Reshiram – The Legendary Fire Dragon Pokémon

Without question, the legendary Fire/Dragon type Pokémon is none other than Reshiram, one of the most iconic species introduced in Generation V. With piercing blue eyes, a turbine-shaped tail, and massive feathered wings wreathed in flames, Reshiram‘s sleek white draconic design epitomizes power. As part of the Tao Trio along with Zekrom and Kyurem, Reshiram plays an integral role in the lore and backstory of the Unova region.

According to legends, Reshiram and Zekrom were once a single powerful Dragon Pokémon before a conflict between two princes split them into two halves – one pursuing truth, the other ideals. Representing yang energy, Reshiram can inflame the atmosphere with intense heat and scorch opponents with fiery moves like Blue Flare and Dragon Pulse. In Pokémon Black, N awakens Reshiram to battle the player and their Zekrom before ultimately being defeated, allowing the player to capture the majestic Fire Dragon.

Competitively, Reshiram‘s base stats total 680, with excellent offensive potential but middling speed:

In double battles, Reshiram makes an effective lead sweeper. With boosting items like Charcoal, it can blast opponents with 150 base power STAB Blue Flares while teammates set up Trick Room. Though rare in ranked play due to its legend status, it consistently places high on usage charts season to season.

So why does such an amazing Fire/Dragon legendary have so few compatriots sharing its type combo? Game developers have cited game balance as the main reason. Fire and Dragon provide excellent coverage together, hitting 8 types super effectively between them after all. Too many would risk overcentralization of the metagame. Others speculate developers simply want to keep the mystique of Fire and Dragon combinations elevated by limiting their numbers similar to legendaries.

Here is the complete list of all past Fire/Dragon type Pokémon over the generations – as we can see, there are slim pickings:

Fans clamor for more of these rare species however, frequently requesting combinations like Fire/Dragon Charizard, Haxorus, or Hydreigon variants among their most desired regional forms or mega evolutions. Only time will tell if Game Freak ever opens the door for more blazing dragons!

While few in number, Reshiram is far from the only dual-type Dragon species holding a coveted spot in Pokémon lore. Let‘s explore some other fan favorite Dragon combos:

Kingdra – The Seahorse Dragon Pokémon

This serpentine Water/Dragon type evolves from the humble Seadra when traded holding a Dragon Scale. In competitive play, Kingdra utilizes Swift Swim to outspeed threats once rain is setup. With excellent coverage from Hydro Pump, Draco Meteor, and Hurricane, Kingdra sweeps late game once checks like Ferrothorn are eliminated.

Giratina (Origin Form) – The Renegade Ghost/Dragon Legendary

Sinister Ghost/Dragon Giratina strikes fear wherever it appears thanks to colossal HP and defenses combined with dimensional warping abilities. Though banned often from competitive tiers for being overly centralizing, it recurs throughout the anime menacing Ash and friends from the Reverse World.

Haxorus – The Axe Jaw Dragon Pokémon

Despite repeatedly ranking among fans‘ most requested mega evolutions, this Unovan Dragon remains fiercely powerful even unevolved. With the highest base Attack stat of any non-legendary Dragon type ever at 147, Haxorus can run Swords Dance sets hitting over 800 Attack stat after a single boost then proceeding to OHKO all but the sturdiest resists.

Based on usage statistics across multiple generations of ranked play, below is a visual tier list depicting the all-time most common and successful Dragon species seen in competitive battling:

As we can see, legends like Rayquaza and Dragonite stake their claim at the top while unusual picks like Alolan Exeggutor have carved out tournament niches.

For trainers striving to raise their own ferocious Dragon Pokémon, honing the following strategies is key:

• Breed to ensure competitive natures like Adamant, Jolly, or Timid depending on the species‘ stat distribution.

• Train Defense and HP EVs to bulk up survivability for setup sweepers like Dragapult. Otherwise maximize offensive EVs like Special Attack and Speed.

• Tutor essential coverage moves like Fire Blast, Thunder, Outrage, Draco Meteor etc. Certain TMs are also valuable like Earthquake, Flamethrower, and Dragon Claw.

• Hold items that patch up weaknesses (Yache Berry), boost attacks (Choice items), or enable transformation (Dragonium-Z) all have utility.

• Pack reliable fairy (Clefable), ice (Mamoswine), and other dragon (Garchomp) checks to counter opponent dragons.

Breeding for Hidden Abilities, chasing ideal IVs, designing team support, and countering threats takes practice but pays dividends with beasts like Garchomp, Salamence, Goodra, and many more wreaking havoc. For dedicated dragon tamers, no challenge nets greater rewards however!

As for the future – fans eagerly speculate what exotic new Dragon type combinations remain undiscovered as the Pokémon world continues expanding. Rumored types like Bug/Dragon Flygon regional variants, Rock/Dragon fossil evolutions, and even Ghost/Dragon forms of fan favorites like Hydreigon or Dragapult inspire dreams. And one question lingers on all minds – will we ever see a fiery Charizard Fire/Dragon regional form?! Only time will tell what surprises Game Freak has up their sleeves for future generations. For now, legendary blazing dragons like Reshiram stand alone as Pokémon royalty admired by trainers everywhere.