Empoleon is Piplup and Prinplup’s final evolution, it evolves from Prinplup starting at level 36. Although most Water starters don’t have secondary typing — or at least, have typing combination that’s a bit more straightforward — that is not the case with this dapper penguin Pokemon. Empoleon’s unique Water/Steel dual-typing turns it into one of the most unique and strongest Water Pokemon you can get as well as making its weaknesses somewhat elusive. In case you forgot or are a newcomer to the series, read on below for more details on Empoleon’s weaknesses in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

Empoleon Stats

Empoleon is a Water/Steel-type Pokemon — and so far the only Pokemon with that type combination. With that in mind, its weaknesses are Fighting, Ground, and Electric. Meanwhile, Empoleon is completely invulnerable to Poison-type attacks, thanks to its second Steel-typing. Yes, this means all Steel-type Pokemon are also immune against Poison-type attacks.

It’s somewhat important to remember that Empoleon has lower Physical Defense stats compared to its Special Defense. This suggests that you should use Physical Fighting/Ground/Electric attacks such as Close Combat, Earthquake, or Magnet Bomb to maximize your damage output. For convenience, below is the table that lists Empoleon’s type weaknesses and strengths in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

The Empoleon you start with or a captured one will always have these abilities:

  • Ability:
  • Torrent: Boosts Attack or Special Attack by 50% if the user has less than or equal to 1/3 of its maximum HP remaining.
  • Hidden Ability:
  • Defiant: Boosts Attack when an enemy lowered one of its stats.

Here’s a list of the moves Empoleon will get in each level:

  • Torrent: Boosts Attack or Special Attack by 50% if the user has less than or equal to 1/3 of its maximum HP remaining.

  • Defiant: Boosts Attack when an enemy lowered one of its stats.

  • Base Level/When Evolving: Aqua Jet – Water, Physical Attack

  • Base Level: Metal Claw – Steel, Physical Attack

  • Base Level: Pound – Normal, Physical Attack

  • Base Level: Charm – Fairy, Status Effect

  • Base Level: Tackle – Normal, Physical Attack

  • Base Level: Growl – Normal, Status Effect

  • Level 8: Water Gun – Water, Special Attack

  • Level 11: Swords Dance – Normal, Status Effect

  • Level 15: Peck – Flying, Physical Attack

  • Level 19: Bubble Beam – Water, Special Attack

  • Level 24: Swagger – Normal, Status Effect

  • Level 28: Fury Attack – Normal, Physical Attack

  • Level 33: Brine – Water, Special Attack

  • Level 39: Whirlpool – Water, Special Attack

  • Level 46: Mist – Ice, Status Effect

  • Level 52: Drill Peck – Flying, Physical Attack

  • Level 59: Hydro Pump – Water, Special Attack

Both Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl are available now on the Nintendo Switch.