[OVERVIEW]
Garchomp's fantastic stat distribution makes it one of the most versatile Pokemon in OU, fully capable of running both offensive and defensive sets to good effect. In addition, it also boasts a colorful movepool, with support options such as Stealth Rock and Dragon Tail as well as powerful coverage moves such as Fire Blast and Stone Edge. Garchomp's Dragon / Ground STAB combination has incredible coverage just by itself, only resisted by Skarmory, Celesteela, Tapu Bulu, and Togekiss. With Z-Moves, Garchomp is able to overpower these Pokemon after a Swords Dance boost. Rough Skin punishes opponents for using contact moves such as U-turn, and it is particularly potent on Garchomp's defensive set in conjunction with Rocky Helmet. However, Garchomp's decent but not great Speed tier leaves it outsped by Pokemon such as Keldeo, Latios, and Tapu Koko, all of which can force it out. A 4x weakness to Ice-type attacks also makes revenge killing and forcing Garchomp out much easier.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Dragon Claw / Outrage
move 4: Fire Fang / Fire Blast
item: Life Orb / Groundium Z
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Jolly / Naive
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Garchomp's Attack stat to tremendous levels and allows it to properly break through bulkier teams. For the Steel- and Fairy-types that resist Dragon, Earthquake is a powerful, reliable Ground-type STAB attack that hits them for huge damage after a boost. Dragon Claw nails most Levitate users and Flying-types such as Rotom-W, Latios, and Tornadus-T for at least neutral damage. Outrage can also be used in this slot for more initial power and a stronger Devastating Drake, but being locked into Outrage for multiple turns leaves Garchomp quite vulnerable to Fairy-types. Fire Fang rounds out Garchomp's coverage well, as it can blow through traditional counters to Garchomp such as Skarmory, Celesteela, and Tapu Bulu. Fire Blast can be used in place of Fire Fang to do more damage to Skarmory and non-Assault Vest variants of Tangrowth, as well as to circumvent Counter. However, it is important to note that Fire Fang does more damage to Celesteela and can be boosted by Swords Dance.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment allows Garchomp to hit as hard and as fast as possible. A Jolly nature is necessary in order to outspeed common base 100 Speed Pokemon such as Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y, and Manaphy, and it also lets Garchomp outspeed Jolly Zygarde and Timid Tapu Lele 100% of the time. If opting for Fire Blast, a Naive nature is also acceptable in order to not lower Garchomp's Special Attack stat. Life Orb is the preferred item, significantly boosting the power of all of Garchomp's attacks and aiding it in its ability to wallbreak. Groundium Z can also be used, as it grants Garchomp access to a 180-Base Power Tectonic Rage capable of OHKOing typical checks to Garchomp such as Tapu Fini and Ferrothorn after a Swords Dance. Tectonic Rage can also outright OHKO offensive threats such as Mega Metagross and Tapu Lele, as well as KO Clefable after an Earthquake. Firium Z is an alternative option, as in conjunction with Fire Fang, it gives Garchomp a 120-Base Power Fire-type attack that OHKOes the Steel- and Grass-types that check Garchomp, such as Celesteela, Skarmory, and Tapu Bulu, after a Swords Dance boost. Lastly, Dragonium Z is in option alongside Outrage that gives Garchomp a terrifyingly powerful 190-Base Power Devastating Drake. After a Swords Dance, Devastating Drake OHKOes every Pokemon in the tier that does not resist it, and even some frailer Pokemon that do. Rough Skin is the selected ability, as the chip damage it inflicts on foes using contact moves is very beneficial and Sand Veil's utility is rather niche in comparison.
Usage Tips
========
Swords Dance Garchomp's powerful Z-Moves allow it to act as an incredible wallbreaker, but because it can only use its Z-Move once, it is important to not use it recklessly if your opponent might see it coming. Similarly, it is vital to play Swords Dance Garchomp patiently and with caution, especially versus offensive teams that can exploit Garchomp's only average Speed stat and easily revenge kill it with Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Tapu Lele, Tapu Koko, and Latios. Versus said offensive teams, waiting for the aforementioned Pokemon to be removed before attempting to set up a Swords Dance is usually optimal. It is when faced with balanced and bulkier builds that Swords Dance Garchomp can truly wreak havoc. Against these bulkier, often slower builds of teams, Garchomp can act either as an early- to mid-game wallbreaker or as a late-game cleaner once its own checks and counters have been appropriately weakened. Although risky, it can often be advantageous for Garchomp to bluff a Choice Scarf set versus faster offensive threats and proceed to surprise the opponent by switching moves or even setting up on a vulnerable foe.
Team Options
========
Stealth Rock and Spikes support from the likes of Heatran, Ferrothorn, and Greninja aids Garchomp greatly in breaking down bulkier walls. Healing Wish and Memento users such as Latias and Dugtrio also make for excellent teammates alongside Swords Dance Garchomp, as Healing Wish allows Garchomp to play more recklessly throughout a battle, while Memento can provide Garchomp with easy setup opportunities on vulnerable Pokemon. Late-game cleaners such as Choice Scarf Keldeo, Ash-Greninja, and Tapu Koko appreciate Swords Dance Garchomp's incredible wallbreaking prowess. Pokemon that can switch into Ice-type moves such as Magearna, Rotom-W, and Tapu Fini make for solid partners alongside Garchomp, as they can combat the Pokemon that commonly check Garchomp with Ice-type attacks. Lastly, users of Volt Switch and U-turn such as Tapu Koko and Mega Scizor can generate momentum and provide Garchomp with free switches in to either set up a Swords Dance or fire off a powerful attack.
[SET]
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage / Dragon Claw
move 4: Swords Dance / Fire Blast
item: Life Orb / Dragonium Z
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Jolly / Naive
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is needed on every competitive team, and Garchomp is an excellent user of the move due to its offensive prowess and ability to pressure common forms of entry hazard removal. STAB Earthquake hits everything that does not resist it for solid damage. Outrage has very good synergy in conjunction with Earthquake, dealing significant damage to Pokemon such as Rotom-W and Landorus-T, especially at +2 Attack. Outrage does lock Garchomp into battle for two or three turns, however. Dragon Claw is a weaker, more reliable alternative to Outrage that gives Garchomp the freedom to switch moves, but it is notably weaker without a Swords Dance boost. Swords Dance allows Garchomp to boost its Attack to tremendous levels and effectively fill the role of both a Stealth Rock setter and a powerful wallbreaker in one Pokemon. Swords Dance is especially useful for combating Defog users such as Tapu Fini and Zapdos. Fire Blast can alternatively be used in this slot in order to nail Skarmory, Tapu Bulu, and Ferrothorn for super effective damage, though +2 Earthquake already does a large amount to the latter.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment allows Garchomp to hit as hard and as fast as possible. A Jolly nature is necessary for outspeeding Timid Tapu Lele, Timid Manaphy, and Jolly Zygarde, but a Naive nature can also be used if opting to use Fire Blast. Life Orb is the preferred item, as it increases Garchomp's wallbreaking potential and powers up all of its moves, allowing it to do massive damage to common forms of hazard deterrence such as Mega Sableye and Tapu Fini. Dragonium Z is an alternative option that allows Garchomp to break through physically defensive Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Tangrowth more easily than Life Orb after setting up Stealth Rock. Focus Sash can also be used, as it almost always ensures Garchomp can at least get up Stealth Rock, as well as being useful for surviving attacks that would otherwise OHKO Garchomp such as Latios's Draco Meteor or Tapu Lele's Moonblast. Lastly, Rough Skin is the ability of choice, as it provides useful chip damage on physical attackers that make contact with Garchomp.
Usage Tips
========
This variant of Garchomp is a very effective lead for offensive teams, as not many Pokemon can prevent Garchomp from immediately setting up Stealth Rock on turn one. Defog users such as Tapu Fini and Zapdos will often switch in on Garchomp after it has set up Stealth Rock, so using Swords Dance to boost Garchomp's Attack and heavily threaten them to prevent them from clearing the field of hazards is usually optimal. It is important to evaluate whether or not getting up Stealth Rock or attacking a potential threat is more important at the start of the battle. For example, if Mega Metagross is very threatening and the opponent leads with it, immediately using Earthquake to weaken it heavily will often be of more value than simply setting up Stealth Rock and letting Garchomp get OHKOed by Ice Punch.
Team Options
========
Due to the offensive nature of this set, Garchomp fits best on offensive teams, so Pokemon such as Ash-Greninja, Protean Greninja, and Mega Metagross that appreciate a reliable Stealth Rock setter make for solid partners. Ghost-types such as Gengar and Alolan Marowak are able to block Rapid Spin and keep Garchomp's Stealth Rock up on the field. Similarly, Taunt users such as Mega Alakazam, Tapu Koko, and Tapu Lele can prevent opposing Defoggers from clearing the field of hazards as well and thus work well alongside Garchomp. While unable to fully prevent Defog, Bisharp and Thundurus can deter the opponent from removing entry hazards, as thanks to Defiant, Defog gives these Pokemon a free +2 Attack boost.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Stone Edge / Rock Slide
move 4: Dragon Claw / Fire Blast
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Jolly / Naive
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Earthquake is a powerful Ground-type STAB move that is useful for cleaning late-game once Flying-types and Levitate users have been removed. Unboosted Outrage is still very powerful and has good synergy alongside Earthquake. Locking Garchomp into Outrage can leave it in a very vulnerable position, however. Stone Edge is used to aid Garchomp in revenge killing Pokemon such as Volcarona and Mega Pinsir, as with the Choice Scarf, Garchomp can outspeed and OHKO these Pokemon. Rock Slide can also be used in this slot for increased accuracy and a 30% chance to make the target flinch, though it is very weak and fails to OHKO even Rock-weak Pokemon such as Tornadus and Thundurus without Stealth Rock support. Dragon Claw, while fairly weak, is a reliable Dragon-type STAB attack that does not force Garchomp to stay in battle for two or three turns. Fire Blast is an alternative option, roasting common switch-ins to Garchomp such as Skarmory, Ferrothorn, and Mega Scizor. Fire Fang can be used in place of Fire Blast for increased accuracy and greater damage output versus Celesteela, but it is weaker versus Skarmory and Mega Scizor and, as a contact move, activates Iron Barbs when used against Ferrothorn. Lastly, Poison Jab is an option that nails one of Choice Scarf Garchomp's biggest counters, Tapu Bulu, for 4x super effective damage. Poison Jab has little utility outside of this, though, and as such is fairly niche.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed investment allows Garchomp to hit as hard and as fast as possible. A Jolly nature is necessary to ensure that Garchomp outspeeds Pokemon such as Choice Scarf Tapu Lele, +1 Speed Volcarona, and Mega Charizard X. If opting to run Fire Blast, a Naive nature is also acceptable to not weaken Garchomp's damage output. Choice Scarf is the selected item, allowing Garchomp to properly perform its role as a revenge killer and late-game sweeper. Rough Skin is chosen because the ability to punish physical attackers for using contact moves is often beneficial.
Usage Tips
========
Choice Scarf Garchomp functions as a very reliable revenge killer, capable of outspeeding and doing immense damage to dangerous offensive threats such as Mega Metagross, Ash-Greninja, and Latios. Preserving Garchomp until the later stages of a battle when bulkier walls have been properly weakened is often optimal, as Choice Scarf Garchomp's blend of power and speed allows it to act as a solid late-game sweeper. Only use Outrage when absolutely necessary, as it leaves Garchomp in a very vulnerable position versus Steel- and Fairy-type Pokemon. Similarly, beware of mindlessly using Earthquake, as a large number of common Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Rotom-W, and Tornadus-T are immune to it.
Team Options
========
Powerful wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Tapu Lele, Mega Mawile, and Hoopa-U all make for excellent teammates alongside Garchomp, as they can break through or heavily weaken bulkier walls for Garchomp to sweep in the late-game. Choice Scarf Garchomp greatly appreciates Stealth Rock and Spikes support from Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Greninja, as the continuous chip damage aids Garchomp in its ability to act as a revenge killer. Defensively, Steel-types such as Heatran, Magnezone, and Jirachi make for solid teammates because they can all combat opposing Steel- and Fairy-types, which are the most common means of checking Garchomp. Magnezone in particular makes for an awesome partner, as it can trap and completely eliminate opposing Steel-types, making it easier for Garchomp to spam its Dragon-type STAB attack.
[SET]
name: Tank Chomp
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Dragon Tail
move 4: Fire Blast / Toxic
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Impish
evs: 240 HP / 176 Def / 92 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock offers incredible support for a team, chipping away at the opposing Pokemon and breaking Focus Sash, Multiscale, and Sturdy. Even without investment, STAB Earthquake hits fairly hard and can still do decent damage to Pokemon that do not resist it. Dragon Tail is useful for phazing foes and racking up entry hazard damage in conjunction with Stealth Rock. Fire Blast roasts Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Mega Scizor and prevents them from setting up hazards of their own or removing Garchomp's Stealth Rock with Defog in the case of Skarmory or supportive Mega Scizor. Toxic can alternatively be used in this slot to cripple common switch-ins to this set such as Rotom-W, Landorus-T, and Zapdos, though it leaves Garchomp vulnerable to the aforementioned Steel-types. Endure is an option for the last slot as well, allowing Garchomp to get off a final 29% of chip damage on a physical attacker that comes into contact with it, which can be critical for preventing a sweep.
Set Details
========
92 Speed EVs allow Garchomp to always outspeed base 70 Speed Pokemon such as Breloom, Bisharp, and Volcanion. The rest of the EVs are poured into HP and Defense along with an Impish nature in order to maximize Garchomp's physical bulk. Rocky Helmet works incredibly well with Rough Skin, punishing physical attackers for using contact moves against Garchomp. Rough Skin is an obvious choice for this set, as in conjunction with Rocky Helmet, any Pokemon that comes into contact with Garchomp will lose a whopping 29% of their maximum HP.
Usage Tips
========
Garchomp's excellent bulk, along with the chip damage provided by Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin, makes it a great switch-in to physical attackers such as Mega Scizor, Bisharp, Gyarados, and Mega Metagross lacking Ice Punch. Although Garchomp is a solid blanket check to most physical attackers, its lack of any form of recovery whatsoever means it can be worn down quickly and will struggle to check multiple powerful threats. Garchomp can also be used to block Volt Switch from Electric-type Pokemon, but it should be wary of a stray Hidden Power Ice that will do a massive amount of damage. Finally, Garchomp excels at spreading Toxic through a team, since most of the Pokemon used to check Garchomp, such as Landorus-T, Tapu Bulu, and Tangrowth, despise being badly poisoned.
Team Options
========
This Garchomp set fits better on more balanced and bulkier teams due to its impressive bulk and relatively low Speed investment. Garchomp is very good at wearing down physical attackers such as Mega Metagross, Mega Scizor, and Gyarados, so Pokemon that are checked by these attackers such as Tapu Bulu, Kyurem-B, and Choice Scarf Jirachi make for solid teammates. Due to its lack of reliable recovery, Garchomp appreciates Wish support from the likes of Chansey, Clefable, and Jirachi. Pokemon such as Heatran, Magearna, and Celesteela that can combat the Fairy-types that plague Garchomp work well alongside it as well.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Swords Dance Mega Garchomp is an incredibly strong wallbreaker on sand teams, but the drop in Speed makes Mega Garchomp's matchup versus offensive teams difficult, and this set is often outclassed by those running Z-Moves. Due to its passable Special Attack stat, Garchomp can opt for a mixed attacking set with Life Orb utilizing Draco Meteor, Fire Blast, Earthquake, and Stealth Rock, though this set cannot use a Z-Move and thus can struggle to wallbreak as effectively as other variants of Garchomp. A Substitute + Swords Dance set with a Salac Berry combines the late-game sweeping potential of Choice Scarf with the wallbreaking ability of other Swords Dance Garchomp variants into one set, but it can be unreliable due to Salac Berry's activation requirement and is fairly weak before a Swords Dance boost. Endure can also be used in place of Substitute to more reliably activate Salac Berry, but it leaves Garchomp more vulnerable to status ailments and being revenge killed with priority. Lum Berry can be used on any Swords Dance Garchomp set to avoid status, but the drop in power is very noticeable, and Garchomp cannot run a Z-Move when holding a Lum Berry. Similarly, Yache Berry is useful for surviving stray Ice-type attacks from the likes of Tapu Koko, Manaphy, and Thundurus and retaliating back with a powerful STAB attack, but this is rather niche in comparison to the utility provided by items such as Focus Sash, Life Orb, or a Z-Crystal. Lastly, Poison Jab can be used to OHKO unsuspecting Tapu Bulu; however, this is Poison Jab's only real use, and it should only be used if Tapu Bulu is an immense issue to Garchomp's teammates.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ice-type Attacks**: Priority Ice Shard and stray Hidden Power Ice will do massive amounts of damage to Garchomp and can cut its sweep short, prevent it from getting up Stealth Rock, or prevent it from setting up at all.
**Fairy-type Pokemon**: Fairy-types such as Tapu Fini, Clefable, and Tapu Bulu are immune to Garchomp's Dragon-type STAB move and can threaten Garchomp greatly with their own super effective Fairy-type STAB moves. Tapu Fini is particularly troublesome for Garchomp, as it is immune to Toxic due to Misty Terrain and can Defog away Garchomp's Stealth Rock. Similarly, Tapu Bulu resists both of Garchomp's STAB attacks, only fears Fire-type coverage and the rare Poison Jab, and can OHKO Garchomp with Wood Hammer, making it especially bothersome.
**Skarmory and Celesteela**: Skarmory and Celesteela resist Garchomp's STAB combination and only truly fear Firium Z Fire Fang, and Fire Blast in Skarmory's case. In return, Skarmory can set up entry hazards and Celesteela can simply stall Garchomp out with Leech Seed.
**Physically Defensive Pokemon**: Incredibly physically bulky Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Tangrowth, and Slowbro can all wall Choice Scarf Garchomp and cripple Swords Dance and Stealth Rock sets with status.
**Faster Offensive Pokemon**: Pokemon faster than Garchomp such as Greninja, Keldeo, and Mega Metagross can exploit Garchomp's 4x weakness to Ice-type attacks and force it out or revenge kill it.
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