[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Thunder Wave / Toxic
move 2: Hydro Pump
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Ice Beam
item: Leftovers
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Timid / Modest
evs: 252 SpA / 4 Spd / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Chinchou's mediocre special attack is more than made up for thanks to its typing and strong coverage. Thunder Wave provides support for itself and slower teammates such as Cubone,
Castform, and
Pidgeotto.
I'd suggest listing Pokemon like Rhyhorn and Shuppet due to the wording of the sentence and appreciating Paralysis support more than the two mentioned. It also allows Chinchou to cripple Pokemon that are immune to Toxic such as Nidorino, Dustox, and Magnemite. Toxic can be run specifically for Lileep, as all defensive Lileep sets avoid a 2HKO from Ice Beam. Hydro Pump is Chinchou's main STAB that is able to chip or OHKO Pokemon that may try to switch into Thunderbolt such as Elekid, Rhyhorn, and Spoink. Thunderbolt allows Chinchou to hit opposing Water-types such as Seaking, Horsea, and Staryu. Ice Beam provides Chinchou with coverage that keeps it from being walled by Grass-types like offensive Sunflora, Exeggcute, and physically defensive Bayleef. Modest nature allows for the strongest damage output, but Timid notably outspeeds all Cyndaquil, unboosted Growlithe, and neutral nature Castform.
Chinchou fits on balanced and offensive teams that benefit from its unique typing and coverage. Pokemon such as Aipom, Pidgeotto, and Delibird all appreciate Chinchou's ability to check Elekid. These Pokemon can also weaken or remove specially defensive Pokemon that check Chinchou such as Dustox, Castform, Sunflora, and Grimer. Slower attackers like Cubone, Croconaw, and Rhyhorn all benefit from Chinchou's access to Thunder Wave. Chinchou appreciates bulky attackers that complement it offensively with their added bulk such as Castform, Seaking, and Grimer. Castform is worth noting, as it can act as a secondary check against Pokemon that Chinchou struggles to check alone like Lileep and opposing Chinchou. Fire-types such as Cyndaquil, Growlithe, and Numel all pair well with Chinchou as they threaten Dustox
and Grass-types. Alternatively, Special walls such as Delcatty and Dustox can help remedy Chinchou's weakness to Grass-types.
This can also include Pokémon with Grass-type coverage, like Elekid or Spoink, as the previously mentioned fire types generally do not want to switch into these. Delcatty can also provide Chinchou with Wish
and Heal Bell support, thus maintaining its longevity and providing it with more opportunities to use its status move. Physical walls such as Lileep and Nosepass can wall Pokemon that threaten Chinchou such as Castform, Aipom, and Delibird.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Rest
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Surf / Ice Beam
item: Leftovers
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Chinchou can make use of its unique defensive profile thanks to its above-average HP stat, access to Volt Absorb, and use of Rest and Sleep Talk. Thunderbolt is Chinchou's primary STAB option, which allows it to check Rain Dance abusers such as Horsea, Luvdisc, and a weakened Seaking. Surf allows Chinchou to
OHKO threaten Pokemon that are immune to
or resist Thunderbolt such as Rhyhorn
, Magnemite and Cubone.
It also prevents Chinchou from being walled by Magnemite. Ice Beam can be used instead to chip Grass-types that would otherwise come in for free such as Lileep, Bayleef, and Sunflora, and provides nearly-unresisted neutral coverage, only unable to significantly damage Magnemite and opposing Chinchou.
Chinchou works best on defensive and balanced teams that require a dedicated check to rain and Electric- and Fire-types. Physical walls such as Koffing, Lileep, Nosepass, and Bayleef appreciate Chinchou checking special attackers for them. Likewise, Chinchou appreciates these Pokemons ability to check physical attackers for it. Koffing is worth noting thanks to its ability to check physical attackers and Ground-types while Chinchou threatens special attackers for Koffing. Due to the added passiveness of Rest, Chinchou appreciates Heal Bell support from Delcatty. Pokemon that can check Grass-types such as Growlithe, Cyndaquil, and Delibird pair well with Chinchou.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Chinchou can be used on teams that utilize Rain Dance as a breaker or Rain Dance user. Thunder gives Chinchou an even more powerful Electric-type STAB which allows it to OHKO opposing Seaking and heavily chip Pokemon that resist Electric-types. Hydro Pump in conjunction with Mystic Water in Rain allows Chinchou to 2HKO common switch ins such as Dustox
, Delcatty, and
physically defensive Lileep. Surf is always an option over Hydro Pump for reliable accuracy and more PP, but the power difference is noticeable, especially when considering Chinchou’s mediocre Special Attack. Hidden Power Grass can be used in order to threaten opposing Chinchou but the loss of Ice Beam makes it seldom worth it.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Special Walls**: Pokemon such as Delcatty, Dustox, Lileep, and Sunflora can all wall Chinchou. However, Lileep and Sunflora must be wary of Toxic as it severely limits their ability to wall Chinchou.
**Bulky Attackers**: Seaking can threaten and remove Chinchou without sufficient chip damage. Sunflora and Castform can both wall and OHKO Chinchou with their STAB though Castform should remain wary of status. Sunflora is worth noting, as it can absorb status with Lum Berry and use Chinchou to set Sunny Day
.
**Physical Attackers**: Chinchou's poor physical defense and average speed means its able to be forced out or OHKOed by a plethora of physical attackers such as Aipom, Pidgeotto, and Taillow.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bp.272450/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/gangsta-spongebob.535530/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/beatsblack.479897/
Grammar checked by: