Best Moveset for Garchomp in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here

What is the best moveset for Garchomp in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet? This powerful pseudo-legendary dragon-type Pokémon is one that you want to have on your team. Luckily, you can find Garchomp in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

If you are looking for the best Garchomp moveset, you might be interested in the best moveset for Tinkaton in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. You should also know the best moveset for Chrizard in Scarlet and Violet.

After getting your hands on Gible, training it so it evolves into Gabite, and then eventually Garchomp, you will want to teach it powerful dragon-type moves. Here is the best moveset for Garchomp in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

🚀 Save Up to $1,200 on the Samsung Galaxy S25!

Pre-order now and save big with trade-in and Samsung credit. Limited time only!

*Includes trade-in value + $300 Samsung credit.

Best Garchomp Builds in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Pokemon-Scarlet-and-Violet-Best-Garchomp-In-Mesagoza
Image by VideoGamer

Garchomp is currently terrorizing the single and double formats of the competitive scene in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. It’s a physical attacker with decent bulk and a literal jet that flies at mach speeds. As such, we’ll utilize Sword Dance builds for singles and doubles to capitalize on its strong suits.

Sword Dance Garchomp for Singles

With the Sword Dance setup, Garchomp is the definition of a wallbreaker in competitive Pokémon. Most opponents won’t survive one hit from this monstrosity.


🎮 Must-Listen: Publishing Manor Lords w/ Joe Robinson 🎙️


Recommended Moveset

Pokemon-Scarlet-and-Violet-Best-Garchomp-Moveset-Summary
Image by VideoGamer
  1. Earthquake
  2. Outrage / Dragon Claw
  3. Iron Head
  4. Sword Dance

Ability: Rough Skin

EVs: 252 Attack/ 252 Speed/ 4 HP

Nature: Jolly (+Speed, – Sp. Atk)

Item: Rocky Helmet / Focus Sash

Tera Type: Ground

The premise of this set for singles battles is to set up Sword Dance for the attack stat boost as soon as you switch in. Rough Skin is the ability of choice over Sand Veil, just because of the recoil damage to the opponent after using Sword Dance. In combination with Rocky Helmet, getting into contact with Garchomp will leave a nasty scar on opponents.

Players can also run Focus Sash if Garchomp is your lead Pokémon to survive 1 hit KO’s from possible Ice matchups. After Sword Dance, you’ll have to follow with its STAB ground move Earthquake or either Outrage or Dragon Claw against other dragon types.

To overcome Ice and Fairy threats, Garchomp can utilize Iron Head. Given its potent attack stat and excellent speed, Garchomp will not only have priority while attacking but will mostly end the battle against Ice or Fairy types with a single press of Iron Head.

Sword Dance Garchomp for Doubles

Since it’s doubles we’re talking about now, you’ll want to make quick use of the opponent’s Pokémon with spread damage. That said, It’s mostly the same set with a slight variation in Garchomp’s item and coverage move.

Recommended Moveset

  1. Earthquake
  2. Dragon Claw
  3. Swords Dance
  4. Protect

Ability: Rough Skin

EVs: 252 Attack/ 252 Speed/ 4 HP

Nature: Jolly (+Speed, – Sp. Atk)

Item: Clear Amulet

Tera Type: Ground

Your goal is to spam Garchomp’s Earthquake for the spread damage and to ignore moves like Follow Me without damaging your ally Pokémon. Your best bet to avoid that is by having Flying-types or Pokémon with Levitate alongside Garchomp.

Did you know?

Garchomp is a powerful ground/dragon-type Pokemon with strong base stats. With high speed and attack stat, Garchomp can easily be one of your best fighters.

For instance, a Flying-type like Murkrow will not only set Tailwind for Garchomp to outspeed threats like Dragapult, but it will also come out unscathed from Garchomp’s Earthquake. After that, you can follow up with Dragon Claw for a potential one-hit KO if you’ve already set Sword Dance.

You can survive Ice and Fairy types by Terastallizing into Ground, as it gives a power boost to Earthquake while reducing the effectiveness of Fairy types and Ice types to ×1 and ×2, respectively. Plus, an ally Gholdengo with its Steel STAB will help you finish off threats as quickly as possible.

The jet-like Pokémon is one that you definitely do not want to sleep on, especially for competitive Pokémon. While these are the two best running sets for Garchomp, you’ll likely see players running a Dragon Dance and Earthquake combo, with a slight variation in its coverage, moves for the Ice and Fairy threats.

Now that you know the best moveset for Garchomp, you should know the best moveset for Slowbro Tera Raids. You can also check out the best moveset for Espathra in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

Best Garchomp Moveset in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet – FAQ

What are the best moves for Garchomp?

The best moves for Garchomp are Earthquake, Dragon Claw, Protect, Sword Dance, Iron Head, and Outrage.

What is the best nature for Garchomp?

The best nature for Garchomp is Jolly which increases speed and decreases sp. attack.

About the Author

Aden Carter

Aden Carter is a guides writer for VideoGamer with a focus on action RPGs and adventure games. When he isn't busy writing, he is spinning tales with his friends at the local game shop.

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

  • Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
  • Genre(s): RPG
7 VideoGamer