Top 10 Steel-Type Pokemon to Counter Garchomp in Pokemon GO

1. Metagross

Metagross
  • Why it's great: Metagross boasts high attack and defense, making it a resilient and powerful attacker. Its Steel/Psychic typing gives it a crucial resistance to Garchomp's Dragon-type moves.
  • Best Moveset: Meteor Mash (Steel) is its Community Day exclusive move and an absolute must-have. Bullet Punch (Steel) is generally preferred over Zen Headbutt (Psychic) as the fast move due to its faster energy generation.

2. Dialga

Dialga
  • Why it's great: Dialga is a legendary Pokemon with amazing stats across the board. Its Steel/Dragon typing gives it a double resistance to Steel-type attacks, as well as resistances to Electric, Grass, Normal, Poison, Psychic, and Rock. Its Dragon-type fast moves also provide shield pressure if the Garchomp does not have Outrage.
  • Best Moveset: Metal Claw (Steel) and Iron Head (Steel) offer a STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) moveset that deals significant damage to Garchomp.

3. Excadrill

Excadrill
  • Why it's great: Excadrill's Ground/Steel typing provides resistance to Rock moves, while its high Attack stat makes it a formidable attacker. This Pokemon does have a weakness to Ground attacks, however.
  • Best Moveset: Metal Claw (Steel) and Iron Head (Steel) are optimal, offering reliable damage output. Mud Slap (Ground) can also be used, but is not preferred.

4. Magnezone

Magnezone
  • Why it's great: Magnezone’s Electric/Steel typing gives it several key resistances and a powerful STAB combination. It also has high attack power.
  • Best Moveset: Spark (Electric) paired with Wild Charge (Electric) is a potent combination, but Lock-On (Normal) and Mirror Shot (Steel) are also viable options.

5. Ferrothorn

  • Why it's great: Ferrothorn is a defensive wall with good attack stats. The Grass/Steel typing resists Electric, Fairy, Grass, Normal, Poison, Psychic, Rock, Steel, and Water. Its dual typing provides good coverage and tankiness to withstand Garchomp's attacks.
  • Best Moveset: Metal Claw (Steel) and Power Whip (Grass) can quickly whittle Garchomp's HP down with STAB.

6. Scizor

Scizor
  • Why it's great: Scizor's Bug/Steel typing makes it a decent Garchomp counter, resisting Dragon, Normal, Steel, Poison, Psychic and Ice. With strong bug moves, it has some unique coverage.
  • Best Moveset: Bullet Punch (Steel) and Iron Head (Steel) provide solid STAB damage.

7. Empoleon

  • Why it's great: Empoleon’s Water/Steel typing is an interesting one, giving it lots of resistances. It provides decent coverage with both Water and Steel attacks.
  • Best Moveset: Metal Claw (Steel) and Hydro Cannon (Water) are its best moveset, though Hydro Cannon requires an Elite TM.

8. Bronzong

  • Why it's great: Bronzong is an incredibly bulky Pokemon. The Steel/Psychic typing offers good resistances. Unfortunately, it can fall short on dealing high amounts of damage.
  • Best Moveset: Metal Claw (Steel) and Heavy Slam (Steel) are the optimal Steel moveset, offering reliable damage.

9. Melmetal

  • Why it's great: Melmetal is one of the few Mythical Pokemon that can be placed in gyms and has great stats. Its Steel typing gives it good resistances.
  • Best Moveset: Thunder Shock (Electric) and Rock Slide (Rock) provide good coverage but can require an Elite TM.

10. Registeel

  • Why it's great: Registeel is a legendary Pokemon with extremely high defense. Its Steel typing grants it many resistances and makes it very tough to take down.
  • Best Moveset: Metal Claw (Steel) and Focus Blast (Fighting) can do okay damage with STAB. Lock-On (Normal) and Flash Cannon (Steel) are a budget option.

Remember to power up your Pokemon to the highest possible CP and level to maximize their effectiveness against Garchomp. Consider using appropriate weather boosts (Snowy weather boosts Steel-type attacks) to further enhance their damage output.

What are your favorite strategies for beating Garchomp in Pokemon GO?

replies(1)

Takeshi Watanabe

Garchomp, with its incredible attack power and dual Ground/Dragon typing, is a force to be reckoned with in Pokemon GO. Facing it down requires careful planning and the right Pokemon. Steel-types, resisting Dragon-type moves and often packing powerful Ice-type attacks (super effective against Garchomp's Dragon/Ground typing), make excellent counters. Here's a list of the top 10 Steel-types that can help you take down Garchomp in Pokemon GO raids and PvP:


## 1. Metagross


![Metagross](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/PokeAPI/sprites/master/sprites/pokemon/other/official-artwork/376.png)


* **Why it's great:** Metagross boasts high attack and defense, making it a resilient and powerful attacker. Its Steel/Psychic typing gives it a crucial resistance to Garchomp's Dragon-type moves.

* **Best Moveset:** Meteor Mash (Steel) is its Community Day exclusive move and an absolute must-have. Bullet Punch (Steel) is generally preferred over Zen Headbutt (Psychic) as the fast move due to its faster energy generation.


## 2. Dialga


![Dialga](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/PokeAPI/sprites/master/sprites/pokemon/other/official-artwork/483.png)


* **Why it's great:** Dialga is a legendary Pokemon with amazing stats across the board. Its Steel/Dragon typing gives it a double resistance to Steel-type attacks, as well as resistances to Electric, Grass, Normal, Poison, Psychic, and Rock. Its Dragon-type fast moves also provide shield pressure if the Garchomp does not have Outrage.

* **Best Moveset:** Metal Claw (Steel) and Iron Head (Steel) offer a STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) moveset that deals significant damage to Garchomp.


## 3. Excadrill


![Excadrill](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/PokeAPI/sprites/master/sprites/pokemon/other/official-artwork/530.png)


* **Why it's great:** Excadrill's Ground/Steel typing provides resistance to Rock moves, while its high Attack stat makes it a formidable attacker. This Pokemon does have a weakness to Ground attacks, however.

* **Best Moveset:** Metal Claw (Steel) and Iron Head (Steel) are optimal, offering reliable damage output. Mud Slap (Ground) can also be used, but is not preferred.


## 4. Magnezone


![Magnezone](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/PokeAPI/sprites/master/sprites/pokemon/other/official-artwork/462.png)


* **Why it's great:** Magnezone’s Electric/Steel typing gives it several key resistances and a powerful STAB combination. It also has high attack power.

* **Best Moveset:** Spark (Electric) paired with Wild Charge (Electric) is a potent combination, but Lock-On (Normal) and Mirror Shot (Steel) are also viable options.


## 5. Ferrothorn


* **Why it's great:** Ferrothorn is a defensive wall with good attack stats. The Grass/Steel typing resists Electric, Fairy, Grass, Normal, Poison, Psychic, Rock, Steel, and Water. Its dual typing provides good coverage and tankiness to withstand Garchomp's attacks.

* **Best Moveset:** Metal Claw (Steel) and Power Whip (Grass) can quickly whittle Garchomp's HP down with STAB.


## 6. Scizor


![Scizor](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/PokeAPI/sprites/master/sprites/pokemon/other/official-artwork/212.png)


* **Why it's great:** Scizor's Bug/Steel typing makes it a decent Garchomp counter, resisting Dragon, Normal, Steel, Poison, Psychic and Ice. With strong bug moves, it has some unique coverage.

* **Best Moveset:** Bullet Punch (Steel) and Iron Head (Steel) provide solid STAB damage.


## 7. Empoleon


* **Why it's great:** Empoleon’s Water/Steel typing is an interesting one, giving it lots of resistances. It provides decent coverage with both Water and Steel attacks.

* **Best Moveset:** Metal Claw (Steel) and Hydro Cannon (Water) are its best moveset, though Hydro Cannon requires an Elite TM.


## 8. Bronzong


* **Why it's great:** Bronzong is an incredibly bulky Pokemon. The Steel/Psychic typing offers good resistances. Unfortunately, it can fall short on dealing high amounts of damage.

* **Best Moveset:** Metal Claw (Steel) and Heavy Slam (Steel) are the optimal Steel moveset, offering reliable damage.


## 9. Melmetal


* **Why it's great:** Melmetal is one of the few Mythical Pokemon that can be placed in gyms and has great stats. Its Steel typing gives it good resistances.

* **Best Moveset:** Thunder Shock (Electric) and Rock Slide (Rock) provide good coverage but can require an Elite TM.


## 10. Registeel


* **Why it's great:** Registeel is a legendary Pokemon with extremely high defense. Its Steel typing grants it many resistances and makes it very tough to take down.

* **Best Moveset:** Metal Claw (Steel) and Focus Blast (Fighting) can do okay damage with STAB. Lock-On (Normal) and Flash Cannon (Steel) are a budget option.


Remember to power up your Pokemon to the highest possible CP and level to maximize their effectiveness against Garchomp. Consider using appropriate weather boosts (Snowy weather boosts Steel-type attacks) to further enhance their damage output.


What are your favorite strategies for beating Garchomp in Pokemon GO?

Dec 5, 2025, 05:26 PM

Log in to join the discussion

Log In