Chimchar is an outstanding Fire-type Pokémon to include on any team, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus allows players to find and catch the generation IV starter in the wild. When both Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl were released in Nov. 2021, players were able to choose Chimchar as their starter Pokémon as they journeyed through Sinnoh in the Diamond and Pearl remakes. Thanks to Pokémon Legends: Arceus, players can reacquire one of the best starter Pokémon of all time without having to forgo choosing a Pokémon Legends: Arceus starter.
Chimchar is the base form of Infernape, which is considered to be one of the best Fire- and Fighting-type Pokémon of all time. Having an Infernape on any given team allows players to more freely choose how they want to build their team offensively, as Infernape excels as either a physical attacker, special attacker, or a bit of both. Additionally, Infernape's superior speed allows players to take advantage of the new battle mechanics as its faster moves like Mach Punch will allow it to attack multiple turns in a row with Agile Style and end with a high damaging finisher in Strong Style.
Chimchar has several places that it can be found, but the earliest way players are going to be able to get their hands on a Chimchar is by completing the Mysterious Will-o'-the-Wisp request. Shortly after calming Kleavor in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, a Jubilife Village NPC named Paira will have a request that players can grab that brings them to the Obsidian Fieldlands. This request leads players to their first Chimchar encounter if they choose to accept it. Alternatively, players can catch a Monferno, the evolved form of Chimchar, in the Deertrack Heights area, but this encounter is extremely rare to the point where the Pokédex won't list it as a habitat.
Where To Find & Catch Chimchar In Pokémon Legends: Arceus
For players who want to avoid any of the requests, or prefer to tackle them later on, the only other way to obtain a Chimchar is by getting Basculegion as a usable companion in Pokémon Legends: Arceus and heading to Ramanas Island in the Obsidian Fieldlands. This area also has a few Alpha Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, including a guaranteed Alpha Infernape and the occasional Alpha Chimchar. Players should know that Chimchar will be around the same level no matter where they find one, regardless of whether they choose to capture Chimchar from the request or from Ramanas Island.
Attempting to catch the Alpha Infernape can prove to be a challenge if players do not have Pokémon around level 60 at least, as the Fire- and Fighting-type ape is at level 65. The easiest way to catch Alpha Infernape would be to bring plenty of Ultra Balls and a Pokémon that knows Thunder Wave or Hypnosis. Ultra Balls, however, can only be crafted once players reach Star Rank level 6 in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, so plenty of Pokémon will need to be captured in advance if they want to easily find and capture Alpha Infernape or Chimchar on Ramanas Island.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus is available now on Nintendo Switch.