The stat budget goes to damage. Sp. Atk and Speed carry the offense, Defense doesn't even come close. A Sun Pokemon on a medium-fast 1M XP curve, worth 2 Sp. Atk EVs per KO.
The tip of its forked tail quivers when it is predicting its opponent’s next move.
It uses the fine hair that covers its body to sense air currents and predict its enemy’s actions.
Espeon is weak to Bug, Ghost, and Dark. Espeon's special bulk (base 95 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Bug, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fighting, Psychic |
Pelipper's Hurricane hits Espeon for 56-66%. Vileplume deals 41-48% with Sludge Bomb.
 AmoongussRecovers HP on switch via Regenerator, puts to sleep with Spore, threatens with Rage Powder GrassPoison | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Espeon View Amoonguss builds →Sludge Bomb33-39% | ||
 Pelipper Water | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemFocus Sash NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Espeon View Pelipper builds →Hurricane56-66% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityEffect Spore ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Espeon View Vileplume builds →Sludge Bomb41-48% Giga Drain34-40% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemRocky Helmet NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Espeon View Weezing builds →Sludge Bomb33-39% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityToxicchain ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Espeon View Fezandipiti builds →U Turn 2x47-55% Moonblast30-35% Heat Wave20-23% | ||
Eevee's line splits into 8 evolutions, and Espeon is the level-up path. Each sibling form needs a different method to obtain. Breed through Eevee to get eggs. Espeon and Vaporeon share the same 525 total stats, but they're distributed differently. Check the comparison below to see where each one specializes. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Espeon to get Eevee eggs (with patience) using 278 partners from the Ground egg group.
Espeon runs Calm Mind to boost before sweeping. Magic Bounce and Timid nature shape the build, with max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs to capitalize after one turn of setup, plus the remaining moves to back it up.
Best Build
Espeon best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Alluring Voice
- Calm Mind
- Morning Sun
- Psyshock
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Alluring Voice
- Trick
Recommended Teammates
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Alluring Voice
- Calm Mind
- Morning Sun
- Psyshock
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Psychic
- Shadow Ball
- Alluring Voice
- Trick
Recommended Teammates
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Dazzling Gleam
- Psyshock
- Calm Mind
- Shadow Ball
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Dazzling Gleam
- Shadow Ball
- Future Sight
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Bulky Support Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Stored Power
- Calm Mind
- Protect
Recommended Teammates
Moves
TMs carry this one. Espeon learns Future Sight and Psychic naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Dark and Normal and beyond give it real matchup play.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
TMs carry this one. Espeon learns Future Sight and Dream Eater naturally for STAB, but the offensive range comes almost entirely from technical machines. Dark and Normal and beyond give it real matchup play.
A solid spread overall. Espeon gets Psychic and Zen Headbutt for same-type damage alongside Normal and Fairy coverage and more. It won't blow anyone away, but it doesn't leave you stuck either.
Egg moves make a real difference. Espeon gets Charm and Covet exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Coverage across 8 types rounds out the picture alongside Future Sight and Dream Eater.
You'll want late-game access before hunting Espeon. Low spawn rates across 28 encounter spots means the location matters. Sort by Best below and target the top-rated area first.
Where To Catch Espeon in Scarlet & Violet
The path to Espeon starts with Eevee at Lv. 11-65 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch EeveeSouth Province (Area Two) - Near TownScarletOverworld Lv.11-30 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - Near TownVioletOverworld Lv.11-30 Route6%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - Near TownVioletOverworld Lv.11-30 Route6%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - Near TownScarletOverworld Lv.11-30 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - Olive GroveScarletOverworld Lv.11-30 Route3%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - Olive GroveVioletOverworld Lv.11-30 Route3%Early
Step 2Espeon ✓Asado Desert - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Desert1%LateMorningAsado Desert - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Desert1%LateMorningEast Province (Area One) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningEast Province (Area One) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningEast Province (Area Three) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningEast Province (Area Three) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningEast Province (Area Two) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningEast Province (Area Two) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningNorth Province (Area Three) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningNorth Province (Area Three) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningSouth Province (Area Five) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningSouth Province (Area Five) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningSouth Province (Area Four) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningSouth Province (Area Four) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningSouth Province (Area One) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningSouth Province (Area One) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningSouth Province (Area Three) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningSouth Province (Area Three) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningSouth Province (Area Two) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningSouth Province (Area Two) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningThe Pokémon League - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.35-651%LateMorningThe Pokémon League - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.35-651%LateMorningWest Province (Area One) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningWest Province (Area One) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningWest Province (Area Three) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningWest Province (Area Three) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningWest Province (Area Two) - GrassVioletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningWest Province (Area Two) - GrassScarletOverworld Lv.35-65 Route1%LateMorningor evolve from Eevee (Step 1)
Espeon isn't available in the wild in Legends: Z-A. Start by transferring Eevee from Red, Yellow, or Ultra Sun. The evolution path from Eevee to Espeon is covered in the steps below.
decent spawn rates across 1 locations for Espeon in mid-game routes. Scroll the sorted list below and pick whichever spot sits closest to your current route. The rate differences between locations are worth comparing.
Where To Catch Espeon in Legends: Arceus
The path to Espeon starts with Eevee at walking via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch EeveeHorseshoe PlainsGrassUncommonSpace-Time Distortion - Obsidian FieldlandsGrass DistortionUncommon
Step 2Espeon ✓Space-Time Distortion - Alabaster IcelandsGrass DistortionUncommonor evolve from Eevee (Step 1)
Espeon isn't available in the wild in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl. Start by transferring Eevee from Red, Yellow, or Ultra Sun. The evolution path from Eevee to Espeon is covered in the steps below.
Magic Bounce changes the entire equation for Espeon. The 525 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked A-Tier as a sweeper.
Espeon's biggest threats include Scyther (Bug), Misdreavus (Ghost), and Tyranitar (Dark), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.
Magic Bounce is what you want on Espeon. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Synchronize) work on paper but Magic Bounce is what makes Espeon worth using. With base 110 Speed, Magic Bounce gives Espeon an edge before opponents can react.
Base 110 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Espeon is a special attacker with base 130 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a sweeper.
Best way to handle Espeon: Priority moves (Mach Punch, Aqua Jet, Ice Shard) bypass its speed. Bulky walls that resist its STAB also shut it down.
Available in 19 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Espeon spans 9 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in most mainline games.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
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