The build
Item
Loaded Dice
Ability
Rough Skin
Tera type
Steel
Nature · EVs
Jolly · 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Moves
Showdown export
Garchomp @ Loaded Dice Ability: Rough Skin Tera Type: Steel EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe Jolly Nature - Scale Shot - Earthquake - Stealth Rock - Stone Edge
Overview
Garchomp is one of the most consistent Pokémon in OU history. Loaded Dice + Scale Shot is the modern wrinkle: Loaded Dice guarantees Scale Shot hits 4-5 times (instead of 2-5), giving you 100-125 BP plus a +1 Speed boost per use. Two Scale Shots and you're functionally Choice-Scarfed but holding an item that doesn't lock you. Stealth Rock makes Garchomp a hazard lead that also wins the lead matchup most of the time.
Move analysis
Scale Shot (Dragon, physical multi-hit) is the centerpiece — boosts Speed, breaks Substitute and Focus Sash, ignores defensive boosts. Earthquake for STAB Ground coverage. Stealth Rock for hazard utility on turn 1. Stone Edge over Fire Fang because it hits Volcarona, Talonflame, and Tornadus harder, all of which laugh at Fire Fang.
Team partners
Iron Valiant (handles Fairies that wall Garchomp), Kingambit (cleans late-game after Garchomp chips), Volcarona (Quiver Dance setup behind Garchomp's hazards), Slowking-Galar (Future Sight pressure + Chilly Reception pivot).
What beats Garchomp
Skarmory (resists everything Garchomp throws and Whirlwinds it out), Toxapex (regenerator, can Haze the +1 Spe), Tera Fairy Iron Valiant on the switch, scarf Iron Bundle Freeze-Dry, Mandibuzz Foul Play + Defog combo.
How to use the build
Open our damage calculator and plug in the EV spread above to see what Garchomp OHKOs and 2HKOs against the current OU/VGC meta. Drop Garchomp into the team builder to check defensive coverage gaps when paired with your other 5 slots.
Other Dragon/Ground options
If you want to run a different Dragon-type, browse our competitive builds hub. For more on Tera mechanics, see the damage calculator's Tera explainer and our guide on type matchups.