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.
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 |
 Garchomp DragonGround | A | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x170-200%KO Dig 2x136-160%KO Bulldoze 2x101-120%KO Sand Tomb 2x60-71% | ||
 Zygarde DragonGround | B | |
Obtain MethodRoute 16 Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Zygarde builds →Earthquake 2x136-160%KO Land's Wrath 2x122-144%KO Dig 2x109-129%KO Bulldoze 2x83-98% | ||
 Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Krookodile builds →Earthquake 2x155-182%KO Dig 2x124-147%KO Bulldoze 2x94-111%KO Sand Tomb 2x56-67% | ||
 Flygon GroundDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Flygon builds →Earthquake 2x136-160%KO Earth Power 2x77-91% Bulldoze 2x83-98% Sand Tomb 2x49-58% | ||
 Mudsdale Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Mudsdale builds →Earthquake 2x164-193%KO High Horsepower 2x155-182%KO Bulldoze 2x100-118%KO Mud-Slap 2x15-18% | ||
In Sun & Moon, Swampert can KO Raichu with Earthquake (257-303%). Landorus's Sludge Bomb hits Raichu for 54-64%.
 Swampert WaterGround | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemLife Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Swampert builds →Earthquake 2x257-303%KO Scald41-48% Waterfall103-121%KO | ||
 Landorus Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Landorus builds →Sludge Bomb54-64% | ||
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 50 partners from the Fairy and Ground egg groups. Notable egg moves include Bestow, Bide, Charge and 13 more.
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
You're catching Pichu first, not 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 ✓
In Sun & Moon, Raichu looks average on paper at 485 BST. But Lightning Rod is why it sees play. Build around that and it pulls its weight. B-Tier pivot on our tier list. Fakeout with Leftovers is the standard set.
In Sun & Moon, 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 special attacker with base 90 Sp. Atk. Speed tells the real story. Base 110 Speed lets it outrun most of the field. Fits the pivot role.
In Sun & Moon, 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