Dondozo: Complete Pokémon Reference & Competitive Guide

Dondozo Overview

Introduced in Generation IX with Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, Dondozo is classified as the Big Catfish Pokémon. Measuring an immense 12.0 meters (39 feet 4 inches) in length and weighing 220.0 kilograms (485.0 lbs), Dondozo reigns as the titan of Casseroya Lake in north-western Paldea.

In wild encounters and lore, Dondozo is known for its voracious appetite and its cunning partnership with the diminutive Dragon/Water-type Pokémon, Tatsugiri. Despite Dondozo's immense strength, Tatsugiri acts as the brain of the duo, issuing commands from within Dondozo's cavernous mouth to trap and overpower prey.

Dondozo Stats & Base Stat Distribution

Dondozo's Base Stat Total (BST) is 530, distributed to maximize survivability against physical strikes while presenting a threatening offensive presence:

Dondozo Type and Weaknesses

Dondozo is a pure Water-type Pokémon. Defensively, Water is among the most reliable types in competitive Pokémon:

• Weaknesses (2× damage): Electric, Grass.
• Resistances (0.5× damage): Fire, Water, Ice, Steel.
• Neutral Matchups (1× damage): Normal, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Ghost, Dragon, Dark, Fairy.
• Immunities (0× damage): None.

For in-depth damage calculations and Terastallization matchups, visit the Dondozo Type & Weakness Tool.

Dondozo Abilities: Unaware, Oblivious, and Water Veil

Dondozo gains access to three exceptional abilities that each solve a unique competitive challenge:

1. Unaware (Primary Ability)

When attacking or taking damage, Dondozo completely ignores the opponent's stat stage changes. If an opponent has boosted their Attack by +6 with Swords Dance or Belly Drum, Dondozo takes unboosted damage. Similarly, opponents with +6 Iron Defense take damage as if their defense were at stage 0. This makes Dondozo one of the premier setup-stoppers in both Singles and Doubles.

2. Oblivious (Secondary Ability)

Protects Dondozo from being infatuated, taunted, or intimidated. In competitive VGC where Incineroar and Landorus-Therian constantly trigger Intimidate, Oblivious preserves Dondozo's full physical attack power without requiring a Clear Amulet.

3. Water Veil (Hidden Ability)

Prevents Dondozo from being afflicted with the Burn status condition. Because Burn halves physical attack power, Water Veil guarantees Dondozo maintains its maximum damage output with Wave Crash throughout the match.

Dondozo Moves & Signature Order Up

Dondozo's movepool features high-impact physical attacks, disruption moves, and recovery options:

• Order Up (Signature Move): Dragon-type, 80 Base Power, 100% accuracy. When Tatsugiri is inside Dondozo's mouth via Commander, executing Order Up raises a stat by +1 stage based on Tatsugiri's form (Curly Form grants +1 Attack, Droopy Form grants +1 Defense, and Stretchy Form grants +1 Speed).
• Wave Crash: Water-type, 120 Base Power. The strongest Water STAB attack in Dondozo's arsenal, trading 33% recoil damage for devastating wallbreaking power.
• Heavy Slam: Steel-type, up to 120 Base Power. Thanks to Dondozo's 220kg weight, Heavy Slam hits lightweight Fairy and Grass types for maximum 120 BP.
• Body Press: Fighting-type, 80 BP. Calculates damage using Defense instead of Attack, synergizing with Droopy Tatsugiri or Curse boosts.
• Yawn & Protect: Essential utility moves for controlling match tempo and forcing switches.

Dondozo and Tatsugiri: The Commander Synergy

In Double Battles (VGC), when Dondozo and Tatsugiri are sent out together, Tatsugiri's Commander ability immediately triggers:

1. Tatsugiri enters Dondozo's mouth and cannot be targeted, attacked, or swapped out until Dondozo faints.
2. Dondozo gains +2 stages (+100%) to Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed.
3. Dondozo effectively operates as an omni-boosted raid boss with double effective stats across the board.

Test exact damage outputs and KO ranges with our Dondozo Damage Calculator.

Dondozo in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Dondozo is encountered swimming in Casseroya Lake. It serves as the False Dragon Titan alongside Tatsugiri during the Path of Legends storyline, unlocking the Swim and Climb abilities for your ride legendary (Koraidon or Miraidon).

In Tera Raid Battles, Dondozo is a formidable 5-star and 6-star raid boss, often utilizing Unaware to nullify players' Swords Dance and Nasty Plot stat boosts. Defeating it requires status effects like Burn or Special Grass/Electric attackers like Miraidon, Bellibolt, and Iron Hands.

Dondozo Competitive Strategy (VGC & Singles)

Dondozo's strategic viability spans two distinct competitive formats:

VGC Double Battles

In VGC, Dondozo functions as a hyper-offensive sweeper. Most builds invest heavily in Speed (252 EVs with Adamant) so that the +2 Commander speed boost outspeeds base 100 Speed Pokémon. Tera Grass is standard to resist Grass and Electric moves while ignoring Spore from Amoonguss.

Smogon 6v6 Singles

In Singles, Dondozo is utilized without Tatsugiri as a premier physical wall with Unaware. With Curse, Rest, Sleep Talk, and Body Press or Liquidation, Dondozo shuts down setup sweepers including Dragonite, Great Tusk, Roaring Moon, and Kingambit.

Optimize tournament builds directly using our Dondozo Moveset Builder and Dondozo Team Planner.

Dondozo in Pokémon GO

Dondozo was released in Pokémon GO during the Paldea adventures season. With high bulk and access to moves like Waterfall and Aqua Tail, Dondozo finds utility in the Ultra League and Master League Premier formats as a reliable tank against Fire and Ground types.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dondozo