[OVERVIEW]
Garchomp is a powerful and versatile threat in the CAP metagame thanks to its potent offensive STAB combination, high Attack, and good Speed. Garchomp is especially notable for its defensive set, which takes advantage of its good physical bulk, access to Stealth Rock, Rough Skin, and Rocky Helmet to heavily punish VoltTurn teams. Garchomp's capabilities extend far beyond this bulky set, however, as its wide offensive movepool and great base stats allow it to run a variety of offensive sets effectively, providing it with a layer of unpredictability. However, Garchomp's 4x weakness to Ice-type attacks and weakness to the common Fairy-type moves are somewhat easy to exploit and can leave it susceptible to revenge killing by numerous strong, fast attackers that run these moves, such as Syclant, Krilowatt, and Mega Diancie.
[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: 252 HP / 156 Def / 100 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Garchomp is a durable and reliable setter of Stealth Rock, which accumulates useful chip damage on the opposing team. Earthquake is Garchomp's primary STAB option, dealing decent damage against neutral targets and helping Garchomp check foes such as Heatran and Mollux. Dragon Tail phazes common switch-ins to Garchomp, racking up even more chip damage on the opposing team when Stealth Rock is set up. Fire Blast provides coverage against Skarmory, Ferrothorn, and Mega Scizor. Toxic can be used instead to wear down various bulky switch-ins to Garchomp, such as Tomohawk, Arghonaut, and various Fairy-types. Endure can grant an extra turn of chip damage on the foe with Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet. Similarly, Rest can also provide extra opportunities to take advantage of Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet while also healing Garchomp and is a good option with Heal Bell or Aromatherapy support, but it has the drawback of potentially giving the opponent free turns.
Set Details
========
100 Special Defense EVs are just enough to avoid the OHKO from Timid Life Orb Plasmanta's Hidden Power Ice and let Garchomp handle special attackers such as Aurumoth lacking an Ice-type attack, Keldeo, Mega Charizard Y, and Thundurus better. The remaining EVs and an Impish nature emphasize Garchomp's role as a physical tank. Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet are used to heavily punish users of contact moves such as Talonflame, Mega Beedrill, and Mega Scizor and discourage U-turn spam.
Usage Tips
========
Garchomp primarily functions as a bulky Stealth Rock setter. You can lead with it or use it as a pivot throughout the match to check physical attackers such as Talonflame and Mega Scizor. If your opponent's team contains several Pokemon that Garchomp can pivot into throughout the course of a match, preserve Garchomp to handle these threats and take full advantage of the combination of Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet. Once entry hazards have been set up, shuffle the opponent's team around with Dragon Tail. Keep in mind that it can be beneficial to preserve Garchomp even if it is at low health, as it can still deal a good chunk of damage to foes simply by switching into a contact move such as U-turn.
Team Options
========
Several offensive Pokemon such as Cawmodore, Aurumoth, Keldeo, and Mega Lopunny all appreciate Garchomp setting up Stealth Rock reliably as well as its ability to check Talonflame. Dark-types such as Colossoil, Tyranitar, and Mega Sharpedo attract users of contact moves such as Arghonaut, Revenankh, and Mega Scizor, so they appreciate Garchomp's ability to punish these Pokemon. Pokemon like Hoopa-U and Celebi highly despise U-turn, so they can also benefit from having Garchomp as a partner. A Steel-type teammate such as Mega Metagross, Mega Scizor, or Kitsunoh is useful to handle the Fairy- and Ice-types that threaten Garchomp.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Dragon Claw / Outrage
move 4: Stealth Rock / Substitute
item: Lum Berry / Focus Sash / Leftovers
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Garchomp's high Attack even further, allowing it to break down walls and pressure the opposing team more easily. Earthquake and Dragon Claw are Garchomp's optimal STAB moves, providing great neutral coverage on most of the metagame with a few exceptions, notably Togekiss and Skarmory. Outrage can be preferable on lead sets over Dragon Claw for the increased damage output before Garchomp goes down, but it is not as optimal if using Substitute. If opting to use Garchomp as an early-game wallbreaker or a lead, Stealth Rock is used to help wear down the opposing team for Garchomp's teammates. Alternatively, Substitute provides Garchomp with a shield against status moves, allowing it to set up more safely against defensive foes, as well as a buffer against revenge killers. Fire Blast can be used in the last slot if hitting Skarmory is especially important. Alternatively, Stone Edge can be used to hit Togekiss.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack investment ensures that Garchomp hits as hard as possible. Maximum Speed investment and a Jolly nature ensure that Garchomp outspeeds all base 100 Speed Pokemon and Thundurus-T and Speed ties with opposing fully invested positive-natured Garchomp. Lum Berry is a great choice to squander attempts at inflicting Garchomp with a status ailment so that it can set up Swords Dance or Stealth Rock more safely. Focus Sash is also a good option if using Garchomp as a lead, guaranteeing that it survives one hit from full health. Leftovers is the primary choice alongside Substitute, as it provides Garchomp with extra longevity, and Substitute can be used to avoid the foe's attempts at inflicting Garchomp with a status condition. Salac Berry is also an option in tandem with Substitute, allowing Garchomp to act as a much more effective late-game cleaner. If running Salac Berry, an EV spread of 12 HP / 244 Atk / 252 Spe should be used to ensure that Salac Berry activates after three uses of Substitute. Rough Skin punishes users of contact moves.
Usage Tips
========
Garchomp can set up in the face of Will-O-Wisp users and other status inducers if it has Substitute or Lum Berry, so take advantage of this if running either one. If using Garchomp as an offensive Stealth Rock setter, it's best used as an early-game wallbreaker and entry hazard setter, or even as a lead if it runs Focus Sash. If utilizing Substitute, bring Garchomp in against Pokemon that have trouble breaking its Substitute, such as Mollux and Heatran, so that it can safely set up Swords Dance.
Team Options
========
Offensive Steel-types such as Mega Metagross, Mega Scizor, and Kitsunoh can check the Fairy- and Ice-types that force Garchomp out. Other physical attackers such as Talonflame, Mega Pinsir, and Cawmodore can wear down the opponent's team so that Garchomp has an easier time sweeping, or vice versa. Garchomp struggles getting past bulky Pokemon like physically defensive Landorus-T, so strong Water- and Ice-types, such as Keldeo, Kyurem-B, and Syclant, can help out with this. Magnezone and Gothitelle can trap some troublesome defensive threats for Garchomp, such as Skarmory and Ferrothorn, giving it a better shot at sweeping.
[SET]
name: Mixed Attacker
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Stone Edge / Stealth Rock
item: Life Orb / Garchompite
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Draco Meteor is the biggest draw to a mixed attacking set, as it hits impressively hard with full investment and Life Orb (or as Mega Garchomp) and catches physically defensive switch-ins such as Landorus-T off guard. Earthquake provides Garchomp with a strong physical STAB move. Even with minimal Attack investment, it's still more than enough to handle common targets such as Heatran, Mollux, and Volkraken. Fire Blast provides strong coverage against Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Mega Scizor. Stone Edge is Garchomp's best option against Togekiss, Zapdos, and specially defensive Talonflame, as well as Pyroak after Draco Meteor has been used. Stealth Rock can be used instead to capitalize on forced switches if the coverage provided by Stone Edge is deemed unnecessary for your team.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed EVs and a Naive nature take full advantage of Garchomp's Speed tier. Naive is preferred over Hasty because Garchomp will realistically be tanking more physical hits throughout the course of a match than special ones. 252 Special Attack EVs let Draco Meteor and Fire Blast hit as hard as possible. Life Orb increases Garchomp's damage output significantly. If your team doesn't yet have a Mega Evolution, Garchompite can be used in place of Life Orb to give a similar boost to Garchomp's offenses without requiring it to take recoil damage. This also boosts its overall bulk post-Mega Evolution, but it also slightly lowers its Speed. Rough Skin punishes users of contact moves.
Usage Tips
========
This set is best used as a lure for physically defensive Pokemon that could otherwise safely switch into Garchomp. Landorus-T, Slowbro, Arghonaut, Skarmory, and Ferrothorn all take massive damage from a Life Orb-boosted Draco Meteor or Fire Blast. Garchomp can still be used to check Fire-types, such as Heatran and Mollux, with Earthquake, potentially feigning a non-mixed set. Use this set to open up holes in the opponent's defensive cores early- to mid-game to allow a teammate to sweep.
Team Options
========
Offensive Pokemon such as Talonflame, Mega Metagross, Cawmodore, and Mega Scizor enjoy physically defensive Pokemon being lured and defeated. Steel-types, such as the previously mentioned Mega Metagross, Mega Scizor, and Cawmodore, as well as Kitsunoh and Naviathan, can serve as good partners to check Fairy- and Ice-types for Garchomp.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Dragon Claw
move 4: Stone Edge / Fire Blast
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Jolly / Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Outrage is a very strong STAB option and a good tool for late-game cleaning. Earthquake provides great coverage alongside Outrage, dealing great damage to foes that aren't resistant or immune to the move. Dragon Claw may initially seem redundant alongside Outrage, but it provides Garchomp with a more reliable, albeit weaker, Dragon-type STAB move for revenge killing in situations where locking Garchomp into Outrage would be unfavorable. Garchomp's final moveslot admittedly doesn't see much use, as locking Garchomp into these moves can leave it easily taken advantage of the next turn, but the chosen move can be helpful in specific luring or revenge killing scenarios. Stone Edge handles Flying-types such as Togekiss and Zapdos, while Fire Blast hits Steel-types such as Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, Cawmodore, and Skarmory.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed investment, a positive nature, and a Choice Scarf ensure that Garchomp can outspeed and revenge kill threats such as +1 Mega Charizard X, +1 Naviathan, and +1 Aurumoth. A Jolly nature is preferred unless Fire Blast is being used, in which case Naive is the superior option. Maximum Attack investment gives Garchomp the highest offensive potential. Rough Skin can hurt opposing users of contact moves.
Usage Tips
========
Garchomp is best used as a mid-game revenge killer or a late-game cleaner thanks to its high Speed and great Attack. Being one of Garchomp's lesser-used sets, Choice Scarf can help Garchomp grab some unexpected KOs against normally faster threats such as Mega Diancie and Krilowatt. Always consider the advantages and disadvantages of Outrage and Dragon Claw when attacking with Garchomp. For example, don't lock Garchomp into Outrage if it could grant a dangerous foe such as Mega Altaria a free turn of setup.
Team Options
========
Garchomp needs teammates to handle physical walls, as it is unable to muscle past or wear down bulky foes such as Slowbro, Togekiss, Skarmory, Arghonaut, and Tomohawk on its own. Magnezone can reliably trap Skarmory and Ferrothorn to help facilitate a sweep for Garchomp. Gothitelle can also trap some Steel-types as well as Tomohawk and Arghonaut to further support Garchomp. Strong wallbreakers such as Kyurem-B, Mega Gardevoir, Keldeo, Manaphy, and Aurumoth can help weaken the opposing team, as bulky Pokemon such as Landorus-T and Clefable could prove to be real issues for Garchomp otherwise.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Aqua Tail can be used to hit Ground-types, notably Hippowdon and Landorus-T, for heavy damage. Certain damage-reducing Berries let Garchomp survive a hit from some of its usual checks and hit them back hard with its STAB moves. For example, Yache Berry lets Garchomp survive weaker Ice-type attacks, such as Mega Manectric's Hidden Power Ice, and retaliate with Earthquake. Roseli Berry lets Garchomp tank a Fairy-type attack, such as Mega Diancie's Moonblast, and hit back with Earthquake. A fast, mixed lead set with Focus Sash and Stealth Rock + three attacks is also a usable option, but it faces competition from bulkier Rocky Helmet variants with the same moves.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Many Fairy-types such as Togekiss, Clefable, Mega Altaria, Mega Diancie, Mega Gardevoir, Azumarill, and Sylveon are capable of threatening Garchomp thanks to their typing advantage. Togekiss in particular is completely immune to Garchomp's STAB combination, making it a great answer to Garchomp, only fearing Stone Edge. Physically defensive Unaware variants of Clefable are also notable for handling Swords Dance Garchomp without breaking a sweat.
**Ice-types and Ice-type Attacks**: Ice-types such as Syclant, Weavile, and Choice Scarf Kyurem-B can outpace all but Choice Scarf Garchomp and revenge kill it with an Ice-type attack. They won't have an easy time switching in, however. Fast Pokemon that make use of Ice-type coverage, such as Mega Manectric, Thundurus, and Krilowatt, can also revenge kill Garchomp.
**Physically Bulky Pokemon**: Physical walls such as Slowbro, Mega Slowbro, Hippowdon, Tomohawk, Zapdos, and Arghonaut have the bulk to survive an onslaught from Garchomp and either heal off the damage, cripple it with a status ailment, phaze it, or simply attack it. Many of these Pokemon won't enjoy taking a Draco Meteor from the mixed set, however.
**Faster Pokemon**: Pokemon that can outspeed Garchomp and hit it hard such as Keldeo, Latias, Latios, Mega Manectric, Thundurus, Mega Diancie, Syclant, and Krilowatt are generally very effective at checking it.
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