[OVERVIEW]
Chien-Pao possesses the coveted-yet-crowded base 135 Speed tier and can even get the jump on its peers with Ice Shard and Sucker Punch, making it a nice revenge killer and late-game cleaner; Ice Shard in particular stands out in a metagame with numerous fast Dragon-types. Its Dark / Ice STAB combination matches up well into defensive staples like Necrozma-DM, Arceus-Ground, and Ting-Lu, and Icicle Crash can also potentially flinch through otherwise solid counterplay like Ho-Oh. However, Chien-Pao is exceedingly frail and entry hazard-weak, making getting it onto the field safely, let alone multiple times, quite difficult. This also means it offers exactly no defensive utility to its team. Due to the low Base Power of its moves, it is also relatively weak by Ubers standards without finding a turn to use Swords Dance, which is hard to find due to its frailty. Chien-Pao is also scared to death of Zacian-C, which outspeeds it and resists both STAB types. Kingambit also provides heavy competition, as it has substantially better bulk, resists Stealth Rock, and boasts an even stronger Sucker Punch late-game, at the cost of much worse Speed. Ultimately, Chien-Pao's Speed, priority, and STAB combination make it a noteworthy cleaner, but it still finds itself more limited compared to metagame staples like Koraidon and Zacian-C.
[SET]
Swords Dance (Chien-Pao) @ Life Orb / Heavy-Duty Boots / Black Glasses
Ability: Sword of Ruin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Dark
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Icicle Crash
- Crunch / Ice Shard
- Sucker Punch / Ice Shard
[SET COMMENTS]
Swords Dance Chien-Pao is a threatening late-game cleaner once Arceus formes that are not weak to Chien-Pao's STAB moves have been chipped sufficiently. Icicle Crash is Chien-Pao's strongest STAB move, provides key coverage against the plethora of Ground-types, and can provide a flinch in a pinch all while dodging Rocky Helmet. Crunch is Chien-Pao's most reliable secondary STAB move, hitting Necrozma-DM, Arceus-Water, and Kyogre, while Sucker Punch is its strongest priority move by far against neutral targets. Ice Shard is notable to revenge kill Koraidon and Miraidon while also not failing against setup moves and can be run over either Dark STAB move. Life Orb is the preferred item to secure the OHKO against defensive Necrozma-DM and 2HKO against Arceus-Water after Swords Dance, and given Chien-Pao’s frailty, the recoil is often insignificant. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Chien-Pao to be played aggressively in the early-to-mid-game to help break down the opposing core itself and pick off weakened targets, while Black Glasses still secures key KOs like Necrozma-DM without recoil. Jolly is the preferred nature to Speed tie Koraidon, Miraidon, and opposing Chien-Pao while outspeeding Arceus, Mewtwo, and +1 Necrozma-DM and Iron Treads, but Adamant is an option, especially on double priority sets that care less about the Speed tier.
Chien-Pao thrives best when it is tasked with cleaning up a weakened team. As such, powerful physical wallbreakers like Koraidon and Arceus-Ground that can lure in and weaken their shared checks like Arceus-Fairy are excellent teammates. Chien-Pao also loves entry hazards being up on the opposing side, making teammates like Gliscor and Ting-Lu wonderful partners. Chien-Pao is helpless against Zacian-C, making a strong answer to it like Ho-Oh a great teammate. Additionally, strong opposing priority users like Arceus offset Chien-Pao's biggest advantage, so a reliable answer to it like defensive Arceus-Ground is recommended. Especially if running Life Orb, Chien-Pao struggles to get onto the field without taking tremendous chip damage, making pivoting teammates like Gliscor, Koraidon, and Miraidon valuable partners; Miraidon especially draws in the Ground-types like Ting-Lu and Gliscor that Chien-Pao feasts on. Extreme Killer Arceus is an excellent teammate, as they form a strong priority core together; Arceus also often forces Tera Ghost on opposing setup sweepers, making them weaker to Chien-Pao's Sucker Punch. Glimmora is a useful partner especially on hyper offense teams to provide entry hazard support and clear Stealth Rock with Mortal Spin.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ut.523866/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/taka.595062/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lasen.273339/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/aurora.109385/
[SET]
Choice Band (Chien-Pao) @ Choice Band
Ability: Sword of Ruin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Dark / Ice
Jolly Nature
- Icicle Crash / Ice Spinner
- Crunch
- Sucker Punch
- Ice Shard
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Band gives Chien-Pao the best chance to 2HKO walls like Necrozma-DM and revenge kill Miraidon and Koraidon after moderate chip. Icicle Crash is the main STAB option thanks to its flinch chance and better Base Power while also avoiding Rocky Helmet, while Ice Spinner doesn't miss and can reset Miraidon's Electric Terrain. Crunch is its most reliable Dark-type STAB move, hitting Arceus-Water, Kyogre, and Necrozma-DM. Double priority in Sucker Punch and Ice Shard lets it pack both power and coverage, nailing anything that might be faster including Iron Bundle, Miraidon, and even Calyrex-I in Trick Room. Tera Dark and Ice can both be used to power up Chien-Pao's STAB attacks; Tera Ice has a chance to OHKO both Miraidon and Koraidon with Ice Shard, while Tera Dark secures the 2HKO against Ho-Oh and has a high chance to 2HKO Arceus-Water.
Choice Band Chien-Pao is a useful revenge killer and wallbreaker for offensive teams. Since it forgoes Heavy-Duty Boots and would love to switch in multiple times to mitigate the effect of Choice-lock, it pairs well with Iron Treads, which can clear entry hazards and even pivot Chien-Pao in. Zacian-C can easily revenge kill Chien-Pao and even grab a Swords Dance if locked into Sucker Punch or Ice Shard, making strong counterplay like Landorus-T and defensive Arceus-Ground or revenge killers like Choice Scarf Koraidon mandatory teammates. Physically offensive teammates like Koraidon and Necrozma-DM appreciate being able to clean teams Chien-Pao has weakened; alternatively, they can punch holes for Chien-Pao to clean up. Extreme Killer Arceus is an excellent teammate, as it forms a powerful priority core with Chien-Pao and can draw out Tera Ghost for it.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ut.523866/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/taka.595062/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lasen.273339/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/aurora.109385/
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
An all-out attacker set with Heavy-Duty Boots can be used for the maximum amount of coverage and priority while still changing moves in the early- and mid-game, but it generally lacks power compared to the above sets and struggles to even 2HKO defensive staples like Arceus. Sacred Sword provides coverage for Arceus and Kingambit and does non-pitiful damage to Zacian-C, but Chien-Pao struggles to justify it over its primary STAB moves and priority options. Tera Ghost can catch out Extreme Speed Arceus but otherwise is far worse than damage-amplifying Tera types. Focus Sash can be run on hyper offense structures to take a hit but requires significant entry hazard counterplay.
Checks and Counters
====
**Zacian-C**: Zacian-C outspeeds Chien-Pao and resists its STAB combination.
**Defensive Arceus**: Arceus-Water and -Fairy avoid the 2HKO from almost any of Chien-Pao's attacks and can retaliate with Will-O-Wisp or Judgement. Arceus-Fairy has a low chance to be 2HKOed by Life Orb Tera Ice Icicle Crash, however.
**Extreme Killer Arceus**: Extreme Killer Arceus completely nullifies Chien-Pao's Speed and priority advantages while not being OHKOed by any common move.
**Choice Scarf users**: Choice Scarf users like Koraidon can revenge kill Chien-Pao, especially with a well-timed Tera.
**Iron Bundle**: Iron Bundle outspeeds Chien-Pao, can force 50/50s with Encore, and KOes it after some chip.
**Zamazenta**: Zamazenta’s bulk lets it take any attack and OHKO with Body Press.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ut.523866/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/taka.595062/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lasen.273339/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/aurora.109385/
Chien-Pao possesses the coveted-yet-crowded base 135 Speed tier and can even get the jump on its peers with Ice Shard and Sucker Punch, making it a nice revenge killer and late-game cleaner; Ice Shard in particular stands out in a metagame with numerous fast Dragon-types. Its Dark / Ice STAB combination matches up well into defensive staples like Necrozma-DM, Arceus-Ground, and Ting-Lu, and Icicle Crash can also potentially flinch through otherwise solid counterplay like Ho-Oh. However, Chien-Pao is exceedingly frail and entry hazard-weak, making getting it onto the field safely, let alone multiple times, quite difficult. This also means it offers exactly no defensive utility to its team. Due to the low Base Power of its moves, it is also relatively weak by Ubers standards without finding a turn to use Swords Dance, which is hard to find due to its frailty. Chien-Pao is also scared to death of Zacian-C, which outspeeds it and resists both STAB types. Kingambit also provides heavy competition, as it has substantially better bulk, resists Stealth Rock, and boasts an even stronger Sucker Punch late-game, at the cost of much worse Speed. Ultimately, Chien-Pao's Speed, priority, and STAB combination make it a noteworthy cleaner, but it still finds itself more limited compared to metagame staples like Koraidon and Zacian-C.
[SET]
Swords Dance (Chien-Pao) @ Life Orb / Heavy-Duty Boots / Black Glasses
Ability: Sword of Ruin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Dark
Jolly / Adamant Nature
- Swords Dance
- Icicle Crash
- Crunch / Ice Shard
- Sucker Punch / Ice Shard
[SET COMMENTS]
Swords Dance Chien-Pao is a threatening late-game cleaner once Arceus formes that are not weak to Chien-Pao's STAB moves have been chipped sufficiently. Icicle Crash is Chien-Pao's strongest STAB move, provides key coverage against the plethora of Ground-types, and can provide a flinch in a pinch all while dodging Rocky Helmet. Crunch is Chien-Pao's most reliable secondary STAB move, hitting Necrozma-DM, Arceus-Water, and Kyogre, while Sucker Punch is its strongest priority move by far against neutral targets. Ice Shard is notable to revenge kill Koraidon and Miraidon while also not failing against setup moves and can be run over either Dark STAB move. Life Orb is the preferred item to secure the OHKO against defensive Necrozma-DM and 2HKO against Arceus-Water after Swords Dance, and given Chien-Pao’s frailty, the recoil is often insignificant. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Chien-Pao to be played aggressively in the early-to-mid-game to help break down the opposing core itself and pick off weakened targets, while Black Glasses still secures key KOs like Necrozma-DM without recoil. Jolly is the preferred nature to Speed tie Koraidon, Miraidon, and opposing Chien-Pao while outspeeding Arceus, Mewtwo, and +1 Necrozma-DM and Iron Treads, but Adamant is an option, especially on double priority sets that care less about the Speed tier.
Chien-Pao thrives best when it is tasked with cleaning up a weakened team. As such, powerful physical wallbreakers like Koraidon and Arceus-Ground that can lure in and weaken their shared checks like Arceus-Fairy are excellent teammates. Chien-Pao also loves entry hazards being up on the opposing side, making teammates like Gliscor and Ting-Lu wonderful partners. Chien-Pao is helpless against Zacian-C, making a strong answer to it like Ho-Oh a great teammate. Additionally, strong opposing priority users like Arceus offset Chien-Pao's biggest advantage, so a reliable answer to it like defensive Arceus-Ground is recommended. Especially if running Life Orb, Chien-Pao struggles to get onto the field without taking tremendous chip damage, making pivoting teammates like Gliscor, Koraidon, and Miraidon valuable partners; Miraidon especially draws in the Ground-types like Ting-Lu and Gliscor that Chien-Pao feasts on. Extreme Killer Arceus is an excellent teammate, as they form a strong priority core together; Arceus also often forces Tera Ghost on opposing setup sweepers, making them weaker to Chien-Pao's Sucker Punch. Glimmora is a useful partner especially on hyper offense teams to provide entry hazard support and clear Stealth Rock with Mortal Spin.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ut.523866/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/taka.595062/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lasen.273339/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/aurora.109385/
[SET]
Choice Band (Chien-Pao) @ Choice Band
Ability: Sword of Ruin
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Tera Type: Dark / Ice
Jolly Nature
- Icicle Crash / Ice Spinner
- Crunch
- Sucker Punch
- Ice Shard
[SET COMMENTS]
Choice Band gives Chien-Pao the best chance to 2HKO walls like Necrozma-DM and revenge kill Miraidon and Koraidon after moderate chip. Icicle Crash is the main STAB option thanks to its flinch chance and better Base Power while also avoiding Rocky Helmet, while Ice Spinner doesn't miss and can reset Miraidon's Electric Terrain. Crunch is its most reliable Dark-type STAB move, hitting Arceus-Water, Kyogre, and Necrozma-DM. Double priority in Sucker Punch and Ice Shard lets it pack both power and coverage, nailing anything that might be faster including Iron Bundle, Miraidon, and even Calyrex-I in Trick Room. Tera Dark and Ice can both be used to power up Chien-Pao's STAB attacks; Tera Ice has a chance to OHKO both Miraidon and Koraidon with Ice Shard, while Tera Dark secures the 2HKO against Ho-Oh and has a high chance to 2HKO Arceus-Water.
Choice Band Chien-Pao is a useful revenge killer and wallbreaker for offensive teams. Since it forgoes Heavy-Duty Boots and would love to switch in multiple times to mitigate the effect of Choice-lock, it pairs well with Iron Treads, which can clear entry hazards and even pivot Chien-Pao in. Zacian-C can easily revenge kill Chien-Pao and even grab a Swords Dance if locked into Sucker Punch or Ice Shard, making strong counterplay like Landorus-T and defensive Arceus-Ground or revenge killers like Choice Scarf Koraidon mandatory teammates. Physically offensive teammates like Koraidon and Necrozma-DM appreciate being able to clean teams Chien-Pao has weakened; alternatively, they can punch holes for Chien-Pao to clean up. Extreme Killer Arceus is an excellent teammate, as it forms a powerful priority core with Chien-Pao and can draw out Tera Ghost for it.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ut.523866/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/taka.595062/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lasen.273339/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/aurora.109385/
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
An all-out attacker set with Heavy-Duty Boots can be used for the maximum amount of coverage and priority while still changing moves in the early- and mid-game, but it generally lacks power compared to the above sets and struggles to even 2HKO defensive staples like Arceus. Sacred Sword provides coverage for Arceus and Kingambit and does non-pitiful damage to Zacian-C, but Chien-Pao struggles to justify it over its primary STAB moves and priority options. Tera Ghost can catch out Extreme Speed Arceus but otherwise is far worse than damage-amplifying Tera types. Focus Sash can be run on hyper offense structures to take a hit but requires significant entry hazard counterplay.
Checks and Counters
====
**Zacian-C**: Zacian-C outspeeds Chien-Pao and resists its STAB combination.
**Defensive Arceus**: Arceus-Water and -Fairy avoid the 2HKO from almost any of Chien-Pao's attacks and can retaliate with Will-O-Wisp or Judgement. Arceus-Fairy has a low chance to be 2HKOed by Life Orb Tera Ice Icicle Crash, however.
**Extreme Killer Arceus**: Extreme Killer Arceus completely nullifies Chien-Pao's Speed and priority advantages while not being OHKOed by any common move.
**Choice Scarf users**: Choice Scarf users like Koraidon can revenge kill Chien-Pao, especially with a well-timed Tera.
**Iron Bundle**: Iron Bundle outspeeds Chien-Pao, can force 50/50s with Encore, and KOes it after some chip.
**Zamazenta**: Zamazenta’s bulk lets it take any attack and OHKO with Body Press.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ut.523866/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/taka.595062/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/lasen.273339/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/aurora.109385/
Last edited:
) . Extreme Killer
