The Mouse Pokemon. Yellow's starter and the star of the show. Pikachu follows you everywhere but refuses to evolve, so you'll need teammates for Ground types.
310HP35Attack55Defense30Speed90Sp.Def50Sp.Atk50
Pikachu
Raichu
Weak to
Special
Balanced
90Speed · Above Avg

Is Pikachu Good in Yellow Playthrough?

Your starter in Yellow. Pikachu follows you around and refuses to evolve with a Thunder Stone, so you're locked into base stats for the entire game. Electric handles Misty and every Water trainer along the way, but Brock is immune and the low defenses make physical hits dangerous. Carries through mid-game on type coverage alone, then falls behind at the E4 where opponents demand more power than Pikachu can deliver.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadTGTEGEETGEGEEBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4KogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4BlueChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Tough

Brock's typing presses Raichu's defenses.

Risky
Geodude
Lv 10
RockGround
Rock Head
Tackle
Risky
Onix
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleScreechBindBide
Misty
Gym 2
Good

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

Easy KO
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleWater Gun
You Win
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
TackleWater GunHardenBubble Beam
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Tough

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

Risky
Raichu
Lv 28
Electric
Static
ThunderboltMega PunchMega KickGrowl
Erika
Gym 4
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Erika's team.

Risky
Tangela
Lv 30
Grass
Chlorophyll
ConstrictBindMega DrainVine Whip
Even
Weepinbell
Lv 32
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Razor LeafSleep PowderStun SporeAcid
Even
Gloom
Lv 32
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Petal DanceStun SporeSleep PowderAcid
Koga
Gym 5
Good

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

You Win
Venonat
Lv 44
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicTackleSleep PowderPsychic
You Win
Venonat
Lv 46
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicPsybeamSupersonicPsychic
You Win
Venonat
Lv 48
BugPoison
Compound Eyes
ToxicDouble EdgeSleep PowderPsychic
Even
Venomoth
Lv 50
BugPoison
Shield Dust
Leech LifeDouble TeamPsychicToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.

Even
Abra
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
Flash
Even
Kadabra
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
KinesisRecoverPsychicPsywave
Even
Alakazam
Lv 50
Psychic
Synchronize
PsywaveRecoverPsychicReflect
Blaine
Gym 7
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.

Even
Ninetales
Lv 48
Fire
Flash Fire
FlamethrowerTail WhipQuick AttackConfuse Ray
Even
Rapidash
Lv 50
Fire
Run Away
StompGrowlFire SpinTake Down
Even
Arcanine
Lv 54
Fire
Intimidate
FlamethrowerFire BlastReflectTake Down
Giovanni
Gym 8
Tough

Giovanni's team hits Raichu's weaknesses hard.

Risky
Dugtrio
Lv 50
Ground
Sand Veil
DigSand AttackFissureEarthquake
You Win
Persian
Lv 53
Normal
Limber
ScreechDouble TeamFury SwipesSlash
Risky
Nidoqueen
Lv 53
PoisonGround
Poison Point
EarthquakeTail WhipThunderDouble Kick
Risky
Nidoking
Lv 55
PoisonGround
Poison Point
EarthquakeLeerThunderDouble Kick
Risky
Rhydon
Lv 55
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Rock SlideFury AttackHorn DrillEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Good

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

Easy KO
Dewgong
Lv 54
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Bubble BeamAurora BeamRestTake Down
Easy KO
Cloyster
Lv 53
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SupersonicClampIce BeamSpike Cannon
Easy KO
Slowbro
Lv 54
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
PsychicSurfWithdrawAmnesia
Even
Jynx
Lv 56
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Double SlapIce PunchLovely KissThrash
You Win
Lapras
Lv 56
WaterIce
Water Absorb
Body SlamConfuse RayBlizzardHydro Pump
Bruno
Elite Four
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.

Even
Onix
Lv 53
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock SlideScreechSlamDig
You Win
Hitmonchan
Lv 55
Fighting
Keen Eye
Ice PunchThunder PunchFire PunchDouble Team
You Win
Hitmonlee
Lv 55
Fighting
Limber
Double KickMega KickHigh Jump KickDouble Team
Risky
Onix
Lv 56
RockGround
Rock Head
Rock SlideScreechSlamEarthquake
Even
Machamp
Lv 58
Fighting
Guts
LeerKarate ChopStrengthSubmission
Agatha
Elite Four
Good

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

Even
Gengar
Lv 56
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RaySubstituteLickMega Drain
Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 56
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
SupersonicToxicWing AttackLeech Life
Even
Haunter
Lv 55
GhostPoison
Levitate
Confuse RayLickHypnosisDream Eater
You Win
Arbok
Lv 58
Poison
Intimidate
WrapGlareScreechAcid
Risky
Gengar
Lv 60
GhostPoison
Cursed Body
Confuse RayPsychicHypnosisDream Eater
Lance
Elite Four
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Lance's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 58
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Dragon RageLeerHydro PumpHyper Beam
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
Thunder WaveSlamThunderboltHyper Beam
Risky
Dragonair
Lv 56
Dragon
Shed Skin
Bubble BeamWrapIce BeamHyper Beam
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 60
RockFlying
Rock Head
Wing AttackSwiftFlyHyper Beam
Even
Dragonite
Lv 62
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
BlizzardFire BlastThunderHyper Beam
Blue
Champion
Even

Raichu trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.

Risky
Sandslash
Lv 61
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashPoison StingEarthquakeFury Swipes
Even
Alakazam
Lv 59
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamRecoverPsychicKinesis
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 61
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
BarrageHypnosisStompLeech Seed
Even
Ninetales
Lv 61
Fire
Flash Fire
Confuse RayTail WhipQuick AttackFire Spin
Risky
Magneton
Lv 63
Electric
Magnet Pull
ThunderboltThunder WaveSwiftScreech
You Win
Vaporeon
Lv 65
Water
Water Absorb
Aurora BeamMistQuick AttackHydro Pump

Starter

Starter Pokemon
Type
Electric
Tier
E

Pikachu is available as a starter at Lv 5.

View Pikachu locations

How to Get Pikachu in Yellow

Pikachu is your starter in Yellow, handed to you by Professor Oak in Pallet Town at level 5. This is the only one in the game, so there's no wild Pikachu to back it up.

1 location to catch Pikachu

How to Obtain Pikachu in Y

  1. Raichu
    Step 2Evolve into Raichu

Pikachu Weakness

Ground moves hit Pikachu for super-effective damage. Few weaknesses and 2 resistances make the typing clean. Just 1 weak spot to worry about, which keeps teambuilding straightforward.

Pikachu Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Ground
0.5x (Resist)Electric, Flying
Gen I Type Chart
  • Only 15 types exist — Dark, Steel, and Fairy are absent
  • Ghost has no effect on Psychic (a known bug, fixed in Gen II)
  • Special stat governs both offense and defense — no Sp.Atk / Sp.Def split

What is Pikachu Weak Against

Avg
1Weak
2Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
2xWeak
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Pikachu Strong Against

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

Best Pokemon Against Pikachu

Pikachu Evolutions

You'll evolve Pikachu into Raichu the traditional way. This Electric type doesn't breed despite having a chain ahead. The evolved forms gain up to 175 total stats over Pikachu. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Pikachu
Electric
Raichu
Electric
HP
35
60+25
ATK
55
90+35
DEF
40
55+15
SP.ATK
50
90+40
SP.DEF
50
80+30
SPE
90
110+20
BST
320E-Tier
485A-Tier+165
ROLE
Balanced
Pivot
TYPE
Utility
Mixed
Breeding not available · Introduced in Gen 2

Y Pikachu Best Moveset

The franchise mascot with 55 Attack and 50 Special behind the moves. MoveThunderbolt chips from a Special stat that Raichu improves to 90. Speed at 90 means going first, but every hit lands as small damage. Thunder Stone is the answer.

Best Build

Experimental
Utility
Ability
Unknown
Item
None
Best Nature for Pikachu
HardyNEUTRAL

Utility Moveset

  • ThunderboltSTAB
  • SurfCoverage
  • Thunder WaveSTAB
  • Quick Attack

Moves List

Level-up moves are just the starting point for Pikachu. TMs unlock Normal and Fighting coverage and turn a straightforward STAB kit around Thunder and Thunderbolt into something with actual range.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Growl
D—10040Normal
Lv 1
Thunder Shock
—6010030Electric
Lv 6
Tail Whip
——10030Normal
Lv 8
Thunder Wave
B—10020Electric
Lv 11
Quick Attack+1
A4010030Normal
Lv 15
Double Team
———15Normal
Lv 20
Slam
—807520Normal
Lv 26
Thunderbolt
B14210015Electric
Lv 33
Agility
C——30Psychic
Lv 41
Thunder
A1657010Electric
Lv 50
Light Screen
D——30Psychic

TM Moves

All 22 TMs are obtainable before the Elite Four

TM
TM34D——10Normal
TM08
Body SlamS.S. Annebadge 2
D8510015Normal
TM32
Double TeamSafari Zonebadge 3
———15Normal
TM10
Double-EdgeRocket Hideoutbadge 3
C12010015Normal
HM05D—7020Normal
TM05
Mega KickCeladon Department Storebadge 3
D120755Normal
TM01
Mega PunchMt. Moonbadge 1
D808520Normal
TM31
MimicSaffron Citybadge 5
D——10Normal
TM16
Pay DayRoute 12badge 5
D4010020Normal
TM20
RageRoute 15badge 3
D2010020Normal
TM33
ReflectKanto Power Plantbadge 3
A——20Psychic
TM44
RestS.S. Annebadge 2
C——10Psychic
TM19
Seismic TossRoute 25badge 1
D—10020Fighting
TM40
Skull BashSafari Zonebadge 4
C10010010Normal
TM17
SubmissionCeladon Department Storebadge 3
D808025Fighting
TM50
SubstituteRocket Game Cornerbadge 3
C——10Normal
TM39
SwiftRoute 12 Gate 2Fbadge 2
D60—20Normal
TM09
Take DownSilph Co.badge 3
D908520Normal
TM25
ThunderKanto Power Plantbadge 5
A1657010Electric
TM45
Thunder WaveRoute 24badge 1
B—10020Electric
TM24B14210015Electric
TM06C—9010Poison

Tutor Moves

Pikachu can't learn any Tutor moves

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
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+2
Speed training target
Pokedex Entry

It keeps its tail raised to monitor its surroundings. If you yank its tail, it will try to bite you.

Pokemon Yellow

Pikachu Yellow Guide

  • For Yellow, 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.

Game Availability

Since debuting in Red & Blue, Pikachu has appeared in 22 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received a Gigantamax form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.

Explore

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