Is Empoleon viable in Gen 4 OU?

Empoleon is ranked #11 in Gen 4 OU with 16.27% usage according to Smogon Apr 2026 - Jun 2026 data.

What beats Empoleon in Gen 4 OU?

The best counter for Empoleon in Gen 4 OU is Latias with a 55.4% win rate when they meet. Based on Smogon's Apr 2026 - Jun 2026 usage data, the top Pokémon that beat Empoleon include Latias.

What is the best counter for Empoleon in Gen 4 OU?

Latias is the best counter for Empoleon in Gen 4 OU, KOing or forcing it out in 55.4% of their encounters.

Empoleon counters

Gen 4 OU · Sorted by reliability score · Smogon · Apr 2026 - Jun 2026

#0395 Empoleon

WaterSteel

USAGE 16.3% #11

BASE STATS

HP 84

ATK 86

DEF 88

SPA 111

SPD 101

SPE 60

BST530

TYPE MATCHUPS

2×

ElectricFightingGround

½×

NormalWaterFlyingPsychicBugRockDragonFairy

¼×

IceSteel

0×

Poison

Moves

Surf 63.3% Grass Knot 54.6% Ice Beam 47.0% Stealth Rock 38.7% Hydro Pump 35.9% Agility 35.0% Substitute 31.6% Aqua Jet 30.5%

Items

Petaya Berry 30.7% Leftovers 26.3% Focus Sash 22.6% Choice Specs 5.5% Shuca Berry 4.6% Mystic Water 3.7% Sea Incense 2.6% Liechi Berry 0.8%

Common Teammates

Browse Gen 4 OU teams using Empoleon →

Teams using Latias 55%

Checks & Counters

Reliability ranks observed matchups; KO rate is how often the checker knocked out or forced out the target. “Checker faints” reports the checker's own observed death rate. Categories use matchup reliability plus offensive and defensive base stats.

How to read this table

Use encounter count to judge sample size. A high-reliability check with a modest KO rate can still be useful when it consistently forces switches or limits the target.

# Checker Encounters Reliability KO Rate

Latias

DragonPsychic DEFENSIVE COUNTER

22.258

55.4% checker faints 10.54%

DAMAGE CALC

252+ SpA Empoleon Ice Beam vs. 252 HP / 252+ SpD Latias: 124-146 (34 - 40.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO

View Latias counters → Teams with Latias →

Ranked #11 with 16.27% usage. Sorted by reliability score.