Is Empoleon Viable? A Deep Dive into the Emperor Pokémon
Yes, Empoleon is absolutely viable in various contexts, ranging from casual playthroughs to competitive battling. Its unique Water/Steel typing, decent stats, and access to a variety of useful moves make it a versatile Pokémon. However, its viability isn’t unconditional; it depends heavily on the format, team composition, and specific role it’s intended to fulfill. Let’s unpack why the Emperor Pokémon remains a solid choice for trainers.
Empoleon’s Strengths: Typing, Stats, and Movepool
The Power of Water/Steel
Empoleon’s defining characteristic is undoubtedly its dual typing. Water/Steel is a rare and powerful combination, granting it a remarkable resistance to 11 types (Normal, Water, Grass, Ice, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Steel, Dragon, Fairy, and Poison) and an immunity to Poison. This impressive defensive profile allows Empoleon to switch into a wide range of attacks and act as a reliable pivot or defensive wall.
However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the weaknesses that come with this typing. Empoleon is vulnerable to Fighting, Ground, and Electric attacks. These weaknesses need to be carefully considered when building a team and predicting opponent’s moves. Ground-types are especially problematic, as Empoleon lacks any inherent immunity to ground-based attacks, making it a risky switch-in against powerful ground sweepers.
A Balanced Stat Spread
Empoleon boasts a well-rounded stat distribution, with a focus on Special Attack and Special Defense. Its base stats are as follows:
- HP: 84
- Attack: 86
- Defense: 88
- Special Attack: 111
- Special Defense: 101
- Speed: 60
While its Speed is lackluster, the high Special Attack and Special Defense allow it to function effectively as a special tank and offensive threat. The decent HP and Defense provide some physical bulk, preventing it from being easily overwhelmed by physical attackers.
A Versatile Movepool
Empoleon has access to a diverse movepool that enables it to perform various roles. Key moves include:
- Offensive: Hydro Pump, Surf, Scald, Flash Cannon, Ice Beam, Grass Knot, Earthquake (via TM).
- Support: Defog, Stealth Rock, Roar, Protect, Toxic.
- Utility: Agility, Substitute
This extensive movepool gives trainers the flexibility to customize Empoleon’s moveset to fit specific team needs and strategies. Whether it’s setting up entry hazards, clearing hazards for allies, or dealing significant damage with powerful special attacks, Empoleon can adapt to a variety of situations.
How to Use Empoleon Effectively
Defensive Pivot and Hazard Control
One of Empoleon’s most common roles is as a defensive pivot and hazard control Pokémon. Using Defog, it can remove entry hazards like Stealth Rock, Spikes, and Toxic Spikes from the field, which is crucial for maintaining momentum in competitive battles. Its resistance to common hazard setters like Skarmory and Ferrothorn makes it a reliable choice for this role.
To maximize its effectiveness, give Empoleon items that increase its longevity, such as Leftovers. A moveset consisting of Defog, Scald (for burn chance), Roar (to phaze opponents), and Protect (to scout moves and gain Leftovers recovery) can be highly effective.
Special Attacker
Empoleon can also be used as a special attacker, leveraging its high Special Attack stat and access to powerful moves like Hydro Pump, Surf, Ice Beam, and Flash Cannon. While its Speed is a drawback, it can be mitigated with support from teammates or by utilizing a Choice Scarf to outspeed faster opponents.
A typical special attacker set might include Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, Flash Cannon, and either Grass Knot (for bulky Water-types) or Roar (for phazing). The choice of item depends on the strategy: Choice Specs for maximum damage output, Life Orb for increased power with a slight HP cost, or Leftovers for sustained damage and recovery.
Agility Sweeper
While less common, Empoleon can function as an Agility sweeper in certain formats. By using Agility to double its Speed, Empoleon can outspeed a large portion of the metagame. After setting up Agility, it can proceed to sweep with its powerful special attacks.
For this set, the Petaya Berry can be an excellent choice. This item sharply raises Empoleon’s Special Attack when its HP drops below 25%, providing a significant boost to its offensive power. Other options include Weakness Policy, but the Petaya Berry is generally more reliable.
Viability in Different Game Formats
Casual Playthroughs
Empoleon is a solid choice for a casual playthrough, particularly in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum and their remakes Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Its early access and balanced stats make it a reliable team member throughout the game. Its typing is also beneficial against several Gym Leaders and Elite Four members.
Competitive Battling
In competitive battling, Empoleon’s viability varies depending on the tier and metagame. It often finds a niche in lower tiers due to its defensive capabilities and hazard control. However, it faces stiff competition from other Water-types in higher tiers. Its weaknesses to common offensive types like Fighting and Ground are significant drawbacks in fast-paced competitive environments.
Pokémon GO
In Pokémon GO, Empoleon has a Max CP of 2,900 and access to the moves Metal Claw and Hydro Cannon. While not a top-tier Water-type attacker, it remains a viable option for raids and Gym battles, particularly against Pokémon weak to Water or Steel. Hydro Cannon, as a Community Day move, significantly boosts its viability.
Team Compositions and Synergies
Empoleon works best in teams that can cover its weaknesses and take advantage of its strengths. Good teammates include:
- Pokémon that resist Fighting: Latias, Doublade, Toxapex.
- Pokémon that resist Ground: Flying types such as Crobat or Levitate users such as Bronzong
- Pokémon that resist Electric: Grass types such as Rotom-Mow or Ground types such as Garchomp.
- Pokémon that appreciate hazard control: Offensive Pokémon that are vulnerable to Stealth Rock, such as Charizard or Volcarona.
Final Verdict
Empoleon’s viability depends on the specific context and the player’s skill in utilizing its strengths while mitigating its weaknesses. It is a reliable choice for casual play, a niche pick in competitive battling, and a decent option in Pokémon GO. Its unique typing, balanced stats, and versatile movepool make it a valuable asset for any trainer who understands how to leverage its potential.
Consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to deepen your understanding of game strategy and mechanics, which can be applied to Pokémon battling as well. Understanding the broader concepts of game theory and strategy can give you an edge when building your team and making critical decisions in battle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Empoleon good for?
Empoleon is good for hazard control (Defog), acting as a special wall, and functioning as a decent special attacker. Its Water/Steel typing provides numerous resistances, making it a versatile addition to a team.
2. How strong is Empoleon?
Empoleon is moderately strong. It has high Special Attack and Special Defense but lacks Speed. Its strength lies in its typing and versatility, not raw power.
3. Is Empoleon better physical or special?
Special is generally the better set for Empoleon, given its higher Special Attack stat. Moves like Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, and Flash Cannon leverage this stat effectively.
4. Why isn’t Empoleon an Ice type?
Although Empoleon eventually learns Ice Beam, its Dex entry states it can break through ice with its wings, an action that it needs to be able to perform to survive.
5. How good is Empoleon in Gen 9?
Empoleon is similar to previous gens, a good defensive pivot and hazard remover, though new Pokémon and mechanics impact its specific viability.
6. Is Empoleon the only Water/Steel type?
Yes, Empoleon is the only Pokémon with the Water/Steel type combination.
7. Is Empoleon the best starter?
Empoleon is a strong starter choice in Pokémon Platinum, but the “best” depends on player preferences. Each starter has unique strengths and weaknesses.
8. Who is the best partner for Empoleon?
Pokémon that can sponge Fighting-type attacks, like Latias and Doublade, make good partners for Empoleon. Also, Pokémon that cover its Electric and Ground weaknesses.
9. Is Blastoise stronger than Empoleon?
Blastoise has comparable attributes, but Empoleon’s typing gives it a defensive edge. Blastoise can use Earthquake against Empoleon, but Empoleon has better type coverage and resistances.
10. Is Gastrodon better than Empoleon?
Gastrodon is better as an offensive pivot, as it doesn’t have as many type weaknesses as Empoleon. However, Empoleon has a better defensive typing than Gastrodon.
11. Is Blastoise or Empoleon better?
Empoleon has better stats, more resistances, and a unique typing advantage making it an edge better.
12. Who would win: Infernape or Empoleon?
Infernape has a type advantage over Empoleon due to its Fighting and Fire typing.
13. Is Empoleon a good Water type?
Empoleon is a very good defensive Water-type. Its typing gives it many resistances, making it a great support Pokémon.
14. What is Empoleon’s strongest move?
Empoleon’s strongest moveset in Pokémon GO is Metal Claw & Hydro Cannon. In the main series games, Hydro Pump, Surf, and Flash Cannon are potent options, depending on the situation.
15. Is Empoleon or Samurott better?
Empoleon and Samurott have similar stats, but Empoleon has much better typing, granting it a superior defensive profile.