Some Pokémon are built for brawn, whereas others are built for defense.
And then there’s Chandelure: a Ghost/Fire-type Pokémon classified as one of the best attackers in Pokémon GO, capable of melting through Raid bosses and PvP opponents.
But unlocking its true potential takes more than just an Unova Stone and 100 candies; instead, you’ll need the proper setup.
That’s where this guide comes in. We’ll break down Chandelure’s best moveset and how to use it correctly, whether you’re battling in PvE or PvP.
Introduction to Chandelure

Chandelure, also known as Pokédex #609, is the final evolution of Litwick and Lampent.
Featuring a unique Ghost/Fire type, Chandelure has a fascinating profile, boasting an impressive nine resistances while remaining vulnerable to common types like Water, Rock, and Dark.
Getting one is quite tricky, though, as the evolution from Lampent to Chandelure requires 100 Litwick Candy and an Unova Stone, making it a Pokémon that showcases a serious time investment.
However, with a Max CP of 3,695 and some impressive stats, it’s one of the best time investments in the game, thanks to its incredible offense, making the grind worthwhile.
Chandelure’s Stats and Strategy

Chandelure’s design philosophy is simple: glass cannon, a term for characters with incredible power but weak defenses.
Attack: Exceptionally high. This is Chandelure’s main feature, placing this Pokémon among the best non-Legendary attackers.
Defense & Stamina: Average at best.
In other words, this Pokémon dishes out massive damage but can’t take much of a hit. Due to this, you’ll need brilliant timing and good positioning to get the most out of Chandelure.
Chandelure’s Best PvE Moveset for Raids and Gyms

When it comes to PvE, Chandelure shines, and its job is simple: hit fast, hit hard, and burn down the clock. To achieve this, you’ll want a moveset that maximizes its Attack stat while taking advantage of STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus).
As of now, the best PvE moveset for Chandelure is Fire Spin (Fast Move) + Shadow Ball (Charged Move). Here’s how you’ll set it up:
Fire Spin + Shadow Ball (the best all-around set)
The Fire-type move Fire Spin exists as a continuous assault that weakens opponents slowly while producing energy at high speed.
The main move exists as Shadow Ball, which provides Ghost-type attacks boosted by STAB to deliver solidly effective neutral damage against many Raid bosses.
These abilities combine to create Chandelure's most dependable and therefore most effective attack sequences.
Overheat (the Fire-type nuke option)
Overheat slams like a truck, delivering massive Fire-type damage.
However, there’s one drawback: it lowers Chandelure’s Attack after use.
This moveset is best used in short fights or when you need burst damage against Grass or Bug bosses, then swap it out.
Hex (an alternative Fast Move)
This generates energy faster than Fire Spin, letting you fire off more Shadow Balls.
Deals less direct damage, so it’s a situational pick.
Good if your focus is spamming Shadow Ball, but Fire Spin is usually better for overall DPS.
Chandelure’s Best Moveset in Pokémon GO PvP

When it comes to PvP, such as the GO Battle League, Chandelure should be used as a wildcard pick, due to its fragility, but high damage.
Unlike PvE, the strategy here isn’t just raw DPS. To make this pick work, you’ll need good shield management, energy generation, shield pressure, and smart-self buffs.
Recommended PvP moveset:
Fast Move: Incinerate
Charged Moves: Shadow Ball + Flame Charge
Why this set works:
Incinerate: The lengthy animation is very slow, but each hit deals solid damage and accumulates a large amount of energy.
Shadow Ball: Provides efficient, powerful, and a threat to nearly anything that doesn’t resist Ghost-type moves.
Flame Charge: While it doesn’t hit super hard on its own, it always boosts Chandelure’s Attack by one stage. After a few charges, Chandelure can sweep entire teams if left unchecked.
What about Energy Ball?
Energy Ball offers pretty niche coverage against Water and Rock-types; however, it just can’t compete with the snowball potential of Flame Charge.
Basically, if you’re running Chandelure in PvP, Flame Charge is almost always the way to go. And, while Energy Ball exists for niche coverage against Water and Rock types, its general utility pales in comparison to the self-buffing of Flame Charge.
Chandelure Moveset Side-by-Side Comparison

Choosing the right moveset is about understanding the numbers, and this table breaks down Chandelure’s best moves for a quick analysis:
Move Type | Move Name | Damage | DPS (Damage Per Second) | EPS (Energy Per Second) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fast Move | Fire Spin | 13 | 15.6 | 9.1 |
Fast Move | Incinerate | 32 | 15.4 | 12.8 |
Fast Move | Hex | 8 | 9.6 | 12.7 |
Charged Move | Shadow Ball | 100 | 40.0 | - |
Charged Move | Flame Charge | 70 | 21.0 | - |
Charged Move | Overheat | 160 | 48.0 | - |
Charged Move | Poltergeist* | 140 | 48.0 | - |
*Please note: Poltergeist is an Elite TM exclusive move.
The data above shows the clear roles:
Fire Spin offers the best raw Fast Move pressure for PvE.
Incinerate provides the superior energy gain needed for the demands of PvP.
Shadow Ball offers the best blend of power and cost for Charged Moves.
Flame Charge includes utility.
Overheat delivers a massive burst of Fire-type damage.










So, Is Poltergeist Worth an Elite Charge TM?

During its Community Day, Chandelure gained access to the Ghost-type Charged Move Poltergeist, providing a massive 140 base power, hitting even harder than Overheat without the self-debuff.
But is it worth one of your Elite Charged TMs?
The answer? It depends.
We see Poltergeist as a luxury upgrade, as Shadow Ball is more than enough for almost every scenario, making the upgrade more of a luxury than anything.
How the Pokémon GO Chandelure Evolution Works

Getting an upgraded Chandelure begins with a Litwick.
Litwick → Lampent: Requires 25 Litwick Candy.
Lampent → Chandelure: Requires 100 Litwick Candy and one Unova Stone
As you might expect, the Unova Stone remains an important item in the process, cementing Chandelure’s status as a premium Pokémon.
Chandelure’s Place in the Pokémon GO Meta
Chandelure has established a permanent presence in the meta as an excellent glass cannon pick that can outperform some Legendary Pokémon in raw offensive output.
Here’s the summary:
For PvE: Arm it with Fire Spin + Shadow Ball for a versatile and deadly attacker.
For PvP: Choose Incinerate + Flame Charge & Shadow Ball to create a strategic sweeper.
What’s your preferred Chandelure build for taking on GO Battle League or the latest Tier 5 Raid? Let us know!
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