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
