Gen 9 OU Singles Tank/Pivot
Not only did Empoleon recently gain access to Competetive as an ability, but it also gained Flip turn. This set aims to take advantage of Empoleons low speed and access to flip turn to be a strong pivot while also outputting solid damage itself.
Empoleon @ Leftovers/Rocky Helmet
Ability: Competitive
Tera Type: Water; Flying; Grass; > Steel
EVs: 252 HP / 4 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
IVs: 0 Spe
- Surf/Coverage
- Flip Turn
- Yawn
- Roost
Leftovers is to provide HP overtime, which is going to be needed if Empoleon plans on taking hits for its buddies. Rocky Helmet is also a good option, as it allows for some extra damage in certain match ups.
Competetive can boost Empoleons Sp. Attack, allowing for stronger Surfs after getting a stat dropped, from sources such as Intimidate. Torrent is also good, but is less likely to take effect with both Roost and Leftovers.
As for Tera Types, there are multiple good options for Empoleon; Water is already a good type for most Pokemon, but it also will boost Empoleon's water moves, turning both Ground and Fighting neutral. Flying is also a good option, as it provides a Ground immunity, and a resistance to fighting. It also can allow for some fun with roost, making it typeless and all for a turn, but since this Empoleon is slow, it likely wouldn't help that much. Grass is another type that can be powerful, as it resists both Ground and Electic, and makes fighting neutral. Not to mention, Spore moves can't do anything to you now, which can be good if you go against a Pokemon with Spore or Sleep Powder. Finally, Steel is also a possibility, as you can keep your many resistances, and boost a Flash Cannon if you plan to run that, but not much else.
This EV Spread maxes out both Empoleons HP and Sp. Def, allowing it to take more special hits. Max HP and Defense is also strong, especially in combination with Rocky Helmet, so team composition is the deciding factor really. The reason for using Sassy is because, A) it doesn't lower the damage of Flip Turn and B) it allows it to take hits from more Pokémon, and then switch out with Flip Turn.
Surf Is mostly for water STAB, but can be switched out for a different move for coverage.
Flip Turn is a move that is like U-Turn, where it does damage and then switches the user out. This can be a useful tool for switching into a Pokemon to improve your position, by having Empoleon taking the hit, and then switching out, protecting the switched in Pokemon.
Yawn is a strong move that makes the target drowsy, then fall asleep next turn. This can either force a switch, providing more pivot potential, or can put the target to sleep, which is over all a really useful condition to have on an enemy.
Roost is a simple move that restores 50% HP, which is essential if Empoleons going to be switching in it's partners frequently. As a side note, it does remove the users Flying type until the end of the turn, which is Empoleon is tera Flying, then it can become typeless for a turn, although there isn't much use for that as Empoleon moves after the opponent, most of the time.
TLDR: Empoleon tanky boi, protec allies w/ Flip Turn, do some damage, keep flow of battle in favor of you.
