Umbreon Strategy Guide

Your friendly guide to Umbreon in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. Learn its strengths, weaknesses, best moves, and how to use it effectively as a tank.

Hey there! So you're looking to get the most out of Umbreon in Gold, Silver, and Crystal? Awesome choice! This Pokémon is a real tank, perfect for those who like a more strategic, long-term approach to battles. It might not be the fastest way to win, but it's incredibly solid. First off, how do you even get your hands on one? You'll need an Eevee. You can get one as a gift from Bill in Goldenrod City after you've chatted with him in Ecruteak City. If you're playing Gold or Silver, you can also snag one from the Celadon Game Corner for a hefty 6666 coins. To evolve Eevee into Umbreon, you need to level it up with high friendship during the nighttime. Easy peasy! Umbreon's main gig is being a defensive powerhouse. It's built to take hits, wear down opponents with status conditions like poison and confusion, and generally just outlast them. It's a fantastic pick if your team needs a reliable switch-in or a way to deal with bulky Pokémon. Important Matchups to Watch Out For: * Rival (Burned Tower): This can be a bit tricky. Your Eevee or Umbreon can't really do much against Haunter. Mud-Slap is your best bet damage-wise, but it's not enough to get past Mean Look and Curse. It'll take a while to chip away at Zubat too. Eevee might struggle against the rival's faster starters, but Umbreon's Return fares better, usually taking 4-5 hits (unless Bayleef uses Reflect). * Morty (Ecruteak City Gym #4): Morty's Ghost-types are tough. Again, Mud-Slap is your only real option for damage against Gastly, but it's slow. The Haunter with Mean Look and Spite will drain your Mud-Slap PP fast, and Gengar takes ages to defeat. Morty also has healing items, so this fight is tough without some serious PP conservation or a specific strategy. * Eusine (Cianwood City - Crystal only): Eevee can handle Drowzee with Headbutt, but you need to keep it awake from Hypnosis. Umbreon is immune to Drowzee's moves, which is a big plus. Fighting Haunter is still not recommended unless you have Bite, as Mud-Slap just isn't cutting it against Mean Look and Curse. Umbreon can handle Electrode's Thunder with Return, but Electrode is faster, so you'll need some luck with missed attacks. * Chuck (Cianwood City Gym #5): Umbreon has a slim chance against Primeape. Karate Chop is a 4HKO, and Return is a 3HKO, but Primeape's critical hits and Leer can be annoying. Sand-Attack or Mud-Slap can help lower its accuracy, but it's risky. Definitely avoid Poliwrath; it can 2HKO you with DynamicPunch. * Jasmine (Olivine City Gym #6): Mud-Slap will 3HKO Jasmine's Magnemite. However, Steelix's Iron Tail hits way too hard for Umbreon to handle effectively. * Rocket Executive Battles: Against the first executive, Eevee's Headbutt and Umbreon's Return are good for Zubat and Koffing. Be careful with Koffing's Selfdestruct; Eevee can take around 85% damage, but Umbreon can tank even a critical hit! Umbreon also handles Raticate better than Eevee. * Pryce (Mahogany Town Gym #7): Return can 3HKO Seel. Dewgong is a 5HKO, so Confuse Ray is a good idea. Piloswine's Blizzard is a threat, but if it misses or you can heal up, Umbreon can eventually wear it down with Return. Sand-Attack and Mud-Slap can also help here. * Rocket Executive Battle (Goldenrod Radio Tower): Umbreon's Return is a solid 3-4HKO against Koffing. It can take a couple of non-critical Selfdestructs, but Weezing's Explosion is much more dangerous. You'll want to use Confuse Ray and lower Weezing's accuracy with Sand-Attack or Mud-Slap before going in with your stronger moves. * Rival (Goldenrod Underground): Lead with Confuse Ray against Golbat, as it also knows the move. Return is a decent 3-4HKO. Mud-Slap can 3HKO Magnemite, or you can use Return or Faint Attack, though Faint Attack is better for a 2HKO. Umbreon really shines when you can set up status effects and slowly chip away at the opponent. It's a patient Pokémon for a patient player. Stick with it, and you'll have a reliable wall on your team!