Empoleon

Best moveset

Empoleon can learn 20 combinations. Metal Claw with Hydro Cannon does the most damage per second of them, at level 40 with a perfect attack stat. Same-type moves get the 1.2× bonus, and the cycle assumes the charged attack fires the moment it has the energy.

That set is legacy. Hydro Cannon is only obtainable with an Elite TM or from the event that gave it out, so the Empoleon you catch today cannot learn it. The best set it can learn now is Steel Wing and Hydro Pump, worth 12.1 damage per second.

Stats and moves come straight from the game's own data files. Every number on this page is a raid and gym number, not a PvP one.

Best moveset against each type

Empoleon does not have one best moveset, it has 6. Which one wins depends on what you are attacking, because a move only gets its bonus against something weak to it. Best against Rock, Ground, Fire.

Same maths as the headline number, run once per defending type: level 40, perfect attack IV, and the target's own type taken into account. Sorted by damage, so the top of this table is what Empoleon is actually for.

Counters: what beats Empoleon

Attacker	Type	Moveset	DPS
Regieleki	Electric	Lock OnThunder CageLegacy	33.7
Lucario	FightingSteel	Force PalmAura SphereLegacy	30.7
Zeraora	Electric	Volt SwitchPlasma Fists	29.5
Zekrom	DragonElectric	Charge BeamFusion BoltLegacy	28.8
Xurkitree	Electric	Thunder ShockDischarge	28.4

Ranked by damage per second against Empoleon's own defense, at level 40 with a 15 attack IV, one per evolution family. Twelve deep, with what Empoleon is weak to.

Type matchups

Shiny

Yes. Shiny Empoleon has been released. Players have found it from: wild, raid, research, evolution, photobomb.

Evolution family

Numbers

What it costs