Chinchou Best Moveset
Water/Electric at 56/56 balanced Sp. Atk and Sp. Def with 75 HP. AbilityVolt Absorb grants Electric immunity and healing. The moveset has decent bulk for a pre-evolution on a rare defensive typing. Evolve to Lanturn for 125 HP and the Water/Electric TermStab that tanks special hits.
Water/Electric pre-evolution in Gen II (Gold & Silver). Volt Absorb healed from Electric. 56/56 bulk was workable in the lower tiers.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Thunder
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Dropped in Gen III (Ruby & Sapphire). Lanturn existed and did everything from higher stats. The pre-evolution lost its reason to be fielded.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Hydro Pump
- Rain Dance
- Blizzard
- Thunder
Recommended Teammates
Chinchou saw minimal competitive use in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum). Chinchou maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Voltabsorb with Leftovers, favoring a Calm nature.
Wall Moveset
- Surf
- Thunder Wave
- Sleep Talk
- Rest
Recommended Teammates
Chinchou saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). Chinchou maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Voltabsorb with Eviolite, favoring a Calm nature.
Wall Moveset
- Sleep Talk
- Scald
- Rest
- Volt Switch
Recommended Teammates
Chinchou saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). Chinchou maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Waterabsorb with Eviolite, favoring a Calm nature.
Wall Moveset
- Volt Switch
- Protect
- Toxic
- Hydro Pump
Recommended Teammates
Chinchou saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Chinchou maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Voltabsorb with Choice Scarf, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Volt Switch
- Ice Beam
- Thunderbolt
- Hydro Pump
Recommended Teammates
Chinchou saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Chinchou maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Voltabsorb with Eviolite, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
Recommended Teammates
Chinchou saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Chinchou maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Voltabsorb with Eviolite, favoring a Timid nature.
Utility Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Hydro Pump
Recommended Teammates
Chinchou Weakness
Type-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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Grass, Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Water, Ice, Flying |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Steel |
What is Chinchou Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Chinchou
Koffing's Explosion hits Chinchou for 47-56%.
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityNeutralizinggas ItemEviolite NatureCareful Moves
Damage vs Chinchou View Koffing builds →Explosion47-56% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityToxicdebris ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Chinchou View Glimmet builds →Sludge Bomb25-29% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRaindish ItemLife Orb NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Chinchou View Wingull builds →Hurricane18-22% Ice Beam15-18% Hydro Pump18-22% | ||
D | ||
Recommended Build AbilityOvercoat ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves View Vullaby builds →
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D | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemEviolite NatureBold Moves View Mareanie builds →
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Evolution
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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Chinchou easily with 34 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group.
How to Get Chinchou
moderate rates for Chinchou across 2 locations in endgame routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Chinchou in SV
The path to Chinchou starts with Chinchou at Lv. 50-80 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Chinchou ✓Canyon BiomeLv.50-80Overworld
Step 2Catch or Evolve into LanturnCanyon BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCoastal BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCoastal BiomeLv.64Overworldor evolve from Chinchou (Step 1)
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.
Where To Catch Chinchou in BDSP
Chinchou is your first catch on the way to Chinchou. You'll find walking and fishing encounters from Lv. 15-63 across 16 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Chinchou ✓Route 220Lv.15-25Super RodRate 30%Fountainspring CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameGlacial CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameIcy CaveLv.58-63CavePost-game
Step 2Catch or Evolve into LanturnRoute 220Lv.20-45Super RodRate 5%Fountainspring CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameGlacial CavernLv.58-63CavePost-gameIcy CaveLv.58-63CavePost-gameor evolve from Chinchou (Step 1)
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.
Where To Catch Chinchou in SwSh
Chinchou is your first catch on the way to Chinchou. You'll find surfing and fishing encounters from Lv. 20-52 across 34 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Chinchou ✓HulburyLv.20-24Super RodRate 20%Giant's MirrorLv.26-28Super RodRate 10%East Lake AxewellLv.40-43Surfing on waterRate 70%ThunderstormWest Lake AxewellLv.38-40Surfing on waterRate 60%ThunderstormHoneycalm IslandLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 10%ThunderstormHoneycalm SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 10%ThunderstormInsular SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 10%ThunderstormStepping-Stone SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 10%ThunderstormWorkout SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 10%Thunderstorm
Step 2Catch or Evolve into LanturnBridge FieldLv.26-28Super RodRate 25%Dusty BowlLv.40-45Super RodRate 35%Honeycalm IslandLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 1%ThunderstormHoneycalm SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 1%ThunderstormInsular SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 1%ThunderstormStepping-Stone SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 1%ThunderstormWorkout SeaLv.40-45Surfing on waterRate 1%ThunderstormLake of OutrageLv.50-52Super RodRate 35%or evolve from Chinchou (Step 1)
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.
Where To Catch Chinchou in USUM
The path to Chinchou starts with Chinchou at Lv. 10-29 via fishing encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Chinchou ✓Akala OutskirtsLv.10-29Super RodRate 35%Shaking spotRoute 8Lv.10-25Super RodRate 35%Shaking spotAkala OutskirtsLv.10-24Super RodRate 5%Route 8Lv.10-20Super RodRate 5%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into LanturnAkala OutskirtsLv.10-24Super RodSOS from ChinchouAkala OutskirtsLv.10-29Super RodSOS from ChinchouRoute 8Lv.10-25Super RodSOS from ChinchouRoute 8Lv.10-20Super RodSOS from Chinchouor evolve from Chinchou (Step 1)
Base Stats
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.
Its antennae, which evolved from a fin, have both positive and negative charges flowing through them.
Chinchou Guide
For a casual playthrough, Chinchou works as a placeholder. Water/Electric coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Lanturn. That's where the stats start mattering.
Game Availability
Debuting in Gold & Silver, Chinchou appears in 17 games across 9 generations. A reliable presence in most mainline games, typically found through catching or hatching as a base form.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves