Espeon Pokemon GO: Complete Guide, Best Moveset & Counters

Espeon is a popular Psychic-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 3,170, Espeon is a solid choice for Ultra League battles and various raid encounters.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Espeon in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.

📊 Espeon Base Stats & Overview

Espeon (#196) is a Psychic-type Pokemon from Generation 2.

Base Stats
Attack	261
Defense	175
Stamina	163
Total Stats	599
Max CP	3,170
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 261 Attack, 175 Defense, and 163 Stamina, Espeon has a total stat product of 599. Its exceptionally high Attack stat makes it a premier choice for dealing massive damage in raids and gym battles.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Espeon

Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Espeon’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Espeon for raids, gym battles, or PvP.

Best Raid & Gym Moveset

For PvE content like raids and gym battles, you want moves that maximize DPS (Damage Per Second). The best Psychic-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.

Best PvP Moveset

In PvP battles, energy generation and coverage moves become more important. You’ll want a fast move that charges energy quickly and charged moves that provide good type coverage.

🎯 Espeon Type Effectiveness

Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Espeon effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Psychic-type Pokemon, Espeon has specific strengths and weaknesses.

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

Espeon is weak to: Bug, Ghost, Dark-type moves. When battling against Espeon, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.

• Bug – Deals increased damage
• Ghost – Deals increased damage
• Dark – Deals increased damage

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

Espeon resists: Fighting, Psychic-type moves. This means Espeon takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.

• Fighting – Reduced damage
• Psychic – Reduced damage

🏆 Espeon PvP Analysis

Espeon can be used in Pokemon GO’s GO Battle League PvP battles. Here’s how it performs in each league:

Great League (1500 CP Limit)

With a max CP of 3,170, Espeon would need to be under-leveled for Great League. Check if the stats at 1500 CP are competitive before investing resources.

Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)

Espeon can be used in Ultra League but won’t reach its full stat potential due to the 2500 CP cap.

Master League (No CP Limit)

Espeon can hold its own in Master League with proper support, though it may struggle against the top-tier threats like Dialga, Giratina, and Mewtwo.

⚔️ Espeon Raid Guide

Espeon is primarily used as a raid attacker rather than a raid boss. Here’s how to use it effectively in raids:

Using Espeon in Raids

When using Espeon as a raid attacker:

• Best against raid bosses weak to Psychic-type moves
• Power up to at least level 30-35 for decent performance
• Ensure you have the optimal moveset for maximum DPS

🎯 Best Counters for Espeon

Whether you’re battling Espeon in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Espeon:

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Espeon’s weaknesses to Bug, Ghost, Dark-type moves:

Pokemon	Type	Why It Works
Pheromosa	Bug/Fighting	High Bug DPS
Genesect	Bug/Steel	Fury Cutter + X-Scissor
Scizor	Bug/Steel	Fury Cutter + X-Scissor
Gengar	Ghost/Poison	Shadow Claw + Shadow Ball for high DPS
Chandelure	Ghost/Fire	Hex + Shadow Ball
Giratina (Origin)	Ghost/Dragon	Shadow Claw + Shadow Ball

Counter Strategy Tips

1. Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Espeon
2. Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
3. Watch for Coverage Moves: Espeon may have moves that counter its own counters
4. Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks

📍 How to Get Espeon in Pokemon GO

There are several ways to obtain Espeon in Pokemon GO:

• Wild Encounters: Espeon can spawn in the wild, especially in areas matching its type
• Eggs: May hatch from 3km eggs
• Evolution: Evolve from its pre-evolution using Candy
• Raids: Occasionally appears in raid battles
• Research Tasks: Complete field research for a chance to encounter
• Trading: Trade with friends

Shiny Espeon

Yes, Shiny Espeon is available in Pokemon GO! The shiny variant has a different coloration and is highly sought after by collectors. The shiny rate for wild encounters is approximately 1 in 500, though this can be boosted during special events like Community Days or Spotlight Hours.

Espeon Evolution

Check the Pokédex for complete evolution information including candy costs and special evolution requirements.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Espeon

Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Espeon’s potential in Pokemon GO:

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Espeon with high Attack IVs (15 Attack is ideal). The Attack stat contributes most to damage output in PvE content.

For PvP battles, the ideal IVs depend on the league:

• Great League: Look for low Attack, high Defense and HP (0/15/15 is often ideal)
• Ultra League: Similar to Great League, optimize for stat product under 2500 CP
• Master League: Perfect 15/15/15 IVs are best since there’s no CP cap

2. Power Up Priority

Before investing Stardust and Candy into Espeon, consider:

• Do you have enough resources? (Powering to level 50 costs 296,000 Stardust and 296 Candy)
• Will this Pokemon fill a gap in your battle team?
• Are there better alternatives for the same role?
• Do you have the optimal moveset or need Elite TMs?

3. Team Composition

Espeon works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Psychic type weak to Bug, Ghost, consider adding team members that resist these types.

4. Weather Considerations

Take advantage of weather boosts:

• When catching: Weather-boosted Espeon spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
• When battling: Weather that boosts Psychic moves increases your damage output
• When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather

📚 Espeon in the Pokemon Franchise

Espeon first appeared in Generation 2 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Espeon’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.

In Pokemon GO, Espeon was introduced as part of the Generation 2 Pokemon rollout. It became available to catch after Niantic released the Generation 2 Pokemon update.

📊 How Espeon Compares

Let’s see how Espeon stacks up against other Psychic-type Pokemon:

Stat	Espeon	Type Average	Rating
Attack	261	~180	⭐⭐⭐
Defense	175	~160	⭐⭐
Stamina	163	~170	⭐⭐
Max CP	3,170	~2,500	⭐⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Espeon is a powerful Psychic-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 3,170 and solid base stats (261/175/163), it performs well in Ultra League PvP and can serve as a reliable raid attacker against appropriate targets.

Remember to:

• Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
• Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
• Build a team that covers Espeon’s weaknesses
• Take advantage of weather boosts when possible

For more Pokemon guides and the complete Pokedex, visit our Pokemon GO Database. Check out our PvP Rankings for the current meta and Raid Guides for battle strategies.

Last updated: January 2026. Information based on the latest Pokemon GO game data.

← Previous

Quagsire Guide: Best Moveset, Counters & Pokemon GO Tips

Next →

Pokemon GO Umbreon: Ultimate Guide for 2024