Garchomp
VGC Guide
Garchomp is one of the most threatening spread attackers in VGC doubles: Earthquake hits both opponents simultaneously, and Sand Force boosts its power 30% in sandstorm. Base 130 Attack with 102 Speed ensures priority action, while Dragon/Ground dual STAB covers nearly every target except Fairy-types.
Earthquake: The Most Dangerous Spread Move in Doubles
In doubles, Earthquake hits all other Pokémon on the field including your own partner, with 100 base BP. Spread moves in doubles have power reduced to 75%, making it effectively 75 BP. However, with Sand Force active in sandstorm, the boost brings effective BP to 97.5 — nearly the single-target value. Flying-type partners or Levitate users are immune to friendly-fire Earthquake.
Rock Slide: Spread Damage Combo with Earthquake
Rock Slide also hits both opponents with 75 base BP (56.25 in doubles), boosted by Sand Force to ~73 BP in sandstorm. Rock Slide also carries a 30% flinch chance, occasionally denying opponent actions under offensive pressure. Dragon Claw or Outrage provides single-target Dragon STAB against Flying-type targets immune to Earthquake.
EV Spreads
Team Partners
Hippowdon or Tyranitar permanently provides sandstorm to activate Sand Force. Tyranitar also has double Dragon resistance, providing special defense support with its own Rock STAB. Both benefit from sandstorm and strengthen Garchomp’s damage output.
Incineroar’s Intimidate lowers opposing physical attackers’ Attack, giving Garchomp a safer entry for Earthquake. Incineroar’s Fire STAB covers Steel types that resist Garchomp’s Dragon moves (though Close Combat handles Steel too).
Garchomp’s biggest weakness is a 4× Fairy vulnerability. Steel-type partners resist Fairy moves and can take Moon Blasts that would otherwise OHKO Garchomp. Steel partners also provide Poison immunity protecting against Toxic strategies.
Tornadus’ Flying type makes it immune to Earthquake friendly fire, making it the ideal fixed doubles partner. Tornadus’ Tailwind and Thunder Wave speed control complement Garchomp’s spread damage for efficient field clearing.
How to Counter Garchomp
Garchomp has a 4× weakness to Fairy moves (Dragon ×2 and Ground ×2; Fairy is super effective against both). Moonblast, Dazzling Gleam, and other Fairy spread moves can easily OHKO. Flutter Mane or Whimsicott are the most effective Fairy counters.
Dragon ×2 combined with Ground ×2 gives Garchomp a 4× Ice weakness. Ice Beam, Icicle Crash, or Freeze-Dry from fast Ice attackers can deal enormous damage or outright OHKO before Garchomp can act.
Flying-types or Levitate users are completely immune to Earthquake. If both opposing Pokémon are immune to Ground moves, Garchomp’s strongest spread option is nullified and it must rely on Rock Slide or Dragon moves instead.
Switching sandstorm to sun, rain, or hail deactivates Sand Force, eliminating Garchomp’s damage boost. Grassy Terrain additionally halves Ground-type move damage, dramatically reducing Earthquake’s threat level.