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.
It swims as fast as a jet boat. The edges of its wings are sharp and can slice apart drifting ice.
The three horns that extend from its beak attest to its power. The leader has the biggest horns.
Empoleon Weakness
Empoleon's Water/Steel typing leaves it vulnerable to Electric, Fighting, and Ground. It shrugs off Poison-type attacks completely. It resists 10 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, Dragon, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Ice, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Poison |
In X & Y, Breloom deals 42-50% with Mach Punch.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Clefable builds →Moonblast16-18% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySturdy ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves View Skarmory builds →
| ||
 Breloom GrassFighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemMiracleseed NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Breloom builds →Bullet Seed13-16% Mach Punch 2x42-50% | ||
X & Y 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 200 partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Agility, Aqua Ring, Bide and 10 more.
X & Y Empoleon Best Moveset
Empoleon doesn't rely on pure speed. Leftovers gives it passive recovery each turn to stay healthy, and Modest nature still pushes offense. Scald and utility options keep the pressure on while flexible EVs balance power and survivability.
Best Build
Empoleon best EVs are Sp. Atk and Defense
Special Attacker Moveset
- Scald
- Defog
- Flash Cannon
- Ice Beam
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Flash Cannon
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Cannon
- Brine
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
Transfer Moves
How to Get Empoleon in X & Y
Empoleon can't be caught in X & Y. Transfer Piplup from Diamond, Platinum, or Legends: Arceus and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Empoleon in X & Y
Empoleon Guide
In X & Y, Empoleon works as an attacker with 530 BST behind it. C-Tier on our list: a niche pick in X & Y's meta. Scald with Leftovers 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 attacker role.
In X & Y, run Scald, Defog, Flash Cannon, and Ice Beam on Empoleon. Scald is the most common pick at 14% usage. Scald provides reliable STAB damage.
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