Is Life Orb Garchomp good?

Just wondering.

Pleaselog inorregisterto add a comment.

This is Garchomp. The dracoshark that domainated the VGC ‘14 metagame with is Lum Berry, Choice Band and Focus Sash sets. His combination of STAB Earthquake, coming off a high attack stat, plus his above-average bulk made him a top threat alongside Mega Kangaskhan and Mega Mawile. He also had one of the fastes – if notthefastest – non-Scarfed Rock Slides in the game, outspeeding Kangaskhan, Staraptor, Charizard, and a myriad of other base 100s.

The Impact he Made

Garchomp was a massive influence on the metagame. Checks arose, such as Choice Scarf Salamence (which could KO with Draco Meteor), HP Ice Mega Manectric and… Choice Scarf Final Gambit Staraptor. Garchomp was a threat to calc for.

Here’s where I get to the bad part; Garchomp’s fall from glory. And it was all caused by the following Pokémon either outclassing it or outright checking it. These new threats wwere introduced when the VGC format switched from XY to ORAS.

Landoruswas the main reason for the decline of Garchomp useage. He was stronger, faster, had Intimidate, better coverage, and better bulk than the dracoshark.

Mega Salamencepretty much outclassed Garchomp as a physical Dragon, with a brutal Dragon Dance-boosted Double-Edge at his disposal. Plus Intimidate.

Terrakionpossessed a faster, stronger Rock Slide, Fighting STAB and the ability yo run the terrifying TerraCott combo.

Hydreigonoutclasses Garchomp as a Special attacker, and the ORAS move tutors brought him some new toys that gave him the same coverage as Garchomp, but with Levitate and immunity to Intimidate.

Sylveongot Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice. ‘Nuff said.

Thunduruswas able to outspeed Garchomp and deal hefty damage with Hidden Power Ice. He could also Taunt him out of Protecting and Swagger him into oblivion.

Mega Metagrosscame with the bulk to take a LO Earthquake and hit back with a very, very strong Ice Punch.

Conclusion

Garchomp is not bad. But he is no longer the best. However, he can still put in work with his Life Orb or Sashed sets as an alternative to Landorus. I’ll include some sets and some calcs below.

Life Orb – Mixed

Garchomp@ Life OrbNaive | Rough Skin252 Spe / 32 SpA / 224 Atk- Earthquake- Draco Meteor- Rock Slide- Protect

Life Orb – Physical

Garchomp@ Life OrbJolly | Rough Skin252 Atk / 244 Spe / 12 HP- Earthquake- Rock Slide- Dragon Claw- Protect

252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Dragon Claw vs. 28 HP / 36 Def Hydreigon: 187-221 (109.3 - 129.2%) – guaranteed OHKO

252 Atk Life Orb Garchomp Rock Slide vs. 244 HP / 108 Def Thundurus: 96-114 (51.8 - 61.6%) – guaranteed 3HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery

Choice Band

Garchomp@ Choice BandJolly | Rough Skin252 Atk / 244 Spe / 12 HP- Earthquake- Rock Slide- Dragon Claw- Fire Fang

252 Atk Choice Band Garchomp Rock Slide vs. 244 HP / 108 Def Thundurus: 112-132 (60.5 - 71.3%) – 90.2% chance to 2HKO after Sitrus Berry recovery

252 Atk Choice Band Garchomp Earthquake vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Aegislash-Shield: 134-162 (80.2 - 97%) – guaranteed 2HKO

Singles Tidbit

I’ve been out of touch with Singles for a while, but I think he’s still majorly outclassed by Landorus, last I checked.