*Good base 111 Special Attack, and passable base 86 Attack *Fantastic base 84/88/101 defenses *Brilliant Water/Steel defensive typing *Slow base 60 Speed, which can be mitigated to an extent by using Agility *Access to Stealth Rock == SubPetaya == Empoleon (F) @ Petaya Berry Trait: Torrent EVs: 12 HP / 4 Def / 252 SAtk / 240 Spd Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk) - Substitute - Agility - Surf / Hydro Pump - Ice Beam / Grass Knot / Hidden Power [Electric] Set Comments: *This set is relatively simple, set up three Substitutes and obtain a +1 boost courtesy of its Petaya Berry, set up an Agility at some point during this time, and proceed to smash apart its opposition. By the end of this process, it hits like a nuke and outspeeds +1 Dragonite. In short, over the course of a relatively simple four to five turns, Empoleon is ready to go. *Surf is Empoleon's STAB move of choice, as Empoleon usually cannot afford a Hydro Miss, and Surf when boosted by Rain, its ability Torrent and the +1 Special Attack boost courtesy of its Petaya Berry is likely to demolish anything that does not resist it. *The choice of coverage move mainly depends on what Empoleon's teammates can KO; Ice Beam hits Dragon- and Grass-types super effectively, such as Dragonite, Celebi, Latios, Latias, and Venusaur, and hits Toxicroak for neutral damage. Alternatively, Grass Knot can be used to hit Jellicent, Gyarados, Kingdra, Politoed, and Gastrodon hard, but outside of those immune to Surf, Surf does more than enough damage in rain, rendering Grass Knot an inferior option. Hidden Power [Electric] can also be used to eliminate Gyarados, but serves no purpose otherwise. *Rain support is much appreciated to help Empoleon to achieve many KOs that could make or break its sweep. *Entry Hazard support is also much appreciated from the likes of Ferrothorn and Forretress to help Empoleon sweep unhindered. *Paralysis support is also essential to help Empoleon outspeed certain scarfers as Empoleon is still quite slow even after an agility boost, so Thunder Wave from Celebi can help slow down Choice Scarf Terrakion and Keldeo to help Empoleon get past them. == Choice Specs == Empoleon (F) @ Choice Specs Trait: Torrent EVs: 200 HP/ 252 SAtk / 56 Spd Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk) - Hydro Pump - Ice Beam - Grass Knot / Hidden Power [Grass] - Surf / Hidden Power [Fire] Set Comments: *This set takes advantage of everything that Empoleon can do, and is not outclassed by other Water-type special attackers, such as Keldeo, thanks to its Steel typing and stellar defenses. On the topic of its Steel typing, it grants Empoleon numerous opportunities to switch in thanks to its many resistances. This makes Empoleon one of the best pivots around, as one can simply switch it in on any resisted attack and launch a powerful Hydro Pump. *Fear not if Empoleon gets worn down, as Torrent will make it even more of a threat, boosting the power of Empoleon's STAB Water-type attacks when it is low on health. Its immunity to Toxic prevents the Gastrodon and Vaporeon of the world from stalling it out, which is a huge advantage over other Water-type attackers. *Hydro Pump is the powerful STAB move of choice, powering through all but the bulkiest of resists and the pink blobs, Chansey and Blissey. Its damage output is low when compared to the monstrous Keldeo, but it is still extraordinarily powerful and makes almost all Pokemon pay the price if they switch in to it. *Ice Beam occupies the second moveslot and provides much-needed coverage on Dragon- and Grass-type Pokemon, especially important for the former because Empoleon makes an excellent switch-in to their primary STAB attacks. *A choice of Grass-type move is then presented so that Empoleon can get past its Water-type brethren; Grass Knot hits Jellicent and Politoed harder, but Hidden Power Grass hits Rotom-W, Gastrodon, and Vaporeon harder. The choice is yours, though it should be noted that if anything besides a Water-type switches in, in most cases Grass Knot will do more damage, making it the preferred choice. *Lastly, Surf is there mainly as filler, but is quite useful if you want to hit hard with a STAB move but at the same time have perfect accuracy for when it is undesirable to miss. Hidden Power [Fire] can also be used to smash past Ferrothorn, but it serves no purpose otherwise. == Specially Defensive == Empoleon (F) @ Leftovers Trait: Torrent EVs: 248 HP / 44 Def / 216 SDef Timid Nature (+Spd, -Atk) - Scald - Stealth Rock - Roar / Toxic - Ice Beam / Protect Set Comments: *This set takes a different approach compared to the previous two sets, taking up a defensive role on the team. Due to Empoleon's numerous resists by virtue of its excellent defensive typing, as well as its good special bulk, it should be noted that Empoleon can run an excellent defensive set. What sets it apart from other bulky Water-types is that it sports a resistance to Dragon-type moves, as well as an immunity to poison, something other bulky Water-types can only dream about. *Scald is an incredibly useful tool for Empoleon, giving it the ability to take on strong physical attackers due to its high burn chance. Thanks to STAB, it prevents frail sweepers, such as Gengar and Alakazam, from taking their sweet time to set up on Empoleon. *What really is Empoleon's ace in the hole is Stealth Rock, a niche that Empoleon holds. Empoleon is also not cramped on moveslots, and finds many chances to set up Stealth Rock. *Toxic is a good choice on the third moveslot, as it allows Empoleon to beat opposing bulky Water-types and wears down Life Orb sweepers, especially when combined with sandstorm damage, very quickly. Alternatively, Roar can be used to prevent Calm Mind Latias from using Empoleon as setup fodder while also spreading entry hazard damage. *Ice Beam is a viable option to aid in the defeat of Dragonite and Salamence, both having their primary STAB resisted by Empoleon. Protect is also a good option to scout for super effective attacks, such as Rotom-W's Volt Switch, as well as providing an extra turn of Leftovers recovery, which helps compensate for its lack of reliable recovery, and racking up Toxic damage. == Other Options == *Empoleon can run a Swords Dance set, with attacks such as Earthquake, Aqua Jet, Waterfall, Drill Peck, Return, and Avalanche being viable offensive options; however, base 86 Attack is disappointing and Empoleon cannot break through physical walls without rain and heavy entry hazard support. Gyarados and Feraligatr outclass it, making it even less desirable. *When wielding a Choice Scarf, Empoleon outspeeds all of unboosted OU below Starmie, but it is straight up outclassed by Keldeo and while base 111 Special Attack is not bad, but it is not powerful enough *Empoleon can also run a Agility+3 Attacks, but it is vulnerable to Priority and does not get a power boost, but Empoleon can tackle a wider amount of threats though == Checks and Counters == *While it is very threatening, Empoleon does have its hard counters. Ferrothorn is the best one, as although boosted Ice Beams do a decent amount, even SubPetaya will not win, as Leech Seed can catch it off guard while it sets up Agility and Power Whip breaks its Substitutes *Kyurem-B, another common threat, can completely shut down Empoleon and force it out with the threat of a Fusion Bolt or Earth Power, while having enough bulk to shrug off a Hydro Pump, and only taking neutral to Ice Beam.Rotom-W is a decent answer to Empoleon, resisting its STAB, Ice Beam, and taking little damage from Grass Knot due to its low weight, but it must be wary of Hidden Power Grass or Choice Specs boosted Hydro Pump. It can retaliate with STAB Volt Switch or Thunderbolt. *Offensive tank Vaporeon is another solid check, being able to tank most hits and deal heavy damage back with Hidden Power Electric. Jellicent, while nowhere near as reliable as Vaporeon or Rotom-W thanks to Grass Knot almost OHKOing it, does win against all non-Grass Knot Empoleon. *Gastrodon can also effectively counter all types of Empoleon lacking a grass type move. *Toxicroak is also a good counter as it absorbs Water-type moves by virtue of its ability and Grass-type moves due to its typing, while it can destroy Empoleon with Drain Punch. *Finally, Perish Song Celebi, although it cannot hope to take two Ice Beams with entry hazard damage, can put a limit on Empoleon's lifespan and thus force it out, rendering it incapable of sweeping. *Technician Breloom, another common threat, can take a Surf and knock down Empoleon with its priority STAB Mach Punch. *Moving on from the more reliable responses to Empoleon, there are quite a few ways to check it. Keldeo is the best check available in this metagame; although it doesn't really take rain-boosted Surfs that well, it can take one well enough and respond back with a powerful Secret Sword. When wielding a Choice Scarf, it outspeeds even +2 Empoleon, so it can even handle Grass Knot Agility variants. Terrakion also outspeeds and destroys Empoleon with its Close Combat.
Mention Garchomp, Keldeo, Terrakion, etc. in last bullet of C&C. Mention Gastrodon walls if it lacks a grass move. Fronst Slash Roar on Bulky set ^^ & Approved!
What do those 56 EVs outrun, exactly? Speed creeping Scizor? Oh, and HP Electric probably deserves a mention somewhere on the SubPetaya set, as it's more reliable damage than Grass Knot (albeit against little), and it absolutely mauls Gyarados. Toxicroak may want a place in C+C as well, due to its Water immunity, resistance to Grass Knot and powerful Fighting STABs letting it heavily damage any set, not to mention an immunity to Toxic as well.
56 speed evs help outrun standard Vaporeon and Scizor. Hidden Power [Electric] is kinda useless except by hitting Gyarados for more damage, as Surf under rain is going to do more damage.