The Angler Pokemon. Chinchou is transfer-only in Diamond & Pearl. Volt Absorb heals from Electric moves, and A-Tier Lanturn is one of the bulkiest Water/Electric pivots.
Ability 1Volt AbsorbAbility 1Absorbs electric moves, healing for 1/4 max HP.Ability 2IlluminateAbility 2Doubles the wild encounter rate.
330HP75Attack38Defense38Speed67Sp.Def56Sp.Atk56
Chinchou
Lanturn
Weak to
Special
Balanced
67Speed · Below Avg

Is Chinchou Good in Diamond & Pearl Playthrough?

Not in the Sinnoh regional dex. Transfer-only Water/Electric. Lanturn at 27 has a unique typing. AbilityVolt Absorb heals from Electric attacks. If imported, the Water/Electric combination covers different ground than any Sinnoh native.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSTEEEGEEGGGEGSGERoarkGym 1GardeniaGym 2MayleneGym 3Crasher WakeGym 4FantinaGym 5ByronGym 6CandiceGym 7VolknerGym 8AaronE4BerthaE4FlintE4LucianE4MarsBossJupiterBossSaturnBossCynthiaChamp*ChinchouCatchableLanturnEvolve
Roark
Gym 1
Strong

Chinchou resists most of Roark's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock Throw
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
Stealth RockRock ThrowScreech
You Win
Cranidos
Lv 14
Rock
Mold Breaker
HeadbuttPursuitLeer
Gardenia
Gym 2
Tough

Gardenia's team hits Chinchou's weaknesses hard.

Even
Cherubi
Lv 19
Grass
Chlorophyll
Grass KnotLeech SeedGrowthSafeguard
Risky
Turtwig
Lv 19
Grass
Overgrow
Grass KnotRazor LeafWithdrawReflect
Avoid
Roserade
Lv 22
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Grass KnotMagical LeafPoison StingStun Spore
Maylene
Gym 3
Even

Chinchou trades roughly evenly with Maylene's team.

You Win
Meditite
Lv 27
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchConfusionMeditateDetect
Even
Machoke
Lv 27
Fighting
Guts
Brick BreakRock TombLeerForesight
Risky
Lucario
Lv 30
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Drain PunchForce PalmMetal ClawBone Rush
Crasher Wake
Gym 4
Even

Chinchou trades roughly evenly with Crasher Wake's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 27
WaterFlying
Intimidate
BrineDragon RageBiteSwagger
Even
Quagsire
Lv 27
WaterGround
Damp
Mud BombSlamMud SportTail Whip
Even
Floatzel
Lv 30
Water
Swift Swim
BrineIce FangPursuitSwift
Fantina
Gym 5
Even

Chinchou trades roughly evenly with Fantina's team.

You Win
Drifblim
Lv 32
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Ominous WindGustAstonishMinimize
Even
Gengar
Lv 34
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow ClawPoison JabSpiteConfuse Ray
Risky
Mismagius
Lv 36
Ghost
Levitate
Shadow BallPsybeamMagical LeafConfuse Ray
Byron
Gym 6
Good

Chinchou has the type edge here and should clean up Byron's team.

Even
Bronzor
Lv 36
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Flash CannonExtrasensoryConfuse RayHypnosis
You Win
Steelix
Lv 36
SteelGround
Rock Head
Gyro BallIce FangDragon BreathSandstorm
Easy KO
Bastiodon
Lv 39
RockSteel
Sturdy
Flash CannonAncient PowerIron DefenseRest
Candice
Gym 7
Even

Chinchou trades roughly evenly with Candice's team.

Even
Snover
Lv 38
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheRazor LeafIngrainLeer
Even
Sneasel
Lv 38
DarkIce
Inner Focus
AvalancheSlashFeint AttackTaunt
Even
Medicham
Lv 40
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Ice PunchForce PalmDetectBulk Up
Risky
Abomasnow
Lv 42
GrassIce
Snow Warning
AvalancheWood HammerGrass WhistleSwagger
Volkner
Gym 8
Even

Chinchou trades roughly evenly with Volkner's team.

Risky
Raichu
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Charge BeamBrick BreakThunder WaveLight Screen
Even
Ambipom
Lv 47
Normal
Technician
Shock WaveAgilityNasty PlotBaton Pass
You Win
Octillery
Lv 47
Water
Suction Cups
Charge BeamOctazookaAurora BeamBullet Seed
Risky
Luxray
Lv 49
Electric
Rivalry
Charge BeamThunder FangCrunchThunder Wave
Aaron
Elite Four
Good

Lanturn has the type edge here and should clean up Aaron's team.

Even
Dustox
Lv 53
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ToxicBug BuzzDouble TeamLight Screen
Easy KO
Beautifly
Lv 53
BugFlying
Swarm
Energy BallBug BuzzPsychicShadow Ball
Easy KO
Vespiquen
Lv 54
BugFlying
Pressure
Attack OrderDefend OrderHeal OrderPower Gem
Risky
Heracross
Lv 54
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornClose CombatNight SlashStone Edge
Even
Drapion
Lv 57
PoisonDark
Battle Armor
X ScissorCross PoisonIce FangAerial Ace
Bertha
Elite Four
Good

Lanturn has the type edge here and should clean up Bertha's team.

Even
Quagsire
Lv 55
WaterGround
Damp
DigDouble TeamProtectSandstorm
You Win
Sudowoodo
Lv 56
Rock
Sturdy
EarthquakeSucker PunchHammer ArmSandstorm
You Win
Golem
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeGyro BallBrick BreakSandstorm
Even
Whiscash
Lv 55
WaterGround
Oblivious
FissureAqua TailZen HeadbuttRock Slide
Even
Hippowdon
Lv 59
Ground
Sand Stream
EarthquakeStone EdgeCrunchCurse
Flint
Elite Four
Good

Lanturn has the type edge here and should clean up Flint's team.

You Win
Rapidash
Lv 58
Fire
Run Away
Flare BlitzSolar BeamBounceSunny Day
Easy KO
Steelix
Lv 57
SteelGround
Rock Head
Fire FangRock TombScreechSunny Day
Easy KO
Drifblim
Lv 58
GhostFlying
Aftermath
Will O WispOminous WindDouble TeamBaton Pass
Even
Lopunny
Lv 57
Normal
Cute Charm
Fire PunchCharmMirror CoatSunny Day
Even
Infernape
Lv 61
FireFighting
Blaze
Flare BlitzThunder PunchMach PunchEarthquake
Lucian
Elite Four
Even

Lanturn trades roughly evenly with Lucian's team.

Even
Mr Mime
Lv 59
Psychic
Soundproof
PsychicThunderboltReflectLight Screen
You Win
Girafarig
Lv 59
NormalPsychic
Inner Focus
PsychicShadow BallDouble HitCrunch
Even
Medicham
Lv 60
FightingPsychic
Pure Power
Drain PunchFire PunchThunder PunchIce Punch
Even
Alakazam
Lv 60
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicEnergy BallFocus BlastRecover
Risky
Bronzong
Lv 63
SteelPsychic
Levitate
PsychicGyro BallEarthquakeCalm Mind
Mars
Commander
Good

Lanturn has the type edge here and should clean up Mars's team.

Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 37
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Air CutterBiteToxicSupersonic
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 37
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Gyro BallExtrasensoryIron DefenseConfuse Ray
Even
Purugly
Lv 39
Normal
Thick Fat
SlashFeint AttackHypnosisFake Out
Jupiter
Commander
Strong

Lanturn resists most of Jupiter's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Zubat
Lv 18
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Giga DrainWing AttackBite
You Win
Skuntank
Lv 20
PoisonDark
Stench
Night SlashPoison GasScreechSmokescreen
Saturn
Commander
Good

Lanturn has the type edge here and should clean up Saturn's team.

You Win
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShock WaveRecoverEmbargo
You Win
Bronzor
Lv 38
SteelPsychic
Levitate
Gyro BallExtrasensoryShadow BallConfuse Ray
You Win
Toxicroak
Lv 40
PoisonFighting
Anticipation
Poison JabBrick BreakX ScissorSwagger
Cynthia
Champion
Even

Lanturn trades roughly evenly with Cynthia's team.

You Win
Spiritomb
Lv 61
GhostDark
Pressure
Dark PulsePsychicSilver WindEmbargo
Risky
Roserade
Lv 60
GrassPoison
Natural Cure
Energy BallSludge BombShadow BallExtrasensory
Even
Gastrodon
Lv 60
WaterGround
Sticky Hold
Muddy WaterEarthquakeStone EdgeSludge Bomb
Even
Lucario
Lv 63
FightingSteel
Steadfast
Aura SphereDragon PulsePsychicEarthquake
You Win
Milotic
Lv 63
Water
Marvel Scale
SurfIce BeamMirror CoatAqua Ring
Even
Garchomp
Lv 66
DragonGround
Sand Veil
Dragon RushEarthquakeBrick BreakGiga Impact

Catchable

Post-game only
Type
WaterElectric
Tier
E

Catch Chinchou on Route 220 (Super Rod fishing, Lv 15-25, common).

View Chinchou locations

Evolve Chinchou to Lanturn

Level 27
Type
WaterElectric
Tier
A

Chinchou evolves into Lanturn at Level 27. Level it up in the post-game, after you beat Cynthia.

View Lanturn locations

Recommended Moves

  • After Gardenia
    • TM25ElectricThunderPower 180Accuracy 70%PP 10Lake Valor
    • TM24ElectricThunderboltPower 143Accuracy 100%PP 15Veilstone Game Corner
    • TM68NormalGiga ImpactPower 150Accuracy 90%PP 5Veilstone Game Corner
    • TM15NormalHyper BeamPower 150Accuracy 90%PP 5Veilstone Department Store
  • After Crasher Wake
    • LV 40ElectricDischargePower 120Accuracy 100%PP 15
  • After Volkner
    • LV 52WaterHydro PumpPower 180Accuracy 80%PP 5
  • Post-Game
    • TM42NormalFacadePower 70Accuracy 100%PP 20Survival Area

How to Get Chinchou in Diamond & Pearl

Chinchou bites the Super Rod on one route, common at level 15 to 25. You need the best rod and that particular water, so the anglerfish stays out of reach with anything lesser.

Wild Chinchou may be holding when caught:

Deep Sea Scale (5% chance) Doubles Clamperl’s Special Defense. Traded on a Clamperl: Holder evolves into Gorebyss.

1 location to catch Chinchou

Encountered via fishing with a Rod

Badge 5

Where To Catch Chinchou in DP

Chinchou is where the line starts, caught through fishing encounters at Lv. 15-25. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.

  1. Lanturn
    Step 2Catch or Evolve into Lanturn
    or evolve from Chinchou (Step 1)

Want the exact numbers? Work out your catch odds in Diamond & Pearl for Chinchou.

How to Get Shiny Chinchou in Diamond & Pearl

Chinchou breeds down a shiny best, so pair it with a foreign parent for a much better shot each egg. Compare Shiny Chinchou odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Chinchou in Diamond & PearlNormal
Shiny Chinchou in Diamond & Pearl Shiny
Color ShiftBlue
Shiny TierB Tier Shiny

Shiny Chinchou Evolution

2 Forms
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Diamond & Pearl Shiny Chinchou Calculator

2 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is Masuda Method, about 1 in 1,639 on each try.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in Diamond & Pearl

Masuda Method: Breed with a parent from a different-language game. Works on any breedable line.

Full Odds: Walk through grass, surf, or fish. Every encounter is its own independent shiny roll.

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 1,639Masuda Method
Chance By Now50.0%at 1,136 eggs hatchedAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few173----
25%one in four472----
50%coin flip1,136----
90%very likely3,773----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

Curious how fast a hunt could go? Work out your Diamond & Pearl shiny odds for Chinchou.

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.

Chinchou Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Grass, Ground
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Flying
0.25x (Resist)Steel
Gen IV Type Chart
  • Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
  • Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)

What is Chinchou Weak Against

Good
2Weak
5Resist
1Immune
Score+2
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
0xImmune

What is Chinchou Strong Against

5Strong
2Resisted
0Immune
Score+3
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Chinchou

Roserade
Roserade
GrassPoison
B
Marowak
Marowak
Ground
C
Exeggutor
Exeggutor
GrassPsychic
C
Gastrodon
Gastrodon
WaterGround
C
Torterra
Torterra
GrassGround
C

Chinchou Evolutions

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 take an average time to hatch. Evolving adds up to 130 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Chinchou
WaterElectric
Lanturn
WaterElectric
HP
75
125+50
ATK
38
58+20
DEF
38
58+20
SP.ATK
56
76+20
SP.DEF
56
76+20
SPE
67
67
BST
330E-Tier
460A-Tier+130
ROLE
Balanced
Support
TYPE
Utility
Special

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed Chinchou easily with 19 breeding partners from the Water 2 egg group. Pass egg moves like Agility, Amnesia, Flail and 4 more to offspring.

Egg Groups
Water 2
Gender
♂50.0%♀50.0%
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
7moves
Breed With (best first)
gyaradosoctillerymagikarpremoraidwailordrelicanthwailmerlanturnsharpedowhiscashlumineonseaking

DP Chinchou Best Moveset

Water/Electric is a rare defensive typing with good resistances, and AbilityVolt Absorb heals on incoming Electric moves. But stats in the 38-75 range can't compete, and the moveset needs Lanturn's bulk to function. Lanturn is where the typing functions.

Best Build

Experimental
Wall
Ability
Volt Absorb
Item
LeftoversSUSTAIN
Best Nature for Chinchou
Calm+SPD

Chinchou best EVs are HP and Sp. Def

EVs

Wall Moveset

  • SurfSTAB
  • Thunder WaveSTAB
  • Sleep Talk
  • RestRecovery

Moves List

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.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Bubble
—3010030Water
Lv 1
Supersonic
——5520Normal
Lv 6
Thunder Wave
S—10020Electric
Lv 9
Flail
D—10015Normal
Lv 12
Water Gun
—6010025Water
Lv 17
Confuse Ray
C—10010Ghost
Lv 20
Spark
D9710020Electric
Lv 23
Take Down
D908520Normal
Lv 28
Bubble Beam
—9710020Water
Lv 31
Signal Beam
D7510015Bug
Lv 34
Discharge
C12010015Electric
Lv 39
Aqua Ring
D——20Water
Lv 42
Hydro Pump
C180805Water
Lv 45
Charge
———20Electric

TM Moves

28 of 30 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45
AttractAmity Squarebadge 2
——10015Normal
TM14
BlizzardLake Acuitybadge 2
D120705Ice
TM55D9710010Water
TM78
CaptivateRoute 204badge 2
——10020Normal
TM57
Charge BeamPrize for defeating Volknernot until badge 8
D759010Electric
TM32
Double TeamWayward Cavebadge 2
———15Normal
TM58
Endure+4Veilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
TM42
FacadeSurvival Area
D7010020Normal
TM70
FlashVeilstone Department Storebadge 1
D—10020Normal
TM21
FrustrationVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
D—10020Normal
TM10
Hidden PowerVeilstone Game Corner
D6010015Normal
TM13
Ice BeamRoute 216badge 2
D9510010Ice
TM83
Natural GiftVeilstone Department Storebadge 2
D—10015Normal
TM17
Protect+4Veilstone Department Storebadge 2
C——10Normal
TM44
RestVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
S——10Psychic
TM27
ReturnVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
D—10020Normal
TM43
Secret PowerAmity Squarebadge 2
—7010020Normal
TM34
Shock WaveRoute 215badge 2
D90—20Electric
TM82
Sleep TalkEterna Forestbadge 2
S——10Normal
TM90
SubstituteVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C——10Normal
HM03
SurfCelestic Townbadge 4
S14210015Water
TM87
SwaggerTM in Mr Backlot office in the Pokémon Mansion on Route 212badge 2
——9015Normal
TM25
ThunderLake Valorbadge 2
C1807010Electric
TM73
Thunder WaveExchange Service Corner building in the Battle Park, entered through the Fight Area gatehouse
S—10020Electric
TM24
ThunderboltVeilstone Game Cornerbadge 2
C14210015Electric
TM06
ToxicRoute 212badge 2
C—8510Poison
TM03
Water PulseRavaged Pathbadge 5
D9010020Water
HM07
WaterfallSunyshore Citynot until badge 8
D12010015Water

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Agility
C——30Psychic
Egg
Amnesia
D——20Psychic
Egg
Flail
D—10015Normal
Egg
Mist
———30Ice
Egg
Psybeam
D6510020Psychic
Egg
Screech
——8540Normal
Egg
Whirlpool
D528515Water

Tutor Moves

Chinchou can't learn any Tutor moves

Transfer Moves

Gen
Gen 3
Double-Edge
D12010015Normal
Gen 3
Mimic
———10Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP75
C
Attack38
F
Defense38
F
Sp. Atk56
D
Sp. Def56
D
Speed67
C
Total330
Details
Catch Rate
Easy190 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height0.5 m
Weight12.0 kg
Base XP66
Abilities
Volt Absorb
Absorbs electric moves, healing for 1/4 max HP.
Illuminate
Doubles the wild encounter rate.
Volt Absorb grants Electric immunity
EV Yield
HP+1AtkDefSpASpDSpe
HP training source
Pokedex Entry

It discharges positive and negative electricity from its antenna tips to shock its foes.

Pokemon Diamond / Pokemon Pearl

Chinchou Diamond & Pearl Guide

  • Yes. Wild Chinchou in Diamond & Pearl can hold Deep Sea Scale (5%). Use Thief (TM46) or Covet to swipe the held item without affecting your catch chance. Quickest way to farm rare items like Deep Sea Scale.

  • In Diamond & Pearl, Chinchou has 330 BST and evolves into Lanturn. Compare the two forms before you give either one a team slot.

  • Yes. Chinchou is not available during the main story. It can only be obtained after entering the Hall of Fame. Chinchou becomes available after the main story is complete in Diamond & Pearl.

Game Availability

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.

Explore

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