[OVERVIEW]
Chansey's unbelievable bulk is metagame-defining, shaping the tier's special attackers around it and carrying the stall archetype on its back. Devastating threats like Ash-Greninja, Mega Alakazam, Volcarona, and Mega Charizard Y all fall under the same umbrella of being stumped by Chansey. It isn't especially vulnerable on the physical side, either; it has no issue with taking hits from Landorus-T and Diamond Storm Mega Diancie and can heal off Psyshock from Choice Scarf Tapu Lele. It can spread consistent damage with Seismic Toss and has the choice of either Toxic or Thunder Wave to further punish switch-ins. Additionally, it has support options like Stealth Rock and Aromatherapy, offering even more to teams it's put on. Chansey isn't invincible, though; it has no passive recovery, so it's vulnerable to being chipped down by pivot moves, entry hazards, and other forms of passive damage. Taunt users like Heatran and Tapu Fini can prevent its healing and ensure it stays too low to do its job properly. Lastly, wallbreakers like Mega Medicham, Mega Mawile, and Manaphy are able to crack Chansey open.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock / Aromatherapy
move 2: Seismic Toss
move 3: Soft-Boiled
move 4: Toxic / Thunder Wave
item: Eviolite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Chansey makes for a good Stealth Rock user because of the free opportunities it gets while walling special attackers. The same can be said for Aromatherapy if Stealth Rock can be fit elsewhere on the team, supporting teammates like Unaware Clefable and Rest Seismitoad. Seismic Toss is a consistent method of damage that allows Chansey to beat down the likes of Assault Vest Magearna and Mega Diancie and chip away at switch-ins like Mega Mawile and Kartana. Soft-Boiled lets Chansey keep healthy in the face of entry hazards and wall special wallbreakers like Mega Charizard Y and Ash-Greninja over the course of a game. Toxic puts the likes of Zapdos, Pain Split Rotom-W, and Mega Charizard Y on a strict timer that prevents them from healing off Seismic Toss damage, as well as punishing switch-ins like Kyurem-B and Mega Medicham. Alternatively, Thunder Wave can irritate Steel-types like Mega Mawile and Magearna and Toxapex while still punishing offensive Pokemon like Mega Medicham, Mega Alakazam, and Serperior hard. An alternative spread of 160 HP / 252 Def / 96 Spe allows Chansey to outspeed paralyzed Timid Tapu Lele, which synergizes with Thunder Wave, though this cuts into Chansey's bulk significantly.
Set Details
========
Maximum Defense investment is used because Chansey's special bulk is naturally high enough for the special threats it's tasked with walling and to help against certain physical attackers like Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Choice Scarf Kartana, and Kyurem-B after burning its Z-Move.
Usage Tips
========
Despite Chansey being seemingly invulnerable to special attackers, Volt Switch users like Tapu Koko, Magearna, and Rotom-W can score free damage on Chansey while maintaining momentum. This is especially deadly with entry hazards up to compound the chip damage, so it's important to keep an eye on hazards and avoid having multiple layers on of the field. Sometimes, predictions like doubling in Chansey against the likes of Rotom-W and Tapu Koko are necessary to find a safe opportunity to heal off damage. Chansey needs to be very wary of Knock Off from Tornadus-T, Gliscor, and Clefable, which cuts into its bulk massively. Although Chansey can beat non-Taunt Heatran and non-Nature's Madness Tapu Fini, proper scouting is needed, as these two can otherwise completely ruin Chansey.
Team Options
========
Chansey fits best on teams ranging from balance to stall, as they can make up for Chansey's drain on momentum with a strong enough defensive core. Bulky Psychic-types like Slowbro, Cresselia, and Reuniclus can shut down the likes of Mega Medicham and Mega Lopunny and appreciate Chansey answering Ash-Greninja and Volcarona. Slowbro is notably good because it can also check other physical attackers like Mega Charizard X, Excadrill, and Mega Swampert for Chansey, and it can rely on Chansey to handle Mega Charizard Y and Tapu Koko for it. Skarmory provides a solid answer to Kartana and Excadrill and can set Spikes to whittle down the opposing team. Gliscor can handle Heatran and block Volt Switch thanks to its Ground typing and can further support Chansey by clearing entry hazards with Defog or cleaning up weakened teams with Swords Dance late-game. Seismitoad and specially defensive Excadrill are good examples of bulky Ground-type teammates that handle the likes of Tapu Koko and Magearna so that Chansey doesn't need to risk taking Volt Switch damage. Heart Swap Magearna can handle Tapu Lele and Kyurem-B and prevents Calm Mind Magearna and Reuniclus from making any progress. Toxapex can lay down Toxic Spikes to put attackers like Mega Medicham and Tapu Koko on a timer, and Shed Shell variants can scout Heatran and Tapu Fini safely and cripple them with Knock Off. Mega Scizor is a solid stop to Kyurem-B and Weavile, and Chansey can handle some of Mega Scizor's biggest threats in Volcarona and Mega Charizard Y as well as Lava Plume Heatran. Tornadus-T is a good option for revenge killing the likes of Serperior, Kartana, and Mega Medicham, and it can provide hazard removal support. Chansey is a common fixture on Magnezone teams due to its defensive shoddiness, and in return, Magnezone can forcibly revenge kill Kartana and trap Spikes setters like Skarmory and Ferrothorn. For stall teams, Mega Sableye is incredibly synergistic with Chansey, as it shuts down Mega Medicham and prevents hazards. Another good teammate on stall teams is Unaware Clefable, as it puts a firm stop to Hawlucha and Kommo-o and gives Chansey's team a way to stall out Serperior and Manaphy after it uses its Z-Move. Occasionally, Chansey can even be seen on offense teams, with Landorus-T partnering with it as a blanket check to physical attackers and wallbreakers like Tapu Lele and Mega Mawile, making up for Chansey's passivity while Chansey answers various special attackers and potentially provides cleric support.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Skill Swap allows Chansey to force Natural Cure onto a Gliscor that has had its Toxic Orb removed, putting it on an immediate timer until it switches out and loses its status condition. It additionally allows Chansey to threaten Reuniclus and Clefable with Toxic and remove Huge Power from Mega Mawile as it switches in. Confide allows Chansey to negate progress from problematic Calm Mind users in Pain Split Magearna and Reuniclus, though it only has enough PP to handle one Calm Mind user. Chansey can make use of Wish to support teammates without reliable healing like Mega Mawile and Seismitoad, usually fully healing teammates due to Chansey's titanic HP stat. Counter can be used to surprise the likes of Kyurem-B and Mega Lopunny with an OHKO after surviving Subzero Slammer and High Jump Kick at full health, respectively. Healing Wish is an option on Chansey on offense teams, giving a second wind to the likes of Mega Mawile and Mega Medicham by healing damage and clearing status from them.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Physical Wallbreakers**: Wallbreakers like Mega Medicham, Mega Mawile, and Kyurem-B are able to muscle through Chansey using its comparatively weaker physical bulk. Mega Tyranitar and Weavile threaten Chansey with big damage, the latter also being able to remove Eviolite and both having Pursuit to chip away at Chansey while it escapes.
**Certain Special Wallbreakers**: Under rain, Manaphy is completely unbothered by Chansey, with Hydration allowing it to shrug off status attempts and use Rest to heal any chip damage without any drawbacks. It can then proceed to set up to +6 with Tail Glow and blow through Chansey with Surf. Calm Mind + Pain Split Magearna is able to utilize Chansey's absurd HP stat for consistent healing as it boosts all the way to +6 and eventually muscles through. Tapu Lele can 2HKO Chansey with Choice Specs Psyshock. It can also beat Chansey one-on-one with Taunt and Calm Mind sets, though the latter sets give Chansey an opportunity to hit back with status.
**Taunt**: Taunt users like Heatran, Tapu Fini, Serperior, and Tornadus-T can prevent any status counterplay from Chansey and ensure that any damage they do to it sticks. Heatran and Tapu Fini are especially notable due to their trapping options in Magma Storm and Whirlpool, respectively, letting them remove Chansey outright.
**Status Absorbers**: Gliscor is immune to both of Chansey's common status options, and its strong passive recovery means that chipping it down with Seismic Toss is virtually impossible. Clefable and Reuniclus can freely set up on Chansey with Calm Mind thanks to Magic Guard, though the former has a hard time breaking through even after fully setting up without the aid of Knock Off. Although not a real status absorber, Excadrill is immune to both Toxic and Thunder Wave through its typing and can set up on Chansey with Swords Dance.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye is not only immune to Chansey's Seismic Toss, but it also has Magic Bounce to reflect any status attempts and Stealth Rock, rendering Chansey utterly incapable of doing anything.
**Leech Seed and Other HP-Draining Moves**: Leech Seed from Serperior, Ferrothorn, and Celesteela is bad not only because of the chip damage on Chansey but also because of the absurd amount it heals the opposing Pokemon thanks to Chansey's HP stat. Pain Split from Magearna and Rotom-W can put Chansey considerably low while usually healing them fully.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/diyusi.519886/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
Chansey's unbelievable bulk is metagame-defining, shaping the tier's special attackers around it and carrying the stall archetype on its back. Devastating threats like Ash-Greninja, Mega Alakazam, Volcarona, and Mega Charizard Y all fall under the same umbrella of being stumped by Chansey. It isn't especially vulnerable on the physical side, either; it has no issue with taking hits from Landorus-T and Diamond Storm Mega Diancie and can heal off Psyshock from Choice Scarf Tapu Lele. It can spread consistent damage with Seismic Toss and has the choice of either Toxic or Thunder Wave to further punish switch-ins. Additionally, it has support options like Stealth Rock and Aromatherapy, offering even more to teams it's put on. Chansey isn't invincible, though; it has no passive recovery, so it's vulnerable to being chipped down by pivot moves, entry hazards, and other forms of passive damage. Taunt users like Heatran and Tapu Fini can prevent its healing and ensure it stays too low to do its job properly. Lastly, wallbreakers like Mega Medicham, Mega Mawile, and Manaphy are able to crack Chansey open.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock / Aromatherapy
move 2: Seismic Toss
move 3: Soft-Boiled
move 4: Toxic / Thunder Wave
item: Eviolite
ability: Natural Cure
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
=========
Chansey makes for a good Stealth Rock user because of the free opportunities it gets while walling special attackers. The same can be said for Aromatherapy if Stealth Rock can be fit elsewhere on the team, supporting teammates like Unaware Clefable and Rest Seismitoad. Seismic Toss is a consistent method of damage that allows Chansey to beat down the likes of Assault Vest Magearna and Mega Diancie and chip away at switch-ins like Mega Mawile and Kartana. Soft-Boiled lets Chansey keep healthy in the face of entry hazards and wall special wallbreakers like Mega Charizard Y and Ash-Greninja over the course of a game. Toxic puts the likes of Zapdos, Pain Split Rotom-W, and Mega Charizard Y on a strict timer that prevents them from healing off Seismic Toss damage, as well as punishing switch-ins like Kyurem-B and Mega Medicham. Alternatively, Thunder Wave can irritate Steel-types like Mega Mawile and Magearna and Toxapex while still punishing offensive Pokemon like Mega Medicham, Mega Alakazam, and Serperior hard. An alternative spread of 160 HP / 252 Def / 96 Spe allows Chansey to outspeed paralyzed Timid Tapu Lele, which synergizes with Thunder Wave, though this cuts into Chansey's bulk significantly.
Set Details
========
Maximum Defense investment is used because Chansey's special bulk is naturally high enough for the special threats it's tasked with walling and to help against certain physical attackers like Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Choice Scarf Kartana, and Kyurem-B after burning its Z-Move.
Usage Tips
========
Despite Chansey being seemingly invulnerable to special attackers, Volt Switch users like Tapu Koko, Magearna, and Rotom-W can score free damage on Chansey while maintaining momentum. This is especially deadly with entry hazards up to compound the chip damage, so it's important to keep an eye on hazards and avoid having multiple layers on of the field. Sometimes, predictions like doubling in Chansey against the likes of Rotom-W and Tapu Koko are necessary to find a safe opportunity to heal off damage. Chansey needs to be very wary of Knock Off from Tornadus-T, Gliscor, and Clefable, which cuts into its bulk massively. Although Chansey can beat non-Taunt Heatran and non-Nature's Madness Tapu Fini, proper scouting is needed, as these two can otherwise completely ruin Chansey.
Team Options
========
Chansey fits best on teams ranging from balance to stall, as they can make up for Chansey's drain on momentum with a strong enough defensive core. Bulky Psychic-types like Slowbro, Cresselia, and Reuniclus can shut down the likes of Mega Medicham and Mega Lopunny and appreciate Chansey answering Ash-Greninja and Volcarona. Slowbro is notably good because it can also check other physical attackers like Mega Charizard X, Excadrill, and Mega Swampert for Chansey, and it can rely on Chansey to handle Mega Charizard Y and Tapu Koko for it. Skarmory provides a solid answer to Kartana and Excadrill and can set Spikes to whittle down the opposing team. Gliscor can handle Heatran and block Volt Switch thanks to its Ground typing and can further support Chansey by clearing entry hazards with Defog or cleaning up weakened teams with Swords Dance late-game. Seismitoad and specially defensive Excadrill are good examples of bulky Ground-type teammates that handle the likes of Tapu Koko and Magearna so that Chansey doesn't need to risk taking Volt Switch damage. Heart Swap Magearna can handle Tapu Lele and Kyurem-B and prevents Calm Mind Magearna and Reuniclus from making any progress. Toxapex can lay down Toxic Spikes to put attackers like Mega Medicham and Tapu Koko on a timer, and Shed Shell variants can scout Heatran and Tapu Fini safely and cripple them with Knock Off. Mega Scizor is a solid stop to Kyurem-B and Weavile, and Chansey can handle some of Mega Scizor's biggest threats in Volcarona and Mega Charizard Y as well as Lava Plume Heatran. Tornadus-T is a good option for revenge killing the likes of Serperior, Kartana, and Mega Medicham, and it can provide hazard removal support. Chansey is a common fixture on Magnezone teams due to its defensive shoddiness, and in return, Magnezone can forcibly revenge kill Kartana and trap Spikes setters like Skarmory and Ferrothorn. For stall teams, Mega Sableye is incredibly synergistic with Chansey, as it shuts down Mega Medicham and prevents hazards. Another good teammate on stall teams is Unaware Clefable, as it puts a firm stop to Hawlucha and Kommo-o and gives Chansey's team a way to stall out Serperior and Manaphy after it uses its Z-Move. Occasionally, Chansey can even be seen on offense teams, with Landorus-T partnering with it as a blanket check to physical attackers and wallbreakers like Tapu Lele and Mega Mawile, making up for Chansey's passivity while Chansey answers various special attackers and potentially provides cleric support.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Skill Swap allows Chansey to force Natural Cure onto a Gliscor that has had its Toxic Orb removed, putting it on an immediate timer until it switches out and loses its status condition. It additionally allows Chansey to threaten Reuniclus and Clefable with Toxic and remove Huge Power from Mega Mawile as it switches in. Confide allows Chansey to negate progress from problematic Calm Mind users in Pain Split Magearna and Reuniclus, though it only has enough PP to handle one Calm Mind user. Chansey can make use of Wish to support teammates without reliable healing like Mega Mawile and Seismitoad, usually fully healing teammates due to Chansey's titanic HP stat. Counter can be used to surprise the likes of Kyurem-B and Mega Lopunny with an OHKO after surviving Subzero Slammer and High Jump Kick at full health, respectively. Healing Wish is an option on Chansey on offense teams, giving a second wind to the likes of Mega Mawile and Mega Medicham by healing damage and clearing status from them.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Physical Wallbreakers**: Wallbreakers like Mega Medicham, Mega Mawile, and Kyurem-B are able to muscle through Chansey using its comparatively weaker physical bulk. Mega Tyranitar and Weavile threaten Chansey with big damage, the latter also being able to remove Eviolite and both having Pursuit to chip away at Chansey while it escapes.
**Certain Special Wallbreakers**: Under rain, Manaphy is completely unbothered by Chansey, with Hydration allowing it to shrug off status attempts and use Rest to heal any chip damage without any drawbacks. It can then proceed to set up to +6 with Tail Glow and blow through Chansey with Surf. Calm Mind + Pain Split Magearna is able to utilize Chansey's absurd HP stat for consistent healing as it boosts all the way to +6 and eventually muscles through. Tapu Lele can 2HKO Chansey with Choice Specs Psyshock. It can also beat Chansey one-on-one with Taunt and Calm Mind sets, though the latter sets give Chansey an opportunity to hit back with status.
**Taunt**: Taunt users like Heatran, Tapu Fini, Serperior, and Tornadus-T can prevent any status counterplay from Chansey and ensure that any damage they do to it sticks. Heatran and Tapu Fini are especially notable due to their trapping options in Magma Storm and Whirlpool, respectively, letting them remove Chansey outright.
**Status Absorbers**: Gliscor is immune to both of Chansey's common status options, and its strong passive recovery means that chipping it down with Seismic Toss is virtually impossible. Clefable and Reuniclus can freely set up on Chansey with Calm Mind thanks to Magic Guard, though the former has a hard time breaking through even after fully setting up without the aid of Knock Off. Although not a real status absorber, Excadrill is immune to both Toxic and Thunder Wave through its typing and can set up on Chansey with Swords Dance.
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye is not only immune to Chansey's Seismic Toss, but it also has Magic Bounce to reflect any status attempts and Stealth Rock, rendering Chansey utterly incapable of doing anything.
**Leech Seed and Other HP-Draining Moves**: Leech Seed from Serperior, Ferrothorn, and Celesteela is bad not only because of the chip damage on Chansey but also because of the absurd amount it heals the opposing Pokemon thanks to Chansey's HP stat. Pain Split from Magearna and Rotom-W can put Chansey considerably low while usually healing them fully.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zinnias.569291/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/diyusi.519886/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
Last edited:
