Empoleon Pokemon GO — Max CP 3,279, Base Stats & Moveset

Q: Is Empoleon good in Pokemon GO?

Empoleon has no raid or PvP ranking in Pokemon GO right now, so it is a collector pick rather than a battler. Its max CP is 3,279 at level 50. Keep a high-IV one for future move updates or limited-format cups and spend your Stardust elsewhere.

Q: What is the best moveset for Empoleon in Pokemon GO?

Empoleon has multiple viable movesets depending on the battle format. Check the moves section for a breakdown of DPS, energy generation, and recommended combinations for both raids and PvP.

Q: What are Empoleon's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?

Empoleon is a Water/Steel-type Pokemon weak to Electric, Fighting, Ground-type moves in Pokemon GO. When battling against Empoleon, use attackers with these move types for super effective damage. On the other hand, Empoleon resists Ice, Poison, Steel, Bug, Dragon, Fairy, Flying, Normal, Psychic, Rock, Water-type moves.

Q: What is Empoleon's max CP in Pokemon GO?

Empoleon's maximum CP is 3,279 at level 50 (requires XL Candy), or 2,900 at level 40. Its base stats are 210 Attack, 186 Defense, and 197 Stamina, giving it a total stat product of 593. Power up costs from level 20 to 50 total approximately 135,000 Stardust.

Q: What CP is a 100% IV Empoleon?

A perfect 15/15/15 IV Empoleon has 1657 CP at level 20 (from raids or eggs), 2072 CP at level 25 (weather boosted catch), and 3,279 CP at level 50 fully powered up. If you catch a Empoleon showing 1657 CP from a raid, it has perfect IVs — definitely keep it and invest.

Q: Is Shadow Empoleon better than regular Empoleon?

Shadow Empoleon deals 20% more damage than its regular counterpart but also takes 20% more damage. For raids, Shadow Empoleon is generally the better investment due to higher DPS output. For PvP, it depends on the specific matchups — the extra damage taken can be a significant drawback in extended battles. Shadow Empoleon comes with Frustration, which should be replaced using a Charged TM during a Team GO Rocket event.

Q: How do you get Empoleon in Pokemon GO?

Empoleon can be obtained in Pokemon GO through several methods: wild encounters, rescuing Shadow Empoleon from Team GO Rocket, and trading with other trainers. Walking Empoleon as your buddy earns 1 candy every 3.0 km.

Q: Can Empoleon be shiny in Pokemon GO?

Shiny Empoleon availability in Pokemon GO depends on whether Niantic has released its shiny form. Check the current events page for any boosted shiny rates during special events.

Best moveset

Highest damage: Steel Wing Hydro Cannon

Same-type attack bonus on both moves. Hydro Cannon is an Elite TM move. Hydro Cannon costs 50 energy for 90 power.

Type effectiveness

Damage Empoleon takes from each attacking type

Weak to

Electric1.6× Fighting1.6× Ground1.6×

Resists

Ice0.39× Poison0.39× Steel0.39× Bug0.625× Dragon0.625× Fairy0.625× Flying0.625× Normal0.625× Psychic0.625× Rock0.625× Water0.625×

Base stats

Attack 210

Defense 186

Stamina 197

Stat total: 593
Buddy distance: 3.0 km per candy
Second charged move: 10,000 Dust + 25 Candy
100% IV at Lv 20: 1,657 CP

Editor's notes

Empoleon is a Water/Steel-type Pokémon (#395, Generation 4) that caps at 3,279 CP at level 50, built on 210/186/197 base stats — a fairly balanced stat spread.

Defensively, it takes extra damage from Electric, Fighting and Ground and resists Ice, Poison and Steel — worth remembering when you field it or plan a team around beating it.

Toni Ramón

Founder & lead editor

PvP at a glance

Empoleon is not ranked in any GO Battle League.

Empoleon moves

4 fast · 5 charged

Fast moves

Move	Type	PWR	EN	DUR	DPS	EPS
Metal Claw STAB	Steel	6	5	0.5s	12	10
Metal Sound STAB	Steel	4	6	0.5s	8	12
Steel Wing Best STAB	Steel	14	8	1.0s	14	8
Waterfall STAB	Water	13	7	1.0s	13	7

Charged moves

Move	Type	PWR	EN	DUR	DPS	DPE
Blizzard	Ice	130	100	3.0s	43.3	1.30
Drill Peck	Flying	70	33	2.5s	28	2.12
Flash Cannon STAB	Steel	100	100	2.5s	40	1.00
Hydro Pump STAB	Water	135	100	3.5s	38.6	1.35
Hydro Cannon Best STAB Elite	Water	90	50	2.0s	45	1.80

Fast moves

Move	Type	PWR	EN	Turns	DPT	EPT
Metal Claw	Steel	5	7	1	5.00	7.00
Metal Sound	Steel	5	8	1	5.00	8.00
Steel Wing	Steel	7	5	1	7.00	5.00
Waterfall	Water	11	10	2	5.50	5.00

Charged moves

Move	Type	PWR	EN	DPE	Effect
Blizzard	Ice	140	75	1.87	—
Drill Peck	Flying	70	40	1.75	—
Flash Cannon	Steel	110	65	1.69	—
Hydro Pump	Water	130	75	1.73	—
Hydro Cannon	Water	80	40	2.00	—

Moveset analysis

The highest-damage fast move is Steel Wing (14 DPS); Metal Sound builds energy fastest (12 EPS). Hydro Cannon is an Elite TM move and cannot be taught with a regular Charged TM.

Evolution

Piplup 25 Candy

Prinplup 100 Candy

Empoleon

Family

Piplup

Prinplup

Empoleon This page

Shadow forms Shadow Piplup Shadow Prinplup Shadow Empoleon

Raids

Not in raids

Status: Empoleon is not in the current raid rotation

Best counters against Empoleon

1

Shadow Thundurus (Therian)Shadow Volt SwitchWildbolt Storm 39.5DPS 498TDO 2

Mega BlazikenMega CounterAura Sphere 38.5DPS 616TDO 3

Mega LucarioMega Force PalmAura Sphere 38.2DPS 573TDO 4

Primal GroudonMega Mud ShotPrecipice Blades 35.5DPS 1,039TDO 5

Regieleki Lock OnThunder Cage 34.6DPS 412TDO 6

Shadow BlazikenShadow CounterAura Sphere 33.6DPS 376TDO

Counters carrying Electric, Fighting, Ground moves deal the most damage.

Use Empoleon against

Raid bosses where it ranks as a top counter

Diancie Tier 5 #11rank

Ninetales (Alola) Tier 5 #11rank

Carbink Tier 5 #11rank

Mega Diancie Tier 5 #12rank

Crustle Tier 5 #13rank

Kleavor Tier 3 #14rank

Anorith Tier 5 #14rank

Dwebble Tier 1 #14rank

Armaldo Tier 5 #14rank

Camerupt Tier 5 #15rank

How to get Empoleon

Evolve from: Prinplup · 100 Candy
Team GO Rocket: Shadow Empoleon knows Frustration — swap it with a Charged TM
Purification: 3,000 Dust + 3 Candy → Return
Trading: Can be traded between trainers

Catch CP

Source	Level	Min CP	Max CP (100% IV)
Wild Catch	Lv 1–30	73	2,507
Wild (Weather Boost)	Lv 1–35	73	2,714
Raid Catch	Lv 20	1,621	1,699
Raid (Weather Boost)	Lv 25	2,016	2,113
Egg Hatch	Lv 20	1,621	1,699
Research Encounter	Lv 15	1,225	1,284
GO Battle League	Lv 20	1,621	1,699

Is Empoleon good in Pokemon GO?

Collector's pick

Power up	Stardust	Candy	XL Candy
Lv 20 → 40	135,000	15	—

Empoleon has no raid or PvP ranking right now. Keep a high-IV one for the Pokedex and for future move updates or limited-format cups, and spend your Stardust elsewhere.

Attack is its highest stat (210), so it hits harder than it survives — a glass-cannon raid slot rather than a gym defender.
A second charged move costs 10,000 Dust and 25 Candy, and with 5 charged moves to pick from it is the single biggest PvP upgrade you can buy.
Shadow Empoleon deals 20% more damage and takes 20% more: better for raids, riskier in PvP.
Its moves get a damage boost in Rainy and Snow weather — worth timing raids around.

CP by level

Maximum CP with perfect 15/15/15 IVs at every level

Level	Max CP
Lv 1	41
Lv 2	128
Lv 3	216
Lv 4	303
Lv 5	391
Lv 6	478
Lv 7	566
Lv 8	653
Lv 9	741
Lv 10	829
Lv 11	911
Lv 12	994
Lv 13	1,077

Level	Max CP
Lv 14	1,160
Lv 15	1,243
Lv 16	1,326
Lv 17	1,409
Lv 18	1,491
Lv 19	1,574
Lv 20	1,657
Lv 21	1,740
Lv 22	1,823
Lv 23	1,906
Lv 24	1,989
Lv 25	2,072
Lv 26	2,155

Level	Max CP
Lv 27	2,237
Lv 28	2,320
Lv 29	2,403
Lv 30	2,486
Lv 31	2,528
Lv 32	2,569
Lv 33	2,610
Lv 34	2,652
Lv 35	2,693
Lv 36	2,735
Lv 37	2,776
Lv 38	2,818
Lv 39	2,859

Level	Max CP
Lv 40	2,900
Lv 41	2,937
Lv 42	2,974
Lv 43	3,012
Lv 44	3,049
Lv 45	3,087
Lv 46	3,125
Lv 47	3,163
Lv 48	3,201
Lv 49	3,240
Lv 50	3,279

Pokedex info

Pokedex number: #0395
Height: 1.70 m
Weight: 84.50 kg
Buddy size: Big
Candy to evolve: 25
Family forms: 6 released forms
Game ID: V0395_POKEMON_EMPOLEON

FAQ

What is the best moveset for Empoleon in Pokemon GO?

Empoleon's best moveset is Steel Wing (fast) with Hydro Cannon (charged). Use a Fast TM or Charged TM to reroll onto it.

What are Empoleon's weaknesses in Pokemon GO?

Empoleon takes super effective damage from Electric, Fighting, Ground-type moves. It resists Ice, Poison, Steel, Bug, Dragon, Fairy, Flying, Normal, Psychic, Rock, Water, so avoid those types against it.

What is Empoleon's max CP in Pokemon GO?

Empoleon reaches 3,279 CP at level 50 with XL Candy, or 2,900 CP at level 40. Level 50 needs XL Candy, which only unlocks at Trainer Level 31 and comes from catching, hatching, transferring and walking.

What CP is a 100% IV Empoleon?

A perfect 15/15/15 Empoleon shows 1,657 CP at level 20 (raid and egg catches) and 2,072 CP at level 25 (weather boosted). Seeing that exact number on the catch screen means it is a hundo — favourite it before you transfer anything.

Is Shadow Empoleon better than regular Empoleon?

Shadow Empoleon deals 20% more damage and takes 20% more. For raids the trade is worth it; for PvP the lost bulk often is not. It arrives knowing Frustration, which should be replaced with a Charged TM during a Team GO Rocket event before you power it up.

How do you get Empoleon in Pokemon GO?

Evolve it from Prinplup (100 Candy). It can be traded between trainers.

Can Empoleon be shiny in Pokemon GO?

Shiny Empoleon depends on whether Niantic has released the form. Check the events page for Community Days and event weekends, which is when shiny rates are boosted.

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