Raichu Best Moveset
90 Sp. Atk at 110 Speed with AbilityLightning Rod redirecting Electric attacks and boosting Sp. Atk by one stage. Held ItemLife Orb with NatureTimid pushes the special Electric TermStab further. Fast enough to outrun most of the format, but 60 HP means one physical hit often ends it.
100 Speed and Thunderbolt off 90 Special made Raichu a fast special attacker in Gen I (Red & Blue). Thunder Wave support gave it utility beyond raw damage.
Best Moves
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Thunder Wave
- Body Slam
Recommended Teammates
The Special split dropped Raichu to 90 Sp. Atk and 80 Sp. Def. Still fast but not powerful enough to keep up with the new threats in Gen II (Gold & Silver).
Support Moveset
- Thunder
- Surf
- Encore
- Thunder Wave
Recommended Teammates
Static as an ability wasn't exciting, and pure Electric typing meant Earthquake ended every conversation. A decent pivot but nothing more.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Substitute
- Thunder
Recommended Teammates
Other Electric-types pushed Raichu further down in Gen IV (Diamond & Pearl). Jolteon was faster, Electivire hit harder. Raichu sat awkwardly in between.
Special Tank Moveset
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Thunder
- Grass Knot
Recommended Teammates
Lightning Rod arrived as its hidden ability but wasn't enough to fix the core problem. Raichu was simply too frail and too weak for Gen V (Black & White).
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Nasty Plot
- Grass Knot
- Hidden Power Fire
Recommended Teammates
Lightning Rod gave it a niche absorbing Electric attacks for teammates, but the payoff was rarely worth building around.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
- Grass Knot
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Alolan Raichu with Surge Surfer was a completely different Pokemon. The original had even less reason to exist in Gen VII (Sun & Moon).
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Grass Knot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Thunder
Recommended Teammates
Still outclassed by faster, stronger Electric-types in Gen VIII (Sword & Shield). Lightning Rod support wasn't enough to justify the slot.
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Focus Blast
- Encore
Recommended Teammates
The decline was complete. No new tools, no new gimmicks, and a format full of Pokemon that did everything Raichu wanted to do but better.
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Surf
- Thunderbolt
- Volt Switch
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Raichu Weakness
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 |
What is Raichu Weak Against
GoodBest Pokemon Against Raichu
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Alomomola builds →Flip Turn21-25% Scald13-16% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemLeftovers NatureCalm Moves View Toxapex builds →
| ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemRocky Helmet NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Corviknight builds →U Turn28-33% | ||
B | ||
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemAssault Vest NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Primarina builds →Moonblast51-61% Surf49-57% Flip Turn19-22% | ||
C | ||
Recommended Build AbilityDrizzle ItemDamprock NatureRelaxed Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Pelipper builds →Hurricane17-21% U Turn18-21% | ||
Evolution
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
How to Get Raichu
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 SV
Pichu is your first catch on the way to Raichu. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 3-60 across 82 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch PichuApple HillsLv.3-60OverworldCrystal PoolLv.3-60OverworldInfernal PassLv.3-60OverworldKitakami RoadLv.3-60OverworldOni MountainLv.3-60OverworldOnis MawLv.3-60OverworldRevelers RoadLv.3-60OverworldWistful FieldsLv.3-60OverworldCasseroya Lake - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%East Province (Area One) - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%East Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%North Province (Area One) - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%North Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Four) - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area One) - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%Tagtree Thicket - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%West Province (Area Three) - ForestLv.5-10OverworldRate 1%
Step 2Catch or Evolve PikachuApple HillsLv.5-60OverworldKitakami RoadLv.5-60OverworldKitakami WildsLv.5-60OverworldOni MountainLv.5-60OverworldParadise BarrensLv.5-60OverworldTimeless WoodsLv.5-60OverworldWistful FieldsLv.5-60OverworldEast Province (Area One) - ForestLv.10-30OverworldRate 6%South Province (Area Four) - ForestLv.10-30OverworldRate 6%South Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.10-30OverworldRate 6%West Province (Area Three) - ForestLv.10-30OverworldRate 6%or evolve from Pichu (Step 1)
Step 3Raichu ✓Casseroya Lake - ForestLv.40-60OverworldRate 1%East Province (Area One) - ForestLv.40-60OverworldRate 1%East Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.40-60OverworldRate 1%North Province (Area One) - ForestLv.40-60OverworldRate 1%North Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.40-60OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Four) - ForestLv.40-60OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area One) - ForestLv.40-60OverworldRate 1%South Province (Area Two) - ForestLv.40-60OverworldRate 1%Tagtree Thicket - ForestLv.40-60OverworldRate 1%The Great Crater of PaldeaLv.40-60OverworldRate 1%West Province (Area Three) - ForestLv.40-60OverworldRate 1%or 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 & Pearl, or Scarlet & Violet.
How to Obtain Raichu in WW
Step 1Breed Pichu from PikachuLATER APPEARANCEfrom CrystalNot TradeableAppears in Crystal via Gift · Route 34 · Hatch Odd Egg (random). Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Diamond & PearlNot TradeableAppears in Diamond & Pearl via Walking · Trophy Garden. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom PlatinumNot TradeableAppears in Platinum via Walking · Trophy Garden. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in HeartGold & SoulSilver via Special encounter · Ilex Forest · Requires Pikachu-colored Pichu. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCEfrom Sun & MoonNot TradeableAppears in Sun & Moon via Walking · Route 1. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.LATER APPEARANCENot TradeableAppears in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon via Walking · Route 1. Forward-only transfer — no path back to this game from a later one.
Step 2Evolve into Pikachu- Step 3Raichu ✓
1 encounter spots for Raichu at moderate rates starting from endgame routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Raichu in LZA
To get Raichu, start by catching Pichu through walking encounters at Lv. 4-64. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
1 encounter spots for Raichu at decent spawn rates starting from early-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Where To Catch Raichu in PLA
To get Raichu, start by catching Pichu through walking encounters at Lv. 3-27. The chain covers 3 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Catch PichuFloaro GardensLv.3-6GrassRate 15%Golden LowlandsLv.6-27GrassRate 15%Nature’s PantryLv.9-12GrassRate 15%
Step 2Catch or Evolve PikachuGolden LowlandsLv.6-27GrassRate 15%Nature’s PantryLv.9-12GrassRate 15%or evolve from Pichu (Step 1)
Step 3Raichu ✓Golden LowlandsLv.6-27GrassRate 15%or evolve from Pikachu (Step 2)
Base Stats
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.
Raichu Guide
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.
The core moveset is Surf, Thunderbolt, Volt Switch, and Nasty Plot. Surf leads at 0% usage. Thunderbolt provides reliable STAB damage.
Game Availability
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 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SMAlolan
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves