Chespin Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Seed Bomb gains a STAB bonus and lets Chespin hit Water-, Rock-, and Ground-type Pokemon like Chinchou, Tirtouga, and Onix. Zen Headbutt allows Chespin to counter Foongus and most Gastly sets as well as checking Croagunk, hitting all of them super effectively. Synthesis is a reliable source of recovery, increasing Chespin's longevity and helping it wall more Pokemon. Spikes helps Chespin's team deal continual damage to the opponent's Pokemon as they switch in and also breaks Sturdy for Pokemon on the opposing team. Drain Punch lets Chespin hit Steel-types like Pawniard and Magnemite and Ice-types like Alolan Vulpix and Alolan Sandshrew. Rock Slide is a coverage move that helps Chespin patch up its weakness to Flying- and Fire-types like Doduo and Ponyta by hitting them super effectively. Set Details Bulletproof, Chespin's ability, is the main reason it is useful; it allows Chespin to not be hit by ball and bomb moves, letting it wall Foongus and most Gastly sets. Chespin is equipped with an Eviolite and the given EV spread to maximize its bulk.The majority of Chespin's EVs are invested in Special Defense to help Chespin tank special hits from the Pokemon that it walls the majority of the time like Gastly's Dazzling Gleam and Foongus's Hidden Power Fire and Clear Smog. The remaining EVs are put in HP to let Chespin take more hits and Attack so Chespin can hit opposing Pokemon harder. Usage Tips Switch Chespin in on the Pokemon it typically counters like Gastly and Foongus. Be wary, though, as Chespin may be unable to switch in on Gastly if it is the Will-O-Wisp + Hex variant. You can also switch in Chespin on bulky Water-types like Slowpoke and Mareanie, as it resists their Water-type STAB moves and can hit them super effectively. When Chespin is up against a Pokemon that it walls like Croagunk, you can have it set up Spikes or just hit the opposing Pokemon with a super effective move. When Chespin's HP is low, switch it out or use Synthesis to heal HP (if it is up against a Pokemon that cannot deal much damage to it). Keep Chespin away from Flying- and Fire-types like Doduo, Vullaby, Rufflet, Ponyta, and Houndour because they resist Grass-type moves and can OHKO Chespin with their STAB moves. Team Options Pokemon like Onix and Archen that resist Chespin's weaknesses in Fire- and Flying-types and can also hit those types hard are very good teammates. Chinchou is an excellent teammate, since it counters many of the Pokemon that Chespin has a hard time dealing with like Ponyta and Doduo, while Chespin resists all of Chinchou's weaknesses. Setup sweepers like Omanyte and Tirtouga appreciate the entry hazards that Chespin can provide and also cover many of Chespin's weaknesses. Spinblockers and Defiant Pokemon like Gastly, Frillish, and Pawniard can deter opponents from trying to get rid of the Spikes that Chespin can set up and are thus good Pokemon to have on its team.