[SET]
name: Substitute + 3 Attacks
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Psychic
move 3: Hidden Power Ground
move 4: Grass Knot / Shadow Ball
item: Life Orb
nature: Timid
ivs: 29 HP
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Espeon is fast, frail, and hits like a truck, so a Substitute + 3 Attacks set is a natural choice. Three attacks instead of two upgrades Espeon's type coverage substantially, which alleviates the need to boost its Special Attack in order to beat bulkier Pokemon. Since Espeon forces many Pokemon to switch out, setting up a Substitute should always be its first priority. Substitute helps to ease prediction, allowing
Espeon to fire off the optimal attack twice
against slower Pokemon. Furthermore, Substitute shields Espeon from Dark-type switch-ins eager to trap it with Pursuit or nail it with Sucker Punch. While Spiritomb remains a threat, min/min Drapion and Houndoom will be
OHKOed by Hidden Power Ground after Stealth Rock, and Skuntank is likely to meet the same fate.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Espeon has a number of viable attacks in its arsenal, but the combination of Psychic and Hidden Power Ground gives the best core type coverage. Unlike in the OU environment, STAB Psychic can steamroll many Pokemon in UU, where only a handful resist it. Hidden Power Ground 2HKOes Steelix, and scores OHKOs on Aggron and the aforementioned Dark-types after Stealth Rock damage. Grass Knot is the preferred
attack in the final slot to round out the set, but Shadow Ball is also a viable option depending on what you want to hit. Grass Knot scores a very important 2HKO on all common Milotic variants, OHKOes Rhyperior and Donphan, and hits Spiritomb for 100 Base Power. Shadow Ball, meanwhile, roughs up Exeggutor, Uxie, and Mesprit, who would otherwise shrug off any of Espeon's attacks. It also allows Espeon to OHKO Mismagius, which it fails to do with Psychic even after Stealth Rock. Both options nail Slowbro and Claydol for super effective
damage as well. As these examples demonstrate, having Stealth Rock
support is absolutely imperative for Espeon to achieve several key OHKOs.</p>
<p>In UU, this set struggles to avoid being overshadowed by Alakazam, whose higher Speed and access to Focus Blast give it an edge over Espeon. There are, however, several advantages to running this
Espeon set. The most obvious difference is in defensive stats, as Espeon is significantly bulkier than
Alakazam; however, this is strictly relative, since Espeon is still moderately fragile by objective standards. Another difference is that opponents will initially anticipate Espeon's trademark Baton Pass, which may cause them to inadvertently put something like Encore Clefable or Haze Milotic in the line of fire. Additionally, using this set in tandem with Alakazam is also an option. Alakazam makes a great anti-lead that can prevent entry
hazards from being set up and lure out Espeon's counters
so that you can plot a way to destroy them before revealing Espeon.</p>
<p>Not many Pokemon can handle Espeon once it is hiding behind a Substitute; Registeel and Chansey are the two main exceptions to this. Standard Registeel avoids being 3HKOed, although it won't enjoy frequently switching in without reliable recovery, while Rest variants and Chansey can wall Espeon with ease. Spiritomb can be added to the list under most circumstances, and is Espeon's most threatening counter since it commonly carries Pursuit.
However, keep in mind that Choice Band variants must be at full health to avoid a 2HKO from Grass Knot, and even then there is a small chance of it occurring. Specially defensive variants, especially those with Pursuit and a priority move, fare the best, and will force Espeon to flee while it still has its Substitute up. Espeon's teammates should definitely aim to take advantage of these three Pokemon, as they are really the only three surefire counters to Espeon in UU. Blaziken walks all over these Pokemon, and can set up a Swords Dance or Agility while Espeon's counter flees. Dugtrio makes an amazing partner as well, as it can trap and KO Registeel and Chansey, opening the door for Espeon to wreak havoc. Substitute Rhyperior can also set up on all three aforementioned counters and proceed to hammer the opposing team with its
powerful STAB moves.</p>
<p>Between Substitute and Life Orb damage, Espeon won't be sticking
around for long, so it is important to preserve what little health it does have. Entry hazards take their toll quickly, as do most attacks. Therefore, it is important to pair Espeon with Pokemon that can get it free switches. U-
turn users, such as Scyther and Primeape, will lure out Pokemon like Weezing and Donphan, both of whom Espeon can set up on easily. If you can fit Wish support onto your
team, do so by all means, as it will greatly increase Espeon's
lifespan. Clefable can use Wish and torture Registeel and Chansey with
Encore, making it a top-notch teammate.</p>
