[Overview]
Dragon
========
*Garchomp is the best Stealth Rock setter available te Dragon teams because of its great speed tier and ability to beat common leads such as Torkoal and Ferrothorn.
*Thanks to its high base 130 attack, good STAB combination, and high-powered STAB moves, it can deal massive damage to foes like Mega Tyranitar, Deoxys-Speed and Stakataka.
*Its decent speed tier lets it outspeed and take on opponents like Jirachi, Victini, Mega Charizard X, Nidoking, and Kyurem-B, which it can check with its STAB moves.
*Even uninvested, Garchomp has usable bulk that allows it to tank most neutral and even some super effective hits, further easing setting up Stealth Rock or wallbreaking.
*Rough Skin is a decent ability that discourages the use of Rapid Spin and can help wear down foes that frequently use contact moves. It also breaks Dragonite's Multiscale and Breloom's Focus Sash even when they have not taken Stealth Rock chip.
*While Garchomp sits at a decent speed tier, it finds itself outsped by threats such as Latios, Alolan Ninetales, Mega Diancie and Tapu Koko, as well as all relevant Choice Scarf users, which can heavily damage or outright KO it. This is even more notable because Garchomp lacks any way to boost its speed.
*As Garchomp usually cannot afford to run a damage-boosting item, it is often reliant on Outrage to achieve many of its KOs, which can be easily exploited.
*Garchomp has a questionable defensive typing; it does not help with the Fairy weakness, gravely increases the Ice weakness and offers little other than blocking Volt Switch, which only really helps in the Electric matchup or when facing a lead like Cobalion or Forretress, which Garchomp beats regardless.
[SET]
Name: Offensive Stealth Rock (Dragon)
Move 1: Stealth Rock
Move 2: Earthquake
Move 3: Fire Blast
Move 4: Outrage/Stone Edge
Item: Focus Sash/Lum Berry
Ability: Rough Skin
Nature: Hasty
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpA
[Set Comments]
Moves
========
*Stealth Rock is one of the main reasons to use Garchomp. The entry hazard helps wear down foes as they switch and deals huge amounts of chip damage against foes like Kyurem-Black and Volcarona.
*Earthquake is Garchomp’s main STAB move, dealing solid damage to most neutral targets and having decent coverage.
*Fire Blast 2HKOes Skarmory, Ferrothorn and Avalugg after Stealth Rock. Be aware that it doesn't do much to Celesteela, though.
*Outrage is an even stronger STAB move that hits most opponents immune or resistant to Earthquake, allowing it to hit foes like Rotom-W and Zapdos. However, getting locked into it is a huge drawback at times.
*Stone Edge can be used in this slot to deal more damage to Flying-types without suffering from Outrage's locking effect. Be aware that it deals much less damage to neutral targets like Rotom-W and Landorus.
[Set Details]
========
*252 Attack EVs allow Garchomp to hit as hard as possible with Earthquake.
*252 Speed EVs with a Hasty nature makes Garchomp as fast as possible, making it easier to set up Stealth Rock. This also allows Garchomp to outspeed Mega Charizard X and Y, Kyurem-Black and Landorus to potentially revenge kill them with STAB or coverage options. When not running Fire Blast, a Jolly nature is preferred. Hasty is preferred over Naive so Garchomp is never OHKOed by non-Life Orb Tapu Koko's Dazzling Gleam after Stealth Rock.
*4 Special Attack EVs guarantee the 2HKO on Tapu Bulu after Stealth Rock chip, even in Grassy Terrain, so Garchomp can try and catch it on the switch.
*Focus Sash allows Garchomp to almost always survive one hit, almost guaranteeing it gets up Stealth Rock at least once in a match. It also allows Garchomp to serve as an emergency check to foes like Mega Diancie and Weavile.
*Alternatively, Lum Berry heals Garchomp from status, which can help Garchomp set up Stealth Rock more comfortably against opponents like Torkoal and Rotom-W. It also heals Garchomp from Outrage's confusion once.
Usage Tips
========
*Against most teams, Garchomp should be used as a lead to get up Stealth Rock as soon as possible. It should not be used as a lead if the opponent has a Magic Bouncer or a faster Taunt user that Garchomp cannot 2HKO, like Mega Sableye or Whimsicott.
*When you do end up leading against a faster Taunt user, such as Deoxys-Speed, it is better to attack it to not waste turns and come back to set Stealth Rock later.
*Avoid using Stealth Rock when your opponent has a Magic Bounce user and try to catch those one the switch instead. For example, Mega Diancie can be OHKOed by STAB Earthquake, while Lum Berry variants can 2HKO Mega Sableye with a Swords Dance-boosted Earthquake while avoiding Will-O-Wisp. Be careful of Foul Play though.
*When Stealth Rock is set and Garchomp has a high amount of HP left, it can try to wallbreak using its STAB or coverage moves. If it has a low amount of HP left, you can try to get off one last powerful move, or switch it out to check a slower threat later on.
*If you can preserve its Focus Sash, Garchomp can also act as an emergency check to Pokémon like Latios and Mega Diancie. However, keep in mind that it cannot check Cloyster and is a risky Weavile answer because of Icicle Crash's flinch chance.
*Avoid getting locked into Outrage if the foe can take advantage of it. Be especially aware of the drawbacks of Outrage when the opponent has a mon like Mimikyu or Mega Altaria, as giving those mons free setup turns can cost you the entire match.
*Garchomp has enough bulk to survive hits from foes like Tapu Koko and Excadrill from full health while being able to OHKO them with STAB Earthquake.
Team Options
========
*Kyurem-Black can act as switch-ins to Ice attacks that immensely threaten Garchomp. It also appreciates Stealth Rock chipping the opponent’s team, allowing it to wallbreak more easily and achieve KOs on Pokémon like Alolan Muk.
*Dragalge can set Toxic Spikes, allowing it to potentially form a hazard-stacking core with Garchomp. Garchomp is also good at weakening the Steel-types Dragalge can't get past while Dragalge can check most Fairy-types.
*Choice Scarf Latios provides valuable speed control to the team, as Garchomp’s speed tier is rather lacking in the long run. In return, Garchomp can threaten Alolan Muk to prevent it from Pursuit trapping Latios, so the two of them can easily break Poison teams together. Latios also appreciates Garchomp's Stealth Rock negating the Focus Sash of foes like Breloom.
*Powerful special attackers like Hydreigon and Dragalge can hit physically bulky Pokémon that Garchomp has trouble breaking past. Hydreigon can also make great use of Stealth Rock as the chip damage allows it to achieve crucial KOs on foes like Mandibuzz or physically defensive Celesteela.
*Sweepers like Kommo-O, Mega Altaria and Salamence, as well as wallbreakers like Dragonite appreciate Garchomp’s Stealth Rock chipping at opponents. They also appreciate Garchomp’s ability to threaten Steel-types.
[SET]
Name: Bulky Stealth Rock (Dragon)
Move 1: Stealth Rock
Move 2: Earthquake
Move 3: Dragon Tail/Toxic
Move 4: Fire Blast/Toxic
Item: Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP / 164 Def / 76 SpD / 16 Spe
[Set Comments]
Moves
========
*Stealth Rock is a great entry hazard that wears down foes over time as they switch.
*Earthquake is a powerful STAB move with few drawbacks that lets Garchomp avoid passivity.
*Dragon Tail allows Garchomp to phaze setup sweepers and rack up Stealth Rock damage.
*Fire Blast allows Garchomp to 2HKO Ferrothorn, preventing it from getting up multiple layers of hazards on Garchomp.
*Toxic can also be used to lure and cripple opponents like Rotom-W, Porygon2 and Cradily, putting them on a timer and preventing them from effectively walling Garchomp's teammates.
*Stone Edge allows Garchomp to OHKO Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona, as this Garchomp set has the bulk to tank their attacks, but it is better to just Dragon Tail them and let Stealth Rock damage finish them off.
[Set Details]
========
*The given HP and Defense EVs along with an Impish nature give Garchomp enough bulk to tank numerous attacks such as Adamant Breloom's Bullet Seed (even when it gets 5 hits), Choice Band Mamoswine's Ice Shard and Stakataka's Gyro Ball.
*The 76 Special Defense EVs in conjunction with the 252 HP EVs allow Garchomp to avoid the 2HKO from all of Mega Charizard Y's common moves, as well as avoiding the 2HKO from Choice Scarf's Gengar Shadow Ball, avoiding the OHKO from Choice Scarf Keldeo's Icy Wind and allowing it to survive +1 Choice Specs Blacephalon's Shadow Ball at full health. More importantly, it also allows Garchomp to tank a Moonblast from Mega Diancie, while its own Earthquake is a 2HKO.
*16 speed EVs allow Garchomp to outspeed Jolly Tyranitar as well as neutral-natured base 70s such as Breloom and Bisharp.
*Rocky Helmet in conjunction with Rough Skin quickly wears down foes that frequently use contact moves such as Breloom and Stakataka and greatly discourages Pokémon like Forretress and Armaldo from using Rapid Spin on Garchomp. It is also very good at punishing U-Turn users like Landorus-T and Pelipper, which is especially useful as they are frequently used as leads against Garchomp.
*Leftovers can be used as an attempt to give Garchomp more longevity but is usually not worth it, as it doesn't let Garchomp avoid any notable KOs.
Usage Tips
========
*This Garchomp set has more switch-in opportunities because of its higher bulk, allowing it to come in relatively safely on opponents like Choice Scarf Gengar, Mega Charizard Y and Choice Scarf Infernape. However, it is still better to lead with this Garchomp, as it lacks recovery and thus keeps what it takes.
*After Garchomp has set up Stealth Rock, it can rack up entry hazard damage on the opponent by spamming Dragon Tail. This is especially effective if the opponent lacks a Fairy-type.
*Garchomp makes a great check to physical attackers like Breloom, Stakataka and Scizor, as Rough Skin+Rocky Helmet wears these Pokémon down into the range of Garchomp's attacks.
*Although Garchomp has good bulk, it lacks recovery, so try to avoid needlessly switching into neutral attacks to prevent it from being worn down too quickly. An exception is if you expect the opponent to go for U-Turn, as this can heavily punish them with Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet chip.
*Should Garchomp be worn down to the point where it is almost unusable, it can be used as death fodder against users of contact moves to deal some last chip damage.
Team Options
========
*As this set does not take advantage of Garchomp's speed tier, speed control from Choice Scarf Latios is all the more appreciated. Once again, Garchomp is a great answer to most Pokémon that threaten Latios, including Tyranitar and Alolan Muk.
*Kyurem-Black and the rare Turtonator can tank the Ice attacks that immensely threaten Garchomp in a pinch. Both of these Pokémon also appreciate Garchomp chipping at their checks with Stealth Rock and Rocky Helmet.
*This Garchomp set struggles immensely with dealing notable damage to physical walls without phazing them all the time, so powerful wallbreakers like Hydreigon make good partners.
*This Garchomp variant also struggles a lot more with Magic Bounce users, so good answers to those are helpful. These can include Dragalge or Scarf Latios with Hidden Power Steel for Mega Diancie and Hydreigon and Mega Altaria for Mega Sableye. These last two are also good answers to the rare Espeon.
[Strategy Comments]
Other Options
============
Dragon
-----
*Mental Herb can prevent Taunt from faster leads such as Deoxys-S and Whimsicott once, but in most cases Focus Sash, Rocky Helmet and Lum Berry are more useful.
*A Choice Scarf set may seem appealing, but there’s little reason to use it over other Scarfers like Hydreigon, Latios, Kyurem-Black or Latias and synergizes poorly with Stealth Rock.
*Mega Garchomp is surprisingly bulky and can act as a better mixed attacker. However, it sits at a worse speed tier and takes up the precious Mega slot, preventing the use of other arguably better Mega Evolutions.
*Dragonium Z in conjunction with Outrage gives a devastatingly powerful Devastating Drake that helps Garchomp muscle past Checks like Mega Venusaur and Porygon2 a little easier, but it's usually better to give the Z-Crystal to sweepers like Kommo-O and Salamence, who can make better use of it.
*The defensive set could use Rest in an attempt to gain longevity, but Rest+Sleep Talk takes up half of Garchomp's moveslots and not using Sleep Talk makes Garchomp setup fodder and a black hole for momentum when asleep.
*Roar can be used over Dragon Tail to phaze Fairy-types, most notably Mega Altaria and Ribombee, and phaze foes behind substitutes. However, this means Garchomp cannot phaze sweepers like Taunt Gyarados and getting chip damage with Dragon Tail can be more useful in most scenarios.
Checks and Counters
========
Dragon
--------
**Ice-types**: Ice types can hit Garchomp 4x effectively with their STAB attacks. Avalugg is bulky enough to take any hit but Fire Blast, Alolan Ninetales outspeeds it and breaks its Sash with hail chi, and Mamoswine can revenge kill it with Ice Shard. Cloyster deserves a special mention as well as it can survive any hit from Garchomp, set up Shell Smash, and KO it through its Focus Sash with Icicle Spear. Garchomp usually cannot set up Stealth Rock more than once against Ice types.
**Fairy-types**: Faster Fairy-types like Mega Diancie and Tapu Koko can check Garchomp easily, with Mega Diancie even bouncing back Stealth Rock. It should be noted, however, that non-Life Orb Tapu Koko requires some chip on both Garchomp sets to get the KO, and both lose if the Focus Sash is still intact. Mimikyu can use Disguise to revenge kill offensive Garchomp with Play Rough+Shadow Sneak but will take heavy chip damage in the process and it can't deal with bulky Garchomp.
**Physically Bulky Pokémon**: Pokémon with a lot of physical bulk like Skarmory, Celesteela, Ferrothorn and Mega Venusaur can tank Garchomp’s attacks and take advantage of the free turns. Skarmory can even phaze Garchomp that has already set up Swords Dance, but has to be careful about being lured by Fire Blast, as does Ferrothorn. Mega Venusaur struggles against Swords Dance variants but can beat other sets quite reliably.
**Faster Attackers**: Pokémon like Greninja, Weavile, Latios, as well as some Choice Scarf users can outspeed and KO Garchomp with STAB or coverage moves. Priority like Mamoswine’s Ice Shard can also KO Garchomp.
Dragon
========
*Garchomp is the best Stealth Rock setter available te Dragon teams because of its great speed tier and ability to beat common leads such as Torkoal and Ferrothorn.
*Thanks to its high base 130 attack, good STAB combination, and high-powered STAB moves, it can deal massive damage to foes like Mega Tyranitar, Deoxys-Speed and Stakataka.
*Its decent speed tier lets it outspeed and take on opponents like Jirachi, Victini, Mega Charizard X, Nidoking, and Kyurem-B, which it can check with its STAB moves.
*Even uninvested, Garchomp has usable bulk that allows it to tank most neutral and even some super effective hits, further easing setting up Stealth Rock or wallbreaking.
*Rough Skin is a decent ability that discourages the use of Rapid Spin and can help wear down foes that frequently use contact moves. It also breaks Dragonite's Multiscale and Breloom's Focus Sash even when they have not taken Stealth Rock chip.
*While Garchomp sits at a decent speed tier, it finds itself outsped by threats such as Latios, Alolan Ninetales, Mega Diancie and Tapu Koko, as well as all relevant Choice Scarf users, which can heavily damage or outright KO it. This is even more notable because Garchomp lacks any way to boost its speed.
*As Garchomp usually cannot afford to run a damage-boosting item, it is often reliant on Outrage to achieve many of its KOs, which can be easily exploited.
*Garchomp has a questionable defensive typing; it does not help with the Fairy weakness, gravely increases the Ice weakness and offers little other than blocking Volt Switch, which only really helps in the Electric matchup or when facing a lead like Cobalion or Forretress, which Garchomp beats regardless.
[SET]
Name: Offensive Stealth Rock (Dragon)
Move 1: Stealth Rock
Move 2: Earthquake
Move 3: Fire Blast
Move 4: Outrage/Stone Edge
Item: Focus Sash/Lum Berry
Ability: Rough Skin
Nature: Hasty
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spe / 4 SpA
[Set Comments]
Moves
========
*Stealth Rock is one of the main reasons to use Garchomp. The entry hazard helps wear down foes as they switch and deals huge amounts of chip damage against foes like Kyurem-Black and Volcarona.
*Earthquake is Garchomp’s main STAB move, dealing solid damage to most neutral targets and having decent coverage.
*Fire Blast 2HKOes Skarmory, Ferrothorn and Avalugg after Stealth Rock. Be aware that it doesn't do much to Celesteela, though.
*Outrage is an even stronger STAB move that hits most opponents immune or resistant to Earthquake, allowing it to hit foes like Rotom-W and Zapdos. However, getting locked into it is a huge drawback at times.
*Stone Edge can be used in this slot to deal more damage to Flying-types without suffering from Outrage's locking effect. Be aware that it deals much less damage to neutral targets like Rotom-W and Landorus.
[Set Details]
========
*252 Attack EVs allow Garchomp to hit as hard as possible with Earthquake.
*252 Speed EVs with a Hasty nature makes Garchomp as fast as possible, making it easier to set up Stealth Rock. This also allows Garchomp to outspeed Mega Charizard X and Y, Kyurem-Black and Landorus to potentially revenge kill them with STAB or coverage options. When not running Fire Blast, a Jolly nature is preferred. Hasty is preferred over Naive so Garchomp is never OHKOed by non-Life Orb Tapu Koko's Dazzling Gleam after Stealth Rock.
*4 Special Attack EVs guarantee the 2HKO on Tapu Bulu after Stealth Rock chip, even in Grassy Terrain, so Garchomp can try and catch it on the switch.
*Focus Sash allows Garchomp to almost always survive one hit, almost guaranteeing it gets up Stealth Rock at least once in a match. It also allows Garchomp to serve as an emergency check to foes like Mega Diancie and Weavile.
*Alternatively, Lum Berry heals Garchomp from status, which can help Garchomp set up Stealth Rock more comfortably against opponents like Torkoal and Rotom-W. It also heals Garchomp from Outrage's confusion once.
Usage Tips
========
*Against most teams, Garchomp should be used as a lead to get up Stealth Rock as soon as possible. It should not be used as a lead if the opponent has a Magic Bouncer or a faster Taunt user that Garchomp cannot 2HKO, like Mega Sableye or Whimsicott.
*When you do end up leading against a faster Taunt user, such as Deoxys-Speed, it is better to attack it to not waste turns and come back to set Stealth Rock later.
*Avoid using Stealth Rock when your opponent has a Magic Bounce user and try to catch those one the switch instead. For example, Mega Diancie can be OHKOed by STAB Earthquake, while Lum Berry variants can 2HKO Mega Sableye with a Swords Dance-boosted Earthquake while avoiding Will-O-Wisp. Be careful of Foul Play though.
*When Stealth Rock is set and Garchomp has a high amount of HP left, it can try to wallbreak using its STAB or coverage moves. If it has a low amount of HP left, you can try to get off one last powerful move, or switch it out to check a slower threat later on.
*If you can preserve its Focus Sash, Garchomp can also act as an emergency check to Pokémon like Latios and Mega Diancie. However, keep in mind that it cannot check Cloyster and is a risky Weavile answer because of Icicle Crash's flinch chance.
*Avoid getting locked into Outrage if the foe can take advantage of it. Be especially aware of the drawbacks of Outrage when the opponent has a mon like Mimikyu or Mega Altaria, as giving those mons free setup turns can cost you the entire match.
*Garchomp has enough bulk to survive hits from foes like Tapu Koko and Excadrill from full health while being able to OHKO them with STAB Earthquake.
Team Options
========
*Kyurem-Black can act as switch-ins to Ice attacks that immensely threaten Garchomp. It also appreciates Stealth Rock chipping the opponent’s team, allowing it to wallbreak more easily and achieve KOs on Pokémon like Alolan Muk.
*Dragalge can set Toxic Spikes, allowing it to potentially form a hazard-stacking core with Garchomp. Garchomp is also good at weakening the Steel-types Dragalge can't get past while Dragalge can check most Fairy-types.
*Choice Scarf Latios provides valuable speed control to the team, as Garchomp’s speed tier is rather lacking in the long run. In return, Garchomp can threaten Alolan Muk to prevent it from Pursuit trapping Latios, so the two of them can easily break Poison teams together. Latios also appreciates Garchomp's Stealth Rock negating the Focus Sash of foes like Breloom.
*Powerful special attackers like Hydreigon and Dragalge can hit physically bulky Pokémon that Garchomp has trouble breaking past. Hydreigon can also make great use of Stealth Rock as the chip damage allows it to achieve crucial KOs on foes like Mandibuzz or physically defensive Celesteela.
*Sweepers like Kommo-O, Mega Altaria and Salamence, as well as wallbreakers like Dragonite appreciate Garchomp’s Stealth Rock chipping at opponents. They also appreciate Garchomp’s ability to threaten Steel-types.
[SET]
Name: Bulky Stealth Rock (Dragon)
Move 1: Stealth Rock
Move 2: Earthquake
Move 3: Dragon Tail/Toxic
Move 4: Fire Blast/Toxic
Item: Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
Nature: Impish
EVs: 252 HP / 164 Def / 76 SpD / 16 Spe
[Set Comments]
Moves
========
*Stealth Rock is a great entry hazard that wears down foes over time as they switch.
*Earthquake is a powerful STAB move with few drawbacks that lets Garchomp avoid passivity.
*Dragon Tail allows Garchomp to phaze setup sweepers and rack up Stealth Rock damage.
*Fire Blast allows Garchomp to 2HKO Ferrothorn, preventing it from getting up multiple layers of hazards on Garchomp.
*Toxic can also be used to lure and cripple opponents like Rotom-W, Porygon2 and Cradily, putting them on a timer and preventing them from effectively walling Garchomp's teammates.
*Stone Edge allows Garchomp to OHKO Mega Charizard Y and Volcarona, as this Garchomp set has the bulk to tank their attacks, but it is better to just Dragon Tail them and let Stealth Rock damage finish them off.
[Set Details]
========
*The given HP and Defense EVs along with an Impish nature give Garchomp enough bulk to tank numerous attacks such as Adamant Breloom's Bullet Seed (even when it gets 5 hits), Choice Band Mamoswine's Ice Shard and Stakataka's Gyro Ball.
*The 76 Special Defense EVs in conjunction with the 252 HP EVs allow Garchomp to avoid the 2HKO from all of Mega Charizard Y's common moves, as well as avoiding the 2HKO from Choice Scarf's Gengar Shadow Ball, avoiding the OHKO from Choice Scarf Keldeo's Icy Wind and allowing it to survive +1 Choice Specs Blacephalon's Shadow Ball at full health. More importantly, it also allows Garchomp to tank a Moonblast from Mega Diancie, while its own Earthquake is a 2HKO.
*16 speed EVs allow Garchomp to outspeed Jolly Tyranitar as well as neutral-natured base 70s such as Breloom and Bisharp.
*Rocky Helmet in conjunction with Rough Skin quickly wears down foes that frequently use contact moves such as Breloom and Stakataka and greatly discourages Pokémon like Forretress and Armaldo from using Rapid Spin on Garchomp. It is also very good at punishing U-Turn users like Landorus-T and Pelipper, which is especially useful as they are frequently used as leads against Garchomp.
*Leftovers can be used as an attempt to give Garchomp more longevity but is usually not worth it, as it doesn't let Garchomp avoid any notable KOs.
Usage Tips
========
*This Garchomp set has more switch-in opportunities because of its higher bulk, allowing it to come in relatively safely on opponents like Choice Scarf Gengar, Mega Charizard Y and Choice Scarf Infernape. However, it is still better to lead with this Garchomp, as it lacks recovery and thus keeps what it takes.
*After Garchomp has set up Stealth Rock, it can rack up entry hazard damage on the opponent by spamming Dragon Tail. This is especially effective if the opponent lacks a Fairy-type.
*Garchomp makes a great check to physical attackers like Breloom, Stakataka and Scizor, as Rough Skin+Rocky Helmet wears these Pokémon down into the range of Garchomp's attacks.
*Although Garchomp has good bulk, it lacks recovery, so try to avoid needlessly switching into neutral attacks to prevent it from being worn down too quickly. An exception is if you expect the opponent to go for U-Turn, as this can heavily punish them with Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet chip.
*Should Garchomp be worn down to the point where it is almost unusable, it can be used as death fodder against users of contact moves to deal some last chip damage.
Team Options
========
*As this set does not take advantage of Garchomp's speed tier, speed control from Choice Scarf Latios is all the more appreciated. Once again, Garchomp is a great answer to most Pokémon that threaten Latios, including Tyranitar and Alolan Muk.
*Kyurem-Black and the rare Turtonator can tank the Ice attacks that immensely threaten Garchomp in a pinch. Both of these Pokémon also appreciate Garchomp chipping at their checks with Stealth Rock and Rocky Helmet.
*This Garchomp set struggles immensely with dealing notable damage to physical walls without phazing them all the time, so powerful wallbreakers like Hydreigon make good partners.
*This Garchomp variant also struggles a lot more with Magic Bounce users, so good answers to those are helpful. These can include Dragalge or Scarf Latios with Hidden Power Steel for Mega Diancie and Hydreigon and Mega Altaria for Mega Sableye. These last two are also good answers to the rare Espeon.
[Strategy Comments]
Other Options
============
Dragon
-----
*Mental Herb can prevent Taunt from faster leads such as Deoxys-S and Whimsicott once, but in most cases Focus Sash, Rocky Helmet and Lum Berry are more useful.
*A Choice Scarf set may seem appealing, but there’s little reason to use it over other Scarfers like Hydreigon, Latios, Kyurem-Black or Latias and synergizes poorly with Stealth Rock.
*Mega Garchomp is surprisingly bulky and can act as a better mixed attacker. However, it sits at a worse speed tier and takes up the precious Mega slot, preventing the use of other arguably better Mega Evolutions.
*Dragonium Z in conjunction with Outrage gives a devastatingly powerful Devastating Drake that helps Garchomp muscle past Checks like Mega Venusaur and Porygon2 a little easier, but it's usually better to give the Z-Crystal to sweepers like Kommo-O and Salamence, who can make better use of it.
*The defensive set could use Rest in an attempt to gain longevity, but Rest+Sleep Talk takes up half of Garchomp's moveslots and not using Sleep Talk makes Garchomp setup fodder and a black hole for momentum when asleep.
*Roar can be used over Dragon Tail to phaze Fairy-types, most notably Mega Altaria and Ribombee, and phaze foes behind substitutes. However, this means Garchomp cannot phaze sweepers like Taunt Gyarados and getting chip damage with Dragon Tail can be more useful in most scenarios.
Checks and Counters
========
Dragon
--------
**Ice-types**: Ice types can hit Garchomp 4x effectively with their STAB attacks. Avalugg is bulky enough to take any hit but Fire Blast, Alolan Ninetales outspeeds it and breaks its Sash with hail chi, and Mamoswine can revenge kill it with Ice Shard. Cloyster deserves a special mention as well as it can survive any hit from Garchomp, set up Shell Smash, and KO it through its Focus Sash with Icicle Spear. Garchomp usually cannot set up Stealth Rock more than once against Ice types.
**Fairy-types**: Faster Fairy-types like Mega Diancie and Tapu Koko can check Garchomp easily, with Mega Diancie even bouncing back Stealth Rock. It should be noted, however, that non-Life Orb Tapu Koko requires some chip on both Garchomp sets to get the KO, and both lose if the Focus Sash is still intact. Mimikyu can use Disguise to revenge kill offensive Garchomp with Play Rough+Shadow Sneak but will take heavy chip damage in the process and it can't deal with bulky Garchomp.
**Physically Bulky Pokémon**: Pokémon with a lot of physical bulk like Skarmory, Celesteela, Ferrothorn and Mega Venusaur can tank Garchomp’s attacks and take advantage of the free turns. Skarmory can even phaze Garchomp that has already set up Swords Dance, but has to be careful about being lured by Fire Blast, as does Ferrothorn. Mega Venusaur struggles against Swords Dance variants but can beat other sets quite reliably.
**Faster Attackers**: Pokémon like Greninja, Weavile, Latios, as well as some Choice Scarf users can outspeed and KO Garchomp with STAB or coverage moves. Priority like Mamoswine’s Ice Shard can also KO Garchomp.
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