Hey look, Garchomp is missing something
http://www.smogon.com/bw/pokemon/garchomp
[SET]
name: Sand Veil Abuse
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Outrage / Dragon Claw
move 4: Earthquake
item: Leftovers
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[Set Comments]
<p>Garchomp's most infuriating set from OU makes its return in Ubers. With sandstorm support, Sand Veil Garchomp can easily hax the opposition; Substitute is used to scout for a miss and avoid nasty status. After it's safely behind a Substitute, Garchomp can set up using Swords Dance and sweep with its fantastic dual STAB. Understanding this, it is no wonder that this set is extremely easy to use. All Garchomp has to do is to switch in on something harmless, set up a Substitute, and act accordingly. If the opponent is slower than Garchomp, set up Swords Dance and continue to test your luck by making more Substitutes. If you're facing something faster than Garchomp (such as Mewtwo), attack it with Earthquake as they break your Substitute, then switch out immediately. If the opponent fails to break the Substitute, then simply repeat.</p>
<p>Groudon and Kyogre require Garchomp to tread carefully, as they get rid of sandstorm, thus making Sand Veil useless. In Groudon's case, just use Swords Dance as it breaks your Substitute, and hit it as hard as you can with Outrage or Earthquake as it forces you out with Dragon Tail (which won't KO Garchomp). Alternatively, you could attack Groudon immediately and switch out. If the Groudon carries Roar, however, then Garchomp will always lose. Against Kyogre, use Earthquake or Dragon Claw (but not Outrage) to see how much Speed and bulk it's using, and then switch out. If it's slower than Garchomp, use Swords Dance the next time Garchomp comes in and KO it. If it is carrying a Choice Scarf, then it's unlikely to be able to switch into Garchomp for a second time.</p>
<p>The moveset is self-explanatory. Substitute and Swords Dance allow Garchomp to set up, sometimes for free. Outrage is the preferred Dragon-type STAB move, since the Uber metagame is much bulkier in general, but Dragon Claw can be used instead for scouting purposes. Earthquake rounds out the set, hitting most Dragon-type resists very hard.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>Max Speed and Attack EVs let Garchomp abuse its unique Speed tier to the maximum effect. Leftovers is the preferred item since it allows Garchomp to make as many Substitutes as possible, but Haban and Yache Berries can be used to avoid being revenge killed, even without a Substitute up. A bulkier spread of 188 HP / 68 Atk / 252 Spe can be used to set up 101 HP Substitutes, but the power drop is very noticeable, and Blissey and Chansey are unlikely to stay in on Garchomp anyway. Dragon Tail is another option for the Dragon-type STAB move, especially with entry hazard support; this allows Garchomp to force Groudon and slow Lugia out first. However, Dragon Tail is extremely weak, and its negative priority completely undermines Garchomp's good Speed stat.</p>
<p>Although this set is perfectly usable without abusing Sand Veil, the 20% evasion boost from sandstorm can really win you games. This is why Tyranitar and Hippowdon are excellent teammates for Garchomp. Hippowdon walls Groudon, who give Garchomp problems otherwise, and cripples it with Toxic. Tyranitar, on the other hand, can Pursuit Kyogre that are locked into Ice Beam for major damage and cause a lot of trouble for Lugia.</p>
<p>Skarmory and Bronzong completely wall Garchomp, boasting resistance to Dragon-type moves while being immune to Earthquake. Investing a team slot in Magnezone to remove them can prove useful. Magic Bounce Xatu can easily switch into Skarmory and bounce back Spikes that it lays. Powerful attackers such as Choice Specs Kyogre, Choice Band Zekrom, and Mewtwo also discourage Skarmory and Bronzong from switching in too readily. Groudon and Lugia have massive Defense stats, and they don't care much about Garchomp, either. A mixed Bulk Up Dialga can lure out Groudon and KO it with Draco Meteor, as well as roasting the aforementioned Skarmory and Bronzong. Ho-Oh can switch into an Ice Beam that is directed at Garchomp, and threaten Groudon, Skarmory and Bronzong. Tyranitar causes a lot of trouble for Lugia, as does Zekrom and Darkrai. A surprise Toxic on Lugia can also go a long way. Grass Arceus is also problematic for Garchomp because it resists Earthquake and forces Garchomp to use Outrage, which would allow it get revenge killed. Again, Ho-Oh makes Grass Arceus very sad, as does Heatran and Latias. Cloyster can take a +2 Outrage or Earthquake and KOs Garchomp through Substitute with Icicle Spear. Steel-types in general can take on Cloyster. Toxic Spikes pretty much neuter Garchomp's Substitute strategy. Since sandstorm is likely to be used with Garchomp, Excadrill is an excellent offensive Rapid Spinner to use alongside Garchomp. Tentacruel can absorb Toxic Spikes, and it synergizes well with Garchomp. Poison Arceus can do the same, while countering Grass Arceus. Finally, Wobbuffet can Encore non-damaging attacks for Garchomp to switch in and set up on, as well as trapping and removing revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Palkia and Choice Scarf Kyogre.</p>
http://www.smogon.com/bw/pokemon/garchomp
[SET]
name: Sand Veil Abuse
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Swords Dance
move 3: Outrage / Dragon Claw
move 4: Earthquake
item: Leftovers
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[Set Comments]
<p>Garchomp's most infuriating set from OU makes its return in Ubers. With sandstorm support, Sand Veil Garchomp can easily hax the opposition; Substitute is used to scout for a miss and avoid nasty status. After it's safely behind a Substitute, Garchomp can set up using Swords Dance and sweep with its fantastic dual STAB. Understanding this, it is no wonder that this set is extremely easy to use. All Garchomp has to do is to switch in on something harmless, set up a Substitute, and act accordingly. If the opponent is slower than Garchomp, set up Swords Dance and continue to test your luck by making more Substitutes. If you're facing something faster than Garchomp (such as Mewtwo), attack it with Earthquake as they break your Substitute, then switch out immediately. If the opponent fails to break the Substitute, then simply repeat.</p>
<p>Groudon and Kyogre require Garchomp to tread carefully, as they get rid of sandstorm, thus making Sand Veil useless. In Groudon's case, just use Swords Dance as it breaks your Substitute, and hit it as hard as you can with Outrage or Earthquake as it forces you out with Dragon Tail (which won't KO Garchomp). Alternatively, you could attack Groudon immediately and switch out. If the Groudon carries Roar, however, then Garchomp will always lose. Against Kyogre, use Earthquake or Dragon Claw (but not Outrage) to see how much Speed and bulk it's using, and then switch out. If it's slower than Garchomp, use Swords Dance the next time Garchomp comes in and KO it. If it is carrying a Choice Scarf, then it's unlikely to be able to switch into Garchomp for a second time.</p>
<p>The moveset is self-explanatory. Substitute and Swords Dance allow Garchomp to set up, sometimes for free. Outrage is the preferred Dragon-type STAB move, since the Uber metagame is much bulkier in general, but Dragon Claw can be used instead for scouting purposes. Earthquake rounds out the set, hitting most Dragon-type resists very hard.</p>
[Additional Comments]
<p>Max Speed and Attack EVs let Garchomp abuse its unique Speed tier to the maximum effect. Leftovers is the preferred item since it allows Garchomp to make as many Substitutes as possible, but Haban and Yache Berries can be used to avoid being revenge killed, even without a Substitute up. A bulkier spread of 188 HP / 68 Atk / 252 Spe can be used to set up 101 HP Substitutes, but the power drop is very noticeable, and Blissey and Chansey are unlikely to stay in on Garchomp anyway. Dragon Tail is another option for the Dragon-type STAB move, especially with entry hazard support; this allows Garchomp to force Groudon and slow Lugia out first. However, Dragon Tail is extremely weak, and its negative priority completely undermines Garchomp's good Speed stat.</p>
<p>Although this set is perfectly usable without abusing Sand Veil, the 20% evasion boost from sandstorm can really win you games. This is why Tyranitar and Hippowdon are excellent teammates for Garchomp. Hippowdon walls Groudon, who give Garchomp problems otherwise, and cripples it with Toxic. Tyranitar, on the other hand, can Pursuit Kyogre that are locked into Ice Beam for major damage and cause a lot of trouble for Lugia.</p>
<p>Skarmory and Bronzong completely wall Garchomp, boasting resistance to Dragon-type moves while being immune to Earthquake. Investing a team slot in Magnezone to remove them can prove useful. Magic Bounce Xatu can easily switch into Skarmory and bounce back Spikes that it lays. Powerful attackers such as Choice Specs Kyogre, Choice Band Zekrom, and Mewtwo also discourage Skarmory and Bronzong from switching in too readily. Groudon and Lugia have massive Defense stats, and they don't care much about Garchomp, either. A mixed Bulk Up Dialga can lure out Groudon and KO it with Draco Meteor, as well as roasting the aforementioned Skarmory and Bronzong. Ho-Oh can switch into an Ice Beam that is directed at Garchomp, and threaten Groudon, Skarmory and Bronzong. Tyranitar causes a lot of trouble for Lugia, as does Zekrom and Darkrai. A surprise Toxic on Lugia can also go a long way. Grass Arceus is also problematic for Garchomp because it resists Earthquake and forces Garchomp to use Outrage, which would allow it get revenge killed. Again, Ho-Oh makes Grass Arceus very sad, as does Heatran and Latias. Cloyster can take a +2 Outrage or Earthquake and KOs Garchomp through Substitute with Icicle Spear. Steel-types in general can take on Cloyster. Toxic Spikes pretty much neuter Garchomp's Substitute strategy. Since sandstorm is likely to be used with Garchomp, Excadrill is an excellent offensive Rapid Spinner to use alongside Garchomp. Tentacruel can absorb Toxic Spikes, and it synergizes well with Garchomp. Poison Arceus can do the same, while countering Grass Arceus. Finally, Wobbuffet can Encore non-damaging attacks for Garchomp to switch in and set up on, as well as trapping and removing revenge killers such as Choice Scarf Palkia and Choice Scarf Kyogre.</p>
