should be ready to go, hopefully i havent messed up updating it
[OVERVIEW]
Chansey boasts a gigantic base 250 HP stat that, when coupled with Eviolite, allows it to be a very bulky Pokemon that serves as a powerful special wall. Imposter allows Chansey to copy the opposing Pokemon's typing, moves, and stats minus HP, while retaining its greatest assets in its huge HP stat and Eviolite boosts, allowing it to act as an all-purpose check to almost any Pokemon, as it will always be bulkier. Imposter also inherits the opposing Pokemon's stat changes and, when coupled with its preserved bulk, allows Chansey to be a formidable check to nearly every setup sweeper in the metagame. Therefore, Imposter Chansey puts a huge strain on teambuilding, as teams must carry checks to their own Pokemon to avoid losing multiple Pokemon or, in more extreme cases, the game entirely to a Transformed Chansey. Additionally, this ability allows Chansey to effortlessly scout for the foe's moveset simply by switching in, an extremely valuable asset to have in a metagame where movesets can be unpredictable. Alternatively, Fur Coat propels Chansey's middling Defense stat up to a respectable amount, allowing it to act as a sturdy mixed wall that is able to switch into many powerful Pokemon, like Mega Diancie and Kyurem-B.
However, due to how omnipresent Imposter Chansey is, every competent team prepares thoroughly for it, reducing its overall effectiveness. A few offensive Pokemon, such as Judgment + Spooky Plate Mega Gengar and Poison Heal Regigigas, are capable of defeating an Imposter Chansey one-on-one by exploiting certain things Imposter is unable to copy, such as the opponent's item and status condition. Additionally, Chansey's item choices are quite limited, in that it often requires Eviolite or Choice Scarf to be a huge threat, making it quite weak to Knock Off. This means that unlike other bulky Pokemon, Chansey cannot afford the luxury of choosing an alternative item such as Safety Goggles, Leftovers, or even a Z-Crystal for more flexibility, making it quite predictable in that aspect. Therefore, Chansey's non-Imposter sets are vulnerable to moves like Taunt and the ever-so-common Spore thanks to its limited item selection.
[SET]
name: Imposter
move 1: Shore Up
move 2: Whirlwind
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Metal Burst / Final Gambit / Trick
item: Eviolite / Choice Scarf
ability: Imposter
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Most of the time Chansey inherits the moves of the Pokemon it transforms into, so the selected moves are chosen to help Chansey deal with the rare instances in which Imposter fails to activate. Shore Up allows Chansey to recover its HP, meaning it can still operate as a bootleg defensive Pokemon should Imposter not activate. Whirlwind is used to phaze the foe should they be behind a Substitute, as that disables Imposter from activating. It also serves as a way to handle setup sweepers, as Pokemon such as Primal Kyogre and Mega Gengar can very easily set up on Chansey and overpower it. U-turn lets Chansey pivot out safely to a more threatening teammate to avoid being taken advantage of. Metal Burst provides Chansey with some offensive presence. As it deals damage based on the amount of HP Chansey takes from a move that turn, it can inflict some serious damage if used correctly. Once shown, it can also discourage the opponent from attacking Chansey in fear of being KOed in return. Final Gambit is an option to essentially net a trade KO. This could be useful if KOing a switch-in is more beneficial than keeping Chansey around. Thanks to Chansey's sky-high HP stat, so long as it is at a moderately high amount of HP, it can KO a large majority of the metagame. Trick can be used to cripple an enemy with a burdening item. It's recommended to only use Trick when equipped with a Choice Scarf, as giving up Eviolite is seldom is a worthwhile trade-off. Alternative move options include Parting Shot over U-turn to net some momentum against Pokemon Chansey has failed to Transform into. It also comes with the added benefit of ignoring Substitute, one method of preventing Imposter from activating, while also forcing Magic Bounce Pokemon to switch out, though this could easily backfire as it'd give the opponent a free switch to whatever they desire. Refresh could also be chosen for its ability to remove any burdening status ailments, as they carry over even when transformed. Lastly, Spectral Thief or Haze removes any stat boosts the foe may have, somewhat alleviating Chansey's big weakness to being made setup fodder. These could be chosen over Whirlwind, if one forgoes that move, in case Chansey's team struggles to check specific sets that Whirlwind is useless against such as a sweeper with Magic Bounce.
Set Details
========
Eviolite boosts Chansey's defenses both prior to and during transformation, granting Chansey a lot of additional bulk and enabling it to effortlessly deal with so many Pokemon one-on-one. A viable alternative to Eviolite is Choice Scarf. Although it gives up a lot of bulk and locks Chansey into one move, it'll be able to outspeed setup sweepers rather than simply Speed tie with them. A Relaxed nature is used to further boost Chansey's lackluster Defense stat whilst minimizing its Speed stat. This is important, as moves like Metal Burst and U-turn are more effective when used last. However, sometimes 252 Speed EVs with an Impish nature can be beneficial, as then Chansey will outspeed opposing Imposter users and Transform into them if both Imposters are switched in at the same time. This allows you to safely scout the opposing Chansey's set as well as use their moves without losing PP.
Usage Tips
========
Always keep in mind that simply bringing a Chansey to a battle puts immense pressure on the opponent, as they must utilize their offensive Pokemon carefully to avoid being swept by their own Pokemon. Another important note is that Chansey is incredibly weak before Transforming, as it cannot defend itself very well against Pokemon that can switch in and damage it heavily or use certain moves like Spore. Therefore, one should actively prevent Chansey from participating in battle untransformed as much as possible. In most instances, Chansey is an extremely effective lead, as it can safely scout its foe's set without being in danger of being trapped and PP stalled. Only in certain situations (for instance, when leading off against a self-Imposterproofed Mega Gengar) will it be a poor choice. Even in this instance, though, you can still determine your best course of action safely after scouting the opposing set's moves. Pivot Chansey in whenever possible to scout for the foe's set. That information could prove incredibly useful when making decisions later on in the battle. It is encouraged that one switch Chansey in on a defensive Pokemon like Giratina or Mega Audino, as in most instances, they can do very little damage to it. If it does fall low on HP, however, one can switch it in on said defensive Pokemon and utilize their own status moves or abilities such as Regenerator or Magic Bounce with little resistance, as often those Pokemon can do little to stop Chansey from doing so. One might also wish to double switch Chansey in when predicting an opponent's switch, as that is a good way to determine a Pokemon's set. It should be noted, however, that certain Pokemon such as Zygarde-C, Registeel, and Mega Steelix may run sets specifically designed to trap and KO Imposter users with moves like Anchor Shot, hoping to catch Imposter users and PP stall them until they're KOed. For this reason, Chansey should be careful not to recklessly switch into Pokemon that commonly use these sets. Despite having a high HP stat and access to Eviolite, Chansey can ill afford to switch into hard-hitting threats repeatedly, especially if the aforementioned threats are they themselves frail, as you'll be copying their defensive stats as well, or hit super effectively by their own moves. Examples of frail threats include Deoxys-A and Mega Sceptile, and examples of threats hit hard by their own moves include Red Orb Groudon and certain Mega Gengar sets. However, if they are also boosting their defensive stats through the means of Quiver Dance, Chansey can actually switch in quite safely. Thanks to Imposter's mechanics, Chansey is effective at stalling PP, as it can refresh its limited PP simply by switching out. This gives Chansey the edge in PP stalling situations.
Team Options
========
Due to the nature of Imposter, Chansey can fit on nearly every team archetype and is very self-sufficient, so it rarely requires team support to function. Having said that, Chansey appreciates being able to switch in freely, which slow allies such as Registeel, Aegislash, and Mega Audino can allow it to with U-turn or Parting Shot. The aforementioned Pokemon are also useful for setting up entry hazards to not only deter Sturdy Shedinja, a Pokemon Chansey has a tough time beating, from switching in but also deal some chip damage to assist in a potential countersweep. It also breaks any Focus Sashes that frail Pokemon like Deoxys-A commonly use to protect themselves against Imposter Chansey, as they are frail yet powerful enough to OHKO a Transformed Chansey after setting up. As Chansey takes damage from hazards before transforming, it's susceptible to every form of hazard, which can wear it down rather quickly. The aforementioned slow allies all do well as hazard removers. Pokemon that can handle common Judgment users like Mega Gengar and Arceus make for great teammates, as Chansey cannot handle them in a one-on-one situation. These Pokemon include Yveltal and Primal Kyogre, which are valuable for their ability to check Mega Gengar, easily the most common user of this strategy, with ease. Another archetype of sweepers Imposter Chansey struggles to beat one-on-one are Poison Heal sweepers. Users like Regigigas, Xerneas, and Primal Kyogre often have no problem putting Chansey to sleep and then slowly beating it down, taking advantage of the Imposter's lack of Poison Heal recovery. Teammates like Zygarde-C and Giratina are some tried-and-true checks to Regigigas, whereas some Primal Kyogre sets and Toxic Orb Magic Guard Ho-Oh can deal with Xerneas handily. Lastly, Primal Kyogre is checked by Red Orb Groudon and RegenVest Primal Kyogre. RegenVest users also are helpful for Chansey, as not only can they deal with the problematic Mega Gengar, they also switch into opposing Imposter Chansey and take advantage of its passiveness to recover HP. Viable RegenVest Pokemon include Yveltal, Primal Kyogre, and Dialga. Teammates with Misty Surge are also beneficial, as they help protect Chansey from crippling status ailments. Chansey's status carries over every time it is Transformed, meaning if it is burned it cannot be as effective as a physical damage dealer, for instance. Defensive pivots like Giratina and Primal Kyogre are some examples of viable Misty Surge users.
[SET]
name: Fur Coat
move 1: Metal Burst
move 2: Shore Up
move 3: Whirlwind / Topsy-Turvy
move 4: U-turn / Baton Pass
item: Eviolite
ability: Fur Coat
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shore Up is mandatory, as it increases Chansey's longevity and allows it to switch in repeatedly in all stages of the game. It also keeps Chansey's HP high in order to use Metal Burst more frequently and to greater effect. Metal Burst provides some offensive presence and allows Chansey to remain functional even when hit with Taunt. It also deals a hefty amount of damage, and the HP loss isn't too detrimental, as Fur Coat Chansey can sponge hits well. Whirlwind prevents Chansey from becoming setup fodder, as Chansey can do very little to threaten Pokemon using setup moves such as Primal Kyogre and Mega Mewtwo Y. It also has no way of touching foes behind a Substitute, as Metal Burst does not bypass it. Topsy-Turvy enables Chansey to further Imposter-proof a team and maintain offensive momentum. U-turn allows Chansey to safely switch, generating momentum for the team. Baton Pass functions similarly, though has twice as much PP and doesn't make contact, crucially avoiding being hurt by moves like Baneful Bunker and Spiky Shield; however, it also passes on unwanted effects such as Leech Seed and Parting Shot's debuffs, moves used pretty often against Chansey. Wish could be an option to consider alongside Shore Up, allowing Chansey to be able to support its team by passing large HP refills. This move pairs nicely with U-turn or Baton Pass, as Chansey is often slow enough to grant a chosen ally a free switch in addition to a large HP restoration. However, it should be noted that Chansey can be taken advantage of quite easily by an opposing Imposter Chansey if one opts to use Wish, as the foe can freely use Wish to support their own team and Fur Coat Chansey can do little to prevent that. If Wish is chosen, it can be run in the fourth slot.
Set Details
========
Eviolite is the mandatory item, as it boosts Chansey's defensive stats by a considerable amount. Fur Coat further boosts its Defense to a point where it can comfortably wall physical threats despite its base 5 Defense. A Relaxed nature with 0 Speed IVs is useful for getting off a slow Baton Pass to build up momentum. Additionally, this makes Chansey as slow as possible in order for it to be outsped by as many Pokemon as possible so as to make better use of Metal Burst.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Chansey in on threats it can check, such as Mega Diancie and Kyurem-B. However, one should be careful about dangerous status moves such as Spore, Trick, and Taunt, as they can reduce Chansey's effectiveness heavily. One should attempt to determine if the foe carries one of those moves, as well as other such dangerous status moves, before blindly switching Chansey in. Chansey also is incredibly susceptible to Knock Off, as the move rids it of its precious Eviolite. Therefore, it is advised that you carefully scout for the moves of suspected Knock Off users such as Yveltal, Regigigas, and Mega Tyranitar before switching Chansey in. Additionally, although Chansey is a sturdy physical wall, it can ill afford to switch into the tier's hardest hitters such as Steelworker Kartana and Choice Band Mega Mewtwo X. As Chansey heavily relies on its ability to sponge physical attacks aimed at it, Mold Breaker Pokemon are especially threatening, as they simply ignore Fur Coat altogether, so ensure Chansey avoids them at all costs. In the same vein, Sunsteel Strike users such as Necrozma-DM and Kartana are also very threatening for Chansey. Boosting physical sweepers commonly carry the move to pierce abilities such as Fur Coat, so it is advised to scout for the move on suspected physical sweepers before sending Chansey out against them. Chansey is best used to supplement an existing defensive core, as it's a good blanket check to many threats.
Team Options
========
Pokemon such as Giratina, Aegislash, and Zygarde-C form a solid defensive core with Chansey, as the former two Pokemon can handle Fighting-types that trouble Chansey, and the latter is an excellent all-purpose physically defensive wall. Additionally, these Pokemon greatly appreciate Chansey's ability to easily tank common special moves, such as Ice Beam and Blue Flare, aimed at its allies. They are all also viable users of entry hazards, which Chansey can take advantage of because it forces many switches either by simply switching in or using Whirlwind. Offensive Pokemon Chansey can Imposterproof include Sheer Force Mega Mewtwo Y, certain Mega Gengar sets, and the majority of -ate sets, though Chansey is extremely passive and often doesn't fit perfectly on very many teams A Magic Bounce Pokemon such as Registeel can bounce back dangerous status moves like Spore that threaten Chansey. Additionally, Chansey can do very little to prevent the foe from setting up entry hazards, so a Magic Bounce Pokemon can easily take advantage of that by switching in and reflecting them right back. This proves especially useful should the opponent have a Sturdy Shedinja, as Chansey can do literally nothing to prevent it from switching in and forcing Chansey out. Running hazard removal is a safer way to deal with entry hazards, however. Defensive Pokemon like Registeel and Giratina make good users of Defog. As Chansey is often a prime target for Knock Off and Spore users, one can opt to use a Poison Heal user with Toxic Orb to absorb the moves; Knock Off proves useless if the ally has already activated it, and Spore is ineffective against a Pokemon already afflicted by a status ailment. Prime users of Poison Heal include Zygarde-C, Primal Kyogre, and Mega Tyranitar. Funnily enough, Imposter Chansey can pair well with Fur Coat Chansey. As mentioned earlier, Imposter Chansey can scout the opponent's sets easily, revealing dangerous lure sets and moves. Lastly, Misty Surge allies protect Chansey from status, widening the list of sets it's able to check and preventing it from being crippled. Defensive pivots like Giratina and Primal Kyogre are some examples of viable Misty Surge users.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Chansey's signature item, Lucky Punch, can be used over Eviolite on its Imposter set to help it muscle past Imposter checks with powerful critical hits. However, it is inconsistent and takes away from Chansey's bulk, one of its most defining and important features. It also faces competition from Pikachu, whose Light Ball makes it a more potent Imposter Pokemon for breaking, though Chansey still has the surprise factor and a huge defensive edge on Pikachu. If one is especially weak to Judgment sweepers such as Mega Gengar, an Earth Plate is an item worth considering on Imposter Chansey, as it turns Judgment into a Ground-type attack to hit common Judgment users hard. These include Zekrom, Reshiram, and the aforementioned Mega Gengar. Toxic Orb can be used to totally shut down Poison Heal sweepers that rely on Chansey not being poisoned to win. However, its usefulness is quite matchup dependent. Alternative abilities include Unaware to let Chansey check setup sweepers and Magic Bounce to bounce back dangerous moves Chansey cannot otherwise handle effectively such as Spore, but Fur Coat's defensive boosts are often more valuable, and these abilities are more worthwhile on another Pokemon, such as Zygarde-C or Registeel.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Shedinja**: Shedinja can switch into any one of Chansey's sets with relative ease and immediately poses a huge threat, as it can use Endeavor to drastically lower Fur Coat Chansey's HP and use a priority move like Extreme Speed or Pursuit to finish off Chansey. Additionally, Shedinja can also pivot out to a Pursuit-using ally to inflict large amounts of damage to Imposter Chansey, as Shedinja often minimizes its Defense and Special Defense IVs to increase Imposter Chansey's frailty. Additionally, Shedinja can use Foresight in order to be able to hit Imposter Chansey with Endeavor or run Pursuit itself in order to stay in and defeat Imposter Chansey by itself.
**Powerful Wallbreakers**: A few Pokemon are capable of dealing a large amount of damage to Fur Coat Chansey, deterring it from switching in. These Pokemon include Choice Band Mega Mewtwo X, Red Orb Groudon, Steelworker Kartana, and Necrozma-DM. Imposter Chansey also doesn't enjoy switching in on these threats. Kartana, Groudon, and Mega Mewtwo X are just some examples of Pokemon that can deal a huge amount of damage to an Imposter Chansey Transformed into themselves or even OHKO it outright.
**Anti-Imposter Sets:** As Imposter Chansey is very common and very threatening but also predictable since it always copies a set the opponent created, players commonly create sets designed to lure, trap, and KO Imposter users. Abilities such as Quick Feet and Unburden let a Pokemon outspeed its Imposter or Speed tie with it if it has a Choice Scarf. When combined with moves like Imprison and moves capable of KOing an Imposter Chansey (e.g., a Fire-type coverage move on Kartana), it can be beaten easily. Moves such as Thousand Waves and Anchor Shot allow Pokemon to trap and PP stall their Imposter, taking advantage of its low PP. In the same vein, Pokemon that rely on attacks like Judgment, a move whose typing depends on the item that Pokemon is holding, make for good checks to Imposter Chansey, as it can do very little in return. The most prominent example of this is Mega Gengar, which commonly carries Spooky Plate. Once Eviolite Chansey transforms into Mega Gengar, its Judgment remains a Normal-type move, meaning it cannot deal any damage to Mega Gengar while in return takes a lot of damage from a Ghost-type Judgment. Fur Coat Chansey, however, can use Whirlwind to force it out or predict an attack and use Metal Burst.
**Poison Heal Users:** Common Poison Heal Pokemon such as Mega Tyranitar and Primal Kyogre worry little about Imposter Chansey, as it cannot copy status ailments. As such, it misses out on crucial Poison Heal recovery, meaning it fails to keep up with its foe. Additionally, the aforementioned Pokemon often carry moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Leech Seed while also forgoing recovery moves to worsen the situation, as then Chansey is slowly whittled down whilst being unable to fight back. Fur Coat Chansey also struggles a lot against them, as they commonly carry moves like Spore, Magma Storm, and Knock Off and can play around Metal Burst with ease thanks to the passive recovery.
**Mold Breaker Attackers:** Fur Coat Chansey is susceptible to physical Mold Breaker sweepers or users of the move Sunsteel Strike, as they ignore Fur Coat altogether to hit Chansey hard. Additionally, Pokemon that run Mold Breaker often, such as Mega Gengar and Mega Mewtwo X, carry moves that hit Chansey physically, like Secret Sword and Close Combat, respectively. However, Mold Breaker does not prevent or hamper the Imposter set from functioning properly.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[ScarfWynaut, 221682]]
- Quality checked by: [[Gurpreet Patel (Sent you a Friend Request), 233142], [GL Volkner, 330455], [electrolyte, 148071]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Mafeking, 122460]]
[OVERVIEW]
Chansey boasts a gigantic base 250 HP stat that, when coupled with Eviolite, allows it to be a very bulky Pokemon that serves as a powerful special wall. Imposter allows Chansey to copy the opposing Pokemon's typing, moves, and stats minus HP, while retaining its greatest assets in its huge HP stat and Eviolite boosts, allowing it to act as an all-purpose check to almost any Pokemon, as it will always be bulkier. Imposter also inherits the opposing Pokemon's stat changes and, when coupled with its preserved bulk, allows Chansey to be a formidable check to nearly every setup sweeper in the metagame. Therefore, Imposter Chansey puts a huge strain on teambuilding, as teams must carry checks to their own Pokemon to avoid losing multiple Pokemon or, in more extreme cases, the game entirely to a Transformed Chansey. Additionally, this ability allows Chansey to effortlessly scout for the foe's moveset simply by switching in, an extremely valuable asset to have in a metagame where movesets can be unpredictable. Alternatively, Fur Coat propels Chansey's middling Defense stat up to a respectable amount, allowing it to act as a sturdy mixed wall that is able to switch into many powerful Pokemon, like Mega Diancie and Kyurem-B.
However, due to how omnipresent Imposter Chansey is, every competent team prepares thoroughly for it, reducing its overall effectiveness. A few offensive Pokemon, such as Judgment + Spooky Plate Mega Gengar and Poison Heal Regigigas, are capable of defeating an Imposter Chansey one-on-one by exploiting certain things Imposter is unable to copy, such as the opponent's item and status condition. Additionally, Chansey's item choices are quite limited, in that it often requires Eviolite or Choice Scarf to be a huge threat, making it quite weak to Knock Off. This means that unlike other bulky Pokemon, Chansey cannot afford the luxury of choosing an alternative item such as Safety Goggles, Leftovers, or even a Z-Crystal for more flexibility, making it quite predictable in that aspect. Therefore, Chansey's non-Imposter sets are vulnerable to moves like Taunt and the ever-so-common Spore thanks to its limited item selection.
[SET]
name: Imposter
move 1: Shore Up
move 2: Whirlwind
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Metal Burst / Final Gambit / Trick
item: Eviolite / Choice Scarf
ability: Imposter
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Most of the time Chansey inherits the moves of the Pokemon it transforms into, so the selected moves are chosen to help Chansey deal with the rare instances in which Imposter fails to activate. Shore Up allows Chansey to recover its HP, meaning it can still operate as a bootleg defensive Pokemon should Imposter not activate. Whirlwind is used to phaze the foe should they be behind a Substitute, as that disables Imposter from activating. It also serves as a way to handle setup sweepers, as Pokemon such as Primal Kyogre and Mega Gengar can very easily set up on Chansey and overpower it. U-turn lets Chansey pivot out safely to a more threatening teammate to avoid being taken advantage of. Metal Burst provides Chansey with some offensive presence. As it deals damage based on the amount of HP Chansey takes from a move that turn, it can inflict some serious damage if used correctly. Once shown, it can also discourage the opponent from attacking Chansey in fear of being KOed in return. Final Gambit is an option to essentially net a trade KO. This could be useful if KOing a switch-in is more beneficial than keeping Chansey around. Thanks to Chansey's sky-high HP stat, so long as it is at a moderately high amount of HP, it can KO a large majority of the metagame. Trick can be used to cripple an enemy with a burdening item. It's recommended to only use Trick when equipped with a Choice Scarf, as giving up Eviolite is seldom is a worthwhile trade-off. Alternative move options include Parting Shot over U-turn to net some momentum against Pokemon Chansey has failed to Transform into. It also comes with the added benefit of ignoring Substitute, one method of preventing Imposter from activating, while also forcing Magic Bounce Pokemon to switch out, though this could easily backfire as it'd give the opponent a free switch to whatever they desire. Refresh could also be chosen for its ability to remove any burdening status ailments, as they carry over even when transformed. Lastly, Spectral Thief or Haze removes any stat boosts the foe may have, somewhat alleviating Chansey's big weakness to being made setup fodder. These could be chosen over Whirlwind, if one forgoes that move, in case Chansey's team struggles to check specific sets that Whirlwind is useless against such as a sweeper with Magic Bounce.
Set Details
========
Eviolite boosts Chansey's defenses both prior to and during transformation, granting Chansey a lot of additional bulk and enabling it to effortlessly deal with so many Pokemon one-on-one. A viable alternative to Eviolite is Choice Scarf. Although it gives up a lot of bulk and locks Chansey into one move, it'll be able to outspeed setup sweepers rather than simply Speed tie with them. A Relaxed nature is used to further boost Chansey's lackluster Defense stat whilst minimizing its Speed stat. This is important, as moves like Metal Burst and U-turn are more effective when used last. However, sometimes 252 Speed EVs with an Impish nature can be beneficial, as then Chansey will outspeed opposing Imposter users and Transform into them if both Imposters are switched in at the same time. This allows you to safely scout the opposing Chansey's set as well as use their moves without losing PP.
Usage Tips
========
Always keep in mind that simply bringing a Chansey to a battle puts immense pressure on the opponent, as they must utilize their offensive Pokemon carefully to avoid being swept by their own Pokemon. Another important note is that Chansey is incredibly weak before Transforming, as it cannot defend itself very well against Pokemon that can switch in and damage it heavily or use certain moves like Spore. Therefore, one should actively prevent Chansey from participating in battle untransformed as much as possible. In most instances, Chansey is an extremely effective lead, as it can safely scout its foe's set without being in danger of being trapped and PP stalled. Only in certain situations (for instance, when leading off against a self-Imposterproofed Mega Gengar) will it be a poor choice. Even in this instance, though, you can still determine your best course of action safely after scouting the opposing set's moves. Pivot Chansey in whenever possible to scout for the foe's set. That information could prove incredibly useful when making decisions later on in the battle. It is encouraged that one switch Chansey in on a defensive Pokemon like Giratina or Mega Audino, as in most instances, they can do very little damage to it. If it does fall low on HP, however, one can switch it in on said defensive Pokemon and utilize their own status moves or abilities such as Regenerator or Magic Bounce with little resistance, as often those Pokemon can do little to stop Chansey from doing so. One might also wish to double switch Chansey in when predicting an opponent's switch, as that is a good way to determine a Pokemon's set. It should be noted, however, that certain Pokemon such as Zygarde-C, Registeel, and Mega Steelix may run sets specifically designed to trap and KO Imposter users with moves like Anchor Shot, hoping to catch Imposter users and PP stall them until they're KOed. For this reason, Chansey should be careful not to recklessly switch into Pokemon that commonly use these sets. Despite having a high HP stat and access to Eviolite, Chansey can ill afford to switch into hard-hitting threats repeatedly, especially if the aforementioned threats are they themselves frail, as you'll be copying their defensive stats as well, or hit super effectively by their own moves. Examples of frail threats include Deoxys-A and Mega Sceptile, and examples of threats hit hard by their own moves include Red Orb Groudon and certain Mega Gengar sets. However, if they are also boosting their defensive stats through the means of Quiver Dance, Chansey can actually switch in quite safely. Thanks to Imposter's mechanics, Chansey is effective at stalling PP, as it can refresh its limited PP simply by switching out. This gives Chansey the edge in PP stalling situations.
Team Options
========
Due to the nature of Imposter, Chansey can fit on nearly every team archetype and is very self-sufficient, so it rarely requires team support to function. Having said that, Chansey appreciates being able to switch in freely, which slow allies such as Registeel, Aegislash, and Mega Audino can allow it to with U-turn or Parting Shot. The aforementioned Pokemon are also useful for setting up entry hazards to not only deter Sturdy Shedinja, a Pokemon Chansey has a tough time beating, from switching in but also deal some chip damage to assist in a potential countersweep. It also breaks any Focus Sashes that frail Pokemon like Deoxys-A commonly use to protect themselves against Imposter Chansey, as they are frail yet powerful enough to OHKO a Transformed Chansey after setting up. As Chansey takes damage from hazards before transforming, it's susceptible to every form of hazard, which can wear it down rather quickly. The aforementioned slow allies all do well as hazard removers. Pokemon that can handle common Judgment users like Mega Gengar and Arceus make for great teammates, as Chansey cannot handle them in a one-on-one situation. These Pokemon include Yveltal and Primal Kyogre, which are valuable for their ability to check Mega Gengar, easily the most common user of this strategy, with ease. Another archetype of sweepers Imposter Chansey struggles to beat one-on-one are Poison Heal sweepers. Users like Regigigas, Xerneas, and Primal Kyogre often have no problem putting Chansey to sleep and then slowly beating it down, taking advantage of the Imposter's lack of Poison Heal recovery. Teammates like Zygarde-C and Giratina are some tried-and-true checks to Regigigas, whereas some Primal Kyogre sets and Toxic Orb Magic Guard Ho-Oh can deal with Xerneas handily. Lastly, Primal Kyogre is checked by Red Orb Groudon and RegenVest Primal Kyogre. RegenVest users also are helpful for Chansey, as not only can they deal with the problematic Mega Gengar, they also switch into opposing Imposter Chansey and take advantage of its passiveness to recover HP. Viable RegenVest Pokemon include Yveltal, Primal Kyogre, and Dialga. Teammates with Misty Surge are also beneficial, as they help protect Chansey from crippling status ailments. Chansey's status carries over every time it is Transformed, meaning if it is burned it cannot be as effective as a physical damage dealer, for instance. Defensive pivots like Giratina and Primal Kyogre are some examples of viable Misty Surge users.
[SET]
name: Fur Coat
move 1: Metal Burst
move 2: Shore Up
move 3: Whirlwind / Topsy-Turvy
move 4: U-turn / Baton Pass
item: Eviolite
ability: Fur Coat
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Def / 252 SpA / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Shore Up is mandatory, as it increases Chansey's longevity and allows it to switch in repeatedly in all stages of the game. It also keeps Chansey's HP high in order to use Metal Burst more frequently and to greater effect. Metal Burst provides some offensive presence and allows Chansey to remain functional even when hit with Taunt. It also deals a hefty amount of damage, and the HP loss isn't too detrimental, as Fur Coat Chansey can sponge hits well. Whirlwind prevents Chansey from becoming setup fodder, as Chansey can do very little to threaten Pokemon using setup moves such as Primal Kyogre and Mega Mewtwo Y. It also has no way of touching foes behind a Substitute, as Metal Burst does not bypass it. Topsy-Turvy enables Chansey to further Imposter-proof a team and maintain offensive momentum. U-turn allows Chansey to safely switch, generating momentum for the team. Baton Pass functions similarly, though has twice as much PP and doesn't make contact, crucially avoiding being hurt by moves like Baneful Bunker and Spiky Shield; however, it also passes on unwanted effects such as Leech Seed and Parting Shot's debuffs, moves used pretty often against Chansey. Wish could be an option to consider alongside Shore Up, allowing Chansey to be able to support its team by passing large HP refills. This move pairs nicely with U-turn or Baton Pass, as Chansey is often slow enough to grant a chosen ally a free switch in addition to a large HP restoration. However, it should be noted that Chansey can be taken advantage of quite easily by an opposing Imposter Chansey if one opts to use Wish, as the foe can freely use Wish to support their own team and Fur Coat Chansey can do little to prevent that. If Wish is chosen, it can be run in the fourth slot.
Set Details
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Eviolite is the mandatory item, as it boosts Chansey's defensive stats by a considerable amount. Fur Coat further boosts its Defense to a point where it can comfortably wall physical threats despite its base 5 Defense. A Relaxed nature with 0 Speed IVs is useful for getting off a slow Baton Pass to build up momentum. Additionally, this makes Chansey as slow as possible in order for it to be outsped by as many Pokemon as possible so as to make better use of Metal Burst.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Chansey in on threats it can check, such as Mega Diancie and Kyurem-B. However, one should be careful about dangerous status moves such as Spore, Trick, and Taunt, as they can reduce Chansey's effectiveness heavily. One should attempt to determine if the foe carries one of those moves, as well as other such dangerous status moves, before blindly switching Chansey in. Chansey also is incredibly susceptible to Knock Off, as the move rids it of its precious Eviolite. Therefore, it is advised that you carefully scout for the moves of suspected Knock Off users such as Yveltal, Regigigas, and Mega Tyranitar before switching Chansey in. Additionally, although Chansey is a sturdy physical wall, it can ill afford to switch into the tier's hardest hitters such as Steelworker Kartana and Choice Band Mega Mewtwo X. As Chansey heavily relies on its ability to sponge physical attacks aimed at it, Mold Breaker Pokemon are especially threatening, as they simply ignore Fur Coat altogether, so ensure Chansey avoids them at all costs. In the same vein, Sunsteel Strike users such as Necrozma-DM and Kartana are also very threatening for Chansey. Boosting physical sweepers commonly carry the move to pierce abilities such as Fur Coat, so it is advised to scout for the move on suspected physical sweepers before sending Chansey out against them. Chansey is best used to supplement an existing defensive core, as it's a good blanket check to many threats.
Team Options
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Pokemon such as Giratina, Aegislash, and Zygarde-C form a solid defensive core with Chansey, as the former two Pokemon can handle Fighting-types that trouble Chansey, and the latter is an excellent all-purpose physically defensive wall. Additionally, these Pokemon greatly appreciate Chansey's ability to easily tank common special moves, such as Ice Beam and Blue Flare, aimed at its allies. They are all also viable users of entry hazards, which Chansey can take advantage of because it forces many switches either by simply switching in or using Whirlwind. Offensive Pokemon Chansey can Imposterproof include Sheer Force Mega Mewtwo Y, certain Mega Gengar sets, and the majority of -ate sets, though Chansey is extremely passive and often doesn't fit perfectly on very many teams A Magic Bounce Pokemon such as Registeel can bounce back dangerous status moves like Spore that threaten Chansey. Additionally, Chansey can do very little to prevent the foe from setting up entry hazards, so a Magic Bounce Pokemon can easily take advantage of that by switching in and reflecting them right back. This proves especially useful should the opponent have a Sturdy Shedinja, as Chansey can do literally nothing to prevent it from switching in and forcing Chansey out. Running hazard removal is a safer way to deal with entry hazards, however. Defensive Pokemon like Registeel and Giratina make good users of Defog. As Chansey is often a prime target for Knock Off and Spore users, one can opt to use a Poison Heal user with Toxic Orb to absorb the moves; Knock Off proves useless if the ally has already activated it, and Spore is ineffective against a Pokemon already afflicted by a status ailment. Prime users of Poison Heal include Zygarde-C, Primal Kyogre, and Mega Tyranitar. Funnily enough, Imposter Chansey can pair well with Fur Coat Chansey. As mentioned earlier, Imposter Chansey can scout the opponent's sets easily, revealing dangerous lure sets and moves. Lastly, Misty Surge allies protect Chansey from status, widening the list of sets it's able to check and preventing it from being crippled. Defensive pivots like Giratina and Primal Kyogre are some examples of viable Misty Surge users.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Chansey's signature item, Lucky Punch, can be used over Eviolite on its Imposter set to help it muscle past Imposter checks with powerful critical hits. However, it is inconsistent and takes away from Chansey's bulk, one of its most defining and important features. It also faces competition from Pikachu, whose Light Ball makes it a more potent Imposter Pokemon for breaking, though Chansey still has the surprise factor and a huge defensive edge on Pikachu. If one is especially weak to Judgment sweepers such as Mega Gengar, an Earth Plate is an item worth considering on Imposter Chansey, as it turns Judgment into a Ground-type attack to hit common Judgment users hard. These include Zekrom, Reshiram, and the aforementioned Mega Gengar. Toxic Orb can be used to totally shut down Poison Heal sweepers that rely on Chansey not being poisoned to win. However, its usefulness is quite matchup dependent. Alternative abilities include Unaware to let Chansey check setup sweepers and Magic Bounce to bounce back dangerous moves Chansey cannot otherwise handle effectively such as Spore, but Fur Coat's defensive boosts are often more valuable, and these abilities are more worthwhile on another Pokemon, such as Zygarde-C or Registeel.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Shedinja**: Shedinja can switch into any one of Chansey's sets with relative ease and immediately poses a huge threat, as it can use Endeavor to drastically lower Fur Coat Chansey's HP and use a priority move like Extreme Speed or Pursuit to finish off Chansey. Additionally, Shedinja can also pivot out to a Pursuit-using ally to inflict large amounts of damage to Imposter Chansey, as Shedinja often minimizes its Defense and Special Defense IVs to increase Imposter Chansey's frailty. Additionally, Shedinja can use Foresight in order to be able to hit Imposter Chansey with Endeavor or run Pursuit itself in order to stay in and defeat Imposter Chansey by itself.
**Powerful Wallbreakers**: A few Pokemon are capable of dealing a large amount of damage to Fur Coat Chansey, deterring it from switching in. These Pokemon include Choice Band Mega Mewtwo X, Red Orb Groudon, Steelworker Kartana, and Necrozma-DM. Imposter Chansey also doesn't enjoy switching in on these threats. Kartana, Groudon, and Mega Mewtwo X are just some examples of Pokemon that can deal a huge amount of damage to an Imposter Chansey Transformed into themselves or even OHKO it outright.
**Anti-Imposter Sets:** As Imposter Chansey is very common and very threatening but also predictable since it always copies a set the opponent created, players commonly create sets designed to lure, trap, and KO Imposter users. Abilities such as Quick Feet and Unburden let a Pokemon outspeed its Imposter or Speed tie with it if it has a Choice Scarf. When combined with moves like Imprison and moves capable of KOing an Imposter Chansey (e.g., a Fire-type coverage move on Kartana), it can be beaten easily. Moves such as Thousand Waves and Anchor Shot allow Pokemon to trap and PP stall their Imposter, taking advantage of its low PP. In the same vein, Pokemon that rely on attacks like Judgment, a move whose typing depends on the item that Pokemon is holding, make for good checks to Imposter Chansey, as it can do very little in return. The most prominent example of this is Mega Gengar, which commonly carries Spooky Plate. Once Eviolite Chansey transforms into Mega Gengar, its Judgment remains a Normal-type move, meaning it cannot deal any damage to Mega Gengar while in return takes a lot of damage from a Ghost-type Judgment. Fur Coat Chansey, however, can use Whirlwind to force it out or predict an attack and use Metal Burst.
**Poison Heal Users:** Common Poison Heal Pokemon such as Mega Tyranitar and Primal Kyogre worry little about Imposter Chansey, as it cannot copy status ailments. As such, it misses out on crucial Poison Heal recovery, meaning it fails to keep up with its foe. Additionally, the aforementioned Pokemon often carry moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Leech Seed while also forgoing recovery moves to worsen the situation, as then Chansey is slowly whittled down whilst being unable to fight back. Fur Coat Chansey also struggles a lot against them, as they commonly carry moves like Spore, Magma Storm, and Knock Off and can play around Metal Burst with ease thanks to the passive recovery.
**Mold Breaker Attackers:** Fur Coat Chansey is susceptible to physical Mold Breaker sweepers or users of the move Sunsteel Strike, as they ignore Fur Coat altogether to hit Chansey hard. Additionally, Pokemon that run Mold Breaker often, such as Mega Gengar and Mega Mewtwo X, carry moves that hit Chansey physically, like Secret Sword and Close Combat, respectively. However, Mold Breaker does not prevent or hamper the Imposter set from functioning properly.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[ScarfWynaut, 221682]]
- Quality checked by: [[Gurpreet Patel (Sent you a Friend Request), 233142], [GL Volkner, 330455], [electrolyte, 148071]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Mafeking, 122460]]
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