Chinchou is technically a pre-evolution of Lanturn, but it holds its own in formats where Eviolite is allowed. Only weak to Grass and Ground. 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 shoots positive and negative electricity between the tips of its two antennae and zaps its enemies.
On the dark ocean floor, its only means of communication is its constantly flashing lights.
Chinchou Weakness
GoodType-wise, Chinchou takes extra damage from Grass and Ground. The Water/Electric typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Chinchou's Water/Electric typing only leaves 2 gaps to cover.
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
Chinchou is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Lanturn. Check the evolution method below. A small 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 9 breeding partners from the Water2 egg group. Pass egg moves like Flail, Screech, Supersonic to offspring.
Nothing fancy here. Chinchou builds around Leftovers for passive recovery each turn, a nature nature for the right stat lean, and flexible EVs EVs. An ability does its job quietly.
Best Build
Best Chinchou Moveset
- Thunder
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
The egg pool carries weight here. Flail and Screech 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.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Easy grab on Chinchou with high spawn rates across 32 locations in mid-game fishing spots. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Best Locations
Bring Good Rod and Super Rod for Chinchou. There are 32 fishing encounters from Lv. 20-40 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 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