Dragon Ascent (move)

Dragon Ascent ガリョウテンセイ Dragon Ascension

Battles Type  Flying Category  Physical PP  5 (max. 8) Power  120 Accuracy  100% Priority  0 Makes contact Affected by Protect Not affected by Magic Coat Not affected by Snatch Affected by Mirror Move Affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Normal: May affect anyone but the user (long-range)

Availability Introduced  Generation VI Move Tutor in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Move Tutor in Pokémon Sun and Moon Move Tutor in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

Contests Condition  [[{{{category}}} (condition)|{{{category}}}]] Appeal  0   Jam  0

Super Contests Condition  [[{{{category}}} (condition)|{{{category}}}]] Appeal  0

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Beautiful Appeal  6 ♥♥♥♥♥♥ Jamming  0   A very appealing move, but after using this move, the user is more easily startled.

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Dragon Ascent (Japanese: ガリョウテンセイ Dragon Ascension) is a damage-dealing Flying-type move introduced in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. It is the signature move of Rayquaza.

Effect

Generations VI and VII

Dragon Ascent inflicts damage and then lowers the user's Defense stat and Special Defense stat by one stage each.

Generation VIII onwards

In Versions 1.0 to 1.2.1 of Pokémon Sword and Shield, Dragon Ascent could not be selected in a battle. Starting with Version 1.3.0, it is usable and functions the same as it did in the previous generation.

Other effects

Generations VI and VII

The player can Mega Evolve any Rayquaza that knows Dragon Ascent. Rayquaza cannot Mega Evolve if it is holding a Z-Crystal or knows the move only through Mimic. In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, no Rayquaza can Mega Evolve until the Rayquaza in the Delta Episode has been caught.

Dragon Ascent does not exist in the game data of Pokémon X and Y. As a result, a Pokémon knowing Dragon Ascent cannot be traded from Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire to Pokémon X and Y, and if a Pokémon in Pokémon Bank knows the move it cannot be withdrawn in Pokémon X and Y. In order to be transferred to Pokémon X and Y, the Pokémon must forget Dragon Ascent.

Generation VIII onwards

Dragon Ascent no longer enables Mega Evolution.

Description

Games Description ORAS After soaring upward, the user attacks its target by dropping out of the sky at high speeds, although it lowers its own Defense and Sp. Def in the process. SMUSUMPE SwShBDSPLA After soaring upward, the user attacks its target by dropping out of the sky at high speeds. But it lowers its own Defense and Sp. Def stats in the process. SV The user attacks the target by dropping out of the sky at high speed. This also lowers the user's Defense and Sp. Def stats.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						VIII		IX
						SwSh	BDSP	SV
0384		Rayquaza		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	1	1	1
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By Move Tutor

Some Move Tutors will teach Dragon Ascent to a Rayquaza. The Move Tutors are:

• ORAS: Zinnia's grandmother at Meteor Falls.
• SMUSUM: a man in a red shirt in the Pokémon Center in Seafolk Village.

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Compatibility
						VI	VII
						ORAS Tutor	SMUSUM Tutor
0384		Rayquaza		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	✔	✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

Special move

Generation VI

In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, while Rayquaza does not know Dragon Ascent when the player battles it at Sky Pillar, Zinnia will automatically teach it Dragon Ascent (replacing Fly) immediately after the player captures it.

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0384		Rayquaza		No Eggs Discovered		No Eggs Discovered	Sky Pillar RayquazaORAS
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

In other games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

Dragon Ascent damages enemies in a 5×5 square in front of the user. It lowers the user's Defense and Sp. Defense by one stage.

Game Base Power Max Power Base PP Max PP Base Accuracy Max Accuracy Range Target Cuts corners SMD 60 - 5 30 100% - Front area (5×5 square) Enemy Yes With some exceptions, Pokémon learnsets match those from the core series games: Super Mystery Dungeon = Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

Pokémon Rumble Rush

Dragon Ascent

★★★★★
Attack power	114.927
Charge time	1.3 seconds
Range type	Dash
Number of hits	1
Number of projectiles	1
Critical hit rate	1.5%
Additional effect	Lower the user's Defense

Pokémon Masters EX

Name	Category	Move Gauge	MP	Base power	Max power	Accuracy	Target	Effect tag(s)	Description	Playable Users
Dragon Ascent	Physical	4	—	192	230	100%	An opponent	—	Lowers the user's Defense and Sp. Def by one stat rank.	Steven (Anniversary 2021) & Rayquaza Zinnia & Mega Rayquaza (Requires power boost)
Sync move(s)
Name	Category	State		Base power	Max power	Target		Effect tag	Description	Playable sync pair
Triumph and Glory Dragon Ascent	Physical	Default 6★ EX		160	192	An opponent All opponents		—	Become Mega Rayquaza until the end of battle.	Steven (Anniversary 2021) & Rayquaza

Notes:

• Steven (Anniversary 2021) & Rayquaza's passive skill Downside Up makes Dragon Ascent boost their Defense and Sp. Def by one stat rank after use, instead of lowering them.
• Zinnia & Rayquaza's power boost is only accessible through the villain event Team Aqua's Stormy Seas.

Description

Games Description SMD It damages enemies in a wide area in front. But it lowers your Defense and Sp. Def.* It damages enemies in a wide area in front of you. But it lowers your Defense and Sp. Def. The stats return to normal when you go to the next floor or step on a Wonder Tile.*

Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, Dragon Ascent is a Charged Attack that was made available on August 27, 2023. It is required to Mega Evolve Rayquaza.

Dragon Ascent
Charged Attack
Gyms & Raids Power 140 Energy cost 50 Duration 3.5 seconds Damage window 3.25 - 3.4 seconds
Trainer Battles Power 150 Energy cost 70 Secondary effect 1 Defense Effect chance 100%
Eligible Pokémon:
Standard eligibility By Elite Charged TM By GO Snapshot As Shadow Pokémon As Purified Pokémon Formerly eligible None

In the anime

Main series

Mega Rayquaza Shiny Mega Rayquaza Rayquaza
After soaring upward, the user attacks its target by dropping out of the sky at high speeds.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Mega Rayquaza flies high into the air. Its body then becomes outlined in an emerald green aura, and it dives into the opponent with great speed.
Rayquaza (XY series)	Mega Evolution Special II		Debut
A Rayquaza summoned by Hoopa	Hoopa and the Clash of Ages		None
	Rayquaza flies high into the air. Its body then becomes outlined in a teal aura, and it dives into the opponent with great speed.
Lucius's Rayquaza	From So Far Away		None

Pokémon Generations

Mega Rayquaza
After soaring upward, the user attacks its target by dropping out of the sky at high speeds.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Mega Rayquaza flies high into the air. Its body then becomes outlined in a green aura, and it dives into the opponent with great speed.
Trainer's Rayquaza	The Scoop		Debut

In the manga

Movie adaptations

Mega Rayquaza
After soaring upward, the user attacks the target by dropping out of the sky at high speed.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Rayquaza releases a shock wave from its body.
A wild Rayquaza	Hoopa and the Clash of Ages		Debut

Pokémon Adventures

Rayquaza Mega Rayquaza
After soaring upward, the user attacks the target by dropping out of the sky at high speed.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Rayquaza glows brightly and rams its body into the opponent.
Rayquaza (Adventures)	PS613		Debut
	Mega Rayquaza glows brightly and rams its body into the opponent.
Rayquaza (Adventures)	Omega Alpha Adventure 21		None

In other generations

Core series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Spin-off series games

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Trivia

Smeargle's Dragon Ascent

• The Japanese name of this move literally means "to paint a dragon and dot its eyes" and serves as a metaphor for the finishing touch in a piece of work that gives it "the spark of life". The idiom originated from a legend where Zhang Sengyou, a Chinese painter, completes the dragons on a mural by dotting their eyes and thus literally bringing them to life; they spring out of the temple wall and fly off. The completed dragons immediately ascended to the heavens after the work was done.
• Dragon Ascent is the only move with the word "dragon" in its English name that is not Dragon-type.
• Because Zinnia teaches Dragon Ascent to the Rayquaza caught at Sky Pillar in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire to replace Fly, Dragon Ascent is the only move that can replace an HM move in a game in which the move is available as an HM.
• When used by a Rayquaza which has Mega Evolved, this move will play an additional animation before the main animation, and the main animation is also changed slightly.
• When used by a Pokémon other than Mega Rayquaza (including non-Mega-Evolved Rayquaza), Dragon Ascent will play a cyan blue animation instead of the green animation.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 畫龍點睛 Waahklùhngdímjīng Mandarin 畫龍點睛 / 画龙点睛 Huàlóngdiǎnjīng French Draco-AscensionVIII+ Draco AscensionVI–VII German Zenitstürmer Italian Ascesa del Drago Korean 화룡점정 Hwaryong Jeomjeong Brazilian Portuguese Ascenção do Dragão Spanish Latin America Ascenso Dracónico Spain Ascenso Draco

Variations of the move Superpower
Superpower • Close Combat • Dragon Ascent • Headlong Rush Armor Cannon

This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.