Special
Pivot
90Speed · Above Avg

Is Pikachu Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

Not your starter in FRLG. Pikachu shows up in Viridian Forest with AbilityStatic paralyzing anything that makes contact. Handles Misty and provides Electric coverage against Lorelei and Lance's Gyarados. The paralysis from Static makes Pikachu more disruptive than its stats suggest. Raichu is available whenever you want it. Unlike Yellow, this Pikachu takes the Thunder Stone.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadBGTTGGGESEGEEPikachuCatchBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3RaichuEvolveErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Bad

Brock's Pokemon outpace and outclass Pichu here.

Avoid
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Avoid
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Good

Pikachu has the type edge here and should clean up Misty's team.

You Win
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
You Win
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Tough

Lt. Surge's typing presses Pikachu's defenses.

Risky
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
Even
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Risky
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Tough

Erika's typing presses Raichu's defenses.

Risky
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
Risky
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
Risky
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Good

Raichu has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Even
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Good

Raichu has the type edge here and should clean up Sabrina's team.

You Win
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Even
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Good

Raichu has the type edge here and should clean up Blaine's team.

Easy KO
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Easy KO
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Giovanni's team.

Even
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Risky
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
Even
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Even
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Even
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Strong

Raichu resists most of Lorelei's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
Easy KO
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
Easy KO
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
You Win
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
You Win
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.

Even
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
Even
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
Even
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
Even
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
Even
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Good

Raichu has the type edge here and should clean up Agatha's team.

You Win
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
You Win
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
You Win
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
You Win
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
LevitateImmune to Ground attacks
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

Easy KO
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
Even
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Terry's team.

Even
Heracross
Lv 72
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornEarthquakeCounterRock Tomb
Even
Alakazam
Lv 73
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCalm MindReflect
You Win
Tyranitar
Lv 72
RockDark
Sand Stream
CrunchEarthquakeThunderboltAerial Ace
You Win
Gyarados
Lv 73
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hydro PumpDragon DanceEarthquakeHyper Beam
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 73
Fire
Intimidate
Extreme SpeedOverheatAerial AceIron Tail
Risky
Venusaur
Lv 75
GrassPoison
Overgrow
Solar BeamSludge BombEarthquakeSunny Day
Catchable
Available before Badge 1
Type
Electric
Tier
C

Catch Pikachu on Viridian Forest (walking, Lv 3-5, rare).

View Pikachu locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Brock
    • TUTORNormalMega Kick12075%5
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM34ElectricShock Wave90100%20
    • TM28GroundDig80100%10
    • LV 26ElectricThunderbolt135100%15
    • LV 41ElectricThunder16570%10
  • After Koga
    • TM01FightingFocus Punch150100%20
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20
Evolve Pikachu to Raichu
Use Thunder Stone
Type
Electric
Tier
B

You can usually obtain this item before you reach Erika.

Recommended Moves
  • STARTING (Lv 24)
    • LV 24ElectricThunderbolt135100%15
  • After Brock
    • TUTORNormalMega Kick12075%5
  • After Lt. Surge
    • TM34ElectricShock Wave90100%20
  • After Erika
    • TM25ElectricThunder16570%10
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
  • After Koga
    • TM01FightingFocus Punch150100%20
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • Post-Game
    • TUTORNormalBody Slam85100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20

How to Get Pikachu in FireRed & LeafGreen

Just four grass encounters in both versions, and the map shows a huge gap. Two in the very first forest, two at a late-game facility, nothing in between.

2 locations to catch Pikachu

Encountered via tall grass encounters

Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8

Where To Catch Pikachu in FRLG

Pichu is your first catch on the way to Pikachu. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 3-26 across 4 total spots in the chain.

  1. Pichu
    Step 1Breed Pichu from Pikachu
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave Pikachu with a compatible partner at the Four Island Pokemon Day Care to receive a Pichu egg. Requires the Rainbow Pass to access Four Island.
    HOME TRANSFER
    Not Tradeable
    Pokemon HOME on Switch FireRed & LeafGreen is permanently deposit-only — once it launches, Pichu can be sent from this game into HOME, but never transferred in.
  2. Raichu
    Step 3Evolve into Raichu

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.

Pikachu Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ground
0.5x (Resist)Electric, Flying, Steel
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Pikachu Weak Against

Good
1Weak
3Resist
1Immune
Score+1
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
¼xResist
None
0xImmune

What is Pikachu Strong Against

2Strong
3Resisted
1Immune
Score-2
2xStrong
0xImmune

Best Pokemon Against Pikachu

Pikachu Evolutions

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

3 Forms
Pichu
#172Pichu
High Friendship
Pikachu
#025Pikachu
Thunder Stone
Thunder Stone
Raichu
#026Raichu
Stat Comparison 3 Stages
Pichu
Electric
Pikachu
Electric
Raichu
Electric
HP
20
35+15
60+25
ATK
40
55+15
90+35
DEF
15
40+25
55+15
SP.ATK
35
50+15
90+40
SP.DEF
35
50+15
80+30
SPE
60
90+30
110+20
BST
205D-Tier
320C-Tier+115
485C-Tier+165
ROLE
Balanced
Balanced
Pivot
TYPE
Utility
Utility
Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Pikachu to get Pichu eggs easily using 27 partners from the Fairy and Ground egg groups. Notable egg moves include Bide, Charge, Double Slap and 4 more.

Egg Groups
Gender
50.0%50.0%
Hatch Time
10 cycles·2,570 steps
Fast~3 min with Flame Body
Egg Moves
7moves
Breed With (best first)
raichuazumarilltogeticnidokinggolduckampharosglalierhydonjumpluffbreloomdewgongmarill

FRLG Pikachu Best Moveset

Doubled Sp. Atk through Held ItemLight Ball turns a weak 50 into an effective 100 for special Electric attacks. AbilityStatic paralyzes on contact. The moveset relies entirely on that item, with MoveThunderbolt as the primary damage and 35 HP demanding careful entry timing.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Sweeper
Ability
Static
Item
Light Ball
Best Nature for Pikachu
Timid+SPE

Pikachu best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Sweeper Moveset

  • ThunderboltSTAB
  • Volt TackleSTAB
  • SurfCoverage
  • Hidden Power Grass

Recommended Teammates

Moves List

Don't skip the egg moves. Pikachu picks up Bide and Charge only through breeding, and both fill gaps the natural movepool can't. STAB runs through Thunder and Thunderbolt while Normal and Fighting coverage and more adds range.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
D10040Normal
Lv 1
Thunder Shock
6010030Electric
Lv 6
Tail Whip
10030Normal
Lv 8
Thunder Wave
C10020Electric
Lv 11
Quick Attack+1
D4010030Normal
Lv 15
Double Team
15Normal
Lv 20
Slam
807520Normal
Lv 26
Thunderbolt
B14210015Electric
Lv 33
Agility
A30Psychic
Lv 41
Thunder
D1807010Electric
Lv 50
Light Screen
C30Psychic

TM Moves

TM
TM45
Attract
10015Normal
TM31
Brick Break
D7510015Fighting
TM28
Dig
D6010010Ground
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
HM05
Flash
7020Normal
TM01
Focus Punch-3
C15010020Fighting
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM23
Iron Tail
D1007515Steel
TM16
Light Screen
C30Psychic
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
HM06
Rock Smash
D2010015Fighting
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
TM34
Shock Wave
D9020Electric
HM04
Strength
8010015Normal
TM25
Thunder
D1807010Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
B14210015Electric
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison

Egg Moves

Egg
Egg
Bide+1
10Normal
Egg
Charge
D20Electric
Egg
Double Slap
158510Normal
Egg
Encore
A1005Normal
Egg
Present
D9015Normal
Egg
Reversal
D10015Fighting
Egg
Wish
C10Normal

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Body Slam
D8510015Normal
Tutor
Counter-5
D10020Fighting
Tutor
Double-Edge
C12010015Normal
Tutor
Mega Kick
D120755Normal
Tutor
Mega Punch
808520Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Seismic Toss
D10020Fighting
Tutor
Substitute
A10Normal
Tutor
Thunder Wave
C10020Electric

Reminder Moves

Rem
Rem
Charm
D10020Normal
Rem
Sweet Kiss
7510Normal

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP35
F
Attack55
D
Defense30
F
Sp. Atk50
D
Sp. Def50
D
Speed90
B
Total310
Details
Catch Rate
Easy190 / 255
Growth Rate
Medium Fast1M XP
Height0.4 m
Weight6.0 kg
Base XP112
Abilities
Static
Has a 30% chance of paralyzing attacking Pokémon on contact.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Speed training target
Pokedex Entry

It has small electric sacs on both its cheeks. If threatened, it looses electric charges from the sacs.

When several of these POKéMON gather, their electricity can build and cause lightning storms.

Pikachu FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • When should I use the Thunder Stone on Pikachu?

    Wait until Pikachu reaches Lv. 33 before using the Thunder Stone. Evolving earlier permanently locks Pikachu out of Slam and Agility, moves Raichu cannot relearn.

    Pikachu sprite
    1. Lv. 20learns Slam
    2. Lv. 33learns Agility
    3. Lv. 33+Use the Thunder Stone
  • Where do I get the Thunder Stone in FireRed & LeafGreen?

    Buy a Thunder Stone to evolve Pikachu into Raichu.

    Thunder Stone

    Evolves Pikachu into Raichu

    Celadon Department Store 4F₽2,100

    They can also be found at the Power Plant.

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.

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