: 80
  • Defense: 80
  • Special Defense: 80
  • Speed: 100
  • Total: 520

6 Kingdra

Pokemon Kingdra shooting smoke in battle

Kingdra is not only one of the best Dragon-type Pokemon in the game, but also one 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 whichever starter players have chosen.

RELATED: Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Fan Makes Real-Life Poketch Watch

Kingdra has two lower evolutions, Horsea and Seadra. Horsea can be found in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's Grand Underground once players have attained the National Dex, while both Horsea and Seadra can be caught in water on Route 226 using the fishing rod. Horsea will evolve into Seadra at level 32, and will then require a Dragon Scale to 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:

  • HP: 75
  • Attack: 95
  • Special Attack: 95
  • Defense: 95
  • Special Defense: 95
  • Speed: 85
  • Total: 540

5 Garchomp

Pokemon Garchomp hands on hips

Garchomp is 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 the Wayward Cave, and both Gible and Gabite can be found in the game's Grand Underground after players have received their 7th badge and the ability to use Waterfall. Gible will evolve into Gabite at level 24, and Garchomp at level 48.

Garchomp's Stats:

  • HP: 108
  • Attack: 130
  • Special Attack: 80
  • Defense: 95
  • Special Defense: 85
  • Speed: 102
  • Total: 600

4 Salamence (Shining Pearl Exclusive)

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Salamence

With its Dragon/Flying dual-typing, Salamence comes with an immunity to Ground-type moves but a 4x weakness to damage to Ice-type moves. Salamence's greatest appeal is its enormous Attack stat, which outpaces even some of the legendaries in Brilliant Diamond and 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.

RELATED: Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl: Best Fire-Type Pokemon & Where To Catch Them

Salamence will be difficult to obtain, and is only catchable in Pokemon Shining Pearl. Bagon, Salamence's first evolution, can be found in the wild on Route 210 using the Poke 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:

  • HP: 95
  • Attack: 135
  • Special Attack: 110
  • Defense: 80
  • Special Defense: 80
  • Speed: 100
  • Total: 600

3 Dragonite

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Dragonite

Dragonite was 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 in Mt. Coronet, though Dratini is easier caught in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's Grand Underground once players have obtained the National Dex. Dratini evolves into Dragonair at level 30, and then into Dragonite at a massive level 55.

Dragonite's Stats:

  • HP: 91
  • Attack: 134
  • Special Attack: 100
  • Defense: 95
  • Special Defense: 100
  • Speed: 80
  • Total: 600

2 Giratina

pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-how-to-catch-giratina-06-second-battle

Though the Diamond & Pearl remakes do not include content from Pokemon Platinum, that's not to say that the game's mascot Pokemon doesn't feature. Giratina is one of the strongest Dragon-types in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl and is a fantastic end-game addition to any team. Before they can catch Giratina in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl though, players will first need to complete the game and then unlock the National Dex.

After doing completing these two tasks, players will be able to access the Spring Path area via Route 214, which will eventually lead them to the Turnback Cave in which Giratina lies in wait. After catching it, players can then obtain the Griseous Orb needed to switch between its Altered and Origin formes by defeating Origin Forme Giratina at Ramanas Park.

Giratina's Stats (Altered / Origin Forme):

  • HP: 150
  • Attack: 100/120
  • Special Attack: 100/120
  • Defense: 120/100
  • Special Defense: 120/100
  • Speed: 90
  • Total: 680

1 Rayquaza

pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-rayquaza-encounter

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 can learn the immensely powerful Draco Meteor attack from any move tutor.

In order to catch Rayquaza in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, players will need to defeat Cynthia and then unlock the National Dex. They'll then need to farm Mysterious Shards in the Grand Underground which can then be exchanged for the slate needed to encounter 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:

  • HP: 105
  • Attack: 150
  • Special Attack: 150
  • Defense: 90
  • Special Defense: 90
  • Speed: 95
  • Total: 680

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are available on the Nintendo Switch.

MORE: Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl: Best Pokemon To Pair With Chimchar