Stats & Training
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.
If anyone were to hurt its pride, it would slash them with wings that can cleave through an ice floe.
Empoleon Weakness
Empoleon's Water/Steel typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric, Fighting, and Ground. It shrugs off Poison-type attacks completely. It resists 11 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, Ghost, Dragon, Dark |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Ice, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Poison |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
In Platinum, Azelf's Explosion hits Empoleon for 39-46%. Donphan's Earthquake also KOs at 92-108%.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Azelf builds →Explosion39-46% U Turn11-13% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemBlack Sludge NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Crobat builds →U Turn11-13% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Donphan builds →Earthquake 2x92-108%KO Rapid Spin7-9% Ice Shard3-4% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityPoison Point ItemBlack Sludge NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Nidoqueen builds →Earthquake 2x73-86% Ice Beam4-5% | ||
 | C | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x68-81% | ||
Platinum 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
Breeding
Breed with Empoleon to get Piplup eggs easily using 131 partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Agility, Aqua Ring, Double Hit and 7 more.
Platinum Empoleon Best Moveset
One guaranteed turn is all Empoleon needs. Focus Sash buys it, max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs make it count, and Torrent adds something extra. The goal: deal early damage and deal damage with Ice Beam. The remaining moves gives it play beyond just the lead turn.
Best Build
Empoleon best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Grass Knot
- Aqua Jet
Recommended Teammates
Moves
STAB runs through Hydro Cannon and Hydro Pump for the basics, but Empoleon's real strength is the 10-type coverage spread. Normal and Flying hit common defensive types, and the movepool keeps going.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
How to Get Empoleon in Platinum
Empoleon doesn't appear wild. Catch Piplup instead, it shows up but it's a rare spawn. Evolve it at level 36 to get Empoleon. The 3-stage chain is mapped in the step cards below.
Empoleon Guide
In Platinum, Empoleon works as a setup sweeper with 530 BST behind it. B-Tier on our list: a solid option in Platinum for the right team. Ice Beam with Focus Sash is the standard set.
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 setup sweeper role.
In Platinum, run Ice Beam, Hydro Pump, Grassknot, and Aqua Jet on Empoleon. Ice Beam is the most common pick at 15% usage. This set covers the setup sweeper role with a mix of damage and utility.
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 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DPDebut
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