Best Moveset for Empoleon in Pokemon Go

If you chose Piplup as your starter in the beloved Generation 4 games, your journey has likely led you to the mighty Empoleon in Pokemon Go. This final evolution of the Water-type starter stands out with its unique Water/Steel typing, offering an intriguing mix of resistances and strengths. As trainers navigate through events like the Road to Sinnoh, evolving Prinplup into Empoleon becomes a pivotal moment.

This guide delves into the best moveset for Empoleon, ensuring it reaches its full potential in competitive play. Whether you're battling in Raids or striving for supremacy in PvP, understanding Empoleon's optimal moveset is key to mastering the Pokemon Go battlefield.

Empoleon’s Unique Typing

When you choose Empoleon in Pokemon Go, you're not just selecting a powerful Water-type Pokémon; you're embracing the unique blend of Water and Steel types. This distinctive combination, introduced with Empoleon in Pokemon Diamond & Pearl, offers a strategic advantage that sets it apart in the competitive landscape of Pokemon Go.

Empoleon's dual typing grants it resistance to a broad array of move types, making it a resilient contender in battles. Specifically, it boasts resistance to Ice, Flying, Poison, Dragon, Steel, Rock, Bug, Fairy, Psychic, Normal, and Water-type attacks. This extensive list of resistances can significantly influence battle outcomes, especially in matchups where these types are prevalent.

However, no Pokémon is without its vulnerabilities. Empoleon's Achilles' heel lies in its weakness to Electric, Fighting, and Ground-type moves. Trainers should be wary of these weaknesses when deploying Empoleon in battles, as opponents may exploit them to gain the upper hand.

Understanding Empoleon's unique typing is crucial for trainers looking to maximize its potential in battles. By leveraging its resistance and mitigating its vulnerabilities, trainers can craft strategies that highlight Empoleon's strengths, making it a formidable opponent in the arenas of Pokemon Go.

Empoleon’s Stats Overview

Empoleon's stats in Pokemon Go paint a picture of a balanced and formidable combatant capable of dealing significant damage while withstanding various attacks. With an attack-based stat spread of 197 (STA), 186 (DEF), and 210 (ATK), Empoleon demonstrates a harmonious balance between offense and defense, making it a versatile choice for trainers.

One of Empoleon's notable strengths is its maximum CP (Combat Power) value, which can reach up to 3279. This high CP potential allows Empoleon to compete effectively in the upper echelons of Pokemon Go's competitive scene, especially when supported by favorable weather conditions. Rainy or Snowy weather enhances Empoleon's Water and Steel-type moves and boosts its overall performance. It provides trainers with an opportunity to capitalize on these conditions during battles.

Empoleon's stat composition and max CP value suggest a Pokémon that can take on various roles in battles. Whether serving as a durable defender or a potent attacker, Empoleon's balanced stats ensure it can adapt to different battle strategies and scenarios. However, trainers should consider Empoleon's entire moveset and the specific context of each battle to leverage its capabilities.

The Best Moveset for Empoleon

In the competitive realms of Pokemon Go, mastering the art of selecting the right moveset for your Pokémon is crucial, and Empoleon is no exception. For those trainers seeking to optimize Empoleon's performance in battles, understanding its best moveset is key. The optimal moveset for Empoleon capitalizes on its unique Water and Steel typing, allowing it to deliver powerful attacks while benefiting from the Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB).

Fast Move: Metal Claw

Metal Claw, a Steel-type move, is Empoleon's recommended Fast Move. This choice benefits from STAB, enhancing its damage output and providing a quick energy gain. It is essential for executing Charged Moves more frequently. Metal Claw's effectiveness is especially notable against Rock, Ice, and Fairy-type opponents, where Empoleon can leverage its Steel typing to its advantage.

Charged Move: Hydro Cannon

For the Charged Move, Hydro Cannon stands out as the premier choice for Empoleon. This Water-type move is exceptionally powerful and also benefits from STAB, making it a formidable attack in Empoleon's arsenal. Hydro Cannon's high damage output makes it a critical move for dealing significant damage to opponents, particularly effective against Fire, Ground, and Rock types. It's important to note that Hydro Cannon is an Elite TM move, meaning trainers will need to use an Elite Charged TM to teach it to Empoleon.

Alternative Moveset Option: Waterfall

While Metal Claw and Hydro Cannon form the backbone of Empoleon's best moveset, trainers seeking additional Water-type coverage may consider Waterfall as an alternative Fast Move. Waterfall, another STAB move, offers a higher damage output than Metal Claw and is particularly effective against Fire, Ground, and Rock types. Choosing between Metal Claw and Waterfall depends on the trainer's strategy and the specific challenges they face in battles.

Strategic Considerations

Empoleon's best moveset of Metal Claw and Hydro Cannon is a potent combination, providing a balance of speed, energy gain, and high damage potential. This moveset ensures Empoleon can consistently apply pressure on opponents, forcing them to adapt to its versatile attack strategy. Trainers should, however, be mindful of Empoleon's weaknesses in Electric, Fighting, and Ground-type moves and plan their battles accordingly, ensuring Empoleon is supported by teammates who can cover these vulnerabilities.

Complete Moveset Inventory

Empoleon's arsenal in Pokemon Go isn't limited to just a few moves. Understanding the full range of attacks this Water/Steel-type Pokémon can execute allows trainers to tailor their Empoleon to specific battle scenarios. Here's a comprehensive overview of all Fast and Charged Moves available to Empoleon, ensuring trainers can make informed decisions based on their gameplay style and needs.

Empoleon Fast Moves:

• Metal Claw (Steel): With STAB, this move offers a solid combination of damage output and energy gain, making it a versatile choice for building up to Charged Moves.
• Waterfall (Water): Also benefiting from STAB, Waterfall provides higher damage at the cost of slightly slower energy gain compared to Metal Claw, making it effective against Fire, Ground, and Rock types.

Empoleon Charged Moves:

• Flash Cannon (Steel): A powerful Steel-type Charged Move that benefits from STAB, suitable for dealing significant damage to Rock, Ice, and Fairy-type opponents.
• Drill Peck (Flying): Offers coverage against Fighting and Grass types, providing Empoleon with a broader range of offensive capabilities.
• Blizzard (Ice): A high-damage Ice-type move effective against Flying, Ground, Grass, and Dragon types, offering strategic versatility in battles.
• Hydro Pump (Water): Another Water-type Charged Move with STAB, known for its high damage output, making it a potent option against several types.
• Hydro Cannon (Water/STAB/Elite TM): The premier Charged Move for Empoleon, offering exceptional damage with STAB. It's accessible via Elite TM, making it a valuable but limited resource.

Competitive Viability of Empoleon

In the dynamic battle environment of Pokemon Go, Empoleon's competitive viability is a topic of much interest among trainers. While Empoleon boasts unique typing and a robust moveset, how does it fare in the game's competitive leagues?

Master League and Ultra League Performance:

Empoleon's standing in the Master League and Ultra League is modest. It ranks at #194 in the Master League and #195 in the Ultra League, according to PvPoke. This ranking reflects Empoleon's challenges in facing the top-tier contenders in these leagues, where its weaknesses in Electric, Fighting, and Ground-type moves can be significantly exploited.

However, this doesn't mean Empoleon is without merit. Its unique Water/Steel typing and resistance to many other types make it a resilient fighter against specific matchups. Empoleon can shine in battles where its resistance can be leveraged, and its weaknesses are not heavily targeted.

Strategic Use in Battles:

Empoleon's effectiveness is maximized when strategically used to exploit its strengths. Its best moveset of Metal Claw and Hydro Cannon, supplemented by its full moveset options, allows for flexibility in battle strategies. Empoleon can serve as a valuable team member in specific scenarios, especially in environments where its resistance can turn the tide of battle.

Conclusion

Empoleon, with its unique Water/Steel typing, offers a strategic advantage in Pokemon Go. By leveraging its best moveset of Metal Claw and Hydro Cannon, trainers can maximize Empoleon's potential in battles. While it may not dominate the Master and Ultra Leagues, its versatility and resistance to many types make it a formidable contender in specific matchups.

Understanding and utilizing Empoleon's complete moveset inventory can significantly enhance its effectiveness. Whether for gym battles, raids, or PvP encounters, Empoleon is a valuable asset, demonstrating that with the right strategy, it can indeed make waves in the competitive landscape of Pokemon Go.