Vaporeon
Lives close to water. Its long tail is ridged with a fin which is often mistaken for a mermaid's.
Base Stats
Best Moveset
Move Breakdown
Surf is Vaporeon's primary STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) move, dealing Water-type damage with a 50% power boost. As a special move, it synergizes with Vaporeon's Special Attack stat of 110, making it the most reliable damage dealer in the set.
As Vaporeon's trusted Water STAB option, Hydro Pump benefits from the 1.5x damage multiplier. This move should be your go-to attack in most situations, especially against opponents vulnerable to Water types.
As Vaporeon's trusted Water STAB option, Water Gun benefits from the 1.5x damage multiplier. This move should be your go-to attack in most situations, especially against opponents vulnerable to Water types.
The Normal-type Bubble Beam serves as coverage for matchups Vaporeon would otherwise struggle with. This move is particularly valuable for hitting types that resist Water attacks.
Strengths
- ▸Vaporeon capitalizes on its Water STAB moves—particularly Surf and Hydro Pump—to threaten opponents who share type weaknesses
- ▸The Water typing grants resistances to Fire, Ice, Steel, meaning Vaporeon can absorb hits from these sources
- ▸Vaporeon's hp stat of 130 is a defining feature that shapes its competitive identity
- ▸Vaporeon's 525 base stat total, while not top-tier, is well-distributed enough to serve its intended role
Weaknesses
- ▸Vaporeon's weakness to Electric, Grass means it needs team support to handle these matchups safely
- ▸Vaporeon's low speed of 65 means it needs Trick Room or priority support to function offensively
- ▸Vaporeon can struggle against common meta picks that exploit its typing or stat distribution
Pro Tips
Special Attack should be Vaporeon's primary VP investment given its higher special stat. Assault Vest boosts Special Defense if Vaporeon needs to tank special hits. Use Vaporeon's resistances to Fire, Ice to find safe entry points. Coordinate Vaporeon with teammates that can set up hazards or provide speed control.
Competitive Role
As a Tier A Pokemon, Vaporeon serves as a special wall in team compositions. The 525 BST distribution, highlighted by 130 hp, defines how Vaporeon should be built and deployed. Its Water typing creates vulnerabilities to Electric, Grass types, requiring careful team support to cover these gaps. Conversely, resistances to Fire, Ice, Steel provide switch-in opportunities. Overall, Vaporeon is a strong pick that rewards players who understand its strengths and limitations.
Detailed Strategy Analysis
At 525 BST, Vaporeon sits in the upper tier of competitive Pokemon. The recommended moveset combines STAB options (Surf, Hydro Pump) with coverage moves (Bubble Beam), giving Vaporeon answers to a wide range of opponents. Type weaknesses to Electric, Grass mean Vaporeon must be played carefully against these matchups. Resistances to Fire, Ice, Steel provide safe switch-in opportunities. Its Tier A rating places Vaporeon in the upper competitive bracket, where it can consistently contribute to team success. Special Attack should be the primary investment for Vaporeon, with a Modest or Timid nature to maximize its special damage potential.
Key Matchup Notes
Against Electric-type opponents: Vaporeon is at a severe disadvantage. Never leave Vaporeon in against Electric types—switch immediately to a teammate that resists Electric. If forced to fight, use Surf and hope for a KO before taking a hit. Against Fire-type opponents: Vaporeon has the advantage here. Its Water typing reduces incoming Fire damage, allowing Vaporeon to tank hits and retaliate with Surf. Use these matchups to gain momentum. Speed matchups: Vaporeon's 65 Speed means it will move second against most offensive Pokemon. Plan around this by using priority moves, switching predictions, or pairing with Trick Room support to reverse the speed order. Against Electric-type opponents: Vaporeon has the offensive advantage. Its STAB Water moves deal super-effective damage to Electric types, making these favorable matchups. Lead with Vaporeon when you expect Electric types on the opponent's team.
Battle Strategy Guide
In the opening turns, Send out Vaporeon when you anticipate the opponent leading with something Vaporeon can threaten with its Water STAB moves.
With a hp stat of 130, Vaporeon functions best as a defensive pivot.
The key is to identify matchups where Vaporeon can either deal damage safely or force the opponent to switch, giving you tempo advantage.
Avoid leading with it against Electric types, as they can punish Vaporeon heavily.
During the mid-game, Vaporeon's role shifts to maintaining pressure while conserving HP.
Switch Vaporeon out when facing its weakness to Electric, and bring it back in when the opponent fields something Vaporeon can handle.
Use Water Gun as coverage to punish predicted switches.
The key to mid-game success with Vaporeon is prediction—anticipate what the opponent will do and respond accordingly.
Late game, Vaporeon becomes a powerful cleanup sweeper.
Once the opponent's Electric users are removed, Vaporeon can run through the remaining team.
The combination of 130 hp and STAB Water moves makes it a genuine threat in the endgame.
Position Vaporeon to land the finishing blows.
Evolution Chain
Team Synergy
- ▸Add Electric typing to your team to switch in when Vaporeon faces Electric-type threats
- ▸Add a Speed-boosting teammate (Tailwind, Trick Room) to give Vaporeon the initiative in battle
- ▸Add a cleric (Heal Bell, Aromatherapy) to remove status conditions that would cripple Vaporeon
How to Counter
- ▸Any Electric-type attacker can threaten an OHKO on Vaporeon due to the typing disadvantage
- ▸Faster attackers can freely hit Vaporeon before it gets a chance to act
- ▸Strong physical attackers can exploit Vaporeon's low Defense (60) for quick KOs with neutral physical moves
- ▸Paralysis halves Vaporeon's Speed and may cause it to lose turns, neutralizing its offensive threat
Team Composition Ideas
Balance Core: Pair Vaporeon with a Electric-type Pokemon that can switch into Electric attacks. This defensive core covers Vaporeon's primary weakness while Vaporeon handles the matchups its partner struggles with.
Offensive Core: Combine Vaporeon with a setup sweeper that benefits from Vaporeon's ability to weaken walls. Use Surf to chip down tanks, then bring in your sweeper to clean up. Add a priority user to handle faster threats.
Trick Room Team: Vaporeon's Speed of 65 makes it an excellent Trick Room abuser. Pair with a Trick Room setter and other slow attackers to dominate the speed tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:Is Vaporeon good in Pokemon Champions?
A:Vaporeon is a solid pick in Pokemon Champions, rated Tier A. With 525 total stats and a Water typing, it performs well in most team compositions. While not the strongest option available, Vaporeon is reliable and can win games when used correctly.
Q:What's the best item for Vaporeon?
A:For Vaporeon, Leftovers is the top item choice, providing passive recovery that synergizes with its high HP of 130. Alternative options include Assault Vest (if Vaporeon needs special bulk) or Sitrus Berry for emergency healing. The item choice should complement Vaporeon's role as a tank.
Q:What nature should I use for Vaporeon?
A:Modest (+Special Attack, -Attack) is recommended for Vaporeon, boosting its stronger special stat. Timid (+Speed, -Attack) is an alternative if speed is critical. With Special Attack at 110 vs Attack at 65, special builds are clearly superior for Vaporeon.
Q:How do I counter Vaporeon?
A:Vaporeon's biggest counters are Electric-type Pokemon, who exploit its typing weakness for super-effective damage. Other threats include faster Pokemon that can KO Vaporeon before it acts, especially given its 65 Speed. To beat Vaporeon, use Electric STAB moves or priority attacks to bypass its speed.
Vaporeon Competitive Depth Guide
Competitive Overview
Vaporeon is a premier bulky Water-type in Pokemon Champions, with 130 base HP and 110 base Special Defense making it an excellent special wall. Its Water typing provides resistances to Fire, Ice, Steel, and Water, with only Grass and Electric weaknesses. Water Absorb makes Vaporeon immune to Water moves and heals 25% of its max HP when hit by one, making it an exceptional switch-in against Water types like Blastoise and Gyarados. Vaporeon's 110 base Special Attack is strong, and with Scald's 30% burn chance, it can both deal damage and spread burns. Vaporeon's 65 base Speed is slow, but Wish + Protect gives it reliable recovery and team healing. Vaporeon's main limitation is its 60 base Defense, making it vulnerable to physical attackers. However, with 130 HP and defensive investment, it can still tank neutral physical hits. Vaporeon excels as a Wish passer, cleric, and bulky Water pivot.
Recommended Build
252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA
Bold (+Defense, -Special Attack)
Leftovers or Heavy-Duty Boots
Water Absorb
Water or Fairy
Moveset Analysis
Water STAB at 80 base power with 30% burn chance. Burning physical attackers effectively halves their damage, compensating for Vaporeon's low Defense.
Heals 50% of Vaporeon's max HP on the next turn. With 130 base HP, this heals a massive amount. Wish can be passed to teammates by switching.
Guarantees Wish healing for Vaporeon, scouts Choice-locked moves, and gains Leftovers recovery. Protect + Wish is Vaporeon's core sustain combo.
Ice Beam covers Grass and Dragon types. Heal Bell cures the team of status, providing cleric support.
Key Matchup Analysis
Favorable. Vaporeon resists Fire and tanks Solar Beam with 130 HP. Scald 2HKOs Charizard and potentially burns it. Mega Y's Drought is annoying but manageable.
Favorable. Ice Beam OHKOs Dragonite's 4x Ice weakness. Vaporeon resists Outrage and tanks Earthquake. This is a hard counter.
Terrible. Volt Tackle OHKOs Vaporeon despite 130 HP. Switch to a Ground type or Lightning Rod partner immediately.
Unfavorable. Giga Drain is super-effective and heals Venusaur. Ice Beam 2HKOs Venusaur, but Vaporeon takes heavy damage. Switch to a Fire type.
Team Archetypes
Wish Cleric
Vaporeon with Wish + Protect + Scald + Heal Bell. Functions as the team's healer and status remover. Wish passes massive heals to frail teammates.
Bulky Water Pivot
Vaporeon with Scald + Ice Beam + Wish + Protect. Functions as a defensive pivot that spreads burns and provides team healing.
Baton Pass Support
Vaporeon with Wish + Baton Pass + Scald + Protect. Wish + Baton Pass passes the heal to a teammate, providing safe healing for setup sweepers.
Advanced Strategy Tips
Vaporeon's 130 base HP is exceptional, giving it effectively 430 HP at level 50 with max investment. This makes Wish incredibly powerful: Wish heals 50% of Vaporeon's max HP, which is about 215 HP, enough to fully heal most teammates. The Wish + Protect combo is Vaporeon's core sustain: use Wish, then Protect on the following turn to guarantee the heal while scouting the opponent's move. Water Absorb is a game-changing ability: it makes Vaporeon immune to Water moves and heals 25% of its max HP when hit by one. This means Vaporeon can switch into Surf, Hydro Pump, and Waterfall for free, gaining HP instead of taking damage. In doubles, this makes Vaporeon an excellent Surf partner: it's immune to its own Surf, so it can freely use the spread move. Scald's 30% burn chance is Vaporeon's most valuable utility: burning a physical attacker like Machamp or Dragonite halves their Attack, effectively doubling Vaporeon's Defense against them. This is how Vaporeon compensates for its 60 base Defense. Tera Fairy is Vaporeon's best defensive Tera: it removes the Grass weakness, gains Dragon immunity, and resists Dark and Bug. With Tera Fairy, Vaporeon becomes an even more versatile wall.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Forgetting that Wish heals on the next turn, not immediately, and missing the Protect timing
- ✗Using Scald on Water Absorb users, which are immune and get healed
- ✗Investing in Special Attack instead of Defense, leaving Vaporeon vulnerable to physical attackers
- ✗Not utilizing Water Absorb by switching Vaporeon into predicted Water moves, wasting the ability's potential