Best moveset for Chesnaught in Pokémon Go

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A generation in Pokémon always has several starter options for trainers to pick to begin their journey. The starting choices from generation six have made their way to Pokémon Go, and trainers can add Chesnaught to their collection. It’s a unique Pokémon and gives you plenty of options to use in the Battle League and raids alongside other trainers.

Chesnaught is a Grass and Fighting-type Pokémon. It’s weak against Fairy, Fire, Flying, Ice, Poison, and Psychic-type moves, but it’s resistant against Dark, Electric, Grass, Ground, Rock, and Water-type attacks. It has a maximum CP of 2,954 with an attack of 201, a defense of 204, and stamina of 204. You’ll probably be using it against Pokémon in the Great and Ultra Leagues.

These are all of the moves Chesnaught can learn.

Fast moves

  • Low Kick (Fighting-type) – 4 damage and 2.5 energy per turn (2 damage per turn)
  • Smack Down (Rock-type) – 12 damage and 2.6 energy per turn (4 damage per turn)
  • Vine Whip (Grass-type) – 5 damage and 4 energy per turn (2.5 damage per turn)

Charge moves

  • Gyro Ball (Steel-type) – 80 damage and 60 energy
  • Energy Ball (Grass-type) – 90 damage and 55 energy (10% chance to lower an opponent’s defense by one rank)
  • Super Power (Fighting-type) – 85 damage and 40 energy (100% chance to lower the user’s attack and defense by one rank)
  • Solar Beam (Grass-type) – 150 damage and 80 energy

You have several choices about how you can potentially build Chesnaught. When it comes to picking its fast move, you don’t want to select low kick. It doesn’t provide enough damage or energy per turn to make it a viable option. You’re better off with smack down or vine whip, and of the two, vine whip is the superior choice. You don’t as much damage per turn compared to smack down, but you’ll be able to perform Chesnaught’s charge moves far more often, which is where they truly shine.

Chesnaught’s selection of charge moves are pretty decent, but ultimately, there are two solid options. You can toss out solar beam because it doesn’t go off too often despite how much damage it can deal. It has far too many energy demands, so you’re better off without it. Gyro ball is also not a good option because it costs five more energy than energy ball and 20 more than super power, and they both do more damage. Super power is a good second option for Chesnaught, but you certainly want to have energy ball as a charge move, given the amount of damage it can do and its medium energy cost. Super power’s lower energy costs, despite the negative benefits, really help out Chesnaught.

Overall, Chesnaught will be a decent option in the Ultra League, but you’ll want to build around it to protect its several weaknesses. So long as you have one with vine whip as its fast move, and then energy ball and super power for its charge moves, you have a solid choice.