What are Garchomp's weaknesses in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl?

Out of all of Pokémon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, there is perhaps none more feared than Garchomp. More specifically, the Garchomp that Pokémon League Champion Cynthia employs to stop players from dethroning her. The Garchomp itself has sent players back to the start of the Elite Four more than any other Pokémon on Cynthia’s team. 

However, players also need to know how to defeat any Garchomp, period. While the Pokémon might not seem like it has any weaknesses, it certainly does in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Below, players can see the best way to defeat the blue dragon.

Garchomp weaknesses in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

Garchomp starts from humble beginnings, evolving from Gible and Gabite. However, it turns into one of the most formidable Pokémon in Sinnoh once it reaches its final form. If players want to take it down, they need to know its typing. 

Garchomp is a Dragon and Ground-type Pokémon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. This means that it’s only weak to Dragon, Ice and Fairy. Its weaknesses to Grass and Water from the Ground typing are canceled out by its Dragon typing. 

In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Fairy-types can reign supreme if they’re given the right movesets. Of course, Ice is easily the best type to use against Garchomp specifically since its four times effective. A Pokémon like Weavile, which evolves from Sneasel, or Mamoswine are players’ best options. Weavile is the strongest that players can employ, though, since it has lightning-fast speed and will go before Garchomp unless it’s vastly under-leveled. 

If players can’t get a hold of an Ice-type, then Fairy moves are the next best option. A Pokémon like Gardevoir or Togekiss are players’ best choices, as they can each learn a wide variety of Fairy-type moves. Also, if players have the free Jirachi on their team, they can teach it Dazzling Gleam, a 90 base power Fairy-type move. 

Finally, players can also use either Dialga or Palkia against Garchomp. Their Dragon-type signature moves are highly effective and they can also take a hit or two from Garchomp’s diverse move pool. 

As long as players don’t throw out an Electric, Fire, Poison, Steel or Rock-type Pokémon against Garchomp, they’ll be able to survive the fight with enough strategy. 

• Read more: Walk with Pokémon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, how to

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Featured image courtesy of Nintendo/The Pokémon Company.