Salamence vs Garchomp
Salamence and Garchomp have the same base stat total (600), Garchomp is faster (base Speed 102 vs 100), and each can hit the other super effectively with its own types (Salamence’s Dragon moves hit Garchomp for 2×; Garchomp’s Dragon moves hit Salamence for 2×).
Salamence and Garchomp are both among the ten “pseudo-legendary” Pokémon, a fan term (not an official category) for three-stage finals with a 600 base stat total.
Base stats side by side
| Stat | Salamence | Garchomp |
|---|---|---|
| HP | 95 | 108 (higher) |
| Attack | 135 (higher) | 130 |
| Defense | 80 | 95 (higher) |
| Sp. Atk | 110 (higher) | 80 |
| Sp. Def | 80 | 85 (higher) |
| Speed | 100 | 102 (higher) |
| Total | 600 | 600 |
| Bulk | 255 | 288 (higher) |
Who has the edge?
Salamence has the higher Attack (135 vs 130), has the higher Sp. Atk (110 vs 80), and hits Garchomp for 2× with its Dragon moves, but Garchomp is faster (102 vs 100 base Speed), has more bulk, counting HP, Defense and Sp. Def together (288 vs 255), and hits Salamence for 2× with its Dragon moves.
Salamence is ahead on
- has the higher Attack (135 vs 130)
- has the higher Sp. Atk (110 vs 80)
- hits Garchomp for 2× with its Dragon moves
Garchomp is ahead on
- is faster (102 vs 100 base Speed)
- has more bulk, counting HP, Defense and Sp. Def together (288 vs 255)
- hits Salamence for 2× with its Dragon moves
This compares base numbers and the type chart; it does not predict a winner. A real battle also depends on level, nature and EVs, the moves each one knows (a Pokémon does not always learn a move of its own type), held items, weather and terrain, and abilities (Salamence: Intimidate, Moxie; Garchomp: Sand Veil, Rough Skin), so either one can come out ahead.
Who moves first?
At Level 50 with 252 Speed EVs, 31 IVs and a neutral nature, Salamence has 152 Speed and Garchomp has 154, so Garchomp moves first when both use moves of the same priority and no item, ability, status or stat change gets in the way.
| Speed | Salamence | Garchomp |
|---|---|---|
| Base Speed | 100 | 102 |
| Level 50, 252 EVs, neutral nature | 152 | 154 |
Type matchup, both ways
Salamence (Dragon/Flying) attacking Garchomp
Dragon 2×, Flying 1×. Using only its own types, Salamence hits Garchomp for 2× with Dragon moves (super effective) and 1× with Flying moves (normal damage).
Garchomp (Dragon/Ground) attacking Salamence
Dragon 2×, Ground 0×. Using only its own types, Garchomp hits Salamence for 2× with Dragon moves (super effective) and 0× with Ground moves (no effect).
What hits each one for 2× or more
- Salamence: Ice 4× (super effective), Rock 2× (super effective), Dragon 2× (super effective), Fairy 2× (super effective).
- Garchomp: Ice 4× (super effective), Dragon 2× (super effective), Fairy 2× (super effective).
The multipliers come from the 18×18 type chart; what a Pokémon can actually use depends on the moves it learns.
Abilities
Salamence
- Intimidate. Lowers opponents' Attack one stage upon entering battle.
- Moxie (hidden ability). Raises Attack one stage upon KOing a Pokémon.
Garchomp
- Sand Veil. Increases evasion to 1.25× during a sandstorm. Protects against sandstorm damage.
- Rough Skin (hidden ability). Damages attacking Pokémon for 1/8 their max HP on contact.
Size, generation and evolution
Garchomp is taller (1.9 m vs 1.5 m for Salamence), and Salamence is heavier (102.6 kg vs 95 kg for Garchomp).
| Detail | Salamence | Garchomp |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 1.5 m | 1.9 m |
| Weight | 102.6 kg | 95 kg |
| Generation | 3 (Hoenn) | 4 (Sinnoh) |
| Evolution line | Bagon → Shelgon → Salamence | Gible → Gabite → Garchomp |
Salamence (#0373) is a Dragon/Flying-type Dragon Pokémon from Hoenn, first seen in Generation 3, a pseudo-legendary (a fan term, not an official category) Pokémon. Its evolution line is Bagon → Shelgon → Salamence.
Garchomp (#0445) is a Dragon/Ground-type Mach Pokémon from Sinnoh, first seen in Generation 4, a pseudo-legendary (a fan term, not an official category) Pokémon. Its evolution line is Gible → Gabite → Garchomp.
Keep exploring
- Open Salamence and Garchomp in the Compare tool
- Salamence and Garchomp Pokédex pages
- Dragon/Flying weaknesses · Dragon/Ground weaknesses
- Speed tiers