Garchomp is the offensive engine of more aggressive teams in Reg M-A. It hits hard, hits everything (Earthquake is a spread moveSpread MovesmechanicMoves that hit both opposing Pokémon simultaneously, at 0.75× damage — the defining mechanic of doubles offense.Click to read more →), and chains Speed boosts via Scale ShotScale ShotmoveA Dragon-type move that hits 2–5 times, then lowers the user's Defense and raises Speed — used to build Speed mid-battle.Click to read more → so it stays threatening even after Tailwind expires.
Why it’s foundational
Earthquake under TailwindTailwindmoveDoubles the Speed of every Pokémon on your side for 4 turns. Often paired with Prankster for instant priority setup.Click to read more → is the play. Garchomp’s 130 base Attack pushes spread Earthquake into 2HKO range against most of the format’s grounded targets, and Tailwind doubles its Speed past nearly every counter that doesn’t already outspeed it. One Tailwind turn into one Earthquake turn often costs the opponent half their team.
Scale ShotScale ShotmoveA Dragon-type move that hits 2–5 times, then lowers the user's Defense and raises Speed — used to build Speed mid-battle.Click to read more → extends that pressure beyond the Tailwind window. The move boosts Speed +1 per use; after 2-3 hits Garchomp is fast enough to outrun most Choice Scarf users and continue threatening even after the support has expired.
Common sets
- Tailwind sweeper (most common) — Earthquake, Scale Shot, Dragon Claw, ProtectProtectmoveA move that makes the user immune to all moves for one turn. Fails if used consecutively.Click to read more →. Life Orb or Yache Berry. Jolly nature, full Speed and Attack investment.
- Choice Scarf — Earthquake, Scale Shot, Dragon Claw, Stone Edge. Pure offensive; locks out switch-in support but always strikes first against unboosted targets.
- Loaded Dice variant — Scale Shot, Dragon Claw, Earthquake, Protect. Loaded Dice guarantees 4-5 Scale Shot hits, which means +1 Speed per use is reliable. The trade-off is the lost item slot for damage or survival.
Common partners
- Aerodactyl — Tailwind setter and one of the most-used aggressive lead pairs alongside Garchomp. Outspeeds nearly the entire format pre-Tailwind and brings Rock SlideRock SlidemoveA Rock-type spread move with 75 base power and a 30% flinch chance on each target it hits.Click to read more → flinches as additional pressure.
- IncineroarIncineroarpokemonThe most-used Pokémon in Reg M-A. Defines doubles tempo with Fake Out, Intimidate on every switch, and Parting Shot pivots.Click to read more → — softens incoming hits with IntimidateIntimidateabilityWhen this Pokémon enters the battlefield, the opposing Pokémon's Attack stat drops by one stage.Click to read more → so Garchomp survives the first turn under pressure.
- WhimsicottWhimsicottpokemonPrankster utility lead. Priority Tailwind, Encore, and Sunny Day let it dictate tempo against teams that thought they had it.Click to read more → — PranksterPranksterabilityAn ability that gives all Status moves +1 priority — they go before almost everything, even if the Pokémon is slow.Click to read more → Tailwind support. Slower than Aerodactyl but brings additional disruption (EncoreEncoremoveForces the target to repeat their last move for 3 turns — devastating in doubles when it traps a Protect or harmless status move.Click to read more →, Sunny Day) that the speedier Tailwind setters don’t.
What beats it
Ice-type moves are 4× super effective — the single hardest counter in the format. Froslass BlizzardBlizzardmove110 base power Ice-type spread move. 70% accuracy normally, but always hits in Snow weather. The signature offensive move on Snow teams.Click to read more → or any Ice-type priority move is a clean KO. Fairy-types resist Dragon and hit back 2× — Clefable absorbs Earthquake on the ground; Mega AltariaMega AltariamegaConverts Normal-type moves to Fairy-type — giving it Fairy STAB coverage on top of its Dragon typing.Click to read more →’s Fairy/Flying typing is immune to Earthquake and resists Dragon. IntimidateIntimidateabilityWhen this Pokémon enters the battlefield, the opposing Pokémon's Attack stat drops by one stage.Click to read more → on switch-in drops its Attack before it can sweep, buying a turn to respond.