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.
Ground 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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Electric, Flying, Steel |
Volcanion can KO Pikachu with Flamethrower (132-155%). Slowking's Scald hits Pikachu for 71-83%.
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Volcanion builds →Flamethrower132-155%KO | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureSassy Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Slowking builds →Scald71-83% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves View Toxapex builds →
| ||
 Slurpuff Fairy | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityUnburden ItemFocus Sash NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Slurpuff builds →Flamethrower42-49% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Corviknight builds →U Turn43-51% | ||
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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
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
Pikachu best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Fake Out
- Volt Switch
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Quick Attack
- Iron Tail
- Surf
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Protect
- Fake Out
- Surf
- Discharge
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Volt Tackle
- Fake Out
- Extreme Speed
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
Winds & Waves has not been released yet. Build info will be available after launch.
Check back after the game launches for competitive build content.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Fake Out
- Volt Switch
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Quick Attack
- Iron Tail
- Surf
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Protect
- Fake Out
- Surf
- Discharge
Recommended Teammates
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Volt Tackle
- Fake Out
- Extreme Speed
- Knock Off
Recommended Teammates
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
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
Move data for Pikachu in Winds & Waves isn't available yet. The moveset will be updated once the game releases.
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.
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 PichuCasseroya Lake - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Water1%EarlyCasseroya Lake - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Water1%EarlyEast Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyEast Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyEast Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyEast Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyTagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Forest1%EarlyTagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Forest1%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%Early
Step 2Pikachu ✓East Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlyEast Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%Earlyor evolve from Pichu (Step 1)
Winds & Waves is still unreleased. Whether Pikachu will appear as a wild encounter is unconfirmed. It's catchable in Crystal, Diamond, or Scarlet in other titles.
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 PichuFloaro GardensGrass ForestUncommonGolden LowlandsGrassUncommonNature’s PantryGrassUncommon
Step 2Pikachu ✓Golden LowlandsGrassUncommonNature’s PantryGrassUncommonor evolve from Pichu (Step 1)
Multiple options from Pikachu: Raichu using a Thunder Stone and Alolan Raichu using a Thunder Stone. Each branch takes the 320 BST base in a different direction.
You can run Pikachu through the first few routes without issues. 320 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Raichu as fast as you can.
You won't have trouble finding Pikachu. It's been around since Winds & Waves and appears in 23 games total. Latest appearances: Yellow and Red & Blue.
Pikachu has an Alolan form that swaps the typing and reshuffles the stats. Introduced in Gen 7. Worth checking if the original version doesn't fit your team.
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Pikachu has appeared in 23 titles over 10 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.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwShGigantamax
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves