Psychic-type Pokemon are renowned for their amazing Special Attack, and there's no shortage of them in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. In fact, Psychic Pokemon were a force to be reckoned with back in the first generation of Pokemon. However, just because a Pokemon has the Psychic-typing doesn't mean their strengths lie in battle.
Chimecho was a Gen 3 Pokemon that received a pre-evolution in Gen 4. While it could be caught in Legends: Arceus, it failed to make an appearance in Scarlet/Violet, which was released the same year. Thanks to Teal Mask, the first part of Scarlet/Violet's expansion pass, Chimecho and its pre-evolved form, Chingling, are now accessible in Gen 9.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: How to Evolve Grubbin & Charjabug into Vikavolt
The Grubbin-line are now compatible with Pokemon Scarlet & Violet thanks to the Teal Mask DLC, but are they worth using in battle?
Where to Find Chingling (& How to Evolve It)
Chingling can be caught along the Infernal Pass or at Crystal Pool. It also can be spotted on Oni Mountain, but the Infernal Pass and Crystal Pool are the preferred habitats for hunting down Chingling. The Bell Pokemon is one of the more-common Pokemon, so trainers should have no issues finding one.
Players can increase the spawn rate of Chingling by making a sandwich with the "Encounter Power: Psychic" Meal Power. Noodles and Vinegar are good fillings and condiments respectively for Psychic-type Meal Powers.
If trainers have not yet completed "The Way Home" main quest, Chingling will be around level 24. If they have completed it, then Chingling's level will be elevated to level 65. It shouldn't be too difficult to catch, but players may want to bring Great Balls or Dusk Balls just in case a Quick Ball fails.
Another way to get Chingling is to look for 1/3-star Tera Raids in Kitakami. Chinglings in Raids might have a different Tera-typing from their regular Typing. For example, it's possible to find a 1-star Raid with a Dragon Tera-type Chingling. This negates its weakness to Dark and Bug-type moves, but it gains a newfound weakness to Dragon, Fairy, and Ice-type moves while Terastallized.
To evolve Chingling into Chimecho, trainers need to have high Friendship with Chingling, then level it up at night to initiate the evolution. It's extremely easy to raise Friendship in Scarlet/Violet, but here are some specific methods:
- Use Scarlet/Violet's Let's Go! Feature, and have Chingling "walk" outside its Poke Ball to collect items.
- Make sandwiches and wash Chingling during Picnics. Two 3-star rank Sandwiches should be enough to raise Chingling's Friendship to "two hearts."
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Best Moves for Ogerpon
Here are some recommended movesets and the best Natures for Ogerpon from Pokemon Scarlet & Violet's The Teal Mask.
Where to Find Chimecho in the Wild
There's a Fixed Spawn Chimecho on Infernal Pass, and they'll sometimes appear at Crystal Pool. Unlike Chingling, Chimecho is considered an "uncommon" spawn, meaning it might take longer for trainers to find a Chimecho than they would a Chingling.
Another way of getting Chimecho is to battle one in a 4-star Raid. These Raids start appearing around Paldea and Kitakami when trainers have seven Gym Badges. Also, keep in mind that Chimecho only appears in the Tera Dens in Kitakami only. They won't spawn in the Raids around Paldea.
Is Chimecho Worth Using?
In short: Chimecho works better as a Support than it does as a Battler. It's not a bad Pokemon, but there are better Psychic-types out there. The best way to make use of Chimecho is to use it in double battles, which Scarlet/Violet is lacking in its base game. Fortunately, Indigo Disk seems to have double battles at the new Blueberry League.
Here are Chimecho's base stats and type effectiveness:
|
HP: |
75 |
|---|---|
|
Attack: |
50 |
|
Special Attack: |
95 |
|
Defense: |
80 |
|
Special Defense: |
90 |
|
Speed: |
65 |
|
Total: |
455 |
|
Super-effective against: |
Poison, Fighting |
|---|---|
|
Weak against: |
Dark, Bug, Ghost |
|
Resistances: |
Fighting, Psychic, |
|
Immunities: |
* Ground |
* Chimecho's Ability, Levitate, gives it an immunity to all Ground-type moves. However, if Chimecho is fighting a Pokemon with the Moldbreaker Ability, or if it's hit with a move like Smack Down, its Ability will be nullified in battle.
Chimecho's best nature is Calm (+Sp.Def, -Attk), but trainer can also try running a Modest (+Sp.Attk, -Attk) Nature instead. Since its better for support, set up a moveset that has Recover or Trick Room. Recover is good for obvious reasons, but Trick Room will allow Chimecho to attack first for five turns. Psychic is good for offense, and trainers can set up Shadow Ball or Dazzling Gleam for its last move if they want Chimecho to have two moves for offense. Otherwise, Thunder Wave is a good option, as it inflicts paralysis on most Pokemon.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.