What it does
Moonlight restores HP based on current weather:
- No weather: 1/2 max HP
- Harsh sunlight: 2/3 max HP
- Rain, Hail, or Sandstorm: 1/4 max HP
Unlike Recover or Roost, which always restore exactly half, Moonlight swings dramatically depending on the field. In sun, it's one of the most efficient single-target recovery moves available. In rain, it's worse than either of those alternatives.
It doesn't cure status conditions. Burn or poison will keep draining HP even if you use Moonlight every turn — in bad weather, the drain can outpace the recovery.
Who runs it
Umbreon runs it on 43% of its Champions sets. Umbreon is one of the few dedicated support/wall Pokémon in doubles, with no real offensive presence. It stays on the field through high Special Defense and Moonlight so that it can keep outputting Helping Hand, Yawn, and other support over multiple turns. The 43% adoption rate reflects that this is exactly what Umbreon is built to do.
How to use it
Use Moonlight when the weather is neutral or favorable and you need the HP to keep functioning. Don't reflexively use it every time you take damage — a 1/2 recovery move that eats a turn has to restore enough HP to justify not doing something else that turn.
In doubles, Umbreon pairs with an offensive Pokémon that needs support. While the offensive partner is pressing KO threats, Umbreon uses Helping Hand to boost damage and recovers with Moonlight when it needs to stay alive. The opponent has to address both simultaneously.
The biggest direct counter: the opponent sets up Rain or Sandstorm, cutting Moonlight to 1/4. At that recovery level, it often can't outpace the incoming damage.
Tips & strategy
Burn and poison are Umbreon's main weakness alongside weather control. In rain with a burn, Moonlight gives back 1/4 HP and the burn takes 1/16 every turn — the numbers don't add up in your favor for long. Lum Berry prevents the status on the first hit; teammates with Aromatherapy can clear it after the fact.
In doubles, Umbreon needs protection to use Moonlight safely. It has 65 base Speed — opponents act before it more often than not. A partner with Follow Me or Rage Powder absorbs the pressure while Umbreon recovers. Without that coverage, you're counting on the opponent ignoring Umbreon long enough to use the move — which rarely happens at high level.