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.
Since ancient times, it has been revered by the people of Hisui, who call it the Master of the Waves. Its wings are a match for even master-crafted blades.
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 |
 Gastrodon WaterGround | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x69-81% Mud Bomb 2x45-53% Bulldoze 2x43-51% Mud-Slap 2x16-19% | ||
 Xurkitree Electric | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Xurkitree builds →Zap Cannon 2x138-162%KO Thunder 2x126-149%KO Thunderbolt 2x104-123%KO Wild Charge 2x65-77% | ||
 Poliwrath WaterFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Poliwrath builds →Focus Blast 2x65-77% Dynamic Punch 2x77-91% Earthquake 2x51-60% Submission 2x62-74% | ||
 Jolteon Electric | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Eevee (Paniola Ranch Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Jolteon builds →Thunder 2x86-102%KO Thunderbolt 2x70-83% Wild Charge 2x53-62% Discharge 2x62-74% | ||
 Luxray Electric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Luxray builds →Thunder 2x77-91% Wild Charge 2x85-100%KO Thunderbolt 2x62-74% Discharge 2x56-66% | ||
In Sun & Moon, Greninja's Dark Pulse hits Empoleon for 34-40%. Cobalion's Close Combat hits Empoleon for 84-99%. Tapu Koko deals 73-86% with Thunderbolt.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBattlebond ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Greninja builds →Dark Pulse34-40% Ice Beam6-8% Hydro Pump23-27% | ||
 Cobalion SteelFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemFightiniumz NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Cobalion builds →Close Combat 2x84-99% Stone Edge12-14% | ||
 Tapu Koko ElectricFairy | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityElectric Surge ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Tapu Koko builds →Thunderbolt 2x73-86% Volt Switch 2x57-67% Dazzling Gleam16-19% | ||
 Swampert WaterGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Swampert builds →Earthquake 2x115-135%KO Scald9-10% Waterfall23-27% | ||
Sun & Moon 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 218 partners from the Ground and Water1 egg groups. Notable egg moves include Agility, Aqua Ring, Bide and 10 more.
Sun & Moon Empoleon Best Moveset
Stealth Rock is the priority every time Empoleon comes in. Calm nature and HP-heavy investment EVs keep it alive long enough to get layers down, while Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn. Torrent rounds it out.
Best Build
Empoleon best EVs are HP and Sp. Def
Hazard Setter Moveset
- Scald
- Stealth Rock
- Defog
- Roar
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Bulky Support Moveset
- Protect
- Scald
- Flash Cannon
- Ice Beam
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 Sun & Moon
Empoleon can't be caught in Sun & Moon. 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 Sun & Moon
Empoleon Guide
In Sun & Moon, Empoleon works as an attacker with 530 BST behind it. B-Tier on our list: a solid option in Sun & Moon for the right team. 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 Sun & Moon, run Scald, Stealth Rock, Defog, and Roar on Empoleon. Scald is the most common pick at 23% 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