Pichu Best Moveset
Electric at 40 Attack and 60 Speed with 20 HP. The moveset cannot function in any competitive context. AbilityLightning Rod redirects Electric attacks, but nothing survives the hit that follows. Evolve to Pikachu, then Raichu for 90 Sp. Atk and 110 Speed.
Pichu was a niche pick at best in Gen II (Gold, Silver & Crystal), rarely seen in standard play. This was Pichu's competitive peak.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Detect
- Rain Dance
- Thunder
Recommended Teammates
Pichu was a niche pick at best in Gen III (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald), rarely seen in standard play. Pichu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Static with Leftovers, favoring a Hasty nature.
Special Attacker Moveset
- Protect
- Thunderbolt
- Wish
- Volt Tackle
Recommended Teammates
Pichu was a niche pick at best in Gen IV (Diamond, Pearl & Platinum), rarely seen in standard play. Pichu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Static with Life Orb, favoring a Serious nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Volt Tackle
- Fake Out
- Return
- Hidden Power Ice
Recommended Teammates
Pichu was a niche pick at best in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2), rarely seen in standard play. Pichu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Static with Eviolite, favoring a Docile nature.
Utility Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Return
- Hidden Power Ice
- Volt Switch
Recommended Teammates
Pichu was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. Pichu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Static with Nothing, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Thunder
- Charge Beam
- Headbutt
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
Pichu was a niche pick at best in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM), rarely seen in standard play. Pichu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Static with Focus Sash, favoring a Hardy nature.
Utility Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Thunder Wave
- Protect
- Endeavor
Recommended Teammates
Pichu was a niche pick at best in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP), rarely seen in standard play. Pichu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Lightningrod with Focus Sash, favoring a Naive nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Endeavor
- Fake Out
- Nuzzle
- Thunderbolt
Recommended Teammates
Pichu was a niche pick at best in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A), rarely seen in standard play. Pichu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Lightningrod with Focus Sash, favoring a Adamant nature.
Support Moveset
- Volt Tackle
- Nuzzle
- Encore
- Charge
Recommended Teammates
Pichu Weakness
Pichu is weak to Ground. Few weaknesses and 3 resistances make the typing clean. Lightning Rod grants an additional Electric immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Electric, Flying, Steel |
What is Pichu Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Pichu
Excadrill can KO Pichu with Earthquake (724-852%).
 Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySandrush ItemAir Balloon NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Pichu View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x724-852%KO Rapid Spin121-142%KO | ||
Evolution
This is the baby stage. Pichu grows into Pikachu by leveling up. Want more? Breed the adults. Baby Pokemon sit in the Undiscovered egg group. Evolving adds up to 280 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
How to Get Pichu
Pichu appears at moderate rates across 36 spots in early-game routes. Sort by Best below if you want the highest rate, or Earliest if you want the quickest access point in your playthrough.
Where To Catch Pikachu in SV
Pichu is your first catch on the way to Pikachu. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 3-60 across 36 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PichuBreed from Pikachu at the Day Care.
Step 2Pikachu ✓Apple HillsLv.3-60OverworldCrystal PoolLv.3-60OverworldInfernal PassLv.3-60OverworldKitakami RoadLv.3-60OverworldOni MountainLv.3-60OverworldOnis MawLv.3-60OverworldRevelers RoadLv.3-60OverworldWistful FieldsLv.3-60OverworldCasseroya Lake - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%East Province (Area One) - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%East Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%North Province (Area One) - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%North Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Four) - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area One) - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%Tagtree Thicket - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%West Province (Area Three) - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%or evolve from Pichu (Step 1)Available in-game· 2 pathsPick one
Raichuuse Thunder Stone, in Alola
Location info for Pichu in Winds & Waves isn't available yet. It can be found in Crystal, Diamond & Pearl, or Scarlet & Violet in other games.
How to Obtain Pichu in WW
- Step 1Pichu ✓LATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Gift · Route 34 · Hatch Odd Egg (random). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Trophy Garden. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Walking · Trophy Garden. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Special encounter · Ilex Forest · Requires Pikachu-colored Pichu. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Sun & MoonNot TradeableAppears in Sun & Moon via Walking · Route 1. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon via Walking · Route 1. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Pikachu
Step 3Evolve into Raichu
Pichu starts showing up in early-game routes at moderate rates across 1 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Pichu in LZA
Pichu is your first catch on the way to Pichu. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 4-64 across 4 total spots in the chain.
Pichu starts showing up in early-game routes at decent spawn rates across 3 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Pichu in PLA
Pichu is your first catch on the way to Pichu. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 3-27 across 6 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Pichu ✓Floaro GardensLv.3-6GrassRate 15%Golden LowlandsLv.6-27GrassRate 15%Nature’s PantryLv.9-12GrassRate 15%
Step 2Catch or Evolve into PikachuGolden LowlandsLv.6-27GrassRate 15%Nature’s PantryLv.9-12GrassRate 15%or evolve from Pichu (Step 1)
Base Stats
Speed and Attack carry most of Pichu's stat budget. Defense's the obvious dump stat. Common in the wild and yields 1 Speed EV. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
It is unskilled at storing electric power. Any kind of shock causes it to discharge energy spontaneously.
Pichu Guide
You can run Pichu through the first few routes without issues. 205 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Pikachu as fast as you can.
Game Availability
Available in 20 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Pichu spans 9 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through catching or hatching as a base form in most mainline games.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GSDebut
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves