Dragapult

The pseudo-Legendary Pokemon of Generation 8, Dragapult has a fair bit going for it. High attack plus access to the coveted Dragon Tail + Outrage or Breaking Swipe combo is legitimately great for any Dragon Type, and it even has a Ghost Type moveset as well... but that's where the good news pretty much ends.

Dragon and Ghost are extremely competitive types, with monsters like Rayquaza and Dusk Mane Necrozma lurking around every corner. On top of that, its Ghost Type moveset is pretty underwhelming due to the fact that it's reliant on Astonish, which is not a good move.

In the future, Dragapult does have one trick up its sleeves: Dragon Darts. This Dragon Type Signature Move has the potential to make Dragapult better, though it's a bit of an uphill battle at the moment. Still, it could very likely compete with Salamence despite having a lower Attack stat, and a future Shadow Dragapult with a strong Dragon Darts could be an optimal counter. Only time will tell!

Best PvE Offensive Moveset

• Dragontail is the best Fast Move option for Dragapult when it wants to deal Dragon damage. Pair it with Outrage for higher raw power, or Breaking Swipe for superior flexibility. Regardless, both moves are relatively close in terms of damage output.
• Astonish pairs with Shadow Ball for a Ghost Type moveset, though the former is not a great move.
• Dragon Pulse is not great.

Best PvE Defensive Moveset

• Dragon Tail is definitely the strongest defensive Fast Move in Dragapult's arsenal, making it the optimal choice in the majority of cases.
• Astonish can be okay if only to provide off-type coverage next to Outrage.
• Shadow Ball has the strongest coverage next to Dragon Tail, and good power behind it as well.
• Outrage has superior damage output, but it also shares a type with Dragon Tail, which makes it easy to wall out with a Steel or Fairy Type.
• Breaking Swipe comes out frequently, but it's also pretty weak on defense.
• Dragon Pulse is Outrage, but worse.

Astonish has superior Energy Generation, making it the superior option in the majority of cases. However, Dragon Tail's still solid energy generation and higher base power has its utility as well. Breaking Swipe has very low energy cost and good odds of scoring an Attack debuff, making it the first Charged Move of choice. Finally, Shadow Ball offers high power and good neutral coverage.