Chesnaught is a bipedal, mammalian Pokémon with some plant-like features. It possesses a prominent domed, armor-like shell similar to that of a chestnut. The armor is pale beige in coloration with four large spines jutting out of the back. The armor is trimmed with red and green bands, with the green on the outermost edge. There is an additional spine protruding from the armor over each of Chesnaught's shoulders, which are connected by a green breastplate. Its body is colored similarly to the shell, and its long limbs and tail are banded with plates of armor. The top surfaces of the tail and arms are protected by green armor, and the arms have two small spines. It has three brown, clawed digits on its hands and feet. Its hands can fuse together to create a spike-covered "shield". Chesnaught has fluffy white fur on its belly and fringing its face like a beard. It has a small, pink nose with a three-pointed patch of brown fur extending up its short snout. It also has four pointed teeth and a plate of beige armor atop its head, similar to a helmet.
Chesnaught is renowned for its tank-like body; it is capable of throwing a Tackle that can flip a 50-ton truck. Once it gets into its defensive stance with its hands covering its face, it can stand up to a bomb's explosion. It will not hesitate to use its sturdy body to shield its allies from danger. Chesnaught is the only known Pokémon capable of learning Spiky Shield.
Chesnaught has the highest base Defense of all fully evolved starter Pokémon as well as of all non-Legendary Fighting types.
Chesnaught is the only Fighting-type starter Pokémon whose primary type is not Fire-type.
With a total of six, Chesnaught has the most weaknesses of any fully evolved starter Pokémon.
Origin
Chesnaught seems to be based on a hedgehog combined with a matured chestnut. It may also draw inspiration from "armored" mammals such as pangolins, armadillos, and glyptodonts. Its bulky "armor" is possibly a reference to split apart calybium and cupule, which are parts that protect the nuts of chestnut trees which split apart when sufficiently ripened. It is also based on knights and various types of body armor, including brigandines and barbutes.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.