The Tiny Mouse Pokemon. Pichu's available from the Odd Egg in Crystal, with a chance of hatching shiny. Too weak to battle, but Pikachu with Light Ball is A-Tier.
205HP20Attack40Defense15Speed60Sp.Def35Sp.Atk35
Pichu
Pikachu
Raichu
Weak to
Special
Balanced
60Speed · Below Avg

Is Pichu Good in Crystal Playthrough?

Crystal's Odd Egg is the fastest way to get Pichu, arriving before the second gym. Gold and Silver required breeding from a Pikachu you probably didn't have. The early access is nice, but Pichu still needs friendship to evolve and Pikachu's stats still aren't worth the investment.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadEGESGESEEEEGGGGEGGEGGFalknerGym 1PichuGiftBugsyGym 2PikachuEvolveWhitneyGym 3RaichuEvolveMortyGym 4ChuckGym 5JasmineGym 6PryceGym 7ClairGym 8SurgeGym 9SabrinaGym 10ErikaGym 11JanineGym 12MistyGym 13BrockGym 14BlaineGym 15BlueGym 16WillE4KogaE4BrunoE4KarenE4LanceChamp*
Falkner
Gym 1
Even

Pichu trades roughly evenly with Falkner's team.

You Win
Pidgey
Lv 7
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud Slap
Even
Pidgeotto
Lv 9
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
TackleMud SlapGust
Bugsy
Gym 2
Good

Pichu has the type edge here and should clean up Bugsy's team.

You Win
Metapod
Lv 14
Bug
Shed Skin
TackleString ShotHarden
You Win
Kakuna
Lv 14
BugPoison
Shed Skin
Poison StingString ShotHarden
Even
Scyther
Lv 16
BugFlying
Swarm
Quick AttackLeerFury Cutter
Whitney
Gym 3
Even

Pikachu trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.

You Win
Clefairy
Lv 18
Normal
Cute Charm
Double SlapMimicEncoreMetronome
Risky
Miltank
Lv 20
Normal
Thick Fat
RolloutAttractStompMilk Drink
Morty
Gym 4
Strong

Raichu resists most of Morty's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Gastly
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
LickSpiteMean LookCurse
Easy KO
Haunter
Lv 21
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisMimicCurseNight Shade
You Win
Gengar
Lv 25
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
HypnosisShadow BallMean LookDream Eater
Easy KO
Haunter
Lv 23
GhostPoison
Levitate
SpiteMean LookMimicNight Shade
Chuck
Gym 5
Good

Raichu has the type edge here and should clean up Chuck's team.

You Win
Primeape
Lv 27
Fighting
Vital Spirit
LeerRageKarate ChopFury Swipes
Easy KO
Poliwrath
Lv 30
WaterFighting
Water Absorb
HypnosisMind ReaderSurfDynamic Punch
Jasmine
Gym 6
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Jasmine's team.

You Win
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
You Win
Magnemite
Lv 30
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltSupersonicSonic BoomThunder Wave
Even
Steelix
Lv 35
SteelGround
Rock Head
ScreechSunny DayRock ThrowIron Tail
Pryce
Gym 7
Strong

Raichu resists most of Pryce's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Seel
Lv 27
Water
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
Easy KO
Dewgong
Lv 29
WaterIce
Thick Fat
HeadbuttIcy WindAurora BeamRest
Even
Piloswine
Lv 31
IceGround
Oblivious
Icy WindFury AttackMistBlizzard
Clair
Gym 8
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Clair's team.

Risky
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveSurfSlamDragon Breath
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveThunderboltSlamDragon Breath
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 37
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveIce BeamSlamDragon Breath
Even
Kingdra
Lv 40
WaterDragon
Swift Swim
SmokescreenSurfHyper BeamDragon Breath
Lt. Surge
Gym 9
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Raichu
Lv 44
Electric
Static
Thunder WaveQuick AttackThunderboltThunder
Risky
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
You Win
Magneton
Lv 40
ElectricSteel
Magnet Pull
Lock OnDouble TeamSwiftZap Cannon
Risky
Electrode
Lv 40
Electric
Soundproof
ScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion
Even
Electabuzz
Lv 46
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder PunchLight ScreenThunder
Sabrina
Gym 10
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Espeon
Lv 46
Psychic
Synchronize
Sand AttackQuick AttackSwiftPsychic
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 46
Psychic
Soundproof
BarrierReflectBaton PassPsychic
Even
Alakazam
Lv 48
Psychic
Synchronize
RecoverFuture SightPsychicReflect
Erika
Gym 11
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.

Even
Tangela
Lv 42
Grass
Chlorophyll
Vine WhipBindGiga DrainSleep Powder
You Win
Jumpluff
Lv 41
GrassFlying
Chlorophyll
Mega DrainLeech SeedCotton SporeGiga Drain
Even
Victreebel
Lv 46
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisAcidRazor Leaf
Risky
Bellossom
Lv 46
Grass
Chlorophyll
Sunny DaySynthesisPetal DanceSolar Beam
Janine
Gym 12
Good

Raichu has the type edge here and should clean up Janine's team.

Easy KO
Crobat
Lv 36
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
ScreechSupersonicConfuse RayWing Attack
Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
Even
Weezing
Lv 36
Poison
Levitate
SmogSludge BombToxicExplosion
Easy KO
Ariados
Lv 33
BugPoison
Swarm
Scary FaceGiga DrainString ShotNight Shade
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 39
BugPoison
Shield Dust
ForesightDouble TeamGustPsychic
Misty
Gym 13
Good

Raichu has the type edge here and should clean up Misty's team.

Easy KO
Golduck
Lv 42
Water
Damp
SurfDisablePsych UpPsychic
Risky
Quagsire
Lv 42
WaterGround
Damp
SurfAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance
Easy KO
Lapras
Lv 44
WaterIce
Water Absorb
SurfPerish SongBlizzardRain Dance
You Win
Starmie
Lv 47
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SurfConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam
Brock
Gym 14
Good

Raichu has the type edge here and should clean up Brock's team.

Risky
Graveler
Lv 41
RockGround
Rock Head
Defense CurlRock SlideRolloutEarthquake
Even
Rhyhorn
Lv 41
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackScary FaceEarthquakeHorn Drill
Easy KO
Omastar
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
BiteSurfProtectSpike Cannon
Even
Onix
Lv 44
RockGround
Rock Head
BindRock SlideBideSandstorm
Easy KO
Kabutops
Lv 42
RockWater
Swift Swim
SlashSurfEndureGiga Drain
Blaine
Gym 15
Good

Raichu has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.

Easy KO
Magcargo
Lv 45
FireRock
Magma Armor
CurseSmogFlamethrowerRock Slide
You Win
Magmar
Lv 45
Fire
Flame Body
Thunder PunchFire PunchSunny DayConfuse Ray
Even
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
Quick AttackFire SpinFury AttackFire Blast
Blue
Gym 16
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

You Win
Pidgeot
Lv 56
NormalFlying
Keen Eye
Quick AttackWhirlwindWing AttackMirror Move
Even
Alakazam
Lv 54
Psychic
Synchronize
DisableRecoverPsychicReflect
Risky
Rhydon
Lv 56
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Fury AttackSandstormRock SlideEarthquake
You Win
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
TwisterHydro PumpRain DanceHyper Beam
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 58
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Sunny DayLeech SeedEgg BombSolar Beam
Even
Arcanine
Lv 58
Fire
Intimidate
RoarSwiftFlamethrowerExtreme Speed
Will
Elite Four
Good

Raichu has the type edge here and should clean up Will's team.

Easy KO
Xatu
Lv 40
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
You Win
Jynx
Lv 41
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapLovely KissIce PunchPsychic
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 41
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
ReflectLeech SeedEgg BombPsychic
Easy KO
Slowbro
Lv 41
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
CurseAmnesiaBody SlamPsychic
Easy KO
Xatu
Lv 42
PsychicFlying
Synchronize
Quick AttackFuture SightConfuse RayPsychic
Koga
Elite Four
Good

Raichu has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

Easy KO
Ariados
Lv 40
BugPoison
Swarm
Double TeamSpider WebBaton PassGiga Drain
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 41
BugPoison
Shield Dust
SupersonicGustPsychicToxic
You Win
Forretress
Lv 43
BugSteel
Sturdy
ProtectSwiftExplosionSpikes
You Win
Muk
Lv 42
Poison
Stench
MinimizeAcid ArmorSludge BombToxic
Easy KO
Crobat
Lv 44
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Double TeamQuick AttackWing AttackToxic
Bruno
Elite Four
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.

Even
Hitmontop
Lv 42
Fighting
Intimidate
PursuitQuick AttackDigDetect
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 42
Fighting
Limber
SwaggerDouble KickHigh Jump KickForesight
You Win
Hitmonchan
Lv 42
Fighting
Keen Eye
Thunder PunchIce PunchFire PunchMach Punch
Even
Onix
Lv 43
RockGround
Rock Head
BindEarthquakeSandstormRock Slide
You Win
Machamp
Lv 46
Fighting
Guts
Rock SlideForesightVital ThrowCross Chop
Karen
Elite Four
Good

Raichu has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.

You Win
Umbreon
Lv 42
Dark
Synchronize
Sand AttackConfuse RayFeint AttackMean Look
Even
Vileplume
Lv 42
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidMoonlightPetal Dance
Easy KO
Gengar
Lv 45
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
LickSpiteCurseDestiny Bond
Easy KO
Murkrow
Lv 44
DarkFlying
Insomnia
Quick AttackWhirlwindPursuitFeint Attack
You Win
Houndoom
Lv 47
DarkFire
Early Bird
RoarPursuitFlamethrowerCrunch
Lance
Champion
Good

Raichu has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.

Easy KO
Gyarados
Lv 44
WaterFlying
Intimidate
FlailRain DanceSurfHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 47
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveTwisterThunderHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 47
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Thunder WaveTwisterBlizzardHyper Beam
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 46
RockFlying
Rock Head
Wing AttackAncient PowerRock SlideHyper Beam
You Win
Charizard
Lv 46
FireFlying
Blaze
FlamethrowerWing AttackSlashHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 50
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Fire BlastSafeguardOutrageHyper Beam

Gift

Available after Badge 1
Type
Electric
Tier
F

Pichu is given to you as a gift on Route 34 at Lv 5. Hatch Odd Egg received from Day-Care Man (random). Hatch the Odd Egg received from the Day-Care Man on Route 34. The Egg randomly hatches into one of seven baby Pokemon, with a 14% chance of being Shiny.

View Pichu locations

Evolve Pichu to Pikachu

High Friendship
Type
Electric
Tier
A

Pichu evolves into Pikachu with high friendship. Friendship is usually high enough before you reach Whitney.

View Pikachu locations

Recommended Moves

Evolve Pikachu to Raichu

Use Thunder Stone
Type
Electric
Tier
B

Pikachu evolves into Raichu with a Thunder Stone. You can usually obtain this item before you reach Morty.

Recommended Moves

How to Get Pichu in Crystal

Pichu only hatches from the Odd Egg the Day-Care Man gives you on Route 34. Which baby you get is random, so Pichu is one of several possible results from that single egg.

Wild Pichu may be holding when caught:

Berry (2% chance) A self-restore item. (10HP, HOLD)

1 location to catch Pichu

Badge 1

How to Obtain Pichu in C

Pichu is the chain's first catch. You'll find gift and walking encounters from Lv. 4-25 across 3 total spots in the chain.

  1. Raichu
    Step 3Evolve into Raichu
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Pichu egg.

How to Get Shiny Pichu in Crystal

Pichu is the fastest shiny in Crystal: grab the Odd Egg from the Day-Care Man on Route 34 and hatch it, and a shiny Pichu pops out at 1 in 7. Compare Shiny Pichu odds across every game

Normal vs Shiny
Normal Pichu in CrystalNormal
Shiny Pichu in Crystal Shiny
Color ShiftYellowtoRed
Shiny TierC Tier Shiny

Shiny Pichu Evolution

3 Forms
Shiny Pichu evolution in Crystal
Stage 1Pichu
High Friendship
Shiny Pikachu evolution in Crystal
Stage 2Pikachu
Thunder Stone
Shiny Raichu evolution in Crystal
Stage 3Raichu
Showing shiny artworkView Full Evolution Chart

Crystal Shiny Pichu Calculator

2 Methods
Fastest Path

The best route is Breed w/ Shiny Parent, about 1 in 64 on each try.

Step 1 · Encounter Method2 in Crystal

Odd Egg: Accept the Odd Egg from the Day-Care Man on Route 34. Each baby has its own shiny chance of 1 to 3 percent, fixed when you take the egg, so save first and reset until it hatches shiny.

Breed w/ Shiny Parent: Eggs inherit stats from a shiny parent, so about 1 in 64 hatch shiny. A shiny Ditto helps every egg, and any other shiny parent (the red Gyarados works) helps only eggs of the opposite gender.

How many you have done, or plan to do.

120,000
Shiny Odds Per Try1 / 64Breed w/ Shiny Parent
Chance By Now50.8%at 45 eggs hatchedAbout 5 in 10 hunters have one by now
What To Expect
ChanceEncountersTime
10%lucky few7----
25%one in four19----
50%coin flip45----
90%very likely147----
How is this calculated?

Every encounter has the same shiny chance, the Shiny Odds Per Try shown above. Each one is a separate roll that does not care how many you have already done, so the more you hunt, the higher your overall chance of at least one shiny. The formula below turns your odds and your number of tries into that combined chance.

chance after N tries = 1 − (1 − p)^N,  where  p = 1 / odds per try

Example at 1 in 8,192 (classic full odds): about 864 encounters for a 10 percent chance, 5,678 for 50 percent, and 18,862 for 90 percent.

The table above flips that around: it shows how many encounters it takes to reach a 10, 25, 50, and 90 percent chance at your current odds. Turning on boosts like the Shiny Charm, sandwiches, or chains improves your odds, so the encounter numbers drop.

These are estimates, not promises. Most games have no pity counter, meaning no guaranteed shiny no matter how many you hunt, so even Very Likely is not guaranteed: some hunters find one early, others go well past that point.

Where these shiny odds come from: Read our full methodology

For time estimates and charm math, open the Crystal shiny odds calculator with Pichu already selected.

Pichu Weakness

Pichu is weak to Ground. Few weaknesses and 3 resistances make the typing clean. Just 1 weak spot to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.

Pichu Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ground
0.5x (Resist)Electric, Flying, Steel
Gen II Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
  • Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def

What is Pichu Weak Against

Good
1Weak
3Resist
0Immune
Score+1
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Pichu Strong Against

2Strong
3Resisted
1Immune
Score-2
2xStrong
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Pichu

Sandshrew
Sandshrew
Ground
C
Geodude
Geodude
RockGround
C
Onix
Onix
RockGround
C
Wooper
Wooper
WaterGround
C

Pichu Evolutions

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

3 Forms
Pichu
#172Pichu
High Friendship
Pikachu
#025Pikachu
Thunder Stone
Thunder Stone
Raichu
#026Raichu
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Pichu
Electric
Pikachu
Electric
Raichu
Electric
HP
20
35+15
60+25
ATK
40
55+15
90+35
DEF
15
40+25
55+15
SP.ATK
35
50+15
90+40
SP.DEF
35
50+15
80+30
SPE
60
90+30
110+20
BST
205F-Tier
320A-Tier+115
485B-Tier+165
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Pivot
TYPE
Utility
Utility
Mixed

Breeding

Unavailable
Undiscovered egg group

C Pichu Best Moveset

Baby Electric pre-evolution. Stats too low for any format. Pikachu with Held ItemLight Ball is the competitive destination, two stages of evolution away.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
Magnet
Best Nature for Pichu
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • ThunderboltSTAB
  • DetectFAST +4
  • Rain Dance
  • ThunderSTAB

Moves List

Egg moves make a real difference. Pichu gets Bide and Double Slap exclusively through breeding, filling gaps that TMs and level-up can't touch. Normal and Steel coverage and more rounds out the picture alongside Zap Cannon and Thunder.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Charm
D—10020Normal
Lv 1
Thunder Shock
—6010030Electric
Lv 6
Tail Whip
——10030Normal
Lv 8
Thunder Wave
C—10020Electric
Lv 11
Sweet Kiss
——7510Normal

TM Moves

19 of 24 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM45D—10015Normal
TM40
Defense CurlMt. Mortarnot until badge 8
D——40Normal
TM43
Detect+4Lake of Ragebadge 6
S——5Fighting
TM32———15Normal
TM20
Endure+4Burned Towerbadge 4
D——10Normal
HM05D—7020Normal
TM02D7010015Normal
TM10D6010015Normal
TM23D1007515Steel
TM31D2010010Ground
TM17C——10Normal
TM18S——5Water
TM44
RestIce Pathnot until badge 7
C——10Psychic
TM04
RolloutRoute 35badge 2
D309020Rock
TM13
SnoreMoomoo Farmbadge 3
—4010015Normal
TM34
SwaggerOlivine Lighthousebadge 4
C—8515Normal
TM39
SwiftUnion Cavebadge 1
D60—20Normal
TM25S1807010Electric
TM06C—8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Bide+1
———10Normal
Egg
Double Slap
—158510Normal
Egg
Encore
C—1005Normal
Egg
Present
D—9015Normal
Egg
Reversal
D—10015Fighting

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Thunderbolt
S14210015Electric

Base Stats

Base Stats
Below
HP20
F
Attack40
D
Defense15
F
Sp. Atk35
F
Sp. Def35
F
Speed60
C
Total205
Details
Catch Rate
Easy190 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.3 m
Weight2.0 kg
Base XP41
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Speed training source
Pokedex Entry

It is unskilled at storing electric power. Any kind of shock causes it to discharge energy spontaneously.

Pokemon Crystal

Pichu Crystal Guide

  • For Crystal, 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 19 titles since its debut in Gold & Silver, Pichu spans 8 generations of Pokemon games. It's accessible through catching or hatching as a base form in most mainline games.

Explore

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