Dragon Dance is a status move that raises the user’s Attack by 1 stage and Speed by 1 stage in one turn. It’s the cleanest physical setup option in the game — most other +1 Atk moves don’t also boost Speed, and most +1 Spe moves don’t boost Attack.
Why it’s a pillar of offense
A single Dragon Dance turn means the user hits 1.5× harder AND outspeeds most of the meta on the same turn. Two Dragon Dances effectively double both stats and turn most users into game-winning threats.
The trade-off is the setup turn — the user has to survive a turn of opposing pressure before reaping the boost. In doubles, that means relying on Fake OutFake OutmoveA +3 priority Normal-type move that does small damage and forces the target to flinch — only usable on the user's first turn out.Click to read more → support, Wide Guard, ProtectProtectmoveA move that makes the user immune to all moves for one turn. Fails if used consecutively.Click to read more →, or just bulky-enough stats to eat the incoming hit.
Common users
- GarchompGarchomppokemonThe premier spread attacker under Tailwind. Earthquake hits both opponents, Scale Shot chains Speed boosts, and Dragon Claw threatens opposing dragons.Click to read more → — naturally fast and powerful; Dragon Dance pushes it past most speed control.
- Dragonite — uses Multiscale to survive the setup turn, then sweeps with +1 Attack.
- Gyarados — IntimidateIntimidateabilityWhen this Pokémon enters the battlefield, the opposing Pokémon's Attack stat drops by one stage.Click to read more → user that sets up safely behind redirection or TailwindTailwindmoveDoubles the Speed of every Pokémon on your side for 4 turns. Often paired with Prankster for instant priority setup.Click to read more →.
Counterplay
- Phazing moves (Roar, Whirlwind) force the boosted user out, wasting the setup.
- Haze resets all stat changes on the field.
- EncoreEncoremoveForces the target to repeat their last move for 3 turns — devastating in doubles when it traps a Protect or harmless status move.Click to read more → locks the user into Dragon Dance (status), forcing them to keep boosting instead of attacking — sometimes a feature for the boosted side, but vulnerable to KO pressure during the locked turns.
- Faster priority moves (Extreme Speed, Mach Punch) can revenge a chipped sweeper before the second Dance lands.