Ask anyone who played Pokémon Platinum in 2008 about trauma. They won't talk about scary movies or falling off a bike. They’ll talk about a piano theme and a Dragon-type that didn't know how to lose. Cynthia’s Garchomp isn't just a boss; it's a gatekeeper. For nearly two decades, this literal land shark has been the gold standard for "unbeatable."
But every titan has a list of names written in their shadow. We call them Cynthia's Garchomp destined rivals. Some of these Pokémon were meant to take the crown and failed miserably. Others, against all odds, actually made the Champion sweat.
The history isn't just about Type advantages. Honestly, it’s about the narrative weight of a monster that refused to be power-crept for five generations of hardware.
The Rivalry That Never Actually Happened: Paul’s Torterra
If you grew up watching the Diamond and Pearl anime, you remember the "Top-Down Training" episode. It was painful. Paul, the ultimate pragmatist, thought he could clinical-strike his way through a Champion. He sent out his Torterra, a massive beast he’d had since it was a tiny Turtwig.
Most people forget that Torterra actually landed a hit. It used Frenzy Plant, a move with enough raw power to level a building. Garchomp took it. It didn't just take it; it stayed standing, waited for the recharge, and then basically ended Paul’s career with a single Brick Break to the head.
This was the first time we saw a "destined" rival get completely dismantled. Torterra was Paul's starter, his ace, his pride. Seeing it get "no-diffed" (as the kids say now) established Garchomp as something beyond a normal Pokémon. It wasn't a fair fight. It was a lesson in humility.
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The Master’s Eight and the Iris Factor
Flash forward to 2022. The Masters Eight Tournament in Pokémon Journeys gave us the rematch we didn't know we needed. Iris had become the Unova Champion. She wasn't the "little kid" anymore; she was a Dragon Master.
Her Haxorus is probably the closest thing to a "destined" mirror image Garchomp has ever had. Both are pure offensive powerhouses. Both represent their trainers' rise to the top. When they faced off, Cynthia actually had to use Mega Evolution. Think about that.
Cynthia has fought literal gods like Palkia and Dialga. She didn't feel the need to Mega Evolve then. But against Iris? She saw a rival that could actually land a finishing blow. Even though Garchomp won, that battle proved that the "destined" part of the rivalry was about respect, not just a win-loss record.
Why Haxorus almost won
- Raw Physicality: Haxorus doesn't rely on gimmicks; it just hits like a truck.
- The Mentor Connection: Cynthia spent years mentoring Iris, essentially building her own greatest threat.
- Psychological Edge: Iris wasn't scared. Most trainers lose to Garchomp before the first move is even called because of the intimidation factor.
Ash’s Lucario: The Rival That Finally Broke the Streak
You can’t talk about Cynthia's Garchomp destined rivals without mentioning the Lucario that finally did it. For years, fans argued about which of Ash’s Pokémon should take the kill. Should it have been Infernape? Maybe Sceptile?
The writers chose Lucario. It felt right, but it also felt like a "passing of the torch" moment. The battle in the semi-finals was a mess of high-stakes drama. We saw Garchomp use Stealth Rock—a tactical move that showed Cynthia wasn't just relying on brute force anymore. She was scared of Ash’s momentum.
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When Lucario used Reversal, it wasn't just a fighting move. It was the culmination of fifteen years of Ash losing to Elite Four members and Champions. Garchomp falling was the end of an era. It’s weird to think about a world where Cynthia’s Garchomp isn't the final boss, but that Lucario made it a reality.
The TCG Impact: Destined Rivals Set
In late 2025 and early 2026, the Pokémon Trading Card Game released the Destined Rivals set. It shifted the meta entirely. Suddenly, we had Cynthia’s Garchomp ex with a staggering 330 HP (and up to 400 HP with the right tool cards).
This set did something the anime couldn't: it gave players the tools to simulate these rivalries on the table. You had cards like Cynthia’s Spiritomb and Cynthia’s Roserade backing up the ace. It turned a 1v1 rivalry into a full-team war. Players were finally able to see how Garchomp handles "rival" decks like those built around Ash’s Journeys team or Leon’s Charizard.
The Rivalry of Philosophy: Flint’s Infernape
Flint is the only member of the Sinnoh Elite Four who feels like he’s actually in Cynthia’s league. His Infernape is a monster. In the anime, it was confirmed that Flint’s Infernape once defeated two of Cynthia’s Pokémon before even reaching Garchomp.
That is a feat most "protagonists" can't claim. The rivalry here is different. It’s not about becoming Champion; it’s about the heat of the moment. Flint and Cynthia are friends, but when Garchomp and Infernape are on the field, that friendship turns into a literal firestorm.
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Quick Comparison: Infernape vs. Garchomp
- Speed: Infernape has the edge in combat agility.
- Durability: Garchomp is a tank. It survives hits that would faint three Infernapes.
- Strategy: Flint is all about the "Blaze" ability and raw speed. Cynthia is about the "perfect counter."
What Most People Get Wrong About Garchomp’s Rivals
There’s a common misconception that an Ice-type is a "rival." It’s not. A Froslass using Destiny Bond or a Weavile using Ice Shard is a counter, not a rival.
A rival is a Pokémon that shares a narrative arc with Garchomp. It’s a Pokémon that represents a milestone in a trainer's journey. This is why Diantha’s Gardevoir is often cited in these circles. Even though Gardevoir has the Type advantage (Fairy > Dragon), the rivalry exists because they are the two most iconic "Ace" Pokémon of the modern era. They represent the peak of their respective regions.
How to Beat Garchomp (If You’re Not a "Destined" Hero)
If you aren't Ash Ketchum and you don't have a Lucario with plot armor, you need a plan. Beating Cynthia’s Garchomp in the games (especially the Brilliant Diamond remakes) requires more than just "using an Ice move."
First off, she holds a Yache Berry. That Ice Beam you’ve been saving? It’s going to do half damage, and then Garchomp is going to Earthquake you into oblivion. You need to chip that berry away or use a Pokémon with the Unnerve ability to prevent her from eating it.
Secondly, outspeeding it is almost impossible without a Choice Scarf. Her Garchomp has a perfect IV/EV spread. It’s literally built for competitive play inside a single-player game. Your best bet is usually a bulky Water-type like Milotic or a Prankster-user who can burn it with Will-O-Wisp.
Cynthia’s Garchomp remains the most respected "Final Boss" Pokémon for a reason. Its rivals aren't just other monsters; they are the memories of every player who saw their team get swept at 2:00 AM on a school night. Whether it's the strategic brilliance of the Destined Rivals TCG set or the emotional weight of the anime's Masters Eight, this Garchomp is a legacy that won't be forgotten.
To replicate the success of Cynthia's rivals in your own playthroughs, focus on increasing your team's Speed tiers specifically to hit 170+ at Level 66, and always carry a Focus Sash on your primary attacker to survive a single Dragon Claw. Your next step is to examine your team's EV spreads to ensure you aren't being outpaced by a 102 Base Speed monster.