Evolving Dratini in Pokémon Black 2: A Comprehensive Guide
So, you’ve snagged yourself a Dratini in Pokémon Black 2 and are eager to unlock its full potential? Fantastic choice! This elusive Dragon-type Pokémon, introduced way back in Generation I, is a powerhouse in its final form, Dragonite. But the journey from wriggling serpent to soaring dragon takes time and understanding. Here’s everything you need to know about evolving your Dratini in Pokémon Black 2.
The simple answer is: Dratini evolves into Dragonair at level 30, and Dragonair evolves into Dragonite at level 55. It’s all about leveling up! No special items or tricky conditions required – just good old-fashioned training.
The Evolutionary Path: From Dratini to Dragonite
The First Step: Dratini to Dragonair (Level 30)
This is the first major milestone. Once your Dratini reaches level 30, it will automatically begin the evolution process into Dragonair. Ensure you don’t accidentally cancel the evolution by pressing ‘B’ during the transformation sequence – unless you really want to keep your Dratini as is!
The Final Transformation: Dragonair to Dragonite (Level 55)
This is where the patience comes in. Leveling up a Dragonair to level 55 takes dedication, but the reward is well worth the effort. Dragonite is a formidable Pokémon, boasting high stats and a diverse movepool, making it a valuable asset to any team.
Tips for Efficient Leveling
- Battle Often: The more battles you participate in, the faster your Dratini (and later, Dragonair) will gain experience points. Focus on battling Pokémon that provide significant experience yields.
- Utilize Lucky Egg: If you have access to a Lucky Egg, equip it to your Dratini or Dragonair to temporarily boost the experience points earned from battles. This can significantly speed up the leveling process.
- Explore High-Level Areas: As your Pokémon grows stronger, venture into areas with higher-level wild Pokémon. This ensures that each battle grants more experience.
- Trainer Battles: Don’t underestimate the value of trainer battles. They often provide substantial experience, especially when facing Gym Leaders and the Elite Four.
- Day-Care Center: While it can be slower, leaving your Dratini or Dragonair at the Day-Care Center is a passive way to gain levels. However, be mindful of the cost involved.
- EV Training: While not directly related to evolution level, consider EV (Effort Value) training to maximize your Dragonite’s potential in specific stats like Attack or Speed.
Finding Dratini in Black 2
If you haven’t already caught a Dratini, you’ll need to know where to look. Thankfully, Pokémon Black 2 offers a reliable method:
- Dragonspiral Tower: Head to Dragonspiral Tower and use a fishing rod. You can catch Dratini, Dragonair, and even Dragonite this way, although Dratini is the most common encounter. The higher the quality of your rod (Old Rod, Good Rod, Super Rod), the better your chances of encountering rarer Pokémon.
The Shiny Dratini: A Special Encounter
For those seeking the ultimate prize, a Shiny Dratini is a must-have. In Pokémon Black 2, there’s a guaranteed way to obtain one:
- Benga’s Gift: After defeating Banjirou at Black Tower or White Treehollow, travel to Alder’s House in Floccesy Town. Benga will gift you a Shiny Dratini. This Dratini is at Level 1 and holding an EXP. Share, making it an excellent starting point for your Dragon-type adventure. Note that in White 2, Benga gives you a Shiny Gible instead.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What level does Dratini evolve in Pokémon Black 2?
Dratini evolves into Dragonair at level 30. Dragonair then evolves into Dragonite at level 55.
2. Can I stop Dratini from evolving?
Yes, you can prevent Dratini from evolving by pressing the ‘B’ button during the evolution sequence. You can also give your Dratini an Everstone to hold. This will prevent it from evolving as long as it holds the item.
3. Is it better to wait to evolve Dratini?
In most cases, it’s generally recommended to evolve Dratini as soon as it reaches the required level. However, you might want to check if Dragonair learns any specific moves at a lower level that you want it to know before evolving into Dragonite. For instance, some players might delay the evolution by one level to learn Outrage earlier.
4. Where can I find Dragonair in Black 2?
Besides evolving one from Dratini, you can also find Dragonair by fishing at Dragonspiral Tower. It’s a rarer encounter than Dratini, but it’s possible to catch one directly.
5. Does the time of day affect Dratini’s evolution?
No, the time of day does not affect Dratini’s evolution. The only requirement is that it reaches the necessary level.
6. Is Dragonite a good Pokémon in Black 2?
Absolutely! Dragonite is a powerful Pokémon with high stats and a diverse movepool. It can be a valuable asset in both in-game battles and competitive play. Its typing grants it resistances and immunities that make it a resilient choice.
7. What are the best moves for Dragonite in Black 2?
Some of the best moves for Dragonite include:
- Outrage: A powerful Dragon-type move.
- Dragon Claw: A reliable Dragon-type move with consistent damage.
- Earthquake: Excellent coverage against Steel and Rock-type Pokémon.
- Fire Punch/Thunder Punch/Ice Punch: Coverage moves to deal with different threats.
8. Can I evolve Dragonair before level 55?
No, Dragonair cannot evolve before level 55. That is the set level for it to evolve into Dragonite.
9. What happens if I level up Dratini past level 30 without it evolving?
If you level up Dratini past level 30 without allowing it to evolve (by pressing ‘B’ or using an Everstone), it will attempt to evolve every time it levels up until you allow the evolution to occur.
10. Are there any evolutionary stones needed for Dratini to evolve?
No, Dratini’s evolution into Dragonair and Dragonair’s evolution into Dragonite are both level-based. No evolutionary stones are required.
11. How does friendship/happiness affect Dratini’s evolution?
Friendship or happiness does not affect Dratini’s evolution into Dragonair or Dragonair’s evolution into Dragonite. These evolutions are solely based on reaching the specified levels.
12. Can I trade a Dratini and have it evolve on another game?
Yes, you can trade a Dratini or Dragonair to another Pokémon Black 2 game and it will still evolve when it reaches the required level, regardless of who the original owner was.
13. Is Dragon Rage a good move for Dratini?
Dragon Rage inflicts 40 HP of damage, regardless of the opponent’s stats. While useful early on, it becomes less effective as you progress and face Pokémon with higher HP. It’s generally a good idea to replace it with stronger moves as soon as possible.
14. Is there a specific location where Dragonair evolves into Dragonite?
No, Dragonair can evolve into Dragonite anywhere in the game as long as it reaches level 55. The location does not matter.
15. Can I find a Dragonite in the wild in Pokémon Black 2?
Yes, while rare, you can find Dragonite in the wild by fishing at Dragonspiral Tower. It’s a much less reliable method than evolving your own Dragonair, but it is possible.
Final Thoughts
Evolving Dratini into Dragonite in Pokémon Black 2 is a rewarding endeavor. It requires patience and dedication, but the end result is a powerful and versatile Pokémon that can greatly enhance your team. Remember the key points: Level 30 for Dratini to Dragonair, level 55 for Dragonair to Dragonite, and utilize effective leveling strategies to expedite the process.
Moreover, exploring the educational aspects of gaming, such as problem-solving and strategic thinking, can further enrich the experience. Organizations like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) are dedicated to studying and promoting the intersection of games and education. Check them out at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to discover more about the learning potential within games.
Happy training, and may your Dragonite soar to victory!