Pokémon Unite Empoleon Guide: Best Builds, Held Items, Moveset and Gameplay Tips

Story Highlights

Empoleon is the newest All-rounder type Pokémon in Pokémon Unite.
Empoleon’s basic attacks becomes enhanced each time it evolves.
Master Empoleon’s passive ability Gauge to get the best out of it’s abilities.

I’m so excited about Empoleon joining Pokémon Unite! It’s the latest all-rounder Pokémon, and from what I’ve seen, it’s really good at everything – keeping enemies at bay, dealing damage, and staying alive thanks to its unique ability. I’ve been looking for a guide to help me learn how to play Empoleon, and this one covers all the important stuff – its moves, the best items to build, and how it fits into a team. I can’t wait to try it out!

We’ve previously covered strategies for playing with many different Pokémon, including Pikachu, Mamoswine, Eldegoss, Zeraora, Blissey, Charizard, Snorlax, Tsareena, Decidueye, Dragonite, Talonflame, Cinderace, Greninja, Gardevoir, Venusaur, Wigglytuff, Trevenant, Gengar, Lucario, Aegislash, Crustle, Hoopa, Garchomp, Absol, Alolan Ninetales, Duraludon, Cramorant, Blastoise, Slowbro, Machamp, Mr. Mime, Greedent, Azumarill, Sylveon, Gyarados, Miraidon, Falinks, Ceruledge, Ho-Oh, Darkrai, Armarouge, Psyduck, Galarian Rapidash, Suicune, Alolan Raichu, Alcremie, Latios, Latias, and Pawmot. Be sure to review those guides as well. Now, let’s move on to Empoleon.

Empoleon: In-game Cost

You can get Empoleon for free in the Empoleon’s Hoarfrost Emperor Challenge event. Just collect 1000 Hoarfrost Emperor Coins during the event to unlock Empoleon’s Unite License.

Pokémon Unite Empoleon Movesets

Basic Attack

As Pokémon grow, their basic attacks get more powerful. This Pokémon begins as Piplup, then becomes Prinplup at level 5, and finally evolves into Empoleon at level 8.

Passive – Torrent

As Pokémon battle and take turns, a Torrent gauge fills up to a maximum of 100. Once it reaches a certain level, using a move will consume the gauge and make that move more powerful. The gauge fills up even faster when the Pokémon is low on HP.

Ability 1 – Water Gun

This move lets the user fire a powerful jet of water at opponents, damaging any Pokémon it hits. If the user’s Torrent ability is active, this move deals even more damage. (Torrent ability usage: 50%)

Ability Choices at Level 7

At Level 7, Empoleon would have to choose either of the following abilities:

Hydra Cannon	Whirlpool
Has the user launch a watery blast in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon it hits and leaving them unable to act. When this move is boosted by Torrent, a whirlpool appears and deals damage over time. The user alse recovers HP when in contact with the Whirlpool, consuming 50 Torrent Gauge.	Has the user create a violent, swirling whirlpool around itself, dealing damage to opposing Pokemon it hits and restoring the user’s HP. When this move is boosted by Torrent, the amount of damage dealt and HP restored are increased. The move also throws opposing Pokemon before ending with a slash, dealing damage. (Torrent gauge consumed: 50)
Upgrade: Reduces the moves cooldown when it hits Pokémon from the opposing team.	Upgrade: Increases the damage the Whirlpool deals

Ability 2 – Peck

This move lets the user Pokémon strike with its beak, damaging opponents it hits. If the user’s Torrent ability is active, the move also slows down the target. (Torrent energy used: 50)

Ability Choices at Level 5

At Level 5, either of these two moves becomes available.

Metal Claw	Aqua Jet
Has the user charge in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon with wings of steel and shoving them.When this move is boosted by Torrent, the user receives a shield effect. (Torrent gauge consumed: 50)	Has the user lunge at blinding speed in the designated direction, dealing damage to opposing Pokémon it hits and increasing the user’s basic attack speed for a short time. When this move is boosted by Torrent, it decreases the Sp. Def of Pokémon from the opposing team. (Torrent gauge consumed: 50)
Upgrade: Strengthens the effect of the shield granted by this move.	Upgrade: Reduces the Moves cooldown

Unite Move – Sovereign Slide

This move sends the user sliding quickly forward, creating a whirlpool upon impact. This whirlpool damages and throws back opposing Pokémon, and lingers for a short time, slowing down any Pokémon caught within it. While the whirlpool is active, the user’s Torrent gauge fills up more quickly.

Best items for Empoleon in Pokémon Unite

This guide will cover the best items to equip on Empoleon in Pokémon Unite, and recommend the most effective battle item for it.

Best Held Items

Item(s)	Benefits
Slick Spoon	This held item boosts Sp. Atk and HP allowing it to dominate against enemy Pokémon.
Scope Lens	This battle item increases Empoleon’s Critical Rate and Critical Damage, effectively boosting its damage output.
Choice Specs	Choice Specs is a good choice as it increases Empoleon’s attack damage, the faster its attack speed is.

Besides the above-suggested builds, you can also use the following item builds:

Scope Lens, Attack Weight, and Weakness Policy
Slick Spoon, Weakness Policy, and Drive Lens.

Best Battle Items

Eject Button: It helps Empoleon to quickly move to a designated place when retreating or chasing opponents.
X Attack: This item further complements and increases Empoleon’s Sp. Atk granting it a short boost in damage output.

Pokémon Unite Empoleon Gameplay Tips

This guide will teach you how to play Empoleon effectively in Pokémon Unite and develop a winning strategy. We’ll cover both the early and late stages of the game, so be sure to read through the whole guide to maximize your success.

Early Game

Okay, so you start as Piplup, and honestly, the beginning of the game is all about just surviving and getting good at collecting resources. You can head to either the Top or Bottom lane to start, or if you’re feeling confident, you can even try playing Empoleon in the Jungle. Your main move, Water Gun, is super useful for catching wild Pokémon and also for poking at enemies without getting too close!

Use Peck at level 2 to consistently secure last hits in lane. When enhanced with Torrent, Peck also slows enemies, giving you a way to escape danger or punish opponents who overextend. Prioritize farming constantly, as you become much stronger once you evolve.

Focus on helping your teammate who’s doing the main attacking to gather resources quickly and defeat powerful Pokémon like Rotom early in the game. This will allow them to level up fast, defeat the opposing team’s Pokémon, and ultimately help your team win.

Mid and Late Game

Okay, so I finally hit level 5 with my Piplup and it evolved into Prinplup! Now things get interesting – I have to pick a move! The game is asking me to choose between Aqua Jet and Metal Claw. Then, by level 7, I’ll get another move – either Whirlpool or Hydro Cannon. Basically, these choices will really define how I play, giving me two totally different ways to battle.

Whirlpool + Aqua Jet: Best for sustain and skirmish pressure. Whirlpool zones and heals, while Aqua Jet dives in, stacking attack speed. Boosted Torrent versions enhance damage, healing, and even lower enemy Sp. Def, making this combo excellent for small fights and quick jungle invades.
Metal Claw + Hydro Cannon: Suited for coordinated teams. Metal Claw provides shove-and-shield utility, and Hydro Cannon locks enemies in place. Boosted Hydro Cannon creates a damaging whirlpool that heals you, giving crowd control and survivability. This combo shines in grouped teamfights but is harder to execute alone.

Choose Empoleon if it fits your strategy. Its Unite Move is strong because it lets you dive into groups of enemies, disrupt their positioning with a whirlpool, and quickly charge up its special ability, Torrent, for extra power. Using it at the right moment during key objectives like capturing Groudon can prevent opponents from stealing them.

Positioning of Empoleon

Empoleon players will have the most success in the top or bottom lane. To level up quickly, focus on defeating Aipom and Audino. It’s also beneficial to actively seek out and defeat groups of Combee and Vespiqueen, as they provide a lot of experience and make leveling up easier.

Empoleon with other Pokémon

This Pokémon Unite guide for Empoleon will also cover how it stacks up against other Pokémon in the game.

Best synergies with Empoleon

Empoleon works best when teamed up with a Pokémon that provides support, allowing it to really shine as an attacker.

Pokémon	Benefits
Blissey	Thanks to Blissey’s healing and sustain abilities, Empoleon can effectively dominate and outlast opposing Pokémon
Snorlax	It would provide extra crowd control and disables for Empoleon and his team during core team fights.
Comfey	Disabling the healing abilities will greatly help raise Empoleon’s effectiveness on the battlefield.

Pokémon that are strong and weak against Empoleon

Pokémon that Empoleon counters	Pokémon that counter Empoleon
Igglytuff	Zoroark
Blissey	Cinderace
Hoopa	Talonflame
Mr. Mime	Zeraora
Cramorant	Slowbro

Final Thoughts

When playing Empoleon in Pokémon Unite, remember that it’s a well-rounded Pokémon capable of both dealing damage and controlling the battlefield. Focusing on these strengths is key to success.

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2025-09-19 17:14