Although Garchomp was dropped from A- to B+ earlier this gen but after some time in Gen 7 like Landorus-Therian more sets grew so the Pokemon which check that became better so nominating it for A- again
Let's move to the sets!
Garchomp famously has two sets: Choice Band and Choice Scarf which are picked upon the team requirements, in this generation the Choice Band set seems to be more viable as it can defeat bulkier Pokemon while Choice Scarf can defeat faster Pokemon. Though the lack of options makes it a bit predictable. So, going to share another set which has been doing good lately
Garchomp @ Groundium Z
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Substitute
Nothing too special with the spread, its the standard spread with max speed to have a chance of defeating other Garchomp and max attack because it needs that to KO certain Pokemon. Have been using this for some weeks and seems good. Its capable of defeating a large portion of the bulky and bulky offensive meta.
Calcs [Bulky/Bulky Offensive/Offensive]
Substitute --> Swords Dance ---> Tectonic Rage
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 216 HP / 252 Def Venusaur-Mega: 402-474 (113.2 - 133.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Venusaur-Mega: 366-432 (100.5 - 118.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
4 SpA Venusaur-Mega Giga Drain vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 109-130 (30.5 - 36.4%) -- 59.3% chance to 3HKO
Substitute blocks Charm and other statuses, Swords Dance then Tectonic Rage is a guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Tapu Lele: 373-439 (132.2 - 155.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 200 HP / 56 Def Tapu Lele: 348-409 (105.1 - 123.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen71v1-561071649
Tapu Lele with its Psychium Z set could be hard to defeat and was even able to take a banded Poison Jab some times, ZQ would always win unless Tapu Lele is scarfed
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Snorlax: 552-651 (105.3 - 124.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. +1 252 HP / 0 Def Snorlax: 556-655 (106.1 - 125%) -- guaranteed OHKO [CurseLax]
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen71v1-567043445
Same as Venusaur, Sub blocks Yawn and +2 Tectonic Rage always OHKOes
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Deoxys-Defense: 109-129 (35.9 - 42.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Deoxys-Defense: 195-229 (64.3 - 75.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Deoxys-Defense: 388-457 (128 - 150.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen71v1-559817149
Garchomp is guaranteed to win this matchup [100% of the time]
Keep using Swords Dance till they boost their Def to +6 and then hit it with a regular EQ and if they use Recover on that turn keep going for some time and find a turn in which you EQ and they don't recover (this is fairly easy to do as you have Sub, SD you won't get PP stalled out) and then follow it up with Tectonic Rage
The min rolls (which you surely won't get in both of the turns) do 35.9% and 64.3% which makes up to 100.2% if Deoxys-D uses Taunt in between the setup, you will be two stages above it and can just OHKO with Tectonic Rage.
The Counter and Z-Cosmic Power sets can be defeated in the same way by just SD (twice if Cosmic Power) then Tectonic Rage
252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Primarina: 378-445 (103.8 - 122.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen71v1-562533106
Tectonic Rage OHKOes the standard variant but falls short against the bulkier one
252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def protected Aegislash-Shield: 103-122 (31.7 - 37.6%) -- 90.7% chance to 3HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Shield: 230-272 (70.9 - 83.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Garchomp doesn't have to worry about predicting the Protect turn, Tectonic Rage followed by EQ always OHKOes Aegislash
-1 252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Mawile-Mega: 324-384 (106.5 - 126.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Magearna: 524-618 (143.9 - 169.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 60+ Def Metagross-Mega: 360-426 (98.9 - 117%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
128 Atk Tough Claws Metagross-Mega Meteor Mash vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 199-235 (55.7 - 65.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
80 SpA Tapu Fini Hydro Vortex (185 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Garchomp: 237-279 (66.3 - 78.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
80 SpA Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Garchomp: 242-288 (67.7 - 80.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 192 HP / 180+ Def Tapu Fini: 406-478 (123.4 - 145.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Tapu Fini Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Garchomp: 470-554 (131.6 - 155.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen71v1-562621094
Swords Dance then Tectonic Rage (or even Tectonic Rage then Earthquake) can defeat Waterium Z Tapu Fini while Specs Moonblast can KO Garchomp
252+ Atk Choice Band Hustle Durant Iron Head vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 297-351 (83.1 - 98.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 0 HP / 28 Def Durant: 261-307 (101.5 - 119.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey: 778-916 (110.5 - 130.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen71v1-566321225
+2 Tectonic Rage always OHKOes Chansey, Substitute blocks Charm and even defeats those sets in which they go for Counter
252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 112 HP / 40 Def Crustle: 235-277 (76 - 89.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
244+ Atk Crustle Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 107-127 (29.9 - 35.5%) -- 30.5% chance to 3HKO
244+ Atk Crustle Continental Crush (200 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 160-189 (44.8 - 52.9%) -- 26.6% chance to 2HKO
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen71v1-560753659
Earthquake then Tectonic Rage always OHKOes and Counter on EQ doesn't KO Garchomp, also it can't outspeed Garchomp even after Shell Smash
+4 252 Atk Garchomp Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Celesteela: 227-267 (57 - 67%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen71v1-567974026
[Played it wrong there just Sub SD twice and Outrage twice]
Substitute to block Leech Seed, Swords Dance twice then Outrage 2HKOes and wins every time unless Garchomp gets confusion haxd
252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Mimikyu: 354-417 (141 - 166.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Mimikyu Never-Ending Nightmare (140 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 186-220 (52.1 - 61.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Mimikyu Play Rough vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 240-284 (67.2 - 79.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Mimikyu Shadow Sneak vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 54-64 (15.1 - 17.9%) -- possible 6HKO
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen71v1-561550369
Always defeats the Ghostium Z set while loses to the Fairium Z set
Zard Y
252 Atk Garchomp Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Charizard-Mega-Y: 181-214 (50.2 - 59.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Charizard-Mega-Y Solar Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 192-226 (53.7 - 63.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Zard X
252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 252+ Def Charizard-Mega-X: 392-464 (109.1 - 129.2%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Garchomp even has a chance against the bulky Zard X set [the offensive Zard X set is good as well] and mostly defeats all the other sets
Garchomp should start with Substitute when facing Charizard, if its Megazard Y Outrage 2HKOes while 252 Modest Solar Beam doesn't do >75% to KO it
If Charizard doesn't mega evolve, its guaranteed to be Mega Charizard X but you still don't know which set it is
If they go for Counter [regardless of mega evolution or not] it'd fail and two Outrage would be enough to KO it
If they mega evolve and go for Outrage, it can be either one of them but Tectonic Rage on the following turn OHKOes both of them
If they don't Mega Evolve and go for Dragon Dance [which is rare as the opponent would fear a Choice Scarf set] Use Tectonic Rage as it'll be the only way left to win. So the match is pretty much in favour of Garchomp so its capable of defeating one of the best Pokemon in the 1v1 tier with this great surprise factor of mega evolution and sets.
252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Meloetta: 364-430 (90.3 - 106.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Meloetta Hyper Beam vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 457-538 (128 - 150.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ SpA Choice Specs Meloetta Uproar vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 274-324 (76.7 - 90.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Substitute blocks Hyper Beam then it can proceed to KO it easily but if the opponent has already played against you then they can go for Uproar predicting Substitute but still the match is in Garchomp's favour
252 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Golem: 260-308 (71.4 - 84.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Golem: 470-554 (129.1 - 152.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Golem Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 178-210 (49.8 - 58.8%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO
252+ Atk Golem Sucker Punch vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 83-98 (23.2 - 27.4%) -- 71.8% chance to 4HKO
This one is a bit intriguing, you can either rely on prediction or make a strong prediction to win:
1: Assume that Golem isn't running the Groundium Z set and just Earthquake then Tectonic Rage
2: Use Substitute to take their first move then use Earthquake, they will use it too but neither mon will faint then, you'll have to play in such a way that you avoid Sucker Punch and pick the right turn to attack which makes this matchup pretty tough for both sides
http://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen71v1-563873105 Totally not a coincidence
Has trouble against
+1 252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 88 HP / 80 Def Gyarados-Mega: 379-447 (107.3 - 126.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Mold Breaker Gyarados-Mega Outrage vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 342-404 (95.7 - 113.1%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
Mega Gyarados should mostly win against Garchomp unless they go use Dragon Dance and still gets outsped by Garchomp but that's too situational, max attack Mega Gyarados should directly go for Outrage as it gas a really high chance of OHKOing it and those which get outsped have enough bulk to tank a +1 Tectonic Rage so Gyarados mostly wins
252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Slowbro-Mega: 153-180 (38.8 - 45.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 Atk Garchomp Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Slowbro-Mega: 102-120 (25.8 - 30.4%) -- guaranteed 4HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Tectonic Rage (180 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Slowbro-Mega: 303-357 (76.9 - 90.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Garchomp can't win against Mega Slowbro unless it goes two stages above Mega Slowbro with Swords Dance which is rare
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Outrage vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Heatran: 186-219 (57.5 - 67.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Garchomp Outrage vs. 0 HP / 204 Def Heatran: 155-183 (47.9 - 56.6%) -- 87.5% chance to 2HKO
252+ SpA Heatran Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Garchomp: 163-193 (45.6 - 54%) -- 48% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Heatran Flash Cannon vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 151-178 (42.2 - 49.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
Swords Dance then 2HKO with Outrage. Garchomp can always defeat Heatran if its Timid but against Modest it only has a 52% chance to win
252+ Atk Donphan Ice Shard vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 192-228 (53.7 - 63.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
Donphan can just 2HKO it with Ice Shard
Togekiss is immune to all of the moves and can completely wall it
A Glance on which set can defeat which all Pokemon (Excluding Garchomp itself)
Choice Band
Mostly defeats: Mega Charizard X, Icium Z Kyurem-Black, Mega Charizard Y, Mega Mawile [not always], Magearna, Mega Metagross, Tapu Koko, Psych Z/Specs Tapu Lele, 216 Speed Mega Pinsir, Ghostium Z Mimikyu, Primarina, Whimsicott, Mega Venusaur, Aegislash, Jirachi, Snorlax, Victini, Volcanion, Rhyperior, Mega Lucario, Hoopa-Unbound, Carracosta, Aron
Choice Scarf
Mostly defeats: Offensive Mega Charizard X, Scarf Kyurem-Black, Mega Charizard Y, Crustle, Mega Pinsir, Tapu Koko, Greninja, Jirachi, Mega Gengar, Rhyperior, Jirachi, Victini, Mega Lucario, Hoopa Unbound, Volcanion, Pheromosa, Nihilego, Carracosta, Aron
Depending on Fire Fang / Poison Jab coverage
Poison Jab: Psychium Z/Specs Tapu Lele, Whimsicott, Primarina, Whimsicott, Togekiss [if it gets a chance to hit]
Fire Fang: Ferrothorn, Kartana, Specs Genesect, Specs Celesteela
SubTonic Rage
Mostly defeats: Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y, Mega Mawile, Specs Porygon-Z, Crustle, Magearna, Mega Metagross, Tapu Koko, Psychium Z/Specs Tapu Lele, Deoxys-Defense, Meloetta, Ghostium Z Mimikyu, Waterium Z Tapu Fini, Aegislash, Chansey, Kartana, Jirachi, Primarina, Durant, Necrozma, Ferrothorn, Rhyperior, Snorlax, Umbreon, Mega Scizor, Hoopa-Unbound, Stunfisk, Volcanion, Carracosta, Smeargle, Celesteela, Aron
Why should Garchomp be moved to A- Rank?
After all of this, the query arises why should Garchomp be even moved to A- Rank even though it was dropped earlier? Its great speed stat makes it viable as a Dragon type in 1v1 as otherwise it would've been simply outclassed without Dragon Dance or a higher Attack. While comparing it to Dragonite, its as good as Dragonite though it can't defeat it head to head but with SubTonic Rage it can defeat a huge part of the bulky meta such as Deoxs-Defense, Snorlax, Chansey, Mega Venusaur and others against which many teams struggle. Its not outclassed by Lando-T and other Sturdy users as a Ground type attacker as it can defeat stall and also Tapu Lele which with Specs defeats all of those Ground attackers and also Garchomp has STAB moves alternative for Pokemon which resist Ground while Lando-T (which is certainly as good as this) doesn't have and also Garchomp scares Kyurem-Black in the Team Preview as Scarf Chomp can defeat Scarf Kyurem-Black and Band Chomp can defeat Bulky Icium Z so the opponent has to think before sending their Kyurem-B against Garchomp while they can freely send it against the other Ground attackers, Rough Skin though not the best ability to have but it makes certain KOes guaranteed OHKOes such as against Band Kartana and defensive Metagross
and also defeats FEAR on low ladder Dragonium Z might be another option with which Garchomp can defeat others like Bulky Icium Z Kyurem-Black, Dragonite though without Z-EQ it won't be able to defeat Mega Mawile and other such bulky Pokemon but that's a story for another day and while currently looking at the meta which requires a reliable stall breaker to get around Deoxys-D, Snorlax and others, Garchomp might be one and is certainly as good as the anchor mon Dragonite so I'd say it should be moved to A- Rank
Thanks for reading this full!
Not sure whether a lot of people would agree but hoping for a positive response
Bonus