Pokemon Unite Garchomp Build & Guide

Garchomp Moves

Learn how to use each move properly

Rough Skin

Passive Ability

When struck by a melee attack, a portion of the damage received is reflected back at the attacker.

Attack

Basic Ability

Becomes a boosted attack with every fifth attack, dealing increased damage and restoring the user's HP. Every time a basic attack or move hits an enemy, basic attack speed is increased.

Sand Attack Move 1

6sDebuff

--> See Original description

Hurls sand, narrowing the field of vision of enemies and decreases their movement speed for a short time. Also increases movement speed and basic attack speed.

 

Sand Attack does minimal damage but its effects are useful for early game skirmishes. It does four things:

1. Narrow the field of vision of enemies hit. By using this on enemies, their vision becomes dark outside the center, making it harder for them to target other pokemon and it will make it easier for you to steal their wild pokemon or escape from them.
2. Decreases the movement speed of enemy pokemon. Because of the slow debuff, it will be easier to chase or escape enemy pokemon.
3. It also increases your movement speed, making it easier to chase or escape enemy pokemon.
4. It increases basic attack speed. Along with your passive, you will be able to win any 1v1 using this ability.

Sand Attack Upgrade Options

Dig

8sDash

--> See Original description

Level 6

Burrow underground and move quickly in the designated direction, jumping out when coming in contact with an enemy or when traveling the maximum distance. This jump deals damage to enemies in the area of effect and throws them.

Level 12

Damage received is reduced for a short time after jumping out of the ground.

 

Dig is an initiation move that is perfect for starting fights against enemy pokemon. It is a near-instant dash that damages enemies and throws them.

Dig+ reduces the damage that Garchomp receives after jumping out the ground so it makes him a great defender as it allows him to tank more damage.

You can hold the move button and target the opposite direction to escape using dig but you will stop if you collide with enemy pokemon.

Dragon Rush

8sDash

--> See Original description

Level 6

Back up to create distance before diving to attack in the designated direction, shoving enemies. The user can use Dragon Claw while creating distance at the start of this move to create a combo attack.

Level 12

Decreases the movement speed of enemies for a short time when they are shoved the maximum distance.

 

Dragon Rush is similar to Dig but it has a delay upon cast because Garchomp backs up first before dashing. You can actually use the backing up to avoid enemy moves.

You can use Dragon Claw to deal more burst damage and apply the buff from Dragon Claw.

Dragon Rush+ decreases the enemy’s movement speed, making it the superior attack tool compared to Dig+.

Bulldoze Move 2

5sArea

--> See Original description

Stomp down on the ground, dealing damage to enemies in the area of effect.

 

Bulldoze deals significant area of effect damage. Use it to clear wild pokemon fast and use it to steal wild pokemon from enemies.

Bulldoze Upgrade Options

Earthquake

7sArea

--> See Original description

Level 8

Jump high into the air and crash forcefully to the ground, dealing damage to enemies in the area of effect.

Level 14

Decrease the movement speed of enemies for a short time if they are in this move’s area of effect.

 

Earthquake is simply a stronger Bulldoze. Like Bulldoze, Earthquake is great at clearing wild pokemon fast and stealing wild pokemon from enemies.

Furthermore, Earthquake, especially its upgraded version, is great for defending the goal zones because its large area makes it easy to interrupt the enemy’s scoring.

Dragon Claw

5sMelee

--> See Original description

Level 8

Attack twice in front of itself using its claws. The first attack deals damage to enemies and throws them. The second attack deals increased damage. After the move ends, basic attack speed is increased for a short time.

Level 14

Increase damage dealt.

 

Dragon Claw is Garchomp’s main offensive move. It deals good amount of damage and afterwards, increases his attack speed for a short time, synergizing with Garchomp’s passive.

You can cast Dragon Claw while using Dragon Rush, creating a combo attack.

After successfully hitting an enemy with Dragon Claw, use your basic attacks to make full use of this move’s buffs.

Livid Outrage Unite Move

Melee

--> See Original description

Unlocks at level 10

Has the user unleash a powerful chain attack while dashing forward. The final attack throws enemies but also leaves the user unable to act for a short time.

 

Garchomp unleashes powerful attacks while dashing forward. The mechanic of the ability is kind of tricky because you have to target enemies before he attacks after a set amount of time.

You have to learn of the timing and area of each attack to make use of the full potential of Garchomp’s unite move.

Livid Outrage is great for:

1. Executing enemy pokemon.
2. Creating space for your allies to score
3. Securing the last hit of Zapdos and Drednaw.

Garchomp Builds

Here are our Recommended builds on Garchomp

Build Name: Dragon Claw Rush

Move Path

Level 1

Bulldoze

Level 3

Sand Attack

Level 6

Dragon Rush

Level 8

Dragon Claw

Held Items

Battle Item

This is an offensive build that focuses on increasing Garchomp’s damage through his Dragon Claw and Dragon Rush moves.

 Scope Lens increases the damage of your basic attack critical hits. Critical hits are not guaranteed but since Garchomp has increasing attack speed, he has a high chance of landing critical hits.

 Muscle Band increases basic attack damage based on the enemy’s remaining HP, synergizes perfectly with Garchomp’s high attack speed.

 Buddy Barrier increases his HP and grants a shield to the user and the lowest HP ally in the area after using a Unite Move. Garchomp’s Unite move requires it to be right in the middle of a fight and at the same time it is cast over a period of time so the shielding is necessary for Garchomp to live to finish the entirety of Livid Outrage.

 Eject Button is your emergency escape button. Use it when you are in a dangerous situation where you might die.

Build Name: Earthquake Dig

Move Path

Level 1

Bulldoze

Level 3

Sand Attack

Level 6

Dig

Level 8

Earthquake

Held Items

Battle Item

🔥 PREFERRED BUILD THIS SEASON 🔥

This is a defensive build focusing on creating space for offense and defense for your team. This build makes Garchomp more tanky thanks to Dig+ and it controls the enemy’s movement speed thanks to Earthquake+.

Rocky Helmet deals a percentage of your max HP as damage to nearby opponents after receiving a set amount of damage. This synergizes with Garchomp’s passive that reflects a portion of the damage he receives back to his enemies.

Weakness Policy gives both HP and attack. The more you are attacked, the stronger you become with this Held item. This reinforces further Garchomp’s playstyle of punishing enemies who damage it.

This build also uses Muscle Band and Eject Button for the same reason as stated above in the other build.

Garchomp Gameplay Guide

Garchomp is an all-rounder who can be played like an attacker or like a speedster. It has a balanced amount of tankiness and damage output and it can be built to supplement either way. The catch with Garchomp is that it takes a long time for it to become powerful and it is relatively weak when behind in levels.

Because of Garchomp’s dependence on exp and levels, its best lane is actually on the middle lane where it can quickly get ahead on levels. Even so, Garchomp can also be played in the Top or Bottom lane together with a ranged attacker or support.

Garchomp plays well against melee Pokemon because it reflects a portion of melee damage dealt to it thanks to its passive, Rough Skin. 

the other reason Garchomp is formidable in the late game, aside from its passive, is its boosted attack that winds up its attack speed with more consecutive attacks. Once you have max stacks on Garchomp’s boosted attacks, there are a few Pokemon who can out damage it.

Acquire its Sand Attack in the early game as it is a mini smokescreen. If used properly on enemies, it can bag you some clutch early game wins and if Garchomp wins one or two fights in the early game, it increases your chance to win the entire game by a large margin.

What is the role of Garchomp when taking objectives?

Garchomp is a prolific basic attacker and it can also endure the damage of the objectives. It is actually one of the rare Pokemon who can solo Drednaw, Rotom, or Zapdos. The only catch is that it lacks a reliable finishing tool outside its Unite move.

Because of Garchomp’s stats, you should be the one to initiate the objective attack and fight the legendary Pokemon head-on. Turn around and fight enemy Pokemon only if they get close and have burst damage moves that can easily steal your objective.

Middle and Late Game

Using the Dragon Claw Rush build

This build is the offensive build of Garchomp. Dragon Rush and Dragon Claw can be used simultaneously to get close to your target enemy, deal burst damage, throw the enemy, and gain bonus attack speed.

When using this build, stay in the front line and attack defenders to build up your boosted attack stacks. Once you get full stacks, use the combo once again on attackers or supports to burst them down.

Using the Earthquake Dig build

This is the tank build of Garchomp. Dig reduces the damage Garchomp receives then Earthquake reduces the movement speed of enemies. This build is perfect when the enemy team has 4 or more melee Pokemon as they will have to damage themselves in order to take you down.

When is the best time to use the Livid Outrage Unite move?

Livid Outrage is a devastating Unite move that deals a lot of damage on consecutive attacks but it can be challenging to hit it consistently due to the delayed and telegraphed attacks.

Use it when the enemy has no choice but to fight back and die or lose the objective and live. If the enemy walks away, do not attempt to chase enemies but use it to secure the last hit on Drednaw, Rotom, or Zapdos. 

Did You Know?

Despite looking like a shark and having fins, Garchomp is actually a flying draconian Pokemon that lives in caves and in volcanic mountains.