Pokken Tournament DX/Empoleon

Introduction

Empoleon is one of the switch exclusive playable characters in Pokken Tournament DX. His playstyle is focused around pressuring the opponent as much as possible and so inflicting fear on them. Empoleon has a wide variety of mixups he can use in his advantage. Once this fear has been inflicted, Empoleon can pressure the shield of his opponents, as Empoleon can do an insane amount of chip damage and shield damage, which makes him stand out from the rest of the cast. Empoleon's other focus is his movement. His regular walking and dash speed are on the slow side. However, Empoleon has another unique mechanic attached to him: slide. With certain moves, Empoleon is able to slide from one place to another in no time. He also has some exclusive slide moves, from which you can benefit from in case. Short said, playing with Empoleon is always a surprise!

• 630 HP
• 150 CC Synergy Gauge
• Burst Mode Duration: 14 Seconds
• Shield: Strong (720SH)

• High Stance: Charges Support Gauge.
• Low Stance: Invincible against Highs on frame 1.

• FP Forward Dash: 25 Frames (Invincible against Lows on frame 5)
• FP Back Dash: 33 Frames (Invincible against Lows on frame 5, Invincible from frame 1-8)
• FP Side Dash: 41 Frames (Invincible against Lows on frame 5)

• DP Forward Dash: 25 Frames (Invincible against Lows on frame 5)
• DP Back Dash: 33 Frames (Invincible against Lows on frame 5, Invincible from frame 1-8)

General Moves

Y+B Grab
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Grab	FP 60 / DP 90	12	N/A	i15	FP Shift (+4) / DP Shift	N/A

X+A / [X+A] Counter Attack
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Counter	60 / 90	3	Mid Low	i31 / i51	+4 / Crumple	-8 / +8

Empoleon is put into a counter armor state from frame 1-24 (44 if charged). Counter pierces when fully charged. Can be dash canceled by inputting a direction and R.

Slide
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Empoleon slides on a path of ice created by using certain moves. Can transition into moves that are only accessible through sliding. Jumping out of Slide gives Empoleon a wider jump arc. Can only jump forward from a Reverse Slide in Duel Phase. Sliding forward can be canceled into 5Y / 5X in Duel Phase.

Slide Y
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	30	0	Special Mid	i15	FP -4 / DP +16	FP -12 / DP +16

Empoleon shoots water balls that travel in a straight line. Shoots three projectiles in Field Phase. Shoots two projectiles in Duel Phase. Can only be done from a Reverse Slide in Duel Phase.

Slide X
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	40	0	Low	i11	Launch	-20

Empoleon belly slides forward with increased speed. Can only be done from a Reverse Slide in Duel Phase.

Slide A Hydro Cannon
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	160 (80)	5	Mid Low	i27	Launch	0

Empoleon turns Its back to the opponent and blasts off towards the opponent.

Reverse Slide A Hydro Cannon
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	74 (40)	5	Mid Low	i39	Launch	-24

From a Reverse Slide, Empoleon attacks with the blast from Hydro Cannon.

L+R Deep Blue Monarch
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Grab	200	12	N/A	i31	Knockdown	N/A

Empoleon creates a whirlpool that grabs the opponent. Invincible on frame 26. Able to grab the opponent on either side of Empoleon.

Field Phase Moves

nY
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	30	Special Mid	i15	-12	-16

Empoleon shoots a water ball that travels in a straight line. Special / bX / b[X] cancelable.

sY
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	20 each	Low	i19	-8	-16

Empoleon surfs to the side and throws out three grounded waves of water. fY cancelable.

fY
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	40	Special Mid	i19	Shift (+4)	-16

Empoleon jumps ahead and fires a shot of water. Invincible against Lows on frame 17.

bY
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	60	High	i19	-4	-8* / -12** / -20***

Empoleon slashes the air with Its flippers and creates an aerial projectile. Both the physical hit and projectile launch aerial opponents. Invincible against Highs and Mid Highs on frame 5. * -8 against Lucario, Aegislash, Croagunk, and Braixen. ** -12 against everyone else. *** -20 against Pikachu and Pikachu Libre.

j.Y
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	30 / 30	High / Mid	i11	Launch	-22

Empoleon shoots three water balls in each direction. Upon contact with the ground, the water balls form into a pillar that launches the opponent. Can move in any direction while active.

bX / b[X]
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	70 / 30	Low	i19	Shift (Launch) / +12	-8 / +4

Empoleon belly slides in a circle twice, hitting both times. Invincible against Highs on frame 1. Holding the input causes Empoleon to go into Slide. Can slide left, right, forward, or backwards.

j.X / j.[X]
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	120	Mid High, Low	i28	Shift (+4) / Shift (+6)	-4

Empoleon slams to the ground and creates a body of ice. Can change the trajectory of the landing. Holding the input causes Empoleon to go into Slide. Can slide left, right, forward, or backwards. Phase Shifting with j.[X] allows Empoleon to slide forward or backwards.

X Homing Attack 1
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	40	Mid	i21	+8	-4

Empoleon homes in on the opponent and headbutts with Its crown. Can be canceled with block or jump. Throw crush.

XX Homing Attack 2
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	32	Mid High	i21	+4	-8

Following up from Homing Attack 2, Empoleon slashes the opponent with both of Its flippers.

XXX / XX[X] Homing Attack 3
Attack	Damage	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	24 / 60	Mid	i21	Shift (+4)	-8

Following up from Homing Attack 3, Empoleon deals one final slash of Its flipper. Can be charged to guard break/counter pierce. If Homing Attack 2 was blocked, there is a 26 frame window to punish a charged Homing Attack 3.

Weak Moves

2Y
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	30	0	Low	i11	+8	-8

A quick low swipe to the ground. Invincible against Highs on frame 1. Special cancelable. Throw crush.

5Y
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	20	0	Mid Low	i19	-4	-8

Empoleon swipes with Its flipper. Special / 2X / 2[X] cancelable.

5YY
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	40	3	Mid Low	i19	0	-8

Special cancelable.

6Y
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	40	0	Mid	i23	-8	-20

Empoleon advances forward with both flippers. Special cancelable.

6YY
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	80	3	Mid	i23	Launch	-12

Launches the opponent with both flippers. Special cancelable.

8Y
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	60	2	High	i19	-4	-8* / -12** / -20***

Empoleon slashes the air with Its flippers and creates an aerial projectile. Both the physical hit and projectile launch aerial opponents. Invincible against Highs and Mid Highs on frame 5. * -8 against Lucario, Aegislash, Croagunk, and Braixen. ** -12 against everyone else. *** -20 against Pikachu and Pikachu Libre.

j.Y
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	20 each	0	High* / Mid*	i11	+12	0

Empoleon spins around in the air, shooting out three water balls from a distance. Can move while active. * The physical hits are considered Highs. The water ball projectiles are considered Mids.

Strong Moves

2X / 2[X]
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	70	3 / 0	Low	i19	Launch / +16	-16 / +8

A belly slide that launches the opponent on hit. The distance can be shortened by inputting 1X. Holding the input causes Empoleon to go into Slide. Holding 1X slides Empoleon backwards. Holding 2X slides Empoleon forward.

4X
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	80	4	Mid	i27	Launch	-8

Empoleon leans back and preps a double flipper attack. Invincible against Highs and Mid Highs on frame 9.

5X
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	30, 40	0, 4	Mid Low	i15	Stun	-12

A double hit downward slash that stuns the opponent.

8X
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	40, 40	3	Mid High, Mid	i19	Knockdown	-8

Empoleon hops forward and kicks, ending it off with a flipper slash. Throw crush. Invincible against Lows on frame 13.

j.X / j.[X]
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	70	3	Low	i27	+20	-4

Empoleon slams to the ground and creates a body of ice. Holding the input causes Empoleon to go into Slide. Phase Shifting with j.[X] allows Empoleon to slide left, right, forward, or backwards.

Pokemon Moves

4A Defog
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	80 (40)	3	Mid Low	i31	+8 / +24*	-8 / -4**

Empoleon creates a fog cloud that destroys projectiles on frame 3. Afterwards, Empoleon slashes the fog cloud with Its flippers. Can cancel into followup moves or Burst Attack. * In Burst Mode, Defog becomes more advantageous on hit. ** In Burst mode, Defog becomes safer on block.

5A Aqua Jet (Level One)
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	50 (25)	3	Mid Low	i15	0	-20

Empoleon jets ahead in a straight line at full speed. Aqua Jet has three levels and powers up the longer Its active. Can cancel into followup moves or Burst Attack. In Burst Mode, Aqua Jet will always be level three.

5A Aqua Jet (Level Two)
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	70 (35)	3	Mid Low	i19	+4	-16

Empoleon jets ahead in a straight line at full speed. Aqua Jet has three levels and powers up the longer Its active. Can cancel into followup moves or Burst Attack. In Burst Mode, Aqua Jet will always be level three.

5A Aqua Jet (Level Three)
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	90 (45)	3	Mid Low	i27	+8	-4

Empoleon jets ahead in a straight line at full speed. Aqua Jet has three levels and powers up the longer Its active. Can cancel into followup moves or Burst Attack. In Burst Mode, Aqua Jet will always be level three.

6A / 6[A] Ice Beam
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	80 (40)	4 / 3	Low	i31 / i39	+16 / Stun	-16

Empoleon shoots out a straight beam of ice on the ground. Holding the Input of Ice Beam causes Empoleon to go into Slide. In Field Phase, Ice Beam can be angled to the sides.

8A Drill Peck
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	90 (45)	3	Mid	i11	-16	-24

A multihit spinning attack that launches aerial opponents. Invincible against Lows on frame 11. Can cancel into followup moves or Burst Attack. Throw crush. Launches if Its a critical hit.

j.A Steel Wing
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	90 (45), 90 (45)	2	Mid High	i19	Knockdown	-8

Empoleon slashes in a circular motion in the air. Counter pierces. If done at the correct height, hits the opponent twice.

Followup B Surf
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	120 (60)	4	Mid Low	i27	Launch	-8

Empoleon surfs ahead on a wave that hits four times. Can be done from Defog, Aqua Jet, or Drill Peck. Can be canceled with R before the attack comes out. Canceling causes Empoleon to jump forward in the air. Can transition into aerials.

Followup Y Cut
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	60 (30)	3	Mid	i19	Knockdown	-4

Empoleon slashes the air with Its flippers in a circular motion. Can be done from Defog, Aqua Jet, or Drill Peck.

Followup X Waterfall
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Normal	110 (60)	4	High	i11	Launch	-37

Empoleon launches upwards in a wave of water. Can be done from Defog, Aqua Jet, or Drill Peck.

Followup A Rock Smash
Attack	Damage	PSP	Height	Impact	Hit Adv	Block
Counter	30 (15), 70 (20), 28 (10)*	4	Mid	i31	Knockdown	+4

Empoleon stomps the ground, and spawns a rock that destroys projectiles. Counter armor from frame 1-30. Afterwards, Empoleon smashes the rock, giving the opponent a Defense debuff on hit. The Defense debuff lasts for 7.5 seconds. Both attacks from Rock Smash counter pierce. * After the rock is destroyed, small pebbles are thrown out (these do not counter pierce).

Notable Players

• Akahoshi (JP): Twitter

• Galladeknight (EU): Twitter

• PekkenDX (JP): Twitter

• Raikel (NA): Twitch, Twitter

• Santa (AUS): Twitter

• ThankSwalot (NA): Twitter

• WhiteyWhite (NA): Twitter

External Resources

Frame Data: Empoleon

Empoleon Discord