Over more than 25 years of the Pokémon animated series, Dragon-type Pokémon have always been among the most powerful and coveted by fans. As the legendary main character, Ash Ketchum has caught many incredibly strong Dragon-type Pokémon throughout his journey.
Let’s rank Ash’s lineup of Dragon-type “super dragons” from all his adventures!
6. Naganadel
The arrival of Ultra Beasts is always a major event for both game and anime fans due to their overwhelming power and futuristic designs. Ash personally raised one such creature: Naganadel, a Dragon/Poison-type.
During his journey in the Alola region (Sun and Moon), Naganadel mostly stayed in its adorable pre-evolved form, Poipole. After a tearful farewell to return to its home dimension, this dragon unexpectedly returned just before Ash’s final battle with Professor Kukui, fully evolved.
Naganadel’s lightning speed and Dragon- and Poison-type moves were key to Ash’s victories. Despite its incredible power, its limited screen time in its final evolved form prevented a deeper connection with fans, placing it last on this list.
5. Noivern
Unlike energetic companions like Pikachu or Charizard, Noivern began its adventure as a timid, newborn Noibat, fearful of conflict.
After rigorous and persistent training with Ash, Noibat finally evolved into Noivern, reaching peak performance. At its strongest, Noivern delivered thrilling battles against tough opponents like the intelligent Metang and fierce Salamence. Its highlight was a fair one-on-one showdown with Zapdos, one of the Legendary Birds.
However, its natural lack of experience and lingering shyness sometimes held Noivern back, making it vulnerable against more seasoned foes.
4. Gible
Since Generation 4 (Diamond and Pearl), Gible has been a fan favorite due to its evolution into Garchomp, one of the most iconic Pokémon. Ash encountered this small but mighty dragon in Sinnoh while it struggled to master the powerful Draco Meteor move.
Though it never evolved beyond Gible, it proved to be a fierce force in Ash’s team. Mastering Draco Meteor, Gible devastated many strong opponents, most memorably landing direct hits on Darkrai, Tobias’s Legendary Pokémon, paving the way for Ash’s historic victory.
Many fans still regret that Gible was never allowed to evolve. Had it become Garchomp, it would surely be one of Ash’s strongest trump cards ever.
3. Goodra
In the Pokémon world, a group known as Pseudo-Legendaries boasts superior overall stats. Goodra is Ash’s Dragon-type Pseudo-Legendary from the Kalos region.
Starting as a weak, fearful Goomy, Ash’s persistence transformed it into a resilient warrior. With its sturdy, tank-like body, Goodra became one of Ash’s most durable defensive Pokémon. It defeated strong foes like Clemont’s Luxray and Sawyer’s Slurpuff by absorbing hits and counterattacking with thunderous force.
Goodra’s presence even forced Ash to shift from his usual all-out offensive style to a more strategic, long-range control approach.
2. Dracovish
Despite decades as a trainer, Ash has only owned two fossil Pokémon, with Dracovish from Pokémon Journeys being the most iconic. With big, goofy eyes and a friendly smile that belies its power, Dracovish hides immense physical strength that can overshadow even smaller Legendary Pokémon.
Its speed and physical attack power surpass most, allowing it to confidently face off against Iris’s Dragonite and Champion Leon’s Rillaboom.
Dracovish’s ultimate weapon is its powerful jaw, capable of devastating bites that drain opponents’ health. Beyond its strength, its quirky habit of nibbling Ash’s head whenever it leaves its Poké Ball as a sign of affection has won over many fans.
1. Dragonite
After more than two decades and hundreds of new species, the original 151 Pokémon from the Kanto region still hold a special place in fans’ hearts. Dragonite stands as the pinnacle of that generation.
Ash’s Dragonite started as a small Dragonair that couldn’t fly. Thanks to their deep bond and understanding, it evolved into Dragonite. Overcoming its gentle, peace-loving nature, this dragon fought bravely like a true warrior. Its unmatched power led Ash to a winning streak in the Destiny Tournament, directly defeating Leon’s key Pokémon and crowning Ash as the World Champion.
Dragonite not only boasts an incredibly balanced and powerful skill set but also melts fans’ hearts with its adorable personality, preferring hugs and friendship over fighting. This perfect blend of ultimate strength and a warm heart makes Dragonite Ash’s most outstanding and successful Dragon-type Pokémon.