Dragon Claw vs. Dragonbreath

[GirlRepellant]

Which is a better move? Dragon Claw has a base power of 80. Dragonbreath gets only 60 for power, but with a 30% chance of paralysis it's still in the running.
Or is it even worth having a Dragon move, for what little they do?

So vote!

[Number1ChanseyFan]

The only time that I use Dragon-type moves is on Dragon types, and even then, I just use it since it gets STAB, since Dragon type attacks aren't very useful IMO. I always go with Dragon Claw instead of Dragonbreath, I prefer more strength over the paralysis possibility. Some people do prefer Dragonbreath though, since it has the 30% chance of causing Paralysis. However, I stick with Dragon Claw.

[stickachu]

I do like dragon moves, simply because the only thing strong against them are steel types (and cuz there are a ton of dragons around nowadays, and it's nice to have some protection) I tend to prefer dragon claw unless I need the status affliction... but I almost always but dragon moves on my sweepers, and it isn't their job to do any status effects.

[ShockingAlberto]

Ah, the cache-22 of Dragons. They're powerful Pokemon with high attacks, but all their type-specific moves are based on Special Attack. It's kind of like the designers are laughing at you.

Still, Dragon Claw can do some hard damage. Even a paralyzed Flygon should have good enough speed to have a first-move hit on the next turn. I'd recommend Dragon Claw. Paralysis is only useful if you can't outmatch their speed already and if it's really such a big deal that you need to waste a turn on it, then you could just kill them with Dragon Claws anyway.

-- ShockingAlberto

[soggy_cardboard]

I use D-breath over D-claw when i have no other status-inducing moves on tha dragon.

Even tho I have only used Dragonair, and she dont get d-claw ^^;

[rinku]

Agree with all of the above, but would note that only some Dragon types learn or can have bred on Dragon Claw. Flygon in particular has to burn a unique TM to have it, and IMHO is better to stick to Dragonbreath. Ditto with Altaria (who gets more use from status effects anyway - it's not a powerhouse like Salamence or Rayquaza in any case). The Latis are another case where I'd not bother to burn the TM - your're more likely to want to switch between the various good natural moves they can learn using the Tutor, and unique TMs tend to get in they way of that.

I switched from Dragonbreath to Dragon Claw when levelling up my Salamence to L100 (I hadn't delayed its evolution to get Dragon Claw by L50) and can attest to the BIG difference it makes for a sweeper.