Stats & Training
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.
It only evolves to this form in the Alola region. According to researchers, its diet is one of the causes of this change.
It uses psychokinesis to control electricity. It hops aboard its own tail, using psychic power to lift the tail and move about while riding it.
Raichu Weakness
Type-wise, Raichu takes extra damage from Ground, Bug, Ghost, and Dark. The Electric/Psychic typing picks up 5 resistances to work with. Raichu's special bulk (base 85 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ground, Bug, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Electric, Fighting, Flying, Psychic, Steel |
 Garchomp DragonGround | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x181-213%KO Crunch 2x96-114%KO Dig 2x145-171%KO Shadow Claw 2x85-101%KO | ||
 Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 2x166-196%KO Foul Play 2x156-184%KO Crunch 2x132-156%KO Dig 2x132-156%KO | ||
 Zygarde DragonGround | B | |
Obtain MethodRoute 16 Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Zygarde builds →Earthquake 2x145-171%KO Land's Wrath 2x130-153%KO Dig 2x117-138%KO Crunch 2x78-92% | ||
 Guzzlord DarkDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Guzzlord builds →Earthquake 2x98-116%KO Crunch 2x117-138%KO Dark Pulse 2x77-91% Stomping Tantrum 2x74-87% | ||
 Zweilous DarkDragon | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Zweilous builds →Crunch 2x101-120%KO Dark Pulse 2x56-67% Bite 2x77-91% Thief 2x77-91% | ||
In Sun & Moon, Scizor can KO Raichu with U-turn (251-295%). Incineroar threatens a KO with Knock Off (143-168%). Chandelure's Shadow Ball also KOs at 125-147%.
 Scizor BugSteel | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch36-43% Superpower72-84% U Turn 2x251-295%KO | ||
 Incineroar FireDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemAssault Vest NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Incineroar builds →Flare Blitz131-154%KO Knock Off 2x143-168%KO U Turn 2x103-121%KO | ||
 Chandelure GhostFire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlame Body ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Chandelure builds →Shadow Ball 2x125-147%KO Flamethrower70-83% | ||
 Swampert WaterGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Swampert builds →Earthquake 2x277-326%KO Scald39-46% Waterfall110-130%KO | ||
 Landorus Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Landorus builds →Sludge Bomb51-61% | ||
Sun & Moon 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 +60. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Raichu to get Pichu eggs easily using 50 partners from the Fairy and Ground egg groups.
Sun & Moon Raichu Best Moveset
This build takes hits and hits back. Leftovers provides passive recovery each turn, Lightningrod supports the gameplan, and max Attack and Speed EVs mean Raichu doesn't crumble to chip damage. Plus the remaining moves backing it up.
Best Build
Raichu best EVs are Attack and Speed
Doubles Physical Sweeper Moveset
- Fake Out
- Brick Break
- Volt Tackle
- Nuzzle
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Grass Knot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Thunder
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Hard to wall, honestly. Raichu threatens 11 types beyond its own STAB, with Normal and Fighting standing out. Pair that with Volt Tackle and Zap Cannon and switchins need to think twice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Alolan Raichu in Sun & Moon
You're catching Pichu first, not Alolan Raichu. Pichu appears at moderate rates in the encounters below. The step cards map the full 3-stage chain with evolution methods between each stage.
How to Obtain Raichu in Sun & Moon
To get Raichu, start by catching Pichu through walking encounters at Lv. 3-8. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
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 2Catch or Evolve PikachuRoute 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)
Step 3Raichu ✓
Raichu Guide
In Sun & Moon, Raichu works as a pivot with 485 BST behind it. B-Tier on our list: a solid option in Sun & Moon for the right team. Fakeout with Leftovers is the standard set.
Surge Surfer is the go-to ability for Raichu. It doubles this Pokémon's Speed on Electric Terrain. It's Raichu's only ability.
Raichu is a special attacker with base 95 Sp. Atk. Speed tells the real story. Base 110 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the pivot role.
In Sun & Moon, the best way to handle Raichu: Super-effective STAB from faster Pokemon is the simplest answer. Ground, Bug, and Ghost-type attackers hit hardest.
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 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