Lightning Rod redirects Electric moves and boosts its Sp. Atk, letting Manectric hit way above its stat class. Electric typing helps — only weak to Ground. Introduced in Gen 3. It clears the crowded base-100 Speed benchmark.
The stat budget goes to damage. Sp. Atk and Speed carry the offense, Defense doesn't even come close. A Discharge Pokemon on a slow 1.25M XP grind, worth 2 Speed EVs per KO.
It stimulates its own muscles with electricity, so it can move quickly. It eases its soreness with electricity, too, so it can recover quickly as well.
It rarely appears before people. It is said to nest where lightning has fallen.
Manectric Weakness
GoodType-wise, Manectric takes extra damage from Ground. Few weaknesses and 3 resistances make the typing clean. Lightning Rod grants an additional Electric immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. At base 105 Speed, Manectric outspeeds most threats and doesn't need to tank what it can outrun.
Evolved from Electrike. Manectric is the final form in this two-stage line. A massive partner pool for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Sp.Atk grew the most through evolution (+40 over Electrike), and Manectric peaks at 475 total stats.
How to Evolve
Breed with Manectric to get Electrike eggs easily using 138 partners from the Ground egg group. Notable egg moves include Curse, Headbutt, Spark and 1 more.
Manectric's locked into one move per switch-in with Choice Specs, trading flexibility for boosted special damage with move lock. Thunderbolt is the go-to spam option, with Fire coverage keeping switch-ins honest.
Best Build
Best Manectric Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Breeding's the move. Curse and Headbutt give Manectric options it can't learn any other way, and Fire and Normal coverage and more already covers a decent range on top of Thunder and Wild Charge. The egg moves push it further.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Manectric starts showing up in mid-game routes at high spawn rates across 6 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Manectric in Sword & Shield
Electrike is your first catch on the way to Manectric. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 7-47 across 34 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch ElectrikeEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsSwordOverworldLv.7-1060%EarlyThunderstormEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsShieldOverworldLv.7-1060%EarlyThunderstormEFFORTLESSEast Lake AxewellSwordOverworldLv.10-1560%EarlyCaveThunderstormEFFORTLESSEast Lake AxewellShieldOverworldLv.10-1560%EarlyCaveThunderstormEFFORTLESSWest Lake AxewellSwordGrassLv.7-1140%EarlyCaveThunderstormEFFORTLESSWest Lake AxewellShieldGrassLv.7-1140%EarlyCaveThunderstormEFFORTLESSSouth Lake MilochShieldGrassLv.11-1340%EarlyWaterThunderstormEFFORTLESSSouth Lake MilochSwordGrassLv.11-1340%EarlyWaterThunderstormEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsShieldGrassLv.11-1440%EarlyBuildingThunderstormEFFORTLESSWatchtower RuinsSwordGrassLv.11-1440%EarlyBuildingThunderstormEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsSwordGrassLv.7-935%EarlyThunderstormEFFORTLESSRolling FieldsShieldGrassLv.7-1035%EarlyThunderstormEFFORTLESSEast Lake AxewellSwordGrassLv.8-1230%EarlyCaveThunderstormEFFORTLESSEast Lake AxewellShieldGrassLv.8-1230%EarlyCaveThunderstormEFFORTLESSRoute 4ShieldOverworldLv.14-1630%EarlyRouteAll WeatherEFFORTLESSRoute 4SwordOverworldLv.14-1630%EarlyRouteAll WeatherEASYRolling Fields - 2SwordOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlyThunderstormEASYRolling Fields - 2ShieldOverworldLv.7-1025%EarlyThunderstormEASYDappled GroveShieldOverworldLv.13-1525%EarlyForestThunderstormEASYDappled GroveSwordOverworldLv.13-1525%EarlyForestThunderstormMODERATEWest Lake AxewellSwordOverworldLv.8-1410%EarlyCaveThunderstormMODERATEWest Lake AxewellShieldOverworldLv.8-1410%EarlyCaveThunderstormEFFORTLESSGiant's SeatSwordOverworldLv.33-3860%LateWaterThunderstormEFFORTLESSGiant's SeatShieldOverworldLv.33-3860%LateWaterThunderstormEFFORTLESSDusty BowlShieldOverworldLv.42-4750%LateRainingEFFORTLESSDusty BowlSwordOverworldLv.42-4750%LateThunderstormEFFORTLESSDusty BowlSwordOverworldLv.42-4750%LateRainingEFFORTLESSDusty BowlShieldOverworldLv.42-4750%LateThunderstorm
Step 2Manectric ✓EFFORTLESSGiant's SeatShieldGrassLv.30-3550%MidWaterThunderstormEFFORTLESSGiant's SeatSwordGrassLv.30-3550%MidWaterThunderstormMODERATEGiant's CapShieldOverworldLv.28-3010%MidThunderstormMODERATEGiant's CapSwordOverworldLv.28-3010%MidThunderstormEFFORTLESSAxew's EyeShieldGrassLv.35-4030%LateThunderstormEFFORTLESSAxew's EyeSwordGrassLv.35-4030%LateThunderstormor evolve from Electrike (Step 1)
Lightning Rod changes the entire equation for Manectric. The 475 BST doesn't tell the full story. Ranked C-Tier as a sweeper.
Manectric's biggest threats include Rhydon (Ground), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. Manectric's base 105 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.
Electrike evolves into Manectric at level 26. Manectric is the fully evolved form. It sits at 475 BST in its evolved form.
Lightning Rod is what you want on Manectric. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Static, Minus) work on paper but Lightning Rod is what makes Manectric worth using. With base 105 Speed, Lightning Rod gives Manectric an edge before opponents can react.
Base 105 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. On offense, Manectric is a special attacker with base 105 Sp. Atk. Best used as a sweeper.
Manectric appears in 15 games, including Ruby & Sapphire, FireRed & LeafGreen, and Emerald.
Since debuting in Ruby & Sapphire, Manectric has appeared in 15 titles over 7 generations. Along the way, it received a Mega form in Generation 7, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRB
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRSDebut
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORASMega
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A