Espeon vs. Flying Types in Pokemon Scarlet: Best Strategies & Counters

## Espeon vs. Flying-Types: A Scarlet & Violet Guide

Espeon, the Sun Pokemon, is a powerful Psychic-type evolution of Eevee. While not naturally suited to countering Flying-types, clever training and strategy can make it a formidable opponent in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. This guide explores how to leverage Espeon's strengths against Flying-type Pokemon in the Paldea region.


### Understanding the Type Matchup

Psychic-type moves are *not very effective* against Flying-type Pokemon, dealing only half damage. This is the core challenge. To overcome this, we need to consider:

* **Espeon's Strengths:** High Special Attack and Speed.

* **Flying-Type Weaknesses:** Rock, Electric, and Ice. However, Espeon doesn't naturally learn many of these moves.

* **Tera Types:** This is key. Changing Espeon's Tera Type can significantly alter its type matchups.

### Strategy 1: Tera-Electric Espeon

1. **Tera Type Change:** Find a Tera Raid Battle or use a Tera Shard to change Espeon's Tera Type to Electric. This completely flips the script.

2. **Movepool:** Teach Espeon moves like:

* **Thunderbolt:** A reliable Electric-type STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) move.

* **Psychic:** For matchups where Psychic is still effective.

* **Shadow Ball:** Coverage against Ghost-types.

* **Calm Mind:** To boost Special Attack and Special Defense.

3. **Battle Strategy:** Use Calm Mind to boost Espeon's Special Attack, then unleash Thunderbolt. The Tera-boosted Thunderbolt will deal super-effective damage to Flying-types.


### Strategy 2: Tera-Rock Espeon with Tera Blast

1. **Tera Type Change:** Change Espeon's Tera Type to Rock.

2. **Movepool:**

* **Psychic:** Standard Psychic-type move.

* **Tera Blast:** When Terastallized, Tera Blast becomes a Rock-type move, dealing super-effective damage to Flying-types.

* **Shadow Ball:** Coverage.

* **Calm Mind:** For boosting.

3. **Battle Strategy:** Terastallize into Rock-type and use Tera Blast. This provides a strong, immediate counter to Flying-types. Note: Tera Blast has a lower base power than Thunderbolt, so consider the opponent's stats.


### Common Flying-Type Threats and How to Counter Them with Espeon

* **Corviknight:** A Steel/Flying type. Weak to Electric. Tera-Electric Espeon with Thunderbolt is a strong counter.

* **Staraptor:** A Normal/Flying type. Weak to Electric and Rock. Both Tera-Electric and Tera-Rock strategies work well.

* **Braviary:** A Normal/Flying type. Similar to Staraptor, exploit its Electric and Rock weaknesses.

* **Noivern:** A Flying/Dragon type. Weak to Ice, Rock, Electric, and Dragon moves. While Espeon doesn't learn Ice or Dragon moves naturally, Tera-Electric and Tera-Rock are effective.


### Team Synergy

Espeon thrives with teammates that can cover its weaknesses. Pokemon that resist Dark, Bug, and Ghost are essential. Consider including:

* **Fairy-types:** To counter Dark-types that threaten Espeon.

* **Steel-types:** To resist Bug and Ghost.

### Conclusion

While Espeon isn't a natural counter to Flying-types, with strategic Tera Type changes and move selection, it can become a valuable asset against them in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Tera-Electric Espeon with Thunderbolt and Tera-Rock Espeon with Tera Blast are both viable options.

What Flying-type Pokemon gives you the most trouble in Scarlet and Violet, and what strategies do you use to overcome them?