What is a good moveset for Garchomp?

Question

Share your best competitive movesets for Garchomp on this thread! Movesets for Mega Garchomp can also be posted here, as well as for Gible and Gabite.

Check the submission guidelines before posting! Only competitive movesets with all relevant details (item, nature, exact EVs, ability, moves) and a solid explanation will be accepted.

Garchomp Pokédex and learnset for reference.

Answer 1

Garchomp @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature / Adamant Nature
- Rock Slide
- Dragon Claw
- Iron Head
- Earthquake

Honestly as a Garchomp user and always will use and have Garchomp on my team. This is what I've seen works best with him, based on the times I've had to modify him to work the best he can.

The reason you want to have a Rocky Helmet is for three main reasons. Reason #1 Talonflame, a Brave Bird from a Talonflame unto a chomp with Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet could cost it a KO without having to even attack it (that's if if has a Life Orb)
Reason #2 Mega Kangaskhan and Fake Out users, a Fake Out from a Mega Kangaskhan unto a Garchomp might drop it's HP in half do to its Ability and Item. Any other will waste a turn and damage itself. Reason #3 Synergy with Rough Skin

A Jolly Garchomp is really fast and faster this way and is already a hard hitter if your willing to risk another chomp hitting you might as well Mega with Baton Pass speed, Scarf or Band

The EVs make it hit hard, fast and take a hit while still damaging the opponent because of its Ability

• Rock Slide (covers Thundurus, Talonflame, Volcarona, etc)
• Dragon Claw (STAB!!...and always hits)
• Iron Head (Two words: Fairies and Ice)
• Earthquake (STAB and easy to take down defensive threats)

Pokemon that he has good Synergy with:
Semi-support Speed Boost Mega Blaziken
Fast Offensive Greninja
Contrary Serperior
Charizard Y
Any good Baton Passer
Tip: Most should have protect to keep from getting harmed from an EQ

Answer 2

Garchomp @ Life Orb
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk
Jolly Nature
- Hone Claws
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Dragon Rush

Hone Claws: Boosts accuracy which is this set's downfall as well as his impressive Attack
Stone Edge: Amazing power, accuracy is boosted by Hone Claws
Earthquake: STAB, great move with Stone Edge making it an EdgeQuake set essentially
Dragon Rush: I chose this over his extensive set of Dragon moves because it has power and doesn't confuse.

I used to not believe in Garchomp's potential but now it is clear to me why he is an Uber. In Ubers he threatens many of the dragon Ubers (Rayquaza, Zekrom, Palkia, Dialga) and it goes on. The reason I didn't invest in his speed much is because of the fact most Ubers are dreadfully slow (Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Dialga, Zekrom, Ho-Oh) Which leads him at that advantage. However the occasional speed invested Palkia could be this guy's downfall because of their close speed tiers.

Answer 3

So Garchomp having 3 weaknesses and any ice move is going to kill it, we're going to want to out speed everything.

Garchomp @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Crunch
- Outrage / Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Aqua Tail / Iron Head / Rock Slide

Crunch: Ghost-type Coverage
Outrage / Dragon Claw: STAB
Earthquake: Do I have to explain?
Aqua Tail / Iron Head / Rock Slide: Coverage

So Earthquake needs no explanation.
If you don't want to have to deal with confusion, run Dragon Claw, if you're feeling lucky run Outrage.
Crunch is just for nice coverage against Pyschic and Ghost types.
Aqua Tail is nice coverage, with a 90 base power would do pretty good damage, Iron Head to deal with Fairies, but not recommended because some fairies might be able to take a non-STAB Iron Head to the face.
Rock Slide just for Flying types that you can't really touch with anything else unless your running Outrage, then you can touch them.

I tried it out a few times with Aqua Tail and Outrage, honestly Dragon Claw would suit me better because of how unlucky I am, but if you don't care about being confused then go for it!

Answer 4

I know, this might be a pretty oversuggested moveset, but I hope I can say something new. :)

Garchomp @ Sitrus Berry
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 6 Def / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Dragon Rush
- Fire Fang
- Earthquake
- Sandstorm

I previously used the Mega Evolution, but I changed this later because my Mega Charizard Y could take out anyone with ease using only one or two Heat Waves, but I kept Sandstorm, just in case. Earthquake is what it is, Dragon Rush has the same power as Earthquake +chance to flinch, and Fire Fang deals with Ice-types (It was also powered up by my Mega Charizard's Drought).

Comments

If you are using sandstorm, I recommend sand veil as your ability.

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Why would you use Naughty over Jolly?

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yeah, sandstorm fits better with sand veil

Answer 5

I know, Chompy is overused, but it's still fun recommending movesets, so I invented a supporter/troller set this time. :D

Garchomp @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 6 Def / 252 Spe
Naughty Nature
- Dragon Rush
- Rock Slide
- Bulldoze
- Stealth Rock

Well, maybe Bulldoze can be regarded as a bit weaker form of Earthquake, but this moveset focuses on annoyance. Dragon Rush is a still powerful STAB move with it's 20% chance to flinch (so it must cause flinching in everty fifth usage). Rock Slide also causes flinching (30% chance, meaning every third time it happens) and covers Ice along with a few other types (Fire, Flying and Bug), and I didn't mentioned it has more PP than Stone Edge and it's also a multi-target move that comes handy in Double/Triple Battles. Setting up a Steatlh Rock trap on the beginning can hurt anyone who enters and/or dares to switch. Oh, and the contact might be also painful with the Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin. >:D

Comments

Why Naughty over Jolly or Adamant?

Answer 6

Garchomp @ Focus Sash
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Iron Head
- Swords Dance

Earthquake — Because why not.
Dragon Claw — To take care of Salamence.
Iron Head — Goodbye Fairy-types and Ice-types.
Swords Dance — To boost your Attack to insanity.

Rough Skin will break opponents Focus Sash if they use contact moves. Garchomp is generally fast enough to outspeed many things assume it goes first. Swords Dance should be used on the first turn. Focus Sash will keep it from fainting.

Also you should toss this guy into a set with Dragon Dance Gyarados.

Works best in Gen 6. Still viable in Gen 7.

Comments

Any opinions on this?

Answer 7

No Z-Move Garchomp? What the hell?!

Garchomp @ Dragonium Z
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Claw / Outrage
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Stealth Rock

Set up rocks, then attempt to SD. If that isn't possible go for an attack. Earthquake is incredible STAB, Dragon Claw or Outrage are moves with downsides that can be negated one time by Dragonium Z. Dragon Claw is...rather weak, Outrage locks you into the move and confuses you after.

You should only one Devastating Drake against a Ground resist/immunity that can take a Dragon Claw, a bulky Pokemon, or a Pokemon with a teammate that is Fairy type.

Answer 8

The Evasive Chomp

Garchomp @ Bright Powder
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Earthquake
- Stone Edge
- Outrage
- Poison Jab / Aqua Tail / Brick Break / Rock Slide / Fire Fang

Earthquake is STAB and one of the best Ground moves.
Stone Edge for high power.
Outrage because here we have a Dragon-type pseudo Garchomp, which is a physical attacker.
Poison Jab for faries. Aqua Tail for Ground types who you have no one else for. Brick Break for screens. Rock Slide for flinches. Fire Fang for the Ice-types.
Jolly is in case you don't avoid the opponent's attack several times in a row, for you can at least get in a strike or two before going down.

This 'chomp is specially designed for avoiding all attacks and snatching the win. You send out a Sand Stream mon first, and swap in to Garchomp.

Comments

Although you may evade attacks some of the time, it won't always work. It lasts for 5 to 8 turns, and the evasion boost isn't really as great as many people think, so for overall consistency I'd suggest replacing Adamant with Jolly. If you want to predict a dodge you can have Swords Dance as an option to compensate for the lack of power

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Alright, thank you for the tip :) I'll edit it.

Answer 9

Man, I played Platinum for the first time last month (as of right now) and I learned that this thing is super strong, I only beated It because I had Glaceon on my team

Gen VIII

Garchomp @ Life Orb
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Rock slide
- Poison Jab

Dragon Claw and EQ are it's STAB moves, hopefully I don't need to explain more.
You might have accuracy problems with Rock Slide, but it's your best option when countering Ice types (like my glaceon as I mentioned before).
Poison Jab counters it's only weakness remaining: FAIRY.

(Note): I learned recently that Garchomp don't learn Dragon Dance, oops

Comments

cant u use iron head to counter both ice and fairy?

Answer 10

Garchomp @ Life Orb
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Earthquake
- Scale Shot
- Swords Dance / Rock Slide
- Protect

Ok, uhh, this thing uninvested can take some wack hits.

Defensive:

252+ Atk Rillaboom Wood Hammer vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp in Grassy Terrain: 148-175 (80.8 - 95.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Grassy Terrain recovery

+3 252 SpA Moltres-Galar Air Slash vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 153-181 (83.6 - 98.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Garchomp: 73-87 (39.8 - 47.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

252 SpA Life Orb Spectrier Shadow Ball vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 110-133 (60.1 - 72.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Charcoal Heatran Eruption (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Garchomp: 66-78 (36 - 42.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

Offensive:

252+ Atk Life Orb Garchomp Rock Slide vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Moltres-Galar: 101-120 (61.2 - 72.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Urshifu: 91-109 (52 - 62.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Torkoal: 135-164 (76.2 - 92.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Metagross: 148-174 (79.1 - 93%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Garchomp Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Kartana: 74-87 (55.2 - 64.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Comments

Why Protect? If you have a calc for Rock Slide why didn't you have Rock Slide? Just asking.

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Wait I forgot it? frick. Also, protect is VGC lol

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Oh, VGC. I didn't know I thought it was singles lol

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Lol yeah. Otherwise, I'd probably use Stone Edge

Answer 11

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

Use Jolly over Adamant if you want extra speed instead of power. I personally would choose Iron Head in the first slot. Earthquake is obvious STAB. Outrage is for maximum damage, Dragon Claw is for reliable power, and Dragon Rush is for damage if you don't like low power, repeated attacks or confusion. Stone Edge completes the EdgeQuake combo.

Answer 12

Insomnia (Garchomp) @ Garchompite
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Claw / Dragon Rush
- Earthquake
- Iron Tail / Iron Head
- Sandstorm / Rock Slide

Dragon Claw / Dragon Rush (STAB)
Earthquake (STAB + coverage + SF boost)
Iron Tail / Iron Head (Covers ice + fairy weakness + SF boost)
Sandstorm / Rock Slide (Setup or coverage + SF boost)

Moves depend on how confident you are with hitting your shots. Dragon Claw and Iron Head are preferable if you prefer consistency over raw power, plus the flinch chance from Iron Head is nice. If you already have Pokemon that synergize with sandstorm use Rock Slide for coverage. All moves but Dragon Claw are given a 30% power boost due to Sand Force, so make use of that. Timid Nature is preferable to Adamant Nature to make up for some of the speed it's losing by not having a Scarf, as its Attack already skyrockets when it megas.

Answer 13

Garchomp (M) @ Razor Claw
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 95 HP / 200 Atk / 55 Def / 55 SpD / 105 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
- Shadow Claw
- Iron Head

The point of this build is to set up a well rounded Garchomp (except for Special Attack). The EVs are to spread out some of the stats, and to be able to take a few hits, as well as possibly outspeed some fast Pokemon like Weavile, especially considering the nature. The Razor Claw is so I can boost my crit-chance, which can deal a lot of extra damage.

• Dragon Claw is for STAB dragon-type attacks, and while it is weaker
  than Outrage or Dragon Rush, it works better for this build, because
  it has better accuracy than Dragon Rush and doesn't get confused or
  locked into a move like Outrage.
• Earthquake is for pure STAB power. It is more powerful than Dig or Bulldoze, and it is more accurate than High Horsepower.
• Shadow Claw is just for coverage against ghost, psychic, and fighting types. While these types aren't super-effective like others, it just works well. Plus, shadow claw already has a boosted crit-chance. Pair this with the Razor Claw, and you will just be landing critical hits everywhere.
• Iron Head is for coverage against fairy and ice types. Iron Head and Poison Jab both have a base power of 80. While I was considering Poison Jab, the only extra possibilty with it is poisoning. And, Poison Jab only hits fairy types for super-effective damage, ans ice types are neutral against it. Iron head will have the Razor Claw to boost crit-chance, and while an ice type or fairy type could have a focus sash to survive even a critical hit, the flinch chance will also stop them.

There are other moves you could use (Ex: Fire Fang, Brick Break, Stone Edge, Rock Slide, Poison Jab, Metal Claw, Dragon Dance, Dual Chop, Scale Shot). But this moveset works well with the ability, EVs, nature, and held items.

Answer 14

Garchomp @ Garchompite
Ability: Sand Veil
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Outrage/Dragon Rush
- Iron Tail
- Hone Claws or sandstorm
- Earthquake

EV distribution: 252 EV attack, 252 EV special defense, 4EV speed (analogy to boost attack at its finest, and most of garchomp's weakness are special attackers thats why 252 EV in sp. def.)

let's keep it simple, this moveset covers mostly all of its weakness, except water/fairy type. just get a Pokemon that can set the battlefield for you. Pokemons who has a moveset of swords dance, substitute, baton pass and toxic, no walls can stop him with garchomp's attack stat and enhanced in the same way

Answer 15

Gen 9 OU Assault Vest
Here's my favorite set to use! You thought your special hits hurt? Not anymore!
Sandman (Garchomp) @Assault Vest
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 252 Sp. Def / 236 HP / 20 Atk
Careful/Adamant Nature
- Liquidation
- Crunch
- Earthquake
- Iron Head

No Dragon STAB as it is pretty much unneeded. This is my choice for a Gholdengo counter. It switches in, thinking to kill with a Dazzling Gleam/Make it Rain when BAM! It takes the hit comfortably and hits back and OHKOs with Earthquake (due to the attack investment)! Feel free to destroy me in the comments.

Here's some fun calcs:

252+ SpA Choice Specs Gholdengo Make It Rain vs. 236 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Garchomp: 193-228 (46.3 - 54.8%) -- 59% chance to 2HKO

252+ SpA Quark Drive Iron Moth Energy Ball vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Garchomp: 87-103 (20.7 - 24.5%) -- guaranteed 4HKO

252+ SpA Choice Specs Torkoal Eruption (123 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Assault Vest Garchomp in Sun: 109-129 (25.9 - 30.7%) -- 99.8% chance to 3HKO

Comments

Gimmighoul counter? You mean Gholdengo?

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thanks

Answer 16

Guys dont judge, I am only a 12year old.

This is a sweeper set, including all the necessary tools to set up and sweep with this beastly dragon type.

PS- This is the set I used to get a 5 win streak on Showdown.

Garchomp (M) @ Garchompite
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Outrage / Dragon Claw / Tera Blast / Scale Shot
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head / Poison Jab

The plan is simple. Pit it against the opponents' lead. While it uses status moves like spikes, toxic spikes or stealth rock, set up by using swords dance or dragon dance. Its deadly Dragon STAB in Outrage (if you have a hyperattacking set, and don't mind side effects), Dragon Claw/Scale Shot/Tera Blast (if you are willing to play the long and precautious run). Earthquake is an extremely versatile and quintessential STAB, running in almost any physical set. Iron Head or Poison Jab are two reliant ways to handle Pesky Fairies

Comments

You said for Garchomp to set up using Dragon Dance, but Garchomp can't learn Dragon Dance. Also, you can't Tera while holding a Mega Stone, making Tera Blast pointless, since it'll be Normal Type.

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You can't mega in Paldea, can you?

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cool set except for tera blast, which is useless.

Answer 17

Garchomp @ Loaded Dice
Abillity: Rough Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Scale Shot
- Earthquake
- Iron Head / Iron Tail

either lead or switch in at a nice spot
use swords dance to buff Atk
scale shot for speed
and sweep
it works so well

Answer 18

An effective sweeper for 1v1 purposes

Garchomp @ Life Orb
EVs: 182 Atk / 73 Def / 73 SpD / 182 Spe
Ability: Sand Veil
Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Iron Head
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake

Move set: Swords Dance, Iron Head, Dragon Claw, Earthquake
Swords Dance is to set him up as he is a flash, if I feel devious ima do it twice, Iron Head is for my weaknesses, Earthquake a great STAB move and Dragon Claw same scenario

Comments

What is with the EVs?  They should be in multiples of 4.  Also, why the weird IVs?

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What ability?

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mb gang for the ev training I fought some Pokémon before hand that had like 1-2-3 evs and ability is sand veil BTW IVs are random

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Blud IVs in competitive aren't random

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u acc expect me to breed inf times to get the ivs I want?

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This is a thread for sharing competitive strategies, not showing literal mons that you have in your game. You don't have to breed anything to recommend max IVs to people.
You can edit the post to fix this + the ability and EVs. Other people's answers don't mention IVs at all because it's assumed by convention that everything is maxed.

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dang ty fizz I never knew I didn't have to show my ivs

Answer 19

Time for a defensive set!

Baby Shark (Garchomp) @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
EVs: 32 HP / 44 Atk / 164 Def / 252 SpD / 12 Spe
Careful Nature
Tera Type: Steel
- Stealth Rock
- Dragon Tail
- Spikes
- Iron Head

Set up hazards and whack away anything that threatens your doubles partner. In the event of a Fairy Type, Tera Boosted Iron Head will do quite a bit, if not kill (I'm fairly certain Flutter Mane is dead unless it's insanely bulky). Prepare for the annoying Baby Shark!

Answer 20

Evasive garchomp?

Garchomp @ Bright Powder
EVs: 6 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Ability: Sand Veil
Adamant / Jolly Nature
- Sandstorm
- Swords Dance / Iron Head
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw / Outrage

I know I'm probably gonna get roasted in the comments but Garchomp with Sandstorm and Sand Veil is an evasive heavy hitter which avoids attacks and deals tons of damage. Combined with Bright Powder your opponent will miss 30% of their attacks. Swords Dance is always a good setup move but Iron Head covers all weaknesses except Dragon which Garchomp covers with Dragon Claw / Outrage. Dragon Claw is more passive and safe but Outrage is more heavy of a hit. Let me know what you think. If you don't agree then use Rough Skin and Rocky Helmet for physical sweepers.

Comments

This would be good in formats where evasion strategies are allowed, mainly VGC, where Ttar Chomp is a common strategy when both are legal (chomp doesn't always run veil powder but it can do it)
Other than that (let's assume a singles format for now), Chomp should not be the one setting Sand up (something like smooth rock Ttar/Hippo does a great job) and if you're truly commiting to evasion strats, SD is definitely better over Iron Head. Sandstorm can be replaced by a coverage move, but depending on the meta Stone Edge or Fire Fang are usually preferred.

Also, it is recommended to make and export the sets in Pokemon Showdown for the formatting and to check if your set if legal (in many singles formats like OU, this is not), and also put the format so people know what format this is for (it can be multiple, if applicable)