Chinchou is technically a pre-evolution of Lanturn, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Volt Absorb heals when hit by Electric moves, adding extra value. Flexible enough to run physical or special sets. Part of the Gen 2 roster.
Nothing fancy in Chinchou's spread. It leans mixed with HP out front. And you'll get 1 HP EV per KO for it. Follows a slow 1.25M XP grind.
It discharges positive and negative electricity from the tips of its antennae to shock its foes.
Chinchou Weakness
GoodType-wise, Chinchou takes extra damage from Grass and Ground. The Water/Electric typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Volt Absorb grants an additional Electric immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
Chinchou is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Lanturn. Check the evolution method below. A decent partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 130 stat points total.
How to Evolve
Breed Chinchou easily with 34 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group.
Don't let the NFE status fool you. Chinchou with Eviolite hits bulk numbers that compete with final forms. A spread EV build EVs and Timid nature maximize that, and Voltabsorb handles the rest.
Best Build
Best Chinchou Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Hydro Pump
Recommended Teammates
Most of Chinchou's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Hydro Pump and Thunder, but Normal and Ice and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The egg pool carries weight here. Agility and Amnesia aren't available any other way for Chinchou, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Hydro Pump and Thunder for solid options.
The egg pool carries weight here. Mist and Psybeam aren't available any other way for Chinchou, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Hydro Pump and Thunder for solid options.
The egg pool carries weight here. Agility and Amnesia aren't available any other way for Chinchou, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Zap Cannon and Hydro Pump for solid options.
Chinchou can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Bring it over from Gold, Crystal, or Ruby instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
Chinchou is available from early-game routes onward at high spawn rates. 8 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations
8 walking and fishing encounters at Lv. 15-63 for Chinchou across Shining Pearl and Brilliant Diamond. A few locations are version-exclusive, so your copy of the game affects what's available.
Chinchou is available from mid-game water routes onward at high spawn rates. 18 encounter spots give you plenty of options. Grab one early and it'll be ready to evolve or train by mid-game.
Best Locations
Chinchou's encounter pool splits between Shield and Sword. You've got 18 surfing and fishing spots at Lv. 20-45 total, but your version determines which ones actually show up.
Easy grab on Chinchou with high spawn rates across 8 locations in early-game fishing spots. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Best Locations
Bring Super Rod for Chinchou. There are 8 fishing encounters from Lv. 10-29 with no walking alternatives. Pick the spot with the best rate and settle in.
At 330 BST, Chinchou is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Lanturn before bringing it to any serious fight.
Chinchou evolves into Lanturn at level 27. Chinchou is the base form of this evolutionary line.
Chinchou gets Volt Absorb, Illuminate, and Water Absorb. But Volt Absorb is the one that matters — it's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Chinchou is a special attacker with base 56 Sp. Atk. Fragile — can't afford to take many hits, too. But the speed tells the real story — at base 67 Speed, it won't be moving first often.
Chinchou appears in 17 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Debuting in Gold & Silver, Chinchou appears in 17 games across 8 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A