You’re staring at the team builder. It’s 2:00 AM. You need a pivot, or maybe a revenge killer, and suddenly you realize that half the monsters you’re considering have names beginning with the fifth letter of the alphabet. It sounds like a weird coincidence, but Pokémon that start with E have historically carried some of the heaviest lifting in the entire franchise. From the Swiss Army knife versatility of Eevee to the terrifying, format-warping presence of Entei or Eternatus, this specific alphabetical slice is weirdly stacked.
It’s not just about nostalgia.
Sure, we all remember the first time we saw Ekans or Exeggutor back in '98, but the competitive relevance of these creatures hasn't dipped. If anything, the modern Scarlet and Violet meta has doubled down on them. Think about Iron Hands—wait, that’s an I—think about Enamorus or Espathra. These aren't just Pokédex fillers. They are genuine threats that force you to build your team specifically to survive them.
The Eevee Evolution Factor
We have to talk about the brown fox in the room. Eevee is basically the mascot for the "E" category, but its impact is felt through its branching evolutions. People love Espeon and Enamorus (okay, maybe Enamorus isn't an Eevee-lution, but you get the point). Espeon, specifically, changed the game when it got the Magic Bounce ability. Suddenly, you couldn't just throw Stealth Rocks or Spikes onto the field whenever you felt like it. If an Espeon was on the horizon, your hazard-stacking strategy was basically toast.
But Eevee itself? Honestly, it’s mostly a gimmick unless you’re playing in a very specific niche format like Little Cup. Its Extreme Evoboost Z-Move back in the Sun and Moon era was a nightmare to face if you weren't prepared for the Baton Pass, but those days are mostly gone. Now, we look at the "E" heavyweights that actually dictate how a match feels.
Why Enamorus Changed Everything
When Pokémon Legends: Arceus dropped, nobody expected the Forces of Nature to get a fourth member. Then came Enamorus. This Fairy/Flying type is... polarizing. Some hate the design. Most players hate facing it. In its Incarnate Forme, it has a blistering 135 Special Attack. That’s enough to punch holes through almost any physical wall.
The real kicker is the Contrary ability in its Therian Forme. Normally, when you use a move like Superpower, your stats drop. With Enamorus, they go up. It turns a drawback into a win condition. If you aren't carrying a dedicated Steel or Poison type to handle this thing, you’re basically just waiting for the "Match Lost" screen. It’s a perfect example of how "E" Pokémon aren't just variants; they often introduce entirely new mechanics or power-creep the old ones.
📖 Related: Pokemon Blaze Black 2 Redux Cheats: How to Not Break Your Game
The Eccentricity of Exeggutor and Its Alolan Cousin
Exeggutor is a weird one. Back in Generation 1, it was a king. Psychic types were broken, and Exeggutor had the bulk and the Special stat (before it was split into Special Attack and Special Defense) to ruin your day. It was the premier Sleeper. You’d click Sleep Powder, and the game was effectively over for your opponent’s lead.
Then came the Alolan form.
Suddenly, the palm tree has a neck that reaches the clouds and it's a Dragon type. Why? Because the sun in Alola is just that strong, apparently. While it's not the top-tier threat it used to be, Alolan Exeggutor still finds a home in Trick Room teams. It’s slow. It’s heavy. It hits like a freight train. Seeing a giant dragon-tree demolish a legendary Pokémon is one of those joys only the "E" list can provide.
Entei and the Pressure of Legendary Fire
Entei used to be the "bad" legendary dog. Suicune had the bulk, Raikou had the speed, and Entei... well, Entei had a limited movepool. That changed. With the addition of Sacred Fire—a move once exclusive to Ho-Oh—Entei became a physical powerhouse with a 50% burn chance.
Think about that.
Every time Entei attacks with its signature move, there is a coin flip’s chance that your physical attacker is now useless for the rest of the game. It creates a psychological pressure that few other Pokémon can replicate. You don't just play against Entei; you play against the fear of the burn. In VGC (Video Game Championships), Entei has seen resurgence because it can disrupt the most carefully planned strategies with a single lucky proc.
🔗 Read more: Why How to Make a Ender Chest in Minecraft Still Changes Everything for Your Survival World
Dealing with the Espathra Problem
If you've played the ranked ladder in Pokémon Scarlet or Violet, you’ve probably felt the rage of losing to an Espathra. It looks like an ostrich wearing high fashion, but it's a certified assassin. Its ability, Speed Boost, increases its speed every single turn.
Usually, you'd just switch in a physical wall to stop it. But Espathra carries Stored Power. This move gets stronger the more your stats are boosted. After two turns of Speed Boost and maybe a Calm Mind or two, Stored Power reaches a base power that can one-shot almost anything that doesn't resist it. It’s a "checkmate" Pokémon. If you don't knock it out immediately, it snowballs until it's unstoppable. It’s honestly one of the most polarizing designs Game Freak has released in years.
The Forgotten "E" Monsters
We can't just talk about the titans. There are some forgotten gems in the "E" category that deserve a shoutout:
- Electivire: Once the king of Gen 4, it has fallen off lately, but its design is still top-tier. Motor Drive is a great ability if you can predict an Electric move.
- Empoleon: The only Water/Steel type in existence. It recently got the Competitive ability, which makes it a fantastic counter to Intimidate users like Landorus-T.
- Escavalier: A Bug/Steel type that is so slow it basically moves backwards, but its Attack stat is gargantuan. In a Trick Room, it’s a monster.
- Eelektross: It has no weaknesses. Literally. It’s an Electric type with Levitate. While its stats are average, the sheer utility of a Pokémon that cannot be hit super-effectively is always worth a look.
Eternatus and the Scale of Power
Then we get to the literal giants. Eternatus is a Poison/Dragon type that serves as the climax of the Sword and Shield story. In its base form, it’s already a statistical anomaly. It’s the fastest Dragon-type legendary and has a signature move, Dynamax Cannon, that deals double damage to Dynamaxed targets.
In Ubers—the competitive tier for the strongest of the strong—Eternatus is a staple. It’s used as a "glue" Pokémon because it can be an offensive powerhouse or a surprisingly tanky wall with moves like Recover and Toxic. It represents the absolute ceiling of what "E" Pokémon can achieve.
How to Build Around the "E" Squad
If you're looking to actually use these Pokémon in your next playthrough or competitive climb, you need to understand their synergy. You can't just slap six "E" names together and expect to win, though it would be a fun challenge.
First, look for your core. Empoleon provides the resistances you need to switch into attacks. Espeon provides the utility to keep hazards off the field. Entei or Enamorus provides the raw offensive pressure.
The biggest mistake people make with Pokémon like Eelektross or Exeggutor is trying to make them do too much. They are specialized tools. Use them for their specific strengths—like Eelektross's lack of weaknesses or Exeggutor's Trick Room prowess—rather than trying to force them into a generalist role.
Practical Steps for Your Next Battle
To get the most out of this specific group of Pokémon, start by looking at your team's speed tiers. Many "E" Pokémon, like Espathra and Enamorus, rely on being faster than the opponent. If you're using slower ones like Escavalier or Eldegoss, you need a way to control the turn order, whether through Trick Room or Tailwind.
Check your type coverage. A team heavy on "E" Pokémon can accidentally become very weak to Ice or Rock types. Make sure you have a solid Steel type—like the aforementioned Empoleon—to soak up those hits.
Finally, don't sleep on the lower-tier options. Pokémon like Eeletrik (with Eviolite) or even Electrode can surprise opponents who are only prepared for the "standard" meta threats. Electrode, in particular, is one of the fastest things in the game and can use Explosion to clear the way for a late-game sweeper.
Go back to the team builder. Look at the options starting with E. You might find that the missing piece of your strategy has been hiding in the alphabet all along. Whether it's the raw power of Eternatus or the tactical flexibility of Espeon, these monsters are far more than just a list of names; they are the backbone of some of the most successful strategies in the game's history.