Nothing fancy in Empoleon's spread. It leans special with Sp. Atk out front. And you'll get 3 Sp. Atk EVs per KO for it. Follows a 1.06M XP medium-slow curve.
Since ancient times, it has been revered by the people of Hisui, who call it the Master of the Waves. Its wings are a match for even master-crafted blades.
Empoleon's Water/Steel typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric, Fighting, and Ground. It shrugs off Poison-type attacks completely. It resists 10 types, so it can switch into a lot of moves safely. With 84 HP and balanced defenses, Empoleon can afford to eat a neutral hit or two.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Electric, Fighting, Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Water, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Dragon, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Ice, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Poison |
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityToxicdebris ItemRed Card NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Glimmora builds →Power Gem10-12% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves View Talonflame builds →
| ||
| A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves View Talonflame builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityOvercoat ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Mandibuzz builds →U Turn5-6% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Pelipper builds →Hurricane14-16% | ||
The three-stage chain from Piplup through Prinplup ends here at Empoleon. Want more? Breed for Piplup eggs. A massive partner pool available via two egg groups. The evolution from Piplup pushed Empoleon to 530 total stats. Sp.Atk saw the largest single gain at +50. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Empoleon to get Piplup eggs easily using 278 partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups.
Empoleon's built to absorb hits. Calm nature leans into special wall duty, Leftovers gives it passive recovery each turn, and Roost handles sustain. Competitive and max HP and Sp. Def EVs tie the defensive profile together.
Best Build
Empoleon best EVs are HP and Sp. Def
Wall Moveset
- Roost
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Flip Turn
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Tank Moveset
- Flash Cannon
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Hydro Pump
Recommended Teammates
Special Tank Moveset
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Flash Cannon
- Roost
Recommended Teammates
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Special Tank Moveset
- Scald
- Flash Cannon
- Ice Beam
- Grass Knot
Recommended Teammates
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Scald
- Stealth Rock
- Defog
- Roar
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Protect
- Scald
- Flash Cannon
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
Moves
STAB runs through Hydro Cannon and Steel Beam for the basics, but Empoleon's real strength is the 10-type coverage spread. Normal and Flying hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
The offense anchors on Steel Beam and Wave Crash, with coverage across 7 types adding reach. It's a workable movepool for Empoleon that handles most situations. Double-Edge and Hydro Pump give it enough punch where it matters.
You'll want to breed for Agility and Aqua Ring on Empoleon. These egg moves aren't just nice to have. Combined with STAB from Hydro Cannon and Hydro Pump, they expand what Empoleon can actually threaten in practice.
STAB runs through Hydro Cannon and Hydro Pump for the basics, but Empoleon's real strength is the 10-type coverage spread. Normal and Flying hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
Empoleon isn't available in the wild in Scarlet & Violet. Start by transferring Piplup from Diamond, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus. The evolution path from Piplup to Empoleon is covered in the steps below.
How to Obtain Empoleon in Scarlet & Violet
1 encounter spots for Empoleon at decent spawn rates starting from mid-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Empoleon in Legends: Arceus
To get Empoleon, start by catching Piplup through walking encounters at walking. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PiplupSpring PathGrass RouteUncommon
Step 3Empoleon ✓Islespy ShoreGrassUncommonor evolve from Prinplup (Step 2)
No wild encounters for Empoleon. The 3-stage chain runs through Piplup, which you can catch at moderate rates from the locations below. Evolve at level 36 once you've got the levels.
How to Obtain Empoleon in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Empoleon, start by catching Piplup through walking encounters at Lv. 58-63. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PiplupFountainspring CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameFountainspring CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameRiverbank CaveShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernShining PearlGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-gameStill-Water CavernBrilliant DiamondGrass Lv.58-63 CavePostPost-game
Step 2Evolve into Prinplup
Step 3Empoleon ✓
Can't catch Empoleon directly. Start with Piplup in the wild from the locations below, then evolve at level 36. The 3-stage chain from Piplup to Empoleon is where the leveling time goes.
Empoleon works as an attacker with 530 BST behind it. B-Tier on our list: a solid choice for the right team. That 111 base Sp. Atk does the heavy lifting.
Torrent strengthens water moves to inflict 1.5× damage at 1/3 max HP or less. That's the one you want on Empoleon. Competitive is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
Empoleon is leaning toward the special side (base 111 Sp. Atk). Enough bulk to take a hit or two, too. Speed tells the real story. At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often. Fits the attacker role.
Empoleon has answers, but so do you. Faster attackers outpace it. Anything with a super-effective STAB move and decent speed can revenge kill.
Debuting in Diamond & Pearl, Empoleon appears in 12 games across 7 generations. A reliable presence in a solid number of games, typically found through wild encounters.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves