When it comes to overall popularity in the Pokémon series, few critters are quite as beloved as Pikachu. The de facto mascot of the franchise, it’s a pop culture icon. As such, it constantly gets special treatment from Game Freak, with a different silly-yet-adorable hat for every special occasion through in-game events and the like. Even so, only one fan-favorite Pokémon has a total of eight (to date) evolution options: Eevee!
From the speedy and powerful Electric-type Jolteon to the formidable and super cute Fairy-type Sylveon, every Eeveelution has a distinct stat spread (well, the same base stats, spread differently) and use. Every Pokémon fan has a favorite, too, whether decided by their power, viability or just the way they look. Speaking of which, here’s a ranking of each Eeveelution’s design!
8 Leafeon
Those poor Grass-types just don’t get a fair shake sometimes. Defensively and offensively, the typing is among the worst in the game, with a weaknesses-to-resistances ratio that just holds it back.
It’s also arguable that Grass Pokémon designs are often quite questionable and generic (though there are some fantastic-looking ones too). All of Eevee’s evolutions look great in their own way, but when really pressed to find the worst design, some would point to Leafeon.
7 Vaporeon
Similarly, Vaporeon isn’t a bad Pokémon by any means. With its high Special Attack and excellent bulk, it serves the role of a defensive Water-type with solid firepower very well. This aspect of its design is just fine, but in terms of visuals alone, it isn’t the most inspired of the Eeveelutions.
It’s solid in its role but unspectacular, and this is also reflected in the way it looks: beloved as this Kanto icon may be, it just perhaps isn’t the most creative of Eevee’s final forms.
6 Flareon
Flareon has a super interesting combination of stats. This Fire-type has a formidable Attack stat of base 130, with a similarly high Special Defense of 110. In that sense, it’s designed very awkwardly, lacking the Speed to function in a purely offensive way and lacking the HP to truly be specially defensive.
In terms of aesthetics, Flareon is one of the cutest, fluffiest little balls of purely adorable energy the series has ever seen. Nonetheless, it struggles to stand out creatively.
5 Glaceon
If Grass Pokémon have it tough, then Ice Pokémon… well, also have it tough. Maybe a good deal tougher, in fact. Ice resists only itself, while sporting four of the most common weaknesses in existence in Fire, Rock, Fighting and Steel. Ice moves provide excellent coverage, but Ice-type Pokémon themselves are very tough to use as a result. Only the most committed Ice-type fans are brave enough to try and pull off mono Ice teams.
This also holds true for Glaceon, a Pokémon that was designed to be a powerful special attacker but doesn’t really have the stats to pull it off very well. Like Flareon, it has a lot of power (130 base Special Attack) but a very awkward Speed stat of 65 (just a little too high for Trick Room, a lot of the time). Visually, it’s a little more distinct than the Eeveelutions that preceded it on the list, but there is still arguably better to come.
4 Espeon
Among the Eeveelutions, Espeon could well have the best base stat spread. With 130 base Special Attack and 110 base Speed, it seems to have all the tools it needs to sweep (though its movepool could use a few more options there). Its HP and Defense are sorely lacking, though, so that’s something to be very wary of.
It also has a fantastic Ability in Magic Bounce. This Hidden Ability allows Espeon to prevent the likes of Stealth Rock and other status moves being used against it, seeing them bounced back at the user instead. Aesthetically, it’s another simple but effective design, Just lacking that overall punch and appeal that this list’s top three has.
3 Jolteon
Jolteon’s offenses are the inverse of Espeon’s. It sacrifices the extra Special Attack the latter has for more Speed (base 110 and base 130 respectively). This gives it more utility in terms of outstripping more threats, which serves its common function as a Choice Specs Volt Switch user very well.
What sets it apart from the rest of its fellow Eeveelutions thus far from a visual standpoint? While it may not be the most creative design, Jolteon’s fur and mini-mane have a sharp, jagged look to them, which ties in so well with the concept of an electrified speedster. Every Eeveelution design is icon, but Jolteon stands tall among the original batch for this reason.
2 Sylveon
The newest addition to the Eeveelutions, Sylveon immediately became a fan favorite the moment its design was unveiled. Fairy Pokémon tend to be cute and super sweet almost by default, but Sylveon seemed to tap into something new.
Compared to the rest of the evolutions, there are subtle details and beautiful touches in Sylveon’s design that the older, simpler ones didn’t quite bring to the table. Not to mention the tremendous power of its Pixilate-boosted Hyper Voice and its solid bulk. Again, if the player can work around its meager Speed, this cute critter can tear teams apart. Of course, this is all subjective and every Pokémon fan will have their own list, but in this particular ranking, only the final Eeveelution can top Sylveon.
1 Umbreon
The final remaining Eeveelution, Umbreon, has an almost mystical allure. When it comes to gameplay, it’s designed simply to be an immovable object, with excellent defenses to the tune of 95 base HP, 110 base Defense and 130 base Special Defense. The rest of its stats are very sub-par, but it hardly needs power of its own when it can turn the opponent’s own Attack against them with Foul Play, quite apart from the myriad of other supportive moves it learns (such as Yawn, Snarl, Charm, Fake Tears and Helping Hand).
Visually, its design is clean, with a cool, perhaps ‘edgy’ appeal. Its shiny form (pictured here) doesn’t change it very much, but remains super popular among Eeveelution connoisseurs. It isn’t the most common sight in battle, but this beloved Dark-type Eeveelution can be a support/utility powerhouse.