Everything pushes toward mixed damage here. Raichu's Speed does the work, Defense pays the price. But you're still getting 3 Speed EVs per KO. Moderately hard to find, on a medium-fast 1M XP curve.
Its tail discharges electricity into the ground, protecting it from getting shocked.
If the electric pouches in its cheeks become fully charged, both ears will stand straight up.
Type-wise, Raichu takes extra damage from Ground. Not many exploitable gaps in the Electric typing defensive chart. Lightning Rod grants an additional Electric immunity, reshaping the matchup chart. Raichu's special bulk (base 80 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Electric, Flying, Steel |
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn32-38% | ||
 | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves View Talonflame builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureBold Moves View Toxapex builds →
| ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Corviknight builds →U Turn28-33% | ||
 | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Vaporeon builds →Scald43-51% Flip Turn26-30% | ||
Raichu evolved from Pichu's chain using an evolution item. It's a non-standard trigger, so check the details below. Breed this form to get Pichu eggs (quick to hatch). The evolution from Pichu pushed Raichu to 485 total stats. Sp.Atk saw the largest single gain at +55. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Raichu to get Pichu eggs easily using 66 partners from the Fairy and Ground egg groups.
Click Volt Switch, bring in a teammate, repeat. Raichu's pivot game is backed by Focus Sash for a guaranteed survive from full HP and max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs. Lightningrod works in the background while double STAB covers bad matchups.
Best Build
Raichu best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- Nuzzle
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Surf
- Alluring Voice
Recommended Teammates
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Draining Kiss
- Discharge
Recommended Teammates
Winds & Waves has not been released yet. Build info will be available after launch.
Check back after the game launches for competitive build content.
Doubles Special Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- Nuzzle
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Surf
- Alluring Voice
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Draining Kiss
- Discharge
Recommended Teammates
Legends: Arceus uses different battle mechanics.
Competitive build content is not applicable for this game. Select a main series game for builds.
Moves
Most of Raichu's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Thunder and Thunderbolt, but Normal and Steel and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Winds & Waves is still unreleased. Raichu's learnable moves will be confirmed closer to the game's launch.
Most of Raichu's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Volt Tackle and Thunder, but Normal and Fighting and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
The offense anchors on Volt Tackle and Thunder, with Normal and Steel coverage and more adding reach. It's a workable movepool for Raichu that handles most situations. Thunderbolt and Iron Tail give it enough punch where it matters.
Finding Raichu at low spawn rates takes patience. 24 spots are available in late-game routes, but the rate difference between them matters. Lock in the top one from the sorted list below.
Where To Catch Raichu in Scarlet & Violet
Pichu is your first catch on the way to Raichu. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 5-60 across 52 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PichuCasseroya Lake - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Water1%EarlyCasseroya Lake - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Water1%EarlyEast Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyEast Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyEast Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyEast Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyNorth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyTagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Forest1%EarlyTagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Forest1%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.5-10 Route1%Early
Step 2Catch or Evolve PikachuEast Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlyEast Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Four) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlySouth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%EarlyWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.10-30 Route6%Earlyor evolve from Pichu (Step 1)
Step 3Raichu ✓Casseroya Lake - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.40-60 Water1%LateCasseroya Lake - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.40-60 Water1%LateEast Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.40-60 Route1%LateEast Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.40-60 Route1%LateEast Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.40-60 Route1%LateEast Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.40-60 Route1%LateNorth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.40-60 Route1%LateNorth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.40-60 Route1%LateNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.40-60 Route1%LateNorth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.40-60 Route1%LateSouth Province (Area Four) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.40-60 Route1%LateSouth Province (Area Four) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.40-60 Route1%LateSouth Province (Area One) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.40-60 Route1%LateSouth Province (Area One) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.40-60 Route1%LateSouth Province (Area Two) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.40-60 Route1%LateSouth Province (Area Two) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.40-60 Route1%LateTagtree Thicket - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.40-60 Forest1%LateTagtree Thicket - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.40-60 Forest1%LateThe Great Crater of PaldeaVioletOverworld Lv.40-601%LateThe Great Crater of PaldeaScarletOverworld Lv.40-601%LateThe Great Crater of PaldeaVioletOverworld Lv.40-601%LateThe Great Crater of PaldeaScarletOverworld Lv.40-601%LateWest Province (Area Three) - ForestScarletOverworld Lv.40-60 Route1%LateWest Province (Area Three) - ForestVioletOverworld Lv.40-60 Route1%Lateor evolve from Pikachu (Step 2)
Winds & Waves hasn't launched yet, so encounter data for Raichu isn't confirmed. In other games, it's available in Crystal, Diamond, or Scarlet.
Raichu can't be caught in Legends: Z-A. Transfer Pichu from Crystal, Diamond, or Scarlet and evolve through the 3-stage chain to get it. The step cards below map the full chain.
How to Obtain Raichu in Legends: Z-A
- Step 3Raichu ✓
1 encounter spots for Raichu at decent spawn rates starting from mid-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Raichu in Legends: Arceus
To get Raichu, start by catching Pichu through walking encounters at walking. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Raichu looks average on paper at 485 BST. But Lightning Rod is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. C-Tier pivot on our tier list.
Raichu's biggest threats include Golem (Ground), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Only 1 weakness means fewer dedicated counters to worry about. Raichu's base 110 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.
Raichu gets Lightning Rod and Static. But Lightning Rod is the one that matters. It's the centerpiece of every viable set. Build around that.
Raichu is a mixed attacker with base 90 Attack and 90 Sp. Atk. Speed tells the real story. Base 110 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the pivot role.
Lightning Rod is the hidden ability. It redirects single-target electric moves to this Pokémon where possible. Worth hunting for if you want Raichu to compete at a higher level.
Available since Red & Blue, Raichu appears in 23 games spanning 10 generations. Beyond its original form, it gained an Alolan form in Generation 7.
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 8SwSh
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