Stats & Training
Speed and Attack carry most of Pikachu's stat budget. Defense's the obvious dump stat. Common in the wild and yields 2 Speed EVs. Follows a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
This intelligent Pokémon roasts hard berries with electricity to make them tender enough to eat.
It raises its tail to check its surroundings. The tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose.
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 |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Whiscash builds →Mud Bomb 2x96-114%KO Mud-Slap 2x34-42% | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
 Wooper WaterGround | D | |
Obtain MethodRuins Of Alph Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Wooper builds →Mud Bomb 2x50-60% Mud Shot 2x44-54% | ||
 Numel FireGround | D | |
 Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Whiscash builds →Mud Bomb 2x92-108%KO Mud-Slap 2x31-38% | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Onix RockGround | C | |
Numel FireGround | D | |
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Sandshrew builds →Dig 2x151-179%KO Sand Tomb 2x71-83% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Whiscash builds →Mud Bomb 2x95-113%KO Mud-Slap 2x31-38% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x235-278%KO Dig 2x191-225%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Numel FireGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Numel builds →Earth Power 2x118-139%KO Dig 2x134-158%KO | ||
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Sandshrew builds →Dig 2x159-188%KO Sand Tomb 2x73-86% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Whiscash builds →Mud Bomb 2x91-108%KO Mud-Slap 2x32-38% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x228-269%KO Dig 2x182-215%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Numel FireGround | D | |
Sandshrew Ground | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Sandshrew builds →Dig 2x153-181%KO Sand Tomb 2x68-81% | ||
Whiscash WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Whiscash builds →Mud Bomb 2x96-113%KO Mud-Slap 2x31-37% | ||
 Gligar Ground | C | |
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x234-277%KO Dig 2x189-223%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Numel FireGround | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Numel builds →Earth Power 2x116-137%KO Dig 2x132-157%KO | ||
In HeartGold & SoulSilver, Flygon can KO Pikachu with Earthquake (318-374%).
 Flygon GroundDragon | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Flygon builds →Earthquake 2x318-374%KO Outrage190-224%KO U Turn74-88% | ||
HeartGold & SoulSilver 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 175 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Pikachu to get Pichu eggs easily using 35 partners from the Fairy and Ground egg groups. Notable egg moves include Bide, Charge, Double Slap and 8 more.
HeartGold & SoulSilver Pikachu Best Moveset
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 Attack and Speed
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Volt Tackle
- Thunderbolt
- Quick Attack
- Grass Knot
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Coverage runs deep. Pikachu can hit 10 types beyond STAB, including Normal and Fighting. The offense anchors on Volt Tackle and Thunder while TMs handle everything else.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
Event Moves
How to Get Pikachu in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Finding Pikachu at moderate rates takes patience. 6 spots are available in early-game routes, but the rate difference between them matters. Lock in the top one from the sorted list below.
Where To Catch Pikachu in HeartGold & SoulSilver
Pichu is your first catch on the way to Pikachu. You'll find fixed and walking encounters from Lv. 4-30 across 8 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PichuIlex ForestSoulSilverInteract with Pokemon Lv.30 ForestLimitedMidRequires Pikachu-colored PichuIlex ForestHeartGoldInteract with Pokemon Lv.30 ForestLimitedMidRequires Pikachu-colored Pichu
Step 2Pikachu ✓Viridian ForestHeartGoldGrass Lv.4-7 ForestRareEarlyMorning/dayViridian ForestSoulSilverGrass Lv.4 ForestRareEarlyNightViridian ForestSoulSilverGrass Lv.4-7 ForestRareEarlyMorning/dayViridian ForestHeartGoldGrass Lv.4 ForestRareEarlyNightSaffron CityHeartGoldIn-game trade CityLimitedTrade for (give Pikachu)Saffron CitySoulSilverIn-game trade CityLimitedTrade for (give Pikachu)or evolve from Pichu (Step 1)
Pikachu Guide
Multiple options from Pikachu: Raichu using a Thunder Stone and Alolan Raichu using a Thunder Stone. Each branch takes the 310 BST base in a different direction.
For HeartGold & SoulSilver, you can run Pikachu through the first few routes without issues. 310 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Raichu as fast as you can.
You can find Pikachu in HeartGold & SoulSilver. The Locations section has the full breakdown of routes and encounter details. It also appears in 22 other games across the series.
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.
Game Availability
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