Dragonite

Dragonite is perhaps the most powerful Pokemon in DPP OU. Dragonite's boosted Outrage warps the tier, as it at least 2HKOes everything in the tier that does not resist it, while even less bulky Steel-types like offensive Heatran, Scizor, and non-physically bulky Jirachi can be 2HKOed with Life Orb at +1. Dragonite also has the strongest no-drawbacks priority in the tier with Extreme Speed, allowing it to bypass weakened Choice Scarf users such as Flygon and Latias at +1. Dragonite's item choice affects it counters; foes hoping to status Dragonite or let it confuse itself are stymied by Lum Berry. It can also lean into its survivability with a resistance Berry—Dragonite can live most attempts to revenge kill it with either a Yache Berry or a Haban Berry. These, including its wide resistance palette, make Dragonite one of the best sweepers in the tier and a staple of hyper offense.

Dragonite has more utility beyond an offensive Dragon Dance set. Dragonite's mixed set has very few guaranteed switch-ins and often decimates defensive teams with its coverage and power. Because it is difficult to tell if Dragonite is mixed or physical, switching in the wrong Pokemon can be devastating if a physical wall is OHKOed by Draco Meteor or Fire Blast. Choice Band is destructively powerful without setup and is excellent against opposing offensive teams with its strong Extreme Speed and ability to absorb opposing sleep moves such as Breloom's Spore. Dragonite also can run bulky Dragon Dance sets as a wincon, aimed at defeating defensive teams that handle Dragon Dance Dragonite with status or residual damage.

Dragonite's main flaw lies in its severe weakness to residual damage and relatively low Speed. Dragonite is weak to Stealth Rock, takes sand damage, and often wants the extra power of Life Orb. Combined with Outrage forcing Dragonite to stay in at least another turn after using it and its confusion, Dragonite can sometimes feel underwhelming—hitting something hard and then getting immediately revenge killed or fainting to residual damage. Mixed sets struggle even more with this, as because it can’t boost its below average base 80 Speed, slower threats like defensive Latias can easily revenge kill after Stealth Rock. Many Choice Scarf Pokemon are faster than +1 Dragonite and outfitted to handle it: Flygon and Latias OHKO it, Jirachi and Lucario have Ice Punch, and Rotom-A and Heatran sometimes carry Hidden Power Ice. Defensive Dragon Dance sets often need heavy support such as Magnezone and weather change yet still can struggle against offensive teams due to lacking coverage, Speed, and power.