Physiology
Empoleon is a large penguin-like Pokémon. In terms of color, it has a closer resemblance to a "real-world" penguin than its pre-evolved forms have because it is mostly navy blue as opposed to being a lighter blue. Its feet actually appear to have webbing on them. Its wings are tipped with blue metal and have three golden claws sticking out at the bottom. It has a short, blue, metal "fin" sticking out of its back and another "fin" that's on the front of its body that extends to where its chin would be then splits to form some sort of collar. This "collar" is probably because real penguins are said to be wearing "tuxedos," due to their black and white appearance. If one looks at Empoleon, it has a tie like fin in the middle of its belly, and the collar coming off it, this relates to the "tuxedo" of a penguin. There is a lace-like pattern of white coloration on its front, and it has two gold-colored spots on its upper-back. Its most prominent feature is the three-horned trident-like crest that extends from its beak. This crest represents an Empoleon's power and the leader of a colony of Empoleon, Prinplup, and Piplup will have the largest horns.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
Empoleon can swim faster than a jet boat and, by using its razor sharp wings, can cut huge glaciers in a matter of seconds. As seen in the anime, Empoleon can jump and glide in the air like a penguin would on ice. It can also learn any attack that its pre-evolutions can learn, but Empoleon's attacks are stronger. As a fully-evolved Pokémon (and the final evolution of a Template:Type2 starter Pokémon), Empoleon can learn Hyper Beam, Giga Impact, and Hydro Cannon.
Behavior
Given their immense pride, Empoleon are surprisingly social creatures. They live in large colonies led by the oldest and most powerful male. The leader has the largest horns on its head.
Habitat
Wild Empoleon live in ice shelves in very cold climates. Although this is the climate they are used to, Empoleon can live in warmer climates too.
Diet
- Main article: Pokémon food
- No other Pokémon has the same type combination as Empoleon.
- Empoleon is the only starter Pokémon that loses both its weakness and resistance against the initial types of the other two starter Pokémon in its final evolution, having no weakness or resistance against Template:Type2 and Template:Type2 attacks. It instead gains weakness to both Torterra (a Template:Type2) and Infernape (a Template:Type2). Perhaps to compensate for this, Empoleon is tied for the fourth most resistant Pokémon of all, as explained below.
- Empoleon has the highest base Special Attack of any final-form starter Pokémon, being just one point above Blaziken's.
- Empoleon is tied with Swampert for the second lowest base Speed of all final evolution starter Pokémon (with the only slower one being Torterra).
- However, all three (Empoleon, Swampert, and Torterra) have considerably higher Defense and Special Defense compared to the other final evolution starter Pokémon of their regions. (Sceptile's Defense and both of Blaziken's defensive stats are considerably lower than Swampert's, while both of Infernape's defensive stats are low compared to either Empoleon or Torterra in Sinnoh. However, it should be noted that statistically, Infernape is stronger than Empoleon or Torterra.)
- Empoleon is the only Template:Type2 Pokémon related to a starter Pokémon.
- Empoleon has eleven resistances and one immunity, the second most resistances of any Pokémon. It is surpassed only by Magnemite and its evolutions, who have twelve resistances and one immunity. It shares this position with Mawile, Giaru and its evolutions and two legendary Pokémon, Dialga and Registeel.
- Empoleon is one of the three Pokémon that get STAB from Steel Wing. The other two are Scizor and Skarmory.
- Empoleon, along with Prinplup, are the only Pokémon that can learn both Pound and Tackle.
- Empoleon can learn the most HM moves of any starter Pokémon, learning seven. The only one it can't learn is Fly, even though it has wings, probably due to it being based on a penguin, a flightless bird.
- Empoleon is the same height as its namesake Napoleon Bonaparte.
- Despite being half Steel-type, Empoleon can only learn one Steel-type move through level-up.
Origin
Empoleon is based on an emperor penguin and an emperor-in reference to its crown (which also resembles an anchor) and royal appearance. Also, the crown has the appearance of a trident, a fishing tool and supposed weapon of choice for the Greek god Poseidon. It also bears some resemblance to the royal penguin.
Name origin
Empoleon's name comes from Emperor (being as it is based on an emperor penguin) and Napoleon, Emperor of France. Its Japanese name comes from emperor and Bonaparte, Napoleon's last name.