Gen 5 Garchomp GP 2/2

[OVERVIEW]
Garchomp is a prominent Pokemon due to its fantastic typing, great offenses and Speed, good set versatility, and ability to fit on many teams. Garchomp's typing is superb offensively, threatening the entire metagame with its STAB moves aside from Skarmory and Bronzong. Defensively it is also very capable, commonly switching in on Tyranitar, defensive Heatran, and Thunder from Pokemon like Thundurus-T and Jirachi. Its moves have high Base Power, and it outspeeds common offensive Pokemon like Excadrill, Thundurus-T, Volcarona, Heatran, Kyurem-B, and Dragonite. This high Speed also makes Garchomp an effective Choice Scarf user, since it can revenge kill common set up sweepers like Volcarona, Dragonite, and Salamence at +1 and faster threats like Latios, Keldeo, and Alakazam. It can also be a Stealth Rock lead for hyper offense teams, a Swords Dance wallbreaker, and even a mixed attacker to break through checks to its physical sets like Gliscor and Landorus-T. These sets all differ in counterplay, making Garchomp difficult to play around. However, Garchomp can be handled offensively by a myriad of faster threats, including Latios, Alakazam, Keldeo, Terrakion, and Starmie, alongside powerful priority users like Scizor, Dragonite, and Breloom. Some Steel- and Ground-types like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Landorus-T, and Gliscor can check it defensively, with many other miscellaneous Pokemon like Politoed, Jellicent, Gastrodon, and Reuniclus surviving at least one hit to punish it with status or super effective coverage. Also, while its sets may differ in counterplay to a certain degree, most teams will be able to play around Garchomp because its offensive and defensive checks naturally fit well together.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide / Stone Edge / Stealth Rock
move 4: Dual Chop / Dragon Claw
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rock Slide lets Garchomp more consistently revenge kill Volcarona, while Stone Edge can revenge kill it and OHKO Thundurus-T after Stealth Rock in exchange for worse accuracy. Stealth Rock instead makes Garchomp a secondary setter for offensive teams that need Stealth Rock up at all times or sand teams that want Tyranitar to more easily check Latios, Reuniclus, and Thundurus-T instead of needing to set Stealth Rock every game. Garchomp also lets Stealth Rock go up early-game against Taunt leads like Aerodactyl, Terrakion, and Skarmory, which is really crucial if the opponent has a Volcarona, Dragonite, or Cloyster. However, these niches usually aren't needed. Dual Chop can break through Substitute and do damage in one turn while also KOing Focus Sash Alakazam in one turn, letting Garchomp revenge kill one of the most difficult foes for offensive teams. Dragon Claw is an alternative that has perfect accuracy and only makes Garchomp take Iron Barbs damage from Ferrothorn once. However, these benefits are not worth it most of the time.

Set Details
========
A Jolly nature is preferred over Adamant to outspeed faster sweepers like boosted Volcarona and Choice Scarf Jirachi.

Team Options
========
This set fits well on DragMag teams due to Magnezone trapping Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothorn and the other Dragon-types wallbreaking, which lets Garchomp more easily sweep; in return, it keeps opposing hyper offense teams under control. Jirachi sets up Stealth Rock so Garchomp is harder to switch into while also safely pivoting it in with U-turn. It can also take Dragon- and Ice-type moves from Pokemon like Latios, Alakazam, and Reuniclus. Powerful Dragon-type wallbreakers like Choice Specs Latios, Choice Band Dragonite, and Choice Band Kyurem-B can break the opposing team open with their powerful Dragon-type STAB moves so Garchomp can more easily sweep. Choice Scarf variants of Latios provide more of a safety net against offensive teams so Garchomp isn't overwhelmed trying to keep them under control. Dragon Dance Dragonite and Salamence can focus more on wallbreaking rather than needing to sweep every game thanks to Garchomp finishing teams off if they can't, with Dragonite even being able to provide priority as further insurance against offensive teams. Offensive Starmie wears down Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Politoed, and Jellicent so Garchomp can more easily break through them, and it keeps entry hazards off the field so Garchomp can better take a hit from setup sweepers like Volcarona in a pinch.

This set can also work on sand teams because they enjoy it revenge killing Pokemon they struggle against, like Volcarona, as well as breaking Alakazam's Focus Sash with Dual Chop. Garchomp, in turn, enjoys support from Pokemon like Tyranitar, which Pursuit traps Reuniclus, Latios, and Jellicent, Pokemon that can set up on, force out, and cripple it. Tyranitar also sets sand and can set up Stealth Rock with a Chople Berry set. Magnezone traps Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothorn so other sand teams can't pivot against it as easily. Ferrothorn, on the other hand, switches into Dragon-types like Latios and Dragonite lacking Fire Punch and Superpower, as well as Water-types like Starmie and Politoed. Ferrothorn also provides Stealth Rock and Spikes and appreciates Garchomp revenge killing Pokemon that can set up on it, like Volcarona and Dragonite. Latios switches into Water- and Grass-types like Keldeo, Politoed, and Breloom and can wear down Ground-type pivots like Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Rotom-W. Garchomp threatens Tyranitar and Steel-types like Jirachi and Heatran in return. Focus Sash Alakazam provides more insurance against offensive teams and takes out and wears down checks like Gliscor, Ferrothorn, and Landorus-T so Garchomp can sweep. Reuniclus acts as a good wincon against the bulkier teams Garchomp struggles against, switches into Gliscor and Breloom, and enjoys Garchomp's good matchup against offensive teams and Tyranitar. Gliscor has an easier time switching in against numerous foes, ensuring Garchomp doesn't get overwhelmed. It can come in on Excadrill, Jellicent, and opposing physical Garchomp and set Stealth Rock. Rotom-W is able to bring Garchomp in safely with Volt Switch, check Ground- and Water-types like Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Keldeo, and burn foes to put them on a timer. Swords Dance Landorus-T can break open walls like Skarmory and Gliscor so Garchomp can more easily sweep.

[SET]
name: Stealth Rock Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Swords Dance
item: Focus Sash / Yache Berry
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Garchomp is a great Stealth Rock setter thanks to having high Speed, having a good matchup against other common leads like Jirachi, and threatening the most common spinners in Excadrill and Starmie with its powerful STAB moves. Outrage's high power threatens many Pokemon Garchomp would like to wear down as it sacrifices itself for early damage, like Starmie, Breloom, Rotom-W, Reuniclus, and Landorus-T. Swords Dance lets Garchomp get off an even stronger hit before going down should it get a free turn after setting Stealth Rock, hard punishing the aforementioned targets and Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Jirachi.

Set Details
========
A Jolly nature is preferred over Adamant to outspeed Volcarona, Thundurus-T, positive-natured Jirachi, and Jolly Landorus-T. Focus Sash guarantees Garchomp can get Stealth Rock up against any target, and it often gives an opportunity to attack slower targets that bring it down to 1 HP. Yache Berry, on the other hand, gives Garchomp two turns to move against lead Icy Wind Jirachi. It also gives Garchomp some mid-game utility to threaten attackers like Starmie and Thundurus-T should it be preserved.

Team Options
========
This set fits well on DragMag teams due to it getting Stealth Rock up quickly and doing a lot of damage as it goes down. Magnezone is a key member of this teamstyle, as it traps Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothorn. Dragon-type wallbreakers like Choice Specs Latios, Choice Band Dragonite, and Choice Band Kyurem-B enjoy having Stealth Rock up, as do Dragon Dance Dragonite and Salamence. Choice Scarf Latios and Salamence can more easily sweep with the holes Garchomp breaks early on and the Stealth Rock it sets. Jirachi can run a more specially defensive set thanks to Garchomp getting Stealth Rock up, serving as a momentum-grabbing special wall to Dragon- and Ice-type moves from Pokemon like Latios, Alakazam, and Reuniclus. Offensive Starmie more easily wears down and takes out Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Politoed, Latios, and Jellicent with Stealth Rock support, as well as appreciating Garchomp wearing down the opposing team.

This set can also work on less centralized hyper offense teams for much of the same reasons it does on DragMag teams. Dragon Dance Dragonite sweeps more easily thanks to being able to break through bulky targets like Slowbro, Landorus-T, and Gliscor with Stealth Rock up, as well as revenge killing faster threats with Extreme Speed more easily. Stealth Rock lets Volcarona break through bulkier Pokemon that could otherwise take a hit from it, like Tyranitar, Politoed, and Gastrodon, and it can benefit from Garchomp directly wearing down these same Pokemon. Offensive Starmie better wears down and takes out Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Politoed, Latios, and Jellicent with Stealth Rock support. Swords Dance Scizor benefits from Garchomp forcing in Dragon-types and Alakazam to revenge kill it since it can set up on them while enjoying its Bullet Punch better KOing Pokemon like Volcarona, Dragonite, and opposing Garchomp, letting it easily sweep the offensive teams that'd otherwise check it. Offensive Breloom can 2HKO Pokemon like Dragonite and Thundurus-T with Stealth Rock and more easily revenge kill threats with Mach Punch. It also enjoys Garchomp chipping threats like Reuniclus and Landorus-T for it.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage / Dragon Claw / Dual Chop
move 4: Dragon Claw / Dual Chop / Substitute / Aqua Tail
item: Yache Berry / Lum Berry / Salac Berry
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Outrage is extremely powerful after a boost, 2HKOing physically defensive Gliscor and Landorus-T from full health while OHKOing Rotom-W, Politoed, and Gastrodon after Stealth Rock. It's also quite powerful even unboosted, pressuring and wearing down targets like Reuniclus, Celebi, and Politoed well for teammates. Dragon Claw can be used over or with Outrage for a drawback-free Dragon-type move. It works best with Substitute since having a reliable STAB move against Earthquake switch-ins late-game is more important than Outrage's power a lot of the time. Dual Chop performs similarly while also breaking past Substitutes and KOing Focus Sash Alakazam in one turn, which is even more effective if it's running Yache Berry or has gotten a Speed boost from Salac Berry. However, its imperfect accuracy and greater self-damage against Iron Barbs make it inferior to Dragon Claw most of the time. Substitute can be used in tandem with Salac Berry to punish the many switches Garchomp forces, give it safe setup opportunities, and sweep late-game by outspeeding the entire unboosted metagame with a Salac Berry boost. Aqua Tail can be used on rain teams to slam Landorus-T and Gliscor and 2HKO Skarmory after a Swords Dance.

Set Details
========
A Jolly nature is preferred over Adamant to outspeed Landorus-T, Volcarona, and Thundurus-T. Yache Berry lets Garchomp more comfortably take out Pokemon like Mamoswine, Thundurus-T, Starmie, Keldeo, Slowbro, Reuniclus, boosted Volcarona, and Landorus-T, as well as Alakazam if running Dual Chop. Lum Berry can be used to set up comfortably on Pokemon that may try to status it, like Rotom-W, Jellicent, and Politoed, as well as curing confusion inflicted from Outrage. Salac Berry can be used with Substitute and 30 HP IVs to activate Salac Berry after three Substitutes. Salac Berry Garchomp should only be used on Magnezone teams, however.

Team Options
========
This set fits well on DragMag teams due to Magnezone trapping Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothron and it wallbreaking with other Dragon-types to open up a sweep late-game, or other Dragon-types wallbreaking for it to sweep if it's the Substitute + Salac Berry set. Jirachi sets up Stealth Rock so Garchomp is harder to switch into while also safely pivoting it in with U-turn. It can also take Dragon- and Ice-type moves from Pokemon like Latios, Alakazam, and Reuniclus. Powerful Dragon-type wallbreakers like Choice Band Dragonite and Choice Band Kyurem-B help Garchomp sweep and wallbreak. Choice Scarf Latios and Salamence can support the Salac Berry variant by dealing with opposing offensive teams. They also enjoy Garchomp's wallbreaking, as do Dragon Dance Dragonite and Salamence, and they too help Salac Berry sweep. Dragonite even provides priority as insurance against offensive teams. Offensive Starmie wears down Pokemon like Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, Politoed, and Jellicent for Garchomp and keeps entry hazards off the field to let Salac Berry sets more safely activate their item.

This set also fits well on rain teams because it wallbreaks for many rain sweepers, helping them pivot around opposing Thundurus-T, and gaining a stronger Aqua Tail. Politoed brings rain, takes Water- and Ice-type attacks from Pokemon like Keldeo and Alakazam, and burns potential switch-ins like Slowbro and Ferrothorn with Scald. Garchomp threatens Tyranitar, aiding its team in winning the weather war, and other problematic Pokemon for rain teams, like Tentacruel, Jellicent, Gastrodon, and Rotom-W. Choice Scarf Keldeo can easily sweep after Garchomp bashes its checks and better handles offensive teams, which non-Salac Berry Garchomp can struggle against. Substitute + Agility Thundurus-T appreciates Garchomp breaking through its checks, like Gastrodon, Celebi, and Tyranitar, while sweeping offensive teams for it. Choice Scarf Latios can check Keldeo and outspeed other offensive Pokemon like Alakazam and boosted Dragonite that can give Garchomp a hard time. It also benefits from Garchomp breaking through bulky Pokemon like Tyranitar and Gastrodon so it can sweep more easily late-game.

[SET]
name: Mixed
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stealth Rock / Outrage / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Fire Blast / Surf
item: Dragon Gem / Life Orb
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Hasty / Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor nails Pokemon looking to check physical Garchomp, mainly Landorus-T, Gliscor, Slowbro, Hippowdon, and Jellicent, for a follow-up KO or for teammates to take advantage of. This set is a great Stealth Rock setter, forcing many switches and destroying Rapid Spin Excadrill. Outrage can be used with Life Orb and another Stealth Rock setter to KO Pokemon like Gastrodon, physically defensive Politoed, Rotom-W, and Celebi after using Draco Meteor. Instead, Hidden Power Ice can be run to OHKO Landorus-T and Gliscor outright for teammates that really need them removed. Fire Blast OHKOes Skarmory, Ferrothorn, Scizor, and Magnezone. On rain teams, Surf should be used over Fire Blast with Life Orb to OHKO Gliscor and Landorus-T in rain and Air Balloon Heatran after Stealth Rock. It also 2HKOes Skarmory, letting Garchomp still threaten it.

Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment is needed for Draco Meteor to threaten its targets. Dragon Gem gives Draco Meteor a larger one-time power boost than Life Orb, helping it KO its intended targets, but Life Orb is still viable. A Hasty nature is preferred over Naive to let Garchomp survive at least one Ice-type attack from weaker Pokemon like Gastrodon and Reuniclus, as well as improving its chances to survive attacks from Pokemon like Volcarona, Politoed, and Rotom-W. On the other hand, a Naive nature can be used to take Gliscor's and Excadrill's Earthquakes better and have better odds to avoid an OHKO from Choice Band Terrakion's Close Combat.

Team Options
========
This set best fits on sand teams due to it breaking through common threats with good sand matchups like Gliscor, Rotom-W, Ferrothorn, and Landorus-T while letting sand wear down its switch-ins. Tyranitar is needed on sand teams a majority of the time, with Chople Berry sets enjoying Garchomp handling Stealth Rock, while Garchomp appreciates it Pursuit trapping checks like Latios, Alakazam, and Hidden Power Ice Reuniclus. In return, Garchomp can pressure Politoed and Ferrothorn (add space) and check offensive Pokemon like Volcarona and Thundurus-T. Rotom-W can switch into Ground-type attacks and burn potential checks like Amoonguss and Politoed, so Garchomp can more easily break through them while also pivoting it in safely with Volt Switch on targets like Ferrothorn. Heatran can wear down and trap bulky Pokemon that Garchomp can't OHKO like Reuniclus with Magma Storm and check Grass-types. Garchomp can set up Stealth Rock and take out Ground-types like Excadrill, Gliscor, and Landorus-T that can check Heatran. Ferrothorn switches into Dragon-types like Latios and Dragonite lacking Fire Punch and Superpower, as well as Water-types like Starmie and Politoed. It also provides entry hazard and Knock Off support, and it appreciates Garchomp checking Fire-types like Heatran and Volcarona. Finally, physical attackers that struggle with Draco Meteor's targets, like Terrakion and Swords Dance Landorus-T, work well with this set.

This set also fits well on rain teams thanks to it wallbreaking for many rain sweepers and pivoting around opposing Thundurus-T. Politoed brings rain, takes Water- and Ice-type attacks from Pokemon like Keldeo and Alakazam, and burns Pokemon that can potentially switch into Garchomp like Celebi and Ferrothorn with Scald. Garchomp threatens Tyranitar, aiding its team in the weather war, and other problematic Pokemon for rain, like Tentacruel, Jellicent, Gastrodon, and Rotom-W. Choice Scarf Keldeo can more easily sweep once Garchomp wears down its checks and better handles offensive teams, which Garchomp can struggle against. Substitute + Agility Thundurus-T appreciates Garchomp wearing down checks to it, like Gastrodon, Celebi, and Tyranitar, while it can sweep through offensive teams. Substitute + Calm Mind Jirachi is a good wincon that benefits from Garchomp wearing down its checks and can take Dragon- and Ice-type moves from Pokemon like Latios and Alakazam. Choice Scarf Latios can check Keldeo and outspeed other offensive Pokemon like Alakazam and boosted Dragonite which can give Garchomp a hard time while benefitting from it breaking through bulky Pokemon like Tyranitar and Gastrodon to sweep late-game.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band may seem like a good option for more immediate wallbreaking and Garchomp's nearly unresisted STAB combination. However, Swords Dance sets are better wallbreakers because they can switch moves and too many common Pokemon are immune to Earthquake. Haban Berry on the Swords Dance set can be used to take powerful Dragon-type moves from Choice Scarf Latios and opposing Garchomp, letting it more reliably revenge kill them. However, Yache Berry and Lum Berry are more consistently useful. Fire Fang with Fire Gem on Swords Dance sets can pressure Skarmory and OHKO Ferrothorn on teams that lack Magnezone support. However, Fire Fang doesn't have any utility outside of this, so running Magnezone is usually the better option. A bulky Rocky Helmet set can generate a ton of residual damage between Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin and set Stealth Rock. However, bulky Garchomp is outclassed by Landorus-T and Gliscor, which are much bulkier, immune to Spikes and Ground-type moves, and provide more team support with Intimidate and Knock Off, respectively. Fling can be used over Rock Slide with Choice Scarf for matchups where being able to switch moves is more valuable. Toxic can also be used over Rock Slide on that set to cripple bulky Pokemon like Landorus-T, Jellicent, and Politoed on the switch, while Sandstorm instead lets weatherless teams remove rain and sun, giving much more leeway to play around them.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon that can hit Garchomp super effectively, like Latios, Alakazam, Keldeo, Mamoswine, Starmie, and Terrakion, all force it out. Keldeo and Latios can also run Choice Scarf to even outspeed Choice Scarf and Salac Berry variants, with Mamoswine functioning similarly via Ice Shard. However, these Pokemon struggle to switch in safely, and Yache Berry can mitigate the threat of Alakazam, Keldeo outside of rain, and Mamoswine. Focus Sash variants match up better against all of these Pokemon.

**Bulky Pokemon**: Bulkier Pokemon like Landorus-T, Gliscor, Slowbro, and Reuniclus can take at least one of Garchomp's hits from full health, even after a Swords Dance, and hit it back with Ice-type coverage. However, they are worn down significantly by Draco Meteor and Swords Dance-boosted Outrage.

**Status**: Burn makes Garchomp unable to achieve anything significant offensively. Poison puts it on a timer and makes it unable to switch into Pokemon like Heatran safely.

**Skarmory**: Skarmory stonewalls Swords Dance sets and can set up Spikes, heal off their hits with Roost, and phaze them. However, it can be taken out by +2 Aqua Tail in rain, Fire Blast from the mixed set, and Garchomp's common teammate Magnezone.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Ophion, 433215]]
- Quality checked by: [[BluBirD252, 347088], [Finchinator, 114198]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [dex, 277988]]
 
Last edited:

Finchinator

-OUTL
is a Tournament Directoris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Community Leaderis a Community Contributoris a Smogon Discord Contributoris a Top Tiering Contributoris a Contributor to Smogonis a Top Smogon Media Contributoris a Top Dedicated Tournament Hostis a Senior Staff Member Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnusis a Past WCoP Championis the defending OU Circuit Championis a Two-Time Former Old Generation Tournament Circuit Champion
OU Leader
Its typing is superb offensively, making it able to threaten the entire metagame outside of Skarmory and Bronzong with just its STABs, with them being able to be handled easily with Fire-type coverage or Magnezone support while defensively, it can come in easily on Tyranitar and Heatran lacking Ice-type coverage as well as Electric-type moves from Rotom-W and Thundurus-T.
This sentence is a headache and I know part of that is probably in GP's hands, but I strongly implore you to change it to:
Garchomp's typing is superb offensively, allowing it to threaten the entire metagame with STABs aside from Skarmory and Bronzong. Defensively it is also very capable, pivoting on numerous common Pokemon such as Tyranitar and defensive Heatran. Additionally, Garchomp provides an immunity to Electric type attacks, which is a valuable asset to any viable team.

It covers all of the same topics without being as awkwardly long and undivided.

---

Rest of intro is good.

In set comments for Scarf, mention that SR is specifically good against "leads" like Skarm, Terrak, and Aero with Taunt that try to prevent opposing SR at the start. Being quicker and getting up SR is huge if they have Volcarona or Dragonite or Cloyster.

Rest of the first set and all of the second set are good.

Add Thundurus-T to the list of Yache Pokemon for the second SD set -- it's super important to have a check to it nowadays.

You can mention Fling in OO as a potential fourth move on choiced sets if you have a match-up where swapping STABs is clutch. Toxic and Sandstorm also have some merit in this slot -- the former to catch bulky Waters and the latter to end Rain/Sun vs those match-ups when used on weatherless.

Rest is fine, 2/2
 

Adeleine

after committing a dangerous crime
is a Top Social Media Contributoris a Community Contributoris a Smogon Discord Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
Add/Fix Remove Comment
(AC): Add Comma

[OVERVIEW]
Garchomp is a prominent Pokemon due to its fantastic typing, great offenses and Speed, good set versatility, and ability to fit on many teams. Garchomp's typing is superb offensively, allowing it to threatening the entire metagame with its STAB moves aside from Skarmory and Bronzong. Defensively it is also very capable, commonly switching on numerous common Pokemon such as in on Tyranitar, defensive Heatran, and Thunder from Pokemon like Thundurus-T and Jirachi. Garchomp is also very strong thanks to its moves having high base power in tandem with its high Speed letting Its moves have high Base Power and it outspeeds common offensive Pokemon like Excadrill, Thundurus-T, Volcarona, Heatran, Kyurem-B, and Dragonite. This high natural Speed also makes Garchomp an effective Choice Scarf user, since it can outspeed revenge kill common boosting threats like Volcarona, Dragonite, and Salamence at +1 (I imagine?) and faster threats like Latios, Keldeo, and Alakazam and revenge kill them. It can also fill many other roles on many teams, including be a Stealth Rock lead for hyper offense, a Swords Dance to wallbreaker, and even a mixed set attacker to break through checks to its physical sets like Gliscor and Landorus-T. These sets can all differ in counterplay, and make making Garchomp difficult to play around. However, Garchomp can be handled offensively by a myriad of faster threats, including Latios, Alakazam, Keldeo, Terrakion, and Starmie, (AC) and alongside powerful priority users like Scizor, Dragonite, and Breloom. It's also able to be defensively checked by some Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Skarmory and Ground-types like Landorus-T and Gliscor, Some Steel- and Ground-types like karmory, Landorus-T, and Skarmory can check it defensively, with many other miscellaneous Pokemon like Politoed, Jellicent, Gastrodon, and Reuniclus being able to take at least one hit from it and surviving at least one hit to punish it back with status or super effective coverage. And while all of Also, while its sets may differ in counterplay to a certain degree, most teams will be able to play around them as a result of many of Garchomp because its offensive and defensive checks being paired naturally fit well together.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide / Stone Edge / Stealth Rock
move 4: Dual Chop / Dragon Claw
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rock Slide lets Garchomp more consistently revenge kill Volcarona, while Stone Edge can be used to do the same revenge kill it and OHKO Thundurus-T after Stealth Rock in exchange for worse accuracy. Stealth Rock can be used over Rock Slide as a secondary Stealth Rock user instead makes Garchomp a secondary setter for offensive teams that need Stealth Rock up at all times or on sand teams that want Tyranitar to have more flexibility in checking the (moveslot? health? something else? pls clarify, restructuring sentence if needed) to check Latios, Reuniclus, and Thundurus-T instead of needing to set Stealth Rock every game. It Garchomp also lets Stealth Rock go up early-game against Taunt leads like Aerodactyl, Terrakion, and Skarmory that try to prevent Stealth Rock from going up, Skarmory, which is really crucial if the opponent has a Volcarona, Dragonite, or Cloyster. However, this usually isn't needed, and takes away from Garchomp's utility of revenge killing Volcarona. these niches usually aren't needed. Dual Chop can break through Substitute and do damage in one turn while also KOing Focus Sash Alakazam in one turn, letting Garchomp revenge kill one of the most difficult Pokemon to take care of foes for offensive teams. Dragon Claw is an alternative that has perfect accuracy and only makes Garchomp take Iron Barbs damage from Ferrothorn once should it attack into it. However, it lacks Dual Chop's benefits, which makes it not worth it most of the time. once. However, these benefits are not worth it most of the time.

Set Details
========
Jolly is preferred over Adamant to outspeed faster sweepers like boosted Volcarona and Choice Scarf Jirachi.

Team Options
========
This set fits well on DragMag teams due to Magnezone trapping Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothorn and the other Dragon-types wallbreaking, (AC) so Garchomp can more easily sweep while it also which lets Garchomp more easily sweep, and in return it keeps opposing hyper offense teams under control. Magnezone is a key member of this teamstyle, and traps Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothorn. Jirachi sets up Stealth Rock so Garchomp is harder to switch into while also safely pivoting it in with U-Turn. U-turn. It can also take Dragon- and Ice-type moves from Pokemon like Latios, Alakazam, and Reuniclus. Powerful Dragon-type wallbreakers like Choice Specs Latios, Choice Band Dragonite, and Choice Band Kyurem-B is able to can break the opposing team open with their powerful Dragon-type STAB move so Garchomp can more easily sweep. Choice Scarf variants of Latios can also be paired with this set to provide more of a safety net against offensive teams so Garchomp isn't overwhelmed to keep them under control. Dragon Dance Dragonite and Salamence can focus more on breaking holes in the opposing team wallbreaking rather than needing to sweep every game thanks to Garchomp being able to finish the job for them should they be unable to, finishing teams off if they can't, with Dragonite even being able to provide priority as further insurance against offensive teams in tandem with Garchomp. Offensive Starmie wears down Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Politoed, and Jellicent so Garchomp can more easily break through them, (AC) and it keeps entry hazards off the field so Garchomp can better take a hit from setup sweepers like Volcarona more easily in a pinch.

This set can also work on sand teams because they enjoy it revenge killing Pokemon they can struggle against, like Volcarona, as well as breaking Alakazam's Focus Sash with Dual Chop while this set enjoys the support sand teams can provide or it to sweep. Tyranitar sets sand and can set up Stealth Rock with a Chople Berry set that also Chop. Garchomp in turn enjoys support from Pokemon like Tyranitar, which Pursuit traps Reuniclus, Latios, and Jellicent, which Pokemon that can set up on, force out, and cripple Garchomp. it. Tyranitar also sets sand and can set up Stealth Rock with a Chople Berry set. Magnezone is another important partner as it traps Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothorn so the set isn't as easily pivoted to against sand teams. other sand teams can't pivot against it as easily. (I imagine?) Ferrothorn, on the other hand, switches into Dragon-types like Latios and Dragonite lacking Fire Punch and Superpower, (AC) as well as Water-types like Starmie and Politoed. Ferrothorn also provides entry hazards in the form of Stealth Rock and Spikes and appreciates Garchomp revenge killing Pokemon that can set up on it, like Volcarona and Dragonite. Latios switches into Water- and Grass-types like Keldeo, Politoed, and Breloom and can wear down Ground-type pivots like Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Rotom-W. Garchomp threatens Tyranitar and Steel-types like Jirachi and Heatran in return. Focus Sash Alakazam provides more insurance against offensive teams should Garchomp be unable to pressure them enough and takes out and wears down checks like Gliscor, Ferrothorn, and Landorus-T so Garchomp can sweep. Reuniclus can act as a good wincon against the bulkier teams Garchomp struggles against, pivot into Gliscor and Breloom, and enjoys Garchomp's better matchup against offensive teams and Tyranitar. Gliscor can act as a better switch-in to Pokemon Ground-types should switch into so is a better Ground-type for switching into foes, ensuring (I imagine?) Garchomp doesn't get overwhelmed. It can come in on Excadrill, Jellicent, and opposing physical Garchomp and set Stealth Rock. Rotom-W is able to Volt Switch bring Garchomp in safely with Volt Switch, check Ground- and Water-types like Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Keldeo, and burning opposing Pokemon burn foes to put them on a timer. Swords Dance Landorus-T can break open walls like Skarmory and Gliscor with its Swords Dance set so Garchomp can more easily sweep.

[SET]
name: Stealth Rock Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Swords Dance
item: Focus Sash / Yache Berry
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Garchomp is a great Stealth Rock setter thanks to its having high Speed, having a good matchup against other common leads like Jirachi, and threatening the most common spinners in Excadrill and Starmie with its powerful STAB moves. Outrage is the preferred Dragon STAB due to its higher power threatening Outrage's high power threatens many Pokemon Garchomp would like to wear down as it sacrifices itself for early damage, like Starmie, Breloom, Rotom-W, Reuniclus, and Landorus-T. Swords Dance lets Garchomp get off an even stronger hit before going down should it get a free turn after it sets up setting Stealth Rock, letting really wear down really wearing down most of the aforementioned targets of Outrage, (AC) as well as Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Jirachi.

Set Details
========
Jolly is preferred over Adamant to outspeed Volcarona, Thundurus-T, positive-natured Jirachi, and Jolly Landorus-T. Focus Sash is the preferred item due to it guarenteeing guarantees Garchomp can get Stealth Rock up against any target, while also often giving it and it often gives an opportunity to attack slower targets that bring it down to 1 HP. Yache Berry, on the other hand, lets Garchomp get 2 turns to move against Icy Wind Jirachi leads since the Focus Sash set would get 2HKO'd and outsped after Icy Wind's Speed drop. gives Garchomp two turns to move against Icy Wind Jirachi leads. It also gives Garchomp some mid-game utility to threaten attackers like Starmie and Thundurus-T should it be preserved.

Team Options
========
This set fits well on DragMag teams due to it getting Stealth Rock up quickly and being able to do doing a lot of damage as it goes down. Magnezone is a key member of this teamstyle, and it traps Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothorn. Wallbreaking Dragon-type wallbreakers like Choice Specs Latios, Choice Band Dragonite, and Choice Band Kyurem-B are more easily able to break the opposing team with enjoy having Stealth Rock up, as do Dragon Dance Dragonite and Salamence. Choice Scarf Latios and Salamence are able to can more easily sweep with the holes Garchomp breaks early on (removed hyphen) and the Stealth Rock it sets. Dragon Dance Dragonite and Salamence can similarly sweep more easily thanks to being able to break through bulky targets like Slowbro, Landorus-T, and Gliscor with Stealth Rock down. Jirachi can run a more specially defensive set thanks to Garchomp getting Stealth Rock up, bringing these teams serving as a momentum-grabbing special wall for to Dragon- and Ice-type moves from Pokemon like Latios, Alakazam, and Reuniclus. Offensive Starmie more easily wears down and takes out Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Politoed, Latios, and Jellicent with Stealth Rock support, (AC) while also as well as appreciating Garchomp wearing down the opposing team.

This set can also work on less centralized hyper offense teams for much of the same reasons as it does on DragMag teams. Dragon Dance Dragonite sweeps more easily thanks to being able to break through bulky targets like Slowbro, Landorus-T, and Gliscor with Stealth Rock down while also up, as well as revenge killing faster threats with Extreme Speed more easily for the same reason. Volcarona can easily. Stealth Rock lets Volcarona break through bulkier Pokemon that could otherwise take a hit from it, like Tyranitar, Politoed, and Gastrodon, (AC) and it can benefit from Garchomp also directly wearing down these same Pokemon. Offensive Starmie more easily better wears down and takes out Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Politoed, Latios, and Jellicent with Stealth Rock support while also appreciating Garchomp wearing down the opposing team into range of its attacks. Swords Dance Scizor benefits from Garchomp forcing in Dragon-types and Alakazam to revenge kill it, (AC) since it can set up on them, (AC) while enjoying its Bullet Punch being able to KO better KOing Pokemon like Volcarona, Dragonite, and opposing Garchomp, making it able to easily sweep through Garchomp, letting it easily sweep the offensive teams that'd otherwise check and force it out due to its lower natural Speed. it. Offensive Breloom can 2HKO Pokemon like Dragonite and Thundurus-T with Stealth Rock support while also being able to Rock and more easily revenge kill threats with Mach Punch. It also enjoys Garchomp chipping threats like Reuniclus and Landorus-T for it.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage / Dragon Claw / Dual Chop
move 4: Dual Chop / Dragon Claw / Dual Chop / (confirmed on disc) Substitute / Aqua Tail
item: Yache Berry / Lum Berry / Salac Berry
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Outrage is extremely powerful after a boost, 2HKOing physically defensive Gliscor and Landorus-T from full health while being able to OHKO Rotom-W Politoed OHKOing Rotom-W, Politoed, and Gastrodon after Stealth Rock. It's also quite powerful even unboosted, better pressuring and wearing down targets like Reuniclus, Celebi, and Politoed well for teammates. Dragon Claw can be used over or with Outrage if you want Garchomp's Dragon-type STAB to not force it to be locked into a move while also having perfect accuracy over Dual Chop, working for a drawback-free Dragon-type move. It works best with Substitute + Swords Dance sets, (AC) since them having a reliable STAB to use against Ground-type switch-ins in the move against Earthquake switch-ins late-game is more important than Outrage's power a lot of the time. Dual Chop similarly doesn't lock Garchomp like Outrage does while also letting it break through Substitute and do damage in one turn while also performs similarly while also breaking past Substitutes and KOing Focus Sash Alakazam in one turn, the latter if it's running Yache Berry or has gotten a Speed boost from Salac Berry. However, its imperfect accuracy and getting hit twice upon use into greater self-damage against Iron Barbs makes it inferior to Dragon Claw most of the time. Substitute can be used in tandem with Salac Berry to let Garchomp punish the many switches it Garchomp forces, get it safe setup opportunities, and let it sweep late-game once its checks have been removed due to it by outspeeding the entire unboosted metagame with a Salac Berry boost. Aqua Tail can be used on rain teams to slam Landorus-T and Gliscor and 2HKO Skarmory after a Swords Dance.

Set Details
========
Jolly is preferred over Adamant because Garchomp is already plenty strong and Jolly lets it outspeed Landorus-T, Volcarona, and Thundurus-T. Yache Berry lets Garchomp take Ice-type attacks from and more comfortably take out Pokemon like Mamoswine, Thundurus-T, Starmie, Keldeo, Slowbro, Reuniclus, boosted Volcarona, and Landorus-T, as well as Alakazam if running Dual Chop. Lum Berry can be used to let Garchomp set up comfortably on Pokemon that may try to status it, like Rotom-W, Jellicent, and Politoed, (AC) as well as cure curing confusion inflicted from Outrage. Salac Berry can be used with Substitute and 30 HP IVs on to Substitute 3 times into getting the Salac Berry Speed boost to sweep offensive teams with Pokemon that can outspeed it but not take its hits comfortably. to activate Salac Berry after three Substitutes. Salac Berry Garchomp should only be used on Magnezone teams, however.

Team Options
========
This set fits well on DragMag teams due to Magnezone trapping Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothron and it wallbreaking in tandem with other Dragon-types to open up a sweep late-game, (AC) or other Dragon-types wallbreaking for it to sweep if it's the Substitute + Salac Berry set. Magnezone is a key member of this teamstyle, and traps Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothorn. Jirachi sets up Stealth Rock so Garchomp is harder to switch into while also safely pivoting it in with U-turn. It can also take Dragon- and Ice-type moves from Pokemon like Latios, Alakazam, and Reuniclus. Powerful Dragon-type wallbreakers like Choice Band Dragonite and Choice Band Kyurem-B are able to break the opposing team open with their powerful Dragon STAB so Garchomp can more easily sweep and wallbreak in tandem with it. Choice Scarf variants of Latios and Salamence can also be paired with this set to provide more a safety net against offensive teams so the Salac Berry variant isn't as pressured to handle opposing offensive teams and benefit from Garchomp wallbreaking for them. Dragon Dance Dragonite and Salamence also enjoy from Garchomp wallbreaking for them so they can more easily sweep and can wallbreak for Garchomp if it's Salac Berry so it can sweep late-game, with Dragonite even being able to provide priority as insurance against offensive teams. help Garchomp sweep and wallbreak. Choice Scarf Latios and Salamence can support the Salac Berry variant against opposing offensive teams. They also enjoy Garchomp's wallbreaking, as do Dragon Dance Dragonite and Salamence, and they too help Salac Berry sweep. Dragonite even provides priority as insurance against offensive teams. Offensive Starmie wears down Pokemon like Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, Politoed, and Jellicent so Garchomp can more easily break through them and keeps entry hazards off the field so Garchomp can more safely activate its Salac Berry in the case it needs to take a powerful hit. for Garchomp and keeps entry hazards off the field to let Salac Berry sets more safely activate their item.

This set also fits well on rain teams thanks to it breaking through bulkier threats because it wallbreaks for many rain sweepers, making it easier to helping them pivot around opposing Thundurus-T, and being more easily able to run gaining a stronger Aqua Tail. Politoed brings rain, takes Water- and Ice-type attacks from Pokemon like Keldeo and Alakazam, and burns potential switch-ins like Slowbro and Ferrothorn with Scald. Garchomp threatens Tyranitar, aiding its team in winning the weather war, as well as and other problematic Pokemon for rain teams, like Tentacruel, Jellicent, Gastrodon, and Rotom-W. Choice Scarf Keldeo is able to easily sweep late-game attacks once Garchomp wears down and takes out its can easily sweep after Garchomp bashes its checks and better handles offensive teams, (AC) that which non-Salac Berry Garchomp can struggle against. Subsitute + Agility Thundurus-T appreciates Garchomp breaking through checks to it, like Gastrodon, Celebi, and Tyranitar, (AC) while it can sweep through the offensive teams Garchomp doesn't do as well against. sweeping offensive teams for it. Choice Scarf Latios can check Keldeo and outspeed other offensive Pokemon like Alakazam and boosted Dragonite that can give Garchomp a hard time. It also benefits from it Garchomp breaking through bulky Pokemon like Tyranitar and Gastrodon so it can sweep more easily late-game.

[SET]
name: Mixed
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stealth Rock / Outrage / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Fire Blast / Surf
item: Dragon Gem / Life Orb
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Hasty / Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor lures in and does a ton of damage to checks to physical Garchomp sets, nails Pokemon looking to check physical Garchomp, mainly Landorus-T, Gliscor, Slowbro, Hippowdon, and Jellicent, (AC) so it can take them out with a follow up attack or let teammates take advantage of the damage on these threats. for a follow-up KO or for teammates to take advantage of. This set is a great Stealth Rock setter, (AC) thanks to it forcing many switches and destroying Rapid Spin Excadrill. Outrage can be used with Life Orb to bring a strong physical Dragon-type STAB that lets it and another Stealth Rock setter to (I assume?) KO Pokemon like Gastrodon, physically defensive Politoed, Rotom-W, and Celebi after using Draco Meteor. Hidden Power Ice can be used if another Stealth Rock setter is already being used on a different team member to can instead OHKO Landorus-T and Gliscor outright for teammates that really need them to be removed. Fire Blast OHKOes Skarmory, Ferrothorn, Scizor, and Magnezone. If this set is used on a rain team, On rain teams, Surf should be used over Fire Blast with Life Orb to OHKO Gliscor and Landorus-T in rain while the same is true for rain, alongside Air Balloon Heatran after Stealth Rock. It also 2HKOes Skarmory, letting Garchomp still threaten it.

Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment is needed to give Draco Meteor the power for Draco Meteor to threaten its targets. Dragon Gem gives Draco Meteor a larger one-time power boost than Life Orb, making it more easily able to helping it KO its intended targets while Life Orb gives a more consistent power boost that applies to all of Garchomp's moves. targets, but Life Orb is still viable. A Hasty nature is preferred over Naive to let Garchomp survive at least at least one Ice-type attack from weaker Pokemon like Gastrodon and Reuniclus, (AC) as well as improve improving its chances to survive attacks from Pokemon like Volcarona, Politoed, and Rotom-W. Naive can also be used if being able to more comfortably to take Gliscor's and Excadrill's Earthquakes, though, and having if much better odds to avoid an OHKO from Choice Band Terrakion's Close Combat is more neccessary.

Team Options
========
This set best fits on sand teams due to how it can break through common bulky targets breaking through common threats with good sand matchups like Gliscor, Rotom-W, Ferrothorn, and Landorus-T that can usually do well against sand teams and benefits from its potential switch-ins getting worn down by sand. while letting sand wear down its switch-ins. Tyranitar is needed on sand teams a majority of the time, and can run Thunder Wave or a coverage move instead of Stealth Rock on a Chople Berry set should Garchomp be running Stealth Rock while also Pursuit trapping with Chople Berry sets enjoying Garchomp handling Stealth Rock, and Pursuit traps Garchomp answers like Latios, Alakazam, and Hidden Power Ice Reuniclus. Garchomp can pressure Politoed, Ferrothorn, Politoed and Ferrothornand check offensive Pokemon like Volcarona and Thundurus-T in return. Rotom-W can switch into Ground-type attacks and burn potential checks like Amoonguss and Politoed with Will-O-Wisp Politoed, so Garchomp can more easily break through them, (AC) while also pivoting Garchomp it in safely with Volt Switch on targets like Ferrothorn. Heatran can wear down and trap bulky Pokemon that can take at least one hit from Garchomp can't OHKO like Reuniclus with Magma Storm set and check Grass-types. Garchomp can set up Stealth Rock and take out Ground-types like Excadrill, Gliscor, and Landorus-T that can check Heatran. Ferrothorn switches into Dragon-types like Latios and Dragonite lacking Fire Punch and Superpower, (AC) as well as Water-types like Starmie and Politoed. It also provides entry hazard and Knock Off support to wear down the opposing team and support, and it appreciates Garchomp checking Fire-types like Heatran and Volcarona. Physical attackers that struggle with Draco Meteor's targets, like Terrakion and Swords Dance Landorus-T, work well with this set due to it wearing down their checks into range of their attacks with Draco Meteor.

This set also fits well on rain teams thanks to it wallbreaking for many rain sweepers and packing an Electric immunity to more easily pivot pivoting around opposing Thundurus-T. Politoed brings rain, takes Water- and Ice-type attacks from Pokemon like Keldeo and Alakazam, and burns Pokemon that can potentially switch into Garchomp (RC) like Celebi and Ferrothorn with Scald. Garchomp threatens Tyranitar, aiding its team in winning the weather war, as well as and other problematic Pokemon for rain, like Tentacruel, Jellicent, Gastrodon, and Rotom-W. Choice Scarf Keldeo can more easily sweep the opposing team out late-game attacks once Garchomp wears down its checks and better handles offensive teams, (AC) that which Garchomp can struggle against. Subsitute + Agility Thundurus-T appreciates Garchomp wearing down checks to it like Gastrodon, Celebi, and Tyranitar, (AC) while it can sweep through the offensive teams Garchomp doesn't do as well against. offensive teams. Substitute + Calm Mind Jirachi acts as it a good wincon that benefits from Garchomp wearing down its checks and can take Dragon- and Ice-type moves from Pokemon like Latios and Alakazam. Choice Scarf Latios can check Keldeo and outspeed other offensive Pokemon like Alakazam and boosted Dragonite, (AC) that which can give Garchomp a hard time, (AC) while benefitting from it breaking through bulky Pokemon like Tyranitar and Gastrodon so it can sweep more easily to sweep late-game.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band may seem like good option for a more immediate ability to wallbreak as a result of for more immediate wallbreaking and Garchomp's nearly unresisted STAB combination. However, Swords Dance sets are better wallbreakers as a result of being able to because they can switch moves and enough Pokemon are immune to Earthquake. (I assume?) Haban Berry on the Swords Dance set can be used to let Garchomp take powerful Dragon-type moves from Choice Scarf Latios and opposing Garchomp, letting it more reliably revenge kill them. However, Yache Berry and Lum Berry are more consistently useful. Fire Fang can be run with Fire Gem on Swords Dance sets to can pressure Skarmory and OHKO Ferrothorn on teams that lack Magnezone support. However, Fire Fang doesn't have any utility outside of this, and so running Magnezone is usually the better option as a result. A bulky Rocky Helmet set can generate a ton of residual damage between Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin on contact moves and set Stealth Rock. However, bulky Garchomp is outclassed by Landorus-T and Gliscor due to them also being able to set Stealth Rock and being Gliscor, which are much bulkier, are immune to Spikes and Ground-type moves, and providing provide more team support with Intimidate and Knock Off, respectively. Fling can be used over Rock Slide on the with Choice Scarf for matchups where being able to switch moves is more valuable. Toxic can also be used over Rock Slide on that set to cripple bulky Pokemon like Landorus-T, Jellicent, and Politoed on the switch, (AC) while Sandstorm can also be used in the same slot on weatherless teams to instead lets weatherless teams remove rain and sun, giving the team much more leeway in playing to play around them.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon that can hit Garchomp super effectively, like Latios, Alakazam, Keldeo, Mamoswine, Starmie, and Terrakion, (AC) all force it out. Keldeo and Latios can also run Choice Scarf sets to even outspeed Choice Scarf and Salac Berry-boosted variants, (AC) while Mamoswine similarly functions with with Mamoswine functioning similarly via Ice Shard. However, these Pokemon struggle to switch in safely and Yache Berry can mitigate the threat of Alakazam, Keldeo outside of rain, and Mamoswine from revenge killing it and the same applies for all these Pokemon against Focus Sash variants. Mamoswine. Focus Sash variants match up better against all of these Pokemon.

**Bulky Pokemon**: Bulkier Pokemon like Landorus-T, Gliscor, Slowbro, and Reuniclus can take at least one of Garchomp's hits from full health, even after a Swords Dance, and hit it back super effectively with Ice-type coverage. However, they can all be are worn down significantly by Draco Meteor from the mixed set and Swords Dance-boosted Outrage.

**Status**: Burn cuts Garchomp's Attack, making it makes Garchomp unable to achieve anything significant offensively. Poison wears it down, putting puts it on a timer and makes it unable to switch into Pokemon like Heatran safely.

**Skarmory**: Skarmory stone walls stonewalls Swords Dance sets and can set up Spikes, heal off their hits with Roost, and phase them out. phaze them. However, it can be taken out by +2 Aqua Tail in rain, (AC) from the Swords Dance set and Fire Blast from the mixed set, (AC) and trapped by Magnezone. Garchomp's common teammate in trapper Magnezone.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Ophion, 433215]]
- Quality checked by: [[BluBirD252, 347088], [Finchinator, 114198]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [ , ]]
 
Last edited:

dex

Hard as Vince Carter’s knee cartilage is
is a Site Content Manageris an official Team Rateris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Forum Moderatoris a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a CAP Contributor Alumnus
GP Check
[OVERVIEW]
Garchomp is a prominent Pokemon due to its fantastic typing, great offenses and Speed, good set versatility, and ability to fit on many teams. Garchomp's typing is superb offensively, threatening the entire metagame with its STAB moves aside from Skarmory and Bronzong. Defensively it is also very capable, commonly switching in on Tyranitar, defensive Heatran, and Thunder from Pokemon like Thundurus-T and Jirachi. Its moves have high Base Power, and it outspeeds common offensive Pokemon like Excadrill, Thundurus-T, Volcarona, Heatran, Kyurem-B, and Dragonite. This high Speed also makes Garchomp an effective Choice Scarf user, since it can revenge kill common boosting threatset up sweepers like Volcarona, Dragonite, and Salamence at +1 and faster threats like Latios, Keldeo, and Alakazam. It can also be a Stealth Rock lead for hyper offense teams, a Swords Dance wallbreaker, and even a mixed attacker to break through checks to its physical sets like Gliscor and Landorus-T. These sets all differ in counterplay, making Garchomp difficult to play around. However, Garchomp can be handled offensively by a myriad of faster threats, including Latios, Alakazam, Keldeo, Terrakion, and Starmie, alongside powerful priority users like Scizor, Dragonite, and Breloom. Some Steel- and Ground-types like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, Landorus-T, and SkarmoryGliscor can check it defensively, with many other miscellaneous Pokemon like Politoed, Jellicent, Gastrodon, and Reuniclus surviving at least one hit to punish it with status or super effective coverage. Also, while its sets may differ in counterplay to a certain degree, most teams will be able to play around Garchomp because its offensive and defensive checks naturally fit well together.

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide / Stone Edge / Stealth Rock
move 4: Dual Chop / Dragon Claw
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Rock Slide lets Garchomp more consistently revenge kill Volcarona, while Stone Edge can revenge kill it and OHKO Thundurus-T after Stealth Rock in exchange for worse accuracy. Stealth Rock instead makes Garchomp a secondary setter for offensive teams that need Stealth Rock up at all times or sand teams that want Tyranitar to more easily stay healthy to check Latios, Reuniclus, and Thundurus-T instead of needing to set Stealth Rock every game. Garchomp also lets Stealth Rock go up early-game against Taunt leads like Aerodactyl, Terrakion, and Skarmory, which is really crucial if the opponent has a Volcarona, Dragonite, or Cloyster. However, these niches usually aren't needed. Dual Chop can break through Substitute and do damage in one turn while also KOing Focus Sash Alakazam in one turn, letting Garchomp revenge kill one of the most difficult foes for offensive teams. Dragon Claw is an alternative that has perfect accuracy and only makes Garchomp take Iron Barbs damage from Ferrothorn once. However, these benefits are not worth it most of the time.

Set Details
========
A Jolly nature is preferred over Adamant to outspeed faster sweepers like boosted Volcarona and Choice Scarf Jirachi.

Team Options
========
This set fits well on DragMag teams due to Magnezone trapping Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothorn and the other Dragon-types wallbreaking, which lets Garchomp more easily sweep, and in return; in return, it keeps opposing hyper offense teams under control. Jirachi sets up Stealth Rock so Garchomp is harder to switch into while also safely pivoting it in with U-turn. It can also take Dragon- and Ice-type moves from Pokemon like Latios, Alakazam, and Reuniclus. Powerful Dragon-type wallbreakers like Choice Specs Latios, Choice Band Dragonite, and Choice Band Kyurem-B can break the opposing team open with their powerful Dragon-type STAB moves so Garchomp can more easily sweep. Choice Scarf variants of Latios provide more of a safety net against offensive teams so Garchomp isn't overwhelmed trying to keep them under control. Dragon Dance Dragonite and Salamence can focus more on wallbreaking rather than needing to sweep every game thanks to Garchomp finishing teams off if they can't, with Dragonite even being able to provide priority as further insurance against offensive teams. Offensive Starmie wears down Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Politoed, and Jellicent so Garchomp can more easily break through them, and it keeps entry hazards off the field so Garchomp can better take a hit from setup sweepers like Volcarona in a pinch.

This set can also work on sand teams because they enjoy it revenge killing Pokemon they can struggle against, like Volcarona, as well as breaking Alakazam's Focus Sash with Dual Chop. Garchomp, in turn, enjoys support from Pokemon like Tyranitar, which Pursuit traps Reuniclus, Latios, and Jellicent, Pokemon that can set up on, force out, and cripple it. Tyranitar also sets sand and can set up Stealth Rock with a Chople Berry set. Magnezone traps Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothorn so other sand teams can't pivot against it as easily. Ferrothorn, on the other hand, switches into Dragon-types like Latios and Dragonite lacking Fire Punch and Superpower, as well as Water-types like Starmie and Politoed. Ferrothorn also provides Stealth Rock and Spikes and appreciates Garchomp revenge killing Pokemon that can set up on it, like Volcarona and Dragonite. Latios switches into Water- and Grass-types like Keldeo, Politoed, and Breloom and can wear down Ground-type pivots like Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Rotom-W. Garchomp threatens Tyranitar and Steel-types like Jirachi and Heatran in return. Focus Sash Alakazam provides more insurance against offensive teams and takes out and wears down checks like Gliscor, Ferrothorn, and Landorus-T so Garchomp can sweep. Reuniclus can acts as a good wincon against the bulkier teams Garchomp struggles against, pivotswitches into Gliscor and Breloom, and enjoy Garchomp's betters Garchomp's good matchup against offensive teams and Tyranitar. Gliscor is a better Ground-type for switching intohas an easier time switching in against numerous foes, ensuring Garchomp doesn't get overwhelmed. It can come in on Excadrill, Jellicent, and opposing physical Garchomp and set Stealth Rock. Rotom-W is able to bring Garchomp in safely with Volt Switch, check Ground- and Water-types like Gliscor, Landorus-T, and Keldeo, and burn foes to put them on a timer. Swords Dance Landorus-T can break open walls like Skarmory and Gliscor so Garchomp can more easily sweep.

[SET]
name: Stealth Rock Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Swords Dance
item: Focus Sash / Yache Berry
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Garchomp is a great Stealth Rock setter thanks to having high Speed, having a good matchup against other common leads like Jirachi, and threatening the most common spinners in Excadrill and Starmie with its powerful STAB moves. Outrage's high power threatens many Pokemon Garchomp would like to wear down as it sacrifices itself for early damage, like Starmie, Breloom, Rotom-W, Reuniclus, and Landorus-T. Swords Dance lets Garchomp get off an even stronger hit before going down should it get a free turn after setting Stealth Rock really wearing down most of the aforementioned targets of Outrage, as well as, hard punishing the aforementioned targets and Steel-types like Ferrothorn and Jirachi.

Set Details
========
A Jolly nature is preferred over Adamant to outspeed Volcarona, Thundurus-T, positive-natured Jirachi, and Jolly Landorus-T. Focus Sash guarantees Garchomp can get Stealth Rock up against any target, and it often gives an opportunity to attack slower targets that bring it down to 1 HP. Yache Berry, on the other hand, gives Garchomp two turns to move against lead Icy Wind Jirachi leads. It also gives Garchomp some mid-game utility to threaten attackers like Starmie and Thundurus-T should it be preserved.

Team Options
========
This set fits well on DragMag teams due to it getting Stealth Rock up quickly and doing a lot of damage as it goes down. Magnezone is a key member of this teamstyle, ands it traps Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothorn. Dragon-type wallbreakers like Choice Specs Latios, Choice Band Dragonite, and Choice Band Kyurem-B enjoy having Stealth Rock up, as do Dragon Dance Dragonite and Salamence. Choice Scarf Latios and Salamence can more easily sweep with the holes Garchomp breaks early on and the Stealth Rock it sets. Jirachi can run a more specially defensive set thanks to Garchomp getting Stealth Rock up, serving as a momentum-grabbing special wall to Dragon- and Ice-type moves from Pokemon like Latios, Alakazam, and Reuniclus. Offensive Starmie more easily wears down and takes out Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Politoed, Latios, and Jellicent with Stealth Rock support, as well as appreciating Garchomp wearing down the opposing team.

This set can also work on less centralized hyper offense teams for much of the same reasons it does on DragMag teams. Dragon Dance Dragonite sweeps more easily thanks to being able to break through bulky targets like Slowbro, Landorus-T, and Gliscor with Stealth Rock up, as well as revenge killing faster threats with Extreme Speed more easily. Stealth Rock lets Volcarona break through bulkier Pokemon that could otherwise take a hit from it, like Tyranitar, Politoed, and Gastrodon, and it can benefit from Garchomp directly wearing down these same Pokemon. Offensive Starmie better wears down and takes out Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Politoed, Latios, and Jellicent with Stealth Rock support. (add period) Swords Dance Scizor benefits from Garchomp forcing in Dragon-types and Alakazam to revenge kill it, since it can set up on them, while enjoying its Bullet Punch better KOing Pokemon like Volcarona, Dragonite, and opposing Garchomp, letting it easily sweep the offensive teams that'd otherwise check it. Offensive Breloom can 2HKO Pokemon like Dragonite and Thundurus-T with Stealth Rock Rock and more easily revenge kill threats with Mach Punch. It also enjoys Garchomp chipping threats like Reuniclus and Landorus-T for it.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage / Dragon Claw / Dual Chop
move 4: Dragon Claw / Dual Chop / Substitute / Aqua Tail
item: Yache Berry / Lum Berry / Salac Berry
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Outrage is extremely powerful after a boost, 2HKOing physically defensive Gliscor and Landorus-T from full health while OHKOing Rotom-W, Politoed, and Gastrodon after Stealth Rock. It's also quite powerful even unboosted, pressuring and wearing down targets like Reuniclus, Celebi, and Politoed well for teammates. Dragon Claw can be used over or with Outrage for a drawback-free Dragon-type move. It works best with Substitute + Swords Dance sets, since them having a reliable STAB move against Earthquake switch-ins late-game is more important than Outrage's power a lot of the time. Dual Chop performs similarly while also breaking past Substitutes and KOing Focus Sash Alakazam in one turn, the latterwhich is even more effective if it's running Yache Berry or has gotten a Speed boost from Salac Berry. However, its imperfect accuracy and greater self-damage against Iron Barbs make it inferior to Dragon Claw most of the time. Substitute can be used in tandem with Salac Berry to punish the many switches Garchomp forces, givet it safe setup opportunities, and sweep late-game by outspeeding the entire unboosted metagame with a Salac Berry boost. Aqua Tail can be used on rain teams to slam Landorus-T and Gliscor and 2HKO Skarmory after a Swords Dance.

Set Details
========
A Jolly nature is preferred over Adamant because Garchomp is already plenty strong and Jolly lets it outspeed Landorus-T, Volcarona, and Thundurus-T. Yache Berry lets Garchomp more comfortably take out Pokemon like Mamoswine, Thundurus-T, Starmie, Keldeo, Slowbro, Reuniclus, boosted Volcarona, and Landorus-T, as well as Alakazam if running Dual Chop. Lum Berry can be used to set up comfortably on Pokemon that may try to status it, like Rotom-W, Jellicent, and Politoed, as well as curing confusion inflicted from Outrage. Salac Berry can be used with Substitute and 30 HP IVs to activate Salac Berry after three Substitutes. Salac Berry Garchomp should only be used on Magnezone teams, however.

Team Options
========
This set fits well on DragMag teams due to Magnezone trapping Steel-types like Skarmory and Ferrothron and it wallbreaking with other Dragon-types to open up a sweep late-game, or other Dragon-types wallbreaking for it to sweep if it's the Substitute + Salac Berry set. Jirachi sets up Stealth Rock so Garchomp is harder to switch into while also safely pivoting it in with U-turn. It can also take Dragon- and Ice-type moves from Pokemon like Latios, Alakazam, and Reuniclus. Powerful Dragon-type wallbreakers like Choice Band Dragonite and Choice Band Kyurem-B help Garchomp sweep and wallbreak. Choice Scarf Latios and Salamence can support the Salac Berry variant againstby dealing with opposing offensive teams. They also enjoy Garchomp's wallbreaking, as do Dragon Dance Dragonite and Salamence, and they too help Salac Berry sweep. Dragonite even provides priority as insurance against offensive teams. Offensive Starmie wears down Pokemon like Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, Politoed, and Jellicent for Garchomp and keeps entry hazards off the field to let Salac Berry sets more safely activate their item.

This set also fits well on rain teams because it wallbreaks for many rain sweepers, helping them pivot around opposing Thundurus-T, and gaining a stronger Aqua Tail. Politoed brings rain, takes Water- and Ice-type attacks from Pokemon like Keldeo and Alakazam, and burns potential switch-ins like Slowbro and Ferrothorn with Scald. Garchomp threatens Tyranitar, aiding its team in winning the weather war, and other problematic Pokemon for rain teams, like Tentacruel, Jellicent, Gastrodon, and Rotom-W. Choice Scarf Keldeo can easily sweep after Garchomp bashes its checks and better handles offensive teams, which non-Salac Berry Garchomp can struggle against. Substitute + Agility Thundurus-T appreciates Garchomp breaking through its checks to it, like Gastrodon, Celebi, and Tyranitar, while sweeping offensive teams for it. Choice Scarf Latios can check Keldeo and outspeed other offensive Pokemon like Alakazam and boosted Dragonite that can give Garchomp a hard time. It also benefits from Garchomp breaking through bulky Pokemon like Tyranitar and Gastrodon so it can sweep more easily late-game.

[SET]
name: Mixed
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Stealth Rock / Outrage / Hidden Power Ice
move 4: Fire Blast / Surf
item: Dragon Gem / Life Orb
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Hasty / Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor nails Pokemon looking to check physical Garchomp, mainly Landorus-T, Gliscor, Slowbro, Hippowdon, and Jellicent, for a follow-up KO or for teammates to take advantage of. This set is a great Stealth Rock setter, forcing many switches and destroying Rapid Spin Excadrill. Outrage can be used with Life Orb and another Stealth Rock setter to KO Pokemon like Gastrodon, physically defensive Politoed, Rotom-W, and Celebi after using Draco Meteor. Instead, Hidden Power Ice can insteadbe run to OHKO Landorus-T and Gliscor outright for teammates that really need them removed. Fire Blast OHKOes Skarmory, Ferrothorn, Scizor, and Magnezone. On rain teams, Surf should be used over Fire Blast with Life Orb to OHKO Gliscor and Landorus-T in rain, alongside Air Balloon Heatran after Stealth Rock. It also 2HKOes Skarmory, letting Garchomp still threaten it.

Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack investment is needed for Draco Meteor to threaten its targets. Dragon Gem gives Draco Meteor a larger one-time power boost than Life Orb, helping it KO its intended targets, but Life Orb is still viable. A Hasty nature is preferred over Naive to let Garchomp survive at least one Ice-type attack from weaker Pokemon like Gastrodon and Reuniclus, as well as improving its chances to survive attacks from Pokemon like Volcarona, Politoed, and Rotom-W. On the other hand, a Naive nature can also be used to take Gliscor's and Excadrill's Earthquakes, though, and if much better and have better odds to avoid an OHKO from Choice Band Terrakion's Close Combat is more neccessary.

Team Options
========
This set best fits on sand teams due to it breaking through common threats with good sand matchups like Gliscor, Rotom-W, Ferrothorn, and Landorus-T while letting sand wear down its switch-ins. Tyranitar is needed on sand teams a majority of the time, with Chople Berry sets enjoying Garchomp handling Stealth Rock, and Pursuit traps Garchomp answerwhile Garchomp appreciates it Pursuit trapping checks like Latios, Alakazam, and Hidden Power Ice Reuniclus. In return, Garchomp can pressure Politoed and Ferrothorn (add space) and check offensive Pokemon like Volcarona and Thundurus-T in return. Rotom-W can switch into Ground-type attacks and burn potential checks like Amoonguss and Politoed, so Garchomp can more easily break through them, while also pivoting it in safely with Volt Switch on targets like Ferrothorn. Heatran can wear down and trap bulky Pokemon that Garchomp can't OHKO like Reuniclus with Magma Storm and check Grass-types. Garchomp can set up Stealth Rock and take out Ground-types like Excadrill, Gliscor, and Landorus-T that can check Heatran. Ferrothorn switches into Dragon-types like Latios and Dragonite lacking Fire Punch and Superpower, as well as Water-types like Starmie and Politoed. It also provides entry hazard and Knock Off support, and it appreciates Garchomp checking Fire-types like Heatran and Volcarona. PFinally, physical attackers that struggle with Draco Meteor's targets, like Terrakion and Swords Dance Landorus-T, work well with this set.

This set also fits well on rain teams thanks to it wallbreaking for many rain sweepers and pivoting around opposing Thundurus-T. Politoed brings rain, takes Water- and Ice-type attacks from Pokemon like Keldeo and Alakazam, and burns Pokemon that can potentially switch into Garchomp like Celebi and Ferrothorn with Scald. Garchomp threatens Tyranitar, aiding its team in the weather war, and other problematic Pokemon for rain, like Tentacruel, Jellicent, Gastrodon, and Rotom-W. Choice Scarf Keldeo can more easily sweep once Garchomp wears down its checks and better handles offensive teams, which Garchomp can struggle against. Substitute + Agility Thundurus-T appreciates Garchomp wearing down checks to it, like Gastrodon, Celebi, and Tyranitar, while it can sweep through offensive teams. Substitute + Calm Mind Jirachi its a good wincon that benefits from Garchomp wearing down its checks and can take Dragon- and Ice-type moves from Pokemon like Latios and Alakazam. Choice Scarf Latios can check Keldeo and outspeed other offensive Pokemon like Alakazam and boosted Dragonite, which can give Garchomp a hard time, while benefitting from it breaking through bulky Pokemon like Tyranitar and Gastrodon to sweep late-game.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band may seem like a good option for more immediate wallbreaking and Garchomp's nearly unresisted STAB combination. However, Swords Dance sets are better wallbreakers because they can switch moves and enoughtoo many common Pokemon are immune to Earthquake. Haban Berry on the Swords Dance set can be used to take powerful Dragon-type moves from Choice Scarf Latios and opposing Garchomp, letting it more reliably revenge kill them. However, Yache Berry and Lum Berry are more consistently useful. Fire Fang with Fire Gem on Swords Dance sets can pressure Skarmory and OHKO Ferrothorn on teams that lack Magnezone support. However, Fire Fang doesn't have any utility outside of this, so running Magnezone is usually the better option. A bulky Rocky Helmet set can generate a ton of residual damage between Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin and set Stealth Rock. However, bulky Garchomp is outclassed by Landorus-T and Gliscor, which are much bulkier, are immune to Spikes and Ground-type moves, and provide more team support with Intimidate and Knock Off, respectively. Fling can be used over Rock Slide with Choice Scarf for matchups where being able to switch moves is more valuable. Toxic can also be used over Rock Slide on that set to cripple bulky Pokemon like Landorus-T, Jellicent, and Politoed on the switch, while Sandstorm instead lets weatherless teams remove rain and sun, giving much more leeway to play around them.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Faster Pokemon**: Faster Pokemon that can hit Garchomp super effectively, like Latios, Alakazam, Keldeo, Mamoswine, Starmie, and Terrakion, all force it out. Keldeo and Latios can also run Choice Scarf to even outspeed Choice Scarf and Salac Berry variants, with Mamoswine functioning similarly via Ice Shard. However, these Pokemon struggle to switch in safely, and Yache Berry can mitigate the threat of Alakazam, Keldeo outside of rain, and Mamoswine. Focus Sash variants match up better against all of these Pokemon.

**Bulky Pokemon**: Bulkier Pokemon like Landorus-T, Gliscor, Slowbro, and Reuniclus can take at least one of Garchomp's hits from full health, even after a Swords Dance, and hit it back with Ice-type coverage. However, they are worn down significantly by Draco Meteor and Swords Dance-boosted Outrage.

**Status**: Burn makes Garchomp unable to achieve anything significant offensively. Poison puts it on a timer and makes it unable to switch into Pokemon like Heatran safely.

**Skarmory**: Skarmory stonewalls Swords Dance sets and can set up Spikes, heal off their hits with Roost, and phaze them. However, it can be taken out by +2 Aqua Tail in rain, Fire Blast from the mixed set, and Garchomp's common teammate in trapper Magnezone.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Ophion, 433215]]
- Quality checked by: [[BluBirD252, 347088], [Finchinator, 114198]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [ , dex, 277988]]

2/2, and so my debt is paid...
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 1, Guests: 0)

Top