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.
If the electrical sacs become excessively charged, Raichu plants its tail in the ground and discharges. Scorched patches of ground will be found near this Pokémon’s nest.
This Pokémon exudes a weak electrical charge from all over its body that makes it take on a slight glow in darkness. Raichu plants its tail in the ground to discharge electricity.
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 |
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, Excadrill can KO Raichu with Earthquake (168-198%). Landorus threatens a KO with Earthquake (152-179%).
Excadrill GroundSteel | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityMold Breaker ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x168-198%KO Rapid Spin28-33% | ||
Landorus Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySheerforce ItemLife Orb NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Raichu View Landorus builds →Focus Blast58-68% Earthquake 2x152-179%KO | ||
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire 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
Breeding
Breed with Raichu to get Pichu eggs easily using 47 partners from the Fairy and Ground egg groups. Notable egg moves include Bestow, Bide, Charge and 12 more.
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Raichu Best Moveset
Click Volt Switch, bring in a teammate, repeat. Raichu's pivot game is backed by Air Balloon for temporary Ground immunity and max HP and Speed EVs. Lightningrod works in the background while utility options covers bad matchups.
Best Build
Raichu best EVs are HP and Speed
Doubles Pivot Moveset
- Fake Out
- Volt Switch
- Encore
- Nuzzle
Recommended Teammates
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Thunderbolt
- Focus Blast
- Grass Knot
- Nasty Plot
Recommended Teammates
Moves
Hard to wall, honestly. Raichu threatens 12 types beyond its own STAB, with Normal and Fighting standing out. Pair that with Volt Tackle and Thunder and switchins need to think twice.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Reminder Moves
Transfer Moves
How to Get Raichu in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Pichu doesn't appear in the wild, so the 3-stage path to Raichu starts at the nursery. Catch Pikachu first, breed for Pichu, then evolve through the chain.
How to Obtain Raichu in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Raichu Guide
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, 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 Air Balloon is the standard set.
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, 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.
In Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, 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.
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
