OU Garchomp

[Ash Borer]

I agree with Burningman. I had to run rocks on my scarf lando on a team where I simply couldnt fit them anywhere else and it made me want to vomit at the momentum loss it incurred. The team suffered greatly and rocks rarely got up early game.

 

[Zarel]

[edit: nevermind]

 

[horyzhnz]

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Overview
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Ever since its advent in the DPP era, Garchomp has been a force to be reckoned with in the OU metagame. With a complementary STAB combination, excellent offensive stats, and the ability to take on a wide array of roles, Garchomp makes for a key offensive threat. On top of its ability to take on many roles such as a mixed wallbreaker or a revenge killer, Garchomp also has quite respectable bulk for an offensive Pokemon, while simultaneously hitting a crucial Speed tier of 102, giving it the ability to outspeed threats such as Charizard and Landorus. All of these attributes allow Garchomp to be a devastatingly tricky Pokemon to play around, and constitute the factors that make it so versatile. Moreover, the shift to XY also granted Garchomp with a Mega Evolution, an alternate forme which augments its offensive stats to ridiculous heights in sacrifice exchange for Speed, reawakening its artifactual ChainChomp set. Apart from Garchompite, Garchomp can also utilize a diverse range of other items in its sets, adding to its distinguished flexibility.

However, the phrase 'Jack of all trades, master of none' couldn't be more applicable to our fearsome friend. Garchomp, while quite versatile, cannot pull off all of its sets at once, meaning that it will always be left wanting a little bit more. Its Stealth Rock set lacks the immediate power, its Mixed set the speed, and its Tank set the longevity. Additionally, Garchomp is plagued with a pesky x4 4x weakness to Ice, leaving it vulnerable to many revenge killers such as Thundurus and Deoxys-S.

Offensive Stealth Rock
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name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage / Dragon Claw
move 4: Fire Blast / Swords Dance
ability: Rough Skin
item: Rocky Helmet / Lum Berry / Focus Sash
nature: Naive / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

Moves
========

This set takes advantage of Garchomp's handy ability to force switches by incorporating Stealth Rock. A staple of almost every single team, Stealth Rock provides invaluable support and Garchomp is one of the few good offensive Pokemon to learn it. Earthquake and Outrage act as Garchomp's main two main STAB attacks, with Earthquake giving Garchomp the ability to deal with Heatran and Aegislash, while Outrage rounds off the coverage, hitting Flying-types and Levitators Levitate users immune to Earthquake. Dragon Claw can potentially replace Outrage if getting locked into it is undesirable, but lacks the power that Outrage boasts. Fire Blast is an excellent choice to hit the likes of Ferrothorn and Skarmory for a lot more damage, opening holes for setup sweepers later in the game and halting opposing entry hazard setters. Alternatively, Swords Dance can be used to make Garchomp an immediate threat to the opposing team and grants it a role outside of setting Stealth Rock.

Set Details
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The EVs are fairly straightforward, prioritizing Garchomp's Speed and Attack so that it can be as fast as possible, while the rest of the EVs are placed into Attack to escalate the power of Earthquake and Outrage. A Rocky Helmet works well in conjunction with Rough Skin to punish opponents that make contact with Garchomp, such as Scizor and Tyranitar. However, a Lum Berry can also be used to give Garchomp a one-time cure against status. In particular, it heals a single burn from the Pokemon such as Rotom-W, or a self-induced confusion from Outrage. Another item that could be used is a Focus Sash, which ensures that Garchomp can get Stealth Rock up and helps it when leading. In the case that one opts to run Swords Dance over Fire Blast, a Jolly nature is preferred as Garchomp would no longer require any Special Attack.

Usage Tips
========

Unlike the some of the other sets, this particular Garchomp is best used in the early-game (add hyphen) in order to get Stealth Rock on the field as soon as possible. As such, it is very common for this set to be used as a lead, but it doesn't necessarily need to be used as such. Garchomp should ideally set up Stealth Rock on Pokemon that can't immediately threaten it or will generally switch out, such as Heatran and Excadrill. Doing so allows Garchomp to make use of the free turns it gains from prompting said switches. This Garchomp set is more efficient at weakening opposing Pokemon early in the early game rather than attempting a complete sweep. For instance, it can use Fire Blast to weaken Skarmory or massively dent Gliscor with a +2 Outrage, allowing other sweepers to come in late game and clean up the remains.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that appreciate the presence of Stealth Rock are generally good partners. Examples of this include Talonflame and Mega Pinsir, two Pokemon which can take advantage of Stealth Rock to secure KOs and sweep weakened teams. These Pokemon also appreciate Garchomp's ability to fracture defensive Pokemon such as Skarmory or Hippowdon, depending on its set. In a similar vein, powerful wallbreakers such as Kyurem-B and Mega Charizard Y pair well with Garchomp to dismantle defensive Pokemon. Garchomp also resists Rock, which both of these Pokemon are weak too.

In order to keep Stealth Rock up, having a Ghost-type teammate to block Rapid Spin can be a great idea. Aegislash or and Gengar fit this role capably, with the former resisting two of Garchomp's weaknesses: Ice and Fairy. Bisharp is also another team option to consider, as it can exploit the evasion drop from Defog being used to remove Garchomp's Stealth Rock in order to trigger an Attack boost through Defiant.

Choice Scarf
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name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
move 4: Fire Blast / Dragon Claw
ability: Rough Skin
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Naive / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

Moves
========

Outrage is Garchomp's most powerful move with a Choice Scarf and should be used sparingly when the opponent's Steel- and Fairy-types are down and when the extra power is mandatory. Earthquake is its secondary STAB, which hits Pokemon,(RC) such as Heatran and Azumarill, that are not felled by Garchomp's Dragon-type moves. Rock Slide and Stone Edge can be chosen interchangeably for revenge killing certain threats such as Volcarona and Charizard. Rock Slide has a nifty flinch chance and higher accuracy, but Stone Edge has greater power and nets a guaranteed 2HKO on Togekiss. Fire Blast is Garchomp's main option in the final move slot, roasting the likes of Ferrothorn and Skarmory which both shrug off Garchomp's other attacks. Alternatively, Dragon Claw can be used as a means of giving Garchomp a Dragon-type STAB without getting locked into Outrage. Similarly, Dual Chop may also be used in order to break through Substitutes when revenge killing.

Set Details
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Employing a Choice Scarf, this particular set aims to maximize Garchomp's revenge killing potential by boosting its Speed. It also gives Garchomp to ability to act as a late-game cleaner after its main checks and counters have been disposed of. A Jolly nature is used to boost Garchomp's Speed stat to the highest degree, allowing it to outpace as many Pokemon as possible, such as +1 Timid Volcarona. A Naive nature should be used in conjunction with Fire Blast; however, if Fire Blast isn't used, Jolly is the preferred nature. The EVs are all pumped into Garchomp's Attack and Speed stats for the obvious reasons of maximizing its power and speed.

Usage Tips
========

Choice Scarf Garchomp acts primarily as a revenge killer and cleaner in order to take full advantage of its great Speed. Because of this, it is best to preserve Garchomp as a safety net for boosted threats and not use it recklessly. This also means that Garchomp shines in the end-game, a point by which most Pokemon have already been weakened if not already fainted. Because this set lacks the power possessed by its Swords Dance set, it should not be used to bash down walls or attack bulky foes that are not already weakened. Instead, it should enter the fray on free switches to finish off Pokemon.

Owing to its effect, Outrage is best used when the opponent has no Steel- or Fairy-type Pokemon so as not to give the opponent free setup opportunities. Likewise, Outrage should only be used when the power is essential to cleaning up, meaning that it will be used in the end game the majority most of the time. Fire Blast should be mainly be for hitting the formerly mentioned defensive Steel-types to give teammates and Garchomp an easier time of KOing them at a later point.

Team Options
========

Magnezone and Thundurus both have excellent synergy with Garchomp. Magnezone resists Garchomp's Fairy- and Ice-type weaknesses, while simultaneously being able to trap Steel-types and give Garchomp a more simple time in using more liberal use of Outrage. Thundurus can take out opposing Dragon-types which threaten Garchomp with an assortment of moves including Thunder Wave, Hidden Power, and Focus Blast. Dugtrio can also be used in a similar manner to Magnezone, getting rid of any remaining Steel-type Pokemon so that Garchomp can use its Dragon-type STAB without having to worry about the potential consequences of being locked into it.

Due to the lower damage output of Choice Scarf Garchomp compared to its other sets, it can be a good idea to run other powerful Dragon-types alongside (alongside is one word) it. Examples of Pokemon that can fit this role include Kyurem-B and Latios, which can weaken or remove Garchomp's checks and counters. Overall, Choice Scarf Garchomp works best as a glue for offensive and balanced teams, functioning as a good fail-safe (add hyphen) and providing support through in a variety of ways.

Swords Dance
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name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage / Dragon Claw
move 4: Stone Edge / Fire Fang
ability: Rough Skin
item: Lum Berry / Life Orb
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

Moves
========

Swords Dance allows Garchomp to augment its Attack stat, providing it with the necessary power to sweep teams after it sets up. Earthquake is its main STAB move and its primary attack; the Ground-type coverage complements its secondary Dragon-type attack, hitting the Fairy- and Steel-types which ignore Outrage. Outrage has greater power than Earthquake and hits Pokemon immune and resistant to Earthquake, such as Rotom-W and Landorus-T. However, it comes with the restraint disadvantage of getting locked into the move for two to three turns. If getting locked into the move is not preferred, Dragon Claw is an equally viable alternative. Garchomp's final moveslot is dedicated to choosing what Pokemon can counter it. If Stone Edge is chosen, Garchomp misses out on Skarmory, Bronzong, and Ferrothorn. Conversely, if you opt to use Fire Fang, Garchomp can no longer defeat Togekiss with ease. Apart from the moves listed, Substitute can potentially be used to shield Garchomp from status and provides safety from faster threats at the cost of losing out on a coverage move.

Set Details
========

The EV spread is quite clear-cut, maximizing the Speed and Attack in order to maximize Garchomp's sweeping potential. A Jolly nature is chosen as not to be outsped by the assortment of Pokemon sitting just below Garchomp's speed tier, such as Kyurem-B and Charizard. A Lum Berry and Life Orb are both usable. The former Lum Berry gives Garchomp a way to shield against status or may see use in curing cure confusion induced by Outrager. The latter, however, A Life Orb adds a bit of omph to Garchomp's attacks, securing extra KOs. Outside of the items listed, a Yache Berry can be used to weaken revenge killing attempts from the likes of Keldeo and Thundurus. One could also opt to use Garchomp's Mega Stone, Garchompite, if the ability to run through defensive teams more easily is desired. Finally, if you choose to use Substitute on the set, Leftovers are a viable option.

Usage Tips
========

Swords Dance Garchomp is best saved for the mid to late game when most of its main checks and counters have already been significantly weakened or have already fainted. This means that you should generally try to deal with Pokemon such as Skarmory and Bronzong before you try to set up Swords Dance so that Garchomp's sweeping attempt doesn't instantly fail. Because Garchomp can force switches quite easily, Swords Dance is best used on a predicted switch or when the Pokemon it is facing can do little to prevent a sweep. Examples of Pokemon that Garchomp can attempt to set up on include Chansey, Excadrill, and some variants of Tyranitar. Keep in mind that setting up a Swords Dance is a lot easier when Garchomp has a Lum Berry as it gives it the ability to use Swords Dance on Pokemon such as Rotom-W, which would otherwise burn it. Lastly, Outrage should only be used in situations where the opponent can not cannot reliably halt Garchomp's onslaught. In other words, do not use Outrage when your opponent still has a Fairy-type or healthy Steel-type remaining.

Team Options
========

Thundurus makes for an excellent partner to Swords Dance Garchomp. Not only can it deal with Skarmory, one of Garchomp's best counters, but it also has access to a Prankster boosted Thunder Wave. With this support, Garchomp no longer fears faster revenge killers, such as Latios and Keldeo. Mixed Aegislash is also a good teammate, providing a means of weakening Rotom-W, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon for Garchomp before it begins sweeper sweeping.

Heatran has great offensive and defensive synergy with Garchomp as well. It resists Ice, Fairy, and Dragon, while also being able to handle Skarmory and Ferrothorn with its Fire-type attacks. Additionally, Heatran can also set up Stealth Rock to help Garchomp pull off a sweep and can switch into Talonflame attempting to revenge kill Garchomp.

Smooth Rock Tyranitar is a near obligatory partner for this set if you opt to use Garchompite because of Mega-Garchomp's Sand Force ability activating in the weather condition provided. Hippowdon could alternatively fit this role, but doubling up on the Ground-typing usually isn't the best idea.

Mixed
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name: Mixed
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Stone Edge
ability: Rough Skin
item: Garchompite
nature: Naughty
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

Moves
========

Mixed Garchomp takes a special role in being able to hit from both physically and specially offensive sides, meaning that few walls will be able to withstand its onslaught. Earthquake is Garchomp's main STAB attack and is boosted by Sand Force when Mega Garchomp is used under sand. Draco Meteor is a secondary STAB option to hit common switch-ins, such as Landorus-T and Hippowdon, on their weaker defensive stat so that they can be finished off later. Fire Blast also takes advantage of Mega Garchomp's mixed capabilities, hitting Pokemon such as Skarmory and Ferrothorn for impressive damage. Lastly, Stone Edge completes Mega Garchomp's coverage, allowing it to hit Pokemon such as Togekiss and Rotom-W. Luckily, Stone Edge also gains a power boost from Sand Force.

Set Details
========

While it may seem foolish not to run investment into on Garchomp's Attack stat, the given EV spread is used so that Garchomp can still threaten Pokemon with its Speed prior to Mega Evolution. This includes Pokemon such as Bisharp, Mega Charizard X, and Kyurem-B, which would otherwise outpace it. The rest of the EVs are pumped into Garchomp's Special Attack in order to make its Draco Meteor and Fire Blast hit as hard as possible. A Naughty nature extends this power, while lowering its less useful defensive stat. Garchompite is an obvious item choice that allows Garchomp to Mega Evolve.

Usage Tips
========

Mixed Garchomp shines at one role above all else: breaking down defensive cores. With astonishingly high offensive stats, few defensive Pokemon can safely switch into its attacks. Because of its role as a wallbreaker, it is best used in the early-mid game in order to lure in and weaken Pokemon such as Skarmory and Landorus-T. It is important to know that it is not always necessary to Mega Evolve Garchomp instantly. This is because prior to Mega Evolution, Garchomp outspeeds certain threats (such as Kyurem-B) which it otherwise cannot after it has Mega Evolved.

Moreover, it should be noted that complete sweeps are not the goal of this Garchomp set; indeed, it simply intends to dismantle defensive cores so that other teammates can come in to clean up (add space in 'cleanup') fractured teams. In a similar vein, Mixed Garchomp should not attempt to stay in for prolonged periods of time due to its lowered Speed and vulnerability to revenge killing. For this reason, hit-and-run tactics generally serve prove to be far more effective.

Team Options
========

Sand support is highly recommended for this set due to the fact that a lot of Mega Garchomp's power is derived from Sand Force. As a result, Tyranitar is an excellent teammate—especially when equipped with a Smooth Rock. By the same token, Hippowdon can also do this, albeit having a somewhat conflicting typing with Garchomp. Sand Rush Excadrill can also work alongside this, cleaning up with the Speed boost provided by sand and ably removing hazards from the field with Rapid Spin.

Choice Band Azumarill is another effective teammate as it can exploit Mega Garchomp's wall breaking capabilities to clean up with Aqua Jet. Other sweepers that appreciate having their checks and counters worn down by Garchomp are also prime candidates. For instance, Swords Dance Talonflame enjoys being able to use Brave Bird without the presence of Rotom-W, making Mixed Garchomp a valuable teammate. Suicune also fits under this category, valuing the removal of Pokemon such as Blissey and Ferrothorn from the game.

Tank
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name: Tank
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Dragon Tail
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Toxic / Fire Blast
ability: Rough Skin
item: Rocky Helmet
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

Moves
========

This Garchomp set takes a new approach to its role, and while Earthquake still makes an appearance on the set, Garchomp's offensive abilities take a more backseat approach to its unique ability to work as a defensive Pokemon. Earthquake allows Garchomp to still finish off opponents and acts as a form of damage output. It is especially useful against the Steel-type Pokemon, such as Mawile and Aegislash, which are immune to Toxic or don't mind Dragon Tail. Garchomp's second attack, Dragon Tail, is used to let Garchomp phaze opponents and helps rack up damage from entry hazards. This means that most Pokemon cannot easily set up when facing Garchomp. Stealth Rock is a near-mandatory move on every team and Garchomp can exploit the switches it causes to set it up with relative ease. Toxic gives Garchomp another way to hurt opponents and by applying status and is an excellent move for Pokemon such as Rotom-W and Hippowdon. Fire Blast can also be used in this slot in order to hit Ferrothorn and Skarmory for extra damage.

In terms of alternative move choices, Tank Garchomp can potentially run a combination of Rest and Sleep Talk in the third and fourth moveslots in order to compensate for the lack of reliable recovery. This, however, deprives Garchomp of Stealth Rock and Toxic for support which can already be provided by teammates. If the team already has a Stealth Rock user outside of Garchomp, then the third slot can be dedicated to Fire Blast so that the combination of Toxic and Final Fire Blast can be utilized. Stone Edge is also a decent move on the set which can be used to OHKO Charizard-Y, Talonflame, and Mega Pinsir. Lastly, if one decides to use Leftovers on the set, Protect can be used to recover HP while scouting attacks.

Set Details
========

The main idea behind Tank Garchomp is to impede physical attackers by whittling down their health with the combination of Rough Skin and a Rocky Helmet, which causes opponents that make contact to lose almost 30% of their total HP. The EV spread and nature provide for maximum physical bulk, allowing Garchomp to take as many physical blows as possible. While an Impish nature is usually favorable, a Lax or Relaxed nature can also be used if lowering Fire Blast's damage output is undesirable.

Leftovers is an alternate item which grants Garchomp a means of restoring itself passive recovery without relying on team support, but sacrifices its utility through of passive damage. An EV spread of 252 HP / 196 Def / 60 Spe is also viable with a Jolly nature so that Garchomp can outspeed and attack OHKO Adamant Lucario and max Speed Heatran with Earthquake.
0 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Lucario: 362-428 (128.3 - 151.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Heatran: 508-604 (131.6 - 156.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
0 Atk Garchomp Earthquake vs. 4 HP / 252 Def Heatran: 408-484 (125.9 - 149.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO

Usage Tips
========

Garchomp's offensive presence takes a backseat role in this set's success, with its new use being to punish the wide array of physical attackers littered around the tier. As such, bringing Garchomp in on attacks such as Scizor's U-turn and Mega Pinsir's Quick Attack is generally a good idea. With a Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin, passive damage can rack up fairly quickly. Keep in mind, however, that despite the defensive investment, Tank Garchomp is by no means a wall and should not be used to combat setup sweepers, merely to punish lighter physical attackers. Garchomp also lacks any form of recovery outside of Rest, so it doesn't want to be switching in on attacks such as Choice Band Terrakion's Close Combat.

The Tank set can be brought out at virtually any point of a game, according to depending on when the opponent decides to use their physical attackers. However, that being said, getting up Stealth Rock as soon as possible is generally a good idea, as it allows your team to rack up passive damage more quickly. If you choose to run Protect on this set, it should be used to scout Choice-locked moves and gain free turns to heal with extra Leftovers recovery.

Team Options
========

Chansey stands out as being one of the best teammates for this Garchomp set. Chansey can not only pass Wishes to compensate for Garchomp's lack of recovery, but also has the benefit of luring in many physical attackers which Garchomp can punish with its brutal Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet combination. Moreover, Chansey can handle almost all special attackers which threaten Garchomp, such as Latios, Manaphy, and Sylveon.

Defensive Heatran resists all of Garchomp's weaknesses and can also cover the special attackers that Garchomp fears as well. Heatran can also use Stealth Rock and Roar to synergize with Garchomp's access to Dragon Tail. Pokemon that are weak to U-turn greatly appreciate having Garchomp as a teammate to disencourage and discipline the use of U-turn. Examples of this include Deoxys-S and Tyranitar.

Other Options
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Outside of the listed sets, Garchomp has a few other options. In particular, One could opt to give it a Choice Band for instant offensive power and wallbreaking capabilities; however, its mixed set generally outshines such a set in the wallbreaking department, and it would provide far too many setup opportunities. Other options in Garchomp's physical movepool include Aqua Tail, Iron Head, and Poison Jab. Aqua Tail could be used to hit Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Hippowdon for extra damage, whereas the latter two have use in hitting Fairy-type Pokemon such as Togekiss and Clefable harder. However, these moves usually provide assistance better served through provided by teammates, and limit Garchomp's options for the rest of its moveslots.

A set comprised of a Salac Berry and Substitute could work, giving Garchomp a way to boost its Speed when sweeping, which it cannot otherwise do. This grants Garchomp the ability to outspeed the large majority of the unboosted metagame and aids remedies the Speed issues of its Swords Dance set. That being said, the omnipresence of priority moves limits this set's potential as Pokemon such as Azumarill and Scizor would easily be able to revenge kill a weakened Garchomp.

A Yache Berry or Roseli Berry are possible item choices for offensive Garchomp sets, giving it a way to shield against soften revenge killing attempts from Ice- and Fairy-type attacks, respectively.

Checks & Counters
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**Physical Walls**: Physical walls are a great means of handle handling a bunch of some Garchomp sets. Specifically, Skarmory and Bronzong can manage Garchomp with relative ease, only dreading Fire Blast. Gliscor and Landorus-T can also ably switch into Garchomp, but do not appreciate the nuking power of mixed Garchomp's Draco Meteor. Quagsire, Hippowdon, and Donphan are other bulky Ground-types which can proficiently defeat Garchomp, with Quagsire boasting the perk of not caring about ignoring Swords Dance boosts thanks to Unaware.

**Fairy-types**: Togekiss is an amazing counter to Garchomp, being immune to both of its two main STABs and only fearing the more rare Stone Edge. Togekiss can either outright attack Garchomp with its Fairy-type STAB or alternatively set up or use Defog. Similarly, physically defensive Clefable can take on the majority of Garchomp's sets and does not fear Swords Dance by virtue of its ability, Unaware. Other examples of Fairy-types that can handle Garchomp include Azumarill and Sylveon, which can both easily revenge kill Garchomp.

**Revenge Killers**: Most revenge killers of Garchomp prey on its vulnerability to Ice and its Speed tier. In particular, Weavile and Mamoswine cannot easily switch into Garchomp, but can outspeed and OHKO Garchomp with their priority Ice Shards. Thundurus, Greninja, and Keldeo also all outspeed all non-Scarf variants of Garchomp and can handle it with their individual moves. Other speedy revenge killers, such as Latios and Deoxys-S, can also easily revenge kill Garchomp.

**Status**: One of Garchomp's shortcomings is definitely its susceptibility to status. Pokemon such as Mandibuzz and Quagsire can poison Garchomp with Toxic to hinder its longevity and then proceed to stall it out with their respective recovery moves. Moreover, the burn status also greatly hinders Garchomp, halving its Attack stat. Physically defensive Rotom-W is immune to Garchomp's Earthquake and can burn it with Will-O-Wisp.

 

[Alter]

implemented.

thanks horyzhnz! that was a really great amcheck.

 

[horyzhnz]

Labyrinthine
thanks! but I forgot one mistake after double-checking my own amcheck; in 'Moreover, the shift to XY also granted Garchomp with a Mega Evolution', the 'with' should be removed, sorry.

 

[Jukain]

i think an adamant/naughty nature could be added as an option for scarfchomp. besides outrunning the occasional +1 jolly char x and tying other scarfchomps, there isn't actually much use to running a +spe nature. adamant provides a nice extra bit of power, for example letting it deal ~80% to mega tar with eq and ~85% to max hp aegislash, as well as hit keldeo and landorus for like 80%. overall it helps solve the problem of scarfchomp being rather weak, which is useful. not the main option but a slash or set details mention would be good ^_^

 

[Alter]

after a discussion on irc we made the following changes to the scarf set:

- naive / naughty as the main two natures (because fire blast is slashed first)
- adamant / jolly placed into the set details

edit: i also decided to move focus sash to the first slot of sr chomp. 99% of people i talked to agreed with this change so hopefully it's not controversial

 

[Legitimate Username]

Ask and ye shall receive.
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Overview
########

Ever since its advent in the DPP era, Garchomp has been a force to be reckoned with in the OU metagame. With a complementary STAB combination, excellent offensive stats, and the ability to take on a wide array of roles, Garchomp makes for a key offensive threat. On top of its ability to take on perform many roles such as a mixed wallbreaker or a revenge killer, Garchomp also has quite respectable bulk for an offensive Pokemon, while simultaneously hitting a crucial Speed tier of 102, giving it the ability to outspeed threats such as Charizard and Landorus. All of these attributes allow Garchomp to be devastatingly tricky Pokemon to play around, and constitute the factors that make it so versatile. Moreover, the shift to XY also granted Garchomp a Mega Evolution, an alternate forme which augments its offensive stats to ridiculous heights in exchange for Speed, reawakening its artifactual ChainChomp set. Apart from Garchompite, Garchomp can also utilize a diverse range of other items in its sets, adding to its distinguished flexibility.

However, the phrase "Jack of all trades, master of none" couldn't be more applicable to our fearsome friend. Garchomp, while quite versatile, cannot pull off all of its sets at once, meaning that it will always be left wanting a little bit more. Its Stealth Rock set lacks the immediate power, its Mixed mixed set the lacks Speed, and its Tank tank set the lacks longevity. Additionally, Garchomp is plagued with a pesky 4x weakness to Ice, leaving it vulnerable to many revenge killers such as Thundurus and Deoxys-S.

Offensive Stealth Rock
########
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage / Dragon Claw
move 4: Fire Blast / Swords Dance
ability: Rough Skin
item: Focus Sash / Rocky Helmet / Lum Berry
nature: Naive / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

Moves
========

This set takes advantage of Garchomp's handy ability to force switches by incorporating Stealth Rock. A staple of almost every single team, Stealth Rock provides invaluable support and Garchomp is one of the few good offensive Pokemon to learn it. Earthquake and Outrage act as Garchomp's two main STAB attacks, with Earthquake giving Garchomp the ability to deal with Heatran and Aegislash, while Outrage rounds off the coverage, hitting the Flying-types and Levitate users that are immune to Earthquake. Dragon Claw can potentially replace Outrage if getting locked into it is undesirable, but lacks the power that Outrage boasts. Fire Blast is an excellent choice to hit for hitting the likes of Ferrothorn and Skarmory for a lot more damage, opening holes for setup sweepers later in the game and halting opposing entry hazard setters. Alternatively, Swords Dance can be used to make Garchomp an immediate threat to the opposing team and grants it a role outside of setting Stealth Rock.

Set Details
========

The EVs are fairly straightforward, prioritizing Garchomp's Speed so that it can be as fast as possible, while the rest of the EVs are placed into Attack to escalate the power of Earthquake and Outrage. Garchomp's main item choice is a Focus Sash, which ensures that it can get Stealth Rock up and survive otherwise deadly attacks. Alternatively, a Rocky Helmet works well in conjunction with Rough Skin to punish opponents that make contact with Garchomp, such as Scizor and Tyranitar. Finally, a Lum Berry can also be used to give Garchomp a one-time cure against status. In particular, it heals a single burn from Pokemon such as Rotom-W, or a self-induced confusion from Outrage. In the case that one opts to run Swords Dance over Fire Blast, a Jolly nature is preferred as Garchomp would no longer require any Special Attack.

Usage Tips
========

Unlike the some of the other sets, this particular Garchomp is best used early-game in order to get Stealth Rock on the field as soon as possible. As such, it is very common for this set to be used as a lead, but it doesn't necessarily need to be used as such. Garchomp should ideally set up Stealth Rock on Pokemon that can't immediately threaten it or will generally switch out, such as Heatran and Excadrill. Doing so allows Garchomp to make use of the free turns it gains from prompting said switches. This Garchomp set is more efficient at weakening opposing Pokemon early in the game rather than attempting a complete sweep. For instance, it can use Fire Blast to weaken Skarmory or massively dent Gliscor with a +2 Outrage, allowing other sweepers to come in late game and clean up the remains.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that appreciate the presence of Stealth Rock are generally good partners. Examples of this include Talonflame and Mega Pinsir, two Pokemon which that can take advantage of Stealth Rock to secure KOs and sweep weakened teams. These Pokemon also appreciate Garchomp's ability to fracture defensive Pokemon such as Skarmory or Hippowdon, depending on its set the final move chosen. In a similar vein, powerful wallbreakers such as Kyurem-B and Mega Charizard Y pair well with Garchomp to dismantle defensive Pokemon. Garchomp also resists Rock Rock-type moves, which both of these Pokemon are weak too.

In order to keep Stealth Rock up, having a Ghost-type teammate to block Rapid Spin can be a great idea. Aegislash and Gengar fit this role capably, with the former resisting two all of Garchomp's weaknesses: Ice, and Fairy, and Dragon (seemed like a detail worth adding). Bisharp is also another team option to consider, as it can exploit the evasion drop from Defog being used to remove Garchomp's Stealth Rock in order to trigger an Attack boost through Defiant.

Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
move 4: Fire Blast / Dragon Claw
ability: Rough Skin
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Naive / Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

Moves
========

Outrage is Garchomp's most powerful move with a Choice Scarf, but it and should be used sparingly when until the opponent's Steel- and Fairy-types are down and or when the extra power is mandatory. (I think this sentence makes more sense now?) Earthquake is its secondary STAB, which hits Pokemon such as Heatran and Azumarill, that are not felled by Garchomp's Dragon-type moves. Rock Slide and Stone Edge can be chosen interchangeably for revenge killing certain threats such as Volcarona and Charizard. Rock Slide has a nifty flinch chance and higher accuracy, but Stone Edge has greater power and nets a guaranteed 2HKO on Togekiss. Fire Blast is Garchomp's main option in the final move slot, roasting the likes of Ferrothorn and Skarmory, which can both shrug off Garchomp's other attacks. Alternatively, Dragon Claw can be used as a means of giving Garchomp a Dragon-type STAB without getting locked into Outrage. Similarly, Dual Chop may also be used in order to break through Substitutes when revenge killing.

Set Details
========

Employing a Choice Scarf, this particular set aims to maximize Garchomp's revenge killing potential capabilities by boosting its Speed. It also gives Garchomp to ability to act as a late game cleaner after its main checks and counters have been disposed of. A Naive nature is used to boost Garchomp's Speed stat to the highest degree, allowing it to outpace as many Pokemon as possible, such as +1 Timid Volcarona. Alternatively, a Naughty nature can be used at the expense of outspeeding Pokemon such as +1 Mega Charizard X in exchange for extra power. If Fire Blast isn't used, then a Jolly or Adamant nature can also should be used instead. The EVs are all pumped into Garchomp's Attack and Speed stats for the obvious reasons of maximizing its power and speed Speed.

Usage Tips
========

Choice Scarf Garchomp acts primarily as a revenge killer and cleaner in order to take full advantage of its great Speed. Because of this, it is best to preserve Garchomp as a safety net for boosted threats and not use it recklessly. This also means that Garchomp shines in the end game, a point by which most Pokemon have already been weakened if not already fainted. Because this set lacks the power possessed by its Swords Dance set, it should not be used to bash down walls or attack bulky foes that are not already weakened. Instead, it should enter the fray on free switches to finish off Pokemon.

Owing to its effect, Outrage is best used when the opponent has no Steel- or Fairy-type Pokemon so as not to give the opponent free setup opportunities. Likewise, Outrage should only be used when the power is essential to cleaning up, meaning that it will be used in the end game most of the time. Fire Blast should mainly be for hitting the formerly mentioned defensive Steel-types in order to give teammates, as well as and Garchomp itself, an easier time of KOing them at a later point.

Team Options
========

Magnezone and Thundurus both have excellent synergy with Garchomp. Magnezone resists all of Garchomp's Fairy- and Ice-type weaknesses, while simultaneously being able to trap opposing Steel-types and to give Garchomp more liberal use of Outrage. Thundurus can take out opposing Dragon-types which that threaten Garchomp with an assortment of moves including Thunder Wave, Hidden Power, and Focus Blast. Dugtrio can also be used in a similar manner to Magnezone, getting rid of any remaining Steel-type Pokemon so that Garchomp can use its Dragon-type STAB without having to worry about the potential consequences of being locked into it.

Due to the lower damage output of Choice Scarf Garchomp compared to its other sets, it can be a good idea to run other powerful Dragon-types alongside it. Examples of Pokemon that can fit this role include Kyurem-B and Latios, which can weaken or remove Garchomp's checks and counters. Overall, Choice Scarf Garchomp works best as a glue for offensive and balanced teams, functioning as a good fail-safe and providing support in a variety of ways.

Swords Dance
########
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage / Dragon Claw
move 4: Stone Edge / Fire Fang
ability: Rough Skin
item: Lum Berry / Life Orb
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

Moves
========

Swords Dance allows Garchomp to augment its Attack stat, providing it with the necessary power to sweep teams after it sets up. Earthquake is its main STAB move and its primary attack; the Ground-type coverage complements its secondary Dragon-type attack, hitting the Fairy- and Steel-types which that can ignore Outrage. Outrage has greater power than Earthquake and hits Pokemon immune and resistant to Earthquake, such as Rotom-W and Landorus-T. However, it comes with the disadvantage of getting locked into the move for two to three turns. If getting locked into the move is not preferred, Dragon Claw is an equally viable alternative. Garchomp's final moveslot is dedicated to choosing what Pokemon can counter it; if Stone Edge is chosen, Garchomp misses out on Skarmory, Bronzong, and Ferrothorn. Conversely, if you opt to use Fire Fang, Garchomp can no longer defeat Togekiss with ease. Apart from the moves listed, Substitute can potentially be used to shield Garchomp from status and provides safety from faster threats at the cost of losing out on a coverage move.

Set Details
========

The EV spread is quite clear-cut, maximizing the Speed and Attack in order to maximize boost Garchomp's sweeping potential. A Jolly nature is chosen as not to be outsped by the assortment of Pokemon sitting just below Garchomp's speed Speed tier, such as Kyurem-B and Charizard. Lum Berry gives Garchomp a way to shield against status or cure the confusion induced by Outrage. A Alternatively, a Life Orb adds a bit of oomph to Garchomp's attacks, securing extra KOs. Outside of the items listed, a Yache Berry can be used to weaken revenge killing attempts from the likes of Keldeo and Thundurus. One could also opt to use Garchomp's Mega Stone, Garchompite, if the ability to run through defensive teams more easily is desired. Finally, if you choose to use Substitute on the set, Leftovers are a is also viable option.

Usage Tips
========

Swords Dance Garchomp is best saved for mid mid- to late game late-game when most of its main checks and counters have already been significantly weakened or have already fainted. This means that you should generally try to deal with Pokemon such as Skarmory and Bronzong before you try to set up Swords Dance so that Garchomp's sweeping attempt doesn't instantly fail. Because Garchomp can force switches quite easily, Swords Dance is best used on a predicted switch or when the Pokemon it is facing can do little to prevent a sweep. Examples of Pokemon that Garchomp can attempt to set up on include Chansey, Excadrill, and some variants of Tyranitar. Keep in mind that setting up a Swords Dance is a lot easier when Garchomp has a Lum Berry, as it gives it the ability to use Swords Dance on Pokemon such as Rotom-W, which would otherwise burn it. Lastly, Outrage should only be used in situations where the opponent cannot reliably halt Garchomp's onslaught. In other words, do not use Outrage when your opponent still has a Fairy-type or healthy Steel-type remaining.

Team Options
========

Thundurus makes for an excellent partner to Swords Dance Garchomp. Not only can it deal with Skarmory, one of Garchomp's best counters, but it also has access to a Prankster Thunder Wave. With this support, Garchomp no longer fears faster revenge killers, such as Latios and Keldeo. Mixed Aegislash is also a good teammate, providing a means of weakening Rotom-W, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon for Garchomp before it begins sweeping.

Heatran has great offensive and defensive synergy with Garchomp as well. It resists Ice Ice-, Fairy Fairy-, and Dragon Dragon-type attacks, while also being able to handle Skarmory and Ferrothorn with its Fire-type attacks. Additionally, Heatran can also set up Stealth Rock to help Garchomp pull off a sweep and can switch into any Talonflame attempting that attempts to revenge kill Garchomp.

Smooth Rock Tyranitar is a near obligatory partner for this set if you opt to use Garchompite because of due to Mega Garchomp's Sand Force ability activating in the weather condition provided. Alternatively, Hippowdon could alternatively fit fill this role, but doubling up on the Ground-typing Ground-types usually isn't the best idea.

Mixed
########
name: Mixed
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Stone Edge
ability: Rough Skin
item: Garchompite
nature: Naughty
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

Moves
========

Mixed Garchomp takes a special role in being able to hit from both physically and specially offensive sides, meaning that few walls will be able to withstand its onslaught. Earthquake is Garchomp's main STAB attack and is boosted by Sand Force when Mega Garchomp is used under sand. Draco Meteor is a secondary STAB option to hit common switch-ins, such as Landorus-T and Hippowdon, on their weaker defensive stat so that they can be finished off later. Fire Blast also takes advantage of Mega Garchomp's mixed capabilities, hitting Pokemon such as Skarmory and Ferrothorn for impressive damage. Lastly, Stone Edge completes Mega Garchomp's coverage, allowing it to hit Pokemon such as Togekiss and Rotom-W. Luckily, Stone Edge also gains a power boost from Sand Force.

Set Details
========

While it may seem foolish not to run investment on in Garchomp's Attack stat, the given EV spread is used so that Garchomp can still threaten Pokemon with its Speed prior to Mega Evolution. This includes Pokemon such as Bisharp, Mega Charizard X, and Kyurem-B, which would otherwise outpace it. The rest of the EVs are pumped into Garchomp's Special Attack in order to make its Draco Meteor and Fire Blast hit as hard as possible. A Naughty nature extends this power, while lowering its less useful defensive stat. Garchompite is an obvious item choice that as it allows Garchomp to Mega Evolve, granting it massive raw power.

Usage Tips
========

Mixed Garchomp shines at one role above all else: breaking down defensive cores. With astonishingly high offensive stats, few defensive Pokemon can safely switch into its attacks. Because of its role as a wallbreaker, it is best used in the early-mid game early- to mid-game in order to lure in and weaken Pokemon such as Skarmory and Landorus-T. It is important to know that it is not always necessary to Mega Evolve Garchomp instantly because prior to Mega Evolution, Garchomp outspeeds certain threats (such as Kyurem-B) which that it otherwise cannot after it has Mega Evolved.

Moreover, it should be noted that complete sweeps are not the goal of this Garchomp set; it simply intends to dismantle defensive cores so that other teammates can come in to clean-up fractured teams. In a similar vein, Mixed Garchomp should not attempt to stay in for prolonged periods of time due to its lowered Speed and vulnerability to revenge killing. For this reason, hit-and-run tactics generally prove to be far more effective.

Team Options
========

Sand support is highly recommended for this set due to the fact that a lot of Mega Garchomp's power derives from Sand Force. As a result, Tyranitar is an excellent teammate—especially when equipped with a Smooth Rock. By the same token, Hippowdon can also do this, albeit having a somewhat conflicting typing with Garchomp. Sand Rush Excadrill can also work alongside this, cleaning up with the Speed boost provided by sand and ably removing hazards from the field with Rapid Spin.

Choice Band Azumarill is another effective teammate, as it can exploit Mega Garchomp's wall breaking wallbreaking capabilities to clean up with Aqua Jet. Other sweepers that appreciate having their checks and counters worn down by Garchomp are also prime candidates. For instance, Swords Dance Talonflame enjoys being able to use Brave Bird without the presence of Rotom-W, making Mixed mixed Garchomp a valuable teammate. Suicune also fits under this category, valuing the removal of Pokemon such as Blissey and Ferrothorn from the game.

Tank
########
name: Tank
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Dragon Tail
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Toxic / Fire Blast
ability: Rough Skin
item: Rocky Helmet
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

Moves
========

This Garchomp set takes a new approach to its role, and while Earthquake still makes an appearance on the set, Garchomp's offensive abilities take a more backseat approach to its unique ability to work as a defensive Pokemon. Earthquake allows Garchomp to still finish off opponents and acts as a basic form of damage output. It is especially useful against the Steel-type Pokemon, such as Mawile and Aegislash, which are immune to Toxic or don't mind Dragon Tail. Garchomp's second attack, Dragon Tail, is used to let Garchomp phaze opponents and helps help rack up damage from entry hazards. This means that most Pokemon cannot easily set up when facing Garchomp. Stealth Rock is a near-mandatory move on every team and Garchomp can exploit the switches it causes to set it up with relative ease. Toxic gives Garchomp another way to hurt opponents by applying status and is an excellent move for dealing with Pokemon such as Rotom-W and Hippowdon. Fire Blast can also be used in this slot in order to hit Ferrothorn and Skarmory for extra damage.

In terms of alternative move choices, Tank Garchomp can potentially run a combination of Rest and Sleep Talk in the third and fourth moveslots in order to compensate for the lack of reliable recovery. This, however, However, this deprives Garchomp of Stealth Rock and Toxic for support which that can be provided by teammates. If the team already has a Stealth Rock user outside of Garchomp, then the third slot can be dedicated to Fire Blast so that the combination of Toxic and Fire Blast can be utilized for extra coverage (this doesn't really seem all that much like a "combination"). Stone Edge is also a decent move on the set which can be used to OHKO Charizard-Y, Talonflame, and Mega Pinsir. Lastly, if one decides to use Leftovers on the set, Protect can be used to recover HP while scouting attacks.

Set Details
========

The main idea behind Tank tank Garchomp is to impede physical attackers by whittling down their health with the combination of Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet, which causes opponents that make contact to lose almost 30% of their total HP. The EV spread and nature provide maximum physical bulk, allowing Garchomp to take as many physical blows as possible. While an Impish nature is usually favorable, a Lax or Relaxed nature can also be used if lowering Fire Blast's damage output is undesirable.

Leftovers is an alternate alternative item which grants Garchomp a means of passive recovery without relying on team support, but sacrifices its utility of extra passive damage. An EV spread of 252 HP / 196 Def / 60 Spe is also viable with a Jolly nature so that Garchomp can outspeed and OHKO Adamant Lucario and max Speed Heatran with Earthquake.

Usage Tips
========

Garchomp's offensive presence takes a backseat role in this set's success, with its new use being to punish the wide array of physical attackers littered around the tier. As such, bringing Garchomp in on attacks such as Scizor's U-turn and Mega Pinsir's Quick Attack is generally a good idea. With a Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin, passive damage can rack up fairly quickly. Keep in mind, however, that despite the defensive investment, Tank Garchomp is by no means a wall and should not be used to combat setup sweepers, merely to punish lighter physical attackers. Garchomp also lacks any form of recovery outside of Rest, so it doesn't want to be switching in on attacks such as Choice Band Terrakion's Close Combat.

The Tank set can be brought out at virtually any point of a game, depending on when the opponent decides to use their physical attackers. However, that being said, getting up Stealth Rock as soon as possible is generally a good idea, as it allows your team to rack up passive damage more quickly. If you choose to run Protect on this set, it should be used to scout Choice-locked moves and gain extra Leftovers recovery.

Team Options
========

Chansey stands out as being one of the best teammates for this Garchomp set. Chansey can not only pass Wishes to compensate for Garchomp's lack of recovery, but it also has the benefit of luring in many physical attackers, which Garchomp can punish with its brutal combination of Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet combination. Moreover, Chansey can handle almost all special attackers which that threaten Garchomp, such as Latios, Manaphy, and Sylveon.

Defensive Heatran resists all of Garchomp's weaknesses and can also (don't need both "also" and "as well") cover the special attackers that Garchomp fears as well. Heatran can also use Stealth Rock and Roar to synergize with Garchomp's access to Dragon Tail. Pokemon that are weak to U-turn greatly appreciate having Garchomp as a teammate to disencourage the use of U-turn. Examples of this these include Deoxys-S and Tyranitar.

Other Options
########

Outside of the listed sets, Garchomp has a few other options. One could opt to give it a Choice Band for instant offensive power and wallbreaking capabilities. However, its mixed set generally outshines such a set in the wallbreaking department, and it would provide far too many setup opportunities. Other options in Garchomp's physical movepool include Aqua Tail, Iron Head, and Poison Jab. Aqua Tail could be used to hit Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Hippowdon for extra damage, whereas the latter two have use in hitting Fairy-type Pokemon such as Togekiss and Clefable harder. However, these moves usually provide assistance that is better provided by teammates, and they limit Garchomp's options for the rest of its moveslots.

A set comprised of a Salac Berry and Substitute could work, giving Garchomp a way to boost of boosting its Speed when sweeping, which it cannot otherwise do. This grants Garchomp the ability to outspeed the large majority of the unboosted metagame and remedies the Speed issues of its Swords Dance set. That being said, the omnipresence of priority moves limits this set's potential, as Pokemon such as Azumarill and Scizor would easily be able to easily revenge kill a weakened Garchomp.

A Yache Berry or Roseli Berry are possible item choices for offensive Garchomp sets, giving it a way to soften revenge killing attempts from Ice- and Fairy-type attacks, respectively.

Checks & Counters
########

**Physical Walls**: Physical walls are a great means of handling some Garchomp sets. Specifically, Skarmory and Bronzong can manage Garchomp with relative ease, only dreading Fire Blast. Gliscor and Landorus-T can also ably switch into Garchomp, but do not appreciate the nuking power of mixed Garchomp's Draco Meteor. Quagsire, Hippowdon, and Donphan are other bulky Ground-types which that can proficiently defeat Garchomp, with Quagsire boasting the perk of ignoring Swords Dance boosts thanks to Unaware.

**Fairy-types**: Togekiss is an amazing counter to Garchomp, being immune to both of its two main STABs and only fearing the rare Stone Edge. Togekiss can either outright attack Garchomp with its Fairy-type STAB, or alternatively set up on it, or use Defog. Similarly, physically defensive Clefable can take on the majority of Garchomp's sets and does not fear Swords Dance by virtue of its ability, Unaware. Other examples of Fairy-types that can handle Garchomp include Azumarill and Sylveon, which can both easily revenge kill Garchomp.

**Revenge Killers**: Most revenge killers of Garchomp prey on its vulnerability to Ice Ice-type attacks and its Speed tier. In particular, Weavile and Mamoswine cannot easily switch into Garchomp, but they can outspeed and OHKO Garchomp with their priority Ice Shards. Thundurus, Greninja, and Keldeo can also all outspeed all non-Scarf non-Choice Scarf variants of Garchomp and can handle it with their individual moves. Other speedy revenge killers, such as Latios and Deoxys-S, can also easily revenge kill Garchomp.

**Status**: One of Garchomp's shortcomings is definitely its susceptibility to status. Pokemon such as Mandibuzz and Quagsire can poison Garchomp with Toxic to hinder its longevity and then proceed to stall it out with their respective recovery moves. Moreover, the burn status also greatly hinders Garchomp, halving as it halves its Attack stat. Physically defensive Rotom-W is immune to Garchomp's Earthquake and can burn it with Will-O-Wisp.

Copypaste

Overview
########

Ever since its advent in the DPP era, Garchomp has been a force to be reckoned with in the OU metagame. With a complementary STAB combination, excellent offensive stats, and the ability to take on a wide array of roles, Garchomp makes for a key offensive threat. On top of its ability to perform many roles such as a mixed wallbreaker or a revenge killer, Garchomp also has quite respectable bulk for an offensive Pokemon, while simultaneously hitting a crucial Speed tier of 102, giving it the ability to outspeed threats such as Charizard and Landorus. All of these attributes allow Garchomp to be devastatingly tricky Pokemon to play around, and constitute the factors that make it so versatile. Moreover, the shift to XY also granted Garchomp a Mega Evolution, an alternate forme which augments its offensive stats to ridiculous heights in exchange for Speed, reawakening its artifactual ChainChomp set. Apart from Garchompite, Garchomp can also utilize a diverse range of other items in its sets, adding to its distinguished flexibility.

However, the phrase "Jack of all trades, master of none" couldn't be more applicable to our fearsome friend. Garchomp, while quite versatile, cannot pull off all of its sets at once, meaning that it will always be left wanting a little bit more. Its Stealth Rock set lacks immediate power, its mixed set lacks Speed, and its tank set lacks longevity. Additionally, Garchomp is plagued with a pesky 4x weakness to Ice, leaving it vulnerable to many revenge killers such as Thundurus and Deoxys-S.

Offensive Stealth Rock
########
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage / Dragon Claw
move 4: Fire Blast / Swords Dance
ability: Rough Skin
item: Focus Sash / Rocky Helmet / Lum Berry
nature: Naive / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

Moves
========

This set takes advantage of Garchomp's handy ability to force switches by incorporating Stealth Rock. A staple of almost every single team, Stealth Rock provides invaluable support and Garchomp is one of the few good offensive Pokemon to learn it. Earthquake and Outrage act as Garchomp's two main STAB attacks, with Earthquake giving Garchomp the ability to deal with Heatran and Aegislash, while Outrage rounds off the coverage, hitting the Flying-types and Levitate users that are immune to Earthquake. Dragon Claw can potentially replace Outrage if getting locked into it is undesirable, but lacks the power that Outrage boasts. Fire Blast is an excellent choice for hitting the likes of Ferrothorn and Skarmory for a lot more damage, opening holes for setup sweepers later in the game and halting opposing entry hazard setters. Alternatively, Swords Dance can be used to make Garchomp an immediate threat to the opposing team and grants it a role outside of setting Stealth Rock.

Set Details
========

The EVs are fairly straightforward, prioritizing Garchomp's Speed so it can be as fast as possible, while the rest of the EVs are placed into Attack to escalate the power of Earthquake and Outrage. Garchomp's main item choice is a Focus Sash, which ensures that it can get Stealth Rock up and survive otherwise deadly attacks. Alternatively, a Rocky Helmet works well in conjunction with Rough Skin to punish opponents that make contact with Garchomp, such as Scizor and Tyranitar. Finally, a Lum Berry can also be used to give Garchomp a one-time cure against status. In particular, it heals a single burn from Pokemon such as Rotom-W, or a self-induced confusion from Outrage. In the case that one opts to run Swords Dance over Fire Blast, a Jolly nature is preferred as Garchomp would no longer require any Special Attack.

Usage Tips
========

Unlike the some of the other sets, this particular Garchomp is best used early-game in order to get Stealth Rock on the field as soon as possible. As such, it is very common for this set to be used as a lead, but it doesn't necessarily need to be. Garchomp should ideally set up Stealth Rock on Pokemon that can't immediately threaten it or will generally switch out, such as Heatran and Excadrill. Doing so allows Garchomp to make use of the free turns it gains from prompting said switches. This Garchomp set is more efficient at weakening opposing Pokemon early in the game rather than attempting a complete sweep. For instance, it can use Fire Blast to weaken Skarmory or massively dent Gliscor with a +2 Outrage, allowing other sweepers to come in late game and clean up the remains.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that appreciate the presence of Stealth Rock are generally good partners. Examples of this include Talonflame and Mega Pinsir, two Pokemon that can take advantage of Stealth Rock to secure KOs and sweep weakened teams. These Pokemon also appreciate Garchomp's ability to fracture defensive Pokemon such as Skarmory or Hippowdon, depending on the final move chosen. In a similar vein, powerful wallbreakers such as Kyurem-B and Mega Charizard Y pair well with Garchomp to dismantle defensive Pokemon. Garchomp also resists Rock-type moves, which both of these Pokemon are weak too.

In order to keep Stealth Rock up, having a Ghost-type teammate to block Rapid Spin can be a great idea. Aegislash and Gengar fit this role capably, with the former resisting all of Garchomp's weaknesses: Ice, Fairy, and Dragon. Bisharp is also another team option to consider, as it can exploit the evasion drop from Defog being used to remove Garchomp's Stealth Rock in order to trigger an Attack boost through Defiant.

Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
move 4: Fire Blast / Dragon Claw
ability: Rough Skin
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Naive / Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

Moves
========

Outrage is Garchomp's most powerful move with a Choice Scarf, but it should be used sparingly until the opponent's Steel- and Fairy-types are down or when the extra power is mandatory. Earthquake is its secondary STAB, which hits Pokemon such as Heatran and Azumarill that are not felled by Garchomp's Dragon-type moves. Rock Slide and Stone Edge can be chosen interchangeably for revenge killing certain threats such as Volcarona and Charizard. Rock Slide has a nifty flinch chance and higher accuracy, but Stone Edge has greater power and nets a guaranteed 2HKO on Togekiss. Fire Blast is Garchomp's main option in the final move slot, roasting the likes of Ferrothorn and Skarmory, which can both shrug off Garchomp's other attacks. Alternatively, Dragon Claw can be used as a means of giving Garchomp a Dragon-type STAB without getting locked into Outrage. Similarly, Dual Chop may also be used in order to break through Substitutes when revenge killing.

Set Details
========

Employing a Choice Scarf, this particular set aims to maximize Garchomp's revenge killing capabilities by boosting its Speed. It also gives Garchomp to ability to act as a late game cleaner after its main checks and counters have been disposed of. A Naive nature is used to boost Garchomp's Speed stat to the highest degree, allowing it to outpace as many Pokemon as possible, such as +1 Timid Volcarona. Alternatively, a Naughty nature can be used at the expense of outspeeding Pokemon such as +1 Mega Charizard X in exchange for extra power. If Fire Blast isn't used, then a Jolly or Adamant nature should be used instead. The EVs are all pumped into Garchomp's Attack and Speed stats for the obvious reasons of maximizing its power and Speed.

Usage Tips
========

Choice Scarf Garchomp acts primarily as a revenge killer and cleaner in order to take full advantage of its great Speed. Because of this, it is best to preserve Garchomp as a safety net for boosted threats and not use it recklessly. This also means that Garchomp shines in the end game, a point by which most Pokemon have already been weakened if not already fainted. Because this set lacks the power possessed by its Swords Dance set, it should not be used to bash down walls or attack bulky foes that are not already weakened. Instead, it should enter the fray on free switches to finish off Pokemon.

Owing to its effect, Outrage is best used when the opponent has no Steel- or Fairy-type Pokemon so as not to give the opponent free setup opportunities. Likewise, Outrage should only be used when the power is essential to cleaning up, meaning that it will be used in the end game most of the time. Fire Blast should mainly be for hitting the formerly mentioned defensive Steel-types in order to give teammates, as well as Garchomp itself, an easier time of KOing them at a later point.

Team Options
========

Magnezone and Thundurus both have excellent synergy with Garchomp. Magnezone resists all of Garchomp's weaknesses while simultaneously being able to trap opposing Steel-types to give Garchomp more liberal use of Outrage. Thundurus can take out opposing Dragon-types that threaten Garchomp with an assortment of moves including Thunder Wave, Hidden Power, and Focus Blast. Dugtrio can also be used in a similar manner to Magnezone, getting rid of any remaining Steel-type Pokemon so that Garchomp can use its Dragon-type STAB without having to worry about the potential consequences of being locked into it.

Due to the lower damage output of Choice Scarf Garchomp compared to its other sets, it can be a good idea to run other powerful Dragon-types alongside it. Examples of Pokemon that can fit this role include Kyurem-B and Latios, which can weaken or remove Garchomp's checks and counters. Overall, Choice Scarf Garchomp works best as a glue for offensive and balanced teams, functioning as a good fail-safe and providing support in a variety of ways.

Swords Dance
########
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage / Dragon Claw
move 4: Stone Edge / Fire Fang
ability: Rough Skin
item: Lum Berry / Life Orb
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

Moves
========

Swords Dance allows Garchomp to augment its Attack stat, providing it with the necessary power to sweep teams after it sets up. Earthquake is its main STAB move and its primary attack; the Ground-type coverage complements its secondary Dragon-type attack, hitting the Fairy- and Steel-types that can ignore Outrage. Outrage has greater power than Earthquake and hits Pokemon immune and resistant to Earthquake, such as Rotom-W and Landorus-T. However, it comes with the disadvantage of getting locked into the move for two to three turns. If getting locked into the move is not preferred, Dragon Claw is an equally viable alternative. Garchomp's final moveslot is dedicated to choosing what Pokemon can counter it; if Stone Edge is chosen, Garchomp misses out on Skarmory, Bronzong, and Ferrothorn. Conversely, if you opt to use Fire Fang, Garchomp can no longer defeat Togekiss with ease. Apart from the moves listed, Substitute can potentially be used to shield Garchomp from status and provides safety from faster threats at the cost of losing out on a coverage move.

Set Details
========

The EV spread is quite clear-cut, maximizing Speed and Attack in order to boost Garchomp's sweeping potential. A Jolly nature is chosen as not to be outsped by the assortment of Pokemon sitting just below Garchomp's Speed tier, such as Kyurem-B and Charizard. Lum Berry gives Garchomp a way to shield against status or cure the confusion induced by Outrage. Alternatively, a Life Orb adds a bit of oomph to Garchomp's attacks, securing extra KOs. Outside of the items listed, a Yache Berry can be used to weaken revenge killing attempts from the likes of Keldeo and Thundurus. One could also opt to use Garchomp's Mega Stone, Garchompite, if the ability to run through defensive teams more easily is desired. Finally, if you choose to use Substitute on the set, Leftovers is also viable option.

Usage Tips
========

Swords Dance Garchomp is best saved for mid- to late-game when most of its main checks and counters have already been significantly weakened or have fainted. This means that you should generally try to deal with Pokemon such as Skarmory and Bronzong before you try to set up Swords Dance so that Garchomp's sweeping attempt doesn't instantly fail. Because Garchomp can force switches quite easily, Swords Dance is best used on a predicted switch or when the Pokemon it is facing can do little to prevent a sweep. Examples of Pokemon that Garchomp can attempt to set up on include Chansey, Excadrill, and some variants of Tyranitar. Keep in mind that setting up a Swords Dance is a lot easier when Garchomp has a Lum Berry, as it gives it the ability to use Swords Dance on Pokemon such as Rotom-W, which would otherwise burn it. Lastly, Outrage should only be used in situations where the opponent cannot reliably halt Garchomp's onslaught. In other words, do not use Outrage when your opponent still has a Fairy-type or healthy Steel-type remaining.

Team Options
========

Thundurus makes for an excellent partner to Swords Dance Garchomp. Not only can it deal with Skarmory, one of Garchomp's best counters, it also has access to Prankster Thunder Wave. With this support, Garchomp no longer fears faster revenge killers, such as Latios and Keldeo. Mixed Aegislash is also a good teammate, providing a means of weakening Rotom-W, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon for Garchomp before it begins sweeping.

Heatran has great offensive and defensive synergy with Garchomp as well. It resists Ice-, Fairy-, and Dragon-type attacks, while also being able to handle Skarmory and Ferrothorn with its Fire-type attacks. Additionally, Heatran can also set up Stealth Rock to help Garchomp pull off a sweep and can switch into any Talonflame that attempts to revenge kill Garchomp.

Smooth Rock Tyranitar is a near obligatory partner for this set if you opt to use Garchompite due to Mega Garchomp's Sand Force ability activating in the weather condition provided. Alternatively, Hippowdon could fill this role, but doubling up on the Ground-types usually isn't the best idea.

Mixed
########
name: Mixed
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Stone Edge
ability: Rough Skin
item: Garchompite
nature: Naughty
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

Moves
========

Mixed Garchomp takes a special role in being able to hit from both physically and specially offensive sides, meaning that few walls will be able to withstand its onslaught. Earthquake is Garchomp's main STAB attack and is boosted by Sand Force when Mega Garchomp is used under sand. Draco Meteor is a secondary STAB option to hit common switch-ins, such as Landorus-T and Hippowdon, on their weaker defensive stat so that they can be finished off later. Fire Blast also takes advantage of Mega Garchomp's mixed capabilities, hitting Pokemon such as Skarmory and Ferrothorn for impressive damage. Lastly, Stone Edge completes Mega Garchomp's coverage, allowing it to hit Pokemon such as Togekiss and Rotom-W. Stone Edge also gains a power boost from Sand Force.

Set Details
========

While it may seem foolish not to run investment in Garchomp's Attack stat, the given EV spread is used so that Garchomp can still threaten Pokemon with its Speed prior to Mega Evolution. This includes Pokemon such as Bisharp, Mega Charizard X, and Kyurem-B, which would otherwise outpace it. The rest of the EVs are pumped into Garchomp's Special Attack in order to make its Draco Meteor and Fire Blast hit as hard as possible. A Naughty nature extends this power, while lowering its less useful defensive stat. Garchompite is an obvious item choice as it allows Garchomp to Mega Evolve, granting it massive raw power.

Usage Tips
========

Mixed Garchomp shines at one role above all else: breaking down defensive cores. With astonishingly high offensive stats, few defensive Pokemon can safely switch into its attacks. Because of its role as a wallbreaker, it is best used in the early- to mid-game in order to lure in and weaken Pokemon such as Skarmory and Landorus-T. It is important to know that it is not always necessary to Mega Evolve Garchomp instantly because prior to Mega Evolution, Garchomp outspeeds certain threats (such as Kyurem-B) that it otherwise cannot after it has Mega Evolved.

Moreover, it should be noted that complete sweeps are not the goal of this Garchomp set; it simply intends to dismantle defensive cores so that other teammates can come in to clean-up fractured teams. In a similar vein, Mixed Garchomp should not attempt to stay in for prolonged periods of time due to its lowered Speed and vulnerability to revenge killing. For this reason, hit-and-run tactics generally prove to be far more effective.

Team Options
========

Sand support is highly recommended for this set due to the fact that a lot of Mega Garchomp's power derives from Sand Force. As a result, Tyranitar is an excellent teammate—especially when equipped with a Smooth Rock. By the same token, Hippowdon can also do this, albeit having a somewhat conflicting typing with Garchomp. Sand Rush Excadrill can also work alongside this, cleaning up with the Speed boost provided by sand and ably removing hazards from the field with Rapid Spin.

Choice Band Azumarill is another effective teammate, as it can exploit Mega Garchomp's wallbreaking capabilities to clean up with Aqua Jet. Other sweepers that appreciate having their checks and counters worn down by Garchomp are also prime candidates. For instance, Swords Dance Talonflame enjoys being able to use Brave Bird without the presence of Rotom-W, making mixed Garchomp a valuable teammate. Suicune also fits under this category, valuing the removal of Pokemon such as Blissey and Ferrothorn from the game.

Tank
########
name: Tank
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Dragon Tail
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Toxic / Fire Blast
ability: Rough Skin
item: Rocky Helmet
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

Moves
========

This Garchomp set takes a new approach to its role, and while Earthquake still makes an appearance on the set, Garchomp's offensive abilities take a more backseat approach to its unique ability to work as a defensive Pokemon. Earthquake allows Garchomp to still finish off opponents and acts as a basic form of damage output. It is especially useful against Steel-type Pokemon, such as Mawile and Aegislash, which are immune to Toxic or don't mind Dragon Tail. Garchomp's second attack, Dragon Tail, is used to phaze opponents and help rack up damage from entry hazards. This means that most Pokemon cannot easily set up when facing Garchomp. Stealth Rock is a near-mandatory move on every team and Garchomp can exploit the switches it causes to set it up with relative ease. Toxic gives Garchomp another way to hurt opponents by applying status and is an excellent move for dealing with Pokemon such as Rotom-W and Hippowdon. Fire Blast can also be used in this slot in order to hit Ferrothorn and Skarmory for extra damage.

In terms of alternative move choices, Garchomp can potentially run a combination of Rest and Sleep Talk in the third and fourth moveslots in order to compensate for the lack of reliable recovery. However, this deprives Garchomp of Stealth Rock and Toxic for support that can be provided by teammates. If the team already has a Stealth Rock user outside of Garchomp, then the third slot can be dedicated to Fire Blast for extra coverage. Stone Edge is also a decent move on the set which can be used to OHKO Charizard-Y, Talonflame, and Mega Pinsir. Lastly, if one decides to use Leftovers, Protect can be used to recover HP while scouting attacks.

Set Details
========

The main idea behind tank Garchomp is to impede physical attackers by whittling down their health with the combination of Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet, which causes opponents that make contact to lose almost 30% of their total HP. The EV spread and nature provide maximum physical bulk, allowing Garchomp to take as many physical blows as possible. While an Impish nature is usually favorable, a Lax or Relaxed nature can also be used if lowering Fire Blast's damage output is undesirable.

Leftovers is an alternative item which grants Garchomp a means of passive recovery without relying on team support, but sacrifices its utility of extra passive damage. An EV spread of 252 HP / 196 Def / 60 Spe is also viable with a Jolly nature so that Garchomp can outspeed and OHKO Adamant Lucario and max Speed Heatran with Earthquake.

Usage Tips
========

Garchomp's offensive presence takes a backseat role in this set's success, with its new use being to punish the wide array of physical attackers littered around the tier. As such, bringing Garchomp in on attacks such as Scizor's U-turn and Mega Pinsir's Quick Attack is generally a good idea. With a Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin, passive damage can rack up fairly quickly. Keep in mind, however, that despite the defensive investment, Garchomp is by no means a wall and should not be used to combat setup sweepers, merely to punish lighter physical attackers. Garchomp also lacks any form of recovery outside of Rest, so it doesn't want to be switching in on attacks such as Choice Band Terrakion's Close Combat.

The Tank set can be brought out at virtually any point of a game, depending on when the opponent decides to use their physical attackers. However, that being said, getting up Stealth Rock as soon as possible is generally a good idea, as it allows your team to rack up passive damage more quickly. If you choose to run Protect on this set, it should be used to scout Choice-locked moves and gain extra Leftovers recovery.

Team Options
========

Chansey stands out as being one of the best teammates for this Garchomp set. Chansey can not only pass Wishes to compensate for Garchomp's lack of recovery, but it also has the benefit of luring in many physical attackers, which Garchomp can punish with its brutal combination of Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet. Moreover, Chansey can handle almost all special attackers that threaten Garchomp, such as Latios, Manaphy, and Sylveon.

Defensive Heatran resists all of Garchomp's weaknesses and can cover the special attackers that Garchomp fears as well. Heatran can also use Stealth Rock and Roar to synergize with Garchomp's access to Dragon Tail. Pokemon that are weak to U-turn greatly appreciate having Garchomp as a teammate to disencourage the use of U-turn. Examples of these include Deoxys-S and Tyranitar.

Other Options
########

Outside of the listed sets, Garchomp has a few other options. One could opt to give it a Choice Band for instant offensive power and wallbreaking capabilities. However, its mixed set generally outshines such a set in the wallbreaking department, and it would provide far too many setup opportunities. Other options in Garchomp's physical movepool include Aqua Tail, Iron Head, and Poison Jab. Aqua Tail could be used to hit Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Hippowdon for extra damage, whereas the latter two have use in hitting Fairy-type Pokemon such as Togekiss and Clefable harder. However, these moves usually provide assistance that is better provided by teammates, and they limit Garchomp's options for the rest of its moveslots.

A set comprised of a Salac Berry and Substitute could work, giving Garchomp a way of boosting its Speed when sweeping, which it cannot otherwise do. This grants Garchomp the ability to outspeed the large majority of the unboosted metagame and remedies the Speed issues of its Swords Dance set. That being said, the omnipresence of priority moves limits this set's potential, as Pokemon such as Azumarill and Scizor would be able to easily revenge kill a weakened Garchomp.

A Yache Berry or Roseli Berry are possible item choices for offensive Garchomp sets, giving it a way to soften revenge killing attempts from Ice- and Fairy-type attacks, respectively.

Checks & Counters
########

**Physical Walls**: Physical walls are a great means of handling some Garchomp sets. Specifically, Skarmory and Bronzong can manage Garchomp with relative ease, only dreading Fire Blast. Gliscor and Landorus-T can also ably switch into Garchomp, but do not appreciate the nuking power of mixed Garchomp's Draco Meteor. Quagsire, Hippowdon, and Donphan are other bulky Ground-types that can proficiently defeat Garchomp, with Quagsire boasting the perk of ignoring Swords Dance boosts thanks to Unaware.

**Fairy-types**: Togekiss is an amazing counter to Garchomp, being immune to both of its two main STABs and only fearing the rare Stone Edge. Togekiss can either outright attack Garchomp with its Fairy-type STAB, set up on it, or use Defog. Similarly, physically defensive Clefable can take on the majority of Garchomp's sets and does not fear Swords Dance by virtue of its ability, Unaware. Other examples of Fairy-types that can handle Garchomp include Azumarill and Sylveon, which can both easily revenge kill Garchomp.

**Revenge Killers**: Most revenge killers of Garchomp prey on its vulnerability to Ice-type attacks and its Speed tier. In particular, Weavile and Mamoswine cannot easily switch into Garchomp, but they can OHKO Garchomp with their priority Ice Shards. Thundurus, Greninja, and Keldeo can also all outspeed all non-Choice Scarf variants of Garchomp and can handle it with their individual moves. Other speedy revenge killers, such as Latios and Deoxys-S, can also easily revenge kill Garchomp.

**Status**: One of Garchomp's shortcomings is its susceptibility to status. Pokemon such as Mandibuzz and Quagsire can poison Garchomp with Toxic to hinder its longevity and then proceed to stall it out with their respective recovery moves. Moreover, the burn status also greatly hinders Garchomp, as it halves its Attack stat. Physically defensive Rotom-W is immune to Garchomp's Earthquake and can burn it with Will-O-Wisp.

GP approved 1/2

 

[BurningMan]

On the SR set i think LO should get at least get a mention if not a Slash it allows you to deal with Mandibuzz/chansey a lot better as you can 2HKO after SR with Outrage, 2HKO Phy def Zapdos even without SR gurantees the OHKO on ZardY, 93% chance to OHKO Lando-I after SR etc etc. , it also powers up Fire Blast against Skarmory from 52-62 to 69-80% which is exrtemely helpful because that makes it much much harder for skarmory to come back later and heal up. It also generally provides a nice power boost that makes Garchomp a lot more threatening right of the bat which is important for the offensive teams where you will normally use SR Chomp. Yes it kinda compromises Garchomps otherwise excellent bulk which makes it a little harder to set-up SR multiple times, but on the teams you use SR chomp this isn't as much of an issue since balanced teams often have better/more reliable SR setters anyway and more offensive teams really appreaciate Garchomp Wallbreaking power.

Calcs:
252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 252 Def Clefable: 207-243 (52.5 - 61.6%) -- 98.4% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Outrage vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Mega Charizard Y: 313-370 (105 - 124.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Zapdos: 204-242 (53.1 - 63%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Stone Edge vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mandibuzz: 198-234 (46.6 - 55.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Outrage vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Landorus: 278-329 (86.8 - 102.8%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
0 SpA Life Orb Garchomp Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 229-270 (68.5 - 80.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Garchomp Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Skarmory: 176-208 (52.6 - 62.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
-1 252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Outrage vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Landorus-T: 187-220 (48.9 - 57.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
0 SpA Life Orb Garchomp Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Ferrothorn: 302-359 (85.7 - 101.9%) -- 50% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
0 SpA Life Orb Garchomp Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Mega Scizor: 343-406 (99.7 - 118%) -- guaranteed OHKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Outrage vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Mega Venusaur: 160-188 (43.9 - 51.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock

I also really don't like Sash, first it is easiely broken if you do not try to set-up SR on turn one which can make it useless unless you provide hazard support which isn't as hard as it used to be, but it still puts a strain on the player, second outside of Ice Beams or Draco Meteors Garchomp is almost impossible to OHKO anyway making it unecessary anyway. Yeah it is coold if you absolutely need SR from turn 1, but how often is this the case anyway and if your team really does need this there are usualy better faster SR setters like Deo-s/d that can do this much better anyway. Even Yache Berry has more merit here because it at least allows you to decently check Thundurus-I.

Honestly i have played quite a bit with SR Garchomp and while Rocky Helmet/Lum/LO are excellent choices that can help a ton, Focus Sash just sucks on something so bulky with only a few weaknesses especially since resist berries exist which are usually the better choice since they don't break after SR and can allow you to lure a few of your usual counter if you want that. SO imo take out focus sash (or at least only a mention) mention resist berrys instead and give LO a slash or at least a strong mention.

 

[Ash Borer]

Sash is good, it lets you set up SR on Deo-D, then get a kill on something giving the user a big advantage early game.

 

[Jukain]

Sash is something that I think should definitely stay. It's seen proven success especially on FLCL's recent multi-sash offensive team. It makes it more threatening to faster threats such as Thundurus, Greninja, and Latios which can no longer just KO it/obtain momentum. If you need it, it also guarantees SR in the lead position, and with Defog support can even be preserved to a later point. I think that Rocky Helm, sash, and LO are the best items in order of effectiveness. Lum is good too especially because Chomp would like to smack, say, Rotom-W without getting burnt, but the overall utility of other options makes it generally inferior.

 

[Alter]

Implemented the GP check (thanks LU!) and added Life Orb into the set details of the SR set. This is now ready for a 2nd GP check.

 

[(PFC)nurideen]

While garchomp is a massive threat, you should not forget than any HP ice will kill it and most things live an unboosted attack anyway. Its attack is nice but it is not haxorus or anything, you cant expect it to OHKO everything. And with the introduction of fairies outrage is practically worthless unless you already killed the fairies. Clefable will come in and happily set up cosmic power boosts. And scarfed pokemon with HP ice(or any ice type move) will outright kill regular chomp and will severely dent mega-chomp.I think an assault vest garchomp should be tried as his natural bulk is acceptable however much that 4* ice weakness hurts

 

[(PFC)nurideen]

oh yeah, virtually every team has an ice type move as it covers landorus,gliscor,dragonite(2HKO normally), flygon in uu,salamence garchomp and whatever has poor special defence and a weakness to ice

 

[Calm Pokemaster]

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Overview
########

Ever since its advent in the DPP era, Garchomp has been a force to be reckoned with in the OU metagame. With a complementary STAB combination, excellent offensive stats, and the ability to take on a wide array of roles, Garchomp makes for a key offensive threat. On top of its ability to perform many roles such as ranging from a mixed wallbreaker or to a revenge killer, Garchomp also has quite respectable bulk for an offensive Pokemon, while simultaneously hitting a crucial Speed tier of 102, giving it the ability to outspeed threats such as Charizard and Landorus. All of these attributes allow Garchomp to be devastatingly tricky Pokemon to play around, (remove comma) and constitute the factors that make it so versatile. Moreover, the shift to XY also granted Garchomp a Mega Evolution, an alternate forme which augments its offensive stats to ridiculous heights in exchange for Speed, reawakening its artefactual ChainChomp set. Apart from Garchompite, Garchomp can also utilize a diverse range of other items on its sets, adding to its distinguished flexibility.

However, the phrase "Jack of all trades, master of none" couldn't be more applicable to our fearsome friend. Garchomp, while quite versatile, cannot pull off all of its sets at once, meaning that it will always be left wanting a little bit more. Its Stealth Rock set lacks immediate power, its mixed set lacks Speed, and its tank set lacks longevity. Additionally, Garchomp is plagued with a pesky 4x weakness to Ice, leaving it vulnerable to many revenge killers such as Thundurus and Deoxys-S.

Offensive Stealth Rock
########
name: Offensive Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage / Dragon Claw
move 4: Fire Blast / Swords Dance
ability: Rough Skin
item: Focus Sash / Rocky Helmet / Lum Berry
nature: Naive / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

Moves
========

This set takes advantage of Garchomp's handy ability to force switches by incorporating Stealth Rock. A staple of almost every single team, Stealth Rock provides invaluable support, (add comma) and Garchomp is one of the few good offensive Pokemon to learn it. Earthquake and Outrage act as Garchomp's two main STAB attacks, with Earthquake giving Garchomp the ability to deal with Heatran and Aegislash, while Outrage rounds off the coverage, hitting the Flying-types and Levitate users that are immune to Earthquake. Dragon Claw can potentially replace Outrage if getting locked into it is undesirable, but lacks the power that Outrage boasts. Fire Blast is an excellent choice for hitting the likes of Ferrothorn and Skarmory for a lot more damage, opening holes for setup sweepers later in the game and halting opposing entry hazard setters. Alternatively, Swords Dance can be used to make Garchomp an immediate threat to the opposing team and grants it a role outside of setting Stealth Rock.

Set Details
========

The EVs are fairly straightforward, prioritizing Garchomp's Speed so it can be as fast as possible, while the rest of the EVs are with the rest placed in Attack to escalate the power of Earthquake and Outrage. Garchomp's main item choice is a Focus Sash, which ensures that it can get Stealth Rock up and survive otherwise deadly attacks. Alternatively, a Rocky Helmet works well in conjunction with Rough Skin to punish opponents that make contact with Garchomp, such as Scizor and Tyranitar. Finally, a Lum Berry or Life Orb are also options. The former can be used to give Garchomp a one-time cure against status, while the latter adds extra power to Garchomp's attacks if the other item choices aren't wanted. In particular, it heals a single burn from Pokemon such as Rotom-W, or a self-induced confusion from Outrage. In the case that one opts to run Swords Dance over Fire Blast, a Jolly nature is preferred as Garchomp would no longer require any Special Attack.

Usage Tips
========

Unlike the some of the other sets, this particular Garchomp is best used early-game in order to get Stealth Rock on the field as soon as possible. As such, it is very common for this set to be used as a lead, but it doesn't necessarily need to be. Garchomp should ideally set up Stealth Rock on Pokemon that can't immediately threaten it or will generally switch out, such as Heatran and Excadrill. Doing so allows Garchomp to make use of the free turns it gains from prompting said switches. This Garchomp set is more efficient at weakening opposing Pokemon early in the game rather than attempting a complete sweep. For instance, it can use Fire Blast to weaken Skarmory or massively dent Gliscor with a +2 Outrage, allowing other sweepers to come in late-game and clean up the remains.

Team Options
========

Pokemon that appreciate the presence of Stealth Rock are generally good partners. Examples of this include Talonflame and Mega Pinsir, two Pokemon that can take advantage of Stealth Rock to secure KOs and sweep weakened teams. These Pokemon also appreciate Garchomp's ability to fracture defensive Pokemon such as Skarmory or Hippowdon, depending on the final move chosen. In a similar vein, powerful wallbreakers such as Kyurem-B and Mega Charizard Y pair well with Garchomp to dismantle defensive Pokemon. Garchomp also resists Rock-type moves, which both of these Pokemon are weak too.

In order to keep Stealth Rock up, having a Ghost-type teammate to block Rapid Spin can be a great idea. Aegislash and Gengar fit this role capably, with the former resisting all of Garchomp's weaknesses: Ice, Fairy, and Dragon. Bisharp is also another team option to consider, as it can exploit the evasion drop from Defog being used to remove Garchomp's Stealth Rock in order to trigger an Attack boost through Defiant.

Choice Scarf
########
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
move 4: Fire Blast / Dragon Claw
ability: Rough Skin
item: Choice Scarf
nature: Naive / Naughty
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe

Moves
========

Outrage is Garchomp's most powerful move with a Choice Scarf, but it should be used sparingly until the opponent's Steel- and Fairy-types are down or only when the extra power is mandatory. Earthquake is its secondary STAB, which hits Pokemon such as Heatran and Azumarill that are not felled by Garchomp's Dragon-type moves. Rock Slide and Stone Edge can be chosen interchangeably for revenge killing certain threats such as Volcarona and Charizard. Rock Slide has a nifty flinch chance and higher accuracy, but Stone Edge has greater power and nets a guaranteed 2HKO on Togekiss. Fire Blast is Garchomp's main option in the final move slot, roasting the likes of Ferrothorn and Skarmory, which can both shrug off Garchomp's other attacks. Alternatively, Dragon Claw can be used as a means of giving Garchomp a Dragon-type STAB without getting locked into Outrage. Similarly, Dual Chop may also be used in order to break through Substitutes when revenge killing.

Set Details
========

Employing a Choice Scarf, this particular set aims to maximize Garchomp's revenge killing capabilities by boosting its Speed. It also gives Garchomp the ability to act as a late-game cleaner after its main checks and counters have been disposed of. A Naive nature is used to boost Garchomp's Speed stat to the highest degree, allowing it to outpace as many Pokemon as possible, such as +1 Timid Volcarona. Alternatively, a Naughty nature can be used at the expense of outspeeding Pokemon such as +1 Mega Charizard X in exchange for extra power. If Fire Blast isn't used, then a Jolly or Adamant nature should be used instead. The EVs are all pumped into Garchomp's Attack and Speed stats for the obvious reasons of maximizing its power and Speed.

Usage Tips
========

Choice Scarf Garchomp acts primarily as a revenge killer and cleaner in order to take full advantage of its great Speed. Because of this, it is best to preserve Garchomp as a safety net for boosted threats and not use it recklessly. This also means that Garchomp shines in the end game, a point by which most Pokemon have already been weakened if not already fainted. Because this set lacks the power possessed by its Swords Dance set, it should not be used to bash down walls or attack bulky foes that are not already weakened. Instead, it should enter the fray on free switches to finish off Pokemon.

Owing to its effect, Outrage is best used when the opponent has no Steel- or Fairy-type Pokemon so as not to give the opponent free setup opportunities. Likewise, Outrage should only be used when the power is essential to cleaning up, meaning that it will be used in the end game most of the time. Fire Blast should mainly be for hitting the formerly mentioned defensive Steel-types in order to give teammates, as well as Garchomp itself, an easier time of KOing them at a later point.

Team Options
========

Magnezone and Thundurus both have excellent synergy with Garchomp. Magnezone The former resists all of Garchomp's weaknesses while simultaneously being able to trap opposing Steel-types to give Garchomp more liberal use of Outrage. Thundurus can take out opposing Dragon-types that threaten Garchomp with an assortment of moves including Thunder Wave, Hidden Power, and Focus Blast. Dugtrio can also be used in a similar manner to Magnezone, getting rid of any remaining Steel-type Pokemon so that Garchomp can use its Dragon-type STAB without having to worry about the potential consequences of being locked into it.

Due to the lower damage output of Choice Scarf Garchomp compared to its other sets, it can be a good idea to run other powerful Dragon-types alongside it. Examples of Pokemon that can fit this role include Kyurem-B and Latios, which can weaken or remove Garchomp's checks and counters. Overall, Choice Scarf Garchomp works best as a glue for offensive and balanced teams, functioning as a good fail-safe and providing support in a variety of ways.

Swords Dance
########
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Outrage / Dragon Claw
move 4: Stone Edge / Fire Fang
ability: Rough Skin
item: Lum Berry / Life Orb
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

Moves
========

Swords Dance allows Garchomp to augment its Attack stat, providing it with the necessary power to sweep teams after it sets up. Earthquake is its main STAB move and its primary attack; the Ground-type coverage complements its secondary Dragon-type attack, hitting the Fairy- and Steel-types that can ignore Outrage. Outrage has greater power than Earthquake and hits Pokemon immune and resistant to Earthquake, such as Rotom-W and Landorus-T. However, it comes with the disadvantage of getting locked locking Garchomp into the move for two to three turns. If getting locked into the move is not preferred, Dragon Claw is an equally viable alternative. Garchomp's final moveslot is dedicated to choosing what Pokemon can counter it; if Stone Edge is chosen, Garchomp misses out on Skarmory, Bronzong, and Ferrothorn. Conversely, if you opt to use Fire Fang, Garchomp can no longer defeat Togekiss with ease. Apart from the moves listed, Substitute can potentially be used to shield Garchomp from status and provide safety from faster threats at the cost of losing out on a coverage move.

Set Details
========

The EV spread is quite clear-cut, maximizing Speed and Attack in order to boost Garchomp's sweeping potential. A Jolly nature is chosen so as not to be outsped by the assortment of Pokemon sitting just below Garchomp's Speed tier, such as Kyurem-B and Charizard. Lum Berry gives Garchomp a way to shield against status or cure the confusion induced by Outrage. Alternatively, a Life Orb adds a bit of oomph to Garchomp's attacks, securing extra KOs. Outside of the items listed, a Yache Berry can be used to weaken revenge killing attempts from the likes of Keldeo and Thundurus. One could also opt to use Garchomp's Mega Stone, Garchompite, if the ability to run through defensive teams more easily is desired. Finally, if you choose to use Substitute on the set, Leftovers is also a viable option.

Usage Tips
========

Swords Dance Garchomp is best saved for mid- to late-game when most of its main checks and counters have already been significantly weakened or have fainted. This means that you should generally try to deal with Pokemon such as Skarmory and Bronzong before you try to set up Swords Dance so that Garchomp's sweeping attempt doesn't instantly fail. Because Garchomp can force switches quite easily, Swords Dance is best used on a predicted switch or when the Pokemon it is facing can do little to prevent a sweep. Examples of Pokemon that Garchomp can attempt to set up on include Chansey, Excadrill, and some variants of Tyranitar. Keep in mind that setting up a Swords Dance is a lot easier when Garchomp has a Lum Berry, as it gives it the ability to use Swords Dance on Pokemon such as Rotom-W, which would otherwise burn it. Lastly, Outrage should only be used in situations where the opponent cannot reliably halt Garchomp's onslaught. In other words, do not use Outrage when your opponent still has a Fairy-type or healthy Steel-type remaining.

Team Options
========

Thundurus makes for an excellent partner to Swords Dance Garchomp. Not only can it deal with Skarmory, one of Garchomp's best counters, it also has access to Prankster Thunder Wave. With this support, Garchomp no longer fears faster revenge killers, such as Latios and Keldeo. Mixed Aegislash is also a good teammate, providing a means of weakening Rotom-W, Landorus-T, and Hippowdon for Garchomp before it begins sweeping.

Heatran has great offensive and defensive synergy with Garchomp as well. It resists Ice-, Fairy-, and Dragon-type attacks, while also being able to handle Skarmory and Ferrothorn with its Fire-type attacks. Additionally, Heatran can also set up Stealth Rock to help Garchomp pull off a sweep and can switch into any Talonflame that attempts to revenge kill Garchomp.

Smooth Rock Tyranitar is a near obligatory partner for this set if you opt to use Garchompite due to Mega Garchomp's Sand Force ability activating in the weather condition provided. Alternatively, Hippowdon could fill this role, but doubling up on the Ground-types usually isn't the best idea.

Mixed
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name: Mixed
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Stone Edge
ability: Rough Skin
item: Garchompite
nature: Naughty
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe

Moves
========

Mixed Garchomp takes a special role in being able to hit hard from both physically and specially offensive sides, meaning that few walls will be able to withstand its onslaught. Earthquake is Garchomp's main STAB attack and is boosted by Sand Force when Mega Garchomp is used under sand. Draco Meteor is a secondary STAB option to hit common switch-ins, such as Landorus-T and Hippowdon, on their weaker defensive stat so that they can be finished off later. Fire Blast also takes advantage of Mega Garchomp's mixed capabilities, hitting Pokemon such as Skarmory and Ferrothorn for impressive damage. Lastly, Stone Edge completes Mega Garchomp's coverage, allowing it to hit Pokemon such as Togekiss and Rotom-W. Stone Edge also gains a power boost from Sand Force.

Set Details
========

While it may seem foolish not to run investment in Garchomp's Attack stat, the given EV spread is used so that Garchomp can still threaten Pokemon with its Speed prior to Mega Evolution. This includes Pokemon such as Bisharp, Mega Charizard X, and Kyurem-B, which would otherwise outpace it. The rest of the EVs are pumped into Garchomp's Special Attack in order to make its Draco Meteor and Fire Blast hit as hard as possible. A Naughty nature extends this power, while lowering its less useful defensive stat. Garchompite is an obvious item choice as it allows Garchomp to Mega Evolve, granting it massive raw power.

Usage Tips
========

Mixed Garchomp shines at one role above all else: breaking down defensive cores. With astonishingly high offensive stats, few defensive Pokemon can safely switch into its attacks. Because of its role as a wallbreaker, it is best used in the early- to mid-game in order to lure in and weaken Pokemon such as Skarmory and Landorus-T. It is important to know that it is not always necessary to Mega Evolve Garchomp instantly because prior to Mega Evolution, Garchomp outspeeds certain threats (such as Kyurem-B) that it otherwise cannot after it has Mega Evolved.

Moreover, it should be noted that complete sweeps are not the goal of this Garchomp set; it simply intends to dismantle defensive cores so that other teammates can come in to clean-up fractured teams. In a similar vein, Mixed Garchomp should not attempt to stay in for prolonged periods of time due to its lowered Speed and vulnerability to revenge killing. For this reason, hit-and-run tactics generally prove to be far more effective.

Team Options
========

Sand support is highly recommended for this set due to the fact that a lot of Mega Garchomp's power derives from Sand Force. As a result, Tyranitar is an excellent teammate—especially when equipped with a Smooth Rock. By the same token, Hippowdon can also do this, albeit having a somewhat conflicting typing with Garchomp. Sand Rush Excadrill can also work alongside this, cleaning up with the Speed boost provided by sand and ably removing hazards from the field with Rapid Spin.

Choice Band Azumarill is another effective teammate, as it can exploit Mega Garchomp's wallbreaking capabilities to clean up with Aqua Jet. Other sweepers that appreciate having their checks and counters worn down by Garchomp are also prime candidates. For instance, Swords Dance Talonflame enjoys being able to use Brave Bird without the presence of Rotom-W, making mixed Garchomp a valuable teammate. Suicune also fits under this category, valuing the removal of Pokemon such as Blissey and Ferrothorn from the game.

Tank
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name: Tank
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Dragon Tail
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Toxic / Fire Blast
ability: Rough Skin
item: Rocky Helmet
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

Moves
========

This Garchomp set takes a new approach to its role, and while Earthquake still makes an appearance on the set, Garchomp's offensive abilities take a more backseat approach to its unique ability to work as a defensive Pokemon. Earthquake allows Garchomp to still finish off opponents and acts as a basic form of damage output. It is especially useful against Steel-type Pokemon, such as Mawile and Aegislash, which are immune to Toxic or don't mind Dragon Tail. Garchomp's second attack, Dragon Tail, is used to phaze opponents and help rack up damage from entry hazards. This means that most Pokemon cannot easily set up when facing Garchomp. Stealth Rock is a near-mandatory move on every team, (add comma) and Garchomp can exploit the switches it causes to set it up with relative ease. Toxic gives Garchomp another way to hurt opponents by applying status and is an excellent move for dealing with Pokemon such as Rotom-W and Hippowdon. Fire Blast can also be used in this slot in order to hit Ferrothorn and Skarmory for extra damage.

In terms of alternative move choices, Garchomp can potentially run a combination of Rest and Sleep Talk in the third and fourth moveslots in order to compensate for the lack of reliable recovery. However, this deprives Garchomp of Stealth Rock and Toxic for support that can be provided by teammates. If the team already has a Stealth Rock user outside of Garchomp, then the third slot can be dedicated to Fire Blast for extra coverage. Stone Edge is also a decent move on the set which can be used to OHKO Charizard-Y, Talonflame, and Mega Pinsir. Lastly, if one decides to use Leftovers, Protect can be used to recover HP while scouting attacks.

Set Details
========

The main idea behind tank Garchomp is to impede physical attackers by whittling down their health with the combination of Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet, which causes opponents that make contact to lose almost 30% of their total HP. The EV spread and nature provide maximum physical bulk, allowing Garchomp to take as many physical blows as possible. While an Impish nature is usually favorable, a Lax or Relaxed nature can also be used if lowering Fire Blast's damage output is undesirable Fire Blast is preferred over a support move. (lowering Fire Blast's damage output will be undesirable in all situations, if I am not mistaken)

Leftovers is an alternative item which grants Garchomp a means of passive recovery without relying on team support, but sacrifices its utility of extra passive damage. An EV spread of 252 HP / 196 Def / 60 Spe is also viable with a Jolly nature so that Garchomp can outspeed and OHKO Adamant Lucario and maximum Speed Heatran with Earthquake.

Usage Tips
========

Garchomp's offensive presence takes a backseat role in this set's success, with its new use being to punish the wide array of physical attackers littered around in the tier. As such, bringing Garchomp in on attacks such as Scizor's U-turn and Mega Pinsir's Quick Attack is generally a good idea. With a Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin, passive damage can rack up fairly quickly. Keep in mind, however, that despite the defensive investment, Garchomp is by no means a wall and should not be used to combat setup sweepers, merely to punish lighter physical attackers. Garchomp also lacks any form of recovery outside of Rest, so it doesn't want to be switching in on attacks such as Choice Band Terrakion's Close Combat.

The Tank set can be brought out at virtually any point of a game, depending on when the opponent decides to use their physical attackers. However, that being said, getting up Stealth Rock as soon as possible is generally a good idea, as it allows your team to rack up passive damage more quickly. If you choose to run Protect on this set, it should be used to scout Choice-locked moves and gain extra Leftovers recovery.

Team Options
========

Chansey stands out as being one of the best teammates for this Garchomp set. Chansey It can not only pass Wishes to compensate for Garchomp's lack of recovery, but it also has the benefit of luring in many physical attackers, which Garchomp can punish with its brutal combination of Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet. Moreover, Chansey can handle almost all special attackers that threaten Garchomp, such as Latios, Manaphy, and Sylveon.

Defensive Heatran resists all of Garchomp's weaknesses and can cover the special attackers that Garchomp fears as well. Heatran can also use Stealth Rock and Roar to synergize with Garchomp's access to Dragon Tail. Pokemon that are weak to U-turn greatly appreciate having Garchomp as a teammate to disencourage the use of U-turn the same. Examples of these include Deoxys-S and Tyranitar.

Other Options
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Outside of the listed sets, Garchomp has a few other options. One could opt to give it a Choice Band for instant offensive power and wallbreaking capabilities. However, its mixed set generally outshines such a set in the wallbreaking department, and it would provide far too many setup opportunities. Other options in Garchomp's physical movepool include Aqua Tail, Iron Head, and Poison Jab. Aqua Tail could be used to hit Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Hippowdon for extra damage, whereas the latter two have use in hitting Fairy-type Pokemon such as Togekiss and Clefable harder. However, these moves usually provide assistance that is better provided by teammates, and they limit Garchomp's options for the rest of its moveslots.

A set comprised of a Salac Berry and Substitute could work, giving Garchomp a way of boosting its Speed when sweeping, which it cannot otherwise do. This grants Garchomp the ability to outspeed the large majority of the unboosted metagame and remedies the Speed issues of its Swords Dance set. That being said, the omnipresence of priority moves limits this set's potential, as Pokemon such as Azumarill and Scizor would be able to easily revenge kill a weakened Garchomp.

A Yache Berry or Roseli Berry are possible item choices for offensive Garchomp sets, giving it a way to soften revenge killing attempts from Ice- and Fairy-type attacks, respectively.

Checks & Counters
########

**Physical Walls**: Physical walls are a great means of handling some Garchomp sets. Specifically, Skarmory and Bronzong can manage Garchomp with relative ease, only dreading Fire Blast. Gliscor and Landorus-T can also ably switch into Garchomp, but do not appreciate the nuking power of mixed Garchomp's Draco Meteor. Quagsire, Hippowdon, and Donphan are other bulky Ground-types that can proficiently defeat Garchomp, with Quagsire boasting the perk of ignoring Swords Dance boosts thanks to Unaware.

**Fairy-types**: Togekiss is an amazing counter to Garchomp, being immune to both of its two main STABs and only fearing the rare Stone Edge. Togekiss can either outright attack Garchomp with its Fairy-type STAB, set up on it, or use Defog. Similarly, physically defensive Clefable can take on the majority of Garchomp's sets and does not fear Swords Dance by virtue of its ability, Unaware. Other examples of Fairy-types that can handle Garchomp include Azumarill and Sylveon, which can both easily revenge kill Garchomp it.

**Revenge Killers**: Most revenge killers of Garchomp prey on its vulnerability to Ice-type attacks and its Speed tier. In particular, Weavile and Mamoswine cannot easily switch into Garchomp, but they can OHKO Garchomp with their priority Ice Shards. Thundurus, Greninja, and Keldeo can also all outspeed all non-Choice Scarf variants of Garchomp and can handle it with their individual moves. Other speedy revenge killers, such as Latios and Deoxys-S, can also easily revenge kill Garchomp.

**Status**: One of Garchomp's shortcomings is its susceptibility to status. Pokemon such as Mandibuzz and Quagsire can poison Garchomp with Toxic to hinder its longevity and then proceed to stall it out with their respective recovery moves. Moreover, the burn status also greatly hinders Garchomp, as it halves its Attack stat. Physically defensive Rotom-W is immune to Garchomp's Earthquake and can burn it with Will-O-Wisp.

GP 2 / 2

 

[Alter]

Thanks Calm Pokemaster. The second GP check has been implemented so this analysis is now complete.

 

[Martin]

couldn't Garchompite be slashed on the tank set for the extra bulk provided?

 

[Aragorn the King]

couldn't Garchompite be slashed on the tank set for the extra bulk provided?

The loss of 29% recoil for each attack that makes contact isn't really worth it.