
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Dragon Tail
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Fire Blast / Toxic
item: Rocky Helmet
ability: Rough Skin
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 140 Def / 120 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Despite its 4x weakness to Ice, Garchomp is a great Stealth Rock setter thanks to its high stats and good typing. Stealth Rock is the only entry hazard Garchomp has access to, but it is very important in punishing the opponent's switches and racking up damage on Pokemon such as Volcarona, Thundurus-T, and Dragonite. Physically defensive EV investment provides solid bulk overall and allows Garchomp to check physical attackers such as Terrakion, Jirachi, Scizor, and Tyranitar. Earthquake is Garchomp's strongest Ground-type STAB move and is fully needed to hit the listed physical attackers, and Dragon Tail allows Garchomp to phaze defensive Pokemon and keep momentum against offensive Pokemon. Fire Blast can be used to prevent Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Skarmory from setting hazards up and hits offensive Steel-types, such as Scizor, while Toxic allows Garchomp to wear down its most common checks in Hippowdon, Rotom-W, and Landorus-T.
[ADDITIONAL SET COMMENTS]
Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin provides a solid defensive backbone for Garchomp, allowing it to deal heavy damage to physical attackers while not attacking itself, especially against U-turn spammers. The given EVs allow Garchomp to take as many physical moves as possible and bully users of recoil while running enough Speed EVs to outspeed Skarmory, Breloom, and Toxicroak; however, you can opt for a maximum HP and Defense spread because it allows Garchomp to take multiples hits from Terrakion, Gyarados, and Stoutland. Some specially defensive bulk could be worth considering as well for moves such as Hidden Power Ice from Landorus-T, Volcarona, Venusaur, and Keldeo. Endure can be used to make full use of Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin and help Garchomp stay alive in a pinch. Rest allows Garchomp to easily recover from status inflictions; however, make sure you are running a cleric to rid Garchomp of its sleep. Swords Dance can be an option, as it allows Garchomp to easily KO defensive Pokemon such as Landorus-T, Gliscor, and Hippowdon with Earthquake; however, Surf is better against rain teams because it can hit Donphan, Landorus-T, and Gliscor without any setup. Garchomp doesn't have a recovery move outside of Rest, so having a Wish user can be an asset. Psychic-types appreciate Garchomp's presence, as it can weaken most Steel-types such as Jirachi, Scizor, and Metagross with Rocky Helmet and Rough Skin damage.
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