Chi-Yu Competitive Guide 2026: Stats, Moveset, Counters

Chi-Yu is the Dark/Fire member of the Treasures of Ruin and one of the most dangerous special attackers in modern Pokémon VGC and singles play. Its ability Beads of Ruin lowers every other Pokémon’s Special Defense by 25%, turning ordinary attacks into knockouts. Here is how to use it and how to stop it.

Chi-Yu Stats, Typing and Ability

Stat	Base Value
HP	55
Attack	80
Defense	80
Special Attack	135
Special Defense	120
Speed	100

Chi-Yu is Dark/Fire. It is weak to Fighting, Ground, Rock and Water, and immune to Psychic. Its ability Beads of Ruin reduces the Special Defense of all other Pokémon on the field by 25% — including its own teammates, so plan around it.

Best Chi-Yu Moveset

Heat Wave — spreads damage in doubles; boosted by Beads of Ruin
Dark Pulse — reliable STAB with flinch chance
Overheat — single-target nuke for KOs
Ruination — halves the target’s HP; signature utility move
Protect — VGC staple
Tera Blast / Tera Fairy — flips its Fighting weakness

Best Teammates for Chi-Yu

Because Beads of Ruin weakens Special Defense, Chi-Yu pairs beautifully with other special attackers. Flutter Mane and Iron Bundle both benefit enormously. On the physical side, a partner that handles Fighting and Water-types — such as Amoonguss for redirection or Rillaboom for Grassy Glide priority — covers Chi-Yu’s weaknesses.

How to Beat Chi-Yu

Hit it with fast physical Fighting or Water moves. Urshifu-Rapid-Strike’s Surging Strikes and Iron Hands’ Drain Punch both threaten a knockout. Since Chi-Yu’s HP is only 55, it folds to almost any super-effective hit. Assault Vest users also blunt the Beads of Ruin advantage.

How to Get Chi-Yu

In Scarlet and Violet, Chi-Yu is found in the Firescourge Shrine in Socarrat Trail, northeast of Cascarrafa. You must first collect the eight stakes scattered across the region and pull them from the ground, then interact with the shrine’s sealed door.

For more competitive breakdowns, read our Garganacl competitive guide.

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