Dragon-type Pokemon have always been some of the flashiest and most intimidating opponents in the series, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A continues that tradition. Whether you’re dealing with aggressive Alpha Dragons in the wild or gearing up for tough late-game battles, having reliable counters can make a huge difference. Below is a practical, easy-to-follow guide based on hands-on gameplay experience, aimed at helping players—especially newer ones—handle Dragon matchups with confidence.

Why Dragon Types Are Tricky in Z-A

Dragons often have high base stats, powerful moves, and unpredictable coverage options. Many of them can tank hits you’d expect to bring them down, and in Z-A, some Alpha variants get even more aggressive, using area-based moves that force you to stay sharp. Their common resistances—Fire, Water, Grass, and Electric—also make typical matchups a bit awkward, especially if you’re used to older strategies from previous games.

Still, Dragons aren’t unbeatable. Once you understand what they're weak to and how to bait their moves, the fights become much more manageable.

Use Fairy Types for the Safest and Most Reliable Counter

Fairy types remain the strongest answer to Dragons, thanks to their complete immunity to Dragon-type attacks. Many Fairy Pokemon in Z-A also learn fast-acting moves that hit hard while keeping you mobile during real-time encounters.

Good Fairy options include:

Sylveon for strong special attacks and quick-charging moves

Mawile if you want a tougher, tank-style counter

Togekiss for mobility and ranged pressure

When facing roaming or aggressive Dragons, staying at mid-range while spamming Fairy attacks is often the safest route. If you’re struggling early on, and you happen to be checking the in-game marketplace or community trading boards, you may notice players talking about ways to buy shiny pokemon for collection or battle team improvements. While it’s not necessary for countering Dragons, shiny versions do look great if you're building a stylish Fairy lineup.

Ice Types as High-Risk, High-Reward Counters

Ice moves deal super-effective damage, but Ice Pokemon themselves tend to be frailer. If you’re confident in dodging or positioning, Ice types can melt Dragon HP bars extremely fast.

Some strong Ice choices in Z-A include:

Froslass for high mobility

Alolan Ninetales for both Fairy and Ice utility

Weavile for aggressive hit-and-run play

One tip many players overlook: bring items or abilities that boost crit rate or speed, because Ice-type attackers rely on hitting first or keeping distance. Ice is an amazing offensive tool, but it’s rarely the “safe” counter that Fairy is.

Dragon vs. Dragon: The Unpredictable Mirror Match

Using a Dragon Pokemon to counter another Dragon can work surprisingly well, especially if you’ve trained one with high speed or a strong signature move. Fast Dragons like Garchomp and Flygon can exploit openings during enemy move windups. However, this strategy becomes riskier when the opponent has multi-hit or large-area attacks.

Dragon mirrors are a good idea only if:

You’re confident in your Dragon’s speed

You have type coverage for emergency situations

You know the enemy Dragon’s move animations well

Some players who enjoy collecting rare species may browse listings for shiny pokemon za for sale while trying to build themed teams, especially if they want a matching shiny Dragon squad. This isn’t necessary for combat strength, but shiny Dragons do make mirror match battles feel a lot more stylish.

Steel Types: Underrated but Extremely Durable

Steel types resist Dragon moves and provide some of the best defensive counters in the game. They are great for players who want a slower, steadier approach without relying on precise dodges.

Strong picks include:

Metagross for massive defense and high power

Steelix for tanking almost everything

Magnezone for ranged pressure and utility

Steel types also pair well with status effects. Moves that inflict paralysis or freeze give you crucial openings against fast Dragon opponents, making Steel teams surprisingly reliable in long fights.

Build Your Strategy Around Positioning and Timing

Unlike traditional turn-based Pokemon titles, Legends: Z-A rewards good positioning. Even if you have the right type advantage, poor timing can still get your team knocked out. A few quick tips:

Keep mid-range distance when using ranged attackers

Don’t stay locked in one direction; circle to avoid Dragon breath patterns

Use terrain for cover when possible

Combine items that boost evasion or speed with lighter Pokemon

As with most action-style encounters in Z-A, Dragons test your patience and movement as much as your team composition.

Preparing for Alpha Dragon Encounters

Alpha Dragons hit harder, act faster, and can chain moves in ways normal species don’t. To handle them:

Bring at least one Fairy type

Keep Ice moves ready for burst damage

Always open with a status move or a defensive buff

Watch for attack windups; most Alphas telegraph their big moves

Alpha Dragon fights are some of the most exciting in Z-A, so don’t feel discouraged if you lose a few attempts. Learning the rhythm of their patterns is part of the fun.


Dragon-type Pokemon remain some of the most memorable and challenging foes in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, but with the right combination of Fairy, Ice, Steel, and even your own Dragon units, they become much more manageable. The key is to stay aware of type advantages, understand move animations, and pick a team that suits your playstyle—whether that's fast and aggressive or slow and defensive.

If you’re still building your team, exploring community tips, or checking out player discussions on sites like U4GM, you’ll find tons of creative team ideas and matchup breakdowns shared by fans. Try out different counters, experiment with move sets, and adjust your strategy based on the Dragons you face. With a bit of practice, you’ll be handling even the toughest Dragon encounters like a pro.

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