Chien-Pao the Ruinous Pokémon. This Pokémon can control 100 tons of fallen snow. It plays around innocently by leaping in and out of avalanches it has caused. The hatred of those who perished by the sword long ago has clad itself in snow and become a Pokémon.

Overview

One of the four treasures of Ruin, Chien-Pao boasts the lethal power expected of a kingdom destroying sword. Base 120 Attack on its own is impressive, but Sword of Ruin hones Chien-Pao’s prowess allowing it to cut down all manner of foes. Its Ice and Dark STABs are especially useful in this regard, allowing Chien-Pao to subvert common physical walls like Gliscor, Landorus-Therian, Great Tusk, Ting-Lu, Eternatus, Necrozma Dusk Mane, Ground Arceus, Giratina and more, leaving teams scrambling to find a safe switch in. Base 135 Speed is also insane, tying with famed speedsters Koraidon and Flutter Mane leaving scarce few options that natively outspeed Chien-Pao and even those that do must worry about Sucker Punch and Ice Shard rendering that higher speed moot.

Chien-Pao does not make for the ultimate spear, however. As great as Ice-Dark STAB is, Chien-Pao does struggle against Ice Resists that aren’t weak to Dark, especially the naturally faster Zacian-Crowned, and the Speed tying Tera Fire Koraidon. Chien-Pao is also frail, even neutral hits dealing serious damage, and typing offers common weaknesses to Fire, Fighting, Rock and Fairy with few resistances to show in turn for it. This leaves Chien-Pao entirely predicated on outrunning and KOing the competition and when faced with Pokémon that naturally outrun it or render its speed moot like Choice Scarfers, Iron Bundle and Extreme Speed Arceus, Chien-Pao struggles to contribute. This doesn’t stop Chien-Pao from being arguably the ideal Ice type, epitomizing the sheer offense the type is famed for.
Positives
Base 135 Speed is ludicrous being the 8th highest base Speed available, making Chien-Pao incredibly difficult to outspeed.
120 Attack boosted by Sword of Ruin gives Chien-Pao incredible power, allowing it to deal obscene damage.
Ice Dark is incredible offensively, covering many prominent typings and threats.

Negatives
Ice Dark is horrible defensively with exposure to entry hazards and numerous weaknesses.
Base 65 Special Defense is frail defensively and 80 defense is average at best, leaving Chien-Pao’s hit taking ability non-existent.
Is near dead weight against the few Pokémon that speed tie or outrun it..

Movesets

Sinister Shiver Sword

-Swords Dance
-Ice Spinner
-Crunch
-Sucker Punch
Ability: Sword of Ruin
Item: Life Orb
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature

Chien-Pao's frailty makes getting the opportunity to set up Swords Dance a mountainous task, but if successful turns into an incredible end game cleaner whose impeccable speed and potent priority rebuffs most revenge KOing attempts. Ice Spinner is recommended as Ice STAB for reliability, having no miss chance, and if Miraidon is around potent disruption for its Electric Terrain. Crunch is for Dark STAB, hitting many legendary Psychic and Ghost types while boasting incredible neutral coverage in general. Crunch is preferred due to the rare Defense drop being more applicable in most situations, allowing Chien-Pao to break through targets it otherwise has no business beating if very lucky. Sucker Punch rounds out the set as Priority, allowing Chien-Pao to pressure the few Pokémon that outspeed it as well as Choice Scarf users.

Tera Types:
Chien-Pao's poor hit taking ability all but precludes defensive Terastalizations, leaving it focused on offensive Tera types to break through bulkier foes. Tera Ghost is the lone exception whose immunity to Chien-Pao's quadruple Fighting weakness and Arceus' Extreme Speed are invaluable in both helping Chien-Pao set up and eliminate foes that would otherwise check it. For offensive Teras, it is largely dependent on what priority move you are running, to get the most out of it. Tera Dark is preferred if running Sucker Punch and is the generally preferred Tera if not running priority, given how much harder it is to resist Dark than it is Ice, subverting many popular Defensive Teras that physically bulky Ground types will try to use to get a leg up on Chien-Pao, allowing it to reliably get the OHKO on such targets after a Swords Dance. Tera Ice is fantastic if running Ice Shard, pushing it closer to Sucker Punch while not having to play a guessing game with the opponent. Tera Stellar is a niche option but gives a one time boost to both STABs which can be vital in muscling past a variety of foes as any Tera Boost often guarantees a OHKO on a neutral target.

EVs and Items:
Standard sweeper investment of Max Speed and Max Attack is recommended. Chien-Pao is all about offense. Since Chien-Pao shares its base Speed with Koraidon, Miraidon and Flutter Mane and thus needs every point of speed it can get its hands on, to speed tie the speed boosting nature ones while outrunning any neutral natured ones. If dropping down to Adamant, you leave Chien-Pao exposed not only to Flutter Mane and the Raidons, but Eternatus, Mewtwo, Zamazenta Crowned and max Speed with positive nature Arceus, though this issue is lessened if running double priority. Life Orb is recommended, for while exasperating Chien-Pao's durability issue, the power bonus it grants is vital for Chien-Pao reaching dozens of Knock Outs. Other options include the Focus Sash, which if one can keep hazards off is fantastic in guaranteeing a Swords Dance.

Partners:
: As Chien-Pao is completely walled by Pokémon like Zacian-Crowned, Zamazenta-Crowned, Kingambit, having an ally that can answer them is ideal. Ho-oh melts these and most Steel types with its Fire STAB while the damage reduction from Sacred Fire Burns helps open more opportunities for Chien-Pao to setup. Ho-oh's habit for drawing in opposing Dragons also works wonderfully for Chien-Pao who can threaten said Dragons with KOs for attempts at setting up. Extreme Speed Arceus works wonderfully with Chien-Pao, its brutal Extreme Speeds chipping down opponents into range for Chien-Pao to clean up and visa versa. Arceus forcing Pokémon to Tera Ghost works out wonderfully for Chien-Pao who can gleefully take advantage of their new Dark weakness. Hazard Control is vital for Chien-Pao helping push near OHKOs to OHKOs and especially for Focus Sash Chien-Pao to come in with its Sash intact. Glimmora is hazard setup and control all in one package and does ok against Tera Fire Pokémon looking to avoid Burns. Giratina-Origin is another excellent Defogger that can also handle Extreme Speed Arceus, one of the few who can out prioritize Chien-Pao while enabling setup with either Will-O-Wisp or Thunder Wave.

Other Options:
Icicle Crash is Chien-Pao's other option for an Ice STAB, boasting slightly higher power and a potent Flinch chance that can allow Chien-Pao to muscle past targets it otherwise has no issues beating, though some can be turned off by the imperfect accuracy especially as that often means a KO'd Chien-Pao. Sacred Sword is good coverage if concerned about Kingambit and Zamazenta Crowned who easily tank even Chien-Pao's Swords Dance boosted STABs.

Band of Swords

-Icicle Crash
-Crunch
-Sucker Punch
-Ice Shard
Ability: Sword of Ruin
Item: Choice Band
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature

Choice Band Chien-Pao leverages its fantastic Speed as both a fantastic revenge killer and breaker, ripping chunks out of whatever is forced to tank its blows. Icicle Crash is preferred for Ice STAB, being Chien-Pao’s strongest move for a roll where every ounce of power matters. Crunch is the preferred Dark STAB its wide neutral coverage coupled with hitting Ice resists like Arceus Water, Necrozma Dusk Mane, Skeledirge and Gholdengo make it all the harder to switch into Chien-Pao safely. Sucker Punch and Ice Shard are where the revenge killing aspect of the set really shines, as barring Arceus and Rayquaza’s Extreme Speed, ensures Chien-Pao gets the jump on its opponent and makes it excellent picking off targets that are barely hanging on..

Tera Types:
Chien-Pao’s fragility makes defensive Tera’s a pipe dream, and boasts incredible coverage on its own, leaving it largely unreliant on Terastalizing. This goes even more so for the Banded set which prefers a hit and run style. Tera Ice and Dark are good if Chien-Pao is forced to stand its ground bolstering up its STABs to reach KO thresholds otherwise out of reach.

EVs and Items:
Standard sweeper investment of Max Speed and Max Attack is recommended. Chien-Pao is all about offense. Since Chien-Pao shares its base Speed with Koraidon, Miraidon and Flutter Mane and thus needs every point of speed it can get its hands on, to speed tie the speed boosting nature ones while outrunning any neutral natured ones. If dropping down to Adamant, you leave Chien-Pao exposed not only to Flutter Mane and the Raidons, but Eternatus, Mewtwo, Zamazenta Crowned and max Speed with positive nature Arceus. While this set does run double priority and can afford Adamant, failing to outrun these targets forces Chien-Pao to rely on its weaker priority moves against many relevant targets which can result in a net loss of power. Choice Band is the namesake of the set and provides a massive power boost that makes Chien-Pao hard to ignore. Heavy-Duty Boots isn’t without worth, emphasizing Chien-Pao as a revenge killer and its hit and run nature without needing to run Hazard control to avoid getting eaten alive by Stealth Rocks. Bulky Water types like Dondozo and Alomomola make for great pivots for Chien-Pao, able to take on Zacian-Crowned and Fire types like Ho-oh and Tera Fire Koraidon that can trouble Chien-Pao, while often drawing Dragons in that Chien-Pao can take advantage of.

Partners:
: Due to the hit and run style of this set, Hazard control is near mandatory if not running Heavy-Duty Boots. Glimmora is hazard setup and control all in one package and does ok against Tera Fire Pokémon looking to avoid Burns. Giratina-Origin is another excellent Defogger that can also handle Extreme Speed Arceus while appreciating Chien-Pao’s ability to eliminate opposing Dragons. Extreme Speed Arceus works wonderfully with Chien-Pao, its brutal Extreme Speeds chipping down opponents into range for Chien-Pao to clean up and visa versa. Arceus forcing Pokémon to Tera Ghost works out wonderfully for Chien-Pao who can gleefully take advantage of their new Dark weakness.

Other Options:
Ice Spinner continues to vie for a spot with Icicle Crash, its perfect accuracy and terrain disruption contrasting with Icicle Crash’s greater power and Flinch Chance.

Doubles and VGC Options

Chien-Pao’s passive Defense debuff from Sword of Ruin is even more potent in Doubles formats where an ally can take advantage of the lower defense to get knock outs with literally no setup. This, in conjunction with Chien-Pao’s own insane speed and power allows for extremely offensive cores that can devastate teams from the word go. Being able to threaten prominent restricted and staple Pokémon alike with its STABs including the Raidons, Raging Bolt, Rillaboom, both Calyrex Riders, Indeedee, Farigiraf, Amoongus, Landorus, Tornadus, etc. ensures Chien-Pao provides immense pressure throughout the game to huge chunks of an opponent’s team. Sadly, this cuts both ways for Chien-Pao, with its inability to endure attacks a consistent liability that can cause a single misstep result in Chien-Pao’s KO. Chien-Pao’s physical spam strategy being weak to Intimidate is another significant downside, especially with Chien-Pao’s own poor matchup into Incineroar.

Sword Standard Bearer

-Icicle Crash
-Sucker Punch
-Sacred Sword
-Protect
Ability: Sword of Ruin
Item: Focus Sash
Tera Type: Ghost/Stellar
EVs and Nature:
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe Jolly /Adamant Nature

Chien-Pao excels as a general attacker while offering offensive support with its ability. Icicle Crash is the preferred Ice STAB. While the imperfect accuracy can cost one games, the slight power bonus and Flinch chance can just as much win a match. Icicle Crash is preferred over Ice Spinner if running Focus Sash as it doesn’t trigger Rocky Helmet, keeping Chien-Pao’s Focus Sash intact. Sucker Punch is highly recommended as the priority move of choice. While slightly unreliable due to the prevalence of Protect in Doubles formats, its power as a priority move is amazing in striking down attackers on their last legs as well as chip opponents into KO range for Chien-Pao’s teammates. Sacred Sword is largely here for Zamazenta Crowned and other Iron Defense Body Press users that can be difficult for Chien-Pao’s favored physical spam strategy to break through, Sacred Sword’s Defense ignoring effect addressing this weakness nicely. Protect is the best move in doubles and vital for this set, blocking Fake Outs looking to break Chien-Pao’s Focus Sash, punishing focus firing into Chien-Pao, scouting for Terastalizations that would have opponents survive Chien-Pao’s attack and generally keeping it on the field longer so it can keep debuffing the opposing team.

Focus Sash is the preferred item, forcing most opponents to hit Chien-Pao twice to take it down and allowing for some leeway when going on the offensive with it. Max Speed and Attack are recommended as always, given Chien-Pao’s frailty precludes defensive investment. Tera Type tends to be tied very much with Nature and how one wants to run Chien-Pao. Jolly Nature Chien-Pao largely wants Tera Ghost, being more supportive and acting closer to a cleaner that strikes down weakened foes before they can act while nullifying popular priority in Fake Out and Extreme Speed. Tera Stellar on the other hand, synchronizes well with Adamant the power boosts reaching earlier KO thresholds and enabling Chien-Pao to better break opposing Pokémon.

Other Options:
Ice Spinner is an alternative or secondary Ice STAB, being more reliable and having a valuable Terrain clearing effect that can ruin teams reliant on Psychic or Electric terrains on top of preventing Rillaboom’s Grassy Glides. Throat Chop is an alternative Dark STAB for Chien-Pao, being slightly stronger than Sucker Punch and without a condition attached. Throat Chop also boasts extra utility, stopping Farigiraf’s and Ursaluna Bloodmoon’s Hyper Voices. Physical Attackers of all stripes love Chien-Pao, and how it makes them hit harder. Choice Band Tera Normal Dragonite is infamous for getting OHKOs with Extreme Speed just with the slight boost Sword of Ruin provides and Entei isn't that far behind while both possess Inner Focus and thus aren't weak to Intimidate. Chien-Pao's ability to take care of priority blockers and Ghost types further enables their rampages. Zamazenta Crowned is another physical attacker not impacted by Intimidate since Sword of Ruin strengthens Body Press instead of weakening it all the while loving Chien-Pao's anti-Ghost tendacies.

Countering Chien-Pao

Chien-Pao’s fearsome offense and horrid defense make for stark contrasts in checking it offensively or defensively.

Zacian Crowned is the closest to a Chien-Pao counter, able to endure any of Chien-Pao’s STABs and OHKO with its own STABs or Close Combat all the while naturally outspeeding Chien-Pao, while Chien-Pao can only 2HKO after a Swords Dance while requiring a damage boosting item or Terastalization to guarantee the 2HKO. Zamazenta Crowned fears only Sacred Sword, but otherwise its massive defense and innate boost are a hard stop to Chien-Pao and can obliterate it with Body Press. Kingambit likewise fears only Sacred Sword but otherwise its natural typing allows it to endure Banded attacks and OHKO back with Iron Head.

Other defensive checks are hard to come by. Dondozo can walls Swords Dance Chien-Pao with ease, though Banded Tera Dark Chien-Pao can break through and a single unlucky Defense drop can prove ruinous for Dondozo. Defensive Arceus like Water, Fairy and Steel can stomach blows from Chien-Pao and cripple it with Will-O-Wisp if not outright KO it back though a Icicle Crash flinch or Crunch Defense drop can compromise them. Defensive Terastalizations are also a strong choice, as living one of Chien-Pao’s attacks can mean all the difference between being being KO’d or surviving and knocking out Chien-Pao in return.

Other offensive Pokémon that can bypass Chien-Pao’s blazing speed are more reliable in checking it. Iron Bundle is nightmarish, able to punish Chien-Pao’s Ice STAB or Sucker Punch with Encore and blast it down. Extreme Speed Arceus, while unable to get a OHKO without Swords Dance, is otherwise incredible at picking off a weakened Chien-Pao. Koraidon and Miraidon also speed tie with Chien-Pao and OHKO so work in a pinch. Most Choice Scarf users can also check Chien-Pao, provided they are not weak to its priority.

Anime Appearences

Chien-Pao has yet to make an appearance in the anime. # -English Episode Name- -Jp. Episode Name- Pics