Piplup Evolution Guide: Levels, Stats, and Empoleon Movesets

Piplup is widely considered one of the most charismatic starter Pokémon in the franchise's history. First introduced in the Sinnoh region (Generation IV), this Water-type penguin has captured the hearts of trainers with its prideful personality and adorable design. However, beyond its cute exterior lies the potential for a formidable competitive battler.

Whether you are revisiting the classics in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, exploring the ancient wilds of Legends: Arceus, or hunting for candies in Pokémon GO, mastering the Piplup evolution line is essential. This guide covers everything you need to know about evolving Piplup, finding it in the wild, and securing its powerful final form, Empoleon.

Part 1. The Complete Piplup Evolution Chart

Unlike some Pokémon that require special stones, friendship, or specific times of day, the Piplup line follows a standard 3-stage evolution path. This makes it relatively easy to raise, provided you put in the battle experience.

Here is the standard Piplup evolution breakdown:

Piplup (Stage 1): The base form. Pure Water-type.
Prinplup (Stage 2): Evolves from Piplup starting at Level 16. It remains a pure Water-type but gains significant bulk and offensive stats.
Empoleon (Stage 3): Evolves from Prinplup starting at Level 36. This final evolution gains a secondary Steel-type, making it unique among all starter Pokémon.

However, in Pokémon GO, the evolution process relies on Candy rather than levels. You will need 25 Piplup Candy to evolve into Prinplup, and an additional 100 Candy to reach the final Empoleon stage.

Why You Should Prioritize Empoleon

Reaching the final Piplup Evolution isn't just about completing your Pokédex; it offers a massive strategic advantage. Empoleon is currently the only Pokémon with a Water/Steel typing.

This unique combination grants it resistance to a staggering 10 different types, including Dragon, Fairy, and Psychic, and complete immunity to Poison attacks. In competitive play and high-level raids, this defensive typing allows Empoleon to survive hits that would instantly knock out other Water-types.

In Pokemon GO, it can be regarded as an S tier in Great League and Ultra League and serve as an A tier Water-type Attacker. Metal Claw and Hydro Cannon are its best moveset.

Part 2. How to Catch Piplup in Pokemon GO Without Traveling

In Pokémon GO, Piplup is tied to Water and Ice biomes. You are most likely to find them spawning near lakes, rivers, oceans, or during rainy and snowy weather conditions. They are also common features in "Nest" rotations, where a specific park or area will spawn them in high numbers for two weeks.

For many Pokémon GO trainers, the biggest hurdle to getting an Empoleon is geography. If you live in a rural area, a desert biome, or simply away from large bodies of water, finding enough Piplup to gather 125 Candy can take months. Furthermore, during special events or Community Days, you might be stuck at work or home, missing out on shiny opportunities.

If you are struggling to find spawns naturally, you might consider using a location management tool like PoKeep Location Changer. This software allows you to virtually adjust your GPS location to areas where Piplup is abundant, such as Santa Monica Pier or known nests in Tokyo, without leaving your house.

Pokeep is designed to help you access location-based content safely and efficiently. By simulating movement, you can hatch eggs (which may contain Piplup) or travel to "Water Biomes" where spawns are frequent.

Here is how you can use it to farm the candy you need:

Step 1. Download and install Pokeep Location Changer on your computer, then connect your iPhone or Android device via USB.

Step 2. Launch the application and select Teleport Mode if you want to jump directly to a known Piplup nest coordinates, or Joystick Mode if you want to explore a map manually.

Step 3. Use the joystick to simulate walking at a natural pace. This counts toward your weekly distance rewards and egg hatching, giving you more chances to obtain high-IV Piplups.

Note:

Always respect the "Cooldown Timer" provided in the software. This feature helps ensure your account remains safe by preventing you from jumping long distances too quickly.

Part 3. Shiny Piplup in Pokemon GO: What to Look For

Shiny hunters are particularly fond of this line because the color change is subtle yet distinct and elegant. While the standard Piplup features a dark blue head and light blue body, the Shiny Piplup shifts to a lighter, teal or aquamarine shade. This "icy" aesthetic continues through Prinplup and Empoleon, giving the final evolution a regal, frozen look that stands out in battle.

To maximize your chances of finding a shiny, wait for special events like "Water Festival" or Community Day Classics, where shiny rates are significantly boosted.

Part 4. Frequently Asked Questions

Is Empoleon good in Pokémon GO PvP?

Yes. Empoleon is a staple in the Ultra League. Its access to the move Hydro Cannon (via Elite TM or events) combined with Drill Peck makes it a versatile threat that can handle Fairy and Steel types effectively.

Does Piplup need a Water Stone to evolve?

No. Piplup evolves strictly based on leveling up (Level 16 and Level 36). No elemental stones or trading are required.

Should I delay Piplup's evolution?

In older games, delaying evolution allowed Piplup to learn strong moves like Hydro Pump earlier than Empoleon. However, in modern generations (Switch era), the Move Relearner is easily accessible, so there is little reason to delay. Evolving immediately gives you better stats for your playthrough.

Part 5. Conclusion

From its humble beginnings as a spirited Water-type starter to its reign as the dual-type powerhouse Empoleon, the Piplup evolution line remains a top-tier choice for any trainer. Whether you are navigating the story in Brilliant Diamond or climbing the competitive ranks in Pokémon GO, the investment in this line is always worth the effort.