What is a good moveset for Garchomp?

Question

If you have a good competitive moveset for Garchomp, post an answer below and upvote the best ones. Movesets for any of its pre-evolutions can also be shared on this thread.

Be sure to include full set details in your post, e.g. items, abilities, natures and EVs. Some detail, including the intended game mode for your set, is also appreciated. Access the full list of guidelines here.

Garchomp Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

No SubChomp has been suggested yet? What?

Garchomperz (Garchomp) @ Leftovers
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Swords Dance / Hone Claws / Fire Fang
- Earthquake
- Outrage / Dragon Claw / Dragon Rush

So, the point of this set it to go in there and set up on something you can resist or wall, such as Forretress or something along those lines. Start it all off with a Substitute, to guarantee you get at least an Attack boost with either Hone Claws or Swords Dance. Earthquake lets you hit anything that resist your Dragon STAB, while being boosted by STAB. Great for hitting Pokemons like Tyranitar and Heatran. Now, Outrage is just raw power, and a great move, especially at +2. Dragon Claw is if you don't want to be hitting Ferrothorn, and would like to set up some more on it or hit it with EQ, and not lose HP while doing so. Finally, Dragon rush is only here if you wanted a stronger move than Dragon Claw, but without Outrage's effect. Note that it is very recommended you use Hone Claws with this, as missing could cost you the match. Finally, if you're not the set up type, Fire Fang can be used over SD/Hone Claws for more coverage.

Comments

Oohhhh Garchomp gets fire fang, thought he got fire punch

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dual chop is better on garchomp for reasons. 1. it breaks sashes and got the same bp as dragon claw 2. it can get it's crit hits independently

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Dragon claw is 100% accurate though unlike Dual Chop

Answer 2

The annoying Doubles Garchomp that could

IRS Agent (Garchomp) @ Focus Sash / Groundium Z / Assault Vest
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide
- Dragon Claw / Poison Jab
- Swords Dance / Protect / Poison Jab

This one's a fun one for doubles. The premise is simple: abuse Sand Veil with something carrying Sand Stream, and then use Earthquake and Rock Slide to your heart's content. It makes a good partner with Flying types, the Sand Stream setters, and Vikavolt+Garchomp creates a very nasty DisQuake combo.

Earthquake and Rock Slide don't even need explanations. Stone Edge is another option, but for the sake of annoying an opponent, hitting both enemies with a nasty flinch chance is better. Dragon Claw is reliable STAB, and Poison Jab can give an unexpected smack to Fairy types. Swords Dance allows Garchomp to reach obscene levels of power, and Protect is a mainstay in Doubles. Focus Sash allows Garchomp to take multiple super effective hits before dying, Groundium Z gives Garchomp a terrifyingly strong Tectonic Rage, and finally, Assault Vest gives Garchomp some nice special bulk, though you can't use Swords Dance or Protect with it. Max Speed allows Garchomp to outspeed many crucial threats, courtesy of its 102 Speed stat naturally outrunning base 100s.

Comments

With the other edits, I also resized the image because it was an elephant, hope it's fine.

Answer 3

A little bored sooo

Garchomp (F) @ Garchompite
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Scale Shot
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge / Fire Fang

A full-offense lady. Scale Shot is STAB and breaks sashes + Substitutes plus can be a little annoying too. While M-Garchomp has a speed nerf that may kill her + a Defense drop after Scale Shot, Scale Shot also offers a Speed boost after each use so no worries about her Speed/Defense Nerf. Earthquake is a standard and reliable STAB for these land sharks. Stone Edge may hit pesky flying types. Fire Fang takes down Steel types that has levitate/secondary Flying-type and Swords Dance boosts Attack, making this madam even more fearsome.

Comments

Iron Head <<<< Stone Edge/Fire Fang. Fairies take 150 BP damage from STAB Earthquake, compared to a bit more from Iron Head's 160 BP. Stone Edge hits pesky flying types such as Zapdos which hard wall it (Scale shot is inconsistent). Alternatively Fire Fang hits Skarmory and Corviknight, two big counters that hard wall this set. Since this isn't a Sand Veil Garchomp, Substitute is only average here. As a offensive sweeper it should have Swords Dance to threaten, not Protect for scouting which isn't its job.

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Ahh I see. I'll fix it quickly later.

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mega garchomp's ability is Sand force not rough skin

Answer 4

Specs-chomp

Garchomp @ Choice Specs
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 6 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Dragon Pulse
- Flamethrower
- Earth Power
- Draco Meteor / Hidden Power [Electric]

Choice Specs gives this guy 383 Special Attack, which is pretty good. Dragon Pulse is STAB. Flamethrower is necessary coverage over Ice and with Dragon Pulse, it's great coverage. Earth Power is STAB. Draco Meteor would be last chance for damage power while Hidden Power [Electric] would be for more coverage.

Comments

Nice, never thought of special Chomp before.

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Cool, never thought I would see a special chomp in the competitive battle field before

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oh wow I actually love this I`m actually always crying for garchonp cannot learn an electric attack because I need that attack to defeat all of his weaknesses never think of hidden power before thank you so much you helped a lot but how do I get a hidden power electric? on my fav` chomp

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but I actually recommend to replace dragon pulse with dragon rush and draco meteor to iron tail then flamethrower replace with the hidden power you marvelously suggested no one can stop this pokemon now XDDD

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It's only in Gen 7 and below, HP isn't in gen 8. You can just teach HP via tm, but you have to have specific ivs to get electric exactly

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This set is pure novelty and should not be voted so highly. There is no reason to use Specs Garchomp when you can choose from one or more of Latios, Hydreigon, Dragapult or even Salamence in basically all formats Garchomp is allowed in.
"Surprise factor"/ "mind games" is not a reason to use this set when a) it's bad and b) you can achieve the same effect using Dragapult which has good physical and special sets.

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yeah but this set was made in 2012. Dragapult didn't exist then

Answer 5

Garchomp @ Leftovers
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Dragon Rush
- Earthquake
- Iron Tail
- Hone Claws

Wait... Dragon Rush and Iron Tail don't have 100% accuracy? That's a shame, let me just Hone Claws real quick...

Iron Tail covers Ice and Fairy types, and Dragon Rush is STAB that benefits from Hone Claws.

Comments

Correction: Hone claws, not gone claws.

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Thanks. Changed back now!

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Yes hone claws is necessary because of dragon Rush's horrible accuracy.

Answer 6

Tony Shark (Garchomp) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Iron Head / Iron Tail
- Scale Shot / Outrage / Dragon Claw / Dual Chop
- Swords Dance

Earthquake is your most spammable STAB. Iron Head for 100% accuracy and a flinch chance, works well with Chomp's good speed tier, also covers Togekiss, Garchomp's best answer. Iron Tail has lower accuracy, but higher BP and a chance to drop Defense. Scale Shot lets it boost Speed and is multi-hit, although you're sacrificing some of Chomp's defensive utility. Outrage is brutal STAB, but you get locked onto it for 3 turns, which lets Steel types set up in its face. Dragon Claw is more spammable than Outrage but less powerful. Dual Chop is on the same level of power as Claw but 10% less accuracy and hits twice so it breaks Substitutes and sashes. Swords Dance is mandatory to make up for the lack of attack EVs. The reason why I invested into bulk was to set up Swords Dance more safely.

Garchomp-Mega @ Garchompite
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 248 Atk / 8 SpA
Brave / Quiet Nature
- Dragon Claw / Outrage
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
- Swords Dance / Iron Tail

Dragon Claw or Outrage are STAB. One is spammable but weaker, other one is stronger but riskier. Earthquake is, again, your most spammable STAB. Fire Blast melts Ground-resistant steels like Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and Scizor. Coverage vs. Ice types. Swords Dance to overkill (if you're going SD Quiet nature is preferred), while Iron Tail is Fairy coverage.

*P.S. Mega Garchomp works well w/ Tyranitar as a teammate. It should be noted that Mega Garchomp+Tyranitar excels at taking down stall or balance teams that have Blissey, Toxapex, Steels, and Clefable.

Comments

If Garchomp mega evolves, its ability is Sand Force, not Rough Skin

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I am aware. If you put Sand Force instead of Rough Skin on the showdown teambuilder, it will be illegal since Sand Force is not one of Garchomp's starting abilities.

Answer 7

Mega is finally viable now!

National Dex

Garchomp-Mega @ Garchompite
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Scale Shot
- Fire Fang / Stone Edge
- Swords Dance

Earthquake is powerful STAB. Scale Shot is STAB that covers Dragon types, breaks Focus Sash and Substitute, and raises its lackluster Speed stat. Fire Fang is coverage that hits Ice types as well as Earthquake resistant/immune Steels like Corviknight, Ferrothorn, and Skarmory. Stone Edge for Flying types.

Notable partner

Serperior provides wonderful paralysis support with Glare, which makes Mega Garchomp easier to abuse. Serperior also matches up pretty well against bulky Ground types like defensive Landorus-T and defensive Gliscor, and it also beats Slowbro. In return, M-Chomp beats a common Serperior check in Heatran. The Scarf set can surprise and revenge-kill Pokemon that usually threaten both Serp and M-Chomp like Ash-Greninja.

Comments

Nice Garchomp set, good EV placement and good moveset.

Answer 8

This is my mixed set of ninja skill:

Garchomp (M) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Rash Nature
- Flamethrower
- Dragon Pulse
- Earthquake
- Brick Break

The Scarf makes it Super-Fast, so it outruns every threat. EVs make it Mixed. Flamethrower is coverage against Ice Types, and also permanantly kills Ferrothorn, which is a pain in... well, it's a pain everywhere. D-Pulse is STAB and covers Dragon Types that are super effective. Earthquake is STAB and makes this guy a killer. Brick Break is for Ice types that have high Special Defense, as well as breaking Screens.

Comments

Can Dragon rush cover for Dragon pulse? Also how would I get this Dragon pulse in Pokemon diamond?

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Oh god.... mixed chomp

Answer 9

Garchomp @ Wide Lens
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Dragon Rush
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Double Team

This Garchomp is designed to be on a sand team with Tyranitar or Hippowdon. I gave it Wide Lens to counter accuracy problems so he could have Double Team instead of Hone Claws (I'm aware it's banned on the competitive scene. However, it's allowed in Random Wi-Fi matches and against friends). Double Team and Sand Veil together work like the lottery, only if your opponent loses, a dragon punches them in the face.

Answer 10

Garchomp @ Garchompite
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw / Dragon Rush
- Stone Edge
- Poison Jab / Iron Head

Earthquake and Dragon Claw/Dragon Rush are really good for Garchomp's STAB moves and deals a good amount of damage. Stone Edge can be used for annoying flying types such as Talonflame or Charizard. Poison Jab or Iron Head are good for covering fairies, one of Garchomp's weaknesses. You can also substitute out one of those moves for Swords Dance.

Comments

Practically the same moveset and EV's I use on my Garchomp, except I don't use Garchompite, I use Rocky Helmet, as Mega Garchomp's max speed with 31 IV's and a beneficial nature for Speed is only 311, compared to regular Garchomp's, which is 333.  I also utilize Aqua Tail, to surprise people.

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@EnteiRaikouSuicuine Mega Garchomp is terrible as a mega unless in trick room. That might be terrible there as well 92 speed isn't good for a mega nor good for trick rooming.

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I'm pretty sure A rank on the National Dex viability rankings isn't terrible. There's no need to reply to a post that is 3 years old.

Answer 11

No Tank Chomp? His most popular set as of this meta? I'm surprised.

Garchomp @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 136 Def / 120 Spe
Impish Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Earthquake
- Dragon Tail
- Toxic

The set uses Garchomp's great typing and stats for utility such as Stealth Rock, while still dealing damage with Earthquake. Rocky Helmet, Rough Skin, and Toxic punish opponents that stay in to fight Garchomp.

Answer 12

Garchomp @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Dragon Rush
- Earthquake
- Iron Tail

This set only really works if you max out the PP on all of its moves, allowing for the not-so-great accuracy on some moves.

The Weakness Policy really help as if you get hit by an Ice/Fairy/Dragon move, your Defense and Special Defense raise sharply, which is so useful when facing Ninetales or anything with Ice Beam/Moonblast. Iron Tail covers weaknesses.

Comments

weakness policy doesn't raise defense or special defense, it raises attack and special attack

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Bro, Why would even keep chomp out against something with ice beam or moonblast I don't even understanding the purpose of weakness policy? Garchomp doesn't have the necessary bulk or ability like metagross or dragonite.

Answer 13

EdgeQuake + Fire Blast

Garchomp @ Focus Sash
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive / Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Stone Edge / Rock Slide
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast / Fire Fang

Swords Dance up and destroy everything with Stone Edge and Earthquake, which are only resisted by Breloom, Torterra, Virizion, and Chesnaught. Fire Blast really hits them hard as well as beating Skarmory and Bronzong, one of the few counters to this set (or EdgeQuake in general). This set is pretty risky with shaky accuracy, so Rock Slide can be used over Stone Edge, or Fire Fang over Fire Blast so that you can take full advantage of Swords Dance.

Comments

nice set but i wouldn't recommend a mix of special physical moves

Answer 14

Gen 7 OU:

Garchomp @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Dragon Tail / Roar
- Iron Head / Poison Jab / Crunch

Surprisingly, no one has answer this set before.
Set explanation:
Use Stealth Rock first to set up hazard, than use Dragon Tail or Roar. I also suggest Roar because Fairy types are immune to Dragon Tail, and Magearna, Azumarill and Clefable are often used in the OU tier. Iron Head / Poison Jab if you choose Dragon Tail allows you to get rid of Fairy type Pokemon, or Crunch if you use Roar in case if you meet a ghost type like Sableye-Mega which is a bit common in OU. (Although it’s not a super effective damage)

Comments

ghost type pokemon aren't immune to roar

Answer 15

Garchomp-Mega @ Garchompite
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Stone Edge
- Iron Head

This set should be used during Sandstorm. Earthquake is STAB and gets boosted by Sand Force. Dragon Claw for STAB. I prefer Dragon Claw over Outrage because Outrage locks you in one move and if someone switches for a Fairy Type... poor Garchomp. Dragon Rush's accuracy doesn't make having Dragon Rush worth it. Stone Edge is to take advantage of Sand Force. Iron Head is for Fairy Types and gets a boost from Sand Force.

Comments

Dragon Rush is too inaccurate, maybe use Dragon Claw instead

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The accuracy problems of Dragon Rush outweigh the benefits of its potential power, as it's power over dragon claw is only slight. Claw is better

Answer 16

Lol....

another forbidden Pokemon.

Garchomp @ Bright Powder
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Attract
- Sandstorm / Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Iron Head / Poison Jab
After Attract, Sand Veil in the sandstorm and Bright Powder, the only hit chance was

36%

So wowowowow and let’s sweep with Earthquake and kill all those annoying Ice and Fairy type with Iron Head or Poison Jab!

Comments

3.75% again XD

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YESSSS

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Oooh another evil set. XDXDXDXDXXD

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Hate to be that person, but the chance of your opponent landing a hit on you through Attract, Sand Veil, and Bright Powder is 36%, not 3.75%.
Attract gives a 1/2 chance of the opponent not attacking (assuming it's the opposite gender), Sand Veil gives a 1/5 chance for you to evade, and Bright Powder gives a 1/10 chance for you to evade. The chance of your opponent successfully hitting you through all this is the inverse of these chances multiplied by each other: (1/2)*(4/5)*(9/10) = 36/100, or 36%.

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But 36% was still evil enough XDD

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iron head because it counters fairy and ice types whereas poison jab covers one also garchomp has good speed so iron head can flinch

Answer 17

I love this set.

Garchomp @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Toxic
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Roar

The goal is to outspeed everything and survive long enough to whittle down the other teams HP with Stealth Rock and Rough Skin/Rocky Helmet. Set up Stealth Rock, then start using Toxic and Roar. Rinse and repeat without Stealth Rock. Earthquake is there for nailing Steel types and just in case you get Taunted.

Answer 18

I'm amazed. 67 answers, but still no Scale Shot chomp. This is probably one of the most dangerous sweepers in the meta right now.

Garchomp @ Leftovers / Life Orb / Wide Lens
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Scale Shot
- Stone Edge / Fire Fang

Alright well, this is pretty self explanatory. SD up, then Scale Shot, nothing outspeeds you it's gg. Earthquake is STAB, Scale Shot boosts Speed, SD for extra power and Stone Edge for problematic Moltres or Zapdos, or Fire Fang for Kartana and Ferrothorn. Lefties can recover, possible saving you from a revenge killing attempt, but generally the worst of the three. Next is Life Orb, possibly the best of the three items, as it gives you an extra boost in power that can help you take KOs. Finally, Wide Lens. I found this to be helpful, as my insane rng means I miss every Scale Shot. Aka lose. So, with Wide Lens you can hit more and hopefully miss none. Also, it helps with Fire Fang and Stone Edge, making Fire Fang perfectly accurate instead of 95 accuracy. Stone Edge also becomes 88 accuracy, hopefully making it miss less.

Answer 19

Gen 5 OU

Garchomp @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Fire Fang

Dragon Claw and Equake are STABs. Stone Edge is coverage and makes EdgeQuake and Fire Fang can kill Ferrothorn and Scizor.

Answer 20

Gen 7 Doubles OU

Garchomp @ Garchompite
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake / Stomping Tantrum
- Protect
- Rock Slide
- Swords Dance / Iron Head

This should be used with Tailwind and Sand support. Tyranitar is the best option for a send setter, and Zapdos works best as a Tailwind setter for Mega Garchomp. Earthquake and Stomping Tantrum are STAB options. The former hits both opponents but also hits your ally (they can still use Protect though) and is blocked by Wide Guard, while the latter only hits one opponent.

Due to how spread moves have their damage cut by 25% in Doubles, both Earthquake and Stomping Tantrum do roughly the same amount of damage. Earthquake also allows for Garchomp to be part of a Dis-Quake combo with Zapdos, where the two can spam Earthquake and Discharge without worrying about hitting each other. Both are boosted by Sand Force, with the Sandstorm provided by Tyranitar.

Protect keeps Garchomp safe for a turn and can also be used to scout for the opponent's attacks, and be safe while Zapdos sets Tailwind. Rock Slide, also boosted by Sand Force, hits both opponents and has a chance to flinch them. Swords Dance is to boost Garchomp's attack, while Iron Head hits Fairy and Ice types hard, and is also boosted by Sand Force.