
Espeon
[SET]
name: Bulky Baton Pass
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Baton Pass
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Wish / Psychic
item: Leftovers
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 228 Def / 28 Spd
Why This Set Deserves To Be On-site
- Plays a lot differently than other Espeons because this set focuses on Espeon's mediocre, but capable, bulk to set up Calm Minds and pass to a special sweeper.
- Sets up Calm Mind and Substitute while Baton Passing Wish easily.
- Because of Baton Pass, Espeon can avoid Pursuits from Tyranitar and Scizor while maximum defense investment insures Espeon won't be taken down by Bullet Punch, either.
- In a one-on-one situation, through a combination of Substitute and Wish, Espeon will always beat Ferrothorn through PP stalling while blocking hazards. It can also beat it unless you switch into Power Whip as Gyro Ball won't be doing much.
- You also handle Forretress and Skarmory much better because Gyro Ball won't be doing much at all and neither will Brave Bird.
- Great surprise factor to many expecting a frail Espeon.
- No attacks can sometimes be troublesome if you use Wish, but since you're mostly going to pass, it likely doesn't matter too much.
- You'd generally want a recipient who can take advantage of Calm Mind boosts.
Addition Comments
- EV spread lets it take physical hits as much as possible while taking special hits decently because of its natural bulk and maximum HP investment.
- A faster variant can be used at the cost of losing the necessary bulk.
- You can use 252 Def instead of 228 if you want slightly better defense.
- You can use Psychic or any other attack in place of Wish if the no attack is bothering you, but Wish is needed to beat Ferrothorn and heal itself while healing teammates.
- Hidden Power [Fire] is another option if Scizor and Ferrothorns are bothering you.
- Best on bulky offense or balanced teams who appreciate Calm Mind boosts, a weak Wish support, or a good Ferrothorn, Forretress, Skarmory check.
- Even with all this bulk, you aren't able to handle powerful physical attackers such as Tyranitar, Scizor, Dragonite, Terrakion, etc.
- This can also be used in the Uber tier, where special attackers are much more plentiful.
Teammates, Checks, and Counters
- Scizor can scare off Espeon with STAB U-turn or Pursuit, but if it already has boosts and Baton Passes, it is unable to catch it with Pursuit mean you have to U-turn only to find yourself in that situation again. Bullet Punch can pick off weakened Espeons.
- Tyranitar is in the same league with Scizor, only that it can Crunch if it wishes to.
- Terrakion can come in and scare it off, but Espeon can Baton Pass to the appropriate Terrakion check.
- Dragonite can set up on Espeon and prepare for a sweep.
- Lati@s can safely come in and Calm Mind, but Specs variant lose if Espeon already has Substitute up as it can Calm Mind while your Draco Meteors weaken every time.
- Perish Song is a huge pain as it passes on with Baton Pass.
- Any Pokemon that appreciate Calm Mind boosts is a fine teammate.
- Virizion may be as it is able to take down Tyranitar with Focus Blast while dealing immense damage to Scizor with it, too. Dragonite and Lati@s is also beaten by Hidden Power [Ice]. Lastly, Terrakion is beaten by Giga Drain.