Doubles Guide - How to use Swords Dance Garchomp

[Rakhmaninov]

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

[PKTxKharma]

Ma man guide are the best 

[Rakhmaninov]

THE ANTI-META

 

https://pokepast.es/44be679c525b3a44

 

Edited February 14 by Rakhmaninov

[Rakhmaninov]

Added a Zapdos+Garchomp team for context

[Wolfgangerl]

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!!

[Rakhmaninov]

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!

[TohnR]

Dude, I never play doubles but the quality of your work alongside Orange's is truly impressive !

[Rakhmaninov]

48 minutes ago, TohnR said:

Dude, I never play doubles but the quality of your work alongside Orange's is truly impressive !

Thank you!

[Onraider]

Awesome guide

[OldRev]

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]

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)