Is Lucario Better Than Garchomp in Pokémon Unite?

The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Whether Lucario or Garchomp is “better” in Pokémon Unite depends entirely on the context: team composition, player skill, current meta, and the specific role you need to fill. Lucario excels as an early-game snowballer and skirmisher, while Garchomp transitions into a late-game hyper-carry focused on sustained damage.

Lucario: The Early-Game Dominator

Lucario is a Melee All-Rounder known for its exceptional mobility, burst damage, and early-game dominance. Its move set allows for aggressive engagements and quick escapes, making it a terror for opposing laners, especially when paired with a supportive partner.

Strengths of Lucario:

• Early-Game Power: Lucario’s early levels are incredibly strong. With moves like Quick Attack and Power-Up Punch, it can quickly secure objectives like Ludicolo and Bouffalant and bully opponents out of lane.
• High Mobility: The combination of Extreme Speed and Bone Rush grants Lucario unparalleled mobility. This allows it to quickly rotate between lanes, chase down retreating enemies, and escape dangerous situations.
• Burst Damage: Lucario can deliver significant burst damage, particularly with Close Combat and its Unite Move, Aura Sphere Barrage Blow. This makes it effective at eliminating squishy attackers and securing important KOs.
• Snowball Potential: Lucario thrives when ahead. Its ability to secure early advantages allows it to snowball, becoming increasingly difficult to deal with as the game progresses.
• Objective Control: Excellent at contesting and securing objectives due to its damage and mobility.

Weaknesses of Lucario:

• Late-Game Falloff: While still viable, Lucario’s influence tends to diminish in the late game. Other All-Rounders and Attackers scale better, outperforming Lucario in team fights.
• Susceptible to CC: Lucario is vulnerable to crowd control (CC) effects like stuns and slows, which can disrupt its combos and leave it vulnerable to attack.
• Requires Skillful Execution: Maximizing Lucario’s potential requires precise timing and positioning. It’s a mechanically demanding Pokémon that can be difficult for new players to master.
• Reliance on Mobility: If Lucario is caught out without its mobility moves, it becomes an easy target.

Garchomp: The Late-Game Juggernaut

Garchomp is another Melee All-Rounder, but its strengths lie in its scaling and late-game sustained damage. It’s a powerhouse in team fights, capable of shredding through enemies with its powerful auto-attacks and area-of-effect (AoE) abilities.

Strengths of Garchomp:

• Late-Game Carry Potential: Garchomp’s damage output scales significantly as the game progresses. It becomes a true carry in the late game, capable of dealing massive damage to multiple enemies simultaneously.
• Sustained Damage: Garchomp excels at dealing consistent, sustained damage over time. Its auto-attacks and abilities like Earthquake allow it to wear down opponents in prolonged engagements.
• High Survivability: Garchomp is relatively tanky, allowing it to withstand significant damage and stay in fights longer.
• AoE Damage: Many of Garchomp’s abilities, like Earthquake and Dragon Claw, deal damage in an area, making it effective at disrupting enemy formations and targeting multiple opponents.
• Powerful Unite Move: Garchomp’s Unite Move, Livid Outrage, temporarily enhances its attack and speed, allowing it to wreak havoc in team fights.

Weaknesses of Garchomp:

• Weak Early Game: Garchomp’s early game is notoriously weak. It struggles to secure objectives and often gets bullied out of lane by more aggressive opponents.
• Requires Farming: Garchomp needs to farm effectively to reach its power spikes. This can be challenging if the opposing team is aggressive or if the jungle is heavily contested.
• Vulnerable to Kiting: Garchomp’s lack of mobility can make it vulnerable to kiting strategies. Ranged attackers can easily poke it down from a distance.
• Predictable Movement: Without strong mobility, Garchomp’s engages can be telegraphed, making it easier for opponents to avoid its attacks.

Comparison: Head-to-Head

Here’s a breakdown of how Lucario and Garchomp compare in key areas:

• Early Game: Lucario wins (Significantly stronger)
• Late Game: Garchomp wins (Scales better)
• Mobility: Lucario wins (Superior mobility)
• Burst Damage: Lucario wins (Higher burst potential)
• Sustained Damage: Garchomp wins (Deals more consistent damage)
• Survivability: Garchomp wins (Tankier)
• Objective Control: Lucario wins (Better at contesting early objectives)
• Team Fighting: Garchomp wins (Stronger in prolonged team fights)
• Difficulty: Garchomp Easier (Lucario requires precise execution)
• Snowballing: Lucario Wins (Can dominate more easily when ahead)

Conclusion

Ultimately, there’s no definitive answer to whether Lucario or Garchomp is better. Lucario is a strong early-game pick that excels at snowballing and securing objectives, while Garchomp is a late-game carry that thrives in team fights. The best choice depends on your play style, team composition, and the current meta. A team lacking early aggression would benefit more from Lucario, while a team needing a late-game damage threat would prefer Garchomp. Consider your team’s needs and your own strengths when making your selection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which Pokémon is easier to learn: Lucario or Garchomp?

Garchomp is generally considered easier to learn. Lucario requires more precise timing and execution of combos to maximize its potential, whereas Garchomp’s playstyle revolves more around sustained damage and positioning.

2. Which Pokémon is better for solo queue?

Lucario is often favored in solo queue due to its ability to carry games in the early to mid-game. Its snowball potential allows it to dominate lanes and secure objectives, giving it more control over the game’s outcome.

3. Which Pokémon is better for coordinated teams?

Garchomp can be incredibly effective in coordinated teams that can support its weak early game and enable its late-game scaling. With proper protection and farm, Garchomp can become a formidable threat in team fights.

4. What is the best build for Lucario?

A common Lucario build involves Power-Up Punch and Extreme Speed, focusing on mobility and burst damage. Held items often include Muscle Band, Focus Band, and Attack Weight.

5. What is the best build for Garchomp?

A popular Garchomp build utilizes Earthquake and Dragon Claw, emphasizing AoE damage and sustained combat. Recommended held items are Muscle Band, Focus Band, and Weakness Policy.

6. How should I play Lucario in the early game?

Play aggressively and try to secure early advantages. Focus on farming, securing objectives like Ludicolo and Bouffalant, and bullying opponents out of lane. Roam to other lanes to help your teammates if the opportunity arises.

7. How should I play Garchomp in the early game?

Prioritize farming and avoid unnecessary engagements. Focus on leveling up quickly and reaching your power spikes. Play defensively and rely on your teammates for support.

8. Which Pokémon counters Lucario?

Pokémon with strong crowd control abilities, such as Snorlax and Slowbro, can effectively counter Lucario by disrupting its combos and preventing it from escaping.

9. Which Pokémon counters Garchomp?

Pokémon with high mobility and range, such as Cinderace and Greninja, can kite Garchomp effectively and prevent it from closing the distance.

10. How do I counter Lucario as Garchomp?

Play defensively in the early game and focus on farming. Avoid direct confrontations until you reach a higher level. In team fights, try to flank Lucario and engage when it’s already committed to attacking another target.

11. How do I counter Garchomp as Lucario?

Exploit Garchomp’s weak early game by playing aggressively and bullying it out of lane. Focus on securing early objectives and preventing Garchomp from farming. In team fights, try to burst it down quickly before it can deal significant damage.

12. Which held items are best for maximizing damage on both Pokémon?

Muscle Band is beneficial for both Pokémon, enhancing basic attack damage and speed. Attack Weight helps Lucario snowball by increasing attack each time a goal is scored, while Weakness Policy increases Garchomp’s attack when it takes damage, synergizing with its tankiness.

13. How important is positioning when playing as either Lucario or Garchomp?

Positioning is crucial for both Lucario and Garchomp. Lucario needs to position aggressively to maximize its burst damage and mobility, while Garchomp needs to position defensively to avoid being kited and to ensure it can effectively engage in team fights.

14. Can both Lucario and Garchomp jungle effectively?

Both Pokémon can jungle, but Lucario is generally considered a better jungler due to its faster clear speed and stronger ganking potential in the early game. Garchomp can jungle, but it requires more careful planning and efficient farming to compensate for its weaker early game.

15. With future patches and updates, could one Pokémon become significantly better than the other?

Yes, game balance is constantly changing. New patches and updates can introduce buffs, nerfs, and new Pokémon that can significantly shift the meta and affect the viability of Lucario and Garchomp. Always stay informed about the latest changes and adapt your strategies accordingly.