[Overview]
Espeon serves almost a completely unique role in STAbmons as the lone Magic Bounce user that doesn't require a turn of set up for it, letting decently protect your team from entry hazards and being a relatively safe Sableye switch-in. Thanks to its access to normal type moves from its pre-evolution,
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Light Screen
move 2: Reflect
move 3: Lovely Kiss
move 4: Lunar Dance / Baton Pass / Psyshock
item: Light Clay
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Reflect and Light Screen are the point to use this set, since they enable sweepers to have essentially double their defenses while they set up, and Espeon's Magic Bounce ensures that they can't be stopped by Taunt. Lovely Kiss, combined with Espeon's high base 110 speed mean that it will usually be able to put something to sleep making it have an easier time putting up the screens, or put something to sleep afterwards, allowing the incoming sweeper possibly a free turn of setup. Lunar Dance is the preferred final moveslot since not only does it ensure that the sweeper can come in safely and will have switch initiative over the opponent, but also prevents the opponent from defogging the screens (or clearing any hazards) on the switch into your sweeper. Baton Pass is a similar alternative if you want Espeon to be able to provide screen support multiple times throughout the match. It should be considered however, that hard switching with a Lunar Dance set is always an option. Psyshock is there if the user is paranoid about Espeon being in a last pokemon left situation, and doesn't want it to be useless, as well as being able to pick off weakened opponents.
Set Details
========
Light Clay is the preferred item because it extends the amount of time the screens last, making it more useful to Espeon's teammates. Timid Nature makes you as fast as possible to try and ensure that you can set up screens before your opponent attacks Espeon, and lowers an unused attack stat. The given ev spread makes Espeon as fast as possible to try and ensure it is able to get at least one screen up or put the opponent to sleep. The rest of the evs are put into HP to maximize neutral bulk since there is no attack on this set (max HP is still recommended on sets carrying Psyshock), while the remaining are put into defense to try and help take the more common physical moves slightly better. Magic Bounce is what sets Espeon apart from other Dual Screeners, since it makes the opponent unable to Taunt Espeon or try to phaze it out while it is setting screens, or even remove them with Defog.
Usage Tips
========
Espeon is not a win condition in itself, and shouldn't be the thing that you're trying to preserve into the late game, and is usually the thing that a team can most easily sac without bearing consequences. However since it is such a powerful enabler for setup sweepers (usually the win condition), as well as its extreme frailty, it shouldn'tjust be brought in recklessly on strong attackers. The line does blur a bit though because the goal of the set is to come in on predicted entry hazards, and the hazard setter will often be a strong attacker. If Espeon does have a free switch in from a KO or a pivot, don't try and bring it in if the opponent currently has an Extreme Speed user, a setup sweeper (although Lovely Kiss could be used to check them), or any faster pokemon. If you are forced to only set up one of your two screens, Reflect is usually the better option since it weakens the power of the opponent's Fake Out + Extreme Speed user, which is typical go-to way to stop a setup sweeper. This does not mean that Reflect is always better, and the correct screen is often based on what type of attacker is currently out. Lunar Dance is typically a move that can be waited until after the first time Espeon comes out and once the your team gets weakened, and shouldn't just be rushed as a way to get a free switch. When choosing when to Lovely Kiss, factor in the opponent's current pokemon's ability to KO Espeon. If Espeon must put the pokemon to sleep on order to put up the screens then use it, but if it can be saved until after screens are up to allow the incoming sweeper to hard switch in safely and preserve Espeon, then that is more efficient use
Team Options
========
Belly Drum users, specifically Kangaskhan, Stoutland, and Snorlax, are some of the best things to pair with Espeon since the nature of their setup move puts them in a very risky situation, and they have some of the highest upside if they are able to successfully set up. Shift Gear users are some of the next best abusers of Espeon, since after one turn they are threatening, but with screens up and the natural bulk of pokemon like Mega Scizor and Aegislash they are able to get multiple turns of setup and get out of control. Defiant Bisharp also gets a special mention here, due to Sableye that try to phaze Espeon with Parting Shot, which gives a +3 attack boost. Lunar dance is particularly good for these two types of sweepers, because Belly Drum essentially requires for the pokemon to start at full HP, while often the only way to stop Shift Gear once it gets going is through priority status such as Sableye's Will-O-Wisp or Thundurus's Thunder Wave.
Substitute variants of Togekiss greatly appreciate screen support from Espeon, since it can become extremely hard to deal with if it has a Substitute, both screens, and a Geomancy boost. Shell Smash Cloyster becomes a lot better with both screens up, since it is nigh impossible to revenge kill with Fake Out + Extremespeed if it carries white herb, but the lack of power and still extreme special fragility set it back. Shell Smash Meloetta is better than Cloyster, however it doesn't become as hard to revenge kill since it isn't nearly as bulky on the physical side, but will usually manage 2-3 KOs as the opponent switches around trying to stall the Reflect out
[Strategy Comments]
Other Options
========
Choice Specs with Trick could be an option, however Espeon lacks strong coverage moves to hit the Steel and Dark types that commonly switch into it. Gaining Normal type moves gives it access to great support options like Heal Bell and Encore, as well as reliable recovery moves. This makes a wall set seem appealing, especially considering Magic Bounce making Espeon immune to Toxic and Thunder Wave, but it's frailty keeps it from being an effective wall. A dedicated anti hazard set with Rapid Spin, Lovely Kiss, Psyshock / Shadow Ball, and Baton Pass is effective as a spinner but struggles to beat most ghosts
Checks and Counters
========
Espeon serves almost a completely unique role in STAbmons as the lone Magic Bounce user that doesn't require a turn of set up for it, letting decently protect your team from entry hazards and being a relatively safe Sableye switch-in. Thanks to its access to normal type moves from its pre-evolution,
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Light Screen
move 2: Reflect
move 3: Lovely Kiss
move 4: Lunar Dance / Baton Pass / Psyshock
item: Light Clay
ability: Magic Bounce
nature: Timid
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Reflect and Light Screen are the point to use this set, since they enable sweepers to have essentially double their defenses while they set up, and Espeon's Magic Bounce ensures that they can't be stopped by Taunt. Lovely Kiss, combined with Espeon's high base 110 speed mean that it will usually be able to put something to sleep making it have an easier time putting up the screens, or put something to sleep afterwards, allowing the incoming sweeper possibly a free turn of setup. Lunar Dance is the preferred final moveslot since not only does it ensure that the sweeper can come in safely and will have switch initiative over the opponent, but also prevents the opponent from defogging the screens (or clearing any hazards) on the switch into your sweeper. Baton Pass is a similar alternative if you want Espeon to be able to provide screen support multiple times throughout the match. It should be considered however, that hard switching with a Lunar Dance set is always an option. Psyshock is there if the user is paranoid about Espeon being in a last pokemon left situation, and doesn't want it to be useless, as well as being able to pick off weakened opponents.
Set Details
========
Light Clay is the preferred item because it extends the amount of time the screens last, making it more useful to Espeon's teammates. Timid Nature makes you as fast as possible to try and ensure that you can set up screens before your opponent attacks Espeon, and lowers an unused attack stat. The given ev spread makes Espeon as fast as possible to try and ensure it is able to get at least one screen up or put the opponent to sleep. The rest of the evs are put into HP to maximize neutral bulk since there is no attack on this set (max HP is still recommended on sets carrying Psyshock), while the remaining are put into defense to try and help take the more common physical moves slightly better. Magic Bounce is what sets Espeon apart from other Dual Screeners, since it makes the opponent unable to Taunt Espeon or try to phaze it out while it is setting screens, or even remove them with Defog.
Usage Tips
========
Espeon is not a win condition in itself, and shouldn't be the thing that you're trying to preserve into the late game, and is usually the thing that a team can most easily sac without bearing consequences. However since it is such a powerful enabler for setup sweepers (usually the win condition), as well as its extreme frailty, it shouldn'tjust be brought in recklessly on strong attackers. The line does blur a bit though because the goal of the set is to come in on predicted entry hazards, and the hazard setter will often be a strong attacker. If Espeon does have a free switch in from a KO or a pivot, don't try and bring it in if the opponent currently has an Extreme Speed user, a setup sweeper (although Lovely Kiss could be used to check them), or any faster pokemon. If you are forced to only set up one of your two screens, Reflect is usually the better option since it weakens the power of the opponent's Fake Out + Extreme Speed user, which is typical go-to way to stop a setup sweeper. This does not mean that Reflect is always better, and the correct screen is often based on what type of attacker is currently out. Lunar Dance is typically a move that can be waited until after the first time Espeon comes out and once the your team gets weakened, and shouldn't just be rushed as a way to get a free switch. When choosing when to Lovely Kiss, factor in the opponent's current pokemon's ability to KO Espeon. If Espeon must put the pokemon to sleep on order to put up the screens then use it, but if it can be saved until after screens are up to allow the incoming sweeper to hard switch in safely and preserve Espeon, then that is more efficient use
Team Options
========
Belly Drum users, specifically Kangaskhan, Stoutland, and Snorlax, are some of the best things to pair with Espeon since the nature of their setup move puts them in a very risky situation, and they have some of the highest upside if they are able to successfully set up. Shift Gear users are some of the next best abusers of Espeon, since after one turn they are threatening, but with screens up and the natural bulk of pokemon like Mega Scizor and Aegislash they are able to get multiple turns of setup and get out of control. Defiant Bisharp also gets a special mention here, due to Sableye that try to phaze Espeon with Parting Shot, which gives a +3 attack boost. Lunar dance is particularly good for these two types of sweepers, because Belly Drum essentially requires for the pokemon to start at full HP, while often the only way to stop Shift Gear once it gets going is through priority status such as Sableye's Will-O-Wisp or Thundurus's Thunder Wave.
Substitute variants of Togekiss greatly appreciate screen support from Espeon, since it can become extremely hard to deal with if it has a Substitute, both screens, and a Geomancy boost. Shell Smash Cloyster becomes a lot better with both screens up, since it is nigh impossible to revenge kill with Fake Out + Extremespeed if it carries white herb, but the lack of power and still extreme special fragility set it back. Shell Smash Meloetta is better than Cloyster, however it doesn't become as hard to revenge kill since it isn't nearly as bulky on the physical side, but will usually manage 2-3 KOs as the opponent switches around trying to stall the Reflect out
[Strategy Comments]
Other Options
========
Choice Specs with Trick could be an option, however Espeon lacks strong coverage moves to hit the Steel and Dark types that commonly switch into it. Gaining Normal type moves gives it access to great support options like Heal Bell and Encore, as well as reliable recovery moves. This makes a wall set seem appealing, especially considering Magic Bounce making Espeon immune to Toxic and Thunder Wave, but it's frailty keeps it from being an effective wall. A dedicated anti hazard set with Rapid Spin, Lovely Kiss, Psyshock / Shadow Ball, and Baton Pass is effective as a spinner but struggles to beat most ghosts
Checks and Counters
========
- **Fake Out + Extremespeed**: Due to Espeon's extreme physical frailty, Fake Out + Extremespeed can usually minimize the amounts of screens set.
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