Chimchar's stats barely vary. None sit in respectable range with no real gaps. It's a blank slate for EV investment. Worth 1 Speed EV, 1.06M XP medium-slow curve to max.
Full of vigor and always in high spirits. It was once known by the name “Lantern-Tail” and feared as some kind of apparition.
Type-wise, Chimchar takes extra damage from Water, Ground, and Rock. 6 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy |
Garchomp can KO Chimchar with Earthquake (231-273%). Gyarados threatens a KO with Waterfall (198-233%). Hippowdon's Earthquake also KOs at 170-200%.
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemRocky Helmet NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Chimchar View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x231-273%KO | ||
 Gyarados Water | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemLeftovers NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Chimchar View Gyarados builds →Waterfall 2x198-233%KO Earthquake 2x165-194%KO | ||
 Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Chimchar View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x170-200%KO | ||
 Toxapex PoisonWater | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves View Toxapex builds →
| ||
 Garganacl Rock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPurifyingsalt ItemLeftovers NatureCareful Moves View Garganacl builds →
| ||
Chimchar is the start of a three-stage chain. It evolves into Monferno first, then eventually reaches Infernape. For breeding, average hatch time with a massive partner pool via two egg groups. Evolving adds up to 225 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Chimchar easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground and Humanshape egg groups.
Chimchar's locked into one move per switch-in with Choice Scarf, trading flexibility for speed patching through item lock. Firepunch is the go-to spam option, with the remaining moves keeping switch-ins honest.
Best Build
Chimchar best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Revenge Killer Moveset
- Fire Punch
- Thunder Punch
- Stealth Rock
- U Turn
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Endeavor
- Vacuum Wave
- Protect
- Will O Wisp
Recommended Teammates
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 8.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 7.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
Stall teams hate this. Chimchar can spread damage across 12 types, with Normal and Flying punishing common defensive pivots. STAB from Overheat and Flare Blitz keeps the pressure honest on everything else.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Chimchar's movepool balances level-up moves with TM options. Consistent STAB comes from Flamethrower and Fire Punch, and Normal and Flying coverage and more keeps opponents from switching in for free. No major gaps here.
Stall teams hate this. Chimchar can spread damage across 10 types, with Normal and Fighting punishing common defensive pivots. STAB from Overheat and Fire Blast keeps the pressure honest on everything else.
Stall teams hate this. Chimchar can spread damage across 12 types, with Normal and Flying punishing common defensive pivots. STAB from Overheat and Fire Blast keeps the pressure honest on everything else.
Chimchar can't be caught in Scarlet & Violet. Bring it over from Diamond, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus instead. The encounter info below covers the source games.
Chimchar is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also found in:
2 encounter spots for Chimchar at decent spawn rates starting from mid-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Best Locations to Catch Chimchar in Legends: Arceus
6 encounter spots for Chimchar at moderate rates starting from endgame routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Best Locations to Catch Chimchar in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Before you go hunting for Chimchar, check which of the 6 spots belong to your version. Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl each have different walking encounters at Lv. 58-63.
No wild encounters for Chimchar in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. It's available in Diamond, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus and can be transferred over. The details below show where to find it.
Chimchar is not available as a wild encounter in this game.
Also found in:
Chimchar evolves into Monferno at level 14. Early evolution, you'll hit it before the third gym in most games.
Chimchar does the job early-game if you need a Fire type on your team. Evolve it into Monferno before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Chimchar is catchable across 12 games. Debuted in Scarlet & Violet and most recently available in Platinum and HeartGold & SoulSilver.
Chimchar first appeared in Diamond & Pearl and has been available in 12 games across 7 generations. Obtainable through catching or hatching as a base form in most titles where it appears.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves