Pikachu Best Moveset
55 Attack and 50 Sp. Atk at 90 Speed behind Electric TermStab. Held ItemLight Ball doubles both offensive stats, and that's the only reason the moveset exists. 35 HP means any hit that lands ends the game. Evolve to Raichu for real stats, or accept the Light Ball gimmick.
Pikachu saw minimal competitive use in Gen I (Red, Blue & Yellow). This marked Pikachu's competitive debut.
Utility Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Thunder Wave
- Quick Attack
Recommended Teammates
Pikachu held a solid A-Tier position in Gen II. This was Pikachu's competitive peak. A key development: defense raised from 30 to 40.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Thunder
- Quick Attack
Recommended Teammates
Pikachu landed at C-Tier in Gen III. This was a decline from A-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Static with Lightball, favoring a Timid nature.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Tackle
- Surf
- Hidden Power Grass
Recommended Teammates
Pikachu landed at C-Tier in Gen IV. Pikachu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Static with Lightball, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Volt Tackle
- Thunderbolt
- Quick Attack
- Grass Knot
Recommended Teammates
Pikachu saw minimal competitive use in Gen V (Black & White / B2W2). This was a decline from C-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Lightningrod with Lightball, favoring a Modest nature.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Hidden Power Ice
- Nasty Plot
- Agility
- Discharge
Recommended Teammates
Pikachu was a niche pick at best in Gen VI (X & Y / ORAS), rarely seen in standard play. This was a decline from E-Tier in the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Static with Lightball, favoring a Jolly nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Toxic
- Thunderbolt
- Quick Attack
- Volt Tackle
Recommended Teammates
Pikachu saw minimal competitive use in Gen VII (Sun & Moon / USUM). Pikachu climbed from F-Tier as the competitive landscape shifted. Its most popular set ran Static with Lightball, favoring a Hasty nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Volt Tackle
- Thunderbolt
- Iron Tail
- Quick Attack
Recommended Teammates
Pikachu saw minimal competitive use in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield / BDSP). Pikachu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Static with Lightball, favoring a Hasty nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Iron Tail
- Quick Attack
- Surf
Recommended Teammates
Pikachu saw minimal competitive use in Gen IX (Scarlet & Violet / Legends Z-A). Pikachu maintained its position from the previous generation. Its most popular set ran Lightningrod with Lightball, favoring a Hasty nature.
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Iron Tail
- Quick Attack
- Surf
Recommended Teammates
Pikachu Weakness
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 |
What is Pikachu Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Pikachu
Alomomola's Flip Turn hits Pikachu for 37-44%. Araquanid's Surf hits Pikachu for 47-56%.
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn37-44% Scald24-28% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityWaterbubble ItemCustapberry NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Araquanid builds →Liquidation44-52% Surf47-56% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Toxapex builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Corviknight builds →U Turn48-57% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemDamprock NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Pelipper builds →Hurricane31-36% U Turn31-37% | ||
Evolution
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
How to Get Pikachu
Pikachu appears at moderate rates across 22 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 58 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PichuApple 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%
Step 2Pikachu ✓Apple HillsLv.5-60OverworldKitakami RoadLv.5-60OverworldKitakami WildsLv.5-60OverworldOni MountainLv.5-60OverworldParadise BarrensLv.5-60OverworldTimeless WoodsLv.5-60OverworldWistful FieldsLv.5-60OverworldEast Province (Area One) - ForestLv.10-30OverworldRate 6%South Province (Area Four) - ForestLv.10-30OverworldRate 6%South Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.10-30OverworldRate 6%West Province (Area Three) - ForestLv.10-30OverworldRate 6%or evolve from Pichu (Step 1)Available in-game· 2 pathsPick one
Raichuuse Thunder Stone, in Alola
Winds & Waves is still unreleased. Whether Pikachu will appear as a wild encounter is unconfirmed. It's catchable in Crystal, Diamond & Pearl, or Scarlet & Violet in other titles.
How to Obtain Pikachu in WW
Step 1Breed Pichu from PikachuLATER 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 2Pikachu ✓
Step 3Evolve into Raichu
moderate rates for Pikachu across 2 locations in early-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Pikachu in LZA
The path to Pikachu starts with Pichu at Lv. 4-64 via walking encounters. 3 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Pikachu starts showing up in early-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 PLA
Pichu is your first catch on the way to Pikachu. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 3-27 across 6 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PichuFloaro GardensLv.3-6GrassRate 15%Golden LowlandsLv.6-27GrassRate 15%Nature’s PantryLv.9-12GrassRate 15%
Step 2Pikachu ✓Golden LowlandsLv.6-27GrassRate 15%Nature’s PantryLv.9-12GrassRate 15%or evolve from Pichu (Step 1)
Base Stats
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.
Pikachu Guide
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.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Pikachu has appeared in 23 titles over 10 generations. Along the way, it received a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
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 8SwShGigantamax
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