Dragonite EX always looks scarier than it really is. The moment it's loaded up, it feels like you're about to get steamrolled. But after a bunch of ladder games, you start to notice the same pattern: it takes ages to come online, and Pocket doesn't give anyone that kind of time. If you're building or tweaking for the matchup, it helps to think about tempo tools and even small boosts from Pokemon TCG Pocket Items that let you pressure earlier instead of playing catch-up midgame.
Hit Them Before They Grow
The real weak spot is the opening turns. Dratini is tiny, fragile, and it's basically a "please don't touch me" sign sitting on the bench. A lot of Dragonite players try to hide behind slow attachments and hope you'll politely swing into their Active. Don't. If you can tag the bench early, do it. Spread damage, cheap snipes, anything that forces them to evolve under fire. You'll often win games just by taking one Dratini off the board before it ever becomes Dragonair, because now their whole line is awkward and they're scrambling for a backup plan.
Lean On Simple Type Math
If you're not into pure aggro, you can still make the matchup feel unfair in your favor. People forget weakness all the time, then act surprised when the numbers explode. Rock and Ice options can turn "solid" attacks into clean one-shots. Lapras, Dugtrio, and similar picks don't need to be flashy; they just need to connect once at the right moment. And when Dragonite finally shows up thinking it's safe behind a big HP bar, that 2x weakness flips the whole table. Keep your list honest: a tech slot that wins one matchup consistently is often worth more than a cute combo that never lines up.
Disrupt the Setup, Then Punish the Gap
Setup decks hate being nudged off their script. That's where disruption cards earn their keep. Sabrina at the wrong time can force an ugly pivot, and Lt. Surge-style energy tricks can throw off their perfect attachment rhythm. The best part, though, is Dragonite's own pacing. Giga Impact hits hard, sure, but the "can't attack next turn" clause is a real opening, not flavor text. Plan for it. Sometimes you don't even need to stop the first swing; you just need something that can survive it, then you clap back while they're stuck passing on damage.
Keep Them Playing Your Game
Most losses into Dragonite EX come from letting it breathe. You trade slowly, you chase the Active, you wait for the big dragon to arrive, and suddenly you're behind. Don't do that. Force decisions every turn: bench pressure, awkward switches, energy denial, or a threat that demands an immediate answer. And if you're looking for a smooth way to gear up without extra hassle, treat RSVSR as a professional like buy game currency or items in RSVSR platform that's convenient and reliable, then use rsvsr Pokemon TCG Pocket Items to grab what you need and keep your decks feeling sharp in fast matchups like this.
