[OVERVIEW]
Garchomp is a fantastic offensive Pokemon between its massive Attack stat, great Speed tier that lets it outrun much of OU, powerful STAB combination, and impressive natural bulk, which lets it trade favorably with other offensive Pokemon and find easy setup opportunities with Swords Dance. Coverage moves in Fire Blast and Stone Edge bolster its offensive presence even further, allowing it to crush would-be answers like Skarmory, Tangrowth, and Togekiss. Garchomp even has access to Stealth Rock and a useful ability in Rough Skin, which both make it even more effective at wearing down the opposition for itself and its teammates, providing utility outside of its amazing wallbreaking. All of this combines to make Garchomp a fantastic wallbreaker, potential wincon, and offensive utility Pokemon in one package. However, Garchomp is hindered by common Ice- and Dragon-type moves from Weavile, Mamoswine, and Latias, and its Speed tier, while great, is still beat by prominent offensive threats such as Starmie, Infernape, and Latias. Furthermore, its standard sets can struggle to break through healthy defensive Pokemon such as Slowbro, Clefable, Togekiss, but these flaws are nowhere near enough to dethrone it as one of the best Pokemon around.
[SET]
name: Mixed Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Earthquake
item: Yache Berry / Leftovers
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Garchomp is a very efficient Stealth Rock user with a mixed attacking set, consistently setting Stealth Rock on the tier's best Defog users like Gliscor and Scizor while luring in and KOing possible checks, like Slowbro, Tangrowth, and Skarmory. Draco Meteor lets Garchomp dent physical walls, such as the aforementioned Slowbro and Rotom-W, while providing a Dragon-type STAB move that can't be punished as easily as Outrage. Fire Blast deals with Tangrowth and Skarmory, preventing them from taking advantage of Garchomp. Lastly, Earthquake lets it still effectively check Heatran and Infernape. A Hasty nature can be run over Naive to check Heatran better, but it makes Infernape slightly harder to deal with. A Yache Berry allows Garchomp to survive hits like Starmie's Ice Beam and Mamoswine's Ice Shard in a pinch, KOing them back, while Leftovers boosts Garchomp's longevity to consistently check the likes of Infernape and Heatran. Alternatively, a Life Orb can prioritize damage to more efficiently deal with entry hazard removers.
Garchomp fits best on bulky offense and offense teams that appreciate its short-term defensive capabilities and consistent Stealth Rock setting. Physical wallbreakers like Infernape, Breloom, and Weavile are potent partners alongside Garchomp, as they can take advantage of Garchomp luring in and potentially removing physical walls like Slowbro, Tangrowth, and Skarmory. Roserade is an excellent partner to set Spikes, forming a formidable entry hazard-stacking core with Garchomp. Steel-types such as Scizor and Heatran can deal with Ice- and Dragon-types such as Weavile and Latias that force out Garchomp. Garchomp in return takes Fire-type attacks from the likes of Heatran and Infernape directed at them.
[SET]
name: Mixed Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Life Orb / Yache Berry
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Swords Dance turns Garchomp into an effective wallbreaker and wincon versus slower teams, utilizing Fire Blast to nail would-be checks to a solely physical set. Fire Blast complements Garchomp's dual STAB moves nicely, as it deals massive damage to all of Scizor, Tangrowth, Skarmory, and Breloom. Stone Edge is an alternative option that specifically targets Togekiss, which otherwise walls this set. Life Orb is this set's primary item, as it provides vital extra power versus the aforementioned Fire Blast victims and importantly allows Garchomp to 2HKO physically defensive Unaware Clefable switching in. Yache Berry has merit for Garchomp to survive Mamoswine's Ice Shard, Starmie's Ice Beam, and other Ice-type moves from various defensive Pokemon such as Slowbro and Milotic, 2HKOing them in return with a boosted Earthquake.
Garchomp usually functions best on offensive teams as a potent wallbreaker or expected wincon. Latias makes for a potent offensive pairing with Garchomp, as it threatens the physically bulky Pokemon that Garchomp struggles with, and Garchomp can threaten the likes of Scizor, Heatran, and Jirachi in return. Furthermore, they also form a potent Dragon-spam offensive core that can overwhelm their shared checks, with Latias also valuing Yache Berry sets removing Weavile and Mamoswine for it. Weavile and Breloom are also excellent partners, as they greatly appreciate Garchomp luring in and potentially removing Skarmory and Tangrowth for them. Swords Dance Scizor and Azumarill easily clean up the opposing team after Garchomp has punched holes in it.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Dual Chop / Stone Edge
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Scarf Garchomp is an effective late-game cleaner and revenge killer thanks to its impressive raw power and coverage, as well as its above-average base Speed to outspeed a lot of other Choice Scarf users. Fire Blast threatens potential switch-ins such as Tangrowth and Skarmory, which would otherwise stonewall it. Dual Chop allows Garchomp to bypass Alakazam's Focus Sash for a clean OHKO and break through Dragonite's Multiscale, as well as providing a Dragon-type attack that doesn't lock Garchomp in, while Stone Edge deals with Togekiss, which is a complete stop to this set otherwise. A Naughty nature is generally preferred to not weaken Fire Blast, notably securing the 2HKO on Tangrowth after Regenerator, but an Adamant nature can be used if the extra power from Fire Blast isn't needed. Garchomp does not use a Speed-increasing nature, as it wouldn't outspeed any new relevant Pokemon.
Choice Scarf Garchomp fits best on offensive teams with strong wallbreakers, such as Weavile, Infernape, and Belly Drum Azumarill, that can punch holes in the opposing team for it to easily clean up late-game. Other offensive Dragon-types such as Latias, Dragonite, and Salamence make solid teammates, as they wear down shared checks such as Clefable, Scizor, and Skarmory. Magnezone is an exceptional partner, as it removes Steel-types such as Scizor and Skarmory, which prevent Garchomp from spamming its STAB moves. Furthermore, solid Steel-types such as Heatran and Scizor can pivot into the Ice- and Fairy-types that can force out Garchomp.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Garchomp can use both Swords Dance and Stealth Rock at the same time, compressing its wallbreaking and utility capabilities into a single set; however, this comes at the expense of coverage, which limits how threatening it can be in some matchups. A set with Swords Dance, Substitute, and a Salac Berry can potentially break games open by stopping offensive teams from revenge killing Garchomp, sweeping through teams with ease, but it has the same problem of taking up a coverage moveslot. Choice Band Garchomp boasts impressive immediate power, but Life Orb's power boost is usually more than enough for it to wallbreak effectively, and Choice Band requires much more precise play, as Garchomp's STAB moves have common immunities.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Weavile and Starmie both outspeed and threaten to cleanly OHKO Garchomp, but neither can comfortably switch into its attacks. Latias does the same and can potentially switch in on a predicted Earthquake. Mamoswine, while not actually faster, can OHKO Garchomp with a priority Life Orb-boosted Ice Shard. Life Orb Alakazam can KO a weakened Garchomp, and Focus Sash Alakazam can beat Garchomp lacking Dual Chop one-on-one at the expense of its Focus Sash, if needed.
**Bulky Fairy-type Pokemon**: Physically defensive Clefable can handle Swords Dance Garchomp one-on-one if it switches in safely thanks to Unaware, and it totally walls Choice Scarf Garchomp while healthy—however, it must be used carefully, as Life Orb-boosted Earthquake will 2HKO it after Stealth Rock damage. Togekiss entirely walls standard Garchomp sets, but it must be wary of Stone Edge. Both can also guarantee the removal of a Garchomp that is locked into using Outrage.
**Bulky Water-type Pokemon**: A healthy Slowbro can survive a boosted Earthquake from Swords Dance Garchomp and OHKO it back with Ice Beam after minimal prior damage, although this will fail against Yache Berry sets. Rotom-W can punish Choice Scarf Garchomp for using Earthquake; defensive Rotom-W sets also force Swords Dance Garchomp to lock into Outrage, and Choice Scarf Rotom-W hinders it with a burn or Trick. However, Rotom-W can't consistently switch into Garchomp's Dragon-type moves and is easily worn down, making it an inconsistent check. Milotic can handle Choice Scarf Garchomp quite well, but it can't stand up to Swords Dance or Life Orb variants. A healthy Azumarill or Feraligatr can usually tank a hit from an unboosted Garchomp and OHKO it back in a pinch.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Tangrowth and Skarmory easily take either of Garchomp's STAB attacks, and the former can put it to sleep in a pinch, while the latter can phaze Garchomp with Whirlwind. However, they both falter against Fire Blast sets and are inconsistent checks, as the former relies on Sleep Clause not being activated, while the latter can easily get worn down by repeated boosted Outrages or Stone Edges.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Eve, 375272], [adem, 529732]]
- Quality checked by: [[Lalaya, 279858], [Savouras, 409438]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]
Garchomp is a fantastic offensive Pokemon between its massive Attack stat, great Speed tier that lets it outrun much of OU, powerful STAB combination, and impressive natural bulk, which lets it trade favorably with other offensive Pokemon and find easy setup opportunities with Swords Dance. Coverage moves in Fire Blast and Stone Edge bolster its offensive presence even further, allowing it to crush would-be answers like Skarmory, Tangrowth, and Togekiss. Garchomp even has access to Stealth Rock and a useful ability in Rough Skin, which both make it even more effective at wearing down the opposition for itself and its teammates, providing utility outside of its amazing wallbreaking. All of this combines to make Garchomp a fantastic wallbreaker, potential wincon, and offensive utility Pokemon in one package. However, Garchomp is hindered by common Ice- and Dragon-type moves from Weavile, Mamoswine, and Latias, and its Speed tier, while great, is still beat by prominent offensive threats such as Starmie, Infernape, and Latias. Furthermore, its standard sets can struggle to break through healthy defensive Pokemon such as Slowbro, Clefable, Togekiss, but these flaws are nowhere near enough to dethrone it as one of the best Pokemon around.
[SET]
name: Mixed Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Earthquake
item: Yache Berry / Leftovers
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Garchomp is a very efficient Stealth Rock user with a mixed attacking set, consistently setting Stealth Rock on the tier's best Defog users like Gliscor and Scizor while luring in and KOing possible checks, like Slowbro, Tangrowth, and Skarmory. Draco Meteor lets Garchomp dent physical walls, such as the aforementioned Slowbro and Rotom-W, while providing a Dragon-type STAB move that can't be punished as easily as Outrage. Fire Blast deals with Tangrowth and Skarmory, preventing them from taking advantage of Garchomp. Lastly, Earthquake lets it still effectively check Heatran and Infernape. A Hasty nature can be run over Naive to check Heatran better, but it makes Infernape slightly harder to deal with. A Yache Berry allows Garchomp to survive hits like Starmie's Ice Beam and Mamoswine's Ice Shard in a pinch, KOing them back, while Leftovers boosts Garchomp's longevity to consistently check the likes of Infernape and Heatran. Alternatively, a Life Orb can prioritize damage to more efficiently deal with entry hazard removers.
Garchomp fits best on bulky offense and offense teams that appreciate its short-term defensive capabilities and consistent Stealth Rock setting. Physical wallbreakers like Infernape, Breloom, and Weavile are potent partners alongside Garchomp, as they can take advantage of Garchomp luring in and potentially removing physical walls like Slowbro, Tangrowth, and Skarmory. Roserade is an excellent partner to set Spikes, forming a formidable entry hazard-stacking core with Garchomp. Steel-types such as Scizor and Heatran can deal with Ice- and Dragon-types such as Weavile and Latias that force out Garchomp. Garchomp in return takes Fire-type attacks from the likes of Heatran and Infernape directed at them.
[SET]
name: Mixed Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Life Orb / Yache Berry
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Swords Dance turns Garchomp into an effective wallbreaker and wincon versus slower teams, utilizing Fire Blast to nail would-be checks to a solely physical set. Fire Blast complements Garchomp's dual STAB moves nicely, as it deals massive damage to all of Scizor, Tangrowth, Skarmory, and Breloom. Stone Edge is an alternative option that specifically targets Togekiss, which otherwise walls this set. Life Orb is this set's primary item, as it provides vital extra power versus the aforementioned Fire Blast victims and importantly allows Garchomp to 2HKO physically defensive Unaware Clefable switching in. Yache Berry has merit for Garchomp to survive Mamoswine's Ice Shard, Starmie's Ice Beam, and other Ice-type moves from various defensive Pokemon such as Slowbro and Milotic, 2HKOing them in return with a boosted Earthquake.
Garchomp usually functions best on offensive teams as a potent wallbreaker or expected wincon. Latias makes for a potent offensive pairing with Garchomp, as it threatens the physically bulky Pokemon that Garchomp struggles with, and Garchomp can threaten the likes of Scizor, Heatran, and Jirachi in return. Furthermore, they also form a potent Dragon-spam offensive core that can overwhelm their shared checks, with Latias also valuing Yache Berry sets removing Weavile and Mamoswine for it. Weavile and Breloom are also excellent partners, as they greatly appreciate Garchomp luring in and potentially removing Skarmory and Tangrowth for them. Swords Dance Scizor and Azumarill easily clean up the opposing team after Garchomp has punched holes in it.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Dual Chop / Stone Edge
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Scarf Garchomp is an effective late-game cleaner and revenge killer thanks to its impressive raw power and coverage, as well as its above-average base Speed to outspeed a lot of other Choice Scarf users. Fire Blast threatens potential switch-ins such as Tangrowth and Skarmory, which would otherwise stonewall it. Dual Chop allows Garchomp to bypass Alakazam's Focus Sash for a clean OHKO and break through Dragonite's Multiscale, as well as providing a Dragon-type attack that doesn't lock Garchomp in, while Stone Edge deals with Togekiss, which is a complete stop to this set otherwise. A Naughty nature is generally preferred to not weaken Fire Blast, notably securing the 2HKO on Tangrowth after Regenerator, but an Adamant nature can be used if the extra power from Fire Blast isn't needed. Garchomp does not use a Speed-increasing nature, as it wouldn't outspeed any new relevant Pokemon.
Choice Scarf Garchomp fits best on offensive teams with strong wallbreakers, such as Weavile, Infernape, and Belly Drum Azumarill, that can punch holes in the opposing team for it to easily clean up late-game. Other offensive Dragon-types such as Latias, Dragonite, and Salamence make solid teammates, as they wear down shared checks such as Clefable, Scizor, and Skarmory. Magnezone is an exceptional partner, as it removes Steel-types such as Scizor and Skarmory, which prevent Garchomp from spamming its STAB moves. Furthermore, solid Steel-types such as Heatran and Scizor can pivot into the Ice- and Fairy-types that can force out Garchomp.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Garchomp can use both Swords Dance and Stealth Rock at the same time, compressing its wallbreaking and utility capabilities into a single set; however, this comes at the expense of coverage, which limits how threatening it can be in some matchups. A set with Swords Dance, Substitute, and a Salac Berry can potentially break games open by stopping offensive teams from revenge killing Garchomp, sweeping through teams with ease, but it has the same problem of taking up a coverage moveslot. Choice Band Garchomp boasts impressive immediate power, but Life Orb's power boost is usually more than enough for it to wallbreak effectively, and Choice Band requires much more precise play, as Garchomp's STAB moves have common immunities.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Faster Pokemon**: Weavile and Starmie both outspeed and threaten to cleanly OHKO Garchomp, but neither can comfortably switch into its attacks. Latias does the same and can potentially switch in on a predicted Earthquake. Mamoswine, while not actually faster, can OHKO Garchomp with a priority Life Orb-boosted Ice Shard. Life Orb Alakazam can KO a weakened Garchomp, and Focus Sash Alakazam can beat Garchomp lacking Dual Chop one-on-one at the expense of its Focus Sash, if needed.
**Bulky Fairy-type Pokemon**: Physically defensive Clefable can handle Swords Dance Garchomp one-on-one if it switches in safely thanks to Unaware, and it totally walls Choice Scarf Garchomp while healthy—however, it must be used carefully, as Life Orb-boosted Earthquake will 2HKO it after Stealth Rock damage. Togekiss entirely walls standard Garchomp sets, but it must be wary of Stone Edge. Both can also guarantee the removal of a Garchomp that is locked into using Outrage.
**Bulky Water-type Pokemon**: A healthy Slowbro can survive a boosted Earthquake from Swords Dance Garchomp and OHKO it back with Ice Beam after minimal prior damage, although this will fail against Yache Berry sets. Rotom-W can punish Choice Scarf Garchomp for using Earthquake; defensive Rotom-W sets also force Swords Dance Garchomp to lock into Outrage, and Choice Scarf Rotom-W hinders it with a burn or Trick. However, Rotom-W can't consistently switch into Garchomp's Dragon-type moves and is easily worn down, making it an inconsistent check. Milotic can handle Choice Scarf Garchomp quite well, but it can't stand up to Swords Dance or Life Orb variants. A healthy Azumarill or Feraligatr can usually tank a hit from an unboosted Garchomp and OHKO it back in a pinch.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Tangrowth and Skarmory easily take either of Garchomp's STAB attacks, and the former can put it to sleep in a pinch, while the latter can phaze Garchomp with Whirlwind. However, they both falter against Fire Blast sets and are inconsistent checks, as the former relies on Sleep Clause not being activated, while the latter can easily get worn down by repeated boosted Outrages or Stone Edges.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Eve, 375272], [adem, 529732]]
- Quality checked by: [[Lalaya, 279858], [Savouras, 409438]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Adeleine, 517429]]
Last edited:
