termi
bike is short for bichael
[OVERVIEW]
Chesnaught has a very important niche as the most reliable bulky Spikes setter in RU and makes for a great fit on offensive and defensive teams alike. A massive Defense stat and reliable recovery options in Synthesis and Leech Seed make it very durable, and thanks to its defensive typing, it can switch in on a plethora of Rock-, Ground-, and Dark-types, including Rhyperior, Flygon, and Swords Dance Zoroark. Its Bulletproof ability also protects it from widespread attacks like Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, and Sludge Bomb. Unfortunately, Chesnaught sports an unimpressive base 75 Special Defense stat and exploitable weaknesses to Flying-, Fire-, and Ice-type moves. In addition to this, common threats like Doublade, Dragalge, and Reuniclus come in for free on Chesnaught and set up on it or fire off powerful attacks that are hard to switch into.
[SET]
name: Defensive Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Wood Hammer
move 3: Synthesis / Leech Seed
move 4: Drain Punch / Spiky Shield / Roar
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Bulletproof
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes is a given on Chesnaught, since you're using it for the purpose of entry hazard stacking to begin with. Wood Hammer is Chesnaught's STAB move of choice, hitting bulky Water-types hard while also putting the hurt on Nidoqueen and Espeon, common switch-ins to Chesnaught. Leech Seed keeps Chesnaught healthy in tandem with Leftovers and pressures Pokemon that otherwise would switch in and set up in its face with impunity. Synthesis is Chesnaught's most reliable recovery option, keeping it healthy throughout the match. Drain Punch gives Chesnaught a secondary STAB move that hits Steel-types and Snorlax hard while also replenishing more HP. Spiky Shield pairs well with Leech Seed, allowing Chesnaught to safely recover more health from an afflicted Pokemon while punishing physical attackers that try to attack Chesnaught head-on. Roar is a good option when you opt for Synthesis over Leech Seed, ensuring that sweepers like Doublade can't use Chesnaught as setup bait.
Set Details
========
This Chesnaught set is designed to be as effective of a physical wall as possible, so HP and Defense are maximized with an Impish nature to reflect that. A spread of 252 HP / 204 Def / 52 Spe can be used in order to outpace Mantine and get two hits off on it, potentially threatening it with a 2HKO after Stealth Rock and preventing it from using Defog. Bulletproof is the only ability Chesnaught should be running, as being able to switch into Focus Blast and Shadow Ball is way more useful than the situational power boost Overgrow provides. Leftovers gives Chesnaught passive recovery, making it the most useful item for this set; Rocky Helmet can be used instead in order to punish physical attackers, but not having Leftovers does mean that Chesnaught is more easily worn down.
Usage Tips
========
Chesnaught is a very durable Pokemon, so don't feel hard pressed to set as many layers of Spikes as possible in one go. If Chesnaught isn't running Synthesis, Leech Seed is its most important tool to stay healthy, so use it on any predicted switch-in as long as it isn't a Grass-type or a Pokemon with Magic Guard or Magic Bounce. If the foe is Choice locked or afflicted with Leech Seed, Spiky Shield often is your safest bet in order to recover health and scout what your opponent wants to do, but beware of Pokemon that may carry boosting moves and exploit a turn of passivity. Chesnaught hates getting poisoned or burned, for these statuses will reduce its durability, so keep it away from moves like Toxic and Scald if possible. Chesnaught should use Wood Hammer sparingly, as the recoil damage hurts its durability.
Team Options
========
Bulky Water-types like Milotic and Vaporeon complement Chesnaught well, sponging special hits and Ice- and Fire-type moves that Chesnaught cannot deal with, while Chesnaught can take on the physical attackers that bother those Pokemon. Clerics like Diancie, Umbreon, and Florges keep Chesnaught from getting worn down by burn and poison, with the former also forming a hazard stacking core with Chesnaught and the last two passing Wishes to Chesnaught to ensure it stays healthy. Rock-type Stealth Rock setters like the aforementioned Diancie as well as Rhyperior and Gigalith make for good partners, covering Chesnaught's Flying- and Fire-type weakness while appreciating Chesnaught's Water- and Grass-type resistance.
[SET]
name: Fast Taunt
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Leech Seed / Synthesis
move 4: Wood Hammer / Drain Punch
item: Leftovers
ability: Bulletproof
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 84 Def / 172 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
This Chesnaught set combines its ability to reliably set Spikes throughout the match with its ability to shut slow Defoggers like Gligar down with Taunt. Taunt not only allows it to prevent Defog but also keeps opposing entry hazard users from stacking and Pokemon like Doublade from boosting. Leech Seed allows Chesnaught to punish switch-ins and gain a bit of health back, while Synthesis recovers it more reliably at the cost of momentum loss. Wood Hammer smacks certain switch-ins harder, notably giving it a chance at 2HKOing Mantine after Stealth Rock damage, whereas Drain Punch is a reliable STAB move that gives Chesnaught more passive recovery.
Set Details
========
The given Speed EVs allow Chesnaught to Speed creep on Gligar and prevent it from using Defog. Investment in HP and Defense with an Impish nature gives Chesnaught enough physical bulk to tank a plethora of strong physical attacks. Running 208 Speed EVs is worth considering, for it allows Chesnaught to outspeed Adamant Pangoro. Bulletproof allows Chesnaught to come in on Choice Specs Kommo-o's Focus Blast as well as non-Hidden Power Fire Roserade. Unlike the fully defensive Chesnaught set, this Chesnaught absolutely has to run Leftovers over Rocky Helmet in order to prevent itself from getting worn down too quickly.
Usage Tips
========
Since most people don't expect Chesnaught to run Taunt, try not to reveal it until you're sure your opponent will try to go for Defog, entry hazards, or something else that can be prevented by Taunt. It's important to realize that, while this set still is very bulky, it cannot switch into heavy hitters with the same ease as the defensive set, so be a little more careful when using this set. Using Leech Seed on predicted switches allows Chesnaught to steal HP from its counters, keeping it healthy throughout the match.
Team Options
========
Sweepers and cleaners that appreciate Spikes support to score essential KOs make for good Chesnaught partners. Some examples are Sharpedo, Dragon Dance Flygon, and Durant. Bulky Water-types like Milotic and Slowbro complement Chesnaught's typing, covering its weakness to Fire- and Ice-types. Stealth Rock setters like Rhyperior and Nidoqueen form a hazard stacking core with Chesnaught, and their weakness to Ground- and Water-type moves is accounted for by Chesnaught. Dhelmise is the only hazard controller that can switch into Chesnaught with total impunity, so Chesnaught likes having something around that can punish Dhelmise switching in, like Escavalier or Kommo-o.
[OTHER OPTIONS]
========
A specially defensive spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD with a Careful nature allows Chesnaught to act as a mixed wall, notably allowing it to sponge hits from fast Electric-types like Heliolisk as well as Hidden Power Fire Roserade, but it still falters against most special attackers and therefore usually is more trouble than it's worth it. Toxic is a decent option to surprise and cripple a few of Chesnaught's counters, like Cresselia and Dhelmise. Chesnaught has a few interesting coverage options in its arsenal, like Stone Edge and Earthquake, but generally can't afford to sacrifice a moveslot for these moves. Chesnaught's Attack stat is good enough to make an offensive Spiker set appealing, but usually you're better off using Roserade for that role. A gimmicky Substitute + Belly Drum set with Salac Berry is possible, but Chesnaught's Speed and movepool are too lacking to achieve a sweep in most cases.
[CHECKS AND COUNTERS]
========
**Flying-types**: Flying-types' resistance to Chesnaught's STAB moves and their ability to OHKO Chesnaught with a 4x effective STAB move makes Pokemon like Yanmega and Honchkrow a nightmare to face for Chesnaught.
**Grass-types**: Shaymin and Roserade, common Grass-types in the tier, often pack coverage to deal with Chesnaught and remain unfazed by Leech Seed, making them threats that need to be taken into account when building with Chesnaught.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Chesnaught's special bulk isn't too great, so any strong special attacker can force it out. Examples include Dragalge, Rotom-H, Nidoqueen, and Goodra.
**Setup Sweepers**: The RU metagame contains several dangerous setup sweepers that don't mind Chesnaught's attacks and set up in its face. Examples include Doublade, Reuniclus, Salazzle, Toxicroak, and Swords Dance Heracross.
**Entry Hazard Control**: Defoggers like Mantine and Gligar can Defog against non-Taunt Chesnaught (although neither can do much in return unless they run a Flying-type move), whereas Dhelmise doesn't mind anything Chesnaught can throw at it and spins away Spikes with ease. Espeon hates getting caught off-guard by Wood Hammer but can bounce back Spikes and Leech Seed, making it a major nuisance.
Chesnaught has a very important niche as the most reliable bulky Spikes setter in RU and makes for a great fit on offensive and defensive teams alike. A massive Defense stat and reliable recovery options in Synthesis and Leech Seed make it very durable, and thanks to its defensive typing, it can switch in on a plethora of Rock-, Ground-, and Dark-types, including Rhyperior, Flygon, and Swords Dance Zoroark. Its Bulletproof ability also protects it from widespread attacks like Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, and Sludge Bomb. Unfortunately, Chesnaught sports an unimpressive base 75 Special Defense stat and exploitable weaknesses to Flying-, Fire-, and Ice-type moves. In addition to this, common threats like Doublade, Dragalge, and Reuniclus come in for free on Chesnaught and set up on it or fire off powerful attacks that are hard to switch into.
[SET]
name: Defensive Spikes
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Wood Hammer
move 3: Synthesis / Leech Seed
move 4: Drain Punch / Spiky Shield / Roar
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Bulletproof
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Spikes is a given on Chesnaught, since you're using it for the purpose of entry hazard stacking to begin with. Wood Hammer is Chesnaught's STAB move of choice, hitting bulky Water-types hard while also putting the hurt on Nidoqueen and Espeon, common switch-ins to Chesnaught. Leech Seed keeps Chesnaught healthy in tandem with Leftovers and pressures Pokemon that otherwise would switch in and set up in its face with impunity. Synthesis is Chesnaught's most reliable recovery option, keeping it healthy throughout the match. Drain Punch gives Chesnaught a secondary STAB move that hits Steel-types and Snorlax hard while also replenishing more HP. Spiky Shield pairs well with Leech Seed, allowing Chesnaught to safely recover more health from an afflicted Pokemon while punishing physical attackers that try to attack Chesnaught head-on. Roar is a good option when you opt for Synthesis over Leech Seed, ensuring that sweepers like Doublade can't use Chesnaught as setup bait.
Set Details
========
This Chesnaught set is designed to be as effective of a physical wall as possible, so HP and Defense are maximized with an Impish nature to reflect that. A spread of 252 HP / 204 Def / 52 Spe can be used in order to outpace Mantine and get two hits off on it, potentially threatening it with a 2HKO after Stealth Rock and preventing it from using Defog. Bulletproof is the only ability Chesnaught should be running, as being able to switch into Focus Blast and Shadow Ball is way more useful than the situational power boost Overgrow provides. Leftovers gives Chesnaught passive recovery, making it the most useful item for this set; Rocky Helmet can be used instead in order to punish physical attackers, but not having Leftovers does mean that Chesnaught is more easily worn down.
Usage Tips
========
Chesnaught is a very durable Pokemon, so don't feel hard pressed to set as many layers of Spikes as possible in one go. If Chesnaught isn't running Synthesis, Leech Seed is its most important tool to stay healthy, so use it on any predicted switch-in as long as it isn't a Grass-type or a Pokemon with Magic Guard or Magic Bounce. If the foe is Choice locked or afflicted with Leech Seed, Spiky Shield often is your safest bet in order to recover health and scout what your opponent wants to do, but beware of Pokemon that may carry boosting moves and exploit a turn of passivity. Chesnaught hates getting poisoned or burned, for these statuses will reduce its durability, so keep it away from moves like Toxic and Scald if possible. Chesnaught should use Wood Hammer sparingly, as the recoil damage hurts its durability.
Team Options
========
Bulky Water-types like Milotic and Vaporeon complement Chesnaught well, sponging special hits and Ice- and Fire-type moves that Chesnaught cannot deal with, while Chesnaught can take on the physical attackers that bother those Pokemon. Clerics like Diancie, Umbreon, and Florges keep Chesnaught from getting worn down by burn and poison, with the former also forming a hazard stacking core with Chesnaught and the last two passing Wishes to Chesnaught to ensure it stays healthy. Rock-type Stealth Rock setters like the aforementioned Diancie as well as Rhyperior and Gigalith make for good partners, covering Chesnaught's Flying- and Fire-type weakness while appreciating Chesnaught's Water- and Grass-type resistance.
[SET]
name: Fast Taunt
move 1: Spikes
move 2: Taunt
move 3: Leech Seed / Synthesis
move 4: Wood Hammer / Drain Punch
item: Leftovers
ability: Bulletproof
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 84 Def / 172 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
This Chesnaught set combines its ability to reliably set Spikes throughout the match with its ability to shut slow Defoggers like Gligar down with Taunt. Taunt not only allows it to prevent Defog but also keeps opposing entry hazard users from stacking and Pokemon like Doublade from boosting. Leech Seed allows Chesnaught to punish switch-ins and gain a bit of health back, while Synthesis recovers it more reliably at the cost of momentum loss. Wood Hammer smacks certain switch-ins harder, notably giving it a chance at 2HKOing Mantine after Stealth Rock damage, whereas Drain Punch is a reliable STAB move that gives Chesnaught more passive recovery.
Set Details
========
The given Speed EVs allow Chesnaught to Speed creep on Gligar and prevent it from using Defog. Investment in HP and Defense with an Impish nature gives Chesnaught enough physical bulk to tank a plethora of strong physical attacks. Running 208 Speed EVs is worth considering, for it allows Chesnaught to outspeed Adamant Pangoro. Bulletproof allows Chesnaught to come in on Choice Specs Kommo-o's Focus Blast as well as non-Hidden Power Fire Roserade. Unlike the fully defensive Chesnaught set, this Chesnaught absolutely has to run Leftovers over Rocky Helmet in order to prevent itself from getting worn down too quickly.
Usage Tips
========
Since most people don't expect Chesnaught to run Taunt, try not to reveal it until you're sure your opponent will try to go for Defog, entry hazards, or something else that can be prevented by Taunt. It's important to realize that, while this set still is very bulky, it cannot switch into heavy hitters with the same ease as the defensive set, so be a little more careful when using this set. Using Leech Seed on predicted switches allows Chesnaught to steal HP from its counters, keeping it healthy throughout the match.
Team Options
========
Sweepers and cleaners that appreciate Spikes support to score essential KOs make for good Chesnaught partners. Some examples are Sharpedo, Dragon Dance Flygon, and Durant. Bulky Water-types like Milotic and Slowbro complement Chesnaught's typing, covering its weakness to Fire- and Ice-types. Stealth Rock setters like Rhyperior and Nidoqueen form a hazard stacking core with Chesnaught, and their weakness to Ground- and Water-type moves is accounted for by Chesnaught. Dhelmise is the only hazard controller that can switch into Chesnaught with total impunity, so Chesnaught likes having something around that can punish Dhelmise switching in, like Escavalier or Kommo-o.
[OTHER OPTIONS]
========
A specially defensive spread of 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD with a Careful nature allows Chesnaught to act as a mixed wall, notably allowing it to sponge hits from fast Electric-types like Heliolisk as well as Hidden Power Fire Roserade, but it still falters against most special attackers and therefore usually is more trouble than it's worth
[CHECKS AND COUNTERS]
========
**Flying-types**: Flying-types' resistance to Chesnaught's STAB moves and their ability to OHKO Chesnaught with a 4x effective STAB move makes Pokemon like Yanmega and Honchkrow a nightmare to face for Chesnaught.
**Grass-types**: Shaymin and Roserade, common Grass-types in the tier, often pack coverage to deal with Chesnaught and remain unfazed by Leech Seed, making them threats that need to be taken into account when building with Chesnaught.
**Strong Special Attackers**: Chesnaught's special bulk isn't too great, so any strong special attacker can force it out. Examples include Dragalge, Rotom-H, Nidoqueen, and Goodra.
**Setup Sweepers**: The RU metagame contains several dangerous setup sweepers that don't mind Chesnaught's attacks and set up in its face. Examples include Doublade, Reuniclus, Salazzle, Toxicroak, and Swords Dance Heracross.
**Entry Hazard Control**: Defoggers like Mantine and Gligar can Defog against non-Taunt Chesnaught (although neither can do much in return unless they run a Flying-type move), whereas Dhelmise doesn't mind anything Chesnaught can throw at it and spins away Spikes with ease. Espeon hates getting caught off-guard by Wood Hammer but can bounce back Spikes and Leech Seed, making it a major nuisance.
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