Chimchar Movesets & Competitive Sets

Moves Chimchar is a moderately fast Stealth Rock user that can setup the hazard consistently. Both Taunt and Encore prevent Chimchar from becoming set up bait: Taunt can prevent a slower lead from setting up entry hazards or attempting to boost, whereas Encore can lock an opponent into a move, thereby giving a free switch to one of Chimchar's teammates. Fake Out allows Chimchar to negate an opponent's Sturdy or Focus Sash, especially those of common leads such as Dwebble and Onix. Overheat is a strong Fire-type STAB move that guarantees the OHKO on Dwebble after a Fake Out. It can also do heavy damage to foes that don't resist it, especially if Chimchar is brought down to Blaze range. Fire Blast is a weaker alternative to Overheat that doesn't lower Chimchar's Special Attack stat; however, it will likely not KO Dwebble after a Fake Out. Set Details 188 Speed EVs with a Timid nature allow Chimchar to reach 16 Speed, letting it Speed tie with Dwebble. A Timid nature is chosen over Hasty or Naive, as Fake Out's purpose isn't to deal a lot of damage, but simply to break Sturdy and Focus Sash, meaning an Attack-reducing nature isn't detrimental. 212 Special Attack EVs allow for Chimchar's Fire-type attack to hit harder, while the remaining EVs are invested in bulk; they give an additional point in HP and Special Defense and two in Defense, allowing Chimchar to take a Knock Off and Drain Punch from Mienfoo. A Focus Sash typically guarantees Chimchar either setting up Stealth Rock or firing off an attack, if the opponent doesn't have a multi-hit move such as Rock Blast. It also works well in tandem with Blaze, which upon activation makes Chimchar's STAB moves even stronger. Usage Tips Chimchar's job is to set up Stealth Rock and deal damage to an opposing lead with Fake Out, a job it can only do successfully if it is used early-game, particularly as a lead. Avoid leading with Chimchar if your opponent has a lead like Onix or Mienfoo, as they are faster and can prevent Chimchar from setting hazards with Taunt. If the opponent is slower than Chimchar, then Chimchar will be able to use Taunt or Encore effectively, preventing an opponent from setting up entry hazards or boosting. A Fire-type attack from Chimchar can severely dent a frailer opponent, particularly if Chimchar has been brought down to Blaze thanks to Focus Sash. Team Options A spinblocker such as Pumpkaboo can prevent Chimchar's Stealth Rock from being removed. Pumpkaboo synergizes quite well with Chimchar, as Chimchar loses to Staryu and Drilbur, the metagame's most common spinners, while Pumpkaboo usually beats both of these threats. Cottonee is also able to beat both of these spinners or Encore them into Rapid Spin, in addition to beating most of the leads that Chimchar struggles with. Pawniard does not prevent the removal of entry hazards, but it does punish Defog users, most of which beat Chimchar, by receiving a Defiant boost from it. Other fast, hard-hitting Pokemon appreciate having Stealth Rock up, as it softens opposing teams, and also breaks Sturdy in Pokemon such as Tirtouga and Magnemite.

This is Chimchar's most effective set, where it plays the role of a "suicide lead." Chimchar can either set up Stealth Rock quickly, or deal massive damage to the opponent's lead. Fake Out breaks opponents' Focus Sashes or Sturdy, allowing you to KO them with Overheat, which hits very hard thanks to its high Base Power and STAB. However, the Special Attack drop can be problematic, because some Pokemon can take advantage of it by setting up on or revenge killing Chimchar. Hidden Power Grass is useful for hitting the pesky Water-type Pokemon which resist Overheat for super effective damage. The EVs are quite simple; max out Chimchar's Speed and Special Attack to improve its usefulness as a lead. Luckily for Chimchar, it needs only 4 EVs to raise its HP and Special Defense stats by 1 point each. The remaining EVs are invested into Attack to increase Fake Out's power. Team Preview can sometimes give Chimchar a bad lead matchup, so sometimes it is counterproductive to use it as your first Pokemon. For this reason, a Life Orb can be used instead of a Focus Sash. The extra power is welcomed, and if you neglect to use Chimchar as your lead, there is a good chance that it will take damage from entry hazards and lose its Focus Sash when it does switch in. Additionally, Fire Blast can be used instead of Overheat for more consistent damage, because if Chimchar is used mid-game, it won't be acting as a suicide lead and will appreciate the absence of the Special Attack drop. Taunt is a good option for stopping other leads that try to set up their entry hazards or dual screens. Protect is a another option to prevent faster leads with Fake Out, such as Meowth, Aipom, and Buneary, from breaking Chimchar's Focus Sash.

Chimchar is one of the better leads in the Little Cup metagame, due to the major centralization around the 15 Speed mark. With a Hasty nature, Chimchar outpaces other leads running 15 Speed and KOes most of them with Fake Out followed by Overheat or Hidden Power Grass. Because of this, it can prevent Stealth Rock from being set up without having to sacrifice a moveslot for Taunt, something no other lead can do. This gives Chimchar room for its own Stealth Rock, which it often gets the chance to use either after it KOes the opposing lead or if the opposing lead switches out. While Chimchar doesn't beat every lead, it will rarely be at a big disadvantage. Against Diglett, for example, it can still get Stealth Rock up and possibly disable Diglett's Focus Sash. As mentioned above, Chimchar is generally troubled by Diglett. This makes both Gastly and Gligar great partners for Chimchar, as either one can come in on the revenge kill and set up, quickly taking the momentum from the opponent. Chimchar also has trouble with Meowth, since it is faster and can use Fake Out to break Chimchar's Focus Sash. However, Meowth, unlike Diglett, does not prevent Chimchar from switching out. Therefore, Rock-type Pokemon such as Geodude and Rhyhorn also make great teammates for Chimchar, since they can easily switch into Meowth and hit the switch-in with a STAB Earthquake or Stone Edge. On the offensive side, Chimchar is a good partner to Pokemon who can take full advantage of Stealth Rock not being set up, such as Taillow.