Flying is a dangerous matchup for Chesnaught — quadruple damage means one hit can end things. On the flip side, it resists 6 types, so the defensive profile isn't all bad. It relies on priority moves or Scarf to keep up. Known as the Spiny Armor Pokemon.
Defense and Attack carry most of Chesnaught's stat budget. Speed's the obvious dump stat. Tough to catch and yields 3 Defense EVs. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
Its Tackle is forceful enough to flip a 50-ton tank. It shields its allies from danger with its own body.
When it takes a defensive posture with its fists guarding its face, it could withstand a bomb blast.
Chesnaught Weakness
FragileChesnaught is weak to Flying, Fire, Ice, Poison, Psychic, and Fairy-type moves. Watch out for Flying attacks, those deal 4x damage. With 6 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Chesnaught's physical bulk (base 122 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
End of the line. Chesnaught caps a three-stage chain that started at Chespin. Breeding produces the base form, and eggs are average hatch time. Defense grew the most through evolution (+57 over Chespin), and Chesnaught peaks at 530 total stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Chesnaught to get Chespin eggs from the Ground egg group.
Chesnaught's job is getting Spikes up and staying on the field. Rocky Helmet provides chip damage on every physical hit received, Bulletproof helps it stick around, and max HP and Defense EVs prioritize longevity. Synthesis keeps it healthy between hits.
Best Build
Best Chesnaught Moveset
- Body Press
- Synthesis
- Spikes
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
Take Down and Close Combat bring the raw damage. But Chesnaught also picks up coverage across 12 types from TMs, making it tough to find a safe switch. You're not locked into one angle here.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Chesnaught isn't available in the wild in Legends: Z-A. Start by transferring Chespin from X. The evolution path from Chespin to Chesnaught is covered in the steps below.
We rate Chesnaught B-Tier — a solid choice for the right team. At 530 BST, it fits the tank role. Base 122 Defense stands out.
Chesnaught's biggest threats include Braviary (Flying), Blaziken (Fire), and Weavile (Ice), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Braviary is the most dangerous since Flying moves deal 4x damage. Poison, Psychic, and Fairy-type attackers are also a problem. With 6 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter.
Overgrow is the go-to ability for Chesnaught. It strengthens grass moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. Its hidden ability Bulletproof can work in specific setups.
At base 64 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Chesnaught is leaning toward the physical side (base 107 Attack). Defensively? Tanky enough to absorb a few hits. Best used as a tank.
Chesnaught appears in 6 games, including X & Y, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, and Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.
Since debuting in X & Y, Chesnaught has appeared in 6 titles over 4 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 6, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
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 VIXYDebut
X & Y - Gen VIORASMega
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