Mid-stage Pokemon like Pikachu rarely see competitive play outside of special formats. It's a waypoint on the road to Raichu, which is where the real potential kicks in. Can go either physical or special depending on the set. An original Gen 1 pick.
Speed and Attack carry most of Pikachu's stat budget. HP's the obvious dump stat. Common in the wild and yields 2 Speed EVs. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
The cap this Pikachu wears is filled with memories of this Pokémon and its partner traveling across the Alola region together.
This Pikachu wears its partner’s cap—proof of the strong bond Pikachu and its partner formed during adventures across the Alola region.
Pikachu Weakness
GoodGround-type moves hit Pikachu for super-effective damage. Few weaknesses and 3 resistances make the typing clean. Lightning Rod grants an additional Electric immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
Sitting between Pichu and Raichu, Pikachu is part of a chain that requires an evolution item. Not your typical level-up setup. So far, Speed got the biggest boost (+30 from Pichu). The final form adds another 165 stats on top.
How to Evolve
Breed with Pikachu to get Pichu eggs easily using 66 partners from the Fairy and Ground egg groups.
The recommended build leans into Pikachu's strengths as a physical attacker. Lightball provides extra utility, and max Attack and Speed EVs back that up. Static rounds out the package.
Best Build
Best Pikachu Moveset
- Volt Tackle
- Thunderbolt
- Fake Out
- Iron Tail
Recommended Teammates
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Pikachu. TMs unlock coverage across 8 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Thunder and Thunderbolt into something with actual range.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Level-up moves are just the starting point for Pikachu. TMs unlock coverage across 7 types and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Volt Tackle and Thunder into something with actual range.
A solid spread overall. Pikachu gets Volt Tackle and Thunder for same-type damage alongside Normal and Steel coverage and more. It won't blow anyone away, but it doesn't leave you stuck either.
Don't skip the egg moves. Pikachu picks up Charge and Disarming Voice only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Thunder and Thunderbolt while coverage across 8 types adds range.
Pikachu appears at moderate rates across 8 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 Scarlet & Violet
Pichu is your first catch on the way to Pikachu. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 5-30 across 28 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PichuHARDCasseroya Lake - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyWaterHARDCasseroya Lake - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyWaterHARDEast Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDEast Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDEast Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDEast Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDNorth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDNorth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Four) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Four) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDSouth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDSouth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDSouth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDTagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyForestHARDTagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyForestHARDWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRouteHARDWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.5-101%EarlyRoute
Step 2Pikachu ✓MODERATEEast Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.10-306%EarlyRouteMODERATEEast Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.10-306%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Four) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.10-306%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Four) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.10-306%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.10-306%EarlyRouteMODERATESouth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.10-306%EarlyRouteMODERATEWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworldLv.10-306%EarlyRouteMODERATEWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworldLv.10-306%EarlyRouteor evolve from Pichu (Step 1)
Pikachu isn't available in the wild in Legends: Z-A. Start by transferring Pichu from Crystal, Diamond, or Scarlet. The evolution path from Pichu to Pikachu is covered in the steps below.
Pikachu starts showing up in mid-game routes at decent spawn rates across 2 encounter spots. The list below is sorted so you can pick what fits your current progress without scrolling through everything.
Where To Catch Pikachu in Legends: Arceus
Pichu is your first catch on the way to Pikachu. You'll find walking encounters from walking across 5 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PichuEASYFloaro GardensGrassUncommonForestEASYGolden LowlandsGrassUncommonEASYNature’s PantryGrassUncommon
Step 2Pikachu ✓EASYGolden LowlandsGrassUncommonEASYNature’s PantryGrassUncommonor evolve from Pichu (Step 1)
A few locations for Pikachu with moderate rates across mid-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Pikachu in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
To get Pikachu, start by catching Pichu through walking encounters at Lv. 16-18. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PichuEFFORTLESSTrophy GardenBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.1630%MidForestMorningEFFORTLESSTrophy GardenShining PearlGrassLv.1630%MidForestMorningMODERATETrophy GardenBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.1610%MidForestMODERATETrophy GardenShining PearlGrassLv.1610%MidForest
Step 2Pikachu ✓MODERATETrophy GardenShining PearlGrassLv.1810%MidForestMODERATETrophy GardenBrilliant DiamondGrassLv.1810%MidForestor evolve from Pichu (Step 1)
Pikachu is meant to evolve into Raichu. At 320 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Watch for Rhydon (Ground) when using Pikachu. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Pichu evolves into Pikachu by leveling up. Pikachu can evolve into Raichu and Alolan Raichu depending on the method. Pikachu is a middle-stage evolution in the Pichu line.
Lightning Rod is what you want on Pikachu. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Static) work on paper but Lightning Rod is what makes Pikachu worth using.
Base 90 Speed is workable — faster than some, slower than many. On offense, Pikachu is a special attacker with base 50 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Pikachu appears in 22 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Pikachu has appeared in 22 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received an Alolan form in Generation 7 and a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
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 VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwShGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A