ATB’s Top 25 Pokemon: (7) Espeon

espeon

This is At the Buzzer’s list of the top 25 Pokemon of all-time. We’re in the serious business zone now, counting down one by one through the top 10 until we reach the very best. For more information, click here or check out the Related Links down at the bottom of the post. Don’t forget to vote on how we did in the poll below!

Today’s Pokemon uses the fine hair that covers its body to sense air currents and predict its enemy’s actions. It is extremely loyal to any trainer it considers to be worthy. It is said that this Pokémon developed its precognitive powers to protect its trainer from harm.

7) Espeon (4 votes, 191 points)

Chris: I wasn’t really sold on the idea of Eeveelutions in Generation I. Jolteon was okay, but none of the three really did that much for me.

That all changed once Gold/Silver rolled around. Both Espeon and Umbreon were cool, but Espeon had the advantage because he was a psychic kitty. Let that sink in for a minute.

You know that Espeon has to be awesome because Red uses him in both the games and the manga. In the original versions of G/S/C, battling against Red atop Mount Silver is probably the highlight of the entire game, and he has an Espeon on his team for whatever reason. (It gets replaced by Lapras in the remakes and later versions, however, which probably makes sense.) I’d ask Red why he decided to be a badass and use an Espeon, but he’d probably just say “…” and not offer anything useful. Besides, who am I to question Red?

Shaun: How did Espeon beat Glaceon? Why are there two Eeveelutions right next to each other on our list? What is happening? I have so many questions.

I mean, okay, I can sort of see it. The fact is, Espeon is a damn badass. Like Chris, I literally did not have the capacity in my soul to care any less about the Eeveelutions available in Gen 1. But then Espeon and Umbreon came around in Gold/Silver, and all of a sudden, things changed.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that at the time, Psychic was my favorite power typing (it has since been replaced by ice). There was just something cool about a sleek looking purple cat thing throwing enemies around with its mind. Could you imagine if this was real? Your cat could knock objects from high places onto the floor for no reason JUST BY LOOKING AT IT.

At the time, it was like Eevee found its perfect form. You know how those characters in Dragonball Z wasted their time with, like, stronger forms, but then with things got serious, they went perfect? This is what Eevee did when he went Espeon. He was tired of games. Some Eevee’s just want to watch the world burn.

Bonus points go to Espeon for being in Red’s party during the climatic showdown at the end of Gold/Silver, which, other than the Championship faceoff with Gary, is the most emotionally resonant battle in the entire series. Similar to what Chris said, I have no idea why it happened, but it was cool nonetheless.

Jason: A psychic Eevee evolution? Sign me up! I mean, let’s face it. Up until Espeon and Umbreon came around, the Eevee evolutions where a little too “elemental”. But those two broke the mold and proved that Eevee could be anything it wanted to be. Even, as we’d eventually find out, a Fairy! Good for you little guy!

espeon

RELATED LINKS

(8) Glaceon

(9) Blastoise

(10) Lugia

(11) Charizard

(12) Scizor

(13) Latios

(14) Articuno

(15) Cubone

(16) Snorlax

(17) Starmie

(18) Pikachu

(19) Torchic

(20) Garchomp

(21) Lapras

(22) Dragonair

(23) Swampert

(24) Voltorb

(25) Butterfree

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#75-51

#100-76

#125-101

Honorable Mention

Introduction

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