Trainers, Piplup is waddling back into the spotlight for a Community Day Classic filled with icy charm, shiny chances, and exclusive moves that can power up your Water-type roster for future battles.
What Community Day move does Piplup’s evolution learn?
During the Community Day Classic event, evolving Piplup into Empoleon grants it the exclusive move Hydro Cannon. This charged attack offers strong Water-type damage, making Empoleon a valuable choice for battles in raids, gyms, and certain PvP leagues. Trainers who missed earlier events can take advantage of this opportunity to obtain an Empoleon equipped with its signature Community Day move.
If you evolve Prinplup into Empoleon from Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. in your local time, it will learn the charged move Hydro Cannon.
If you miss out on evolving it during this period, you will likely be able to evolve it during a Community Day weekend event in December to get Hydro Cannon. If you don’t want to wait, you can use an Elite TM to get the move.
How does Empoleon do in the meta?
Empoleon’s performance in the meta hinges on its steel typing and solid coverage moves, which grant it durable bulk and favorable matchups against popular water and ice threats. When paired with a strong team, it can pressure switches and zone control, especially in PvP-focused formats and raid rotations where its ability to resist common threats pays off. Its effectiveness varies with the meta’s shift toward faster or bulkier builds, but with the right move set and support, Empoleon remains a reliable pick.
In PvE content (gyms and raids), Empoleon is fine, but trails behind the other water-type starters, like Quaquaval, Primarina, Greninja, Swampert, Samurott, and Feraligatr. It goes without saying, it’s significantly worse than most Mega picks, like Mega Blastoise and Mega Swampert. You’re better off using these other options if you have them. If you want to use your Empoleon, set it up with Waterfall and Hydro Cannon.
Best moveset for Empoleon from Piplup Community Day Classic
Empoleon from the Piplup Community Day Classic shines with its exclusive Hydro Cannon move, making it a top Water-type choice for raids, gyms, and PvP. The optimal moveset prioritizes fast energy generation and strong coverage against common threats like Grass, Electric, and Rock types.
PvP Movesets
In Great and Ultra Leagues, Metal Sound pairs best with Hydro Cannon and Drill Peck for spammy pressure and Grass coverage. Steel Wing serves as a solid alternative fast move if Metal Sound is unavailable.
| League | Fast Move | Charged Moves |
|---|---|---|
| Great/Ultra | Metal Sound | Hydro Cannon, Drill Peck |
| Great/Ultra | Steel Wing | Hydro Cannon, Drill Peck |
PvE Movesets
For raids and gyms, Waterfall provides reliable STAB damage leading into Hydro Cannon’s high burst. This outperforms Hydro Pump and excels against Fire, Rock, and Ground foes, though mega evolutions outclass it.
| Use Case | Fast Move | Charged Move |
|---|---|---|
| Raids/Gyms | Waterfall | Hydro Cannon |
Best PvP moveset for Empoleon in Great League
Empoleon excels in Great League PvP with its fast energy generation and strong charged moves from the Piplup Community Day Classic. The best moveset leverages Metal Sound for rapid energy gain paired with Hydro Cannon and Drill Peck for spammy pressure and Grass-type coverage.
Optimal Moveset
Metal Sound outperforms Steel Wing due to superior 4.0 energy per turn, enabling Hydro Cannon (Water, 80 damage, 40 energy) after just five fast moves. Drill Peck (Flying, 70 damage, 40 energy) provides essential coverage against Grass threats like Venusaur or Serperior, resisting common Electric and Ground attacks with its Steel/Water typing.
| Fast Move | Charged Moves | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Metal Sound | Hydro Cannon, Drill Peck | Lead/Safe Swap |
IV Recommendations
Prioritize 0/14/14 IVs at level 19.5 for maximum bulk without exceeding 1500 CP. This setup shines against meta foes like Clodsire or Lurantis but struggles versus hard counters like Electric-types (e.g., Lanturn).
