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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Legendary Pokemon are perhaps some of the most interesting yet. Koraidon and Miraidon are Paradox forms of the common Cyclizar, hailing from the ancient past and distant future, respectively. Joining the Paradox Duo in the realm of Legends are the Treasures of Ruin, a set of cursed artifacts that became Pokemon through sheer hatred. One of these Treasures was a blade that caused destruction beyond imagination. When the sword was broken, the vengeful spirits of those cut down by it gave birth to Chien-Pao, a literal snow leopard whose fangs are the very sword that gives it form.
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Chien-Pao is a Dark- and Ice-type Pokemon with the ability Sword of Ruin. Sword of Ruin passively lowers the Defense stat of all Pokemon on the field by 25%, except Chien-Pao itself. Chien-Pao is the fastest of the Treasures of Ruin, packing a base speed of 135. It is also the second offensively-oriented Treasure of Ruin alongside Chi-Yu, this time being the physical counterpart to Chi-Yu’s special attacking prowess. Though Chien-Pao may not havethe raw firepower (pun intended) of Chi-Yu, it is also fearsome in battle and should not be underestimated. Chien-Pao is one of the fastest Pokemon in the game currently, and has many tools at its disposal to rip apart teams. To help players effectively wield its might for themselves, this guide will cover Chien-Pau’s strengths, as well as highlight several build options to make the best of them.
UPDATE: 2025-08-02 14:10 EST BY DEVIN AMLEN
With the Pokemon HOME update, the metagame has changed quite drastically. Chien-Pao now resides in the Uber tier with Chi-Yu and other powerful Legendary Pokemon. As such, this guide has been updated to account for all of these changes and ensure Chien-Pao is used to its fullest.
Blistering Speed And Priority To Boot
As stated previously, Chien-Pao is one of the fastest Pokemon currently in the game.A base speed stat of 135 puts it on the level of Pokemon like Miraidon, Koraidon, and Flutter Mane.Pokemon who can outspeed Chien-Pao include Electrode, Barraskewda, Dragapult, Iron Bundle, Regieleki, Shadow Rider Calyrex, and Zacian. Barraskewda and Electrode aren’t much to worry about, but Dragapult, Iron Bundle,Zacian, and Calyrex can be dangerous.Thankfully, Chien-Pao learns plenty of moves that let it bypass even this rare speed difference and strike first anyway:STAB priority moves Sucker Punch and Ice Shard are in its arsenal.Chien-Pao can also learn Icy Wind to lower its opponents' speed, but it’s rather more physically oriented than specially: Base 120 Attack (plus the boost from Sword of Ruin) versus base 90 Special Attack.
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An Effective Offensive Type Combination
One thing about Chien-Pao that works wonderfully is its type combination. Ice and Dark may not be the best defensive combination, but in terms of offense it can really shine. Ice is already a fantastic offensive type, resisted by four types and Super Effective on four key ones (the ever-threatening Dragon, for instance),which serves to cover up the holes in Dark’s offensive profile. In combination with its Sword of Ruin ability, which ups its physical damage output by passively reducing the opponent’s defense, Chien-Pao can shred anything that doesn’t resist its STAB attacks in seconds. Chien-Pao can hit several key threats super-effectively, such asRayquaza, Arceus-Ground, and Shadow Rider Calyrex.
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Recommended Builds For Chien-Pao
Chien-Pao has a single purpose: to shred anything in its path. Here are some effective builds to help Chien-Pao achieve this goal.
Chien-Pao: Heavy-Duty Boots
Chien-Pao can run an all-out-offense build such as this, wielding four attacking moves and forgoing any stat boosts. There’s a choice to make between running Icicle Crash and Ice Spinner;Icicle Crash is stronger and has a chance to flinch, though Ice Spinner has better accuracy and can end the likes of Miraidon’s Electric Terrain. Ice Shard and Sucker Punch are good STAB priority attacks; Ice Shard can 2HKO Koraidon, Miraidon, and Flutter Mane. Sucker Punch is stronger, but has the caveat of needing to predict an attacking move. Sacred Sword is a good coverage option that ignores changes to the opponent’s stats.
Chien-Pao: Choice Band
Looking for a good wallbreaker? Look no further; slap a Choice Band on Chien-Pao and let it loose. Sacred Sword isa powerful Fighting-type move, a great coverage option that can easily dispatch Kingambit and opposing Chien-Pao, though running a combination of double priority with Ice Shard and Sucker Punch is a prediction-heavy option as well.Running an Adamant Nature will let Chien-Pao knock out Flutter Mane with an Ice Shard from 90% HP, while a Jolly Nature is good for outspeeding opponents.
Chien-Pao: Life Orb / Heavy-Duty Boots / Black Glasses / Focus Sash
As one might expect from a Pokemon formed from a sword, Chien-Pao has access to Swords Dance to double its already potent Attack stat. This allows Chien-Pao to threaten bulky Pokemon like Toxapex, Great Tusk, and Corviknight with its Icicle Crash, and devastate opposing Pokemon with Crunch, Sucker Punch, or Ice Shard. Chien-Pao has a variety of items to choose from, too. Life Orb will boost its damage, but the damage it deals the user can add up. Heavy-Duty Boots removes Chien-Pao’s weakness to Stealth Rock, and Black Glasses will provide a passive boost to Chien-Pao’s STAB Dark-type moves. Lastly,Focus Sash will give you a free turn to set up Swords Dance, letting you survive a potential knockout from full HP and obliterate your opponent withthis mighty Ice-type.
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