Rakhmaninov Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 (edited) How To Use Swords Dance Garchomp Introduction The reintroduction of Swords Dance Garchomp is one of the most exciting additions to the Doubles metagame in years. It's been over 3 years since Garchomp was able to boost its attack stat to insane levels, so the return of Swords Dance will likely be a metagame changer in Double battles. So I thought I'd write this little guide as an introduction to how to use Garchomp, for those who are new to the format! Sample Set: Garchomp @ Yache Berry / Life Orb / Leftovers / Focus Sash Ability: Sand Veil / Rough Skin EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe Jolly Nature - Dragon Claw - Earthquake - Swords Dance - Protect Importable: Spoiler Garchomp @ Yache Berry Ability: Sand Veil EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe Jolly Nature - Dragon Claw - Earthquake - Swords Dance - Protect This is most likely what most players will use on Garchomp, optimising speed and power with a Jolly Nature, so that it can win the speed tie against opposing Garchomp. The choice of item is probably the most flexible option, and depends on your preference or team structure. Yache Berry will help against ice moves, such as Abomasnow Blizzard or Mamoswine's Icicle Crash. Watch out for Ice Shard though, as it will be able to take out Garchomp once it has lost protection from the Yache Berry. Yache Berry also provides temporary protection from the very common Ice Beam, Icy Wind and Hidden Power [Ice], which also threaten Garchomp. Alternatively, Life Orb will offer consistent increased damage output in exchange for frailty, and leftovers will offer consistent recovery. Garchomp has very good bulk (108/95/85) so leftovers recovery is useful, but it also has a crushing 4x weakness to ice, so it's up to you to choose an item that benefits it best. Focus Sash might appear to be a strange choice at first given Garchomp's high defenses, but the more the metagame adjusts to Garchomp's presence, the more 1-shot moves will become prevalent, so Focus Sash may be useful to ensure a guaranteed swords-dance-boosted hit. Other options Other options for items include Haban Berry for tanking opposing dragon types (such as Garchomp), Rocky Helmet for extra Rough Skin damage, or Dragon/Ground Gems for a quick burst of power. Again, the choice of item will depend on your team structure and your own personal preference! Garchomp can also be used as a Stealth Rock setter if you don't want to use Swords Dance, which works very nicely in teams which don't revolve around it setting up as a win condition. Team Options Togekiss @ Sitrus Berry / Yache Berry Ability: Serene Grace EVs: 244 HP / 132 Def / 4 SpA / 116 SpD / 12 Spe Calm Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Air Slash - Follow Me - Tailwind - Heat Wave / Flamethrower / Helping Hand / Imprison / Protect Spoiler Togekiss @ Sitrus Berry Ability: Serene Grace Level: 50 EVs: 244 HP / 132 Def / 4 SpA / 116 SpD / 12 Spe Calm Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Air Slash - Heat Wave - Follow Me - Tailwind Garchomp's partner-in-crime from 3 years ago makes a comeback, with earthquake immunity and access to a perfect support movepool, Togekiss is the partner of choice. Serene Grace+Air Slash is a fantastic combo for supporting Garchomp, as Togekiss can flinch any threat to Garchomp with a 60% success rate. Add to that access to follow me, Garchomp is safe to set up against almost every threat. The one drawback is that both Garchomp and Togekiss share a weakness to Ice, so moves like Blizzard are the best counterplay to this combo. Heat Wave is very useful for dealing with Steel types such as Bronzong, which take no damage from Garchomp's coverage, and Togekiss' wealth of support options give it plenty of moves to choose from when building a team around this combo. Imprison can be useful against other Toge-Chomp combos, cancelling the opponent's Togekiss and allowing Garchomp to be single-targeted. Other options include Softboiled for recovery, and Helping Hand for a power boost. EV Details: This set is built around the fact that Togekiss' Special Defense stat at level 50 reaches an "n+1" number with 116+ SpD EVs. Coincidentally, this stat number also guarantees survival against Sniper Kingdra sets (which rose to prominence back in 2020). 12 Speed EVs allow it to reach a total of 102 speed, which outspeeds base 130s under tailwind by 4 points, providing a vital speed creep against other pokemon which only just outspeed base 130s (i.e. 101 speed Pokemon typically include 84 EV base 70s such as Metagross, Ludicolo and Hitmontop) 252+ SpA Zapdos Thunderbolt vs. 244 HP / 116+ SpD Togekiss: 120-144 (62.8 - 75.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO 252+ SpA Dragon Gem Hydreigon Draco Meteor vs. 244 HP / 116+ SpD Togekiss: 129-153 (67.5 - 80.1%) -- guaranteed 2HKO 252+ SpA Sniper Kingdra Draco Meteor vs. 244 HP / 116+ SpD Togekiss on a critical hit: 162-190 (84.8 - 99.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO Zapdos @ Electric Gem / Sitrus Berry Ability: Pressure EVs: 140 HP / 252 SpA / 116 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Discharge - Thunderbolt - Heat Wave - Tailwind / Roost / Detect Spoiler Zapdos @ Electric Gem Ability: Pressure EVs: 140 HP / 252 SpA / 116 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Discharge - Thunderbolt - Heat Wave - Tailwind Zapdos, Garchomp's new partner-in-crime, faces big competition with Togekiss. Having all three pokemon on the same team means that you risk making the team 3x weak to Ice type moves, so I would recommend making a choice between Togekiss or Zapdos. Zapdos and Garchomp make a great combo with Discharge and Earthquake respectively, as well as access to heat wave coverage for troublesome steel types. Zapdos also doesn't provide Garchomp any defensive support, so it will require set up support from another team member, such as fake out support from Hitmontop, for example. Stealth Rock Garchomp, on the other hand, is an excellent partner to Zapdos, which doesn't require a swords dance set up. Move choices here are quite self-explanatory, with electric gem to boost its offensive coverage. The Speed EVs guarantee that it outspeeds 252 Spe Mamoswine, with maximum special attack investment. Other Team Members Sand Veil Garchomp is very annoying do deal with - an extra 20% evasion boost, on top of any imperfect accuracy moves can be the difference between winning and losing. Tyranitar is also currently one of the best checks to Zapdos, with its STAB super-effective Rock Slides. A very common face of the doubles metagame, you'll likely see Tyranitar on many Garchomp teams. Spoiler Tyranitar @ Life Orb / Chople Berry Ability: Sand Stream EVs: 212 HP / 252 Atk / 44 Spe Adamant Nature - Rock Slide - Crunch - Superpower - Protect Another great support option, Hitmontop will likely be your secondary set up option with its access to fake out. Fighting STAB gives it a good option for most Ice types, and intimidate enables it to weaken many offensive threats, such as opposing Garchomp. Spoiler Hitmontop (M) @ Fighting Gem Ability: Intimidate EVs: 236 HP / 252 Atk / 20 Spe Adamant Nature - Fake Out - Close Combat - Feint - Wide Guard Scizor is another set up sweeper which can be very useful as a back up option for Garchomp. It's able to easily switch in on Ice types such as Abomasnow or Mamoswine, with immediate pressure from a super effective Steel Gem-boosted Bullet Punch. Like Garchomp, it also has a 4x weakness, so care should be taken when facing potential fire type attacks. Spoiler Scizor @ Steel Gem Ability: Technician EVs: 204 HP / 252 Atk / 52 Spe Adamant Nature - Bullet Punch - Bug Bite - Swords Dance - Protect Metagross is another great switch-in option for ice type attacks, but it has to be very careful of Earthquake from a partner Garchomp, or from opposing Mamoswine. With Assault Gear, it becomes very easy for Metagross to tank a Blizzard, but it is unable to use protect, so it may be useful to consider alternative items. Spoiler Metagross @ Assault Vest Ability: Clear Body EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe Adamant Nature - Meteor Mash / Heavy Slam - Zen Headbutt / Psycho Cut - Earthquake / Ice Punch - Bullet Punch Rotom-Wash is a fantastic partner to Garchomp, with earthquake immunity and access to great support options such as Will-O-Wisp to neutralise opposing Garchomp, or even Ally Switch to catch your opponent off guard. Rotom can also run a trick+choice scarf set if your team is lacking a counter to trick room. Nasty Plot Spoiler Rotom-Wash @ Sitrus Berry Ability: Levitate EVs: 232 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 20 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Thunderbolt - Hydro Pump - Nasty Plot - Protect Ally Switch Support Spoiler Rotom-Wash @ Sitrus Berry Ability: Levitate EVs: 232 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 20 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Thunderbolt / Discharge - Hydro Pump - Will-O-Wisp - Ally Switch Choice Scarf Spoiler Rotom-Wash @ Choice Scarf Ability: Levitate EVs: 32 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 220 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Thunderbolt - Hydro Pump - Electroweb / Discharge / Hidden Power [Ice] - Trick Other Options Milotic, with its Competitive ability, allows Garchomp to face intimidate users such as Salamence or Hitmontop which also check other common team members such as Scizor and Tyranitar. Bisharp, with its ability Defiant, can also provide similar support to Garchomp. Checks and Counters As mentioned, Mamoswine and Abomasnow are likely to emerge as the "anti-meta" this season, with access to powerful Ice coverage. Abomasnow will likely need Trick Room support, which also threatens Garchomp, so partners that can handle both, such as Scizor, are greatly appreciated. A prime trick room setter which takes very little damage from Garchomp's attacks, Bronzong is a great check. Access to hypnosis, stealth rock, toxic and more, it is a great support option. Expect to see Abomasnow as a partner to Bronzong! Ice Beam, Icy Wind and Hidden Power [Ice] users are going to be your typical answers to Garchomp, and I would say that at least one powerful ice type attack should be present on every team, to deal with Garchomp teams. Zapdos is particularly noteworthy, as it can also deal with Togekiss with a powerful Thunderbolt whilst being immune to Earthquake. Sample Teams So with all this in mind, here is my suggestion of a basic team for Swords Dance Garchomp. To recap, the flowchart as suggested by @OrangeManiac for the first 4 Pokemon should be: Garchomp Togekiss OR Zapdos Rotom-Wash / Rotom-Heat Steel Type Team 1: Garchomp Set-Up https://pokepast.es/626bf23560cbacf6 Spoiler Garchomp @ Yache Berry Ability: Sand Veil EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Jolly Nature - Earthquake - Dragon Claw - Swords Dance - Protect Togekiss @ Sitrus Berry Ability: Serene Grace EVs: 244 HP / 132 Def / 4 SpA / 116 SpD / 12 Spe Calm Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Air Slash - Heat Wave - Follow Me - Tailwind Tyranitar @ Life Orb Ability: Sand Stream EVs: 212 HP / 252 Atk / 44 Spe Adamant Nature - Rock Slide - Crunch - Superpower - Protect Hitmontop (M) @ Fighting Gem Ability: Intimidate EVs: 236 HP / 252 Atk / 20 Spe Adamant Nature - Fake Out - Close Combat - Feint - Wide Guard Scizor @ Steel Gem Ability: Technician EVs: 204 HP / 252 Atk / 52 Spe Adamant Nature - Bullet Punch - Bug Bite - Swords Dance - Protect Rotom-Wash @ Sitrus Berry Ability: Levitate EVs: 232 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 20 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Thunderbolt - Hydro Pump - Nasty Plot - Protect Team 2: ZapChomp https://pokepast.es/19b120d70fc7b0d9 Spoiler Garchomp @ Focus Sash Ability: Sand Veil EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe Jolly Nature - Earthquake - Dragon Claw - Swords Dance - Protect Zapdos @ Electric Gem Ability: Pressure EVs: 140 HP / 252 SpA / 116 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Discharge - Thunderbolt - Heat Wave - Tailwind Tyranitar @ Life Orb Ability: Sand Stream EVs: 212 HP / 252 Atk / 44 Spe Adamant Nature - Rock Slide - Crunch - Superpower - Protect Hitmontop (M) @ Fighting Gem Ability: Intimidate EVs: 236 HP / 252 Atk / 20 Spe Adamant Nature - Fake Out - Close Combat - Feint - Wide Guard Metagross @ Assault Vest Ability: Clear Body EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe Adamant Nature - Meteor Mash - Zen Headbutt - Earthquake - Bullet Punch Rotom-Wash @ Choice Scarf Ability: Levitate EVs: 252 HP / 32 SpA / 4 SpD / 220 Spe Modest Nature IVs: 0 Atk - Electroweb - Hydro Pump - Hidden Power [Ice] - Trick Thanks for reading! Edited February 20 by Rakhmaninov Shadow, CaptnBaklava, TohnR and 11 others 7 1 6 Link to comment
PKTxKharma Posted February 14 Share Posted February 14 Ma man guide are the best Zuladra and Rakhmaninov 2 Link to comment
Rakhmaninov Posted February 14 Author Share Posted February 14 (edited) THE ANTI-META https://pokepast.es/44be679c525b3a44 Edited February 14 by Rakhmaninov Shadow, Zuladra and Queza 1 2 Link to comment
Rakhmaninov Posted February 20 Author Share Posted February 20 Added a Zapdos+Garchomp team for context Link to comment
Wolfgangerl Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 Thank you for this guide Sir. Your posts are helping me a lot as I'm trying to learn to play this format that looks fun to play once you understand it 🙂 I wish you a nice week!! Zuladra and Rakhmaninov 1 1 Link to comment
Rakhmaninov Posted February 21 Author Share Posted February 21 8 hours ago, Wolfgangerl said: Thank you for this guide Sir. Your posts are helping me a lot as I'm trying to learn to play this format that looks fun to play once you understand it 🙂 I wish you a nice week!! No worries! Send me your team ideas if you want some help with building! Link to comment
TohnR Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 Dude, I never play doubles but the quality of your work alongside Orange's is truly impressive ! CaptnBaklava, Zuladra and Rakhmaninov 3 Link to comment
Rakhmaninov Posted February 21 Author Share Posted February 21 48 minutes ago, TohnR said: Dude, I never play doubles but the quality of your work alongside Orange's is truly impressive ! Thank you! Link to comment
Onraider Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 Awesome guide Rakhmaninov and Zuladra 1 1 Link to comment
OldRev Posted March 3 Share Posted March 3 I can easly say that second team has some serious issues. This team is very lacking with fire and ice moves. It should be remain as a teory team. Rakhmaninov 1 Link to comment
Rakhmaninov Posted March 3 Author Share Posted March 3 5 minutes ago, OldRev said: I can easly say that second team has some serious issues. This team is very lacking with fire and ice moves. It should be remain as a teory team. Thank you for the criticism! Yes I agree it has some issues, for example it doesn't handle Gastrodon very well, and would benefit from a Pokemon such as Hydreigon with snarl, which also adds extra fire coverage with heat wave, at the expense of a third ice weakness. Alternatively, Rotom can use Hidden Power Grass to handle Gastrodon. Metagross could also add ice coverage with Ice Punch, and likewise Zapdos could add ice coverage with Hidden Power Ice instead of discharge. Aside from a lack of coverage, here's something else to think about - the team has perfect type synergy: It's very difficult to find a team with a "perfect 6", so please feel free to experiment with the Pokemon that are being used, with the goal of finding a team which suits your play style best. To recap, here's the flow-chart @OrangeManiac suggested: 1. Garchomp 2. Togekiss or Zapdos 3. Rotom-Wash/Rotom-Heat 4. Steel Type 5. (Filler) 6. (Filler) Link to comment
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