Top 5 Psychic Counters to Garchomp in Shining Pearl (Ranked Guide)
Top 5 Psychic Counters to Garchomp in Shining Pearl (Ranked Guide)
Garchomp. The Land Shark Pokemon. A terror in the Sinnoh region and beyond. In Pokemon Shining Pearl, facing Cynthia's Garchomp is often the final (and most difficult) hurdle. This guide provides the top 5 Psychic-type counters to Garchomp to help you dominate that battle and others throughout the game.
Why Psychic Types?
Garchomp is a Dragon/Ground type, making it 4x weak to Ice-type attacks. However, relying solely on Ice-types can be risky due to their often-fragile defenses. Psychic types, while taking neutral damage from Garchomp's STAB moves, often boast high Special Attack stats and can learn powerful Ice-type moves to exploit that 4x weakness, alongside other coverage options.
Here are our top 5 Psychic-type counters:
1. Alakazam
- Pros: Incredible Special Attack and Speed. Access to Ice Punch via move tutor in the post-game, though it requires some grinding.
- Cons: Very frail physically. Relies heavily on out-speeding and one-shotting. Fragile defenses mean it can be KO'd easily by a strong physical attack.
- Recommended Moveset: Psychic, Shadow Ball, Ice Punch (Post-Game), Recover
Alakazam is the glass cannon of Psychic-types. Its blistering speed allows it to often move first, and its Special Attack stat ensures that its attacks hit hard. While finding Ice Punch requires post-game access and the Battle Tower, it's Alakazam's best bet against Garchomp.
2. Gardevoir
- Pros: High Special Attack and Special Defense. Access to Calm Mind for stat boosting. Can learn Ice Beam. Fairy typing provides useful resistances.
- Cons: Lower Speed compared to Alakazam. Still relatively frail physically.
- Recommended Moveset: Psychic, Moonblast, Shadow Ball, Ice Beam
Gardevoir offers a slightly bulkier alternative to Alakazam, with strong Special Defense. Ice Beam provides immediate coverage against Garchomp, and Calm Mind can boost its Special Attack and Special Defense even further.
3. Espeon
- Pros: Great Special Attack and Speed. Access to Calm Mind for stat boosting.
- Cons: Limited Ice-type movepool in Shining Pearl. Frail defenses.
- Recommended Moveset: Psychic, Shadow Ball, Calm Mind, Hidden Power (Ice) (If obtainable)
Espeon is another speedy Special Attacker. However, its limited Ice-type options in Shining Pearl make it less ideal than Alakazam or Gardevoir unless you can obtain Hidden Power (Ice) through breeding and luck. Still, its raw power makes it a threat.
4. Bronzong
- Pros: Excellent defenses. Resistant to many types. Can learn Gyro Ball which is effective against faster opponents like Garchomp.
- Cons: Low Special Attack. Relies on support and status moves rather than direct damage. Isn't a pure Psychic type.
- Recommended Moveset: Psychic, Gyro Ball, Reflect, Light Screen
Bronzong is included as it is a Steel/Psychic type. While it doesn't hit hard, its incredible defenses, ability to set up screens, and access to Gyro Ball (which can do significant damage against a faster Garchomp) makes it a valuable asset. Its role is more supportive, weakening Garchomp for another Pokemon to finish off.
5. Slowbro
- Pros: High Defense and Special Attack. Can learn Ice Beam.
- Cons: Very low Speed. Vulnerable to status conditions.
- Recommended Moveset: Psychic, Ice Beam, Slack Off, Calm Mind
Slowbro makes the list thanks to its combination of decent Special Attack, surprisingly high Defense, and access to Ice Beam. While its low Speed is a major drawback, Calm Mind and Slack Off can help it stay in the battle and potentially sweep.
Conclusion:
While Garchomp is a formidable foe, these Psychic-types, armed with Ice-type coverage, can provide a solid strategy for overcoming it in Pokemon Shining Pearl. Remember to consider your team composition and playstyle when choosing your counter.
What Psychic-type Pokemon did you use to defeat Garchomp in Shining Pearl?