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 |
 Poliwrath WaterFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Poliwrath builds →Dynamic Punch 2x77-91% Submission 2x62-74% Brick Break 2x59-70% Low Sweep 2x51-60% | ||
 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% Discharge 2x62-74% Volt Switch 2x56-66% | ||
 Ampharos Electric | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Mareep (Poke Pelago Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Ampharos builds →Zap Cannon 2x96-113%KO Thunder 2x89-106%KO Thunderbolt 2x74-87% Discharge 2x65-77% | ||
 Vikavolt BugElectric | C | |
Obtain MethodHeahea Beach Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Vikavolt builds →Zap Cannon 2x118-140%KO Thunderbolt 2x89-106%KO Dig 2x33-39% Volt Switch 2x70-83% | ||
 Marshtomp WaterGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Empoleon View Marshtomp builds →Earthquake 2x70-83% Brick Break 2x36-43% Mud Bomb 2x32-38% Bulldoze 2x43-51% | ||
In Ultra Sun & Ultra 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% | ||
Ultra Sun & Ultra 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 11 more.
Ultra Sun & Ultra 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 Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Can't catch Empoleon directly. Start with Piplup in the wild from the locations below, then evolve at level 36. The 3-stage chain from Piplup to Empoleon is where the leveling time goes.
Empoleon Guide
In Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon, Empoleon works as an attacker with 530 BST behind it. B-Tier on our list: a solid option in Ultra Sun & Ultra 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 Ultra Sun & Ultra 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