[OVERVIEW]
Chespin is a pretty weak Pokemon overall, but it has a few niches that allow it to remain usable in the current metagame. Chespin's ability, Bulletproof, allows it to counter several prominent Pokemon in LC like Foongus and Gastly that do not use Will-O-Wisp and Hex. Chespin can also set up Spikes while simultaneously having consistent recovery in Synthesis. In addition, it is able to check Ground-types like Drilbur and non-RestTalk Mudbray. Chespin's mono-Grass typing, however, makes it weak to both Flying- and Fire-types like Doduo, Rufflet, and Ponyta without being able to damage them very much. It also faces competition from other Spikes setters like Omanyte and Ferroseed, since they can set other entry hazards in addition to Spikes. Chespin is also very mediocre stat-wise, and it faces competition both offensively and defensively from Pokemon like Pumpkaboo-XL, Ferroseed, and Foongus. Finally, Chespin's Speed is fairly low, which affects its ability to put offensive pressure on the opponent.
[SET]
name: Offensive Utility
move 1: Seed Bomb
move 2: Zen Headbutt
move 3: Synthesis
move 4: Spikes / Drain Punch / Rock Slide
item: Eviolite
ability: Bulletproof
nature: Impish
evs: 68 HP / 28 Atk / 156 Def / 236 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Seed Bomb gains a STAB bonus and lets Chespin hit Water-, Rock-, and Ground-type Pokemon like Chinchou, Tirtouga, and Onix. Zen Headbutt allows Chespin to counter Foongus and most Gastly sets as well as checking Croagunk, hitting all of them super effectively. Synthesis is a reliable source of recovery, increasing Chespin's longevity and helping it wall more Pokemon. Spikes helps Chespin's team deal continual damage to the opponent's Pokemon as they switch in and also breaks Sturdy for Pokemon on the opposing team. Drain Punch lets Chespin hit Steel-types like Pawniard and Magnemite and Ice-types like Alolan Vulpix and Alolan Sandshrew. Rock Slide is a coverage move that helps Chespin patch up its weakness to Flying- and Fire-types like Doduo and Ponyta by hitting them super effectively.
Set Details
========
Bulletproof, Chespin's ability, is the main reason it is useful; it allows Chespin to not be hit by ball and bomb moves, letting it wall Foongus and most Gastly sets. Chespin is equipped with an Eviolite and the given EV spread to maximize its bulk.The majority of Chespin's EVs are invested in Special Defense to help Chespin tank special hits from the Pokemon that it walls the majority of the time like Gastly's Dazzling Gleam and Foongus's Hidden Power Fire and Clear Smog. The remaining EVs are put in HP to let Chespin take more hits and Attack so Chespin can hit opposing Pokemon harder.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Chespin in on the Pokemon it typically counters like Gastly and Foongus. Be wary, though, as Chespin may be unable to switch in on Gastly if it is the Will-O-Wisp + Hex variant. You can also switch in Chespin on bulky Water-types like Slowpoke and Mareanie, as it resists their Water-type STAB moves and can hit them super effectively. When Chespin is up against a Pokemon that it walls like Croagunk, you can have it set up Spikes or just hit the opposing Pokemon with a super effective move. When Chespin's HP is low, switch it out or use Synthesis to heal HP (if it is up against a Pokemon that cannot deal much damage to it). Keep Chespin away from Flying- and Fire-types like Doduo, Vullaby, Rufflet, Ponyta, and Houndour because they resist Grass-type moves and can OHKO Chespin with their STAB moves.
Team Options
========
Pokemon like Onix and Archen that resist Chespin's weaknesses in Fire- and Flying-types and can also hit those types hard are very good teammates. Chinchou is an excellent teammate, since it counters many of the Pokemon that Chespin has a hard time dealing with like Ponyta and Doduo, while Chespin resists all of Chinchou's weaknesses. Setup sweepers like Omanyte and Tirtouga appreciate the entry hazards that Chespin can provide and also cover many of Chespin's weaknesses. Spinblockers and Defiant Pokemon like Gastly, Frillish, and Pawniard can deter opponents from trying to get rid of the Spikes that Chespin can set up and are thus good Pokemon to have on its team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Chespin can run a Bulk Up set, but its mediocre Attack and coverage make this not very good. It can also use Berry Juice along with a fully offensive set on Chespin instead of Synthesis, but Chespin really likes having the bulk and constant recovery; as such, this is only a good idea on extremely offensive teams. Wood Hammer is an option for Chespin, but it makes Chespin take recoil damage and thus decreases longevity; Chespin is more of a defensive Pokemon rather than an offensive one, so Seed Bomb is generally better. If Chespin wants to hit Grass- and Fighting-types, it can run Aerial Ace, but the added coverage on mono-Grass types is typically not too useful when compared to the coverage Zen Headbutt provides. Poison Jab is an option for Chespin to hit Grass- and Fairy-types. To be a phazer as well as a hazard setter, Chespin can run Roar.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types like Ponyta and Torchic don't take much from any of Chespin's attacks aside from Rock Slide and can OHKO or deal massive damage to it with a super effective move.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types like Vullaby, Doduo, and Rufflet don't take much from any of Chespin's attacks bar Rock Slide and can OHKO or deal massive damage to it with a super effective move.
**Steel-types**: If Chespin is not using Drain Punch, it will be barely able to even dent Steel-types, as both Seed Bomb and Zen Headbutt hit them not very effectively. Pokemon like Pawniard and Ferroseed will either greatly resist or be immune to one of these two main moves as well.
**Setup Sweepers**: Although the Water-Rype Shell Smash users have a hard time setting up on Chespin, almost all other setup sweepers can easily do so and proceed to sweep your team.
Chespin is a pretty weak Pokemon overall, but it has a few niches that allow it to remain usable in the current metagame. Chespin's ability, Bulletproof, allows it to counter several prominent Pokemon in LC like Foongus and Gastly that do not use Will-O-Wisp and Hex. Chespin can also set up Spikes while simultaneously having consistent recovery in Synthesis. In addition, it is able to check Ground-types like Drilbur and non-RestTalk Mudbray. Chespin's mono-Grass typing, however, makes it weak to both Flying- and Fire-types like Doduo, Rufflet, and Ponyta without being able to damage them very much. It also faces competition from other Spikes setters like Omanyte and Ferroseed, since they can set other entry hazards in addition to Spikes. Chespin is also very mediocre stat-wise, and it faces competition both offensively and defensively from Pokemon like Pumpkaboo-XL, Ferroseed, and Foongus. Finally, Chespin's Speed is fairly low, which affects its ability to put offensive pressure on the opponent.
[SET]
name: Offensive Utility
move 1: Seed Bomb
move 2: Zen Headbutt
move 3: Synthesis
move 4: Spikes / Drain Punch / Rock Slide
item: Eviolite
ability: Bulletproof
nature: Impish
evs: 68 HP / 28 Atk / 156 Def / 236 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Seed Bomb gains a STAB bonus and lets Chespin hit Water-, Rock-, and Ground-type Pokemon like Chinchou, Tirtouga, and Onix. Zen Headbutt allows Chespin to counter Foongus and most Gastly sets as well as checking Croagunk, hitting all of them super effectively. Synthesis is a reliable source of recovery, increasing Chespin's longevity and helping it wall more Pokemon. Spikes helps Chespin's team deal continual damage to the opponent's Pokemon as they switch in and also breaks Sturdy for Pokemon on the opposing team. Drain Punch lets Chespin hit Steel-types like Pawniard and Magnemite and Ice-types like Alolan Vulpix and Alolan Sandshrew. Rock Slide is a coverage move that helps Chespin patch up its weakness to Flying- and Fire-types like Doduo and Ponyta by hitting them super effectively.
Set Details
========
Bulletproof, Chespin's ability, is the main reason it is useful; it allows Chespin to not be hit by ball and bomb moves, letting it wall Foongus and most Gastly sets. Chespin is equipped with an Eviolite and the given EV spread to maximize its bulk.The majority of Chespin's EVs are invested in Special Defense to help Chespin tank special hits from the Pokemon that it walls the majority of the time like Gastly's Dazzling Gleam and Foongus's Hidden Power Fire and Clear Smog. The remaining EVs are put in HP to let Chespin take more hits and Attack so Chespin can hit opposing Pokemon harder.
Usage Tips
========
Switch Chespin in on the Pokemon it typically counters like Gastly and Foongus. Be wary, though, as Chespin may be unable to switch in on Gastly if it is the Will-O-Wisp + Hex variant. You can also switch in Chespin on bulky Water-types like Slowpoke and Mareanie, as it resists their Water-type STAB moves and can hit them super effectively. When Chespin is up against a Pokemon that it walls like Croagunk, you can have it set up Spikes or just hit the opposing Pokemon with a super effective move. When Chespin's HP is low, switch it out or use Synthesis to heal HP (if it is up against a Pokemon that cannot deal much damage to it). Keep Chespin away from Flying- and Fire-types like Doduo, Vullaby, Rufflet, Ponyta, and Houndour because they resist Grass-type moves and can OHKO Chespin with their STAB moves.
Team Options
========
Pokemon like Onix and Archen that resist Chespin's weaknesses in Fire- and Flying-types and can also hit those types hard are very good teammates. Chinchou is an excellent teammate, since it counters many of the Pokemon that Chespin has a hard time dealing with like Ponyta and Doduo, while Chespin resists all of Chinchou's weaknesses. Setup sweepers like Omanyte and Tirtouga appreciate the entry hazards that Chespin can provide and also cover many of Chespin's weaknesses. Spinblockers and Defiant Pokemon like Gastly, Frillish, and Pawniard can deter opponents from trying to get rid of the Spikes that Chespin can set up and are thus good Pokemon to have on its team.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Chespin can run a Bulk Up set, but its mediocre Attack and coverage make this not very good. It can also use Berry Juice along with a fully offensive set on Chespin instead of Synthesis, but Chespin really likes having the bulk and constant recovery; as such, this is only a good idea on extremely offensive teams. Wood Hammer is an option for Chespin, but it makes Chespin take recoil damage and thus decreases longevity; Chespin is more of a defensive Pokemon rather than an offensive one, so Seed Bomb is generally better. If Chespin wants to hit Grass- and Fighting-types, it can run Aerial Ace, but the added coverage on mono-Grass types is typically not too useful when compared to the coverage Zen Headbutt provides. Poison Jab is an option for Chespin to hit Grass- and Fairy-types. To be a phazer as well as a hazard setter, Chespin can run Roar.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fire-types**: Fire-types like Ponyta and Torchic don't take much from any of Chespin's attacks aside from Rock Slide and can OHKO or deal massive damage to it with a super effective move.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types like Vullaby, Doduo, and Rufflet don't take much from any of Chespin's attacks bar Rock Slide and can OHKO or deal massive damage to it with a super effective move.
**Steel-types**: If Chespin is not using Drain Punch, it will be barely able to even dent Steel-types, as both Seed Bomb and Zen Headbutt hit them not very effectively. Pokemon like Pawniard and Ferroseed will either greatly resist or be immune to one of these two main moves as well.
**Setup Sweepers**: Although the Water-Rype Shell Smash users have a hard time setting up on Chespin, almost all other setup sweepers can easily do so and proceed to sweep your team.
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