Moves
Boomburst is Chatot's most powerful move and should almost always be clicked except when Chatot needs to hit a foe resistant to it with an appropriate coverage move or when it needs to gain momentum with U-turn. Chatter is a secondary STAB move that has the added effect of confusing the opposing Pokemon. It is also Chatot's most effective option for hitting Gourgeist-XL. Hidden Power Ground is used to hit Probopass and Alolan Golem. Alternatively, Hidden Power Water secures the 2HKO on Golem and still hits Probopass super effectively, even if the damage output is only limited to doing decent chip damage. Heat Wave hits Pokemon like Bronzor, Pawniard, and Gourgeist-XL that resist Boomburst. It also has a chance to OHKO Mawile even without a boost from Choice Specs. U-turn is great for creating momentum, given Chatot's high Speed. It allows Chatot to pivot out of its switch-ins and have its teammates apply pressure to them.
Set Details
Choice Scarf allows Chatot to function as a great revenge killer against offensive teams, while Choice Specs lets Chatot function as a wallbreaker. When equipped with Choice Specs, Chatot is able to 2HKO even the bulkiest of special walls with Boomburst, such as Muk, Lickilicky, and Assault Vest Komala. It is also able to 2HKO many Normal-type switch-ins, such as offensive Golem and Mawile. Chatot's abilities are mostly useless; Tangled Feet may save it against an opposing Chatot with Chatter. Maximum Speed investment with a Timid nature allows Chatot to always outspeed unboosted Pokemon like Mr. Mime, Pinsir, Rotom-S, and Vigoroth.
Usage Tips
Chatot should predict switch-ins such as Golem, Mawile, Dusclops with the appropriate coverage move or U-turn into a teammate so that it can more easily spam Boomburst later. While Chatot should spam Boomburst, it becomes more prediction reliant when using a Choice Scarf because unlike with Choice Specs, it typically cannot muscle past Normal-type resists with Boomburst. When using a Choice Scarf, Chatot should be used to revenge kill offensive Pokemon, like Floatzel and Zebstrika, rather than to wallbreak as Choice Specs would. It can also be used as an effective late-game cleaner. In addition, Chatot is able to bluff sets depending on the situation, so bluffing a Choice Scarf to force the foe out and heavily damaging or KOing an incoming switch-in can be useful at times. When facing a Grass-type, Boomburst will still do more damage than a super effective Chatter or Heat Wave, except against Gourgeist-XL. Chatot has absolutely no defensive value outside of switching into Ghost- and Ground-type attacks, so try not to bring it in directly into an attack.
Team Options
Whether Chatot is using a Choice Scarf or a Choice Specs, its teammates remain largely the same. Chatot loves a slow Volt Switch, Parting Shot, or U-turn to help it get in safely, so common users of these moves like Silvally formes, Komala, and Probopass are fantastic teammates. Probopass is a particularly amazing teammate, as it can trap Steel-types like Metang and opposing Probopass, which allows Chatot to spam Boomburst more effectively. Chatot is weak to Stealth Rock, so Pokemon like Sandslash, Swanna, and many Silvally formes are excellent teammates, since they can remove entry hazards for it. Additionally, Chatot appreciates entry hazard support from Pokemon like Golem, Bronzor, Probopass, and Crustle, as it can help Chatot wear down the opponent's team and more easily achieve KOs.