Empoleon
QC: [3/3]
GP: [2/2]
[OVERVIEW]
Empoleon has access to a variety of utility options such as Defog, Stealth Rock, and Roar, enabling it to support its team in various ways. Its incredible defensive typing and natural bulk allow it to check a multitude of common threats in the tier, including Latias, Primarina, and Mega Pidgeot. Additionally, Empoleon's ability to force out these threats provides it with a ton of opportunities to either set up Stealth Rock or clear entry hazards from the field. However, its typing also leaves it weak to common offensive types such as Electric, Fighting, and Ground, making it easily exploited by Pokemon like Mega Manectric, Cobalion, and Mamoswine. Furthermore, Empoleon lacks reliable recovery, which makes it prone to being worn down. Empoleon faces competition as a hazard remover from Pokemon like Mantine, which has access to reliable recovery and is able to check Ground- and Fire-types reliably, and Tentacruel, which has access to Toxic Spikes.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Scald
move 2: Defog
move 3: Toxic / Knock Off
move 4: Roar / Knock Off
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is a reliable STAB attack and has a solid chance to burn foes. Defog allows Empoleon to clear entry hazards from the field. Toxic hinders Pokemon like Latias and Water-immune Pokemon such as Jellicent and Mantine. Roar allows Empoleon to phaze setup sweepers such as Suicune, Venomoth, and Calm Mind Latias. Knock Off can be used instead of Toxic or Roar, as it cripples Pokemon like Primarina and Hydreigon by removing their items. Additionally, it can help wear down the opposing team when hazards are up. Stealth Rock can be incorporated into the set if needed, allowing Empoleon to support its team by weakening foes. However, Empoleon doesn't usually have room for it, and it's forced to forgo one of its more useful utility options.
Set Details
========
The given Defense investment ensures that Empoleon is never OHKOed by Cobalion's Close Combat, Krookodile's Earthquake, or Entei's Choice Band-boosted Flare Blitz, while the rest of the EVs and a Calm nature maximize Empoleon's special bulk, allowing it to switch into the likes of Mega Pidgeot and Primarina more easily. Leftovers provides Empoleon with a form of passive recovery, improving its longevity throughout the course of the battle. Torrent is Empoleon's most useful ability, as it powers up Scald when Empoleon's HP is low.
Usage Tips
========
Empoleon should be used as a switch-in to threats like Latias, Primarina, Mega Pidgeot, and non-Earthquake Mega Aerodactyl. However, it must be wary of Thunderbolt Mega Latias and Electrium Z Latias. It should take advantage of its ability to force out these threats by clearing entry hazards from the field or setting them up. Roar should be used to prevent Pokemon like Latias and Suicune from setting up, but keep in mind that they can use Empoleon as setup fodder if they're the last Pokemon on the opposing team. Toxic and Knock Off should be used to cripple Pokemon like Primarina or predicted Water-immune switch-ins like Jellicent and Mantine. Avoid switching Empoleon in on a potential Scald burn or Knock Off because it will be more easily worn down without its Leftovers recovery. Scald can be used very carelessly throughout the match, as it has a high chance to burn and wear down foes and cripple physical attackers that try to switch in.
Team Options
========
Empoleon should be used primarily on bulkier teams that appreciate its ability to pivot into a number of threats. Wish support from Pokemon like Sylveon and Alomomola helps Empoleon by increasing its longevity. Pokemon that are weak to entry hazards, such as Mega Aerodactyl and Mega Beedrill, appreciate having Empoleon to reliably clear hazards. Additionally, Mega Aerodactyl can serve as a check to the Grass-, Electric-, and Fighting-types that threaten Empoleon such as Amoonguss, Mega Manectric, and Heracross. Pokemon that can sponge attacks from Fighting-types and force them out, such as Latias, Doublade, and Gliscor, make for good partners for Empoleon. Latias is a particularly good teammate, since it can check Terrakion, Cobalion, and Infernape. Ground-types such as Krookodile and Seismitoad are able to check Electric-types that Empoleon struggles with such as Mega Manectric and Rotom-W. Empoleon appreciates having backup offensive checks to Pokemon like Latias and Togekiss, so Pokemon like the aforementioned Choice Scarf Krookodile and Mega Aerodactyl make for good partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A spread with 44 Speed EVs is an option, as it can outspeed uninvested Scizor and use Scald on it before it can escape with U-turn. An offensive set with Shuca Berry, a spread of 252 HP / 212 SpA / 44 Spe, a Modest nature, and a moveset in Scald / Ice Beam / Grass Knot / Defog can be used to KO common Pokemon that Empoleon lures in, including Earthquake Mega Aerodactyl and Ground-types such as Krookodile and Mamoswine. However, Empoleon loses out on the ability to pivot into other threats. Protect can be used on the main set to scout for coverage moves that could threaten Empoleon and gain extra Leftovers recovery. It also works well with Toxic. However, it's a bit hard to incorporate into the set, since Empoleon would rather utilize its other support options most of the time. An Agility set with a Petaya Berry turns Empoleon into a decent cleaner on offensively oriented builds, but it's very inconsistent because Empoleon is too slow to effectively sweep even after an Agility boost and is easily revenge killed.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Electric-types**: Pokemon like Mega Manectric, Raikou, and Rotom-W can KO Empoleon with their STAB moves. Rotom-W is particularly threatening, since it also resists Scald.
**Fighting-types**: Pokemon like Cobalion, Heracross, and Toxicroak can hit Empoleon super effectively with their STAB moves. All of them bar Toxicroak dislike switching on a potential Scald burn, however.
**Ground-types**: Pokemon like Seismitoad and Gastrodon don't fear much from Empoleon and can usually KO it with their STAB moves. However, they must be wary of Toxic. Offensive Ground-types like Krookodile, Mamoswine, and Nidoking can also threaten Empoleon, but they struggle to switch into a potential Scald.
**Special Walls**: Special walls like Blissey are able to wall Empoleon and beat it one-on-one. However, they dislike having their items removed by Knock Off.
**Residual Damage**: Empoleon will be easily worn down if Leftovers is negated in some way. As such, Knock Off, burn damage, and entry hazards can cripple it a lot.
**Bulky Setup Sweepers**: Pokemon like Reuniclus, Heal Bell Togekiss, and Suicune can beat Empoleon one-on-one. However, Empoleon can prevent them from setting up by phazing them with Roar.
**Strong Physical Attackers**: Pokemon like Earthquake Mega Aerodactyl and Crunch Mega Sharpedo can severely weaken Empoleon and prevent it from checking other threats depending on how heavily it invests in Special Defense.
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