Stats & Training
The stat budget goes to damage. Sp. Atk and Speed carry the offense, Defense doesn't even come close. A Sun Pokemon on a medium-fast 1M XP curve, worth 2 Sp. Atk EVs per KO.
The tip of its forked tail quivers when it is predicting its opponent’s next move.
Its fur is so sensitive, it can feel minute shifts in the air and predict the weather...and its foes’ thoughts.
Espeon Weakness
Espeon is weak to Bug, Ghost, and Dark. Espeon's special bulk (base 95 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Bug, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fighting, Psychic |
In X & Y, Clefable's Moonblast hits Espeon for 38-45%. Weavile threatens a KO with Knock Off (168-198%). Gengar's Shadow Ball also KOs at 151-178%.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMagic Guard ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Espeon View Clefable builds →Moonblast38-45% | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemChoice Band NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Espeon View Weavile builds →Knock Off 2x168-198%KO Ice Shard52-61% Pursuit 2x104-123%KO | ||
 Gengar GhostPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Espeon View Gengar builds →Shadow Ball 2x151-178%KO Sludge Bomb85-100%KO Focus Blast38-44% | ||
 Volcarona BugFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemLum Berry NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Espeon View Volcarona builds →Giga Drain35-42% Flamethrower64-75% | ||
 Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Espeon View Chandelure builds →Shadow Ball 2x110-130%KO Flamethrower62-72% Energy Ball41-48% Psychic20-24% | ||
X & Y Evolution
Eevee's line splits into 8 evolutions, and Espeon is the level-up path. Each sibling form needs a different method to obtain. Breed through Eevee to get eggs. Espeon and Vaporeon share the same 525 total stats, but they're distributed differently. Check the comparison below to see where each one specializes. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Espeon to get Eevee eggs (with patience) using 200 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Captivate, Charm, Covet and 11 more.
X & Y Espeon Best Moveset
Espeon runs Calm Mind to boost before sweeping. Magic Bounce and Timid nature shape the build, with max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs to capitalize after one turn of setup, plus the remaining moves to back it up.
Best Build
Espeon best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Calm Mind
- Shadow Ball
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Psychic
- Dazzling Gleam
- Hidden Power Fire
- Signal Beam
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Egg moves make a real difference. Espeon gets Captivate and Charm exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Normal and Fairy coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Future Sight and Synchronoise.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Espeon in X & Y
Can't catch Espeon directly. Start with Eevee at decent rates from the locations below, then evolve with high friendship. The 2-stage line from Eevee to Espeon is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Espeon in X & Y
To get Espeon, start by catching Eevee through trade and walking encounters at Lv. 5-21. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch EeveeAmbrette Town - HotelXIn-game trade Lv.5 CityLimitedEarlyFriday trade with MaidAmbrette Town - HotelYIn-game trade Lv.5 CityLimitedEarlyFriday trade with MaidCamphrier Town - HotelXIn-game trade Lv.5 CityLimitedEarlySunday trade with MaidCamphrier Town - HotelYIn-game trade Lv.5 CityLimitedEarlySunday trade with MaidCoumarine City - HotelYIn-game trade Lv.5 CityLimitedEarlyTuesday trade with MaidCoumarine City - HotelXIn-game trade Lv.5 CityLimitedEarlyTuesday trade with MaidCouriway Town - HotelYIn-game trade Lv.5 CityLimitedEarlyMonday trade with MaidCouriway Town - HotelXIn-game trade Lv.5 CityLimitedEarlyMonday trade with MaidCyllage City - HotelXIn-game trade Lv.5 CityLimitedEarlyThursday trade with MaidCyllage City - HotelYIn-game trade Lv.5 CityLimitedEarlyThursday trade with MaidGeosenge Town - HotelXIn-game trade Lv.5 CityLimitedEarlyWednesday trade with MaidGeosenge Town - HotelYIn-game trade Lv.5 CityLimitedEarlyWednesday trade with MaidRoute 10XGrass Lv.19-20 RouteUncommonMidYellow FlowerRoute 10YGrass Lv.19-20 RouteUncommonMidYellow FlowerRoute 10XGrass Lv.21 RouteRareMidRoute 10YGrass Lv.21 RouteRareMid
Step 2Espeon ✓
Espeon Guide
In X & Y, Magic Bounce changes the entire equation for Espeon. The 525 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked B-Tier as a sweeper. Psychic with Leftovers is the standard set.
In X & Y, Espeon's biggest threats include Scyther (Bug), Misdreavus (Ghost), and Tyranitar (Dark), all carrying super-effective STAB moves.
Magic Bounce is what you want on Espeon. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Synchronize) work on paper but Magic Bounce is what makes Espeon worth using. With base 110 Speed, Magic Bounce gives Espeon an edge before opponents can react.
Base 110 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Espeon is a special attacker with base 130 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Enough bulk to take a hit or two. Best used as a sweeper.
In X & Y, Magic Bounce is the hidden ability. It reflects most non-damaging moves back at their user. Worth hunting for if you want Espeon to compete at a higher level.
Game Availability
Available in 19 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Espeon spans 9 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through wild encounters in most mainline games.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
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