Pokémon counters guide

Best Counters for Empoleon

Find practical counter Pokémon, attacking types, and defensive matchup notes for Empoleon.

WaterSteel
Empoleon Pokémon sprite

Empoleon

#0395

Quick answer

Empoleon is best pressured by Electric, Fighting, and Ground-type attacks at 2x damage. Because there is no 4x weakness, defensive safety, Speed, and raw stats matter more.

Best move types

Electric×2Fighting×2Ground×2

Top weaknesses (3)

Electric×2Fighting×2Ground×2

Type matchup table

Electric type iconElectric2x
Fighting type iconFighting2x
Ground type iconGround2x
Fire type iconFire1x
Grass type iconGrass1x
Ghost type iconGhost1x
Dark type iconDark1x
Ice type iconIce0.25x
Steel type iconSteel0.25x
Normal type iconNormal0.5x
Water type iconWater0.5x
Flying type iconFlying0.5x
Psychic type iconPsychic0.5x
Bug type iconBug0.5x
Rock type iconRock0.5x
Dragon type iconDragon0.5x
Fairy type iconFairy0.5x
Poison type iconPoison0x

Recommended practical counters

Garchomp Pokémon sprite

Garchomp

#0445

Fast pressureStrong physical attacker
DragonGround
  • Deals 2x damage with Ground-type attacks
  • Has STAB Ground-type attacks
  • Strong attacking stats help convert the matchup
  • Good Speed helps apply pressure first
  • Solid mixed bulk improves switch-in safety
Best typeGround×2

Mostly neutral switch-in

130 offense · 102 Speed

Kommo-o Pokémon sprite

Kommo-o

#0784

Bulky switch-in
DragonFighting
  • Deals 2x damage with Fighting-type attacks
  • Has STAB Fighting-type attacks
  • Resists the target's Water 0.5x STAB attacks
  • Solid mixed bulk improves switch-in safety
Best typeFighting×2

Safe into Water 0.5x

110 offense · 85 Speed

Strong theoretical counters

Best move types to use

Electric×2Fighting×2Ground×2

Move availability depends on game version and learnset data, so this page recommends move types rather than guaranteed moves.

Electric type pageFighting type pageGround type page

Counter notes for Empoleon

  • Empoleon is a Water / Steel Pokémon with 60 base Speed and stronger special attack (111 Sp. Atk). Electric, Fighting, and Ground attacks all work offensively, but safer counters are usually the ones that reduce risk from its own STAB types.
  • Empoleon has several 2x weaknesses rather than a single 4x weakness, so the best counters are the ones that can hit it super-effectively while also reducing the risk from Water / Steel STAB.
  • Known abilities include Torrent and Competitive. This page does not assume ability-specific battle effects, so verify the format before relying on a single counter.
  • Avoid counters that are weak to Water / Steel unless they are fast enough to pressure immediately or bulky enough to survive the exchange.
  • Empoleon does not need a separate alternate-form note for the standard National Dex matchup shown here.

What not to use

Poison×0Ice×0.25Steel×0.25Normal×0.5Water×0.5Flying×0.5Psychic×0.5Bug×0.5Rock×0.5Dragon×0.5Fairy×0.5

These attacking types are resisted or blocked by the defender's typing, so they are usually lower-priority choices unless they provide a special battle role.

Battle caveats

  • This ranking uses modern Gen 6+ type matchups, STAB value, defensive switch-in safety, and base stats.
  • Abilities, held items, Terastallization, weather, terrain, and format rules can change real battle outcomes.
  • Coverage moves can punish obvious counters, so treat this as type-based guidance rather than a full matchup simulator.
  • Move availability depends on game version and learnset data; this page recommends attacking types rather than guaranteed moves.

Related pages

Empoleon weakness chartEmpoleon PokédexWater / Steel countersElectric type pageFighting type pageGround type pagePokémon type chartSpeed tiers

FAQ

What is the best counter for Empoleon?

Empoleon is best countered by Pokémon that can use Electric, Fighting, and Ground (2x) attacks while avoiding bad defensive matchups into Water / Steel STAB attacks. Because there is no 4x weakness, Speed, bulk, and offensive stats matter more when choosing the actual Pokémon.

What type is best against Empoleon?

Electric, Fighting, and Ground are the strongest attacking types against Empoleon, dealing 2x damage under the modern Gen 6+ type chart.

How many useful attacking types hit Empoleon super-effectively?

Empoleon has 3 super-effective attacking options: Electric, Fighting, and Ground. Use the highest multiplier first, then choose a Pokémon that is not exposed to Water / Steel STAB attacks.

Are abilities included in this counter ranking?

No. The ranking uses base typing and base stats. Abilities, items, Terastallization, weather, terrain, and special move rules can change the real matchup.

Does Terastallization change Empoleon counters?

Yes. Terastallization can replace the defensive typing used here, so the recommended counter types may change completely in formats where Tera is active.

What should I avoid using against Empoleon?

Avoid relying on Poison, Ice, Steel, Normal, and Water attacks unless they have a special role or unusually high power.

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