[OVERVIEW]
Empoleon's excellent defensive typing and access to Defog grant it a solid niche as an entry hazard remover that provides crucial defensive utility thanks to its ability to check some of the scariest threats in the metagame such as Greninja, Ash-Greninja, and Tapu Lele. In addition to Defog, Empoleon has some other useful support moves like Toxic, Roar, and Knock Off. However, despite its great defensive capabilities, Empoleon's lack of reliable recovery makes it prone to getting worn down during a game, so it can't reliably take on the threats it's supposed to check in the long run. The prevalence of other Defoggers such as Mew and Mantine also hurts Empoleon's viability, as they also provide defensive utility and are easier to fit on teams in the current metagame. Empoleon's Steel typing, while being a good asset because of the resistances it provides, gives it an annoying Ground weakness, which gives it a hard time against most Ground-types in the tier despite being a Water-type. Empoleon is also vulnerable to trapping in Arena Trap from Dugtrio and Magnet Pull from Magnezone, which gives it a hard time Defogging if either of them are on the opposing team.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Defog
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Roar / Stealth Rock
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is Empoleon's best STAB move thanks to its high burn chance, thus preventing physical attackers like Tapu Bulu from switching into it in fear of getting burned. Defog lets Empoleon remove entry hazards from both sides of the field, which lets it support teammates such as Volcarona and Mega Charizard Y. Toxic hits switch-ins that don't mind being burned by Scald such as Mantine, Tangrowth, and Latios. Roar phazes setup sweepers like Volcarona, Mimikyu, and Suicune and forces switch-ins to take damage from hazards. Stealth Rock is great on a Pokemon with Empoleon's defensive capabilities, as it gets several opportunities to set it up during a game. Finally, Ice Beam hits Zygarde and Garchomp on the switch and lets Shuca Berry Empoleon take them on one-on-one.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Special Defense investment with a Calm nature maximizes Empoleon's special bulk and helps it take hits from Greninja and Tapu Lele. Leftovers gives it passive recovery, which is key to Empoleon's survivability because it lacks any other recovery. Shuca Berry can be used to take a hit from Ground-types like Landorus-T and Zygarde and retaliate with Ice Beam, which is required when using this item to guarantee an OHKO on Landorus-T as well as deal significant damage to Zygarde and Garchomp.
Usage Tips
========
Empoleon's multiple resistances make it a good switch-in for the likes of Tapu Lele and Greninja, though it should be wary of coverage moves they may carry such as Focus Blast on the former and Low Kick on the latter. Therefore, it's best to try to scout for these coverage moves before using Empoleon as a direct switch-in. These resistances also give it plenty of opportunities to switch into threats and Defog entry hazards away. If hazards are up on the opposing side of the field, Empoleon can use Roar on predicted switch-ins to force foes to take residual damage. Scald's high burn rate makes it the go-to move most of the time unless it has to use Defog. Empoleon should try to avoid Knock Off users such as Clefable and Tangrowth, because losing its Leftovers significantly hinders its longevity. If the opponent has a trapper such as Dugtrio or Magnezone, smart playing is required in order to prevent Empoleon from being trapped too early. Double switching instead of staying in on threats it walls is usually a good idea, though it can also backfire if the opponent predicts that and stays in. If switching into something else would risk a very important Pokemon, Empoleon should just stay in despite the threat of being trapped.
Team Options
========
Bulky Grass-types like Tangrowth and Mega Venusaur can switch into Electric-types that threaten Empoleon. Tangrowth has the advantage of resisting Ground as well, making it an even better partner for it. Empoleon is a reliable Defogger, so it's usually a good idea to pair it with Pokemon that are weak to entry hazards such as Volcarona and Mega Charizard Y. Empoleon can't threaten bulky Grass-types, so a Fire-type partner is appreciated. Substitute Heatran and Mega Charizard Y can take advantage of Grass-types, while Empoleon deals with the Water-types they can't beat.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Chesto Berry can be used alongside Rest for a one-time recovery move, though it's usually not worth the item slot and a moveslot. Iapapa Berry brings Empoleon back to a good amount of HP after pivoting into Greninja and Tapu Lele several times. Flash Cannon lets Empoleon beat Magic Guard Clefable and use Defog to remove its Stealth Rock. Grass Knot is an option to give Shuca Berry Empoleon the ability to take on Mega Swampert one-on-one. An offensive set with Choice Specs takes advantage of Empoleon's usually passive nature to get surprise KOs on would-be switch-ins, although it's too slow to perform an offensive role effectively.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Zygarde and Landorus-T threaten Empoleon with super effective Ground-type STAB moves. Dugtrio in particular traps it thanks to Arena Trap and OHKOes it with Tectonic Rage.
**Grass-types**: Amoonguss and Mega Venusaur are immune to Toxic and resist Scald. They also don't mind being burned and can chip at Empoleon with Giga Drain. Tangrowth can remove its Leftovers with Knock Off but is vulnerable to Toxic.
**Electric-types**: Tapu Koko, Mega Manectric, and Rotom-W can hit Empoleon with their super effective Electric-type moves. Rotom-W is especially annoying, since it resists Scald. Magnezone is also a threat because it can trap and OHKO Empoleon.
**Fighting-types**: Mega Medicham, Mega Gallade, Mega Lopunny, and Keldeo can beat Empoleon with their super effective Fighting-type moves, though the former two have to watch out for Scald burns.
**Pokemon with Super Effective Coverage**: Focus Blast Tapu Lele, Low Kick Greninja, and Thunderbolt Latios can act as lures for Empoleon due to their traditional STAB attacks and coverage moves being resisted by Empoleon.
Empoleon's excellent defensive typing and access to Defog grant it a solid niche as an entry hazard remover that provides crucial defensive utility thanks to its ability to check some of the scariest threats in the metagame such as Greninja, Ash-Greninja, and Tapu Lele. In addition to Defog, Empoleon has some other useful support moves like Toxic, Roar, and Knock Off. However, despite its great defensive capabilities, Empoleon's lack of reliable recovery makes it prone to getting worn down during a game, so it can't reliably take on the threats it's supposed to check in the long run. The prevalence of other Defoggers such as Mew and Mantine also hurts Empoleon's viability, as they also provide defensive utility and are easier to fit on teams in the current metagame. Empoleon's Steel typing, while being a good asset because of the resistances it provides, gives it an annoying Ground weakness, which gives it a hard time against most Ground-types in the tier despite being a Water-type. Empoleon is also vulnerable to trapping in Arena Trap from Dugtrio and Magnet Pull from Magnezone, which gives it a hard time Defogging if either of them are on the opposing team.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Defog
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Roar / Stealth Rock
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Calm
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is Empoleon's best STAB move thanks to its high burn chance, thus preventing physical attackers like Tapu Bulu from switching into it in fear of getting burned. Defog lets Empoleon remove entry hazards from both sides of the field, which lets it support teammates such as Volcarona and Mega Charizard Y. Toxic hits switch-ins that don't mind being burned by Scald such as Mantine, Tangrowth, and Latios. Roar phazes setup sweepers like Volcarona, Mimikyu, and Suicune and forces switch-ins to take damage from hazards. Stealth Rock is great on a Pokemon with Empoleon's defensive capabilities, as it gets several opportunities to set it up during a game. Finally, Ice Beam hits Zygarde and Garchomp on the switch and lets Shuca Berry Empoleon take them on one-on-one.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Special Defense investment with a Calm nature maximizes Empoleon's special bulk and helps it take hits from Greninja and Tapu Lele. Leftovers gives it passive recovery, which is key to Empoleon's survivability because it lacks any other recovery. Shuca Berry can be used to take a hit from Ground-types like Landorus-T and Zygarde and retaliate with Ice Beam, which is required when using this item to guarantee an OHKO on Landorus-T as well as deal significant damage to Zygarde and Garchomp.
Usage Tips
========
Empoleon's multiple resistances make it a good switch-in for the likes of Tapu Lele and Greninja, though it should be wary of coverage moves they may carry such as Focus Blast on the former and Low Kick on the latter. Therefore, it's best to try to scout for these coverage moves before using Empoleon as a direct switch-in. These resistances also give it plenty of opportunities to switch into threats and Defog entry hazards away. If hazards are up on the opposing side of the field, Empoleon can use Roar on predicted switch-ins to force foes to take residual damage. Scald's high burn rate makes it the go-to move most of the time unless it has to use Defog. Empoleon should try to avoid Knock Off users such as Clefable and Tangrowth, because losing its Leftovers significantly hinders its longevity. If the opponent has a trapper such as Dugtrio or Magnezone, smart playing is required in order to prevent Empoleon from being trapped too early. Double switching instead of staying in on threats it walls is usually a good idea, though it can also backfire if the opponent predicts that and stays in. If switching into something else would risk a very important Pokemon, Empoleon should just stay in despite the threat of being trapped.
Team Options
========
Bulky Grass-types like Tangrowth and Mega Venusaur can switch into Electric-types that threaten Empoleon. Tangrowth has the advantage of resisting Ground as well, making it an even better partner for it. Empoleon is a reliable Defogger, so it's usually a good idea to pair it with Pokemon that are weak to entry hazards such as Volcarona and Mega Charizard Y. Empoleon can't threaten bulky Grass-types, so a Fire-type partner is appreciated. Substitute Heatran and Mega Charizard Y can take advantage of Grass-types, while Empoleon deals with the Water-types they can't beat.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Chesto Berry can be used alongside Rest for a one-time recovery move, though it's usually not worth the item slot and a moveslot. Iapapa Berry brings Empoleon back to a good amount of HP after pivoting into Greninja and Tapu Lele several times. Flash Cannon lets Empoleon beat Magic Guard Clefable and use Defog to remove its Stealth Rock. Grass Knot is an option to give Shuca Berry Empoleon the ability to take on Mega Swampert one-on-one. An offensive set with Choice Specs takes advantage of Empoleon's usually passive nature to get surprise KOs on would-be switch-ins, although it's too slow to perform an offensive role effectively.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Ground-types**: Zygarde and Landorus-T threaten Empoleon with super effective Ground-type STAB moves. Dugtrio in particular traps it thanks to Arena Trap and OHKOes it with Tectonic Rage.
**Grass-types**: Amoonguss and Mega Venusaur are immune to Toxic and resist Scald. They also don't mind being burned and can chip at Empoleon with Giga Drain. Tangrowth can remove its Leftovers with Knock Off but is vulnerable to Toxic.
**Electric-types**: Tapu Koko, Mega Manectric, and Rotom-W can hit Empoleon with their super effective Electric-type moves. Rotom-W is especially annoying, since it resists Scald. Magnezone is also a threat because it can trap and OHKO Empoleon.
**Fighting-types**: Mega Medicham, Mega Gallade, Mega Lopunny, and Keldeo can beat Empoleon with their super effective Fighting-type moves, though the former two have to watch out for Scald burns.
**Pokemon with Super Effective Coverage**: Focus Blast Tapu Lele, Low Kick Greninja, and Thunderbolt Latios can act as lures for Empoleon due to their traditional STAB attacks and coverage moves being resisted by Empoleon.
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