Espeon was introduced in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal as one of the many Eeveelutions. It appears in various Pokémon media, and it even features as a starter Pokémon alongside Umbreon in Pokémon Colosseum. In early Pokémon games, Eevee’s evolutions were hard to find and often required breeding with a Ditto and complicated evolution methods. Thankfully, it’s much easier to catch the Eeveelutions, including Espeon, in Pokémon Go and Pokémon Sword and Shield!
About Espeon
Espeon is a Psychic-type Pokémon that evolves from Eevee. Espeon can use its keen senses to predict shifts in the weather. Espeon rarely inhabits wilderness areas and is instead mostly found near cities, towns, and other urban areas in the care of a trainer.
Espeon’s National Pokédex number is 196.
| First appearance in anime | Pokémon: Master Quest (Season 5) |
| First appearance in game | Generation 2 (Pokémon Gold Version, Pokémon Silver Version, and Pokémon Crystal Version) |
| Region | Johto |
| Evolution | -->Eevee --> Espeon |
| 1st Evo level | Level up during the day while at high friendship to evolve Eevee into Espeon |
| Pokedex Entry | “It unleashes psychic power from the orb on its forehead. When its power is exhausted, the orb grows dull and dark.” |
Espeon Base stats
| HP | 65 |
| ATTACK | 65 |
| DEFENCE | 60 |
| SP. ATTACK | 130 |
| SP. DEFENCE | 95 |
| SPEED | 110 |
| TOTAL | 525 |
Appearance of Espeon
Like the other Eeveelutions, Espeon has a feline appearance. Espeon has short purple fur and a slender frame. Its long and pointed ears point upward with tufts of fur like whiskers pointing downwards at an acute angle in front of them. Espeon also has a slender tail that forks at the end and a red dot at the center of its forehead.
Shiny Espeon has bright green fur.
Behavior of Espeon
Espeon are fiercely loyal to their trainers. Their loyalty is the source of their psychic potential, which is focused and augmented through the gem on their foreheads. They thrive in the morning sun and are acutely aware of minor shifts in the weather. Their psychic power allows them to sometimes predict the future, including some of their opponents’ moves. Espeon is rarely found in the wild, as it typically evolves by bonding with its trainer.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Espeon’s Psychic typing gives it a good defense against Fighting and Psychic-type moves. However, Espeon is weak to Bug, Ghost, and Dark-type moves.
Espeon has high Special Attack and Speed making it a powerful Special Sweeper.
Shiny Espeon
Thanks to its bright, unique color scheme, Shiny Espeon is one of the most popular Shiny Pokémon, alongside other common favorites like Shiny Umbreon, Shiny Charizard, and Shiny Gyarados. Shiny Espeon swaps its lavender-colored fur for neon green fur. This dramatic palette swap allows Shiny Espeon to easily stand out in Pokémon collections and battles.
Depending on the game, Shiny Espeon can sometimes be caught in the wild, but typically, the best way to acquire a Shiny Espeon is to hatch a Shiny Eevee and evolve it into Shiny Espeon.
Mega Espeon
While many beloved Pokémon received Mega Evolutions in Pokémon X and Y and Pokémon Sun and Moon, Eevee and its Eeveelutions, including Espeon, currently cannot Mega Evolve. This means, unfortunately, that there is no such thing as Mega Espeon in the official canon. However, Mega Espeon can be found in some fan-made art and spinoffs.
Best moveset for Espeon
Espeon is a reliable Pokémon that can have a prominent place in competitive teams.
It’s important to consider Espeon’s Nature and Ability when preparing for competitive battling.
Espeon’s Magic Bounce ability reflects non-attacking moves used on the Pokémon back to the attacking Pokémon.
The best natures for Espeon will boost its Speed or Special Attack and will hinder its Attack.
The following moveset, combined with good IVs, good EVs, a good Nature, and the right Ability, can make Espeon a formidable Special Sweeper.
| Calm Mind | Psychic |
| Shadow Ball | Morning Sun |
Note: This article is subjective and reflects the opinion of the writer.
How to catch Espeon in Pokemon Go?
How to catch Espeon in Pokémon Go with the nickname trick
This is the easiest way to catch Espeon in Pokémon Go. If you nickname an Eevee “Sakura” and evolve it, it will evolve into Espeon. However, this trick only works once per account, so choose your Eevee wisely.
How to catch Espeon in Pokémon Go by walking with Eevee as your Buddy Pokemon
If you simply use candies to evolve Eevee, it will randomly evolve into Jolteon, Vaporeon, or Flareon. The only way to evolve Eevee into Espeon (without the nickname trick) is by walking with Eevee as your buddy Pokémon for 10k and earning two Eevee candies with it. While this Eevee is still your Buddy Pokémon, evolve it during the day to get Espeon.
Explainer Video
Trivia
- Espeon has the third-highest Special Attack of all non-legendary, non-mega Psychic Pokémon, making it an excellent supplement to certain competitive strategies, especially in tiers where many powerful Pokémon are banned.
- Espeon was introduced in the second generation of Pokemon as one of the first new evolutions available for an existing Pokémon (Eevee). Espeon was also one of the first Pokémon to evolve using the all-new time and friendship mechanics implemented in Pokémon Gold and Silver.
- Espeon is one of the two Pokémon the player starts with in Pokémon Colosseum, alongside Umbreon. Pokémon Colosseum is the only Pokémon title that allows the player to start with two Pokémon.
- Espeon appears in the Super Smash Bros. series and as an assist Pokémon in Pokkén Tournament.
FAQs
Q. Who is better, Umbreon or Espeon?
Espeon is overall a good Pokémon, but it is outclassed by many other Psychic-type Special Sweepers. Umbreon performs notably better as a Special Defense Wall, not only for Dark-types but also across the meta. In a head-to-head battle between Espeon and Umbreon, Umbreon’s high Special Defense and Dark typing will allow it to dominate Espeon with relative ease.
Q. What level does Espeon evolve?
Espeon can evolve at any level as long as it has high friendship and it levels up during the daytime. Espeon is not obtainable in Pokémon games that do not have day and night cycles.
Q. Is Espeon better than Alakazam?
No, Espeon is not better than Alakazam. Alakazam is a powerful Special Sweeper on its own, and it also has access to a high-ranking Mega Evolution. As a result, Alakazam is better than Espeon in most ranked battles.
Q. Which stone evolves Eevee into Espeon?
In most Pokémon games, Eevee evolves into Espeon by leveling up during the day while at high friendship. The only exception to this is Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness for the Nintendo Gamecube. To get Espeon in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, level up Eevee with high friendship while carrying a Sun Shard.
Conclusion
Espeon has long been beloved by Pokémon fans thanks to its Psychic typing and cool appearance. Lucky for us, it’s easier than ever to find Espeon in Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Go!
Let’s Go, Espeon!
