Why Dragon Dance?

[Dan the Pokeman]

I've seen Dragon Dance suggested in movesets for various Dragon Pokemon, like Dragonite, Gyarados, Salamence, etc.

Now, when a Pokemon tries to learn Dragon Dance, it says it increases the Pokemon's speed. The way I understand it, that just means that if your Pokemon was slower and attacking second, it may (or may not) now attack 1st. It just doesn't seem worth giving up a turn when you could be doing damage to go 1st the next turn. And, if you're already 1st, you have a non-damaging move that won't help you at all in the battle.

So, what I need to know is, am I missing something? Does Dragon Dance give you other advantages, too (i.e. increase evasiveness)?

[Linzoy]

Try it, you'll usually do more damage with dragon dance. Even if you're faster than the pokemon you're fighting currently dragon dance will help take out the next pokemon faster.

[Spiritual Rain]

Dragon Dance also increases Attack.

[darklogos]

Dragon dance raises both speed and attack by one level. When a person suggest dragon dance then they are saying they want to create a sweeper. Dragon dance is a moderate version of the swords dacne/agility batton pass.

[Absol]

Speed is both an offensive and defensive thing... if you attack first, you can KO them before they attack you... if you are about to die, anyways, you can get one last attack in...

it is worth it because it raises both Attack and Speed...

[darklogos]

If you use the following rest, dragon dance, chesto or lum you will have an unstopable sweeper. I have both of those moves on my t-tar. He kills all.

[Dan the Pokeman]

Thanks to all for your replies.

So, Dragon Dance would be good on a Pokemon that has a strong regular attack, but not so good on a Pokemon that relies on Special Attack. Is that a fair statement?

[Absol]

obviously...

you dont use Bulk Up on a Mewtwo... unless you were using it to mess people up...