Hello all - welcome to my team analysis. Garchomp has been among my favorite pokemon since the beginning of time, and I was quite disappointed when it was banned from OU in gen 5. However, once the badassery that is Mega Garchomp came out in XY, I knew my primary competitive team would revolve around it. I attempted to build a team that would make it easy for Garchomp to get an ideal switch in and set up from there, along with a general trend of bulky pokemon that are able to take hits from Garchomp's enemies that it might not be able to outspeed while also hitting back fairly hard or fazing the opponent.
Team Preview
Lets begin, shall we?
Garchomp-Mega @ Garchompite
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Naughty Nature
- Substitute
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
- Dragon Claw
The unequivocal star of the team. The first thing I have heard regarding mega-Garchomp is its disappointing loss of 10 base speed, and its lack of a helpful item. However, there are many more significant benefits from the mega-evolve that make it superior to regular Garchomp. First and foremost, and the main reason I use mega-Garchomp, is the significant 40 bst increase in special atk. This makes Garchomp an ideal mixed attacker (not to mention its staggering 170 base atk), since its Fire Blast now hits harder than most special sweepers. Earthquake is standard and shouldn't need much explanation - stab, bonus damage from tyranitar's sandstorm, and its just a stupid op physical move. I went with dragon claw over outrage because with the frequent presence of fairies, it sucks to use outrage once, then get locked into it against a fairy who will set up on you. Plus, mega-Garchomp doesn't have a hard time OHKO'ing pokemon with dragon claw instead of outrage anyways. Lastly, substitute makes mega-Garchomp a true monster. once you get a beneficial switch in for Garchomp, it can guarantee a substitute, and with its bonus defenses from its mega-evolve, this substitute is not easy to blow through. Substitute not only saves it from status effects, but guarantees it will get a hit off versus pokemon that would otherwise OHKO or 2HKO it. I have thought about Swords Dance, but really, There's never been a situation where it hasn't dealt enough damage to take out what it needs to.
Mandibuzz (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP / 208 Def / 48 SDef
Impish Nature
- Roost
- Defog
- Taunt
- Knock Off
Mandibulk, one of my favorite physical walls in the game. Mandibuzz can deal with a full spectrum of pokemon, ranging from defensive set-ups to sweepers. With taunt, Mandibuzz can take care of various pokemon like Skarmory (who i considered instead of Mandibuzz, but decided against), Ferrothorn, and even the occasional Sub DD Mega Gyarados. Mandibuzz, although not directly, has been severely buffed this generation, due to the buffs to Defog and Knock Off this generation, both of which I utilize on Mandibuzz. Defog, unlike rapid spin, is unblockable by ghost types and is a free removal of all traps. This makes switch ins much easier for me, and hurts opponents who rely on spikes/sticky web/SR set up. More importantly, Knock Off, previously a rarely used move, is now a fantastic move for Mandibuzz. With 60 base damage + STAB, Mandibuzz can cripple so many pokemon by taking away their item, and hitting suprisingly hard. Roost is self explanatory, as it provides recovery so it can keep coming in and taking physical hits.
Tyranitar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 248 HP / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Superpower
- Pursuit
- Earthquake
Tyranitar and Garchomp have so much synergy its ridiculous. Since much of the rest of my team is defensively oriented, I decided to use Tyranitar a bit differently from the typical Tyranitar lead and use an assault vest, full attack investments, and a huge move pool coverage. I decided stealth rocks on Heatran would be better than on Tyranitar, so with assault vest it can be much bulkier as my typical lead. Stone Edge, Superpower, and Earthquake are all great physical moves that basically cover everything. Pursuit is an effective 4th move on Tyranitar, although i have received suggestions such as Ice Beam, Fire Blast, and Crunch, because not only does it get STAB on pursuit, but Tyranitar's wide coverage and ability to take hits can often force switches that pursuit can punish them for. Tyranitar is just a monster regarding its stats and movepool.
Rotom-Wash @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 48 Spd / 252 SAtk / 208 HP
Modest Nature
- Trick
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Volt Switch
This was originally a SubToxic Gliscor, but then i realized that other than Heatran, my team had no counters to Talonflame, which is definitely a problem in this meta. I have tried RestoChesto Rotom-W, but it only provides you with one recovery, and for the rest of the game you are essentially using a Rotom-W with only 3 moves. Trick and Choice Scarf is great for punishing sweepers that try to set up on Rotom-W or walls that can get trapped using a useless move, often forcing a switch. Choice Scarf is also ideal for getting of a volt switch before they can hit Rotom-W. I thought of replacing WoW with another damaging move, but Gastrodon is my only other poke that can inflict status, and WoW is essential in my opinion for dealing with CB scizor/azumarill or other physical attackers. Anyways, Rotom-W is stupid in this meta and is pretty much viable on all teams. For me, he forces switches all over, has the ability to cripple so many pokemon, and makes it easy for Garchomp to come in and sweep.
Heatran @ Air Balloon
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 36 SAtk / 220 Def
Modest Nature
- Roar
- Stealth Rock
- Protect
- Lava Plume
I was hesitant to use Heatran, since I don't typically use legendaries, but it seemed to be the perfect fit for what my team needed. As the only pokemon on my team with Stealth Rocks (or any form or trap), while I do get it off most games, it isn't SOO important that I do, since I will most likely be defogging with Mandibuzz if the opposing team is trap reliant. Roar rounds out the rest of my fazing moves, as it is a great way to deal with all kinds of set up, whether it be baton pass or DD users. Often times, when the opponent is using Talonflame, I will set up SR and then try to Roar until I can kill it. If you noticed, I am using modest Heatran - this is significant since most of my team is fairly bulky, and is lacking fire coverage other than mega-Garchomp's Fire Blast.
Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SDef / 8 SAtk
Calm Nature
- Recover
- Scald
- Toxic
- Earth Power
Gastrodon has been a great component of my team, although i have been considering switching him out. Both Heatran and Tyranitar are weak to water, making Gastrodon's storm drain an excellent feature. Once it gets that special attack boost, scald and earth power, both getting STAB, can hit fairly hard. Toxic and Recover are both great for stalling and walling all day erry day. Since I already have 2 other physically defensive walls, I have made Gastrodon specially defensive, especially since most grass moves it sees are in the form or energy balls. However, this means that Gastrodon is susceptible to certain physical sweepers, and may need to switch out from time to time.
Thanks so much for reading my team analysis, I tried pretty hard to make this team and make my discussion about it fairly interesting and important (First RMT by the way, I've been in the competitve pokemon scene for a while but haven't posted anything here before, so pls no hate). Im fully open to changes to my pokemon and even switching out pokemon completely - other than Mega Garchomp of course.
Ive recently noticed that Garchomp, Tyranitar, and Mandibuzz are all weak to fairy, and my only counter to this is heatran - let me know if you see any ideal switches i could make that would deal with this (maybe switch mandibuzz for skarmory???)
Team Preview
Lets begin, shall we?
Garchomp-Mega @ Garchompite
Ability: Sand Force
EVs: 252 Atk / 252 Spd / 4 HP
Naughty Nature
- Substitute
- Earthquake
- Fire Blast
- Dragon Claw
The unequivocal star of the team. The first thing I have heard regarding mega-Garchomp is its disappointing loss of 10 base speed, and its lack of a helpful item. However, there are many more significant benefits from the mega-evolve that make it superior to regular Garchomp. First and foremost, and the main reason I use mega-Garchomp, is the significant 40 bst increase in special atk. This makes Garchomp an ideal mixed attacker (not to mention its staggering 170 base atk), since its Fire Blast now hits harder than most special sweepers. Earthquake is standard and shouldn't need much explanation - stab, bonus damage from tyranitar's sandstorm, and its just a stupid op physical move. I went with dragon claw over outrage because with the frequent presence of fairies, it sucks to use outrage once, then get locked into it against a fairy who will set up on you. Plus, mega-Garchomp doesn't have a hard time OHKO'ing pokemon with dragon claw instead of outrage anyways. Lastly, substitute makes mega-Garchomp a true monster. once you get a beneficial switch in for Garchomp, it can guarantee a substitute, and with its bonus defenses from its mega-evolve, this substitute is not easy to blow through. Substitute not only saves it from status effects, but guarantees it will get a hit off versus pokemon that would otherwise OHKO or 2HKO it. I have thought about Swords Dance, but really, There's never been a situation where it hasn't dealt enough damage to take out what it needs to.
Mandibuzz (F) @ Leftovers
Ability: Overcoat
EVs: 252 HP / 208 Def / 48 SDef
Impish Nature
- Roost
- Defog
- Taunt
- Knock Off
Mandibulk, one of my favorite physical walls in the game. Mandibuzz can deal with a full spectrum of pokemon, ranging from defensive set-ups to sweepers. With taunt, Mandibuzz can take care of various pokemon like Skarmory (who i considered instead of Mandibuzz, but decided against), Ferrothorn, and even the occasional Sub DD Mega Gyarados. Mandibuzz, although not directly, has been severely buffed this generation, due to the buffs to Defog and Knock Off this generation, both of which I utilize on Mandibuzz. Defog, unlike rapid spin, is unblockable by ghost types and is a free removal of all traps. This makes switch ins much easier for me, and hurts opponents who rely on spikes/sticky web/SR set up. More importantly, Knock Off, previously a rarely used move, is now a fantastic move for Mandibuzz. With 60 base damage + STAB, Mandibuzz can cripple so many pokemon by taking away their item, and hitting suprisingly hard. Roost is self explanatory, as it provides recovery so it can keep coming in and taking physical hits.
Tyranitar @ Assault Vest
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 248 HP / 8 SDef
Adamant Nature
- Stone Edge
- Superpower
- Pursuit
- Earthquake
Tyranitar and Garchomp have so much synergy its ridiculous. Since much of the rest of my team is defensively oriented, I decided to use Tyranitar a bit differently from the typical Tyranitar lead and use an assault vest, full attack investments, and a huge move pool coverage. I decided stealth rocks on Heatran would be better than on Tyranitar, so with assault vest it can be much bulkier as my typical lead. Stone Edge, Superpower, and Earthquake are all great physical moves that basically cover everything. Pursuit is an effective 4th move on Tyranitar, although i have received suggestions such as Ice Beam, Fire Blast, and Crunch, because not only does it get STAB on pursuit, but Tyranitar's wide coverage and ability to take hits can often force switches that pursuit can punish them for. Tyranitar is just a monster regarding its stats and movepool.
Rotom-Wash @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 48 Spd / 252 SAtk / 208 HP
Modest Nature
- Trick
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Volt Switch
This was originally a SubToxic Gliscor, but then i realized that other than Heatran, my team had no counters to Talonflame, which is definitely a problem in this meta. I have tried RestoChesto Rotom-W, but it only provides you with one recovery, and for the rest of the game you are essentially using a Rotom-W with only 3 moves. Trick and Choice Scarf is great for punishing sweepers that try to set up on Rotom-W or walls that can get trapped using a useless move, often forcing a switch. Choice Scarf is also ideal for getting of a volt switch before they can hit Rotom-W. I thought of replacing WoW with another damaging move, but Gastrodon is my only other poke that can inflict status, and WoW is essential in my opinion for dealing with CB scizor/azumarill or other physical attackers. Anyways, Rotom-W is stupid in this meta and is pretty much viable on all teams. For me, he forces switches all over, has the ability to cripple so many pokemon, and makes it easy for Garchomp to come in and sweep.
Heatran @ Air Balloon
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 36 SAtk / 220 Def
Modest Nature
- Roar
- Stealth Rock
- Protect
- Lava Plume
I was hesitant to use Heatran, since I don't typically use legendaries, but it seemed to be the perfect fit for what my team needed. As the only pokemon on my team with Stealth Rocks (or any form or trap), while I do get it off most games, it isn't SOO important that I do, since I will most likely be defogging with Mandibuzz if the opposing team is trap reliant. Roar rounds out the rest of my fazing moves, as it is a great way to deal with all kinds of set up, whether it be baton pass or DD users. Often times, when the opponent is using Talonflame, I will set up SR and then try to Roar until I can kill it. If you noticed, I am using modest Heatran - this is significant since most of my team is fairly bulky, and is lacking fire coverage other than mega-Garchomp's Fire Blast.
Gastrodon @ Leftovers
Ability: Storm Drain
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SDef / 8 SAtk
Calm Nature
- Recover
- Scald
- Toxic
- Earth Power
Gastrodon has been a great component of my team, although i have been considering switching him out. Both Heatran and Tyranitar are weak to water, making Gastrodon's storm drain an excellent feature. Once it gets that special attack boost, scald and earth power, both getting STAB, can hit fairly hard. Toxic and Recover are both great for stalling and walling all day erry day. Since I already have 2 other physically defensive walls, I have made Gastrodon specially defensive, especially since most grass moves it sees are in the form or energy balls. However, this means that Gastrodon is susceptible to certain physical sweepers, and may need to switch out from time to time.
Thanks so much for reading my team analysis, I tried pretty hard to make this team and make my discussion about it fairly interesting and important (First RMT by the way, I've been in the competitve pokemon scene for a while but haven't posted anything here before, so pls no hate). Im fully open to changes to my pokemon and even switching out pokemon completely - other than Mega Garchomp of course.
Ive recently noticed that Garchomp, Tyranitar, and Mandibuzz are all weak to fairy, and my only counter to this is heatran - let me know if you see any ideal switches i could make that would deal with this (maybe switch mandibuzz for skarmory???)
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