Garchomp Best Moveset
130 Attack at 102 Speed on Dragon/Ground with AbilityRough Skin dealing 12.5% to anything that makes physical contact. Held ItemRocky Helmet stacks for 29% total contact punishment. NatureJolly outspeeds the bulk of the tier. The moveset runs physical Dragon and Ground TermStab that hits nearly everything for neutral or better. Tera Ground amplifies Earthquake. A-Tier since Gen 4.
Dragon/Ground with 130 Attack and 102 Speed in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Swords Dance plus Outrage swept teams. So dominant it was banned from standard play during the generation.
Best Moves
Best Build
Garchomp best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- Earthquake
- Dragon Claw
- Outrage
- Stone Edge
Recommended Teammates
Returned to the top tier in Gen V (Black & White). The format adjusted, but Garchomp was still the best Dragon-type available. Swords Dance and Choice Scarf sets both threatened.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Outrage
- Swords Dance
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Mega Garchomp existed but the base form was actually preferred in Gen VI (X & Y). Mega lost Speed (102 to 92), and base Rough Skin punished contact moves.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Swords Dance
- Dragon Claw
Recommended Teammates
Four straight gens at the top in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Stealth Rock setter, Swords Dance sweeper, or Choice Scarf revenge killer. Garchomp filled whatever role the team needed.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Stealth Rock
- Stone Edge
Recommended Teammates
Five gens of consistent dominance in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Scale Shot boosted Speed while dealing damage. Swords Dance plus Scale Shot was the latest devastating combo.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Swords Dance
- Scale Shot
- Stealth Rock
Recommended Teammates
Finally dropped in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Still powerful, but the format's power creep and Fairy-type saturation caught up to the Dragon/Ground formula.
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Earthquake
- Stealth Rock
- Swords Dance
- Dragon Tail
Recommended Teammates
Garchomp Weakness
Ice, Dragon, and Fairy moves hit Garchomp for super-effective damage. Ice hits land at 4x, so they're the biggest threat. The upside? Electric-type moves can't touch it at all. Garchomp's overall bulk (108/115/95) lets it take a hit or two from most weaknesses before going down.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Ice |
| 2x (Weak) | Dragon, Fairy |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Poison, Rock |
| 0x (Immune) | Electric |
What is Garchomp Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Garchomp
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemTerrain Extender NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Garchomp View Pincurchin builds →Scald16-18% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityUnaware ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Garchomp View Clodsire builds →Earthquake14-17% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemHeatrock NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Garchomp View Torkoal builds →Rapid Spin7-9% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrought ItemHeatrock NatureTimid Moves View Ninetales builds →
| ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemShellbell NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Garchomp View Sudowoodo builds →Sucker Punch17-21% Head Smash18-22% | ||
Evolution
End of the line. Garchomp caps a three-stage chain that started at Gible. Breeding produces the base form, and eggs are takes forever to hatch. Attack grew the most through evolution (+100 over Gible), and Garchomp peaks at 700 total stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
How to Get Garchomp
No wild encounters for Garchomp. The 3-stage chain runs through Gible, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 48 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Garchomp in SV
The path to Garchomp starts with Gible at Lv. 7-64 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch GibleCrystal PoolLv.7-60OverworldOni MountainLv.7-60OverworldParadise BarrensLv.7-60OverworldWistful FieldsLv.7-60OverworldSouth Province (Area Six) - CaveLv.10-29OverworldRate 8%West Province (Area One) - CaveLv.10-29OverworldRate 8%West Province (Area Two) - CaveLv.10-29OverworldRate 8%The Great Crater of PaldeaLv.32-60OverworldRate 9%East Province (Area One) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%East Province (Area Three) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%Glaseado MountainLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%North Province (Area One) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%North Province (Area Three) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%North Province (Area Two) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%South Province (Area One) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%West Province (Area Three) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%Area Zero UnderdepthsLv.63-64Overworld
Step 2Catch or Evolve GabiteCrystal PoolLv.24-60OverworldOni MountainLv.24-60OverworldThe Great Crater of PaldeaLv.32-60OverworldRate 9%East Province (Area One) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%East Province (Area Three) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%Glaseado MountainLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%North Province (Area One) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%North Province (Area Three) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%North Province (Area Two) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%South Province (Area One) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%South Province (Area Six) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%West Province (Area One) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%West Province (Area Three) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%West Province (Area Two) - CaveLv.32-60OverworldRate 3%or evolve from Gible (Step 1)
Step 3Garchomp ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Garchomp egg.
Garchomp starts showing up in endgame routes at moderate rates across 1 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
No wild encounters for Garchomp. The 3-stage chain runs through Gible, which you can catch at decent rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 48 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Garchomp in PLA
Gible is your first catch on the way to Garchomp. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 20-70 across 4 total spots in the chain.
Can't catch Garchomp directly. Start with Gible at decent rates from the locations below, then evolve at level 48. The 3-stage chain from Gible to Garchomp is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Garchomp in BDSP
The path to Garchomp starts with Gible at Lv. 15-55 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch GibleWayward Cave - B1FLv.15-17CaveRate 15%Fountainspring CaveLv.42-46CaveRequires Icicle BadgeRiverbank CaveLv.42-46CaveRequires Icicle BadgeStill-Water CavernLv.42-46CaveRequires Icicle Badge
Step 2Catch or Evolve GabiteFountainspring CaveLv.50-55CaveRequires WaterfallRiverbank CaveLv.50-55CaveRequires WaterfallStill-Water CavernLv.50-55CaveRequires Waterfallor evolve from Gible (Step 1)
Step 3Garchomp ✓
Base Stats
The stat budget goes to damage. Attack and Sp. Atk carry the offense, Speed doesn't even come close. A Mach Pokemon on a slow 1.25M XP grind, worth 3 Attack EVs per KO.
It flies at speeds equal to a jet fighter plane. It never allows its prey to escape.
Garchomp Guide
We rate Garchomp B-Tier: a solid choice for the right team. At 700 BST, it fits the hazard setter role. Base 170 Attack stands out.
Garchomp can Mega Evolve into Mega Garchomp. That's 800 BST, up from 700. The stat redistribution often changes its best role. Mega Stone required, one per battle.
Sand Force strengthens rock, ground, and steel moves to 1.3× their power during a sandstorm. That's the one you want on Garchomp. It's the only ability Garchomp has.
Base 92 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Garchomp is a physical attacker with base 170 Attack. Defensively? Tanky enough to absorb a few hits. Best used as a hazard setter.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Diamond & Pearl, Garchomp has appeared in 14 titles over 7 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 6, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves