Empoleon is a large, navy blue, penguin-like Pokémon. It has a wide, yellow beak with three pointed horns that form a trident-shaped crest and small, blue eyes. Large horns are a symbol of leadership and strength for Empoleon. There is a blue marking resembling a crown over its eyes and a white, lacy marking running down its chest. A blue, fin-like projection forms a collar around its throat and runs down the length of its chest and belly. On its back are two raised, gold bumps and a second blue fin that forms its tail. It was wide, flipper-like wings rimmed with blue along the tips and three golden claws. The edges of these wings can slice through ice floes, and this Pokémon will use them to attack anyone or anything that damages its pride. Its yellow feet are webbed with three toes each.
An Empoleon appeared in The Semi-Final Frontier! under the ownership of a Trainer who went up against Tobias in the Lily of the Valley Conference semi-finals. It battled his Darkrai off-screen, but as with the other five Pokémon owned by its Trainer, it was easily defeated by the Pitch-Black Pokémon.
In Great Gible, Platinum's Empoleon evolved in the Veilstone Department Store while her two companions and the bodyguards assigned to protect her were fighting off Team Galactic. This Empoleon then proved to be an invaluable ally in the Pastoria Gym challenge, and has continued as an integral part of her team.
Empoleon is based on an emperor penguin and an emperor in reference to its crown 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 is a combination of emperor (as in emperor penguin), pole (as in the South Pole), and Napoleon (a famous emperor of France).
Emperte is a combination of emperor and Bonaparte (Napoleon's surname).