Magic Bounce bounces status moves back at the user, adding real value on top of Espeon's already solid stats. Psychic typing means only weak to Bug, Ghost, and Dark. Introduced in Gen 2. It clears the crowded base-100 Speed benchmark.
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 Weakness
VulnerableEspeon is weak to Bug, Ghost, and Dark-type moves. Espeon's special bulk (base 95 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
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.
How to Evolve
Breed with Espeon to get Eevee eggs (with patience) using 195 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Curse, Detect, Double Kick and 5 more.
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
Best Espeon Moveset
- Alluring Voice
- Calm Mind
- Morning Sun
- Psyshock
Recommended Teammates
Egg moves make a real difference. Espeon gets Curse and Detect 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 Psychic.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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 EeveeMODERATESouth Province (Area Two) - Near TownScarletOverworldLv.11-306%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Two) - Near TownVioletOverworldLv.11-306%EarlyRouteMODERATEWest Province (Area Three) - Near TownVioletOverworldLv.11-306%EarlyRouteMODERATEWest Province (Area Three) - Near TownScarletOverworldLv.11-306%EarlyRouteCHALLENGINGSouth Province (Area Two) - Olive GroveScarletOverworldLv.11-303%EarlyRouteCHALLENGINGSouth Province (Area Two) - Olive GroveVioletOverworldLv.11-303%EarlyRoute
Step 2Espeon ✓HARDAsado Desert - GrassScarletOverworldLv.35-651%LateDesertMorningHARDAsado Desert - GrassVioletOverworldLv.35-651%LateDesertMorningHARDEast Province (Area One) - GrassScarletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDEast Province (Area One) - GrassVioletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDEast Province (Area Three) - GrassVioletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDEast Province (Area Three) - GrassScarletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDEast Province (Area Two) - GrassVioletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDEast Province (Area Two) - GrassScarletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDNorth Province (Area Three) - GrassVioletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDNorth Province (Area Three) - GrassScarletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDSouth Province (Area Five) - GrassVioletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDSouth Province (Area Five) - GrassScarletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDSouth Province (Area Four) - GrassVioletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDSouth Province (Area Four) - GrassScarletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDSouth Province (Area One) - GrassVioletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDSouth Province (Area One) - GrassScarletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDSouth Province (Area Three) - GrassVioletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDSouth Province (Area Three) - GrassScarletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDSouth Province (Area Two) - GrassScarletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDSouth Province (Area Two) - GrassVioletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDThe Pokémon League - GrassScarletOverworldLv.35-651%LateMorningHARDThe Pokémon League - GrassVioletOverworldLv.35-651%LateMorningHARDWest Province (Area One) - GrassScarletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDWest Province (Area One) - GrassVioletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDWest Province (Area Three) - GrassVioletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDWest Province (Area Three) - GrassScarletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDWest Province (Area Two) - GrassVioletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningHARDWest Province (Area Two) - GrassScarletOverworldLv.35-651%LateRouteMorningor evolve from Eevee (Step 1)
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.
Espeon appears in 19 games, including Gold & Silver, Crystal, and Ruby & Sapphire.
Available in 19 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Espeon spans 8 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in most mainline games.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A