While most trainers evolve Espurr into Meowstic immediately, the unevolved form has a niche with Eviolite boosting its defenses. Only weak to Bug, Ghost, and Dark. Relies on priority moves or Scarf to keep up. Known as the Restraint Pokemon.
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.
There’s enough psychic power in Espurr to send a wrestler flying, but because this power can’t be controlled, Espurr finds it troublesome.
Espurr Weakness
VulnerableBug, Ghost, and Dark-type moves hit Espurr for super-effective damage. Not too many gaps in the chart, 3 weaknesses to account for.
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.
How to Evolve
Breed Espurr easily with 138 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Tickle, Yawn to offspring.
Start with max HP and Sp. Def EVs. Calm nature gives Espurr the right special wall lean, Lightclay adds extra utility, and Owntempo works in the background. Psychic is the main damage option.
Best Build
Best Espurr Moveset
- Reflect
- Psychic
- Light Screen
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
The level-up pool is slim, so TMs matter here. Espurr's Normal and Fairy coverage and more all comes from technical machines, built on top of Psychic and Psyshock for same-type damage. Energy Ball and Iron Tail are the payoff moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
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.
Best Locations
Before you go hunting for Espurr, check which of the 18 spots belong to your version. Shield and Sword each have different walking encounters at Lv. 16-30.
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.
Espurr evolves into Meowstic at level 25. Espurr is the base form of this evolutionary line.
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 special attacker with base 63 Sp. Atk. But the speed tells the real story — at base 68 Speed, it won't be moving first often.
Espurr appears in 7 games, including X & Y, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, and Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.
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.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
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 VIXYDebut
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