[overview]
Draft order: Round 1 or early round 2
Price range: 17-18 points
Overview: Garchomp has always been an exceptional Pokemon in Draft. It boasts an excellent Attack stat, respectable bulk, solid Speed, a valuable typing, strong setup options, good coverage, and access to multiple entry hazards. These traits allow it to fill a variety of roles and excel at most of them. Garchomp can be the centerpiece of a draft with the right support or serve as a great partner for a different round 1 pick.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
* Wallbreaker: Swords Dance or a Choice Band allows Garchomp to easily break most walls. It has many coverage options if its STAB moves aren't effective for a given matchup, and it can even use its decent Special Attack to break some Pokemon with Draco Meteor or Fire Blast.
* Setup sweeper: Garchomp’s great Attack, bulk, and Speed enable it to use Scale Shot and Swords Dance to clean enemy teams while setting up in as little as one turn.
* Tank: Garchomp is an excellent bulky entry hazard setter with access to Stealth Rock and Spikes. Its high base Attack allows it to avoid being passive even without investment, and it can damage foes without attacking thanks to Rough Skin. Dragon Tail is a solid option for defensive sets to prevent setup and force additional hazard damage on the opposing team.
* Offensive utility: The immediate threat of Garchomp’s STAB moves can often force switches, giving it opportunities to set hazards without much risk. By combining a hazard-setting move with Swords Dance, Scale Shot, and Earthquake, it can contribute in multiple ways during a single game.
Common Moves
========
* Primary STAB moves: Earthquake, Scale Shot, Outrage, Dragon Claw, Draco Meteor
* Setup moves: Swords Dance
* Utility moves: Stealth Rock, Spikes, Dragon Tail, Substitute, Protect, Scorching Sands
* Coverage: Iron Head, Poison Jab, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Crunch, Brick Break, Liquidation, Fire Fang, Aerial Ace, Fire Blast, Surf, Power Gem
Niche Moves
========
* Endure: Endure can be used to force physical attackers into attacking Garchomp an additional time, increasing chip damage from Rough Skin and a potential Rocky Helmet. This move also works well with a Custap Berry or Salac Berry, which can give Garchomp an extra chance to act against faster foes.
* Rock Tomb/Bulldoze: These moves can be used to inhibit faster Pokemon while damaging them. If Speed-boosting foes are a concern, they can be a decent alternative to Dragon Tail that isn’t denied by Tera Fairy.
* Fling: Fling requires specific, otherwise useless items to be held, but there are rare instances where it may be useful. Notably, using Fling in combination with Light Ball is the only way Garchomp is able to guarantee paralysis, so it will most likely catch opponents off guard.
Common Items
========
* Rocky Helmet: Defensive sets enjoy using the combination of Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin to deal considerable passive damage to users of contact moves.
* Loaded Dice: In matchups where offensive Garchomp has good opportunities to set up, Scale Shot can be turned into a more consistent attack, reducing the need for other attacks and reducing revenge kill opportunities for the opponent.
* Sitrus Berry: Garchomp’s offensive Swords Dance sets will often have enough bulk to take a hit or two and activate a Sitrus Berry, effectively giving it 25% more HP to survive hits from revenge killers.
* Leftovers: Leftovers provides consistent recovery to defensive sets if Garchomp isn’t expected to take damage quickly. At the cost of a move slot, Protect can be run with Leftovers to increase its healing potential while scouting for attacks.
Niche Items
========
* Heavy-Duty Boots: Heavy-Duty Boots can be used on any set if entry hazards are a concern.
* Resistance Berry: Yache, Roseli, and Haban Berries are also great options for enabling a Swords Dance sweep if the foe is expected to have super effective coverage. With a resistance Berry, Garchomp can safely set up on Pokemon it normally shouldn’t be able to. They are also useful for avoiding revenge kills from opposing Ice Shard or Choice Scarf users.
* Lum Berry: It provides protection from status if that is one of the opponent’s best options for stopping offensive Garchomp.
* Weakness Policy: Weakness Policy provides a setup option that can be used alongside Swords Dance or replace it if the foe is expected to use relatively weak super effective attacks against Garchomp. Dual screens support makes Garchomp more likely to actually survive those attacks.
* Choice Band: Choice Band allows Garchomp to be a powerful wallbreaker against bulkier teams.
* Choice Scarf: Choice Scarf allows Garchomp to revenge kill faster Pokemon or slower ones at +1 Speed.
* Clear Amulet: It protects Garchomp from Intimidate users mid-sweep.
* Damage-boosting items: Items such as Soft Sand, Expert Belt, or Life Orb can be used to reach desired damage thresholds on offensive sets.
Tera
========
Garchomp is typically banned from using Tera due to the combination of Swords Dance, Scale Shot, and a respectable stat spread. If it’s allowed to Tera with no complex bans, a defensive type such as Fairy or Steel can often provide more than enough protection for it to set up and sweep the opponent’s team. Tera Fire is a particularly useful Tera type that provides resistances to Ice and Fairy, an immunity to burn, and a strong coverage option for Corviknight and Skarmory. Dragon and Ground are also good options that provide extra wallbreaking power.
Draft Strategy
========
Garchomp will often be the first or second Pokemon on a draft, so at least some of the following Pokemon should be chosen to support it. Its versatility makes it an asset on most teams, but certain traits should be sought out in the other mid-to-high price picks.
* Speed: Garchomp’s base 102 speed isn’t terrible, but there are many strong Pokemon that it struggles to keep up with. Faster allies will be necessary for revenge killing, cleaning, and forcing fast foes to run Speed-boosting natures. Specifically, a Pokemon with more than base 116 Speed is important to outspeed Iron Valiant, which is a threat to Garchomp. Allies with strong priority can also help with revenge killing.
* Alternate entry hazard setters: While Garchomp excels at setting entry hazards, it should not be the only choice for those moves. At least one additional Stealth Rock and Spikes user can be extremely valuable for enabling Garchomp’s offensive sets and not restricting it to one role.
* Extra offense: Garchomp should also not be the only powerful attacker on a draft. Most high price picks will be able to provide this power, but fast cleaners and pivots like Greninja or breaker and sweeper Tera Captains like Iron Moth work particularly well with Garchomp.
* Reliable defensive partner: Garchomp cannot handle most Ice-type attacks, so a bulky Ice resistance eases teambuilding. Good options include Rotom-W, Gholdengo, and Metagross. The most common threatening Ice-type move is Ice Beam, so a special wall like Galarian Slowking or Scream Tail can also help, even without a type advantage. Steel-types and special walls are particularly good, because they also cover Fairy-type moves, particularly Moonblast.
* Dual screens support: Allies comfortable running Reflect, Light Screen, or Aurora Veil are greatly appreciated by Garchomp’s offensive sets. Its high natural bulk combined with dual screens makes it very difficult to KO as it sets up or continues a sweep.
Checks and Counters
========
* Fairy-types: Bulky Fairy-types, such as Scream Tail and Galarian Weezing, are capable of switching in on Garchomp and threatening it out. They also block Scale Shot, making it difficult to boost Speed. A Fairy-type holding an Air Balloon is immune to both of Garchomp’s STAB types, which can turn Garchomp into a liability if it’s not prepared. Tera Fairy is also a common option that should be considered when planning Garchomp’s role in a match. Access to Iron Head and Poison Jab helps Garchomp remain threatening to Fairy-types.
* Physical walls: Pokemon with good physical defense and no weakness to Garchomp’s STAB attacks can force out most sets or require it to run unorthodox coverage moves. Some common walls that give Garchomp trouble are Corviknight, Uxie, and Dondozo.
* Revenge killers: Offensive Garchomp has to be on the lookout for fast Choice Scarf users, even if it lands a Scale Shot. Many drafts will have a dangerous Choice Scarf user—Iron Valiant, Enamorus, Iron Bundle, and Greninja are just a few options. Garchomp’s Ice weakness and the fact that Scale Shot lowers Defense means that most Ice Shard users, such as Weavile or even Donphan, will also be able to end a sweep. Defensive checks to these Pokemon or lure sets to remove them early can help keep Garchomp in the game.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scionicle.599989/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nyx.564960/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/dartrix-joker.356084/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
Draft order: Round 1 or early round 2
Price range: 17-18 points
Overview: Garchomp has always been an exceptional Pokemon in Draft. It boasts an excellent Attack stat, respectable bulk, solid Speed, a valuable typing, strong setup options, good coverage, and access to multiple entry hazards. These traits allow it to fill a variety of roles and excel at most of them. Garchomp can be the centerpiece of a draft with the right support or serve as a great partner for a different round 1 pick.
[strategy comments]
Common Roles
========
* Wallbreaker: Swords Dance or a Choice Band allows Garchomp to easily break most walls. It has many coverage options if its STAB moves aren't effective for a given matchup, and it can even use its decent Special Attack to break some Pokemon with Draco Meteor or Fire Blast.
* Setup sweeper: Garchomp’s great Attack, bulk, and Speed enable it to use Scale Shot and Swords Dance to clean enemy teams while setting up in as little as one turn.
* Tank: Garchomp is an excellent bulky entry hazard setter with access to Stealth Rock and Spikes. Its high base Attack allows it to avoid being passive even without investment, and it can damage foes without attacking thanks to Rough Skin. Dragon Tail is a solid option for defensive sets to prevent setup and force additional hazard damage on the opposing team.
* Offensive utility: The immediate threat of Garchomp’s STAB moves can often force switches, giving it opportunities to set hazards without much risk. By combining a hazard-setting move with Swords Dance, Scale Shot, and Earthquake, it can contribute in multiple ways during a single game.
Common Moves
========
* Primary STAB moves: Earthquake, Scale Shot, Outrage, Dragon Claw, Draco Meteor
* Setup moves: Swords Dance
* Utility moves: Stealth Rock, Spikes, Dragon Tail, Substitute, Protect, Scorching Sands
* Coverage: Iron Head, Poison Jab, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Crunch, Brick Break, Liquidation, Fire Fang, Aerial Ace, Fire Blast, Surf, Power Gem
Niche Moves
========
* Endure: Endure can be used to force physical attackers into attacking Garchomp an additional time, increasing chip damage from Rough Skin and a potential Rocky Helmet. This move also works well with a Custap Berry or Salac Berry, which can give Garchomp an extra chance to act against faster foes.
* Rock Tomb/Bulldoze: These moves can be used to inhibit faster Pokemon while damaging them. If Speed-boosting foes are a concern, they can be a decent alternative to Dragon Tail that isn’t denied by Tera Fairy.
* Fling: Fling requires specific, otherwise useless items to be held, but there are rare instances where it may be useful. Notably, using Fling in combination with Light Ball is the only way Garchomp is able to guarantee paralysis, so it will most likely catch opponents off guard.
Common Items
========
* Rocky Helmet: Defensive sets enjoy using the combination of Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin to deal considerable passive damage to users of contact moves.
* Loaded Dice: In matchups where offensive Garchomp has good opportunities to set up, Scale Shot can be turned into a more consistent attack, reducing the need for other attacks and reducing revenge kill opportunities for the opponent.
* Sitrus Berry: Garchomp’s offensive Swords Dance sets will often have enough bulk to take a hit or two and activate a Sitrus Berry, effectively giving it 25% more HP to survive hits from revenge killers.
* Leftovers: Leftovers provides consistent recovery to defensive sets if Garchomp isn’t expected to take damage quickly. At the cost of a move slot, Protect can be run with Leftovers to increase its healing potential while scouting for attacks.
Niche Items
========
* Heavy-Duty Boots: Heavy-Duty Boots can be used on any set if entry hazards are a concern.
* Resistance Berry: Yache, Roseli, and Haban Berries are also great options for enabling a Swords Dance sweep if the foe is expected to have super effective coverage. With a resistance Berry, Garchomp can safely set up on Pokemon it normally shouldn’t be able to. They are also useful for avoiding revenge kills from opposing Ice Shard or Choice Scarf users.
* Lum Berry: It provides protection from status if that is one of the opponent’s best options for stopping offensive Garchomp.
* Weakness Policy: Weakness Policy provides a setup option that can be used alongside Swords Dance or replace it if the foe is expected to use relatively weak super effective attacks against Garchomp. Dual screens support makes Garchomp more likely to actually survive those attacks.
* Choice Band: Choice Band allows Garchomp to be a powerful wallbreaker against bulkier teams.
* Choice Scarf: Choice Scarf allows Garchomp to revenge kill faster Pokemon or slower ones at +1 Speed.
* Clear Amulet: It protects Garchomp from Intimidate users mid-sweep.
* Damage-boosting items: Items such as Soft Sand, Expert Belt, or Life Orb can be used to reach desired damage thresholds on offensive sets.
Tera
========
Garchomp is typically banned from using Tera due to the combination of Swords Dance, Scale Shot, and a respectable stat spread. If it’s allowed to Tera with no complex bans, a defensive type such as Fairy or Steel can often provide more than enough protection for it to set up and sweep the opponent’s team. Tera Fire is a particularly useful Tera type that provides resistances to Ice and Fairy, an immunity to burn, and a strong coverage option for Corviknight and Skarmory. Dragon and Ground are also good options that provide extra wallbreaking power.
Draft Strategy
========
Garchomp will often be the first or second Pokemon on a draft, so at least some of the following Pokemon should be chosen to support it. Its versatility makes it an asset on most teams, but certain traits should be sought out in the other mid-to-high price picks.
* Speed: Garchomp’s base 102 speed isn’t terrible, but there are many strong Pokemon that it struggles to keep up with. Faster allies will be necessary for revenge killing, cleaning, and forcing fast foes to run Speed-boosting natures. Specifically, a Pokemon with more than base 116 Speed is important to outspeed Iron Valiant, which is a threat to Garchomp. Allies with strong priority can also help with revenge killing.
* Alternate entry hazard setters: While Garchomp excels at setting entry hazards, it should not be the only choice for those moves. At least one additional Stealth Rock and Spikes user can be extremely valuable for enabling Garchomp’s offensive sets and not restricting it to one role.
* Extra offense: Garchomp should also not be the only powerful attacker on a draft. Most high price picks will be able to provide this power, but fast cleaners and pivots like Greninja or breaker and sweeper Tera Captains like Iron Moth work particularly well with Garchomp.
* Reliable defensive partner: Garchomp cannot handle most Ice-type attacks, so a bulky Ice resistance eases teambuilding. Good options include Rotom-W, Gholdengo, and Metagross. The most common threatening Ice-type move is Ice Beam, so a special wall like Galarian Slowking or Scream Tail can also help, even without a type advantage. Steel-types and special walls are particularly good, because they also cover Fairy-type moves, particularly Moonblast.
* Dual screens support: Allies comfortable running Reflect, Light Screen, or Aurora Veil are greatly appreciated by Garchomp’s offensive sets. Its high natural bulk combined with dual screens makes it very difficult to KO as it sets up or continues a sweep.
Checks and Counters
========
* Fairy-types: Bulky Fairy-types, such as Scream Tail and Galarian Weezing, are capable of switching in on Garchomp and threatening it out. They also block Scale Shot, making it difficult to boost Speed. A Fairy-type holding an Air Balloon is immune to both of Garchomp’s STAB types, which can turn Garchomp into a liability if it’s not prepared. Tera Fairy is also a common option that should be considered when planning Garchomp’s role in a match. Access to Iron Head and Poison Jab helps Garchomp remain threatening to Fairy-types.
* Physical walls: Pokemon with good physical defense and no weakness to Garchomp’s STAB attacks can force out most sets or require it to run unorthodox coverage moves. Some common walls that give Garchomp trouble are Corviknight, Uxie, and Dondozo.
* Revenge killers: Offensive Garchomp has to be on the lookout for fast Choice Scarf users, even if it lands a Scale Shot. Many drafts will have a dangerous Choice Scarf user—Iron Valiant, Enamorus, Iron Bundle, and Greninja are just a few options. Garchomp’s Ice weakness and the fact that Scale Shot lowers Defense means that most Ice Shard users, such as Weavile or even Donphan, will also be able to end a sweep. Defensive checks to these Pokemon or lure sets to remove them early can help keep Garchomp in the game.
[credits]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/scionicle.599989/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/nyx.564960/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/dartrix-joker.356084/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
Last edited:
