Can someone explain to me why all of a sudden Chesnaught is seeing usage? I mean don't get me wrong it's good... and has always been good but all it seems to have gained is Drain Punch which is nice but is it really ground breaking? Almost all of the new megas seem to match up favorably against Chesnaught so its not like it has much of a niche countering many of them.
Is there some new team setup or EV spread involving Chesnaught that I missed? I get that it's a great Pokemon but why are people talking about it now.
I think it's a combination of a two things.
1. Chesnaught matches up well against some of the new physical Megas, like Lopunny, Swampert, and Sceptile, or partners well with others as a bulky Grass Type
2. Drain Punch is actually a boon for Chesnaught's longevity. Before, he had to rely on Leech Seed and Leftovers alone for recovery, since he couldn't manage mono-STAB w/ Synthesis on his sets, and his two best STABs had drawbacks (Wood Hammer's recoil, Hammer Arm's speed drop). Drain Punch helps remedy this since Chesnaught can outright exploit the things he has to wall.
Example: Ferrothorn
With Hammer Arm, Ferrothorn's Iron Barbs undid Leftovers and wore Tank Chesnaught down, even more if they were knocked off. While Chesnaught won in the end, it took 3 shots to beat Ferrothorn. Coupled with any other chip damage he might suffer, it bit into his health.
0 Atk Chesnaught Hammer Arm vs. 252 HP / 88+ Def Ferrothorn: 152-182 (43.1 - 51.7%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
With Drain Punch, Chesnaught always stays healthy against Ferrothorn. Max HP hits 380. Iron Barbs Damage = 380/8 = 47.5
0 Atk Chesnaught Drain Punch vs. 252 HP / 88+ Def Ferrothorn: 116-138 (32.9 - 39.2%) -- 6.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
Drain Punch, even on Min Damage rolls, always outheals Iron Barbs on its own. Drain Punch helps Chesnaught to keep his health up while attacking, so while both sets beat Ferrothorn, the latter has an easier time staying in shape to beat other threats as well.
Chesnaught always depended on passive recovery to keep himself healthy without being passive, and Drain Punch helps remedy both issues in one moveslot. Before, Chesnaught had to choose between
- Fight STAB
- Spiky Shield
- Leech Seed (for passive healing)
- Reliable Recovery
- Grass STAB
Drain Punch helps mediate between Fight, Leech Seed, and RR.