Mega Garchomp is a Dragon- and Ground-type Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region. According to its Pokédex entries, Mega Garchomp’s excess energy melted its arms and wings, transforming them into giant scythes. Mega Garchomp is making its Pokémon GO debut on November 12, 2023. Learn which Pokémon will be most effective in Raid Battles against Mega Garchomp, how to catch Garchomp after winning a Raid Battle, and how best to use the Mach Pokémon after you’ve caught it.

Which Pokémon to Use in a Mega Garchomp Raid in Pokémon GO

As a Dragon- and Ground-type Pokémon, Mega Garchomp is vulnerable to Dragon-, Fairy-, and Ice-type attacks. But it’s worth noting that Mega Garchomp is doubly weak to Ice-type attacks, meaning that Pokémon with Ice-type attacks should be your first choice for raid battles against Mega Garchomp.

When choosing six Pokémon for your Mega Garchomp Raid Battle lineup, it’s important to choose Pokémon that have a Dragon-, Fairy-, or Ice-type Fast Attack and Charged Attack if you want to deal maximum damage as quickly as possible. It’s not necessary to choose only Dragon-, Fairy-, and Ice-type Pokémon, but a Pokémon that shares a type with these attacks will benefit from a same-type attack bonus, which will allow these attacks to deal an additional 20% damage.

If you have multiple Pokémon that fit the correct type and moveset profile, choose the Pokémon with the highest CP and best overall stats. Remember that speed of victory is one of the factors that determine how many Premier Balls you will receive at the conclusion of a successful Raid Battle, so it makes sense to go into this raid with the most powerful Pokémon team possible.

• Mamoswine / Shadow Mamoswine (Ice/Ground)
  • Fast Attack: Powder Snow (Ice)
  • Charged Attack: Avalanche (Ice)
• Weavile / Shadow Weavile (Dark/Ice)
  • Fast Attack: Ice Shard (Ice)
  • Charged Attack: Avalanche (Ice)
• Galarian Darmanitan (Ice)
  • Fast Attack: Ice Fang (Ice)
  • Charged Attack: Avalanche (Ice), Ice Punch (Ice)
• Mr. Rime / Shadow Mr. Rime (Psychic/Ice)
  • Fast Attack: Ice Shard (Ice)
  • Charged Attack: Ice Punch (Ice), Icy Wind (Ice)
• Glaceon (Ice)
  • Fast Attack: Frost Breath (Ice), Ice Shard (Ice)
  • Charged Attack: Avalanche (Ice), Ice Beam (Ice), Icy Wind (Ice)
• Abomasnow / Shadow Abomasnow / Mega Abomasnow (Grass/Ice)
  • Fast Attack: Powder Snow (Ice)
  • Charged Attack: Blizzard (Ice), Outrage (Dragon), Weather Ball (Ice)
• Articuno / Shadow Articuno (Ice/Flying)
  • Fast Attack: Frost Breath (Ice), Ice Shard (Ice)
  • Charged Attack: Blizzard (Ice), Ice Beam (Ice), Icy Wind (Ice)
• Jynx (Ice/Psychic)
  • Fast Attack: Frost Breath (Ice)
  • Charged Attack: Avalanche (Ice), Ice Punch (Ice)*
• Regice / Shadow Regice (Ice)
  • Fast Attack: Frost Breath (Ice)
  • Charged Attack: Blizzard (Ice)
• Cloyster / Shadow Cloyster (Water/Ice)
  • Fast Attack: Frost Breath (Ice), Ice Shard (Ice)
  • Charged Attack: Aurora Beam (Ice), Avalanche (Ice), Blizzard (Ice)*, Icy Wind (Ice)

• Gardevoir / Shadow Gardevoir / Mega Gardevoir (Psychic/Fairy)
  • Fast Attack: Charm (Fairy)
  • Charged Attack: Dazzling Gleam (Fairy)
• Granbull/ Shadow Granbull (Fairy)
  • Fast Attack: Charm (Fairy)
  • Charged Attack: Close Combat (Fighting), Play Rough (Fairy)
• Togekiss (Fairy/Flying)
  • Fast Attack: Charm (Fairy)
  • Charged Attack: Dazzling Gleam (Fairy)
• Primarina (Water/Fairy)
  • Fast Attack: Charm (Fairy)
  • Charged Attack: Moonblast (Fairy)

• Rayquaza / Mega Rayquaza (Dragon/Flying)
  • Fast Attack: Dragon Tail (Dragon)
  • Charged Attack: Breaking Swipe (Dragon)*, Outrage (Dragon)
• Salamence / Shadow Salamence / Mega Salamence (Dragon/Flying)
  • Fast Attack: Dragon Tail (Dragon)
  • Charged Attack: Draco Meteor (Dragon), Outrage (Dragon)*
• Garchomp / Shadow Garchomp (Dragon/Ground)
  • Fast Attack: Dragon Tail (Dragon)
  • Charged Attack: Outrage (Dragon)
• Dragonite / Shadow Dragonite (Dragon/Flying)
  • Fast Attack: Dragon Breath (Dragon), Dragon Tail (Dragon)
  • Charged Attack: Draco Meteor (Dragon)*, Dragon Claw (Dragon), Dragon Pulse (Dragon)*, Outrage (Dragon)

* An Elite Fast TM or an Elite Charged TM is typically required to teach this Pokémon this attack.

Make the Most of Premier Balls and Berries

After a Mega Garchomp raid, Mega Garchomp will revert to its usual state and you’ll have a limited number of Premier Balls you can use to catch Garchomp, so make each one count. You can earn extra Premier Balls by battling with friends and defeating Mega Garchomp more quickly.

In an encounter with Garchomp, your chance of catching it is greatest when the target ring is small enough for you to score Excellent Throws. Throwing Curveballs can improve your chances even more. But work within your abilities—if you don’t think you can reliably make Excellent Curveball Throws, aim for Nice Throws or Great Throws rather than risk missing the target ring completely.

Garchomp isn’t going to make it easy on you by sitting still while you’re trying to catch it. Don’t waste your Premier Balls by throwing while it’s moving around. Watch Garchomp to get a feel for its cycle of movement and the pauses in between the cycles. During one of these pauses, wait for the target ring to reappear, and then throw as it starts to grow smaller to increase your odds of making a Great Throw or an Excellent Throw.

Berries can help you catch Garchomp. A Razz Berry will make Garchomp easier to catch, and a Golden Razz Berry will make it much easier to catch. If you find yourself failing to land any throws, a Nanab Berry will calm Garchomp, making its movements less erratic and allowing you to make precise throws more easily. If you need extra Garchomp Candy, using a Silver Pinap Berry will make Garchomp easier to catch and grant you extra Candy when you catch it.

Buddy Pokémon with a Buddy Level of Great Buddy or higher have the Catch Assist Perk. If a Pokémon deflects a Poké Ball, your buddy might bounce it back for a second catch opportunity!

Garchomp is tricky to catch, so don’t be discouraged if it escapes. Get a second wind by stocking up on useful items—like Max Potions, Max Revives, and Golden Razz Berries—and try again.

What to Do with Garchomp Once You’ve Caught It

As a Dragon- and Ground-type Pokémon, Garchomp is resistant to Electric-, Fire-, Poison-, and Rock-type attacks. While there are many strong Dragon-type Pokémon in Pokémon GO, Garchomp’s dual typing and high max CP make it an especially solid choice for raids. Mega Evolving Garchomp makes this powerhouse even more effective—but you’ll need plenty of Mega Energy, which you can earn more of by quickly defeating Mega Garchomp in Mega Raids. Then you’ll be able to bring your own Mega Garchomp into battle against Pokémon like Palkia, Reshiram, and Dialga.

In the GO Battle League, Garchomp is particularly popular in the Master League, where its high max CP allows it to shine. More specifically, its Dragon-type attacks are effective against Giratina and other Dragon-type Pokémon, while its Ground-type attacks are effective against the many Steel-type Pokémon like Melmetal and Metagross that Trainers tend to use. Garchomp’s vulnerability to Dragon-type attacks can be challenging in a league filled with formidable Dragon types, but it is possible to build a team that helps balance that vulnerability.

Because Garchomp’s high max CP is one of its greatest strengths in both raids and the Master League, it’s best to power your Garchomp up as much as possible. To do this, take part in lots of Mega Garchomp raids and use a Pinap Berry or Silver Pinap Berry when catching Garchomp to receive more Candy.

Good luck with your next Raid Battle, and remember to check back to Pokemon.com/Strategy for more Pokémon GO, video game, and Pokémon TCG tips.