Chesnaught weaknesses and best counters in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Chesnaught is the mighty final evolution of the Grass starter, Chespin, from Pokemon X and Y. This armored menace is usually a Grass/Fighting type, but the new raid event changes that. The latest Tera Raid imbues Chesnaught with the Rock Tera Type, completely changing how you approach the fight. Here are Chesnaught’s weaknesses and best counters in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

7 Star Tera Raid Chesnaught weaknesses and best counters in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Chesnaught has the Rock Tera Type giving it a host of weaknesses we can exploit. Fighting, Grass, Ground, Steel, and Water are all good against Rock, but we still have to remember that Chesnaught is Grass/Fighting underneath. 

We’ve recommended Annihilape as a powerful solo option for several 7 Star Raids, which still holds true for Chesnaught.

Iron Hands is another superb choice for this Raid. This Pokemon is Fighting/Electric type which works well against anything Chesnaught can do. Bulky Pokemon do well in Raids, and Iron Hands excels in this department. Open the battle with Belly Drum, and then spam Drain Punch.

Gholdengo is a popular backup choice, and it’s nice to use something unusual for a 7-Star Raid. Thanks to the Steel/Ghost dual type, Chesnaught can’t really do much to hurt it. Your game plan with Gholdengo is to use Metal Sound and Nasty Plot a few times. After that, go on the offensive with Make It Rain. 

Image by PC Invasion

Chesnaught Moveset

• Wood Hammer
• Earthquake
• Iron Defense
• Stone Edge
• Hammer Arm
• Bulk Up
• Curse

Chesnaught has a few scary moves but typically uses Wood Hammer on repeat. This hard-hitting Grass attack is downright scary if Chesnaught uses Bulk Up. During my testing, Chesnaught did this every time. I saw Bulk Up, Iron Defence, and Earthquake used once each, but Wood Hammer is the attack you should prepare for.

Annihilape does it again!

Annihilape has been great for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet raids, regardless of the target’s weaknesses or best counters. 

This incredible Fighting/Ghost type seemingly has no rivals in Raids and is a win button for these events. For the best results, this is how to build a fantastic Annihilape.

• Nature – Adamant (Attack up, SP Attack down)
• EV Spread – 252 EVs in Attack, 252 EVs in HP
• Ghost Tera Type – This is optional. In my testing, Fighting works just as well.
• Ability – Defiance. This isn’t essential, but it is the best ability for Anihilape.

Recommended Moveset

• Drain Punch
• Rage Fist
• Screech
• Bulk Up

Annihilape absolutely destroys Chesnaught in this Tera Raid and can comfortably do it solo. The strategy is incredibly simple; start the Raid with 3 Screeches. After that, spam Drain Punch or Rage Fist. You can pick this attack based on your Tera Type.

With Annihilape by your side, Chesnaught should go down in a couple of attempts. Fortunately, this event is much easier than the previous 7 Star Raid vs. Inteleon. 

Image by PC Invasion

Which Pokemon is coming next in 7 Star Raids?

Considering the last few 7 Star Raids have all been previous generation Starters, the next Raid will likely follow suit. Gamefreak typically keeps this information under wraps until a week before the next event.