Chinchou (Analysis)

http://veekun.com/dex/pokemon/chinchou

Status: Done

Overview:

-Chinchou hasn’t changed much since Gen IV
-It has cool new toys in Volt Change and Boiling Water
-Chinchou is still a great Scarfer and Agility user
-Its main weakness is being countered by Munchlax
-In addition, Claw Sharpen Diglett can set up on Scarf Volt Change / Thunderbolt

[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Volt Change
move 2: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Thunderbolt / Hidden Power Grass
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 52 Def / 228 SpA / 220 Spe

Set Comments:

-One of the best special Scarfers in Little Cup
-Reaches 16 Special Attack and 24 Speed with Choice Scarf
-Volt Change is a great addition to Chinchou’s movepool, allowing it to bounce in and out while doing massive amounts of damage
-Hydro Pump is a secondary STAB that hits the Ground types who are immune to Volt Change / Thunderbolt
-Ice Beam hits Dragon and Grass types that resist Chinchou’s STAB moves
-Thunderbolt is stronger than Volt Change and is good for late-game cleanup

Additional Comments:

-Surf is an option if you dislike the accuracy of Hydro Pump
-Hidden Power Grass hits opposing Chinchou who otherwise wall you
-EVs give max Special Attack and Speed

[SET]
name: Agility
move 1: Agility
move 2: Hydro Pump / Surf
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Ice Beam / Hidden Power Grass
item: Life Orb / Berry Juice
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 52 Def / 228 SpA / 220 Spe

Set Comments:

-Exact same set from Gen IV
-Hits 15/16 Special Attack and 30/32 Speed after Agility
-Agility is self-explanatory
-Hydro Pump again punches holes in teams
-Thunderbolt is a secondary STAB for coverage on opposing Water-types
-Ice Beam destroys Grass-types

Additional Comments:

-Surf can be used for the accuracy
-Hidden Power Grass can hit opposing Chinchou who otherwise wall this set
-EVs give max Special Attack and Speed
-Modest gives Chinchou more power while Timid allows it to outspeed 20 Speed Scarfers

[SET]
name: Support
move 1: Thunder Wave
move 2: Confuse Ray
move 3: Boiling Water
move 4: Thunderbolt / Ice Beam
item: Berry Juice
ability: Volt Absorb
nature: Calm
evs: 236 HP / 228 SpD

Set Comments:

-An odd but workable option for Chinchou
-Thunder Wave is a godsend in the Speed-based Little Cup metagame
-Confuse Ray partners with Thunder Wave to create a great combination
-Boiling Water hits the Ground-types immune to Thunder Wave and also has a chance to burn
-Thunderbolt is a stronger STAB than Boiling Water

Additional Comments:

-Ice Beam has good coverage with Boiling Water
-Discharge can be used on this set
-EVs give max HP and Special Defense

Team Options:

-Entry hazard support is helpful for Choice Scarf and Agility sets
-Wynaut helps Chinchou set up Agility
-Something to take Ground-type attacks helps Chinchou a lot
-A Scarf Fighting-type like Mankey or Machop can take out Munchlax, Chinchou’s biggest counter

Optional Changes:

-Discharge is usable on every set for the paralysis chance
-Boiling Water is usable on every set for the burn chance
-Chinchou does a good job at Rain Dance setup with STAB Thunder to take advantage of it
-Blizzard can be used in hail

Counters:

-The Choice Scarfer is beaten by resistance or immunity to the move of choice or faster Scarfers that can KO it (Gligar, Diglett, etc
-The Agility set is taken out by priority
-The Support set is taken down by super effective hits, especially on the physical side
-Munchlax walls every single set

Dream World:

-Water Absorb is a usable replacement to Volt Absorb on every set. It depends on the team surrounding Chinchou: do you need an Electric or a Water immunity?

This is done.

The Scarf set is so beast this generation, I love it =)

Anyways looking good


QC Approved: 1/2

I think somewhere, you should mention it's decent synergy with Murkrow, simply because the scarf set can counter Gligar, one of Murkrow's only counters. Of course, that's just an IMO thing, but I find Chinchou annoying on Murkrow teams.

Berry Juice is banned. Eo Stone.

Who uses Claw Sharpen Diglett?

Wouldn't Subsitute be a better thing to mention?

Slash Surf with Boiling Water, if you want to paralyze exclusively and not get fucked over by burn chance.

Also, mention Toxic on the support set, so Chinchy can get around specially bulky pokemon, like Munchy.

Heal Bell should be slashed in on the support set or mentioned in OC.

HP Fire should be mentioned on the Scarf set, maybe the Agility too.