Top 15 Water-Type Pokemon to Counter Garchomp (Competitive Guide)

Garchomp, the Mach Pokemon, is a dominant force in competitive battling. Its speed, attack power, and typing make it a formidable opponent. However, with the right strategy and Pokemon, Garchomp can be defeated. This list focuses on the top 15 Water-type Pokemon that excel at countering Garchomp in various formats, considering their strengths, weaknesses, and viability in the current meta.

## Why Water-Types are Key Against Garchomp

Garchomp is a Ground/Dragon-type, making it 4x weak to Ice-type moves. While many Ice-types exist, Water-types provide a blend of offensive coverage and defensive resilience that often makes them superior choices. Water-types resist Fire, Steel and Water, all common attacking types. They also learn Ice Beam and Blizzard, providing a solid answer to Garchomp.

## Top 15 Water-Type Counters to Garchomp

Here's a tier list of the best Water-types to use against Garchomp:

1. **Azumarill:** With Huge Power, Azumarill's Aqua Jet becomes a terrifying priority move that can easily OHKO a weakened Garchomp. Access to Play Rough also provides coverage.


2. **Tapu Fini:** Misty Surge provides protection from status conditions, while Calm Mind boosts Tapu Fini's Special Attack and Special Defense. Scald can burn, crippling physical attackers like Garchomp.


3. **Rotom-Wash:** Levitate makes Rotom-Wash immune to Ground-type attacks, and Volt Switch allows for momentum control. Hydro Pump and Will-O-Wisp are valuable tools for offense and disruption.

4. **Gyarados:** Intimidate weakens Garchomp's Attack, and Gyarados's high Attack stat allows it to deal significant damage with Waterfall. It is crucial to watch out for Rock-type coverage.

5. **Greninja:** Protean or Battle Bond Greninja can be incredibly versatile. Ice Beam and Hydro Pump provide solid coverage against Garchomp and other threats.


6. **Kingdra:** Swift Swim in rain teams makes Kingdra incredibly fast, allowing it to outspeed and OHKO Garchomp with Hydro Pump or Ice Beam.

7. **Swampert:** A strong choice in rain teams with Swift Swim, Swampert offers a Ground typing to absorb Electric attacks, and a powerful Earthquake to threaten other Pokemon.

8. **Milotic:** Competitive boosts Milotic's Special Attack when its stats are lowered, making it a strong deterrent against Intimidate users. Recover provides reliable healing.

9. **Primarina:** Liquid Voice turns Hyper Voice into a Water-type move, bypassing Water Absorb. Moonblast provides Fairy-type coverage against Dragon-types.

10. **Keldeo:** Secret Sword hits the opponent's Defense stat, making it effective against physically defensive walls. Calm Mind boosts Keldeo's Special Attack and Special Defense.

11. **Suicune:** Pressure makes Suicune a formidable staller, and Calm Mind boosts its Special Attack and Special Defense. Scald can burn, crippling physical attackers.

12. **Vaporeon:** With its high HP, Vaporeon can take hits and heal with Wish and Protect. Scald provides a reliable STAB move with a chance to burn.

13. **Gastrodon:** Storm Drain absorbs Water-type attacks, making Gastrodon a safe switch-in against Water-type moves. Earth Power provides coverage against other threats.

14. **Poliwrath:** Water Absorb provides a valuable immunity to Water-type moves. Ice Punch and Circle Throw are useful tools for offense and disruption.

15. **Lapras:** With its high HP and Special Defense, Lapras can take hits and heal with Rest. Freeze-Dry provides a reliable Ice-type move.


## Considerations for Pokemon Sleep

While this list focuses on competitive battling, some of these Water-types are also present in *Pokemon Sleep*. In *Pokemon Sleep*, Water-types help you find specific berries like Razz Berry, and ingredients like Moomoo Milk. While they don't battle, having them on your team can improve the quality of your sleep research and Snorlax's growth. Water types are very good at finding relaxing sounds to soothe Snorlax.

## Conclusion

Garchomp is a tough opponent, but with the right Water-type Pokemon and strategy, it can be defeated. Consider your team composition, the current meta, and the specific strengths and weaknesses of each Pokemon when choosing your Garchomp counter.

Which Water-type Pokemon do you find most effective against Garchomp, and why?

For anyone struggling with this, patience is key. Don't give up!

I had a similar experience with Gengar. It took me ages!

Has anyone tried this with a different approach? Curious to hear alternatives.

This reminds me of when I first started playing. Good times!