Pokemon Which aspects characterise Dragon-type Pokémon?

[Mitja]

Something else to take into account to figure this out are Dragon-type moves. Because moves usually tend to show some of the less prominent aspects of a type.

--Gen I
Dragon Rage
--Gen II
Outrage
DragonBreath
Twister
--Gen III
Dragon Claw
Dragon Dance
--Gen IV
Dragon Pulse
Dragon Rush
Draco Meteor
Roar of Time
Spacial Rend
--Gen V
Dragon Tail
Dual Chop


The list is still kinda short.
Its mostly just "Dragon"-endowed stuff,
some epic signature moves,
and a rampage-theme.


@professorlight:
Another word that resonates with Dragon-type for me is brutal.
(yes I do realize this only seems to fit like half of the actual pokemon)

Period. It's called Dragon-type. If this is not what Dragon-types are supposed to be, then screw the Dragon-type.

If you don't agree or if this is not what GF had in mind when they decided to create the Dragon-type, then they shouldn't have created the type in the first place. Stop calling them Dragon-types and tell GF to change the name of the type. It's outrageously ridiculous...

Whoa.

Ice isn't just about literal ice either, its just that Ice sounds cooler than Cold type.
Grass type rarely involves any actual grass. Plant would be more appropriate..
Bug... it's clearly about more than just bugs.
And so on
...

It seems that for every type, what it is actually about only really becomes obvious when you look at the repsective Pokemon, rather than focus on the names. Except for Dragon then?

I have a feeling we'd strongly disagree on what the Ground type is about too lol, but lets not go there at this point.

 

[Ohman177]

I am truly sorry for hurting your feeling professorlight, and I hope you can continue the discussion.
I've only included final stages because that's all that really matters I think. So:

Visually looks like a dragon/reptile:
Haxorus, Druddigon, Dragonite, Salamence, Latios, Latias, Rayquaza, Garchomp, Reshiram, Zekrom, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Hydreigon, and Flygon.

Based on/designed after/inspired by a dragon/reptile:
Haxorus, Druddigon, Dragonite, Salamence, Latios, Latias, Rayquaza, Garchomp, Reshiram, Zekrom, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Hydreigon, and Altaria.

Named after a dragon/reptile and/or used word play related to dragons/reptiles:
Haxorus, Druddigon, Dragonite, Salamence, Hydreigon, Flygon, and Kingdra.

As you can see, the first category is a given while the last two contain pokemon unique to it: Altaria and kingdra, respectively. This is why those two are needed, because that's where those two pokemons' justification lies. I honestly think this makes much more sense because it gives actual reasons why they are dragon type instead of simple features that are a coincidence (big, mega powerful, scary, etc...).

 

[I Like Pie]

Dragon-types are definitely not based on looks. If they were, we would have Charizard and Gyarados as Dragon-types, and not Altaria and Flygon.

I always believed that it was a matter of being 'mythical'. The word 'dragon' typically reminds people of ancient, giant, scaly, scary reptilian monsters with enormous wings and fiery breath. In Pokémon, Rayquaza, Salamence, Dragonite and the legendary Dragons represent that idea very well.

Other Pokémon, despite not being reptilian, is a Dragon-type because of certain references to 'Dragon' with its original species.
e.g. Flygon (DRAGONfly), Kingdra (seahorse, represented as a Dragon in many legends and tales).

Other Dragons like Altaria and Noivern (which still looks like a bat to me for some reason), are simply based on the legends they represent, which make them legitmate Dragon-types.

I am still not sure why Mega Ampharos was given the Dragon-type. I do admit that it looks majestic, though.
On closer inspection, it looks strikingly similar to Zeus. Maybe here, Dragons also represent 'godly' or 'holiness'.
Zeus did attack with lightning bolts too.

 

[Ohman177]

Other Pokémon, despite not being reptilian, is a Dragon-type because of certain references to 'Dragon' with its original species.
e.g. Flygon (DRAGONfly), Kingdra (seahorse, represented as a Dragon in many legends and tales).

Other Dragons like Altaria and Noivern (which still looks like a bat to me for some reason), are simply based on the legends they represent, which make them legitmate Dragon-types.

I am still not sure why Mega Ampharos was given the Dragon-type. I do admit that it looks majestic, though.
On closer inspection, it looks strikingly similar to Zeus. Maybe here, Dragons also represent 'godly' or 'holiness'.
Zeus did attack with lightning bolts too.

Kingdra is based of a Weedy Sea DRAGON. Type of seahorse, has dragon in the name. Same case as flygon. Amphoros' japanese name has the word ryu in it which means dragon. BUT OH MY GOSH I NEVER NOTICED THE ZEUS THING TILL JUST NOW I THINK YOU CRACKED THE CODE AS TO WHY HE HAS HAIR.

 

[Bogleech]

I have to reiterate that flygon is NOT based on a "dragonfly". Japan doesn't have the term "dragonfly" at all, so it's unlikely they would make that joke to begin with, and the whole Flygon line is based entirely on antlions:

Here's the larva, which inhabits sandy areas and lives at the bottom of a pitfall trap it digs to keep prey from escaping (arena trap)

Here's the adult, which may have superficial similarities to a dragonfly, but belongs to an entirely different insect order and has long antennae, which no dragonfly has.

 

[Ohman177]

I have to reiterate that flygon is NOT based on a "dragonfly". Japan doesn't have the term "dragonfly" at all, so it's unlikely they would make that joke to begin with, and the whole Flygon line is based entirely on antlions:

Here's the larva, which inhabits sandy areas and lives at the bottom of a pitfall trap it digs to keep prey from escaping (arena trap)

Here's the adult, which may have superficial similarities to a dragonfly, but belongs to an entirely different insect order and has long antennae, which no dragonfly has.

Yes. We all know this. We also know that it's entirely possible for GF to have either accidentally related antlions to dragonflies and taken dragon from that or made the connection on purpose. They are similar and I could understand their thinking, but I don't agree with it.

 

[Bogleech]

People only just said again that Flygon was based directly on a dragonfly. Why would I post something if everyone knew it already?

I don't think they chose to base a dragon type on an antlion for any reason pertaining to the name "dragonfly." Someone just thought it'd be a cool insect to turn into a draconic monster.

 

[Mitja]

People only just said again that Flygon was based directly on a dragonfly. Why would I post something if everyone knew it already?

I don't think they chose to base a dragon type on an antlion for any reason pertaining to the name "dragonfly." Someone just thought it'd be a cool insect to turn into a draconic monster.

Exactly. They could make a cat turn into something draconic. Doesn't matter if it started of as a cat and didn't stay a cat. What matters is that it became a freakin dragon o:

 

[evilpacman]

I highly doubt names have much to do with the Pokemon's typing. Like almost everyone here the concept of the Pokemon is what gives its typing. They're not randomly given a type, if they're a dragon type there is good reasoning behind it.

I have to disagree with this. Although I may be missing the connection, I dont see how Palkia and Dialga are Water or Steel types. I'm sure there are others.


As far as the rest of the conversation... I dont really know how to explain Ampharos other than the Japanese name and maybe they wanted to create a knew dragon characteristic. Maybe Flaaffy gained draconic powers but maintained its sheep-like form. After all, it works the other way with Gyarados. It apparently lost its draconic powers but was able to keep its body form. Idk. I guess what I'm saying is maybe Ampharos doesnt have the outright appearance of a dragon but was given the abilities of one.

Also, the Flygon discussion has been beat to death. Shouldnt everyone assume its a mixture of a Dragonfly and an Antlion? They arent in the same order but they share common traits so its easy to clump them together for creative purposes. And I dont think it was just a coincidence that they made it Dragon type. I'm sure they knew of the common name "dragonfly" when they made the Pokemon. After all, they do look at other countries for inspiration....

 

[King Xerneas]

I highly doubt names have much to do with the Pokemon's typing. Like almost everyone here the concept of the Pokemon is what gives its typing. They're not randomly given a type, if they're a dragon type there is good reasoning behind it.

I have to disagree with this. Although I may be missing the connection, I dont see how Palkia and Dialga are Water or Steel types. I'm sure there are others.

Dialga has clock and gear references to it which could possibly have given it its steel typing, and maybe (to an extent) the hardness of diamonds. Palkia has fins and has a pearl theme to it. Where do you find pearls, in oysters, where are oysters found, the ocean....boom water typing. Also, another thing to it could also be the fact that in water, like in space, you are weightless. Which is why astronauts train in the water. Does that answer your question??Now let's get back on topic...

 

[Mitja]

I have to disagree with this. Although I may be missing the connection, I dont see how Palkia and Dialga are Water or Steel types. I'm sure there are others.

Dialga has clock and gear references to it which could possibly have given it its steel typing, and maybe (to an extent) the hardness of diamonds. Palkia has fins and has a pearl theme to it. Where do you find pearls, in oysters, where are oysters found, the ocean....boom water typing. Also, another thing to it could also be the fact that in water, like in space, you are weightless. Which is why astronauts train in the water. Does that answer your question??Now let's get back on topic...

^this

I almost had the feeling I'm the only one to whom their types make perfect sense (which isn't even the only indicator of type. Plenty of other pokemon actually aren't obvious, or look like they might be some other type completely even, but...not sure how to phrase this, the type they are given is the element they are associated with. The type itself is the last clue when the rest aren't clear enough), in LOOKS and the conceptual stretch of DP.

I mean Palkia looks like its made of rubber or something akin to eels and has fins. Heck the big round shoulders look like

And if Dialga doesn't look like Steel to someone, I don't know what to say lol.

 

[evilpacman]

Idk... I dont really see it other than vague connections. Personally, I think this is one of the cases where they were just looking to make a new type combination. I always wondered why they chose those types. The clock might work but the ocean is a bit of a stretch. Palkias desighn doesn't seem to indicate that its Water.

 

[zappy800]

Idk... I dont really see it other than vague connections. Personally, I think this is one of the cases where they were just looking to make a new type combination. I always wondered why they chose those types. The clock might work but the ocean is a bit of a stretch. Palkias desighn doesn't seem to indicate that its Water.

You see the real problem is how you see them. To me I have always thought they fit those types for reasons Unown. hehehe :shy:

 

[King Xerneas]

Idk... I dont really see it other than vague connections. Personally, I think this is one of the cases where they were just looking to make a new type combination. I always wondered why they chose those types. The clock might work but the ocean is a bit of a stretch. Palkias desighn doesn't seem to indicate that its Water.

Dialga being a new type combo could be purely a coincidence since it has the whole clock and gear theme to it. Heck, the stripes on dialga are clock hands with diamond tips. Palkia is obviously aquatic. The fins, the streamlined body, the other aquatic themes to it, and most importantly PEARLS. Like I said pearls are not only found in water, but CREATED in water. With all its themes and designs to it, Palkia is literally an aquatic dragon.

 

[evilpacman]

Idk... I dont really see it other than vague connections. Personally, I think this is one of the cases where they were just looking to make a new type combination. I always wondered why they chose those types. The clock might work but the ocean is a bit of a stretch. Palkias desighn doesn't seem to indicate that its Water.

Dialga being a new type combo could be purely a coincidence since it has the whole clock and gear theme to it. Heck, the stripes on dialga are clock hands with diamond tips. Palkia is obviously aquatic. The fins, the streamlined body, the other aquatic themes to it, and most importantly PEARLS. Like I said pearls are not only found in water, but CREATED in water. With all its themes and designs to it, Palkia is literally an aquatic dragon.

I'll have to look closer at the clock theme. But why Water? what does that have to do with space. It may be streamlined and sort of aquatic looking (although I dont see that being very obvious), but I think that may have been a product of them giving it a new type combo. It really has nothing to do with space in my eyes. Pearls might be an argument, though I suppose.

 

[King Xerneas]

Dialga being a new type combo could be purely a coincidence since it has the whole clock and gear theme to it. Heck, the stripes on dialga are clock hands with diamond tips. Palkia is obviously aquatic. The fins, the streamlined body, the other aquatic themes to it, and most importantly PEARLS. Like I said pearls are not only found in water, but CREATED in water. With all its themes and designs to it, Palkia is literally an aquatic dragon.

I'll have to look closer at the clock theme. But why Water? what does that have to do with space. It may be streamlined and sort of aquatic looking (although I dont see that being very obvious), but I think that may have been a product of them giving it a new type combo. It really has nothing to do with space in my eyes. Pearls might be an argument, though I suppose.

You do know that water and dragon isn't a new type combo...kingdra took that typing a while back. Plus, I feel the space and water relation has to do with being able to be weightless when you're in water or in space. Once again, a lot of astronauts train in water before going to space.

 

[evilpacman]

Ah yes Kingdra, duh lol and I get what you are saying about the water, but I still think its stretching to connect the two to justify its type. Its just odd for me.