Chien-Pao is a fast physical attacker that uses its good Speed tier and strong STAB attacks to threaten popular Pokemon like Koraidon, Miraidon, and Calyrex-S. Ice Spinner is used as a consistent Ice-type STAB move that can remove Terrains that Pokemon like Indeedee-F, Miraidon, and Rillaboom set up. Removing Psychic Terrain can allow Chien-Pao to threaten Calyrex-S with a super effective Sucker Punch. Alternatively, Icicle Crash hits less consistently, but it avoids Rocky Helmet damage, can cause foes to flinch, and keeps up Terrains that would benefit Chien-Pao. Sucker Punch gives Chien-Pao a priority option that can KO faster Pokemon such as Speed Booster Energy Flutter Mane and Iron Bundle. Sacred Sword allows Chien-Pao to hit Pokemon that resist its STAB moves like Incineroar and Zamazenta-C. Chien-Pao can run Throat Chop as a consistent Dark-type STAB attack that can hit Lunala and Calyrex-S even if they didn't use an attacking move. Throat Chop also prevents Incineroar from using Parting Shot. Focus Sash allows Chien-Pao to survive at least one attack and to give it the opportunity to use another move due to its high Speed. Chien-Pao can use Tera Ghost to become immune to Fighting while also avoiding priority attacks like Fake Out and Extreme Speed that would otherwise break its Focus Sash. Tera Stellar is a more offensive option that allows Chien-Pao to pick up KOs that it would otherwise miss out on like bulky Flutter Mane.

The best check for Chien-Pao is Incineroar, as it resists both STAB types and packs Intimidate. Zacian-C also resists Chien-Pao's STAB moves and threatens it with all of its attacks. Choice Scarf Urshifu-R and Flutter Mane can threaten to bring Chien-Pao down to Focus Sash or OHKO it, with the former resisting Chien-Pao's STAB combination and the latter also threatening to slow it down with Icy Wind. Chien-Pao pairs well with physical attackers like Zacian-C and Rillaboom, as Sword of Ruin makes them even more potent threats and they can handle Urshifu-R and Flutter Mane for Chien-Pao. However, they also struggle against Incineroar and opposing Zacian-C. This makes Urshifu-R and Zamazenta-C also good options for Chien-Pao, since they can threaten Incineroar and Zacian-C while taking advantage of Sword of Ruin. Chien-Pao can threaten Grass- and Dragon-types that resist Urshifu-R's Surging Strikes such as Rillaboom and Raging Bolt, as well as making quick work of Ghost-types that are immune to Body Press such as Calyrex-S.