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.

What is Raichu weak to?

In Sword & Shield, Raichu's biggest threats include Golem (Ground), Pinsir (Bug), and Gengar (Ghost), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Dark-type attackers are also a problem. Raichu's base 110 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.

What is the best ability for Raichu?

Surge Surfer is the go-to ability for Raichu. It doubles this Pokémon's Speed on Electric Terrain. It's Raichu's only ability.

What role does Raichu play in battle?

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.

What counters Raichu?

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.

Raichu - Weakness, Evolution, Moveset, EVs & Stats

Special

Pivot

CTier

110Speed · Fast

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.

Base Stats

Above

HP60

Attack85

Defense50

Sp. Atk95

Sp. Def85

Speed110

Total485

Details

Catch Rate

Challenging75 / 255

Growth Rate

Medium Fast1M XP

Height0.7 m

Weight21.0 kg

Base XP243

Abilities

Surge Surfer

Doubles this Pokémon's Speed on Electric Terrain.

EV Yield

HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+3

Strong Speed training target

Pokedex Entries

Its long tail serves as a ground to protect itself from its own high-voltage power.

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.

Raichu Weakness and Resistance Chart
Damage	Types
2x (Weak)	Ground, Bug, Ghost, Dark
0.5x (Resist)	Electric, Fighting, Flying, Psychic, Steel

Type ChartVulnerable

4Weak

5Resist

0Immune

Score-3

4xCritical

None

2xWeak

Ground Bug Ghost Dark

½xResist

Electric Fighting Flying Psychic Steel

¼xResist

None

0xImmune

None

STAB (4)

Water Flying Fighting Poison

How to Beat Raichu in Sword & Shield (Best Counters)

Excadrill GroundSteel	A
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 Drill RunLv. 46 Stomping TantrumTM98 Shadow ClawTM65 Damage vs Raichu Dig 2x 148-175%KO Drill Run 2x 148-175%KO Stomping Tantrum 2x 141-166%KO Shadow Claw 2x 87-103%KO View Excadrill builds →
Hippowdon Ground	A
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeLv. 44 DigTM15 CrunchLv. 20 Stomping TantrumTM98 Damage vs Raichu Earthquake 2x 158-187%KO Dig 2x 127-150%KO Crunch 2x 85-100%KO Stomping Tantrum 2x 119-141%KO View Hippowdon builds →
Claydol GroundPsychic	C
Available Moves Moves Earth PowerLv. 30 DigTM15 HexTM77 BulldozeTM81 Damage vs Raichu Earth Power 2x 66-78% Dig 2x 88-104%KO Hex 2x 32-38% Bulldoze 2x 66-78% View Claydol builds →
Flygon GroundDragon	C
Available Moves Moves EarthquakeLv. 44 Bug BuzzLv. 28 Earth PowerLv. 38 CrunchLv. 1 Damage vs Raichu Earthquake 2x 145-171%KO Bug Buzz 2x 48-57% Earth Power 2x 72-85% Crunch 2x 77-91% View Flygon builds →
Sandaconda Ground	C
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 Brutal SwingTM97 BulldozeTM81 Mud ShotTM53 Damage vs Raichu Dig 2x 123-145%KO Brutal Swing 2x 61-72% Bulldoze 2x 92-108%KO Mud Shot 2x 39-46% View Sandaconda builds →

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

4 Forms

#172Pichu

High Friendship

#025Pikachu

#026RaichuThunder Stone

Alola

#026Alola RaichuThunder Stone

Stat Comparison 4 Stages

Pichu

Electric

Pikachu

Electric

Raichu

Electric

Alola Raichu

Electric

35+15

60+25

ATK

55+15

90+35

DEF

40+25

55+15

SP.ATK

50+15

90+40

SP.DEF

50+15

80+30

SPE

90+30

110+20

BST

205D-Tier

320C-Tier+115

485C-Tier+165

ROLE

Balanced

Pivot

TYPE

Utility

Mixed

Breeding

Very Easy

Breed with Raichu to get Pichu eggs easily using 43 partners from the Fairy and Ground egg groups.

Egg Groups

FairyGround

Gender

♂50.0%♀50.0%

Hatch Time

10 cycles·2,570 steps

Fast~3 min with Flame Body

Breed With (best first)

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

Experimental

Ability

Lightning Rod

Item

Life OrbPOWER

Best Nature for Raichu

Timid+SPE

Raichu best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

SpA

Spe

Doubles Special Setup Sweeper Moveset

ProtectFAST +4
DischargeSTAB
Fake Out
Nasty Plot

Recommended Teammates

PelipperGood

Tapu KokoGood

IncineroarDecent

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

Lv 1

Agility

C——30Psychic

Lv 1

Charm

C—10020Fairy

Lv 1

Discharge

A8010015Electric

Lv 1

Double Team

———15Normal

Lv 1

Electro Ball

D—10010Electric

Lv 1

Feint+2

—3010010Normal

Lv 1

Growl

——10040Normal

Lv 1

Light Screen

C——30Psychic

Lv 1

Nasty Plot

A——20Dark

Lv 1

Nuzzle

B2010020Electric

Lv 1

Play Nice

———20Normal

Lv 1

Psychic

B9010010Psychic

Lv 1

Quick Attack+1

D4010030Normal

Lv 1

Slam

—807520Normal

Lv 1

Spark

—6510020Electric

Lv 1

Sweet Kiss

D—7510Fairy

Lv 1

Tail Whip

——10030Normal

Lv 1

Thunder

B1107010Electric

Lv 1

Thunder Shock

—4010030Electric

Lv 1

Thunder Wave

B—9020Electric

Lv 1

Thunderbolt

S9010015Electric

TM Moves

TR12

Agility

C——30Psychic

TR83

Ally Switch+2

C——15Psychic

TM31

Attract

C—10015Normal

TR01

Body Slam

C8510015Normal

TM43

Brick Break

B7510015Fighting

TR49

Calm Mind

C——20Psychic

TM29

Charm

C—10020Fairy

TM15

Dig

C8010010Ground

TM87

Draining Kiss

D5010010Fairy

TM90

Electric Terrain

D——10Electric

TR80

Electro Ball

D—10010Electric

TM82

Electroweb

C559515Electric

TR30

Encore

A—1005Normal

TR26

Endure+4

C——10Normal

TM39

Facade

D7010020Normal

TM59

Fling

——10010Dark

TR64

Focus Blast

A120705Fighting

TR34

Future Sight

B12010010Psychic

TM09

Giga Impact

C150905Normal

TR77

Grass Knot

A—10020Grass

TM41

Helping Hand+5

C——20Normal

TM08

Hyper Beam

B150905Normal

TR31

Iron Tail

C1007515Steel

TM17

Light Screen

C——30Psychic

TM72

Magic Room

D——10Psychic

TM01

Mega Kick

C120755Normal

Mega Punch

D808520Normal

TR68

Nasty Plot

A——20Dark

TM02

Pay Day

—4010020Normal

TR90

Play Rough

C909010Fairy

TM25

Protect+4

A——10Normal

TR11

Psychic

B9010010Psychic

TR25

Psyshock

C8010010Psychic

TM33

Rain Dance

C——5Water

TM18

Reflect

C——20Psychic

TM21

Rest

C——10Psychic

TR21

Reversal

D—10015Fighting

TM76

Round

D6010015Normal

TM19

Safeguard

C——25Normal

TR27

Sleep Talk

C——10Normal

TM24

Snore

—5010015Normal

TM62

Speed Swap

———10Psychic

TR82

Stored Power

D2010010Psychic

TR20

Substitute

C——10Normal

TR04

Surf

S9010015Water

TM40

Swift

D60—20Normal

TM23

Thief

D6010025Dark

TR09

Thunder

B1107010Electric

TM05

Thunder Punch

C7510015Electric

TM14

Thunder Wave

B—9020Electric

TR08

Thunderbolt

S9010015Electric

TR35

Uproar

C9010010Normal

TM80

Volt Switch

S7010020Electric

TR86

Wild Charge

C9010015Electric

Egg Moves

Raichu doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut

Tutor

Rising Voltage

C7010020Electric

Reminder Moves

Rem

Thunder Punch

C7510015Electric

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 Pikachu
Breed from Pikachu at the Day Care.
Friendship
Step 2Catch or Evolve Pikachu
Forest of Focus
ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Normal Weather
Forest of Focus
SwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Thunderstorm
Forest of Focus
ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Snowstorm
Forest of Focus
SwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Intense Sun
Forest of Focus
SwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Snowing
Forest of Focus
SwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Sandstorm
Forest of Focus
ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Thunderstorm
Forest of Focus
SwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Raining
Forest of Focus
ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Intense Sun
Forest of Focus
SwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Heavy Fog
Forest of Focus
ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Snowing
Forest of Focus
SwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Overcast
Forest of Focus
ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Sandstorm
Forest of Focus
SwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Normal Weather
Forest of Focus
ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Raining
Forest of Focus
SwordOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Snowstorm
Forest of Focus
ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Heavy Fog
Forest of Focus
ShieldOverworld Lv.10-15 Forest
5%Early
Overcast
Route 4
SwordOverworld Lv.14-16 Route
5%Early
All Weather
Route 4
ShieldOverworld Lv.14-16 Route
1%Early
All Weather
Stony Wilderness
ShieldGrass Lv.26-28
10%Mid
Raining
Stony Wilderness
SwordGrass Lv.26-28
10%Mid
Raining
Stony Wilderness - 3
SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
10%Mid
Thunderstorm
Stony Wilderness
ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
5%Mid
Thunderstorm
Stony Wilderness
SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
5%Mid
Thunderstorm
Stony Wilderness - 2
SwordOverworld Lv.28-30
5%Mid
Thunderstorm
Stony Wilderness - 2
ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
5%Mid
Thunderstorm
Stony Wilderness - 3
ShieldOverworld Lv.28-30
5%Mid
Thunderstorm
or evolve from Pichu (Step 1)
Thunder Stone
Step 3Raichu ✓

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.
In Sword & Shield, Raichu's biggest threats include Golem (Ground), Pinsir (Bug), and Gengar (Ghost), all carrying super-effective STAB moves. Dark-type attackers are also a problem. Raichu's base 110 Speed lets it outpace many threats and strike first, which matters more than trying to tank hits.
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.

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

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Stunfisk GroundElectric	A
Available Moves Moves Mud ShotLv. 10 PaybackTM57 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Raichu Mud Shot 2x 50-60% Payback 2x 37-43% Mud-Slap 2x 20-25% View Stunfisk builds →
Mudbray Ground	C
Available Moves Moves BulldozeLv. 12 PaybackTM57 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Raichu Bulldoze 2x 88-105%KO Payback 2x 50-60% Mud-Slap 2x 17-20% View Mudbray builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves PaybackTM57 AstonishLv. 1 Damage vs Raichu Payback 2x 58-70% Astonish 2x 25-30% View Nuzleaf builds →
Baltoy GroundPsychic	D
Available Move Moves Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Raichu Mud-Slap 2x 17-20% View Baltoy builds →
Palpitoad WaterGround	D
Available Move Moves Mud ShotLv. 12 Damage vs Raichu Mud Shot 2x 47-55% View Palpitoad builds →

Stunfisk GroundElectric	A
Available Moves Moves Mud ShotTM53 PaybackTM57 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Raichu Mud Shot 2x 47-56% Payback 2x 36-43% Mud-Slap 2x 21-26% View Stunfisk builds →
Diggersby NormalGround	B
Available Moves Moves BulldozeLv. 23 Brutal SwingTM97 Mud ShotTM53 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Raichu Bulldoze 2x 57-69% Brutal Swing 2x 39-46% Mud Shot 2x 36-43% Payback 2x 31-37% View Diggersby builds →
Mudbray Ground	C
Available Moves Moves BulldozeLv. 12 PaybackTM57 Sand TombTM49 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Raichu Bulldoze 2x 87-103%KO Payback 2x 49-57% Sand Tomb 2x 50-60% Mud-Slap 2x 14-17% View Mudbray builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves PaybackTM57 AstonishLv. 1 Damage vs Raichu Payback 2x 57-69% Astonish 2x 24-29% View Nuzleaf builds →
Baltoy GroundPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves Sand TombTM49 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Raichu Sand Tomb 2x 29-34% Mud-Slap 2x 14-17% View Baltoy builds →

Diggersby NormalGround	B
Available Moves Moves BulldozeLv. 23 Brutal SwingTM97 Mud ShotTM53 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Raichu Bulldoze 2x 56-66% Brutal Swing 2x 36-44% Mud Shot 2x 32-39% Payback 2x 30-36% View Diggersby builds →
Mudbray Ground	C
Available Moves Moves BulldozeLv. 12 PaybackTM57 Sand TombTM49 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Raichu Bulldoze 2x 86-101%KO Payback 2x 48-57% Sand Tomb 2x 52-62% Mud-Slap 2x 16-19% View Mudbray builds →
Nuzleaf GrassDark	D
Available Moves Moves PaybackTM57 AstonishLv. 1 Damage vs Raichu Payback 2x 56-66% Astonish 2x 23-29% View Nuzleaf builds →
Baltoy GroundPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves Sand TombTM49 Mud-SlapLv. 1 Damage vs Raichu Sand Tomb 2x 29-35% Mud-Slap 2x 13-16% View Baltoy builds →
Palpitoad WaterGround	D
TM Move Moves Mud ShotTM53 Damage vs Raichu Mud Shot 2x 39-47% View Palpitoad builds →

Excadrill GroundSteel	A
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 Brutal SwingTM97 Mud ShotTM53 Sand TombTM49 Damage vs Raichu Dig 2x 145-171%KO Brutal Swing 2x 73-86% Mud Shot 2x 33-39% Sand Tomb 2x 66-78% View Excadrill builds →
Hippowdon Ground	A
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 CrunchLv. 20 BiteLv. 1 Mud ShotTM53 Damage vs Raichu Dig 2x 124-147%KO Crunch 2x 83-98% Bite 2x 62-74% Mud Shot 2x 40-48% View Hippowdon builds →
Stunfisk GroundElectric	A
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 Sucker PunchLv. 25 Mud ShotTM53 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Raichu Dig 2x 84-99% Sucker Punch 2x 49-58% Mud Shot 2x 45-54% Payback 2x 35-42% View Stunfisk builds →
Liepard Dark	C
Available Moves Moves Sucker PunchLv. 34 AssuranceLv. 23 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Raichu Sucker Punch 2x 91-108%KO Assurance 2x 79-93% Payback 2x 66-78% View Liepard builds →
Baltoy GroundPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves Earth PowerLv. 30 DigTM15 HexTM77 Sand TombTM49 Damage vs Raichu Earth Power 2x 45-54% Dig 2x 58-69% Hex 2x 22-26% Sand Tomb 2x 28-33% View Baltoy builds →

Excadrill GroundSteel	A
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 Brutal SwingTM97 Mud ShotTM53 Sand TombTM49 Damage vs Raichu Dig 2x 148-174%KO Brutal Swing 2x 74-88% Mud Shot 2x 33-40% Sand Tomb 2x 68-80% View Excadrill builds →
Hippowdon Ground	A
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 CrunchLv. 20 BiteLv. 1 Mud ShotTM53 Damage vs Raichu Dig 2x 126-149%KO Crunch 2x 84-99% Bite 2x 65-76% Mud Shot 2x 41-49% View Hippowdon builds →
Stunfisk GroundElectric	A
Available Moves Moves DigTM15 Sucker PunchLv. 25 Mud ShotTM53 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Raichu Dig 2x 85-100%KO Sucker Punch 2x 50-59% Mud Shot 2x 49-57% Payback 2x 35-42% View Stunfisk builds →
Liepard Dark	C
Available Moves Moves Sucker PunchLv. 34 U-turnTM56 AssuranceLv. 23 PaybackTM57 Damage vs Raichu Sucker Punch 2x 91-109%KO U-turn 2x 61-72% Assurance 2x 80-94% Payback 2x 68-80% View Liepard builds →
Baltoy GroundPsychic	D
Available Moves Moves Earth PowerLv. 30 DigTM15 HexTM77 Sand TombTM49 Damage vs Raichu Earth Power 2x 46-54% Dig 2x 60-71% Hex 2x 22-27% Sand Tomb 2x 29-34% View Baltoy builds →

Settings

Raichu Alola

Stats & Training

Raichu Weakness

Sword & Shield Evolution

How to Evolve

Breeding

Sword & Shield Raichu Best Moveset

Best Build

Moves

Level-Up Moves

TM Moves

Egg Moves

Tutor Moves

Reminder Moves

How to Get Alolan Raichu in Sword & Shield

Raichu Guide