The Dragon archetype is arguably one of the weakest archetypes that exist in the Pokémon TCG, rivaled only perhaps by the Colorless archetype. One of the main reasons behind their weakness has to be the extensive space they demand in decks since they mostly use energies belonging to other archetypes as there is no specific energy card dedicated to this particular type. Although the introduction of the Double Dragon Energy card has somehow remedied this inconvenience, decks still require giving up space to make place for energy cards, which could have been better filled with useful Trainers or pokémon.
Furthermore, this archetype belonging to the psychic archetype, the Dragon-type also has some useful and potent pocket monsters to boast of. These can be safely regarded as the most powerful Dragon-type pokémon that exists in the PTCG.
Kommo-o GX
Although Kommo-o GX is one of the worst cards that exist in the PTCG, it is ironically one of the strongest that the Dragon archetype has. Having a 240 HP, the foundation of this pokémon is quite low for a Stage 2 pokémon belonging to the GX-series. However, if Dragon-type cards are taken into consideration, it is quite good actually. Having three attacks in Adamantine Press, Shred, and Ultra Uppercut GX, Kommo-o GX just about scrapes the mark as a decent Dragon pokémon.
While Adamantine Press is relatively useful dealing 30 damage and reducing damage taken by 30 in the next turn of the opponent, Shred is outright uneconomical for the damage of 130 that it delivers. The only good thing going for this card has to be Ultra Uppercut GX, which deals a hefty damage of 240, but sadly can only be used once during a game and, therefore, has to be timed to perfection.
Haxorus
Haxorus, belonging to the BREAKthrough expansion is one card that does some justice to the Dragon archetype. Having a unique attack called Dragon Dance, which for the cost of 1-colorless boosts all of Haxorus’ attacks with 100 more damage, as long as the pokémon is in the active slot.
With that in play, attacks like Sharp Fang costing only 1-colorless, and Dragon Pulse costing only 1-fighting and 1-steel, suddenly becomes incredibly potent. However, Dragon Pulse does cost the player to discard 3 cards from the top of his/her deck, but that can be remedied with the use of salvage er cards like Super Rod, Rescue Stretcher, and VS Seeker.
Noivern GX
Noivern GX is a useful Dragon-type card to have in the deck owing to its ability to lock Item cards and Special Energy cards. This helps disrupt play and setup options for the opponent, courtesy of its attacks Distort and Sonic Volume. While Distort also does 50 damage for the cost of 1-darkness and 1-colorless, Sonic Volume does 120 damage for the cost of an extra psychic energy.
Boomburst GX on the other hand is a crafty move belonging to this Burning Shadows expansion card, as it helps distribute a uniform damage of 50 to each of the opponent’s pokémon. Having 200 HP, Noivern GX holds considerable ground for a Stage 1 GX pokémon.
Reshiram
Reshiram is a Basic pokémon belonging to the Roaring Skies expansion, which is mostly used for its ability Turboblaze, and the 130 HP portfolio. Its secondary attack Bright Wing is too costly while dealing a damage of only 110, as well as costing the player a Fire energy as recoil damage.
Turboblaze on the other hand allows players to set up pokémon easily, especially if Reshiram is used in combination with energy accelerants such as Professor’s Letter or Starmie. Turboblaze only functions if Reshiram is in the active slot.
Ultra Necrozma GX
Ultra Necrozma GX is a useful card that belongs to the Forbidden Light expansion and is primarily used for its Photon Geyser attack requiring 1-psychic and 1-colorless energy. While this attack deals a base damage of 20, it can deal a further damage of 80 for all psychic energy discarded from this card as a requirement of this move. Used in combination with cards like Choice Band or Beast Energy, this card is capable of dealing enough damage to the opponent’s pokémon and create two-hit-knock-out scenarios.
Its other attack Sky Scorching Light, costing the same as Photon Geyser, can only be used if the total number of Prize Cards in the player’s and the opponent’s hand amounts to six or less. This attack delivers an even spread of 60 damage to every pokémon belonging to the opponent.
Latios EX
Latios EX belonging to the Roaring Skies expansion is a one of a kind card in PTCG that is capable of effectuating damage as high as 90 during the very first turn of the game; granted the player gets to go first after the coin toss. Its attack Fast Raid, requiring only 1-psychic energy deals a base damage of 40, which when complemented with cards like Professor Kukui and Choice Band, can go as high as 90; all in the first turn.
This is incredibly useful to knock out base form pokémon such as Oddish, Rowlet, and Froakie, which if evolved can prove to be a nuisance to the player. Its other attack Light Pulse requires an assortment of 1-water, 1-colorless, and 2-psychic, and apart from dealing a damage of 110, protects the player from all effects of the opponent’s pokémon, except damage, during their next attack.
Salamence EX
Salamence EX used to be an extremely powerful card in the PTCG when EX-cards dominated the decks, but with the rise of the GX-series, it has become somewhat redundant. However, owing to the fact that many Mega-decks still rely heavily on EX-cards, this card’s Beastly Fang, costing 1-fire and 1DCE is still extremely useful, dealing a base damage of 10, as well as an additional 50 damage for every EX-pokémon that the opponent has.
It also has another useful attack in Dragon Strike, which can deal 130 damage for the cost of 1-water, 1-fire, and 1DCE. However, Dragon Strike once used, cannot be used in the consecutive turn.
Dragonite
A truly powerful and lethal card, Dragonite from Roaring Skies is capable of quickly wrapping up the match, thanks to its 150 damage attack Heavy Impact, costing 3-grass, 1-electric, and 1-colorless. If combined with cards like Professor Kukui and Choice Band, Dragonite can deal as much as 200 damage using Heavy Impact, which is enough to create one-hit-knock-out scenarios for most Stage 1 and Basic EX and GX-series pokémon.
Coupled with the Ancient Trait that it has of Delta Plus, it can win the player an extra Prize Card for every opponent’s pokémon that gets knocked out. Thereby, theoretically, the player can win the game in two attacks, if the knocked out pokémon happens to be a GX or EX-pokémon.
Hydreigon EX
It is a sad but true fact that Dragon-type cards in PTCG are weak when it comes to successful matchups. Therefore, these cards require easy shifting between the bench and the active slot. Hydreigon EX, a Basic pokémon belonging to the Roaring Skies expansion, facilitates exactly this, being a useful and strong er for Dragon-type cards.
With its Dragon Road ability, it diminishes the retreat cost of all Dragon-type pokémon of the player by two, thereby making retreat accessible at the cost of one or no energy cards. It also has an attack in Shred, but its low damage capacity practically makes it useless.
Giratina EX
Owing to the very reasons that make the Dragon archetype weak, Giratina EX is probably the most powerful Dragon-type card that exists in PTCG. An extremely powerful card, Giratina EX can prove to be a nightmare for Mega-based decks.
With its Renegade Pulse ability, it can nullify all effects and damage done to Giratina EX by the opponent’s Mega Pokémon. It also has the useful attack Chaos Wheel, which for the cost of 1DCE, 1-grass, and 1-psychic, deals a damage of 100, while also locking the opponent from using any Stadium, Tool, or Special Energy card during their next turn.
