Espurr Best Moveset
Psychic at 63 Sp. Atk and 68 Speed with AbilityOwn Tempo preventing confusion and AbilityInfiltrator bypassing Substitute. Pre-evolution stats. The moveset can't compete. Evolve to Meowstic for 83 Sp. Atk and AbilityPrankster priority support.
Espurr saw minimal competitive use in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS). This was Espurr's competitive peak. Its most popular set ran Owntempo with Tangaberry, favoring a Gentle nature.
Best Moves
Best Build
Espurr best EVs are HP and Sp. Def
Wall Moveset
- Zen Headbutt
- Facade
- Toxic
- Disarming Voice
Recommended Teammates
Espurr saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Espurr maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Infiltrator with Eviolite, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Attacker Moveset
- Psychic
- Dark Pulse
- Thunderbolt
- Energy Ball
Espurr saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Espurr maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Owntempo with Lightclay, favoring a Calm nature.
Wall Moveset
- Reflect
- Psychic
- Light Screen
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Espurr saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Espurr maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Infiltrator with Eviolite, favoring a Calm nature.
Screens Setter Moveset
- Fake Out
- Light Screen
- Psychic Noise
- Reflect
Recommended Teammates
Espurr Weakness
Bug, Ghost, and Dark moves hit Espurr for super-effective damage. Not too many gaps in the chart, 3 weaknesses to account for.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Bug, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fighting, Psychic |
What is Espurr Weak Against
VulnerableBest Pokemon Against Espurr
Dragapult's Shadow Ball hits Espurr for 66-78%. Genesect's U-turn hits Espurr for 79-93%. Hydreigon deals 52-61% with Dark Pulse.
 Dragapult DragonGhost | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityInfiltrator ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Espurr View Dragapult builds →U Turn 2x35-42% Draco Meteor53-63% Shadow Ball 2x66-78% | ||
 Genesect BugSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityDownload ItemChoice Scarf NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Espurr View Genesect builds →U Turn 2x79-93% Extreme Speed30-35% | ||
 Hydreigon DarkDragon | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Espurr View Hydreigon builds →Dark Pulse 2x52-61% Draco Meteor42-49% Flash Cannon17-20% | ||
Evolution
Espurr is the base form in a two-stage line leading to Meowstic. Check the evolution method below. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. The evolved forms gain up to 111 total stats over Espurr. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Espurr easily with 278 breeding partners from the Ground egg group.
How to Get Espurr
4 encounter spots for Espurr at moderate rates starting from endgame routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Espurr in SV
To get Espurr, start by catching Espurr through walking encounters at Lv. 50-80. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Espurr ✓Canyon BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCoastal BiomeLv.50-80Overworld
Step 2Catch or Evolve into MeowsticCanyon BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCoastal BiomeLv.50-80OverworldCoastal BiomeLv.61Overworldor evolve from Espurr (Step 1)
moderate rates across 2 locations for Espurr in early-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 Espurr in LZA
The path to Espurr starts with Espurr at Lv. 7-42 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
- Step 1Espurr ✓Wild Zone 3Lv.7-8OverworldLegends: Z-AWild Zone 9Lv.27-29OverworldLegends: Z-A
- Step 2Catch or Evolve into MeowsticWild Zone 9Lv.41-42OverworldLegends: Z-Aor evolve from Espurr (Step 1)
Easy grab on Espurr with high spawn rates across 18 locations in mid-game routes. The sorted list below shows the full spread so you can pick the most convenient spot.
Where To Catch Espurr in SwSh
Espurr is your first catch on the way to Espurr. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 16-45 across 38 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Espurr ✓Hammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 40%Normal WeatherHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 40%Heavy FogMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28GrassRate 35%Heavy FogRoute 5Lv.16-18GrassRate 20%All WeatherHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 10%ThunderstormHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 10%OvercastHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 10%SandstormHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 10%SnowingHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 10%Intense Sun
Step 2Catch or Evolve into MeowsticRoute 7Lv.28-40GrassRate 10%SnowstormDusty BowlLv.40-45GrassRate 45%Heavy FogRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassRate 10%SandstormRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassRate 10%Intense SunRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassRate 10%ThunderstormRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassRate 10%OvercastRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassRate 10%Heavy FogRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassRate 10%SnowingRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassRate 10%Normal WeatherRoute 7Lv.36-40GrassRate 10%Rainingor evolve from Espurr (Step 1)
No wild encounters for Espurr in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Bring Espurr over from X & Y, Sword & Shield, or Legends: Z-A, then level through the stages. Each step in the chain is laid out below.
How to Obtain Espurr in USUM
- Step 1Espurr ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom X & YNot TradeableAppears in X & Y via Walking · Route 6 · Tall grass only. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Sword & ShieldNot TradeableAppears in Sword & Shield via Walking · Hammerlocke Hills · Normal Weather. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Scarlet & VioletNot TradeableAppears in Scarlet & Violet via Overworld · Canyon Biome. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Legends: Z-ANot TradeableAppears in Legends: Z-A via Overworld · Wild Zone 9. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Meowstic
Base Stats
You won't find a real weakness in Espurr's stat line. It's well-rounded for the Restraint Pokemon, and what it does with that depends on moveset and items. Yields 1 Speed EV, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Though Espurr’s expression never changes, behind that blank stare is an intense struggle to contain its devastating psychic power.
Espurr Guide
At 355 BST, Espurr is firmly in pre-evolution territory. Evolve it into Meowstic before bringing it to any serious fight.
Watch for Genesect (Bug), Chandelure (Ghost), and Hydreigon (Dark) when using Espurr. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB.
Keen Eye prevents accuracy from being lowered. That's the one you want on Espurr. Own Tempo is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Infiltrator works too if your team needs something different.
Espurr is a mixed attacker with base 48 Attack and 63 Sp. Atk. Speed tells the real story. At base 68 Speed, it won't be moving first often.
For a casual playthrough, Espurr works as a placeholder. Psychic coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Meowstic. That's where the stats start mattering.
Game Availability
Since X & Y, Espurr has been obtainable in 7 games. A Generation 6 debut means a shorter history, but Espurr has appeared steadily across every generation since.
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 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XYDebut
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