Dratini evolves into Dragonair at Level 30, and Dragonair then evolves into Dragonite at Level 55. This three-stage evolution line represents one of the most iconic Dragon-type families in the entire Pokémon franchise, holding the distinction of being the first pure Dragon-type Pokémon ever introduced when Generation I debuted in Japan in 1996. For collectors hunting down cards from this evolutionary line, understanding these stages matters because Dragonite cards consistently command premium prices, while earlier evolution stages offer more accessible entry points into Dragon-type collecting.
The Dratini line occupies Pokédex numbers 147 through 149, placing them as the final three Pokémon before the Legendary Birds and Mewtwo in the original Kanto Pokédex. This positioning near the end of Gen I reflects their rarity and power within the game’s original design. The evolution from Dratini to Dragonite also represents a significant commitment, as Dragonite’s Level 55 evolution requirement is the highest of any Pokémon introduced in Generation I. This article covers the specifics of each evolutionary stage, the unusual physical transformations that occur, type changes that happen at final evolution, and what these factors mean for card collectors seeking to complete their Dragon-type collections.
Table of Contents
- How Does Dratini Evolve Into Dragonair and Dragonite?
- Understanding the Type Change From Pure Dragon to Dragon/Flying
- The Unusual Size Decrease at Final Evolution
- Card Collecting Strategies for the Dratini Evolution Line
- Common Challenges When Hunting Dratini Line Cards
- Dragonite’s Position Among Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon
- The Future of Dratini Line Collectibles
- Conclusion
How Does Dratini Evolve Into Dragonair and Dragonite?
The evolution process for Dratini follows a straightforward level-based system in the main series games. When Dratini reaches Level 30, it evolves into Dragonair, the elegant serpentine middle evolution. Dragonair then requires an additional 25 levels of training before evolving into Dragonite at Level 55. No special items, friendship requirements, or trade conditions are necessary”just persistent leveling.
For Pokémon GO players, the evolution mechanics differ significantly. Evolving Dratini into Dragonair requires 25 Candy, while the jump from Dragonair to Dragonite costs 100 Candy. This 125-Candy total investment makes Dragonite one of the more resource-intensive evolutions to complete, especially given that Dratini spawns remain relatively uncommon outside of special events or water-adjacent biomes. The high evolution requirements in both main series games and Pokémon GO reflect Dragonite’s status as a pseudo-legendary Pokémon. However, collectors should note that this difficulty in obtaining Dragonite in-game historically contributed to its prestige on the trading card side, where Dragonite cards from early sets often carried significant value compared to more easily obtained Pokémon.
Understanding the Type Change From Pure Dragon to Dragon/Flying
One of the most notable aspects of the Dratini evolution line involves a type shift at the final stage. Both Dratini and Dragonair are pure Dragon-types, but Dragonite gains the Flying type upon evolution, becoming Dragon/Flying. This addition creates both advantages and vulnerabilities that affected competitive play throughout the franchise’s history. The Flying type gives Dragonite immunity to Ground-type moves and access to Flying-type attacks, but it also introduces a critical weakness: a 4x vulnerability to Ice-type moves.
For collectors following competitive trends, this weakness influenced which Dragonite cards saw tournament play across various formats. Cards featuring Dragonite with abilities or attacks that mitigated this Ice weakness often carried collector interest beyond their standard market value. Interestingly, a fully evolved pure Dragon-type Pokémon did not exist until Generation V introduced the Haxorus line. This means the Dratini family’s type change at final evolution was essentially the standard for Dragon-types for over a decade of the franchise’s existence. Collectors of vintage sets will find that nearly all Dragon-type evolutionary lines from Generations I through IV follow similar patterns of gaining secondary types at their final forms.
The Unusual Size Decrease at Final Evolution
The Dratini line exhibits one of the strangest physical transformations in all of Pokémon: the final evolution actually shrinks. Dratini measures 5 feet 11 inches, Dragonair stretches to an impressive 13 feet 1 inch, but Dragonite drops back down to 7 feet 3 inches. This counterintuitive size progression stands out when compared to most evolutionary lines where each stage grows progressively larger. This size change reflects the dramatic shift in body structure. Dratini and Dragonair share a serpentine form, long and snakelike, which accounts for their length.
Dragonite adopts an entirely different bipedal, winged body plan that trades length for a more compact, powerful frame. Card artwork across various sets often emphasizes these proportional differences, with Dragonair cards frequently depicting its full serpentine length while Dragonite cards showcase its more humanoid stance. For collectors, this visual discontinuity between Dragonair and Dragonite has inspired debate within the Pokémon community for decades. Some collectors specifically seek out card artwork that attempts to bridge this visual gap, while others appreciate sets where the dramatic transformation is fully embraced. The unique nature of this evolution makes complete evolutionary line collections particularly interesting conversation pieces.
Card Collecting Strategies for the Dratini Evolution Line
When building a collection around the Dratini evolutionary line, collectors face distinct market dynamics at each stage. Dratini cards generally offer the most affordable entry point, with common and uncommon printings available across numerous sets. Dragonair cards occupy a middle ground, often printed at uncommon or rare levels depending on the set. Dragonite cards consistently appear at rare, holo rare, or ultra rare status, commanding prices that reflect both its in-game power and nostalgic appeal. The tradeoff between vintage and modern printings deserves consideration.
Original Base Set Dragonite cards, particularly first edition copies, represent significant investments but offer undeniable authenticity for serious collectors. Modern printings from sets like Evolving Skies or Pokémon 151 provide more accessible alternatives with updated artwork and sometimes more playable competitive stats. Neither approach is inherently superior”the choice depends on whether historical significance or modern aesthetics drive your collection goals. Complete evolutionary sets, featuring all three stages from a single expansion, offer a middle-ground collecting strategy. Sets like Roaring Skies, Dragon Majesty, or the more recent Pokémon 151 contain all three Pokémon, allowing collectors to build cohesive displays without sourcing cards across multiple expansions. However, this approach may limit access to specific artwork variants that only appear in sets without the complete line.
Common Challenges When Hunting Dratini Line Cards
Condition sensitivity presents the primary challenge for collectors pursuing vintage Dratini line cards. Dragonite holo cards from Base Set, Fossil, and other early expansions are particularly prone to surface scratching and holo pattern wear. Cards that appear mint at first glance often reveal flaws under proper lighting, making in-person inspection preferable to online purchasing when possible. Counterfeits and reproductions plague high-value Dragonite cards specifically. The original Base Set Dragonite remains one of the most frequently counterfeited cards from Generation I, second perhaps only to Charizard.
Collectors should familiarize themselves with authentication markers including print patterns, card stock texture, and the specific blue core visible when examining card edges. When purchasing graded copies, stick to established grading companies and verify certification numbers when possible. Modern printings introduce a different challenge: variant overload. A single modern set might include regular, holo, reverse holo, full art, alternate art, and special rare versions of Dragonite. Collectors need clear parameters about which variants they consider “complete” for their collections, or costs can escalate rapidly when chasing every possible printing.
Dragonite’s Position Among Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon
Dragonite holds the distinction of being the original pseudo-legendary Pokémon, a fan-designated category for non-legendary Pokémon with base stat totals of 600. This status elevates Dragonite alongside later additions like Tyranitar, Salamence, Garchomp, and others. For collectors, pseudo-legendary status often translates to sustained card value and consistent reprinting across expansions.
The pseudo-legendary designation means Dragonite cards appear in nearly every major expansion that includes Dragon-type representation. Collectors specifically focused on the Dratini line benefit from this frequency, as it provides multiple art styles and rarity tiers to pursue. However, this same frequency means Dragonite rarely achieves the scarcity-driven value spikes seen with some legendary Pokémon cards.
The Future of Dratini Line Collectibles
The Dratini evolutionary line’s status as the original Dragon-type family ensures its continued relevance in future Pokémon Trading Card Game expansions. Each new generation of players discovers Dragonite through various media, maintaining demand for cards featuring this iconic line.
Regional variant possibilities, following the pattern established with forms like Alolan and Hisuian variations, could introduce entirely new collecting categories for the Dratini family in future generations. Anniversary sets and nostalgia-focused expansions consistently revisit the Dratini line, as seen with Pokémon 151’s comprehensive Kanto coverage. Collectors anticipating future value should monitor announcements for special sets, as new premium printings of classic Pokémon often create short-term supply constraints before the market stabilizes.
Conclusion
The Dratini evolution line”progressing from Dratini at Level 30 to Dragonair, then to Dragonite at Level 55″represents a foundational piece of Pokémon history as the franchise’s first Dragon-type family. The line’s unique characteristics, including the type change at final evolution and the unusual size decrease from Dragonair to Dragonite, make it a distinctive collecting focus with genuine historical significance.
For collectors entering the Dratini line market, starting with complete evolutionary sets from accessible modern expansions provides a solid foundation. From there, pursuing vintage printings of specific stages or chasing alternate art variants allows for collection depth based on budget and interest. The enduring popularity of Dragonite ensures this evolutionary line will remain relevant to collectors for the foreseeable future.
