Garchomp

Species          Quote “Soars across the heavens at blinding speed—a magnificent sight! It has a feral disposition. Utmost caution is required if one meets a Garchomp out in the wilds.” — Garchomp's Pokédex entry[src]     C Garchomp   [Edit]   [Talk]

Garchomp<sup>(JPJapanese: ガブリアス

Romaji: Gaburias)</sup> is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a dual-type Dragon/Ground Pseudo-legendary Pokémon introduced in the fourth generation that evolves from Gabite starting at level 48 and is the final evolution of Gible. It can Mega Evolve into Mega Garchomp using the Garchompite.

Physiology and Behavior[]

Garchomp is a bipedal, draconian Pokémon that is primarily dark blue in color. It has red on its underbelly from the lower jaw to the middle of the abdomen, including the undersides of its arms. A patch of gold comes to a point below the red on its belly, and a golden star shape adorns the tip of its snout. Garchomp has horn-like appendages that resemble a jet or plane's engines, giving it an appearance similar to a hammerhead shark. These allow it to sense its prey from a long distance. Its large mouth features razor-sharp teeth. The feet have three white talons, and each arm has a single large, white claw for a hand. Curved fins sprout from the arms, creating wings that allow Garchomp to fly. Garchomp also has a large dorsal fin and another on its tail that resembles a shark tailfin. The male's dorsal fin has a notch on it. Pairs of small, white spikes protrude from its upper arms and legs, and there are gill-like slits on the sides of the neck. The eyes are intense, with black sclerae and gold-colored irises.

Garchomp can fly at an incredible speed to catch its prey, being capable of flying as fast as a jet airplane. It is able to move on both the air and underground. It preys on bird Pokémon and is known to eat entire flocks of them whole. It sometimes battles Salamence in the air as they compete for food. After catching the prey, it returns back to den before its body can cool down. The fine scales on its body reduce drag for easier flight, and their sharp edges also serve to injure opponents who attack it directly. It can use its protuberances as sensors for finding distinct prey. Garchomp lives in mountainous regions, both volcanic and boreal, and typically dwells underground. However, it is seldom sighted in the wild. Garchomp is described as having a feral nature, requiring extreme caution should anyone encounter it.

Mega Garchomp[]

When Garchomp Mega Evolves, several of its features become more angular, including its head and shoulders. A row of five tooth-like spikes sprouts from each side of its abdomen and red spikes grow from its knees. The claws and fins on its arms melt from the excessive Mega Evolution energy and morph together to form sharp, red blades. Because Garchomp takes great pride in its winglike fins, the sight of them melting into scythes sends it mad with rage. Its scythes can slice the ground to pieces, and Mega Garchomp viciously tears up its opponents with them.

Appearances[]

Main Pokémon games[]

Pokkén Tournament[]

Garchomp is a Power-type fighter for Pokkén Tournament. Upon entering Burst form, it Mega-Evolves and can use the Burst Attack Outrage Smasher.

Other Pokémon games[]

In the anime[]

Origin and inspiration[]

Garchomp appears to combine traits of dinosaurian kaijus, wyverns, aircrafts, and different species of sharks. It may also reference Land Sharks, a recurring creature in fantasy settings.

Garchomp also shares traits with various species of sharks, noticeably the hammerhead shark. Its Ground typing might also be a reference to ground sharks or sand sharks. It may also be based on theropod dinosaurs, particularly the Carcharodontosaurus, whose teeth are often compared to the great white shark's due to similar serrations and sharpness.

Garchomp's aircraft traits may allude to Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighters. These models popularized shark-themed nose arts on aircrafts and were often referred to as "desert sharks".

Mega Garchomp's skull-like head and scythe arms may be based on traits of typical Grim Reaper depictions.

Garchomp may be a combination of its Japanese name, Carcharias, chomp, and possibly gargantuan and gargoyle.

In-game information[]

Pokédex entries[]

Game locations[]

Evolution[]

Gible	Reach level 24.	Gabite	Reach level 48.	Garchomp

Base Stats[]

Normal[]

Mega[]

Moveset[]

Main article: Garchomp/moveset

Form change[]

Garchomp	Mega Evolve with Garchompite	Garchomp Mega Form

Gallery[]

Sprites[]

Sprites
Diamond Pearl File:PKMNDP445-S.png Platinum File:PKMNP445-S.png Heart Soul File:PKMNHGSS445.png File:PKMNHGSS445-S.png
Black White File:PKMNBW445-S.png Black 2 White 2 File:PKMNBW2445.png File:PKMNBW2445-S.png X Y File:PKMNXY445.png File:PKMNXY445-S.png
Sword Shield File:PKMNSS445-S.png Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl File:PKMNBDSP445.png File:PKMNBDSP445-S.png Legends Arceus File:PKMNPLA445-S.png
Scarlet Violet File:PKMNSV445-S.png

Reception[]

Garchomp has been well-received by fans and critics, ranking among the top 10 Pokémon in a 2020 poll of Pokémon fans. An IT Media reader poll had Garchomp ranked number one among the Pseudo-legendary Pokémon, used for Pokémon whose stats add up to 600 in value, receiving more than 30 percent of the vote. Garchomp has been described as one of the series' most popular Pokémon by Inside Games writer Sawadee Otsuka.

It has been a prominent Pokémon in competitive Pokémon gameplay. Venture Beat staff discussed how its attack and speed were so prominent that it was banned in some competitions and limited only to the Uber tier, due in particular to the fact that players were designing their teams around handling Garchomp, with Venture Beat staff noting that team compositions were more interesting and diverse after its banning. It has generally been a popular Pokémon for competitive play; despite IT Media writer Dopey noting that its usage has decreased over time, they noted it was still useful. VG247 writer Cassandra Khaw attributed its strength to multiple factors, including its well-balanced high stats, Sand Veil ability, and its type combination of Ground and Dragon. Hardcore Gamer writer Ryan Cartmel noted that despite Ground and Dragon's weakness to Ice types, its stats and Rough Skin ability made it a threat that any team had to be able to answer. He also felt that its design is quality, stating that it conveys that "it's here to mess up your day."

Trivia[]

• Garchomp is the only pseudo-legendary Pokémon to have gender differences.
• Mega Garchomp has the highest base Attack of all pseudo-legendary Pokémon, with 170.
• In an early Japanese trailer for Pokémon Platinum, a prototype front sprite is seen that is different from the final sprite.
• Although the Garchomp in PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure and its PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond has no notch on his fin, he is referred to as male.

External links[]

• Garchomp at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• Garchomp (Pokémon) at Bulbapedia, the Pokémon wiki.
• Garchomp at Pokémon Wiki, the Fandom wiki on Pokémon.