What is Strong Against Jolteon? The Ultimate Guide

Ground-type Pokémon are strong against Jolteon. This is because Jolteon is an Electric-type Pokémon, and Electric-type moves have no effect on Ground-type Pokémon. Effectively, Ground-type Pokémon are immune to Jolteon’s primary source of offensive power.

Understanding Type Matchups in Pokémon

Type matchups are the cornerstone of Pokémon battling. Every Pokémon and every move is classified under one or two of the 18 types. Some types are super effective against others, dealing double damage. Some are not very effective, dealing half damage. And, as in the case of Jolteon and Ground-types, some are entirely immune.

Why Ground-types Dominate Jolteon

Electric-type moves are ineffective against Ground-types, rendering Jolteon’s primary attacks useless. This gives Ground-type Pokémon a significant advantage. They can freely switch in against Jolteon, absorb its Electric-type attacks without taking damage, and then retaliate with super-effective Ground-type moves. This matchup makes Jolteon a sitting duck against a well-prepared Ground-type opponent.

Top Pokémon to Counter Jolteon

Several Pokémon are excellent counters to Jolteon due to their Ground typing, stats, and movepools. Here are some examples:

• Rhyperior: A Rock/Ground type with incredibly high Attack and Defense. Rhyperior can easily tank Jolteon’s Electric attacks and OHKO it with moves like Earthquake.
• Garchomp: A Dragon/Ground type known for its exceptional Speed and Attack. Garchomp can outspeed many Jolteon builds and hit hard with Earthquake or Earth Power.
• Excadrill: A Ground/Steel type with fantastic Attack and Speed. Excadrill can quickly take down Jolteon with its Ground-type moves while also resisting some of its potential coverage moves.
• Hippowdon: A pure Ground-type with massive HP and Defense. Hippowdon’s bulk allows it to withstand even boosted Electric attacks and then retaliate with powerful Ground-type moves.
• Landorus (Therian Forme): A Ground/Flying type that is very versatile, being both speedy and strong. Landorus is considered by many to be the single best counter to Jolteon in all of competitive battling.

Beyond Ground: Secondary Considerations

While Ground-types are the most direct counter, some other Pokémon can also handle Jolteon effectively, although less reliably. These typically involve Pokémon with high Special Defense and access to priority moves, or those that can heavily punish a switch-in.

• Specially Defensive Walls: Pokémon with high Special Defense, like Blissey or Chansey, can withstand Jolteon’s attacks and retaliate with status moves or even chip damage. However, these strategies can be risky as Jolteon can often switch out to a more favorable matchup.
• Priority Users: Pokémon with access to strong priority moves, like Azumarill with Aqua Jet, can potentially bypass Jolteon’s high Speed. However, the damage output may not be enough to reliably OHKO Jolteon.
• Pokémon with Access to Protect: Using Protect on the first turn can give you valuable information on Jolteon’s moveset and allow you to safely switch into a Ground-type counter.

Jolteon’s Potential Coverage Moves

It’s important to note that Jolteon sometimes carries coverage moves to deal with its counters. Some common examples include:

• Shadow Ball: To hit Ghost-types and some Psychic-types.
• Volt Switch: A safe switch move to gain momentum.
• Hidden Power (Ice/Grass): To target Ground-types or other weaknesses. Although Hidden Power is not available in Generation 8 onward.
• Signal Beam: A Bug-type move for Grass, Dark, and Psychic types.

Be aware of these moves and plan accordingly. Scout Jolteon’s moveset before committing to a specific strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Jolteon Matchups

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify Jolteon’s weaknesses and strategic counters:

1. Besides Ground, what other types are good against Jolteon? No other types are super effective against Jolteon. However, types with high Special Defense can withstand Jolteon’s attacks.
2. Why is Ground-type immunity so effective? Electric-type moves are Jolteon’s primary source of damage. Ground-type immunity negates this damage, forcing Jolteon to rely on coverage moves, which are often weaker or less reliable.
3. What if Jolteon has a coverage move like Hidden Power (Ice)? A Hidden Power (Ice) could be a problem for some Ground types. It can deal significant damage, potentially OHKOing Ground-types with lower Special Defense or those that are 4x weak to Ice. It’s worth noting that Hidden Power is unavailable in Gen 8 and later.
4. Can a fast Pokémon outspeed and OHKO Jolteon before it attacks? It is difficult but can happen. Jolteon is very fast, and a Pokémon would need extremely high speed and a super-effective move to consistently OHKO it. Moves like Earthquake from Garchomp with a Choice Scarf can outspeed and OHKO Jolteon.
5. What items can help Jolteon against Ground-types? Items like Life Orb can boost Jolteon’s damage output, but it won’t change the type matchups. Air Balloon was commonly used to give Jolteon temporary immunity to Ground moves, but it’s a one-time use item and pops the moment Jolteon is hit by any other kind of attack.
6. Is a Special Defense boosting item like Assault Vest useful against Jolteon? Yes, Assault Vest can increase a Pokémon’s Special Defense, allowing it to withstand Jolteon’s attacks. However, it restricts the Pokémon to only using attacking moves, which may limit its utility.
7. Can a Pokémon with the Ability Lightning Rod redirect Jolteon’s Electric attacks? Yes, Lightning Rod draws in all Electric-type moves, increasing the holder’s Special Attack by one stage. This can shut down Jolteon’s offense and empower the Pokémon with Lightning Rod.
8. How can I predict if Jolteon will use a coverage move? Watch for patterns. Does the Jolteon switch out when you bring in a Ground-type? Has it shown a particular move early in the battle? Scouting and predicting are key.
9. Is Jolteon viable in competitive battling, given its Ground-type weakness? Yes, Jolteon is viable. Its high Speed and Special Attack make it a potent threat. However, its reliance on Electric-type moves makes it predictable and vulnerable to Ground-types. It excels as a revenge killer and momentum grabber, but should not be the primary attacker.
10. What is the best strategy to use Jolteon effectively? Use Jolteon for speed control, chip damage, and momentum generation with Volt Switch. Avoid letting it stay in against Ground-types.
11. What are some team compositions that complement Jolteon? Teams that appreciate speed control and can cover Jolteon’s weaknesses are ideal. Pokémon that can deal with Ground-types and provide defensive support are good partners.
12. How does Jolteon fare in double battles compared to single battles? In double battles, Jolteon’s speed control is even more valuable. Protect becomes more important for prediction. The ability to target allies with electric moves to activate abilities like Volt Absorb or Motor Drive is something to consider.
13. What are some less common but still viable Jolteon counters? Pokémon with the ability Volt Absorb or Motor Drive such as Lanturn, or Electivire can be used.
14. What are some common Jolteon sets and builds? Common sets include: Choice Specs (max damage), Choice Scarf (max speed), and Life Orb (general damage). These are often built with max Speed and Special Attack investment.
15. How has Jolteon’s role in the meta changed over the generations? In early generations, Jolteon was a premier special attacker due to the special stat being both Special Attack and Special Defense. Its usefulness has fluctuated as power creep made it harder for Jolteon to stay relevant, though it has always remained viable as a fast special attacker and scout.

Conclusion

While Jolteon is a formidable Special Attacker with exceptional Speed, its weakness to Ground-type Pokémon is a significant vulnerability. Understanding this weakness and utilizing appropriate counters is crucial for success in Pokémon battles. By selecting the right team members and employing strategic tactics, you can effectively neutralize Jolteon and secure victory.