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.
Its long tail serves as a ground to protect itself from its own high-voltage power.
If its electric pouches run empty, it raises its tail to gather electricity from the atmosphere.
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 |
In Sword & Shield, Excadrill can KO Raichu with Earthquake (223-263%). Scizor threatens a KO with Knock Off (87-103%). Weavile's Knock Off also KOs at 134-159%.
 Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityMold Breaker ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x223-263%KO Rapid Spin37-44% | ||
 Scizor BugSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch20-24% Knock Off 2x87-103%KO | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Weavile builds →Knock Off 2x134-159%KO Ice Shard41-49% | ||
 Blacephalon FireGhost | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityBeastboost ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Blacephalon builds →Shadow Ball 2x129-152%KO Flamethrower72-85% Overheat104-123%KO | ||
 Landorus Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Landorus builds →Sludge Bomb51-61% Psychic26-30% | ||
Sword & Shield 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 43 partners from the Fairy and Ground egg groups.
Sword & Shield Raichu Best Moveset
the remaining moves is what separates a good sweep from a wasted boost. After Nasty Plot, Raichu threatens a wide range with max Sp. Atk and Speed EVs and Life Orb backing every hit.
Best Build
Raichu best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Doubles Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Protect
- Discharge
- Fake Out
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Surf
- Focus Blast
- Encore
Recommended Teammates
Special Revenge Killer Moveset
- Volt Switch
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
- Grass Knot
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Most of Raichu's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Future Sight and Thunder, but Normal and Fighting 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
How to Get Alolan Raichu in Sword & Shield
This 3-stage chain starts with Pichu, a baby that doesn't spawn wild. Breed Pikachu at the nursery to hatch one, then level through the stages to reach Alolan Raichu.
How to Obtain Raichu in Sword & Shield
To get Raichu, start by catching Pichu through walking encounters at Lv. 10-30. The chain covers 1 catchable stage before reaching the final form.
Step 1Breed Pichu from PikachuBreed from Pikachu at the Day Care.
- Step 2Catch or Evolve PikachuForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyNormal WeatherForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyThunderstormForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlySnowstormForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyIntense SunForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlySnowingForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlySandstormForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyThunderstormForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyRainingForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyIntense SunForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyHeavy FogForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlySnowingForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyOvercastForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlySandstormForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyNormal WeatherForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyRainingForest of FocusSwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlySnowstormForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyHeavy FogForest of FocusShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest5%EarlyOvercastRoute 4SwordOverworld Lv.14-16 Route5%EarlyAll WeatherRoute 4ShieldOverworld Lv.14-16 Route1%EarlyAll WeatherStony WildernessShieldGrass Lv.26-2810%MidRainingStony WildernessSwordGrass Lv.26-2810%MidRainingStony Wilderness - 3SwordOverworld Lv.28-3010%MidThunderstormStony WildernessShieldOverworld Lv.28-305%MidThunderstormStony WildernessSwordOverworld Lv.28-305%MidThunderstormStony Wilderness - 2SwordOverworld Lv.28-305%MidThunderstormStony Wilderness - 2ShieldOverworld Lv.28-305%MidThunderstormStony Wilderness - 3ShieldOverworld Lv.28-305%MidThunderstormor evolve from Pichu (Step 1)
Step 3Raichu ✓
Raichu Guide
In Sword & Shield, Raichu works as a pivot with 485 BST behind it. C-Tier on our list: a niche pick in Sword & Shield's meta. Protect with Life Orb 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 Sword & Shield, 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