| Garchomp | |
|---|---|
| Pokémon character | |
 Garchomp inPokémon Diamond andPearl | |
| First game | Pokémon Diamond andPearl (2006) |
| Designed by | Takao Unno[1] |
| Voiced by | Shinnosuke Ogami (Pokémon: Hisuian Snow)[2] |
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Pokémon |
| Type | Dragon and Ground |
Garchomp (/ˈɡɑːrtʃɑːmp/ ⓘ;Japanese:ガブリアス,Hepburn:Gaburias) is aPokémon species inNintendo andGame Freak'sPokémon media franchise, and the evolved form of the PokémonGabite, which evolves fromGible. First introduced in the video gamesPokémon Diamond andPearl, they have later appeared in multiple games, includingPokémon Go and thePokémon Trading Card Game, as well as various merchandise.
Classified as a Dragon and Ground-type Pokémon, Garchomp is a creature that combines the design of a dinosaur,European dragon, and hammerhead shark. InPokemon X andY, Garchomp was given a Mega Evolution in the form of Mega Garchomp. Garchomp is notable for being a regular Pokémon in the team of the Pokémon Champion,Cynthia, contributing in part to Cynthia being such a dangerous opponent.
Garchomp is a species of fictional creatures called Pokémon created for thePokémon media franchise. Developed byGame Freak and published byNintendo, the Japanese franchise began in 1996 with the video gamesPokémon Red andGreen for theGame Boy, which were later released in North America asPokémon Red andBlue in 1998.[3] In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon. Some Pokémon can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items.[4] Each Pokémon has one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.[5] A major goal in each game is to complete the Pokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading with other Trainers to obtain individuals from all Pokémon species.[4]
Garchomp is an evolution of the PokémonGabite, which evolves fromGible, and was created for the video gamesPokémon Diamond andPearl. The English names of these three Pokémon resemble each other.[6] It, as well as its earlier forms, are Dragon- and Ground-type.[7] Garchomp was designed by Takao Unno.[8] The beta version ofPokémon Diamond andPearl had a different design for Garchomp, as well as its previous forms.[9]
Garchomp first appeared inPokémon Diamond andPearl as one of the Pokémon that the player can feature on their team. It can be obtained either by evolving from its previous form, Gabite, or catching it in the wild.[7] Other trainers can also have a Garchomp, with one of the most notable trainers to have a Garchomp beingCynthia, the Pokémon Champion of theElite Four inDiamond andPearl'sSinnoh region.[10] It also appears in various re-releases ofDiamond andPearl, includingPokémon Platinum andPokémon Brilliant Diamond andShining Pearl.[7] It has since appeared in other mainline games, with its most recent appearance beingPokémon Scarlet andViolet.[11] InPokémon X andY, it was given a Mega Evolution form called Mega Garchomp.[12] InPokémon Legends: Arceus, Garchomp is also available, including as one of the Pokémon owned by Volo, a character whose design and team were similar to Cynthia's.[13] It has also appeared in otherPokémon games, such asPokken Tournament,[14]Pokémon Go,[15]Pokémon Unite,[16] and thePokémon Trading Card Game.[17]
Garchomp has been well-received by fans and critics, ranking among the top 10 Pokémon in a 2020 poll ofPokémon fans.[18] AnIT Media reader poll had Garchomp ranked number one among the "600 family," a term used for Pokémon whose stats add up to 600 in value, receiving more than 30 percent of the vote.[19] Garchomp has been described as one of the series' most popular Pokémon byInside Games writer Sawadee Otsuka. They cited its power and association with the trainerCynthia for why it was so popular, adding that it improved opinions on speedy Pokémon thanks to its durability. They also praised its design, saying that its combination of shark and dinosaur designs helped set it apart from previous Dragon-type Pokémon.[10]IGN writer Dale Bashir felt it was one of the best designs introduced inDiamond andPearl, particularly due to its purple color scheme, attributing its coolness to why it was featured in Cynthia's team.[20]Gaming Bolt writer Pramath regarded it as one of the best Pokémon species, arguing that a large part of why people remember it so much is its use by Cynthia and the difficulty of training it.[21] Despite being frustrated by Cynthia's Garchomp,USA Today writer Cian Maher regarded it as one of the best Dragon-type Pokémon. He noted that Garchomp was "overpowered, overused, and frankly overdesigned," citing its combination of shark, dragon, dinosaur, and jet engine design concepts, but still felt that it was among the series' most iconic Pokémon.[22]Inside Games writer Sushi felt that Garchomp was ubiquitous to Cynthia, discussing how Garchomp's strength has been enhanced inBrilliant Diamond andShining Pearl.[23]
It has been a prominent Pokémon in competitivePokémon gameplay.IGN writer Kat Bailey considered it to be among the worst new Pokémon of generation 4, feeling that its overwhelming power, speed, and Sand Veil ability made it too unbalanced. She also argued that it was the "catalyst" for other Pokémon being banned while also commenting negatively on its design.[24]Venture Beat staff discussed how its attack and speed were so prominent that it was one of the few non-legendary Pokémon to be banned in some competitions and limited only to the Uber tier, due in particular to the fact that players were designing their teams around handling Garchomp, withVenture Beat staff noting that team compositions were more interesting and diverse after its banning.[25] It has generally been a popular Pokémon for competitive play; despiteIT Media writer Dopey noting that its usage has decreased over time, they noted it was still useful.[26][19]VG247 writer Cassandra Khaw attributed its strength to multiple factors, including its well-balanced high stats, Sand Veil ability, and its type combination of Ground and Dragon.[27]Hardcore Gamer writer Ryan Cartmel noted that despite Ground and Dragon's weakness to Ice types, its stats and Rough Skin ability made it a threat that any team had to be able to answer. He also felt that its design is quality, stating that it conveys that "it's here to mess up your day."[28]
Due to the shared height and weight between Garchomp and baseball playerShohei Ohtani, comments were made comparing the two by fans onTwitter, withAutomaton Media writer Ayuo Kawase attributing the popularity of the comparison to the ongoingWorld Baseball Classic at the time.[29][30]Oricon News staff noted that another thing that drew comparison was Ohtani catching a 95 mile-per-hour pitch, and having a batting speed of 102 miles per hour, which contrasts Garchomp's 95 points in defense and 102 points in speed.[31]
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