300th post o.o
[OVERVIEW]
**Water**:
Empoleon has access to a great defensive typing, taking neutral damage from Grass-type moves and notably resisting Fairy-, Psychic-, Bug-, Flying-, and Dragon-type moves among its plethora of resistances. Its immunity to Poison-type moves is also very helpful. Empoleon's excellent natural bulk complements its typing greatly. It also has access to amazing utility moves such as Defog, Stealth Rock, and Roar. These qualities make Empoleon a very reliable entry hazard remover, that is also able to set up its own Stealth Rock. However, not having access to any sort of reliable recovery hinders it greatly. Its low Speed allows it to get outsped by common Taunt users such as Mew and Cobalion. Additionally, being weak to common offensive types like Ground, Electric, and Fighting reduces its viability.
[SET]
name: Specially Defensive (Water)
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Defog
move 3: Scald
move 4: Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock is one of Empoleon's main selling points, dealing chip damage to the foes. It keeps certain Pokemon like Mega Charizard Y, Mega Pinsir, and Zapdos in check, which are huge threats to Water-type teams. Defog provides reliable hazard removal. It does, however, get rid of your own hazards as well and thus should be used carefully. Scald is a decently strong STAB move with a 30% chance to burn, preventing most physical attackers from switching in freely. Roar allows Empoleon to phaze setup sweepers that it cannot beat, such as Calm Mind Mega Latias and Clefable. It also shuffles the opposing team, forcing them into the Stealth Rock that Empoleon set.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Defense and HP investment along with a Calm nature allows Empoleon to take special hits as well as it can. The other 4 EVs are dumped into Special Attack to make use of its decently strong STAB move in Scald. Torrent is Empoleon's only useful ability, boosting Scald's power when Empoleon is below 33%. Leftovers enables Empoleon to regain HP throughout the battle.
Usage Tips
========
It is best to use Stealth Rock early-game to deal chip damage to the foes. Empoleon can be switched in on most special attacks barring those that are super effective against it in order Stealth Rock or get rid of entry hazards. However, it should not be switched in on strong physical attacks, as it does not appreciate getting worn down too quickly due to having no reliable recovery. Scald can usually be spammed freely, as it limits most physical Pokemon from switching in safely. Empoleon's plethora of resistances can be used to switch in and get rid of hazards or get Stealth Rock up. While Empoleon is a great special wall, it hates sponging damage. Due to its lack of recovery, it can find itself pressured easily, and once it has switched into attacks a few times, it is incapable of setting up Stealth Rock or Defogging away entry hazards. Empoleon should be careful of switching into some setup sweepers; for example, it has to switch into Mega Latias's Calm Mind if it wants any hope of phazing it, as +1 Mega Latias can 2HKO it with Thunderbolt easily. It is unwise to let Leftovers get Knocked Off, since Empoleon gets worn down very quickly without it. Empoleon should be kept healthy to wall special attackers and spread burns.
Team Options
========
Empoleon manages to fit on both balanced and stall team archetypes thanks to its unique typing and great utility, and it doesn't need very much support. Volcanion and Gyarados are two Pokemon that greatly appreciate Stealth Rock removal through Defog. Gyarados also takes Ground- and Fighting-type moves that threaten Empoleon while the latter takes Rock-type moves for Gyarados. Gyarados's access to Intimidate further boosts Empoleon's ability to take hits. Rotom-W is a perfect partner for Empoleon due to its Ground-type immunity, access to Will-O-Wisp, and physical bulk. Will-O-Wisp hinders physical attackers greatly, something Empoleon appreciates. Rotom-W also takes neutral damage from Electric-type attacks, which greatly benefits Empoleon. Mega Sharpedo, Azumarill, Manaphy, Mega Gyarados, and Keldeo are some amazing wallbreakers that appreciate Empoleon's ability to get up Stealth Rock. Azumarill's Fairy typing lets it take Fighting-type attacks aimed at Empoleon. Keldeo, Mega Sharpedo, and Mega Gyarados appreciate Empoleon's ability to switch into Fairy-, Fighting-, Bug-, and Psychic-type moves. Electric-immune Pokemon, such as Lanturn and Swampert, are helpful to Empoleon. Lanturn provides Heal Bell, Thunder Wave, and a slow Volt Switch, making it a great partner, but it does compound the weakness to Ground-types. Swampert, on the other hand, has good physical bulk and a great typing that synergizes well with Empoleon, but it has completely redundant utility in Scald, Roar, and Stealth Rock. Alomomola is a fantastic teammate because of its access to Wish and its ability to pivot into almost all physical attackers that threaten Empoleon. It greatly appreciates Empoleon's ability to remove entry hazards, allowing it to optimally utilize its Regenerator ability. Quagsire proves itself to be an invaluable partner, especially on stall team archetypes. Its ability Unaware lets it take on setup sweepers with ease. Slowbro helps Empoleon greatly by being able to take on most physical attacks, especially Fighting-type moves.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
**Water**:
Shuca Berry and Chople Berry are semi-decent items for Empoleon to help take Ground- and Fighting-type moves, respectively. However, these are suboptimal options, as Empoleon prefers Leftovers due to it having no other method of reliable recovery. Empoleon is also incapable of beating most Ground- and Fighting-types anyway, even offensive ones that are weak to Scald like Landorus and Excadrill. Toxic is an option over Roar to help beat Mega Latias if it does not carry a utility move, since Substitute, Reflect Type, and Refresh all stop Toxic from working. Furthermore, Toxic cripples Zapdos and Mew, which are hard to take down otherwise. Missing out on Roar, however, prevents Empoleon from beating most setup sweepers, notably Calm Mind Clefable, which it is supposed to beat, and thus it is not recommended. Ice Beam can also be used to make use of Empoleon's good Special Attack and hit Dragon-, Grass-, and Flying-type Pokemon for super effective damage, notably Hydreigon, Latios, and Dragonite. Again, though, missing out on Roar isn't a great idea, as Empoleon otherwise loses to most setup sweepers. Finally, Knock Off is very helpful, as most Pokemon hate losing their items.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water**:
**Fighting-types**: Fighting-types, especially those that don't fear Scald, such as Keldeo, Guts Heracross, and Guts Conkeldurr, can switch in on Empoleon and threaten it.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types, such as Mega Ampharos, Thundurus, and Magnezone, are able to do massive damage with their STAB moves.
**Ground-types**: Although incapable of switching in freely, most Ground-types are able to greatly threaten Empoleon with their STAB moves, notably Excadrill, Garchomp, and Mamoswine. Furthermore, Seismitoad and Gastrodon are able to switch in freely, as they are immune to Scald.
**Faster Taunt users**: Taunt users such as Mew, Cobalion, and Gliscor can shut down Empoleon very badly, leaving it unable to set up or get rid of entry hazards.
**Passive Damage**: Lack of recovery besides Leftovers allows Empoleon to get worn down very quickly, especially if it's switched in repeatedly when it is burned or multiple layers of Spikes are up.
**Defensive Pokemon**: Most defensive Pokemon with reliable recovery, such as Chansey and Cradily, are capable of beating Empoleon, as they can wear it down while restoring any lost health.
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