Espeon

Espeon, The Sun Pokémon. By reading air currents, it can predict things such as the weather or its foe's next move. It unleashes psychic power from the orb on its forehead. When its power is exhausted, the orb grows dull and dark.

Overview

Unfortunately, Espeon is a Pokemon that has gotten worse with each generation and Sword/Shield were not exactly kind with one of the best looking Eevee evolutions out there. Generation 8 removed Signal Beam and Hidden Power which were useful coverage moves for Espeon. It also removed Z-moves which made it harder for Espeon to wall-break past special tanks. However, not everything is bad news for Espeon. Gen 8 also removed Pursuit which made it safer for Espeon to switch out from unfavorable match-ups. While Magic Bounce is a great ability allowing Espeon to Baton Pass stat boosts without being afraid of phazed away by Roar or Whirlwind, due to its underwhelming typing and frailty, it becomes very hard to use.
Positives
A good base 110 Speed allows Espeon to be decently fast
It's high base 130 Special Attack stat allows Espeon to stand out among most special attackers and it barely gets the coverage it needs with Dazzling Gleam and Shadow Ball.
Access to Magic Bounce as its hidden ability, allows Espeon to prevent phazing or blocking from moves such as Taunt or Roar.
Negatives
A mediocre HP and Defense stat makes Espeon incredibly frail against physical moves. This means that powerful priority users like Scizor or Weavile will have an easy time on preying upon Espeon's weaker defense.
Psychic is a mediocre typing defensively and due to Espeon's inability to run more than 4 moves, it doesn't have a lot of chances to switch into the opponent outside a resisted move.
Steel types that Espeon cannot hit super-effectively will easily wall it, although Espeon only focuses on supporting its team most of the time.

Movesets

ESPYJUMP

- Psyshock
- Calm Mind
- Substitute
- Baton Pass
Item Attached: Leftovers
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs and Nature:
200 HP / 56 Def / 252 Spe
Timid Nature

The idea behind this set is to switch into a Pokemon whom Espeon can force out and proceed to set up a Substitute. If the opponent sends out a Pokemon that Espeon can't hurt, simply Baton Pass the Substitute to a Pokemon that has a more favorable match-up. Once the opponent runs out of Espeon's checks and counters, Espeon can start building up Calm Mind boosts and pass them to another teammate that will allow them to sweep the opponent. Pokemon like Hydreigon and Rotom-Heat are excellent teammates that can take advantage of the boosts. In case Espeon has an opportunity to attack, Psyshock is the preferred option due to its higher damage output against Pokemon like Chansey and Blissey.

DYNAMAX:
Considering this set's purpose on passing boosts to its teammates, you don't really want to use Dynamax on this Pokemon since due to the lack of investment, this Espeon is not really strong enough to take advantage from Max Mindstorm's Psychic Terrain.

EVs and Items:
200 HP gives Espeon a perfect Leftovers number which means that it will recover the lost health from a Substitute in 4 turns and will allow it to produce a 5th one. Max Speed is required since it allows Espeon to speed tie opposing Lati@s. The rest is dumped on Defense to grant Espeon a little bit of physical bulk. You can also drop the Speed investment less and invest on Espeon's defenses allowing it to tank more hits from the special side.

Partners:
Espeon wants to partner with Pokemon that are able to check Steel types and its usual counter while being able to take advantage from the Calm Mind boosts it can potentially pass to its teammates. Pokemon like Rotom-Heat, Hydreigon, Incineroar, Seismitoad and Aegislash are good recipients that can benefit from the Special Attack and Special Defense boosts.

PSI WALL

- Reflect
- Light Screen
- Dazzling Gleam
- Yawn
Item Attached: Light Clay
Ability: Magic Bounce
EVs and Nature:
252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature

This set is more focused on setting up screens for its teammates. Thanks to Magic Bounce and its high Speed, Espeon is immune to Taunt and phazing moves allowing it to be a reliable niche screener. Reflect and Light Screen are the moves you want to use straight away on the moment you bring Espeon out. Yawn allows Espeon to force out a potential wall making the opponent decide on whether they risk to stay or switch out, which will automatically allow Espeon to have more chances to set up its screens. Lastly, Dazzling Gleam is the preferred option to hit Dark types.

EVs and Items:
Max Speed and HP allows Espeon to be as fast as possible with a great amount of bulk allowing it to set up screens while being able to force the opponent as much as possible. Light Clay is the only item that should be used on this set since it allows to extend the duration of the screens Espeon is setting up.

Partners:
Because this set is only focused on setting up screens for its teammates, any kind of sweeper who appreciates the extra protection provided will benefit from it. Pokemon like Dragonite, Kommo-o, Mimikyu, Landorus-Therian and Garchomp are excellent partners.

Other Option:
Espeon can also use a Choice Specs set with Psychic, Shadow Ball, Dazzling Gleam and Trick. However, Espeon's coverage is too predictable and it will struggle against faster threats like Dragapult.

Countering Espeon

Any Steel type that Espeon cannot hit for super-effective damage can be considered as a reasonable check or counter. Heatran is a fantastic counter as even if Espeon carries Trick, it does not really cares about it and instead it boosts its damage output against it. However, Heatran has to be careful about Calm Mind variants as Espeon can potentially turn the tables against it and set up on it.

Scizor is a great Pokemon that deals with Espeon as thanks to the removal of Hidden Power, Espeon cannot hit it for super-effective damage anymore. STAB Bug Bite is certainly strong enough to kill Espeon, even under a Reflect. Also, Scizor carries Bullet Punch allowing it to destroy it before it moves.

Faster Pokemon like Weavile and Dragapult are guaranteed offensive checks capable of taking Espeon down before it does something. Just like Scizor, Bisharp also has access to Sucker Punch, although it would need Espeon to attack to trigger it. Regardless, its other STAB moves like Knock Off or Iron Head will do the trick. Tyranitar is simply too bulky for Espeon to deal with and it will OHKO with Crunch.

Locations in Games

Red/Blue/Yellow:
Not in game

Gold/Silver/Crystal:
Evolve Eevee

Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald:
Trade from FireRed/LeafGreen

FireRed/LeafGreen:
Trade Eevee to Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald and Evolve Eevee

Colosseum/XD:
Starter (Colosseum)
Evolve Eevee (XD)

Diamond/Pearl/Platinum:
Evolve Eevee

HeartGold/SoulSilver:
Evolve Eevee

Black/White:
Trade from Black 2/White 2

Black 2/White 2:
Evolve Eevee

X/Y:
Evolve Eevee

Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire:
Evolve Eevee

Sun/Moon:
Route 4, Route 6

Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon:
Route 4, Route 6

Let's Go, Pikachu!/Let's Go, Eevee!:
Not in game

Sword/Shield:
Lake of Outrage, Giant's Bed
Max Raid Battles: Hammerlocke Hills, Ballimere Lake

Anime Appearences

Espeon has made a few appearances in the anime. Most notably, the Unova League Champion, Virgil, had one.

# -English Episode Name- -Jp. Episode Name- Pics
228 Espeon Not Included! Sakura and Espeon! Ecruteak City Again!! Pics
M5 Heroes - Latios & Latias The Guardian Gods of Altomare - Latias and Latios Pics
274 Johto Photo Finish To the End of the Full Battle! Each One's Way!! Pics
C9 The Blue Badge of Courage Misty! Get the Cascade Badge! Pics
392 Mean With Envy Disorderly Melee! Pokémon Contest - Pacifidlog Convention! (Part One) Pics
398 Hi Ho Silver Wind! Begin! Grand Festival! (1)! Pics
399 Deceit And Assist! Fierce Fighting! Grand Festival! (2)! Pics
420 The Saffron Con Pokémon Contest! Saffron Conference (Part 1)! Pics
447 Second Time's the Charm Battle Tower! Telepathy Battle! Pics
456 May, We Harley Drew'd Ya! Begin! Pokémon Contest - Grand Festival! Pics
478 Not On My Watch Ya Don't! Pokétch is Unavailable?!! Pics
M11 Giratina & The Sky Warrior Giratina & The Bouquet of the Sky - Shaymin Pics
596 A Pyramiding Rage! Pyramid Battle! Brandon VS Paul! Pics
S30 Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Magnagate & The Infinite Labyrinth Pics
763 Team Eevee and the Pokemon Rescue Squad! Team Eevee, Depart! The Pokémon Rescue Squad!! Pics
764 Curtain Up, Unova League The Unova League Higaki Tournament Begins! Pics
766 Lost at the League! Axew Gets Lost! Pics
769 A Unova League Evolution Unova League Conclusion! Lucario VS Pikachu!! Pics
S31 TBC Mewtwo: The Prologue to Awakening Pics
P14 Eevee Friends Pikachu & Eevee Friends Pics
893 Tag Team Battle Inspiration! A Tag Battle is a Friendship Battle! Eevee Fights for the First Time! Pics
912 Master Class Choices! The Master Class Trial! What Will You Do, Serena!? Pics
956 Racing to a Big Event! The Great Alola Pancake Race! Pics
1008 Turning Heads and Training Hard! Ilima and Eevee Have Ilimade Their Entrance!! Pics
M22 Pokémon The Power of Us Pokémon: Everyone's Story  
1035 Turning the Other Mask! Kukui Up Against the Wall! A Second Masked Royal!! Pics
1076 Battling on the Wing! A Birdacious Battle! Brave Bird VS Sky Attack!! Pics
1084 Exhibition Unmasked! Final Battle! Ash VS Kukui!! Pics
1086 Fiery Surprises! Conclusion! Incineroar VS Torracat!! Pics
1138 To Train, or Not to Train! Chloe & The Really Mysterious Eevee Pics
1152 On Land, In the Sea, and to the Future! Challenge! The Pokémon Water Obstacle Course!! Pics
1168 Night and Day, You are the Ones The Moon and the Sun; Chloe and Haruhi Pics
1194 Reuniting for the First Time! Eevee and Sylveon! Encounters and Reunions!! Pics
1208 TBC Chloe and Eevee and the EV-io-lite! Pics
1209 Infinite Possibilities! The Possibilities are Endless for Chloe and Eevee! Pics
1224 Heroes Unite! Pokémon! I Am Glad I Got To Meet You Pics
1 The Pendant That Starts It All: Part One The Pendant It All Started With! (Part 1) Pics
8 The Door That Never Opens! The Secret Behind the Off-Limits Door Pics