Dragon Ascent (move)

Dragon Ascent
ガリョウテンセイ Dragon Ascension
Dragon Ascent IX.png
Dragon Ascent IX 2.png
Type  Flying
Category  Physical
PP  5 (max. 8)
Power  120
Accuracy  100%
Priority  {{{priority}}}
Target
Foe Foe Foe
Self Ally Ally
May affect anyone adjacent to the user
Availability
Introduced  Generation VI
Condition  [[{{{category}}} (condition)|{{{category}}}]]
Appeal  0  
Jam  0  
Condition  [[{{{category}}} (condition)|{{{category}}}]]
Appeal  0  
Condition  Beautiful
Appeal  6 ♥♥♥♥♥♥
Jamming  0  
A very appealing move, but after using this move, the user is more easily startled.

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Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire to Pokémon X and Y, and if a Pokémon in Pokémon Bank knows the move it cannot be withdrawn in Pokémon X and Y. In order to be transferred to Pokémon X and Y, the Pokémon must forget Dragon Ascent.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.
SMUSUM
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
0384    
 
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:

# Pokémon Types Egg Groups Compatibility
Tutor
0384    
 
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    
 
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:


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:

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
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.
Rayquaza (XY series) Mega Evolution Special II Debut
A Rayquaza summoned by Hoopa Hoopa and the Clash of Ages 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


Pokémon Adventures


In other generations

Core series games

Spin-off series games

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 AscensionVIVII
  German Zenitstürmer
  Italian Ascesa del Drago
  Korean 화룡점정 Hwaryong Jeomjeong
  Brazilian Portuguese Ascenção do Dragão
  Spanish Ascenso Draco


Variations of the move Superpower
  SuperpowerClose CombatDragon AscentHeadlong 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.