[OVERVIEW]
Empoleon is a fantastic Water-type that can fill either a defensive role with the help of its myriad utility options or an offensive role by utilizing its phenomenal coverage depending on the needs of its team. Empoleon's incredible defensive typing gives it natural resistances to the STAB moves of many of the tier's top Pokemon, including Jirachi, Slowbro, and Cyclizar, which can give it many opportunities to make progress over the course of a game. Empoleon can also utilize its offensive power to blow holes through teams, as there are few Pokemon that can safely switch into all of its attacks, especially after a Competitive boost. Empoleon is mainly held back by its low Speed that allows strong Fighting- and Electric-type wallbreakers to easily force it out and threaten the rest of its team. Furthermore, Empoleon's inability to manually boost its offenses means that special walls like Umbreon can usually tank its attacks with very little consequence. Defensive Empoleon sets particularly can suffer from four-moveslot syndrome, as it often wants to fit more utility moves than it can afford, thereby leaning it into a passive role that can be exploited by setup sweepers.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Flash Cannon is a STAB option that can enable Empoleon to deal with Fairy-types like Alolan Ninetales, Gardevoir, and Fezandipiti more easily. Agility can be used on offensive sets to solve Empoleon's Speed problem and enable it to act as a cleaner at the cost of Roost or a coverage move. Shuca Berry allows Empoleon to take out common Ground-type Pokemon like Krookodile and Hippowdon after safely absorbing an Earthquake. Chople Berry similarly enables Empoleon to survive a hit from wallbreakers such as Galarian Zapdos and strike back. 216 Speed EVs can be used on offensive sets to outspeed Adamant Crawdaunt. Tera Water is another option on offensive Empoleon that can boost Surf enough to secure certain rolls, including an OHKO on Hippowdon and a 2HKO on Bisharp.
Checks and Counters
====
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-type wallbreakers like Galarian Zapdos, Mienshao, and Slither Wing threaten Empoleon and force it out, which give them the opportunity to fire off an attack or pivot safely out of the switch-in.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types like Thundurus and Magnezone can deal massive damage to Empoleon with their STAB attacks. Magnet Pull Magnezone in particular can trap Empoleon without Flip Turn and easily eliminate it.
**Setup Sweepers**: Many of the common Calm Mind users in the tier such as Fezandipiti, Reuniclus, and Slowbro can outheal Empoleon's damage and use it as setup fodder if it isn't running Roar or the right coverage move. Because of its relative passivity, defensive Empoleon can be similarly exploited by other threatening setup sweepers such as Shift Gear Revavroom, Swords Dance Bisharp, and Dragon Dance Gyarados.
**Special Walls**: The most specially defensive Pokemon in the tier like Hisuian Goodra and Umbreon can easily shrug off Empoleon's attacks and force progress against it or create an opportunity for a physical wallbreaker to switch in and threaten Empoleon out.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sir-tetris.655207/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/machjacob.555741/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/fluff.614438/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Empoleon is a fantastic Water-type that can fill either a defensive role with the help of its myriad utility options or an offensive role by utilizing its phenomenal coverage depending on the needs of its team. Empoleon's incredible defensive typing gives it natural resistances to the STAB moves of many of the tier's top Pokemon, including Jirachi, Slowbro, and Cyclizar, which can give it many opportunities to make progress over the course of a game. Empoleon can also utilize its offensive power to blow holes through teams, as there are few Pokemon that can safely switch into all of its attacks, especially after a Competitive boost. Empoleon is mainly held back by its low Speed that allows strong Fighting- and Electric-type wallbreakers to easily force it out and threaten the rest of its team. Furthermore, Empoleon's inability to manually boost its offenses means that special walls like Umbreon can usually tank its attacks with very little consequence. Defensive Empoleon sets particularly can suffer from four-moveslot syndrome, as it often wants to fit more utility moves than it can afford, thereby leaning it into a passive role that can be exploited by setup sweepers.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Flash Cannon is a STAB option that can enable Empoleon to deal with Fairy-types like Alolan Ninetales, Gardevoir, and Fezandipiti more easily. Agility can be used on offensive sets to solve Empoleon's Speed problem and enable it to act as a cleaner at the cost of Roost or a coverage move. Shuca Berry allows Empoleon to take out common Ground-type Pokemon like Krookodile and Hippowdon after safely absorbing an Earthquake. Chople Berry similarly enables Empoleon to survive a hit from wallbreakers such as Galarian Zapdos and strike back. 216 Speed EVs can be used on offensive sets to outspeed Adamant Crawdaunt. Tera Water is another option on offensive Empoleon that can boost Surf enough to secure certain rolls, including an OHKO on Hippowdon and a 2HKO on Bisharp.
Checks and Counters
====
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-type wallbreakers like Galarian Zapdos, Mienshao, and Slither Wing threaten Empoleon and force it out, which give them the opportunity to fire off an attack or pivot safely out of the switch-in.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types like Thundurus and Magnezone can deal massive damage to Empoleon with their STAB attacks. Magnet Pull Magnezone in particular can trap Empoleon without Flip Turn and easily eliminate it.
**Setup Sweepers**: Many of the common Calm Mind users in the tier such as Fezandipiti, Reuniclus, and Slowbro can outheal Empoleon's damage and use it as setup fodder if it isn't running Roar or the right coverage move. Because of its relative passivity, defensive Empoleon can be similarly exploited by other threatening setup sweepers such as Shift Gear Revavroom, Swords Dance Bisharp, and Dragon Dance Gyarados.
**Special Walls**: The most specially defensive Pokemon in the tier like Hisuian Goodra and Umbreon can easily shrug off Empoleon's attacks and force progress against it or create an opportunity for a physical wallbreaker to switch in and threaten Empoleon out.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sir-tetris.655207/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/machjacob.555741/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/fluff.614438/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Last edited:
