Stats & Training
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.
This form of Pikachu is somewhat rare. It wears the hat of its Trainer, who is also its partner.
This Pikachu is wearing its Trainer’s cap. Since the cap’s not the right size, the fit is a bit loose.
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 |
 Garchomp DragonGround | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x259-305%KO Dig 2x208-245%KO Bulldoze 2x157-185%KO Sand Tomb 2x93-109%KO | ||
 Zygarde DragonGround | B | |
Obtain MethodRoute 16 Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Zygarde builds →Earthquake 2x208-245%KO Land's Wrath 2x187-221%KO Dig 2x166-196%KO Bulldoze 2x125-147%KO | ||
 Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 2x236-278%KO Dig 2x190-224%KO Bulldoze 2x144-169%KO Sand Tomb 2x85-101%KO | ||
 Flygon GroundDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Flygon builds →Earthquake 2x208-245%KO Earth Power 2x134-158%KO Bulldoze 2x125-147%KO Sand Tomb 2x74-87% | ||
 Mudsdale Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Mudsdale builds →Earthquake 2x250-295%KO High Horsepower 2x238-281%KO Bulldoze 2x150-177%KO Mud-Slap 2x25-30% | ||
In Sun & Moon, Swampert can KO Pikachu with Earthquake (446-525%). Excadrill threatens a KO with Earthquake (363-427%).
 Swampert WaterGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Swampert builds →Earthquake 2x446-525%KO Scald73-86% Waterfall179-210%KO | ||
 Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMold Breaker ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Pikachu View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x363-427%KO Rapid Spin61-72% | ||
Sun & Moon 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
Breeding
Breed with Pikachu to get Pichu eggs easily using 50 partners from the Fairy and Ground egg groups. Notable egg moves include Bestow, Bide, Charge and 13 more.
Sun & Moon Pikachu Best Moveset
The recommended build leans into Pikachu's strengths as an 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
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Iron Tail
- Quick Attack
- Electro Ball
Recommended Teammates
Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Volt Tackle
- Thunderbolt
- Iron Tail
- Quick Attack
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Coverage runs deep. Pikachu can hit 11 types beyond STAB, including Normal and Fighting. The offense anchors on Volt Tackle and Zap Cannon while TMs handle everything else.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Pikachu in Sun & Moon
moderate rates for Pikachu across 4 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 Sun & Moon
The path to Pikachu starts with Pichu at Lv. 3-8 via walking encounters. 2 catchable stages total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Catch PichuRoute 1 - WestMoonGrass Lv.3-5 Route5%EarlyRoute 1 - WestSunGrass Lv.3-5 Route5%EarlyHau'oli City - Shopping DistrictMoonGrass Lv.5-8 City5%EarlyHau'oli City - Shopping DistrictSunGrass Lv.5-8 City5%Early
Step 2Pikachu ✓Route 1 - WestMoonGrass Lv.3-5 RouteEarlySOS from PichuRoute 1 - WestSunGrass Lv.3-5 RouteEarlySOS from PichuHau'oli City - Shopping DistrictMoonGrass Lv.5-8 CityEarlySOS from PichuHau'oli City - Shopping DistrictSunGrass Lv.5-8 CityEarlySOS from Pichuor 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 320 BST base in a different direction.
For Sun & Moon, 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 can find Pikachu in Sun & Moon. 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