[OVERVIEW]
Chien-Pao combines a threatening offensive profile with its unique ability Sword of Ruin that can amplify both its own and its partner's damage, making it a force to be reckoned with. Chien-Pao's ability to lower the Defense of active Pokemon turns physically offensive threats like Dragonite and Palafin into truly menacing threats, able to shred through unprepared teams with priority moves like Extreme Speed and Jet Punch, respectively. This makes Chien-Pao a perfect addition to fast-paced offensive teams. Additionally, entry hazard setters like Glimmora help weaken opposing Pokemon into range of KOs, with Glimmora also able to remove opposing hazards to keep Chien-Pao's Focus Sash intact.
However, Chien-Pao is not without its flaws. Its frailty makes it difficult to stay on the field when there's a threat that can't be KOed immediately, necessitating an intact Focus Sash to position properly. Additionally, opposing forms of speed control like Trick Room and Tailwind can allow the opposing side to eliminate Chien-Pao before it can have an impact. Faster Pokemon such as Iron Bundle, which can break Chien-Pao's Focus Sash with Icy Wind and lower its Speed for its partner, as well as Protosynthesis-boosted Roaring Moon and Walking Wake, pose a massive threat. While support from priority moves can be used to play around opposing Tailwind, Trick Room teams often runs priority blocking Pokemon like Indeedee-F and Farigiraf, which can make the Trick Room matchup difficult.
[SET]
name: Standard
move 1: Ice Spinner
move 2: Sucker Punch / Throat Chop
move 3: Sacred Sword / Throat Chop
move 4: Protect
item: Focus Sash
ability: Sword of Ruin
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Dark / Ghost
[SET COMMENTS]
* Ice Spinner provides Chien-Pao the ability to remove Psychic Terrain, enabling strong priority attackers like Dragonite and Palafin as well as its own Sucker Punch.
* Sucker Punch is helpful in removing faster threats before they can attack, allowing it to nullify faster threats rather than being forced out. Throat Chop is a more consistent option that is able to hit Armor Tail Farigiraf and Indeedee-F. Throat Chop is also able to disable Sylveon's Hyper Voice and Scream Tail's Howl.
* Focus Sash circumvents Chien-Pao's frailty, allowing Chien-Pao to survive a strong attack and continue exerting offensive pressure.
* Sacred Sword allows Chien-Pao to hit Pokemon that resist both of its STAB moves, such as Chi-Yu and Kingambit.
* Protect allows Chien-Pao to keep itself safe while its partner can exploit Sword of Ruin.
*Tera Ghost provides Chien-Pao to a much appreciated immunity to Fighting-type moves, which can allow Chien-Pao to stay in on turns where it wouldn't normally be able to. Tera Ghost also makes Chien-Pao immune to opposing Fake Out and Extreme Speed. On the other hand, a Tera Dark can be used to power up Chien-Pao's Sucker Punch, allowing it to pick up KOs that it would not otherwise.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Different items on Chien-Pao all come with the cost of reducing its survivability against strong attacks by replacing its Focus Sash. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Chien-Pao to switch in on Stealth Rock without taking damage, which can provide potential benefits if needing to switch it in and out. However, this can be somewhat situational. Life Orb can be used to consistently boost its damage output, but this significantly cuts into its bulk. Safety Goggles provides Chien-Pao with an immunity to Amoonguss's Spore and Rage Powder, allowing it to attack Amoonguss's partner freely. Brick Break can be used to remove Reflect and Light Screen at the cost of Sacred Sword's higher Base Power.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/big-pichu.586432/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/yobuddy.471503/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/yoda2798.243662/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/deetah.297659/
Chien-Pao combines a threatening offensive profile with its unique ability Sword of Ruin that can amplify both its own and its partner's damage, making it a force to be reckoned with. Chien-Pao's ability to lower the Defense of active Pokemon turns physically offensive threats like Dragonite and Palafin into truly menacing threats, able to shred through unprepared teams with priority moves like Extreme Speed and Jet Punch, respectively. This makes Chien-Pao a perfect addition to fast-paced offensive teams. Additionally, entry hazard setters like Glimmora help weaken opposing Pokemon into range of KOs, with Glimmora also able to remove opposing hazards to keep Chien-Pao's Focus Sash intact.
However, Chien-Pao is not without its flaws. Its frailty makes it difficult to stay on the field when there's a threat that can't be KOed immediately, necessitating an intact Focus Sash to position properly. Additionally, opposing forms of speed control like Trick Room and Tailwind can allow the opposing side to eliminate Chien-Pao before it can have an impact. Faster Pokemon such as Iron Bundle, which can break Chien-Pao's Focus Sash with Icy Wind and lower its Speed for its partner, as well as Protosynthesis-boosted Roaring Moon and Walking Wake, pose a massive threat. While support from priority moves can be used to play around opposing Tailwind, Trick Room teams often runs priority blocking Pokemon like Indeedee-F and Farigiraf, which can make the Trick Room matchup difficult.
[SET]
name: Standard
move 1: Ice Spinner
move 2: Sucker Punch / Throat Chop
move 3: Sacred Sword / Throat Chop
move 4: Protect
item: Focus Sash
ability: Sword of Ruin
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Dark / Ghost
[SET COMMENTS]
* Ice Spinner provides Chien-Pao the ability to remove Psychic Terrain, enabling strong priority attackers like Dragonite and Palafin as well as its own Sucker Punch.
* Sucker Punch is helpful in removing faster threats before they can attack, allowing it to nullify faster threats rather than being forced out. Throat Chop is a more consistent option that is able to hit Armor Tail Farigiraf and Indeedee-F. Throat Chop is also able to disable Sylveon's Hyper Voice and Scream Tail's Howl.
* Focus Sash circumvents Chien-Pao's frailty, allowing Chien-Pao to survive a strong attack and continue exerting offensive pressure.
* Sacred Sword allows Chien-Pao to hit Pokemon that resist both of its STAB moves, such as Chi-Yu and Kingambit.
* Protect allows Chien-Pao to keep itself safe while its partner can exploit Sword of Ruin.
*Tera Ghost provides Chien-Pao to a much appreciated immunity to Fighting-type moves, which can allow Chien-Pao to stay in on turns where it wouldn't normally be able to. Tera Ghost also makes Chien-Pao immune to opposing Fake Out and Extreme Speed. On the other hand, a Tera Dark can be used to power up Chien-Pao's Sucker Punch, allowing it to pick up KOs that it would not otherwise.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Different items on Chien-Pao all come with the cost of reducing its survivability against strong attacks by replacing its Focus Sash. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Chien-Pao to switch in on Stealth Rock without taking damage, which can provide potential benefits if needing to switch it in and out. However, this can be somewhat situational. Life Orb can be used to consistently boost its damage output, but this significantly cuts into its bulk. Safety Goggles provides Chien-Pao with an immunity to Amoonguss's Spore and Rage Powder, allowing it to attack Amoonguss's partner freely. Brick Break can be used to remove Reflect and Light Screen at the cost of Sacred Sword's higher Base Power.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/big-pichu.586432/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/yobuddy.471503/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/yoda2798.243662/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/deetah.297659/
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