Credits to ocaritna (deviantart)
Chesnaught
Typing: Grass/Fighting
Base Stats: HP: 88 / Attack: 107 / Defense: 123 / Sp. Atk: 74 / Sp. Def: 75 / Speed: 64
Immune: None
Resist: Ground (x1/2), Rock (x1/2), Water (x1/2) , Grass (x1/2), Electric (x1/2), Dark (x1/2)
Weak: Flying (x4), Poison (x2), Fire (x2) , Psychic (x2), Ice (x2), Fairy (x2)
Style: Utility
Variant: Support
Ability: Bulletproof- "Protects the Pokémon from some ball and bomb moves."
List of attacks bulletproof protects the user from:
Notable Moves:
OVERVIEW
Chesnaught is one of the most underrated physically defensive utility pokemon in the UU, and to an extant OU. This is thanks in part to its unique ability bulletproof, which gives the mighty Spiny Armor pokemon immunity to several "bomb" or "bullet" attacks like shadow ball, sludge bomb, gyro ball, focus blast, and etc. While not much, surprising this makes Chesnaught able to setup hazards with spikes or leech seed quite easy as well as potentially wall pokemon such as OU grass type veterans Mega Venusar (lacking HP fire), and Ferrothorn. Chesnaught has the honor of wearing down the coveted "sandstorm offensive trio" in Hippowdon, Tyranitar, and the most threatening sand sweeper, Excadrill with the combination of leech seed, spikes, hammer arm, wood hammer, etc. ORAS was rather kind to the Chesnaught as it received a few new toys to add to its sustain and versatility: drain punch and super fang. The recent power creeps continues to wear down defensive pokemon like Chesnaught with new megas (Metagross, Beedrill, Pidgeot, Salamence, Gallade), however make no mistake, Chesnaught can fulfill its task as the utility mon if used properly.
Super Fang Chesnaught (Aka BETTER FERROTHORN) @Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
Ability: Bulletproof
EVs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 SpD
Impish Nature
- Super Fang/ Drain Punch / Hammer Arm
- Seed Bomb / Wood Hammer
- Spikes / Spiky Shield
- Leech Seed / Synthesis
BOLD= BUILD
ITALICS = Other options
This is the build I ran with for some time with Chesnaught based around its new tutor move: super fang. The reason why super fang is opted instead of sustainable moves like drain punch is simply because of consistence. If any of you don't know super fang is an 90% accuracy normal type attack that always does about 50% to the opposing pokemon current HP stat. Let's be honest, drain punch is a fantastic move that allows Chesaught to recover about 50% of the damage dealt to its opponent, yet there was one major flaw in this move. People will try to switch-in a check/counter like Talonflame, Landorus-I, Lati@s twins, Metagross, Pidgeot, Mamoswine, Mega Venusaur, etc on the not effective drain punch while Chesnaught does little to no damage against them. Thanks to super fang, Chenaught is able to inflict about half of the opponent's health REGARDLESS of their type match up (except for Ghost). While it might not seem as good as maybe a coverage move or stab options, keep in mind that 50% is still a significant portion of the a pokemon's health and can force the opponent to limit their switch ins during late game. This can help out setup sweepers like Mega Metagross, Talonflame, sub calm mind Keldeo, Mega Charizard X/Y, and other pokemon sweep relatively easily with their stab or coverage options. Though it has the chance to miss, make no mistake super fang will surely weaken your opponents enough for your team to pick them off long term. Funny thing that this isn't the only thing Chensaught excels in as its a terrific spiker and leech seeder. Spikes is another incredibly useful entry hazard that hits all opposing "grounded" pokemon for 1/8 (12.5%) of their health upon switching in, 1/6 (16.67%) with two layers of spikes, and 1/4 (25%) with all three layers stacked. Lastly, leech seed is an incredible health sapping (yet annoying) move that takes away about 1/8 (12.5%) of your opposing pokemon's health. Seed bomb is the STAB option I chose to hit hard water, rock and ground type pokemon like Swampert, Azumarill, Politoed, Rhyperior, Hippowdon, and others for considerable damage. In place of seed bomb, you can choose any other STAB or utility options that fits the stlyle o f your team (I'll get to discussing in bit). The combination of spikes, leech seed, and super fang will practically ensures Chesnaught will be a difficult thorn to wear down the opposing team.
Other Options:
While the four aforementioned were highlighted for this build,here are some other options to run on a Chesnaught. Drain punch is a good fighting stab that heals Chesnaught for about 50% of the damage dealt to the opponent. This attack will come in handy when facing bulky pokemon such as Tyranitar, Ferrothorn, Snorlax, and others threats. Keep in mind people will be able to switch in their fairy, psychic, flying, ghost, and poison types quite easily for a free switch. Hammer arm is a semi-decent options with a total power (factoring stab) of 150 can leave a considerable dent to any pokemon. The only two draw backs are that hammer arm is not accurate (90%) and lowers Chesnaught speed by one stage. Though Chensnaught doesn't have to worry about speed investment (unless it's speed creeping around base 64), the speed drop will make it slower than bulky walls, tanks, and attackers are like Tyranitar, Hippoddown, Azumarill, etc. Wood Hammer is another powerful grass option amounting to about 180 base power with stab. With proper attack investment wood hammer can ohko standard assault vest, choice band, and belly drum Azumarills, however recoil will be an issue for Chesnaught considering functions as a utility mon. Spiky shield is the one of the best "protect" moves with zero drawbacks aside from failing after consecutive use. What makes spiky shield incredibly useful is if any pokemon hit Chensnaught with a contact move, the attackers will suffer 1/8 (12.5%) damage to their health. This is practically used in tandem with leech seed as the opponent will have to think twice before using a contact move. This can make predictions quite easy for the enemy opponent as a safe switch to a special attacker,substitute users, or and check and counters, will expose this strategy quite considerably. Lastly, synthesis is an option in place of leech seed that will restore Chesnaught's health by 50% of its health. Though it's one way to restore Chesnaught's health, keep in mind that sand stream, drizzle, and snow warning users will negate replenishing to about 33% if their respective weather is on the field. However if drought is in play, synthesis will restore about 67% of Chesnaught's health.
Defensive Calculations:
Offensive Calculations:
Summary:
In conclusion, Chesnaught is a very capable defensive utility sturdy enough to wear down opposing pokemon with its respective moves and and supportive options. Try giving super fang a try on Chesnaught and you'll see how incredibly useful it can be.
Thanks for reading!