Empoleon Best Moveset
Water/Steel at 111 Sp. Atk behind a typing that resists 10 types. AbilityCompetitive boosts Sp. Atk sharply when any stat drops, punishing Intimidate and Defog. Held ItemLeftovers with NatureModest runs special Water and Steel TermStab. The moveset tanks neutral hits from the elite defensive typing and fires back from the special side. B-Tier through typing alone.
Water/Steel resisted 11 types with only three weaknesses in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Stealth Rock setter with Agility sweeping potential. Excellent typing carried it.
Best Moves
Best Build
Empoleon best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Grass Knot
- Aqua Jet
Recommended Teammates
Dropped from the top tier but stayed solid in Gen V (Black & White). Defog gave it hazard removal, and the typing was still excellent for pivoting.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Surf
- Agility
- Grass Knot
Recommended Teammates
Same Defog plus defensive typing formula in Gen VI (X & Y). Set rocks, Defogged, tanked hits. Not exciting, but the definition of reliable.
Special Attacker Moveset
- Scald
- Defog
- Flash Cannon
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
Three straight gens at A-Tier in Gen VII (Sun & Moon). Water/Steel with 11 resistances was always useful, even when Empoleon wasn't the flashiest option.
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Stealth Rock
- Defog
- Scald
- Roar
Recommended Teammates
Returned in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet). Dropped as the format's power level outpaced what purely defensive utility could sustain without offensive presence.
Special Tank Moveset
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Flash Cannon
- Roost
Recommended Teammates
Empoleon Weakness
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 |
What is Empoleon Weak Against
FortressBest Pokemon Against Empoleon
Hippowdon's Earthquake hits Empoleon for 48-56%.
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemRocky Helmet NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x48-56% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves View Talonflame builds →
| ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemDamprock NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Pelipper builds →Hurricane10-12% U Turn4-5% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityOvercoat ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves View Mandibuzz builds →
| ||
Recommended Build AbilityNeutralizinggas ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves View Weezing-Galar builds →
| ||
Evolution
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
How to Get Empoleon
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.
1 encounter spots for Empoleon at decent spawn rates starting from late-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Empoleon in PLA
To get Empoleon, start by catching Piplup through walking encounters at Lv. 40-47. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PiplupSpring PathLv.41-44GrassRate 15%
Step 3Empoleon ✓Islespy ShoreLv.40-47GrassRate 15%or 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 BDSP
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.
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.
Base Stats
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 Guide
Empoleon works as an attacker with 530 BST behind it. C-Tier on our list: a situational pick that fills a niche. 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 a special attacker with 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.
Run Surf, Ice Beam, Flash Cannon, and Roost on Empoleon. Surf is the most common pick at 0% usage. Surf provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
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 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DPDebut
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves